Tranquility or strategy?
The mayor of Culiacán, Juan de Dios Gámez Mendívil, is in the eye of the hurricane. A court in the United States accuses him of having ties to the Sinaloa Cartel. But he, unperturbed, assures that he will continue with his agenda. “With dignity, honesty and values,” he says. As if that’s enough to erase a federal indictment.
The defense: popular support
Gámez Mendívil does not hesitate. He points out that he won his second term with more than 200 thousand votes. That, according to him, is proof that his conduct is impeccable. “If it were the other way around, I wouldn’t have the face to see my family or the citizens,” he says. Nice speech, but American justice is not impressed with ballot boxes.
The “hard” environment and the “mitotes”
The councilor says he feels “calm in this environment of hard times.” And he promises to continue showing his face. But when they ask him about the other nine involved – including Governor Rubén Rocha Moya – he limits himself to saying that he respects their opinions. Everyone, he says, has their own way of thinking.
“As a public official I have challenges to address, without being distracted. I have never disrespected anyone, nor do I see myself involved in lawsuits or myths.”
And the accusation?
Here’s the detail: the accusation is not a coffee rumor. It comes from a US federal court. That involves evidence, witnesses, and a serious process. But Gámez Mendívil minimizes it, as if it were a misunderstanding. Their strategy seems to be the same as always: deny, divert, and appeal to citizen trust.
Selective memory
The curious thing is that no one in the local government seems to remember similar cases. Each scandal is treated as if it were the first. But history weighs. And when the judiciary of another country points the finger at you, “calm down” sounds more like a script than a conviction.
For now, the mayor remains in office. But the shadow of the accusation is long. And in politics, as in law, appearances are not always deceiving.
