“We have no fear or uncertainty in stating that we are lawyers for organized crime in Mexico. Do we defend drug traffickers? Yes. Do we defend organized crime? Yes.” These are the words of Juan Pablo Penilla and Arturo Ramírez, known defenders of “El Mayo” Zambada, leaving no doubt about their connections to drug trafficking mafias.
Exposing the Links
Journalists Anabel Hernández and others have identified these controversial figures after the release of a letter in which “El Mayo” pressures the Mexican government to demand his repatriation from the US to avoid a “collapse” between the two countries. Social media is now flooded with photos of Penilla and Ramírez alongside influential Morenistas.
Denials and Contradictions
Claudia Sheinbaum and her party leaders deny any connections. “I don’t know these lawyers; we do not establish relations of complicity or collusion with anyone,” says the president. “We reject any link; in Morena, we are committed to truth and transparency,” adds Luisa María Alcalde. However, the investigation reveals that Arturo Ramírez has been a Morena member since 2018, and Juan Pablo Penilla advises several party leaders, including the governor of Tamaulipas. Both are seen in campaign images with prominent 4T leaders.
Evidence and Silence
Images of the “narco-lawyers” with Claudia Sheinbaum, Arturo Zaldívar, Mario Delgado, Delfina Gómez, Clara Brugada, and Omar García Harfuch circulate widely. The regime remains silent and redirects attention to the controversial reform against nepotism. Critics accuse the government of being a “narco-government,” and the president’s denials are contradicted by the evidence.
The Advance of Narco-Politics
The links between Morena and drug trafficking, anticipated by Anabel Hernández in May 2024, are now confirmed. The relationship between drug trafficking and politics has fueled violence, corruption, and instability in several regions of Mexico. Cartels impose control through campaign financing and infiltration of local governments, collaborating with authorities in exchange for money or protection.
Populist Regimes and Narco-Politics
In populist regimes like Obrador’s, narco-politics exploits social inequalities. Illicit resources finance projects that temporarily address basic needs, reinforcing control and consolidating power. The advance of “narco-governments” and clientelism raises questions about the future of balanced and competitive development in Mexico.
Calls for Legal Certainty
In Yucatan, the new president of Coparmex, Juan José Sierra, emphasizes the need for security and legal certainty to attract investment and protect businesses. “We cannot allow crime, impunity, and the lack of law enforcement to hinder development,” he says. Sierra warns of the consequences of judicial reform and the unchecked advance of narco-politics.
A Threat to Democracy
The infiltration of cartels in governments poses a serious threat to democracy, the rule of law, and social well-being. Violence and intimidation have become the norm in regions dominated by drug traffickers, altering the social fabric and affecting general well-being. Normalizing the culture of drug trafficking would be disastrous.
Heeding the Warnings
Let us not ignore the warnings of Anabel Hernández and Juan José Sierra. The unchecked advance of narco-politics in Mexico, particularly in the Southeast, invites reflection. The threat is real, and the consequences are dire.
Source: Diario de Yucatan
