Mexico political leaders debate alleged government links to organized crime

PRI leader Cristina Ruiz Sandoval accused the ruling Morena party of a “pact with organized crime,” saying the government is deliberately protecting criminal groups and using social programs to control voters. She warned, “Abrieron la puerta del infierno y ahí se quedarán,” and framed the issue as a central battle ahead of upcoming elections.

President Claudia Sheinbaum rejected the accusations, calling them a “burda narrativa” fabricated by the far‑right. In her daily address she cited official data showing about 680 criminal leaders arrested between 2019 and 2024, arguing that such arrests demonstrate no collusion. She said, “Me da risa, mucha risa…”, and labeled the claims an external attack on the Fourth Transformation.

Both politicians used the dispute to reinforce their political narratives, with Ruiz emphasizing security failures and Sheinbaum highlighting law‑enforcement results.