President Claudia Sheinbaum said former President Felipe Calderón changed his position regarding the investigation into former Baja California governor Ernesto Ruffo.
The dispute highlights the deep political divide in Mexico over how the current administration handles corruption and organized crime. The clash centers on whether legal proceedings are being used as political tools or as legitimate efforts to secure justice.
Calderón accused the current administration of practicing "selective justice" in the case of Ruffo [1]. This accusation suggests that the government is targeting specific political figures while ignoring others. Sheinbaum denied these claims and said that her administration maintains its integrity and does not engage in biased legal pursuits [1].
Sheinbaum further addressed broader accusations regarding her government's conduct. "Mi gobierno jamás tendría vínculos con el narco," she said [2]. This statement comes amid a larger political climate where previous administrations have been accused of causing pain to Mexico through their security policies [2].
The tension involves historical evidence regarding Ruffo. Reports indicate that Ruffo posted messages linking him to a criminal organization in 2017 [3]. Sheinbaum said that Calderón's current defense of Ruffo contradicts his previous views on the matter.
By challenging Calderón, Sheinbaum is positioning her administration against the legacy of her predecessors. She has previously noted that the actions of former leaders like Calderón contributed to the nation's current struggles with violence, and instability [2].
“"Mi gobierno jamás tendría vínculos con el narco"”
This exchange underscores a continuing struggle for narrative control in Mexico. By framing Calderón's arguments as inconsistent and accusing previous administrations of negligence, Sheinbaum seeks to legitimize her government's legal actions while distancing her presidency from the systemic corruption and drug-related scandals that have plagued prior Mexican governments.
