Mexico City, July 2 – Gilda Susana Lozoya, the younger sister of former Pemex director Emilio Lozoya Austin, was arrested on Thursday at Benito Juárez International Airport in Mexico City. The Attorney General’s Office (FGR) confirmed the arrest, stating that an arrest warrant had been issued against her in 2020 for alleged money laundering.
Arrest Linked to Agronitrogenados Case
The charges against Gilda Susana Lozoya stem from the acquisition of Agronitrogenados, a fertilizer plant purchased by the state oil company Pemex in January 2014 at an inflated price. The plant had been out of operation for 14 years and its equipment was 30 years old at the time of purchase.
Her brother, Emilio Lozoya Austin, remains under house arrest for corruption related to the Odebrecht case and the Agronitrogenados acquisition. He is accused of receiving bribes and facilitating the overvalued purchase.
The Operation and Investigation
The arrest operation involved agents from the FGR, the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), and the Secretariat of the Navy (SEMAR). Gilda Susana Lozoya had been under investigation by the Criminal Investigation Agency (AIC) and the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Competence Control (FECOC).
According to the FGR’s statement, Gilda Susana Lozoya “possibly carried out acts with resources of illicit origin, and became a beneficiary of a company, through the transfer of rights made by Emilio Lozoya.” Authorities accuse her of managing resources of illicit origin within a financial triangulation scheme “without valid economic or commercial justification.”
Emilio Lozoya’s Confession and Allegations
In a 63-page confession in 2020, Emilio Lozoya detailed how six million dollars from the construction company Odebrecht were distributed. This money was allegedly used to pay foreign consultants for Peña Nieto’s campaign and various congressmen to push through the energy reform, a controversial legal change that allowed private companies to exploit Mexican oil.
According to Lozoya, the corruption scheme originated from orders by Luis Videgaray, then Secretary of Finance during Enrique Peña Nieto’s presidency. The list of implicated politicians included Peña Nieto himself, former presidents Felipe Calderón and Carlos Salinas de Gortari, two former secretaries, three governors, two former directors of Pemex, a former right-wing presidential candidate, and several senators from the PAN and PRI parties.
Sister Used as a Front
Emilio Lozoya allegedly used his sister as a front, even when she was a student. Gilda Susana Lozoya is listed as a beneficiary in a Tochos Holding Limited account located in Switzerland. This company received three million dollars from Altos Hornos accounts between June and November 2012. Prosecutors allege this money was used by Lozoya to purchase a 1,165 square meter house in late 2012, which he then failed to pay for, in an attempt to conceal the origin of the funds. Instead, the money was diverted through Tochos Holding.
Broader Implications and Ongoing Investigations
The arrest of Gilda Susana Lozoya underscores the ongoing efforts by Mexican authorities to combat corruption at high levels. The Agronitrogenados case and the Odebrecht scandal have been central to numerous investigations into illicit financial activities and political corruption during previous administrations.
The FGR has stated that investigations will continue to fully clarify the extent of Gilda Susana Lozoya’s involvement and any other individuals who may be connected to these alleged illicit financial operations. The Mexican public and international observers are closely watching these developments as the country grapples with a history of corruption.
This arrest is another significant step in the broader anti-corruption campaign in Mexico, aiming to bring to justice those involved in financial crimes and misuse of public funds.
Source: https://elpais.com/mexico/2026-07-02/la-fiscalia-detiene-a-gilda-susana-lozoya-hermana-de-emilio-lozoya-austin-en-el-aeropuerto-de-ciudad-de-mexico.html
