Yucatán official denies using public funds for UK trip

Ermilo Barrera Novelo, the Secretary of Economy and Labor for Yucatán, is facing conflicting reports regarding the funding of a recent trip to the United Kingdom.

Barrera Novelo has denied allegations of misuse of public funds, asserting that he personally covered 100 percent of the costs for the mission. He stated the trip coincided with a personal event, specifically a wedding in Glasgow, Scotland, and maintained that the official portion of the agenda was successful in promoting Yucatecan products in European markets.

Conversely, investigative reports allege that the trip, which included first-class flights, luxury accommodations in London, and high-end dining, cost approximately 2.5 million pesos and was funded by the state treasury. These reports claim the official nature of the mission was a cover for attending a friend's wedding and note that no United Kingdom authorities attended the scheduled official meetings.