On Wednesday, April 30, 2025, former President Ernesto Zedillo published a second letter demanding that current President Claudia Sheinbaum clarify the source of resources for Andrés Manuel López Obrador. This letter follows Sheinbaum's comments made during her press conference at the Palacio Nacional on Tuesday, April 29, where she criticized Zedillo's remarks regarding judicial reform and the connections between some judicial candidates and organized crime.
In her address, Sheinbaum highlighted the bank bailout that occurred during Zedillo's presidency and challenged his continued receipt of a pension from Banco de México. Sheinbaum's remarks came in response to Zedillo's criticism of the implications that the judicial reform has on democracy, as well as his call for an independent audit of the projects executed during López Obrador's administration.
In his letter, Zedillo expressed his discontent with Sheinbaum's comments, stating, "In light of the insidious and illegal reference made by President Sheinbaum regarding my pension from Banco de México, I demand that she clarify in detail the legal basis and the cost of the enormous benefits that López Obrador enjoys during his simulated retirement funded by public resources." He also added, "The concealment of this information likely contributed to the decision to eliminate the National Institute of Transparency."
Zedillo also reflected on the challenges he faced during his tenure at Banco de México in the 1970s and 1980s, urging Sheinbaum to discuss the Fobaproa bailout without resorting to falsehoods and slander. He challenged her to consider what actions she would take if she were in a similar situation, facing a potential banking collapse.
In a broader critique, Zedillo lamented Sheinbaum's defense of the judicial reform, which he believes undermines the independence and professionalism of the federal judiciary. He stated, "It is regrettable that the president continues to defend the extinction of an independent and professional federal judiciary, which, without a doubt, has aspects that can be improved, to replace it with one filled with judges who will be employees and even relatives of those controlling the executive and legislative powers, and worse, as is now being accredited, individuals linked to organized crime."
Sheinbaum had suggested in her press conference that she might release a video discussing Fobaproa but later postponed it to Thursday, May 1, 2025. Zedillo's letter proposed that the major projects of López Obrador's government, including the cancellation of the New Mexico International Airport (NAICM), the Dos Bocas refinery, and the Tren Maya, should be audited by an independent international entity, similar to the audit conducted for Fobaproa.
He listed these projects as needing scrutiny to ascertain their true costs, benefits, and potential collateral damages. Zedillo stated, "I leave out the evaluation of the management of the pandemic because it has already been subject to rigorous evaluations that show the incompetence and criminality of the government."
In response to Sheinbaum's criticisms regarding Fobaproa, Zedillo defended the bailout, asserting it was reviewed by an independent international auditor and was necessary to prevent the collapse of the banking system and the country's productive apparatus. He noted that the economy grew at high rates in the five years following the 1994 crisis.
Sheinbaum, on her part, has called for public information regarding Zedillo's lifetime pension, questioning the legality of benefits received by a former president. She stated, "Let the Bank of Mexico inform us about the lifetime pension of someone who worked there. I don't know now, but he worked for a company that benefited him."
In her follow-up remarks, Sheinbaum committed to presenting a report on Fobaproa, detailing to whom resources were allocated, especially those without clear justification. She emphasized the need for transparency in government financial dealings.
As tensions continue between the two political figures, Zedillo's letter serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing debates surrounding governance, accountability, and the state of democracy in Mexico. Zedillo accused Sheinbaum's administration, particularly the ruling party Morena, of attempting to replace a young democracy with a tyranny, eliminating checks and balances and independent institutions.
He stated, "The Cuarta Transformación has replaced a young democracy with a tyranny, removing checks and balances and independent institutions." In closing, Zedillo reiterated the importance of transparency and accountability in reviewing López Obrador's projects, as he believes the future of democracy in Mexico is at stake.
As this political drama unfolds, Zedillo's challenge to Sheinbaum to order independent reviews of major projects inherited from López Obrador highlights the contentious atmosphere surrounding governance in Mexico. The implications of these discussions extend beyond personal grievances, touching on fundamental issues of democracy, transparency, and the rule of law.
With both leaders entrenched in their positions, the coming days may reveal whether Sheinbaum will heed Zedillo's call for audits and transparency or continue to defend her administration's actions against accusations of undermining democracy.
