The government of Baja California, led by Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda, announced that Banca Afirme has returned 172 million pesos to the state treasury after a series of legal actions aimed at safeguarding public funds.
The amount includes 123 million pesos withheld by the bank since January 2022, along with interest accrued during that period. These funds were originally allocated to the now-abandoned solar power project known as Next Energy.
Said project came to a halt at the end of former Governor Jaime Bonilla’s term, despite the state having already transferred 123 million pesos to the company in charge. The venture never progressed, as it lacked the necessary federal permits to begin energy generation. Due to its legal, technical, and financial shortcomings, Governor Marina del Pilar’s administration halted the project and launched efforts to recover the public funds.
Acting through its Legal Counsel Office, the state pursued a series of legal, administrative, and financial actions that ultimately led Banca Afirme to propose a reparatory agreement. The bank returned the full principal along with accrued interest, for a total of 172,158,622 pesos.
Authorities also recently confirmed the arrest and indictment of Nabor “N,” a former Banca Afirme official, on charges related to the unlawful retention of those same 123 million pesos. The funds were directly connected to the construction contract for the Next Energy plant in Mexicali, a project that never moved forward due to missing regulatory approvals.
Reaffirming her administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability, Governor Marina del Pilar stated:
“Not a single peso belonging to the people of Baja California will be lost. What was mishandled in the past is now being corrected with determination and in accordance with the law. This is a historic recovery that rightfully belongs to the people of Baja California.”
