The president of the National Action Party (PAN), Jorge Romero, stated the party’s position on the Interoceanic Train derailment in Oaxaca via his social media accounts. Romero directly blamed the Federal Government, asserting that the incident was not a common accident, but rather the result of corruption and ineptitude.
Romero expressed his solidarity with the victims and their families, but emphasized that “this could have been avoided; this is a consequence of the government’s corruption and ineptitude,” according to statements published in a video. He pointed out that the Superior Audit Office of the Federation and railway specialists had warned for years about irregularities in the project’s execution.
The PAN leader alleged that the project was rife with “kickbacks, influence peddling, and improvisation,” claiming that former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador even placed his son in supervisory roles despite his lack of experience. Romero mentioned recordings in which two contractors, allegedly close to the former president’s family, discuss obtaining benefits through their government connections.
For the PAN (National Action Party), the derailment was “highly predictable,” and they demanded a series of immediate actions:
Fair compensation for the victims and reparations for the damage.
An audit of contracts and cost overruns in the project.
An independent investigation by the Attorney General’s Office.
Romero emphasized: “We have to get to the bottom of this, no matter who is involved. It doesn’t matter if it’s a businessman, a contractor, a politician, or a relative of a politician. There should be no exceptions. We want justice now.”
Following the accident, Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum announced a payment of 30,000 pesos to each affected family. This financial support is intended to cover urgent expenses resulting from the accident, such as transportation and initial medical care.
Sheinbaum clarified that this amount is an initial measure while the investigations to determine the causes of the accident continue. In addition to financial support, institutional assistance is being provided through the Executive Commission for Victim Assistance and the General Directorate for Victim Assistance.
During her visit to Oaxaca, Sheinbaum toured hospitals and spoke with medical staff, assuring them that the Federal Government will provide comprehensive support to the families as the investigations progress.
The Interoceanic Train derailment occurred on Sunday, December 28, at 9:28 a.m., on the section between Salina Cruz and Coatzacoalcos, near the towns of Nizanda and Chivela, in Oaxaca.
The Mexican Navy reported that a locomotive lost alignment with the track, causing all four cars to derail. The first car rolled down a 6.5-meter embankment, while the second car was partially suspended.
Approximately 250 people were on board the train. The death toll was 13, with 44 people hospitalized. Federal authorities reported that 9 people were treated at the scene and 109 were transported to hospitals.
The director general of the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), Zoé Robledo, reported that none of the patients are in critical condition, although some have fractures that will require surgery.
Source: milenio
