The official version and the empty file
Claudia Sheinbaum came out. Given the revelation by EL UNIVERSAL about the lack of maintenance records on Line Z of the Interoceanic Train — which collapsed in December with 14 deaths — the president had her response ready.
In his morning this Wednesday, he directly pointed to the “increase in speed” as the essential cause. “I can overtake you,” he said, “there are no problems on the road.”
But here is the detail that itches and spreads. While she was talking about excessive speeds, the organization in charge of the train itself—Ferrocarril del Istmo de Tehuantepec—confirmed something chilling in writing.
After an “exhaustive and thorough search” in physical and electronic files, they did not find any maintenance reports for that line since its inauguration.
Zero. Nothing. A documentary void where there should be supervision records. How do you declare that a road has no problems when there are not even papers to prove that anyone checked it?
Sheinbaum brandished the usual shield: the ongoing criminal investigation. “The information cannot be given,” he repeated, promising total transparency at the end of the process. Meanwhile, he announced that an international entity will certify the future security of the service.
It’s the classic dance: pointing out a technical factor (speed) while avoiding the monumental administrative hole (lack of basic maintenance). Memory is short, but empty files speak louder than lectures.
The question remains floating, heavier than a wagon: Can a “problem on the road” really be ruled out when there was never a report that guaranteed its status? Speed could have been the final trigger. But dust in the archives suggests the land was already mined.
