The INE threatens sanctions for favoritism in judicial elections

The INE puts unions and candidates under the microscope with rules as clear as a labyrinth.

Publicado 19 abril, 2025 el 19 de abril a las 11:10 | 3 mins reading |4,984 vistas | por Carlos Méndez

The INE and its epic battle against favoritism (or how to complicate the simple)

Ah, the National Electoral Institute (INE), that entity that, with the patience of a kindergarten teacher, warns for the umpteenth time candidates for the Judiciary that if they are caught being coddled by unions, universities or any organization with more influence than a viral meme, the weight of the law will fall on them. Or, in this case, a public reprimand, a fine of 5 thousand UMAS (which no one knows how much it is, but it sounds serious) or, the biggest prize: the cancellation of your candidacy. Drama!

“Equitable” forums: where everyone participates, but some more than others

Candidate Dora Martínez, in a burst of lucidity, asked how on earth it will be guaranteed that the forums and debates are fair. The INE, with the clarity of an IKEA manual, responded that unions and universities can organize events… as long as they invite 50% of the applicants (by region, because without geography this would be chaos). Of course, no canvas with smiley faces or mobile screens, this is not a Bad Bunny concert.

But here’s the good thing: if the Inspection Unit detects that a candidate is the favorite of the media (more ads, more infographics, more likes), it will be considered that he or she received prohibited income. And do you know what happens then? Well, nothing, just that the INE will act with the forcefulness of a scolding grandmother: “The corresponding legal consequences will be imposed”. Wow, how specific.

As if that were not enough, program hosts can declare their love for a candidate (yes, like in a reality show), but “not in a systematic way”. How systematic is “systematic”? Not even the INE knows, but it sounds good in an official document.

Meanwhile, the candidates, confused like tourists on a map without signs, call the INE daily to ask: “Is this possible or not possible?”. And the INE, between bureaucratic whispers, responds: “It depends.”.

Moral? If you want to be a judge, you better not be anyone’s favorite… or at least not be too noticeable.

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National

El Mayo Zambada receives life sentence in the United States

The historic leader of the Sinaloa Cartel was sentenced to life in prison in New York.

Publicado 2 hours ago el 21 de julio a las 02:24 | 2 mins reading

Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, 76 years old and considered for decades one of the main leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel, was sentenced this Monday to life in prison by a federal court in Brooklyn, New York. Judge Brian Cogan determined that the drug trafficker will spend the rest of his life in prison after pleading guilty to various crimes related to drug trafficking, money laundering and organized crime.

The crimes against Zambada

During the hearing, the judge noted that the seriousness of the crimes attributed to Zambada—including the trafficking of large quantities of cocaine, heroin and fentanyl, as well as numerous homicides linked to the criminal organization—fully justifies the imposition of the maximum sentence provided for by US law. In addition, he ordered the confiscation of 15 billion dollars as reparation for the damages caused.

Before hearing the sentence, Zambada addressed a message in which he apologized to the victims of his actions, assumed responsibility for his crimes, and urged young people not to follow the path of organized crime. The former leader of the Sinaloa Cartel accepted the charges in 2025 as part of an agreement with the US Prosecutor’s Office, through which he avoided facing the death penalty.

Reactions and next steps

With this resolution, “El Mayo” remains in the same legal status as Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, who is also serving a life sentence in the United States. However, US authorities warned that the sentence does not represent the end of their offensive against drug trafficking, but rather the beginning of new actions against members of the cartels and officials allegedly linked to these organizations.

The conviction could also intensify the differences between the governments of Mexico and the United States, due to the controversies that surrounded the capture of Zambada in July 2024. President Claudia Sheinbaum has questioned the operation carried out in Mexican territory and has requested to clarify the participation of US agencies in the transfer of the historic capo to that country.

National

Kenia López Rabadán defends Ruffo Appel as a political prisoner

PAN deputy calls the former governor detained by prosecutor Huachicol a political prisoner.

Publicado 2 hours ago el 21 de julio a las 02:13 | 1 min reading

The president of the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Deputies, Kenia López Rabadán, described the former governor of Baja California, Ernesto Ruffo Appel, as a political prisoner. The former president was arrested on July 16 for his alleged participation in the crime of fiscal huachicol.

Questions to the judicial process

López Rabadán questioned the judicial process against Ruffo Appel. He noted that it represents a historic moment for Mexican democracy, being the first opposition candidate to win a governorship in the country, in Baja California during 1989.

The PAN legislator criticized that the former governor faces prison for an investigation into fuel smuggling. He pointed out that there are no detained officials, despite the fact that the authorities participate in the authorization, surveillance and operation of the import and distribution processes of hydrocarbons.

National

FDA retracts: false positive for cyclospora in Mexican lettuce

FDA corrects error regarding positive parasite in lettuce from Guanajuato.

Publicado 2 hours ago el 21 de julio a las 01:59 | 2 mins reading

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) backed down. A sample of Mexican lettuce, tested during an import screening at the southern border, had tested positive for cyclospora. The agency is now calling it a “false positive” and notifying Taylor Farms of the correction.

The error does not modify the ongoing investigation. The FDA maintains an open investigation into the outbreak of cyclosporiasis that affects several states. Preventive measures remain in force.

Voluntary withdrawal and clarification

On Saturday, Taylor Farms voluntarily recalled all iceberg lettuce produced in Guanajuato, Mexico. The measure, which included 35 products distributed in 27 entities, responded to possible links with the reported cases. Following clarification from the FDA, the company said it completed the precautionary recall. It insisted that the authority had not identified an actual positive test in its products. The erroneous sample corresponded to a different shipment, collected in routine inspections, not to the product already recalled.

Outbreak figures

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported more than 1,600 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. Researchers found that several patients had consumed food at Taco Bell restaurants that used Taylor Farms lettuce.

The FDA and CDC continue to coordinate actions with federal and state authorities. The objective: identify the origin of the outbreak and prevent new infections. The situation keeps consumers and health authorities on alert.