Shareholders Allege Fraud
Shareholders of the transport firm Corredor Nueva Generación (Congesa) have announced plans to stage protests and block the Circuito Interior highway near the Mexico City International Airport (AICM) to pressure authorities over an alleged massive fraud. The affected parties directly accuse José García Lagunas—who they claim is illegally holding the position of Chairman of the Board—of embezzling company funds and depriving nearly 100 shareholders, 80 percent of whom are senior citizens, of their profits.
Allegations of Mismanagement
Accusations against García Lagunas include the unauthorized sale of buses, attempts to sell corporate property, and the operation of vehicles without official permits along the Circuito Interior corridor. This route is considered strategic, as it connects key hubs in the capital, including the airport, Tacubaya, and the La Raza and Juanacatlán metro stations. "We are desperate. The Mexico City government is supposed to support us, but they have ignored us," said one affected shareholder, who requested anonymity for fear of retaliation after receiving threats.
A Failed Modernization Project
Congesa was officially established in 2012 as a concessioned corridor intended to modernize the city's "Route 03." The original project replaced 240 aging microbuses with 102 high-capacity buses, turning former transport operators into shareholders entitled to monthly dividends. However, the partners claim that the current management has collapsed the business model, leaving them without any financial returns.
Government Response
Shareholders confirmed they have presented their case to the Secretariat of Mobility (SEMOVI) and to Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada. Despite these efforts, the group claims they have received no concrete solutions to regulate the concessionaire, prompting the threat of protests near the airport.
For its part, SEMOVI reported that it has met with the affected parties on four separate occasions. However, the agency clarified that it lacks the legal authority to intervene in the conflict, as it is a private financial dispute.
"Regarding the allegations of non-payment, SEMOVI has no authority to audit the income of concessioned public transport companies," the agency stated. The authorities emphasized that because this is a civil and commercial matter, the claims must be settled in the appropriate courts to determine the legality of García Lagunas's administration.
