Yucatán government under scrutiny over nepotism claims and candidacy push

State officials in Yucatán have come under fire for alleged nepotism after Ivonne Carrera Pérez was named director general of public relations in Governor Joaquín Díaz Mena’s office. Citizens point out that she is related to Mérida regidor José Diego Carrera Pérez, while their sister Gabriela Carrera Pérez heads a unit at the Institute of Mobility and Development, and María José Becerra Castañeda, partner of José Diego, serves as director of communication at the Youth Secretariat. No public investigation has been announced, and the officials have not responded.

Separately, Mérida councilor and CATEM leader José Manuel Peniche Marenco publicly declared his intention to run for a local deputy seat, arguing that his union’s 12,000 members should translate into a legislative position. Observers note that such overt demands are unusual in Mexican politics, where candidacy negotiations are typically conducted behind closed doors, and warn that the move could strain his party’s internal dynamics.