The Carla Berenice arrest underscores allegations of embezzlement and absenteeism in Puerto Vallarta’s council as authorities await her initial hearing schedule.
Carla Berenice N, a former councilwoman and advisor to the president of the Puerto Vallarta City Council, was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon by agents from the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office. Her detention follows an arrest warrant issued by a supervisory judge after she failed to appear at required hearings and could not be located at her registered address.
At the time of her arrest, authorities acted on claims that Carla Berenice N repeatedly skipped city council sessions and continued to receive a salary without fulfilling her responsibilities. Sources indicate she is under investigation for embezzlement and the irregular performance of public functions, including allegations that she placed family members on the municipal payroll.
Carla Berenice N began her political career with Morena but left the party to join the Green Ecologist Party of Mexico (PVEM). During the recent municipal campaign, she aligned with Luis Ernesto Munguía González’s team. When Munguía assumed office as council president, he appointed her as an advisor—a role she would later lose amid mounting accusations.
The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office opened its probe after internal audits flagged discrepancies in council attendance records. Investigators say Carla Berenice N was removed from her advisory post when those audits revealed she had not shown up for work yet continued drawing her official salary. The investigation is now focusing on whether she directed council resources to benefit her relatives.
A spokesperson for the prosecutor’s office confirmed that the warrant served as a mechanism to ensure her appearance before the courts and to set the stage for formal charges. “She did not present herself at scheduled hearings, and efforts to locate her at her provided address were unsuccessful. The warrant allows us to proceed with due process,” the spokesperson said.
Authorities are now waiting for the supervising judge to announce the date and time of Carla Berenice N’s initial hearing. Until then, she remains in custody under the jurisdiction of the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office.
Local activists and civil society groups have praised the arrest as a sign that municipal leaders will be held accountable. “For too long, absenteeism and self-dealing have gone unchecked in our local government,” said one community organizer who requested anonymity. “This action shows that oversight bodies can deliver results.”
Political observers note that this case may have broader implications for both Morena and PVEM in the region. Carla Berenice N’s defection from Morena to PVEM came amid internal party rifts, and her arrest could influence voter sentiment ahead of future elections.
Meanwhile, residents of Puerto Vallarta have expressed mixed reactions. Some applaud the prosecutor’s office for pursuing corruption allegations, while others worry about the potential impact on municipal projects. “We need transparency, but we also need stability,” said a local business owner. “Our community depends on reliable leadership.”
As the legal process unfolds, all eyes will be on the prosecutor’s office and the judiciary to ensure that justice is served swiftly and transparently. The Carla Berenice arrest marks a critical moment in Puerto Vallarta’s effort to root out corruption and strengthen the integrity of local governance.
