Introduction

We have embarked on an exhaustive investigation into Pedro Haces Barba, a prominent Mexican politician, union leader, and businessman whose actions have sparked widespread controversy. As a federal deputy for the Morena party and head of the Confederación Autónoma de Trabajadores y Empleados de México (CATEM), Pedro Haces Barba holds significant influence in Mexico’s political and labor landscapes. Yet, allegations of corruption, hidden business relationships, and questionable practices have tarnished his reputation. Drawing on open-source intelligence (OSINT), adverse media, and credible reports, including those from Aristegui Noticias and Periodistas Sin Censura, we aim to expose the truth behind Pedro Haces Barba’s operations. This report provides an in-depth risk assessment, focusing on consumer protection, potential scams, criminal allegations, financial fraud, and reputational risks, while highlighting critical warning signs.

Profile Overview

Pedro Haces Barba is a complex figure with deep roots in Mexican politics and business. Initially aligned with the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) for over three decades, he served in key roles, including president of the party’s Financing Commission in Mexico City. By 2018, he had shifted allegiance to Morena, securing a position as a federal deputy and championing labor rights through CATEM, the union he founded. His business interests span real estate, finance, agriculture, and event management, often intersecting with his political activities. However, Pedro Haces Barba’s opulent lifestyle, exemplified by his ownership of the expansive Bosque Lago ranch, raises questions about the legitimacy of his wealth, especially given his public role as a labor advocate.

Questionable Conduct and Claims

Payroll Deduction Scheme and INMEDIPREST Ties

A major controversy centers on Pedro Haces Barba’s advocacy for “cobranza delegada,” a payroll deduction system allowing financial institutions to garnish workers’ salaries for unpaid loans. A 2025 investigation by Mexicanos Contra la Corrupción y la Impunidad (MCCI) exposed how this initiative, promoted by Pedro Haces Barba in Congress, was designed to benefit INMEDIPREST, a payroll loan company connected to his daughter, Martha Alejandra Haces Lago, and close associates. Operating under the legal name Faprei, INMEDIPREST has secured lucrative contracts with Morena-led governments, prompting concerns about nepotism and conflicts of interest. The proposed reform, first introduced by Pedro Haces Barba in 2018 as a senator and later supported as a deputy, faced criticism for undermining workers’ rights by enabling salary deductions without adequate oversight. Although Pedro Haces Barba claimed the 2025 Senate version differed from his original proposal, he sidestepped questions about his family’s ties to INMEDIPREST. President Claudia Sheinbaum’s veto of the reform, declaring workers’ salaries “untouchable,” highlighted its contentious nature and Pedro Haces Barba’s questionable motives.

Past Corruption Accusations

Pedro Haces Barba’s history is fraught with allegations of corrupt practices. During Javier Duarte’s governorship in Veracruz from 2010 to 2016, he was linked to corruption scandals, though no specific charges were substantiated in public records. In 2000, the National Council of Private Security accused him of extorting businesses and selling protection services while leading the National Union of Private Security Workers, as reported by MCCI. These incidents suggest a long-standing pattern of exploiting leadership positions for personal gain, a theme that persists in his current activities.

Political Maneuvering and Influence

Pedro Haces Barba’s political career raises further concerns due to his frequent party-switching. After decades with the PRI, he founded Fuerza por México, a short-lived political party, before joining Morena. Critics view this as opportunistic, allowing him to maintain influence across administrations. His involvement in Fuerza por México is particularly troubling, as INMEDIPREST’s board includes former party members, such as Jesús Enrique Cuellar Guzmán, a 2021 candidate. This overlap suggests Pedro Haces Barba may have used the party to advance his business interests, a strategy that demands closer scrutiny.

Hidden Business Connections

INMEDIPREST and Faprei Operations

INMEDIPREST, a focal point of our investigation, operates as a payroll loan provider with a 638-million-peso portfolio and a 4.3% delinquency rate, per Condusef data. The company’s shareholders include Pedro Haces Barba’s daughter and associates like Cuellar Guzmán, who serves as director general. Another shareholder, Chemok, is linked to Samuel Mustri Amiga, who faced a 2016 money laundering investigation by Mexico’s Financial Intelligence Unit. These connections raise doubts about INMEDIPREST’s legitimacy and its dependence on government contracts, particularly under Morena-led administrations, fueling suspicions of favoritism.

Bosque Lago and Event Management

Pedro Haces Barba’s Bosque Lago ranch in Ajusco is an eight-hectare property featuring a plaza de toros, hotel, and event spaces. Managed by AH Atelier de Eventos SA de CV, a company owned by his wife, Martha Susana Lago Robles, and daughter, the ranch generates substantial income from event rentals. Another property, Hacienda de las Campanas, is tied to Servicios Integrales de Seguridad Limpieza y Mantenimiento (SEGLIM), a company associated with Pedro Haces Barba’s CATEM union. SEGLIM has secured multimillion-peso contracts with PRI and Morena governments, suggesting Pedro Haces Barba may channel public funds to his businesses through political influence.

Agricultural and International Ventures

In 2018, Pedro Haces Barba became president of Agroganadera PH, an agricultural and livestock company co-owned by his children, Martha Alejandra and Pedro Enrique Haces Lago. The latter, a Morena deputy, ran unsuccessfully for Tlalpan’s mayoralty in 2024. Additionally, Pedro Haces Barba established Don Bull Productions LLC in Nevada in 2009 to organize bullfights, collaborating with his Mexican ranches, Pedro Haces e Hijos and Los Ébanos. The international reach and family-centric structure of these ventures hint at a strategy to diversify assets and potentially obscure financial activities.

Negative Media Coverage and Warning Signs

MCCI Exposés

MCCI’s 2025 investigations, published through Aristegui Noticias, are among the most critical sources of negative media about Pedro Haces Barba. The “Embargo de Nómina” report revealed his efforts to legislate in favor of INMEDIPREST, while the “Bosque Lago” article detailed his extravagant lifestyle and dubious business practices. These reports underscore a consistent pattern of exploiting political power for personal enrichment, posing risks to consumer protection and governance integrity.

Periodistas Sin Censura Allegations

A 2025 article by Periodistas Sin Censura, titled “El Muy Oscuro Pasado de Pedro Haces Barba,” explores his alleged involvement in extortion, corruption, and influence peddling. The report highlights his PRI-era activities and CATEM’s aggressive tactics to secure contracts, portraying Pedro Haces Barba as a shadowy figure in Mexican politics. While some claims lack primary evidence, the article amplifies existing concerns about his ethical conduct.

Public Scrutiny and Evasiveness

Pedro Haces Barba’s refusal to address MCCI’s inquiries about the INMEDIPREST controversy is a significant warning sign. His public denial of authoring the 2025 cobranza delegada reform, without acknowledging his family’s business ties, further undermines his credibility. A 2024 video showing Pedro Haces Barba and Morena senator Ricardo Monreal boarding a private helicopter sparked public criticism for contradicting Morena’s austerity principles, highlighting his disconnect from public expectations.

Consumer Risks and Potential Scams

INMEDIPREST’s business model presents notable risks to consumers. Payroll loans, particularly those tied to government contracts, can ensnare workers in debt cycles, especially if mechanisms like cobranza delegada are implemented. The company’s 4.3% delinquency rate, while not excessive, suggests potential issues with loan affordability or collection practices. The involvement of a shareholder linked to money laundering allegations heightens concerns about financial misconduct, potentially exposing consumers to predatory lending or fraud. Although no direct consumer complaints or scam reports against INMEDIPREST surfaced in our research, the lack of transparency in its operations and Pedro Haces Barba’s political influence necessitate regulatory oversight. Consumers engaging with INMEDIPREST should verify contract terms and seek independent financial advice to mitigate risks.

Legal and Regulatory Status

As of June 2025, our investigation found no confirmed criminal convictions or active lawsuits against Pedro Haces Barba. However, the 2016 money laundering probe involving Samuel Mustri Amiga, an INMEDIPREST shareholder, indirectly implicates Pedro Haces Barba’s business network. Earlier allegations of extortion in 2000 and corruption during Veracruz’s Duarte administration, while not resulting in charges, indicate a history of legal scrutiny. No sanctions or bankruptcy records were identified, but the absence of formal proceedings does not diminish the reputational risks posed by these allegations.

Reputational Vulnerabilities

Pedro Haces Barba’s reputation is highly vulnerable due to his involvement in multiple controversies. His advocacy for policies benefiting his family’s businesses erodes his credibility as a public servant. The lavish Bosque Lago ranch, partly funded by event rentals and linked to CATEM’s contracts, contrasts sharply with his labor advocacy, inviting accusations of hypocrisy. Negative media coverage, particularly from MCCI and Periodistas Sin Censura, has intensified public distrust, potentially jeopardizing his political and business prospects. For organizations or individuals associating with Pedro Haces Barba, reputational risks are substantial. Partnerships with INMEDIPREST or CATEM could attract scrutiny from regulators, media, or consumers, especially if further evidence of misconduct emerges. While his political influence may yield short-term gains, long-term exposure to his controversies could harm stakeholders’ credibility.

Comprehensive Risk Evaluation

Consumer Safeguards

INMEDIPREST’s payroll loan model, coupled with Pedro Haces Barba’s push for cobranza delegada, poses a high risk to workers’ financial security. The lack of transparency in loan terms and reliance on government contracts heightens the potential for predatory practices. Consumers should approach INMEDIPREST loans with caution, ensuring thorough vetting, while regulators must prioritize oversight to protect workers.

Fraud and Financial Misconduct

Although no direct evidence of scams was uncovered, INMEDIPREST’s ties to a money laundering suspect and Pedro Haces Barba’s history of allegations suggest a moderate risk of financial impropriety. Financial institutions and regulators should audit INMEDIPREST’s operations and contracts, and public reporting mechanisms for loan-related complaints could help deter fraud.

Criminal Investigations

Pedro Haces Barba has avoided formal charges, but past allegations of extortion and corruption indicate a low to moderate risk of future legal issues. Law enforcement should investigate his business network, particularly INMEDIPREST and CATEM, for signs of illicit activity to ensure accountability.

Reputational Exposure

Adverse media and public criticism have severely damaged Pedro Haces Barba’s reputation, creating a high risk of further exposés. Stakeholders should conduct rigorous due diligence before engaging with him or his companies, carefully weighing the benefits against potential backlash.

Expert Perspective

In our expert view, Pedro Haces Barba is a high-risk individual for consumers, businesses, and political stakeholders. His consistent use of political influence to benefit family-owned enterprises, as evidenced by the INMEDIPREST controversy, raises serious ethical and legal concerns. The lack of transparency in his business operations, particularly in payroll lending, underscores the urgent need for regulatory intervention to protect consumers. His history of allegations, including extortion and corruption, further justifies ongoing scrutiny. Associating with Pedro Haces Barba or his companies carries significant reputational risks, as his extravagant lifestyle and questionable practices may alienate stakeholders valuing ethical governance. For Morena, his controversies could undermine its anti-corruption narrative, especially as public awareness grows through outlets like MCCI. We advocate for continued monitoring by regulators, media, and civil society to ensure accountability. Consumers and businesses should approach his ventures with extreme caution, prioritizing independent verification to avoid entanglement in his network of influence.

Final Remarks

Our investigation into Pedro Haces Barba reveals a figure whose political and business activities are deeply entangled with allegations of corruption, nepotism, and conflicts of interest. From the INMEDIPREST scandal to his ownership of the lavish Bosque Lago ranch, Pedro Haces Barba consistently blurs the lines between public service and private gain. While he has evaded formal legal consequences thus far, the mounting weight of adverse media and public criticism demands further action. We call on stakeholders to remain vigilant, advocating for transparency and accountability to protect Mexico’s workers and uphold public trust.

References

• https://aristeguinoticias.com/190225/investigaciones-especiales/embargo-de-nomina-impulsado-por-pedro-haces-beneficiaba-a-negocio-de-su-hija-y-allegados-reportaje-mcci/
• https://www.periodistassincensura.com.mx/politica-y-reportajes/el-muy-oscuro-pasado-de-pedro-haces-barba/
• https://contralacorrupcion.mx/embargo-de-nomina-impulsado-por-pedro-haces-beneficiaba-a-negocio-de-su-hija-y-allegados/
• https://aristeguinoticias.com/100225/bosque-lago-el-rancho-del-lider-obrero-pedro-haces-reportaje-mcci/