Veracruz legislators under scrutiny and worm outbreak threatens cattle and public health

Veracruz deputy Esteban Bautista Hernández, who coordinates the local Morena caucus, disclosed that three million pesos were spent on a contingency despite the legislature not being authorized to use such resources. He suggested the Internal Control Office should investigate the disbursement, while opposition legislators consider bringing the matter before the anti‑corruption prosecutor.

At the same time, a surge of the invasive screwworm (gusano barrenador) is affecting the region. Mexico’s health secretariat reported 34 new human cases, bringing the national total to 446, with two deaths recorded in Oaxaca and Yucatán. The United States Department of Agriculture confirmed 15 positive cases in Texas and is deploying sterile flies to stop the pest’s spread. Officials warn the infestation could halt Mexican cattle exports to the United States and cause up to $1.8 billion in losses if it becomes widespread.