Allegations have surfaced implicatively linking Juan Pablo Penilla Rodríguez, the defense attorney for infamous drug lord Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, to the political party Morena. Political figures from the opposition, particularly from the National Action Party (PAN), have voiced concerns about Penilla’s connections to Morena, raising questions about the party's associations with organized crime.
Jorge Triana, the spokesperson for PAN, recently drew attention to the acknowledgment Penilla received from Morena senators for his human rights work. "En 2023, los diputados de Morena llevaron al Congreso al abogado de ‘El Mayo’ Zambada para 'galardonarlo' por su trayectoria como jurista,” Triana stated, emphasizing the irony of honoring someone linked to cartel activity.
Further complicate the situation, federal deputy Federico Döring also condemned Morena's alleged relationship with Penilla. He expressed his outrage, noting, “Vaya cinismo y desfachatez del narco gobierno de Morena de considerar ser el defensor de oficio del ‘El Mayo' Zambada.” These comments highlight the fierce political climate surrounding this issue, showcasing the lengths to which parties will go to discredit one another.
On December 1, 2023, the Morena party highlighted Penilla as one of the honorees of the "Reconocimiento Nacional Pro Humanitas 2023," awarded by the Lex Pro Humanitas Foundation for significant contributions to human rights advocacy. Upon receiving this recognition, Penilla articulate the need for public involvement against human rights violations.
Responses from Morena have been swift. The party’s Executive National Committee issued statements denying any affiliations with Penilla. According to Luisa María Alcalde, Morena's national leader, “tras una revisión exhaustiva en nuestras bases de datos y, contrario a lo dicho por la oposición, NO EXISTE NINGÚN REGISTRO de que Juan Pablo Penilla Rodríguez haya formado parte de la asesoría legal de la campaña de nuestro Partido-Movimiento,” dismissing allegations as unfounded.
Penilla himself has become embroiled following revelations surrounding Zambada’s letter to the Mexican consulate. The letter, which calls for intervention and highlights perceived legal discrepancies in Zambada’s extradition to the United States, names Penilla as one of his advisors, which has raised eyebrows among political adversaries.
The division deepens with the circulation of photos showing Penilla attending events during Claudia Sheinbaum’s campaign for president, prompting Triana to claim, "There are photographs of him during the campaign of Claudia Sheinbaum, are the ones we are documenting." These claims aim to solidify the argument of intertwined relations between Penilla and the Morena party.
For its part, the Tamaulipas government quickly attempted to distance itself from Penilla following these accusations. They reportedly reviewed their records and stated, “el Licenciado Juan Pablo Penilla Rodríguez no es servidor público, ni asesor honorífico del Ejecutivo Estatal,” effectively disavowing any formal association.
It seems the controversy surrounding Penilla is not fading. Amid claims from multiple opposition figures, the overarching narrative serves not only to vilify Penilla but to challenge Morena's integrity as the ruling party. Political narratives increasingly blur the lines of accountability as parties jockey for public perception and electoral advantage.
Penilla, amid the accusations, stands firm on his commitments to human rights, having publicly called for societal contributions against abuses. Yet his connections to figures like Zambada add complexity to his narrative, raising questions about the realities of legal representation and involvement with parties like Morena.
This situation captures the current political climate rife with tension, distrust, and polarizing allegations. Will these accusations lead to tangible political repercussions for Morena? Only time will tell, but as the discourse continues, the shadows of alleged connections loom large over both Penilla and the party.