Los Cabos, Baja California Sur – The municipal government of Los Cabos has moved the recently opened Cabo San Lucas delegation offices after uncovering what officials described as serious anomalies in the building’s acquisition contract. The decision was confirmed this week by Secretary-General Alberto Rentería Santana, who said the previous administration’s agreement appeared to have been misrepresented.
According to Rentería Santana, the property—located in the Brisas del Pacífico neighborhood—was presented to the public as a purchase. However, upon review, the deal functioned as a long-term lease disguised as a sale.
“We found numerous technical and legal flaws that could legally compromise this administration,” Rentería Santana said. “That is why we made the decision to vacate the property and avoid being part of an irregular process.”
Municipal departments that had been working from the building were removed over recent days. The secretary-general said a public announcement with details of the new office locations will be made on Monday, August 11.
Background: Los Cabos Delegations
Los Cabos operates two main delegations: Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo. Each functions as a local administrative branch handling permits, public works, citizen services, and community programs.
Delegation offices are often the first point of contact for residents and businesses seeking municipal services, making their location, accessibility, and operational stability a key issue for local governance.
Questions over prior administration’s property handling
While the city has not yet disclosed which specific departments were operating in the facility, the relocation is part of a broader review of agreements signed under the previous municipal government. In recent months, Los Cabos authorities have flagged several cases where property acquisitions or leases lacked adequate transparency or failed to follow procurement protocols.
The Brisas del Pacífico building was touted as a strategic move to expand administrative capacity in Cabo San Lucas, where population growth has put pressure on public services. Its relocation now raises questions about whether political expediency was prioritized over due diligence in the last administration’s final months in office.
Why Contract Irregularities Matter
In Mexico, municipal property transactions must follow strict procurement rules to ensure public funds are used responsibly. Irregularities—such as mislabeling a lease as a purchase—can lead to legal disputes, financial losses, and challenges to the legitimacy of an administration’s actions.
Such cases often trigger audits by state oversight bodies and, in some instances, intervention by anti-corruption agencies.
What happens next
City officials are expected to complete an internal audit of the building contract and determine whether financial restitution or legal action is warranted. Meanwhile, staff and residents will have to adjust to the interim office arrangements that will be announced next week.
Los Cabos’ municipal administration has been vocal about its intent to improve transparency and financial accountability. The handling of this case will be an early test of whether those commitments can be translated into decisive action without disrupting essential public services.
