In a significant political decision, the Chamber of Deputies voted to reject the request for the removal of Cuauhtémoc Blanco, a deputy from the Morena party, who has been accused of attempted rape against his half-sister. As the debate unfolded on March 25, 2025, a total of 291 legislators supported the decision to dismiss the request, while 158 opposed it, and 12 abstained.
The resolution came after the president of the Instructing Section, Deputy Hugo Eric Flores, highlighted severe deficiencies in the investigation from the Morelos Prosecutor's Office. He emphasized that they only presented two expert psychological opinions that conflicted with each other. Structured on these grounds, Flores deemed the request for removal "notoriously inadmissible".
Prior to the voting, Blanco addressed the assembly, declaring, "My conscience is very clear," a statement that stirred frustrations among opposition lawmakers. His claim of innocence and readiness to face the legal process only intensified the political tensions during the session.
Despite the uproar, members of the Morena party, alongside the Green Ecologist Party of Mexico (PVEM) and the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), stood solidly behind him, while the opposition—primarily from the National Action Party (PAN)—criticized the handling of the case and the legislative proceedings that allowed Blanco to speak during a time reserved for voting.
The alleged incident leading to the removal request occurred in December 2023, when Blanco was serving as governor. His half-sister, Nidia Fabiola Blanco, formally filed her complaint in October 2024, claiming that she felt pressured to remain silent during his tenure. Her allegations have provoked a polarized debate not only within the political arena but among the public.
Throughout the proceedings, opposition lawmakers like Germán Martínez from the PAN called for breaking the patriarchal pact and urged that the voice of the victim should be considered in the face of such serious accusations. Nevertheless, the majority's decision to dismiss the case was reinforced by their numbers in the assembly, effectively maintaining Blanco’s immunity.
The involvement of notable women from the Morena party, who supported Blanco during his address, has raised questions about gender dynamics in political support frameworks. These dynamics have sparked discussions about the accountability of male politicians and their treatment in contrast to female victims in cases of sexual abuse.
Following the session, the head of the legislative body's legal department, Sergio Gutiérrez Luna, ordered the notification to the Morelos Prosecutor’s Office about the inadmissibility of the case, allowing Blanco to shield himself from being judged in a regular court.
In his speech, Blanco reiterated his willingness to assist any investigation his presence might facilitate, explicitly rejecting the accusations as unjustified. This rhetoric aims to portray himself not just as a politician but as a pillar of truth standing against what he claims are baseless allegations.
The outcome of this vote does not mark the end of the legal matters surrounding Blanco. The Morelos Prosecutor’s Office maintains the option to refile the request for his removal if they can assemble sufficient evidence as new developments emerge.
This dismissal of the removal request signifies a complex interplay of political alliances and the societal implications of upholding political immunity against serious criminal allegations. As this case continues to unfold, it raises critical questions about the intersections of justice, politics, and gender dynamics in contemporary Mexican society.
