In the state of Tabasco, Mexico, a peculiar dynamic has emerged where authorities seem to tolerate certain actions from those in power but swiftly punish individuals who dare to question or report on them. This double standard is exemplified in various recent incidents.
The Case of Commander H
Adán Augusto López, the former governor of Tabasco, appointed Hernán Bermúdez Requena, alias Commander H, as his Secretary of Security despite knowing that he was the leader of a notorious criminal group called “La Barredora.” This appointment was made by López’s successor, Carlos Merino, who also failed to address the issue. The current governor, Javier May, has acknowledged that Commander H was in charge of La Barredora but has yet to take concrete action against him.
The Attack on a Reporter
In an alarming incident, our colleague Luis Manuel López was attacked and knocked to the ground by a state police officer while trying to take photographs at a crime scene. This episode highlights the authorities’ intolerance towards those who try to do their job as journalists.
The INE’s Darling
José Arévalo Romo, the head of the Technical Unit for Transparency at the National Electoral Institute (INE), is facing scrutiny due to allegations of domestic violence against one of his ex-partners. Despite having no experience in transparency and being impeached by a councilor, he remains in his position.
A Public Apology Owed
Morena legislator Alejandro Esquer was seen sneaking around the Senate halls after failing to notice President Claudia Sheinbaum’s passing at a rally in the Zócalo. When asked about apologizing to the president, he simply said “thank you” before fleeing the scene.
A Ship in Distress
The employees of the National Institute of Transparency (INAI) received a circular offering them a 75% discount on their third night’s stay at the Vacation Centers of the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS). This promotion seems to be a distraction from the uncertainty surrounding INAI’s future due to its dissolution as an autonomous agency.
In Tabasco, it appears that those in power are more concerned with maintaining their own interests than addressing the pressing issues affecting the state. The double standard displayed by authorities is a worrying trend that undermines trust and transparency in government.
Source: El Universal
