Claudia Sheinbaum defends Birmex director's property purchases

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has defended the legality of real estate purchases made by Carlos Ulloa Pérez, the director general of Birmex. The controversy arose following reports that Ulloa acquired two apartments for a combined total of 22.45 million pesos through cash payments between 2020 and 2023.

During a visit to Cuernavaca, Sheinbaum stated, “Everything is legal,” noting that the properties are properly documented in the official patrimonial declarations. She emphasized that her administration operates with honesty and lacks corruption.

Ulloa addressed the scrutiny via a public statement, asserting that the funds originated from his personal income, the sale of other properties, family inheritances received approximately 20 years ago, and savings accumulated over nearly three decades in the public and private sectors. He also clarified that his international travels were either for professional purposes—some funded by multilateral organizations like the World Bank—or personal vacations paid for with his own resources.