CIUDAD JUAREZ, February 7 – Lieutenant Colonel Fernando Martínez García has been officially appointed as the new head of the Ciudad Juarez Customs Office, a move confirmed by the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit in a statement issued on January 16. This appointment comes amidst significant challenges, including an ongoing investigation into fiscal fuel smuggling and previous allegations of corruption within the office.
Official Confirmation and Industry Engagement
The appointment was further corroborated by the maquiladora association Index Juárez in the February edition of its monthly magazine. According to the publication, representatives from Index Ciudad Juárez and Index Chihuahua conducted an official visit on January 30 to the new Customs director.
“The objective of the visit was to establish close coordination to streamline processes and enhance the competitiveness of the industrial sector, an undeniable economic engine of the region,” stated Index. The association emphasized the importance of facilitating daily operations and strengthening the border’s economic environment in the face of current global challenges.
Background of the New Director and Predecessor’s Departure
The SHCP’s communication, referenced in official notice 900-01-00-00-00-2026-18-bis, confirmed Martínez García’s designation. He replaces Rafael Buenrostro, who had been serving as interim head following the departure of Colonel Octavio Othón López Pérez. López Pérez’s exit was marred by accusations of corruption linked to fiscal fuel smuggling, a practice known locally as “huachicol fiscal.”
Both former officials have exchanged criticisms regarding their potential responsibility in the alleged crime. The reality is that an open investigation by the Attorney General’s Office (FGR) is currently underway. This investigation focuses on the illicit entry of fuel tankers into the country via the Zaragoza International Bridge, where the legal origin of the fuel could not be verified.
Martínez García’s Previous Roles and Challenges
Publications from the state of Baja California indicate that in 2022, Fernando Martínez García served as the head of the Customs Office in Tijuana and was replaced in October 2023 by Alejandro Eugenio Robles Segura. Like Othón López, Martínez is also a retired colonel from the Ministry of National Defense (Sedena). He is reported to have implemented a system to control the entry of illegal vehicles from the United States.
Some media outlets have reported that prior to his tenure at the Tijuana Customs Office, Martínez had been stationed in Mexicali, and before being assigned to Ciudad Juarez, he worked in Cancún, Quintana Roo.
Notably, the official website of the National Customs Agency (ANAM) has not published any bulletin regarding the changes in the Ciudad Juarez Customs Office, neither in 2026 nor throughout 2025. The most recent communication from ANAM that includes information about this border region dates back to November 2024 and is solely related to service hours.
Ongoing Issues and Public Concerns
The appointment comes at a time when the Ciudad Juarez Customs Office faces various public complaints and operational challenges. Recent reports highlight issues such as vehicles being held during the import process, with citizens alleging requests for additional payments, which they consider acts of corruption.
Despite these challenges, the Customs Office has reported record revenues. Over 63 billion pesos were collected from imports entering through Juarez’s cargo crossings, a fact cited by Anierm as a reason to keep the commercial lane at the Free Bridge open. This surge in revenue, however, occurred during a period when corruption allegations were brought to light, with an increase of 20 billion pesos from October 2024 to October 2025 compared to the previous year.
The operational inefficiencies at the Customs Office have also drawn criticism. The municipal representative in El Paso, Acereto, warned that bottlenecks, closed lanes, and rigid protocols at the Mexican Customs Office contribute to increased pollution, hinder competitiveness, and negatively impact the daily lives of thousands of residents and commuters.
The new director, Lieutenant Colonel Fernando Martínez García, will therefore be tasked with not only overseeing daily customs operations but also addressing deeply entrenched issues of corruption, improving efficiency, and restoring public trust in the institution.
