A spokesperson for Mexico’s ruling MORENA party has ignited considerable controversy by asserting that combating organized crime is unfeasible due to cartels being among the nation’s largest employers. Following the backlash from this statement, MORENA issued a clarification distancing itself and suggested that their political rivals were misrepresenting the context.
The situation escalated earlier this week when Adriana Marin, the director of communications for the MORENA caucus in Mexico City, participated in a local program debate. During this discussion, a participant mentioned the Mexican government’s support for criminal organizations and called for an end to the Nalco Agreement.
In reply, Marin stated, “The drug trade is one of the largest employers at the national level,” adding that they hire between 160,000 to 180,000 individuals but noted more are needed weekly to replace those arrested or killed.
Following her remarks, one person questioned whether organized crime should be tolerated in Mexico.
Marin emphasized the complex nature of the issue, arguing that drug cartels were supported by the U.S. and had created jobs that private firms and government couldn’t match.
She implored, “What are you going to do with them? What do you do with these individuals who were offered money and fame? They have no hope because the state has made it impossible for them to have any.”
In defending criminal activities, the MORENA representatives overlooked the vast number of victims who have experienced extortion, kidnapping, and murder at the hands of these cartels, which some have designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the U.S.
Others in the debate were quick to denounce Marin’s statements as disheartening and unacceptable. Almost instantly after the broadcast, her comments circulated widely in Mexico, with critics using them to highlight ongoing concerns about MORENA’s ties with criminal organizations. In an effort to mitigate the fallout, MORENA released a statement clarifying that Marin’s views did not reflect the party’s official stance and accused political opponents of exploiting the situation to incite animosity against both Marin and the party.
Reports indicate that several key members within MORENA have a history of using funds linked to cartel-related fuel smuggling for their campaigns. Additionally, there are claims that the Governor of Tamaulipas, Americo Villarreal, was pressured by Gulf Cartel affiliates to secure votes during his election campaign. Similar allegations have emerged in other states, including Sinaloa, Zacatecas, and Michoacán.
