President Claudia Sheinbaum rejected accusations that her government is using the justice system for political purposes in the investigation of former Baja California governor Ernesto Ruffo [1].
The dispute highlights the tension between the administration and the National Action Party (PAN) over the independence of the judiciary. If the investigation is perceived as a political tool, it could deepen the divide between the federal government and opposition leaders.
Speaking in Mexico City on July 27, 2024, Sheinbaum addressed claims made by PAN national leader Jorge Romero regarding the probe into Ruffo [2]. The president said the accusations of political persecution were "absolutely false" [1].
Sheinbaum said that the federal government does not utilize justice institutions for political ends [3]. She said the investigation was based on the findings of the Fiscalía General, which she said provided a significant amount of conclusive evidence [2].
According to the president, the evidence links the case to a fuel-smuggling network rather than political motives [1]. The investigation has led to the detention of at least eight people [4].
"La Fiscalía General dio muchísimas pruebas contundentes," Sheinbaum said [2].
The president said that the legal process is based on the evidence presented by prosecutors. She said the case against the former governor was not an attempt to target political opponents [3].
“"Es absolutamente falso que exista una persecución política."”
This confrontation underscores the ongoing struggle for legitimacy between Mexico's executive branch and the PAN opposition. By framing the Ruffo investigation as a criminal matter involving fuel smuggling rather than a political one, Sheinbaum is attempting to shield the judiciary from claims of weaponization while signaling a crackdown on organized crime networks linked to former officials.
