Federico Reyes Heroles
“We must govern with common sense and for the people…” So far, so good. Common sense would mean rethinking the more than 2 billion pesos that Pemex loses every day, when public schools lack water, and the National Library Network—once a model for Latin America—now languishes due to a lack of resources and government interest. Common sense would mean channeling and attracting more investment in electricity and its transmission, a key requirement for growth. Common sense would mean recognizing that the new judiciary is a failure and that replacing the judge in the Ruffo case does nothing but fuel suspicions of political persecution. “Governing for the people” clashes with the backroom deals with the CNTE and the pension system that benefits certain groups through an extortion pact in which the government is both the victim and the sponsor. “Governing for the people” would mean pushing for an external audit of Pemex, because the numbers simply do not add up—and by a wide margin (see the studies by Francisco Barnés de Castro).
Common sense and governing for the people are politically correct slogans that the government fails to put into practice. But the President’s remarks directed at the head of the National Commission for Protected Natural Areas—which, by the way, are receiving less funding today than ever before—did not stop there. In a scolding tone, she said to him: “When the rule is placed above the people and common sense, it’s wrong; don’t comply with the rule—that’s what I’m telling you.” Outlandish words, a veritable invitation to the law of the Jungle. It is a rejection of the teachings of Plato in *The Republic*, Aristotle in his Lessons on politics, and Rousseau as one of the first contractualists. She said this in Quintana Roo in response to complaints from service providers about the new regulations to protect Jaguar Park. In other words, ignore the rules and get things done quickly. Here, we are indeed talking about the Jungle in the strictest sense.
What’s happening in the area—once a tourist gem—is a nightmare: according to figures from Signos Vitales, air connectivity fell by 22.5% in one year; extortion rose by 62%; international tourism dropped by 15.7%; around 3,000 businesses “pay protection money”; and, to top it off, so far in 2026, 20,000 metric tons of sargassum have been removed. A “jungle” is a National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) that has gone nearly three years without an Advisory Council. Going above and beyond the norm is exactly what the rector of the Basilica of Guadalupe did with the church’s funds. The Jungle is the 10 bodies found in Zacatecas, most of them businesspeople and a former PAN mayor. The Jungle is that drug traffickers, thanks to the judicial reform, are now judges. The Jungle refers to the firings, threats, and even murders of journalists in various states; Josué Martínez Contreras of Puebla must be added to the list. That makes six this year.
That is why there is little to correct in the document issued yesterday by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, which lays bare with complete precision what the Mexican government failed to do in the case of El Mayo Zambada, from whom $15 billion will be seized. The U.S. request is very clear; Rubio has stated it in no uncertain terms: they want a clear demonstration of a break between the ruling group and drug trafficking. That is why there is a request for the arrest of Rocha Moya and others. These arrests are indeed warranted, given the evidence they already possess. Arresting them without invoking a twisted interpretation of sovereignty would be a sign of political will. That is what they are demanding.
That would indeed demonstrate that the Mexican government complies with the international norms and agreements it has signed. But if the President herself orders a subordinate, “…don’t follow the rules—that’s what I’m telling you,” what can U.S. authorities expect in terms of action against the Mexican mafia of narco-politicians?
“Hugs, not bullets” and “don’t follow the rule” reveal the value system of those who govern us: a proud despotism.
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