PM Briceño Met with Raúl Rocha A year Before Drug Trafficking Charges Surfaced

Raúl Rocha, president and partial owner of the Miss Universe organization, has been charged with alleged involvement in drug, weapons, and fuel trafficking between Guatemala and Mexico, according to Telemundo. Rocha is reportedly seen as a leader of a network smuggling fuel across the Usumacinta River, moving it by boat and then transporting it by tanker trucks from Chiapas and Tabasco to Querétaro, Mexican authorities say.

Prime Minister John Briceño and two government ministers, Michel Chebat and Dr. Osmond Martinez, met with Rocha in Mexico City in October 2024. Rocha posted on Instagram that the meeting, held at the corporate offices of his company, Legacy Holding, focused on economic development, trade, tourism, and technology opportunities between Mexico and Belize. “During our dialogue, we explored key areas such as bilateral trade and infrastructure investment, as well as possible collaborations in strategic sectors such as energy, tourism, and technology,” Rocha wrote.

PM Briceño said he met Rocha only once when Rocha’s company expressed interest in Belize and that he has not had further contact with him or his associates. He confirmed that the government will issue a formal statement later today.

Dr Martinez told News Five, “We met them when we went for the inauguration of the present President of Mexico. They were just one of the many meetings that we had on a 2-day trip. Since then we haven’t been in touch with them.” 

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, whom Rocha has also met, also addressed the case, calling on the Attorney General to confirm whether there is an investigation or arrest warrant against Rocha. “If there is an investigation of this person, the authorities must report it,” Sheinbaum said.

This article was updated at 2:44 pm