Sheinbaum Calls to Strengthen Candidate Vetting Processes
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February 9, 2026 Hour: 1:28 pm
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She stressed that “no political party, least of all Morena, can be an umbrella for criminal activity.”
On Monday, President Claudia Sheinbaum called on the National Electoral Institute (INE) to strengthen candidate vetting processes following the arrest of Tequila Mayor Diego Rivera, accused of extortion and ties to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
RELATED: Jalisco New Generation Cartel Is Linked to Uruapan Mayor Killing in Mexico
She insisted that there must be coordination between the INE and federal and state authorities to review backgrounds, audit campaign finances, and investigate those seeking public office with any political party.
The Mexican President also criticized the activism of Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) Tania Larios and National Action Party (PAN) Raul Torres, who participated in a far-right meeting in Washington, and called it classist and racist.
Sheinbaum stressed that “no political party, least of all Morena, can be an umbrella for criminal activity,” underscoring that she received complaints from business owners and citizens against Rivera, which led to the investigation by the Attorney General’s Office (FGR).
The text reads, “Following the arrest of Tequila Mayor Diego Rivera for extortion and his ties to a cell of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Baja California Sur Governor Victor Castro called for his expulsion from the Morena Party and stated that such figures bring discredit upon them.”
Security Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch explained that Rivera’s arrest was the result of coordinated work between security cabinet agencies, military intelligence, the Navy, and the National Intelligence Center.
Sheinbaum rejected claims of “widespread” links between organized crime and politics, calling a New York Times article “fiction.” She explained that the operation is part of Operation Swarm, which has so far resulted in the arrest of 60 municipal officials.
The Mexican president reiterated that Morena checks criminal records with the FGR and state prosecutors before nominating candidates, although in Rivera’s case, no prior record was found, allowing him to register as mayor.
teleSUR: JP
Source: La Jornada – El Universal – Central Municipal
