After national media reported that relatives of Tourism Secretary (Sectur) Josefina Rodríguez Zamora hold positions connected to the tourism sector, the federal official issued a statement on Saturday, September 5, rejecting any suggestion that she had used her position to obtain personal benefits or favor family interests.
Tianguis Turístico 2027 Will Be Managed by the Tourism Secretary’s Brother
The case gained attention because one of the allegations involves José David Rodríguez, the secretary’s brother, who works as an Specialized Consultative Analyst A at the Puebla Secretariat of Tourism Development. According to information published about the case, his superior is Carla López-Malo Villalón, who has been described as being close to the federal official.
The controversy is also related to the decision for Puebla to host the Tianguis Turístico 2027, considered one of the country’s main commercial showcases for the tourism sector. The federal secretary handed the symbolic baton for the next edition to Puebla Governor Alejandro Armenta, while her brother is now reportedly connected to the organization of the event in the state.
Amid growing questions following a report published by Reforma, Rodríguez Zamora stated that there has been no misuse of her position and said she is willing to have any allegations reviewed by the appropriate authorities.
Josefina Rodríguez Denies Using Her Position for Personal Benefit
In a statement published on her social media accounts Saturday, the Tourism Secretary said she had carefully read the reports that generated the controversy and considered it necessary to clarify the issues raised. The official denied that her position within the federal government had been used to obtain personal benefits.
Rodríguez Zamora said that her actions as a public servant have been and will continue to be in accordance with the law, and stated that she has no objection to having the allegations reviewed by the competent authorities.
One of the central points of her response was her willingness to make her financial and administrative information transparent, as the same media outlet had also reported on luxury items worn by Josefina Rodríguez.
The secretary stated that:
- Her assets are subject to institutional transparency and oversight mechanisms.
- Her asset declarations contain the relevant information regarding her property and possessions.
- She is willing to provide explanations and documents if the authorities consider them necessary.
- She denies having used public resources to obtain personal benefits.
- Decisions made by the Secretariat of Tourism, she said, are based on institutional criteria and not on family interests.
“I have nothing to hide,” the official stated, adding that she is willing to provide whatever documentation may be necessary to clarify any questions.
Regarding her brother’s position within the Puebla government, she said: “Anyone who has a relationship with me must be responsible for their own actions and activities.”
The Controversy Over Luxury Items and Her Response Regarding Her Assets
The questions surrounding the secretary’s family environment came only days after another controversy involving her assets and the use of items considered luxury goods.
In recent days, Rodríguez Zamora had already denied that any of her watches or other personal belongings had been purchased with public resources or by taking advantage of her position as Tourism Secretary.
In that response, the official explained that her professional career began long before she joined the presidential cabinet and highlighted her years of work in the private sector, particularly in the restaurant industry.
She also stated that, together with her family, she has built her own assets over the years and that these are reflected in her asset declarations.
Among the items that generated questions were a diamond ring, a Cartier watch, designer clothing, and luxury-brand footwear. Reference was also made to items used by her partner, Iván García Juárez.
Rodríguez Zamora denied that these belongings had been purchased with public resources during her tenure.
Source: infobae
