Former Pemex director arrested for family violence

Former director of Pemex was arrested in Narvarte after a complaint from his wife for physical attacks.

The arrest

Víctor Rodríguez Padilla, former head of Petróleos Mexicanos, was arrested on the afternoon of Tuesday, July 7, in the Narvarte neighborhood, Benito Juárez mayor’s office. Elements of the Attorney General’s Office of Mexico City arrested him at 5:32 p.m. on 20 Monte Albán Street, in front of a cafe, according to the National Detention Registry.

The former official, 1.78 meters tall, with white skin and white hair, was wearing a white shirt and dress pants. He was placed at the disposal of the Common Public Prosecutor’s Office without the crime being specified in the record.

RelatedFormer Pemex director investigated for alleged assault on his wife

The complaint

Rodríguez Padilla is accused of family violence. His wife, nuclear engineer María Felicia Jiménez Lavie, reported the physical attacks she suffered and requested protection through a video broadcast on the networks. In her testimony to EL UNIVERSAL, she reported that the attack on March 15 — captured on recordings — was not an isolated event, but rather the highest point of an escalation that began in 2022 with verbal and physical abuse, including an incident where her husband stabbed her with a pen in her hand.

“First there were verbal insults, then a slap, pushing, but like this one, which was very brutal, I even had a lot of pain when walking for several days,” said the complainant.

On June 29, President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo called for the full weight of the law to be applied to complaints of family violence. He pointed out that, since the events occurred in Morelos, the Attorney General’s Office of the State of Morelos will investigate the case and determine the criminal sanction. “No one will be protected from an act like this,” said the president.

Mexico presents complaints for deaths in ICE custody

Foreign Ministry initiates complaints to the Department of Justice and state prosecutors for 17 deaths of compatriots.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) launched the legal actions announced by President Claudia Sheinbaum after the death of 17 Mexicans in the custody of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service (ICE).

Actions in US courts and international organizations

This Monday, Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco detailed the steps taken: a formal complaint before the United States Department of Justice, complaints before state prosecutors’ offices, cease and desist letters against detention centers, and a communication to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The Foreign Ministry indicated that, in coordination with the Attorney General’s Office (FGR), the complaint to the Department of Justice will be delivered through the Mexican Embassy. In addition, complaints have already begun before competent state prosecutors’ offices, through the consular network.

“The objective of these writings is to immediately cease the actions or omissions that led to these deaths, such as preventing access to prompt and expeditious medical care,” said the SRE regarding the first cease and desist letter, addressed to the Adelanto, California, detention center, where four Mexicans have died.

Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco also sent a letter to Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, requesting that his office collect information from US authorities, analyze the compatibility of the events with international obligations and make recommendations.

The Foreign Ministry reiterated that these measures correspond to the investigation stage, “an essential prior step for the exercise of judicial actions that proceed in accordance with the law.” Likewise, he assured permanent support to the families of the victims through the consular network and confirmed that the Government of Mexico will act firmly through institutional channels.

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Sheinbaum calls for unity in the face of violations of the rights of Mexicans in the US.

President calls on parties and society to reject violations of the rights of fellow citizens.

Sheinbaum calls for national unity

President Claudia Sheinbaum asked all political parties, Congress and Mexican society to join in rejecting the violations of the human rights of fellow citizens in the United States. He reported that this Monday the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) will present formal complaints for the death of 17 Mexicans linked to actions of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service (ICE).

“This is an issue not only for the Government of Mexico… I call on all political parties, everyone, the entire society… to be in solidarity with our fellow citizens in the United States. I don’t think anyone would like this situation,” he declared at the morning conference.

The president also reported contact with the US ambassador Ronald D. Johnson, who was receptive to the Mexican position. Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco Álvarez communicated the legal actions to be taken and Johnson perceived the concern of the Government of Mexico.

Sheinbaum clarified that a bilateral conflict is not sought, but maintained that it is necessary to raise our voice in the face of human rights violations. He called on the Permanent Commission of the Congress of the Union so that all parties, without exception, present requests for information and show their rejection.

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Historic investment of 59 thousand million pesos in schools by 2026

The federal government will invest 59 thousand million pesos in schools, benefiting 71 thousand schools.

President Claudia Sheinbaum announced a historic investment of nearly 59 billion pesos for educational infrastructure in 2026. The resources will be channeled through the School is Ours (LEEN) program and the Multiple Contributions Fund (FAM).

“Historical investment of 59 billion pesos for schools in the country, without considering what the federal entities invest directly,” he pointed out in the morning conference.

The Secretary of Education, Mario Delgado, detailed the distribution: 37,715 million pesos for basic education (15,021 million pesos direct and 22,694 million pesos from LEEN); 10,916.4 million pesos for upper secondary education, which includes the creation of 156,240 new places through new National Baccalaureates; and 9,783.9 million pesos for higher education in schools such as the Rosario Castellanos University and TecNM.

In addition, the year closes with 22 million scholarship recipients at all educational levels, according to the official.

The School is Ours reaches more than 71 thousand schools

The general director of LEEN, Pamela López, reported that this year 71,482 schools were served with a social investment of 22,694 million pesos. Resources are allocated according to vulnerability, marginalization and social backwardness. The program covers from Multiple Care Centers to high schools, with full coverage in middle and high schools.

“All these achievements have been possible thanks to the participation of mothers, fathers, teachers, who make up the school communities,” said López.

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