Mexico's Sheinbaum Denies Son of Ex-President Investigated for Smuggling, Cites Politics

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has vehemently denied claims that Andrés Manuel López Beltrán, the son of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, faced investigation for fuel smuggling. She challenged the United States to present evidence if it seeks to connect the revocation of his visa to any criminal activity.

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He was not investigated, and as I mentioned on Friday, from our point of view, this is a political matter.

"He was not investigated, and as I mentioned on Friday, from our point of view, this is a political matter," Sheinbaum stated during her morning press conference. She was responding to reports linking López Beltrán to a network involved in "huachicol fiscal," a term for fuel smuggling to evade taxes. The opposition National Action Party (PAN) had previously demanded an investigation into López Beltrán following news of his U.S. visa revocation.

Sheinbaum asserted that any criminal allegations must be supported by proof. "So, is there a crime? Show the crime... there must be evidence, there must always be evidence. Because otherwise, it is an issue of interference," she declared. The president suggested that the U.S. decision might be politically motivated, aimed at influencing Mexico's role in the upcoming U.S. elections and exploited by the Mexican opposition, which she claims lacks its own national agenda.

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So, is there a crime? Show the crime... there must be evidence, there must always be evidence. Because otherwise, it is an issue of interference.

While dismissing the controversy as a threat to bilateral relations, Sheinbaum reaffirmed Mexico's policy of "coordination without subordination" with Washington. She emphasized that "Mexicans decide in Mexico, no one else decides." She also defended her government's efforts against fuel smuggling, stating that the crime has "decreased significantly" due to measures like enhanced customs control. The president indicated she has requested the Attorney General's Office to provide information on investigations and arrests related to these smuggling networks.

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Mexicans decide in Mexico, no one else decides.