Guanajuato has officially welcomed its new Attorney General, Gerardo Vázquez Alatriste, who was appointed during a tumultuous extraordinary session of the state Congress. Vázquez Alatriste, who has dedicated over three decades to legal and prosecutorial services, won the role with 25 votes favoring him, alongside 10 abstentions, after facing two rounds of unsuccessful voting against competitors Zucé Anastacia Hernández and Israel Aguado Silva.
The appointment is set against the backdrop of rising concerns from the public and various organizations about the state of justice and security within Guanajuato. The outgoing Attorney General, Carlos Zamarripa Aguirre, had held the position for over 15 years and recently resigned, paving the way for Vázquez Alatriste to step in officially this February 3.
Prior to his election, Gerardo Vázquez Alatriste served as the delegate of the Federal Attorney General's Office (FGR) in Guanajuato. He was nominated for the role by the Partido Verde Ecologista de México (PVEM), the Partido del Trabajo (PT), and the Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI). Educationally, he is well-qualified with degrees in law and specializes as a professor of Criminal Law, and he has taught courses at prestigious institutions like the University of Guanajuato.
Vázquez Alatriste’s long and varied career has included high-profile roles such as the Director General of Legal Affairs at the former Attorney General's Office and as the Coordinator of Investigations within the agency. His approach has revolved around modernization and has made him the first prosecutor to secure a conviction under the new adversarial criminal justice system.
Despite his credentials, reactions to Vázquez Alatriste's appointment have been divisive. Representatives from the MORENA party expressed their opposition and planned to challenge the appointment legally, arguing the process lacked transparency and failed to meet constitutional standards for majority voter approval. While Vázquez Alatriste maintained bipartisan support, critics questioned the integrity of the process, alleging political maneuvering rather than genuine assessment of qualifications.
Victor Javier García Barajas, president of the Celaya Bar Association, voiced disappointment, stating, "We had hoped for someone who could address the urgent needs of the prosecution, such as enhancing staff training and combating internal corruption, which is rife within the existing framework." His remarks echo widespread sentiments among local legal professionals who worry about the ramifications of Vázquez Alatriste’s leadership and its impact on prosecutorial effectiveness.
On the other side of the argument, municipal leaders like San Felipe's mayor, Saraí Lepe Monjarás, expressed confidence, reflecting on Vázquez Alatriste's prior achievements and the expectation of improved justice outcomes. "I believe the Congress carefully considered the best candidate for this responsibility," she remarked.
Collectively, mother-led search groups from León have also articulated their expectations, urging Vázquez Alatriste to engage actively with families affected by unsolved disappearances. Paula Rojas, from the group Buscando con el Corazón, highlighted the importance of visible leadership and accountability within the justice system, stressing vigilance surrounding the plight of families affected by such tragedies.
Additional pressure exists from feminist groups who demanded clearer accountability and results pertaining to gender-based violence. They lamented the overall lack of progress on urgent issues such as femicide and general public safety for vulnerable populations. Activists emphasized the urgent need for structural changes within the state's prosecutorial office to adequately address and prioritize these social issues.
According to their statements, Vázquez Alatriste's role hinges not just on legal expertise but also on whether he can navigate the turbulent waters of local politics and genuinely respond to pressing societal concerns. Iovana Rocha, a women's rights advocate, articulated the general mood, stating, "Our hope rests on the results he yields rather than the politics he plays."
Moving forward, Vázquez Alatriste’s responses to these diverse expectations will shape his tenure as Attorney General. He will need to balance political pressures with the pressing needs of citizens, aiming for tangible improvements within the state's challenging environment.