In an unprecedented move, a group of approximately 80 deputies from the Morena party has called for the resignation of Ariadna Montiel Reyes, the head of the Secretariat of Welfare. This demand arose during a closed-door plenary meeting held among party members, where several legislators expressed that superdelegates have pressured them to engage in illegal activities.
Deputy Irma Juan Carlos initiated the round of complaints by recalling a meeting with Secretary Montiel on February 1, 2025, where she made it clear that she did not want the Welfare delegate in Oaxaca, Nancy Ortiz Cabrera, to coerce them into illegal activities among their constituents. "We go out into the field and become advocates for our constituents because there are delays in the delivery of support," she stated, emphasizing the need for proper communication and respect between the deputies and the Secretariat.
Deputy Juan Carlos, along with her colleagues, urged Ricardo Monreal Ávila, the Morena coordinator, to present these grievances to President Claudia Sheinbaum, advocating for Montiel's removal from her position. "The delegates don’t answer our calls because of orders from Montiel, who wants to imply that we are seeking personal benefits, which is not true," a deputy from southeastern Mexico commented.
Another Morena deputy accused Montiel of being "arrogant and rude," stating that she would decide when to engage with them. Monreal, however, committed to addressing the issue with Montiel, describing her as an intelligent and reasonable official. He attributed the discontent to a failure in communication regarding information requests from deputies that were not adequately met.
In a subsequent private meeting on April 22, 2025, Monreal revealed that the grievances against Montiel were not isolated. He confirmed that between 60 and 80 legislators had expressed dissatisfaction with her work, citing poor treatment and corruption within the department, even in remote and indigenous communities. Leaked audio recordings revealed deputies referring to Montiel as a "nefarious person," urging Monreal to relay their complaints directly to President Sheinbaum.
"The corruption is very strong, even in the most remote communities... tell the president," one legislator was heard saying in the audio. Monreal pledged to speak directly with Montiel before escalating the issue to the president, urging his colleagues to refrain from further discussion on the topic, warning that it could become a major news story. "If we don’t stop this, it will be the headline," he cautioned.
Despite the tension, Monreal maintained that no deputy had requested anything illegal and praised Montiel as a professional and reasonable figure. He expressed confidence that the issues could be resolved through dialogue without needing presidential intervention. "We will act as good-faith interlocutors to ensure that this does not escalate and that the respectful treatment that deputies deserve continues," he concluded.
During the plenary meeting, deputies voiced their frustrations regarding Montiel's treatment of them, with some shouting, "Out, out, out!" in response to calls for her resignation. Juan Carlos highlighted a recent instance where a group of deputies from Oaxaca delivered support to families of victims from a tragic accident, further illustrating the disconnect between their efforts in the field and the support they receive from the Secretariat.
Jessica Ramírez Cisneros, a deputy from Veracruz, recounted her experiences, stating that Montiel told her it was easier to see the president than to meet with her. "We cannot continue to praise and claim we are doing well while dealing with someone so nefarious," she asserted, urging Monreal to communicate their dissatisfaction to the president.
As the meeting concluded, Monreal acknowledged the discontent among deputies and promised to convey their grievances to Montiel, expressing hope for improved communication and understanding. He reiterated that the situation could be resolved directly with Montiel, who he believes is capable of addressing their concerns effectively.
In summary, the call for Montiel's resignation reflects deeper issues within the Secretariat of Welfare, highlighting concerns over communication, respect, and allegations of corruption. As the situation develops, the outcome of Monreal's discussions with Montiel remains to be seen, with many deputies hoping for a resolution that fosters better collaboration between the Secretariat and the legislators.
