Corrupt Mexican Lawman ‘El Diablo’ Played a Key Role in Establishing a Narco-State

Mexico's Infamous Former Attorney General Faces Civil Lawsuit After Release from Prison

In a significant legal development, Edgar Veytia, known as “El Diablo,” is now embroiled in a civil lawsuit filed by five families from Nayarit, Mexico, in a U.S. federal court. The plaintiffs accuse Veytia of gross human rights violations during his tenure as Attorney General of Nayarit, which became notorious for cartel violence under his oversight. Veytia’s history is marked by allegations of torture, murder, and extortion, amidst claims that he accepted substantial bribes from drug cartels.

During his tenure, Veytia cultivated a public persona as a zealous lawman. However, behind this façade lies a troubling conduct that involved facilitating drug trafficking operations while accumulating wealth through illicit means—enough to sustain a lavish lifestyle that included properties and a fleet of buses. His confidence in being untouchable culminated in his arrest in March 2017 by U.S. agents at the San Diego border, where he was apprehended for narcotics trafficking.

After pleading guilty in early 2019, Veytia cooperated with U.S. authorities by testifying against other significant figures in organized crime, which ultimately led to a reduced prison sentence. Released in February of this year after serving approximately eight years of his 20-year sentence, Veytia now faces civil allegations under the Torture Victim Protection Act, initiated by victims who claim they suffered severe abuses during his regime.

The plaintiffs, comprising farmers, business owners, and a former police officer, assert that Veytia’s actions created a pervasive culture of fear in Nayarit, characterized by violence and corruption that flourished in the wake of Mexico’s drug war. They seek accountability for the trauma inflicted, claiming that their suffering exemplifies a systemic failure of justice in Mexico.

San Francisco-based Guernica37 is representing these families, seeking reparations for the alleged atrocities committed by Veytia. While Veytia denies the allegations, his attorney has dismissed the claims as fraudulent attempts to extort money from him, emphasizing his prior incarceration for crimes.

The case underscores a broader issue of institutional corruption in Mexico, where the intersection of political power and organized crime has compromised the integrity of law enforcement. Experts claim that the high-profile nature of Veytia’s previous crimes and subsequent U.S. justice involvement highlights an ongoing struggle within Mexico’s judicial framework to address impunity among officials accused of working alongside drug syndicates.

As this civil lawsuit unfolds, it promises to shed more light on the dark realities of life in regions controlled by drug cartels and the pervasive complicity of government officials in perpetuating these crimes. The outcome may not only impact the plaintiffs seeking justice but also shape discussions about accountability and reform within Mexico’s justice system for years to come.