Federico Reyes Heroles
More than two decades ago, a man—Carlos Fernández Márquez—fell from the Pemex office tower. A professional with a family relationship of around 20 years, the case shook many. No one in the office could testify to what happened. Speculation ran rampant: that he had gone to the window to smoke a cigarette and lost his balance, that it could have been suicide, and other theories. But, in the end, nothing could be proven. Nothing can be proven in 2025. Pemex recorded it as an “accident.”
The prestigious academic—a sociologist from UNAM, a teacher and doctor from the University of Cambridge, and a researcher at CIDE—was already well known. The event shook people. The then attorney general of the Federal District, Bernardo Bátiz, told the press that there were no grounds for an investigation, as there was no evidence of homicide. The head of government was AMLO. The widow, exercising her rights, claimed the corresponding pension, which was granted to her. In addition, no law or regulation cancels a pension on the grounds of suicide. Social Security law establishes that, unless the relationship had lasted less than six months, cancellation would proceed: suspicion of an arrangement. But the relationship is, in any case, between the employer and the employee, Fernández Márquez. At that time, she was working in the Ministry of the Interior.
More than a decade after the accident, a civil society institution was created—Mexicans Against Corruption and Impunity (MCCI)—focused on exposing corruption at all levels through journalistic investigation and hard data. These investigations provoked official anger. From the presidential megaphone, she was mentioned 111 times and MCCI 300 times, mockingly twisting the name. What an obsession! But, more seriously, by exposing personal data, the authorities violated the law. Coincidentally, in April 2024, Pemex suspended the pension of the social activist. The then Attorney General of the Republic (FGR), Alejandro Gertz, took the case to court, arguing that the Federal Labor Law provides for suicide—again, the ghost—to suspend obligations to the worker. Absurd—obligations to someone deceased? But beneficiaries are explicitly excluded. That is why the activist sought legal protection and… won. The law proved her right.
But a few days ago, the new head of the Attorney General’s Office took the case to court again. In other words, she reopened the investigation. Yes, the same person who replaced Gertz and promised there would be no political persecution took up the case again. Faced with the monster of fiscal fuel theft—perhaps 600 billion pesos—or the case of Mr. Rocha Cantú, with its infinite tentacles, the prosecutor gave priority to the case of the widow and Pemex. By bringing the case to court, the possibility of corporal punishment and imprisonment is implicit. A few hours later, amid an avalanche of anger on social media, the FGR clarified that it would review the case. Note that it is not being dropped but is being reviewed, as Article 217 of the Federal Criminal Code refers to “public servants who illegally” grant concessions for the provision, exploitation, or use of federal assets. This also includes franchises, awards or authorizations, tax or duty deductions or subsidies, public works contracts, debt contracts, and others. What are we talking about? It certainly deserves review.
That is why, supported by my friend, legal expert, and fellow writer, Luis de la Barreda, I fully endorse the statement promoted by Eduardo Guerrero expressing “our grave concern” about the events described and the demand that the FGR “strictly observe the principles of objectivity, legality, impartiality, and due process, and desist from any act of persecution, harassment, or criminal investigation that lacks sufficient legal basis against María Amparo Casar.” Now, a federal judge has ordered the case to be returned to the Special Prosecutor’s Office. In other words, destroying lives at no cost.
Intimidation as a modus operandi. Orbán dixit.
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