Morelos Mayors Filmed with Armed Sinaloa Cartel Leader

A major political scandal has erupted in Morelos, Mexico, after a leaked video surfaced online showing two municipal mayors meeting with Júpiter Araujo Bernard, alias “El Barbas”, a suspected Sinaloa Cartel leader.

The footage features Cuautla Mayor Jesús Corona Damián and Atlatlahucán Mayor Agustín Toledano Amaro at the same table as El Barbas, who is visibly armed. The video has sparked outrage and demands for an official investigation into possible cartel influence in local government.

Who Are the Politicians in the Video?

The mayors, both elected in June 2024 under the PRI-PAN-PRD-RSP coalition, are seen seated next to El Barbas, who holds an assault rifle resting between his legs.

• Jesús Corona Damián (Cuautla Mayor) – Previously served from 2018 to 2021 and was re-elected in 2024 on a tough-on-crime campaign slogan: “I’ll handle security myself.”
• Agustín Toledano Amaro (Atlatlahucán Mayor) – Newly elected, facing serious allegations due to this video.

Also present in the footage are:

• Samuel Márquez, “El Mayor” – Cuautla’s current secretary of the city council and a former security escort to Mayor Corona Damián.
• Jorge Bazán Reyes – A leader of local merchants in Cuautla.

Cartel Violence and Political Corruption in Morelos

The leaked footage raises concerns about the deep ties between politicians and criminal organizations in Morelos. Cuautla, in particular, has become a hotspot for cartel violence, with rising cases of:

• Homicides
• Extortion
• Femicide
• Disappearances of women

In March 2024, Corona Damián survived an assassination attempt, allegedly carried out by criminal groups. His bulletproof vehicle saved his life, but the case was never fully resolved.

This latest video reinforces fears of political corruption and suggests cartel influence in local governance, leaving many citizens demanding action.

What Happens Next?

The Mexican government and law enforcement agencies are under pressure to investigate the politicians involved. So far, no official charges have been announced.

This scandal highlights the increasing challenges Mexico faces in curbing cartel infiltration into political institutions, particularly in states like Morelos, where crime rates remain high.