# Former Consul Denies Involvement in Ghost Consulate Scandal in Mexico Colombia cancels a non-operational Tijuana consulate that cost taxpayers over 153,000 dollars. - **Source:** [Infobae](https://www.infobae.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-04 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/e90448d3-d4f2-43a4-ba19-37e159ff9e89 ## Ghost Consulate Investigation The Colombian government officially canceled the Tijuana consulate after it failed to open for public service. Despite remaining non-operational, the state paid over 153,000 dollars in salaries to a provisional consul and committed to rental expenses. Authorities have now referred the case to the Prosecutor and Procurator General for formal investigation. ## Administrative Origins The office was established under Decree 1405, signed on November 22, 2024, by then-Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo. This mandate also included plans for new consulates in Monterrey and Tuxtla Gutiérrez. Two years later, the Tijuana site remained closed, forcing 1,500 local Colombian residents to seek assistance 2,700 kilometers away in Mexico City. ## Andrés Hernández's Defense Former Mexico City Consul Andrés Hernández publicly denied any involvement in the creation of the Tijuana office. He claimed he actively opposed the project, arguing that the Mexico City consulate already provided sufficient coverage for 20 of Mexico's 32 states. He stated he refused to manage funds allocated for these new offices. ## Refusal of Funds Hernández asserted that he rejected receiving resources for the new consulates into his office's accounts, requesting their return to the Foreign Ministry. He alleged that the Colombian Embassy in Mexico handled the opening process directly. He refused to sign documents for decisions he did not support, leading to the eventual return of funds. ## Allegations of Misconduct The former diplomat claimed that embassy staff, specifically secretaries of foreign relations, presented themselves as consuls, which he described as an unauthorized expansion of their duties. He also alleged that commission payments were made to career officials involved in the process, though he provided no further details regarding the recipients of these specific payments. ## Consular Coverage Claims Defending his tenure, Hernández highlighted a mobile consulate mission he led in Tijuana in March 2025. He noted that his team successfully processed documents and engaged with local authorities despite difficult weather conditions. He maintained that his existing jurisdiction was capable of addressing the needs of the Colombian community throughout the region. ## Legal and Institutional Scrutiny The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by Omar Bula Escobar, transferred the case to the Prosecutor General and the Procurator General on August 27, 2026. The investigation aims to clarify the circumstances surrounding the hiring processes, the payments made, and the outstanding financial obligations left behind following the abrupt cancellation of the office. ## Current Status of Inquiry The scandal highlights significant administrative failures in foreign service management. While the government has moved to shutter the non-operational site, the lack of response from the Embassy or the Foreign Ministry regarding Hernández's specific allegations leaves many questions unanswered. Future audits will determine if further disciplinary actions are necessary for those involved. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2026/11/04/el-exconsul-en-mexico-durante-el-gobierno-petro-hablo-sobre-el-escandalo-por-la-creacion-de-un-consulado-de-mentiras-en-tijuana-no-tuve-participacion/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._