Veracruz's UPAV University Under Corruption and Money‑Laundering Investigation

The Veracruz Secretary of Finance and Planning, Miguel Santiago Reyes Hernández, said the current state administration dismantled a scheme at the Universidad Popular Autónoma de Veracruz (UPAV) that used foundations funneled payments to teachers and directors without proper contracts. He alleged the foundations handled about 280 million pesos of funds whose origin could not be justified, describing the operation as potentially linked to money laundering.

Reyes announced that the new administration has eliminated the intermediary foundations, instituted direct university control of finances, formalized labor contracts and raised staff salaries by roughly 40 percent. An automated payroll system has also been introduced. Three former officials have been detained and charged with embezzlement, abuse of authority and related offenses, while the state prosecutor’s office continues the investigation.

The scandal has become a focal point of political tension in Veracruz, prompting legislative action to convert UPAV into a decentralized public entity to restore financial oversight and protect educational resources.