Mexico's Somos México and Morena clash over Ruffo Appel case at INE

The electoral dispute platform of Mexico's National Electoral Institute (INE) became the stage for a heated confrontation between Somos México and Morena over the case of former Baja California governor Ernesto Ruffo Appel. Somos México, represented by Marco Baños, declared Ruffo Appel a political prisoner, alleging his prosecution is politically motivated and linked to U.S. pressure on Mexican officials.

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Ruffo Appel is a political prisoner, who is in the middle of the federal government's discussions with the cases that the United States has requested, particularly in the case of Rocha Moya and now with all the audios that have been leaked in the case of Marina del Pilar.

Baños asserted that Ruffo Appel is caught in the middle of federal government discussions and international demands, particularly concerning other officials. He vehemently denied Morena's accusations that illicit funds investigated in Ruffo Appel's case might have financed Somos México's bid for political party registration. Baños proposed a joint financial review of all parties to ensure transparency.

In stark contrast, Morena's representative, Deputy Guillermo Santiago, dismissed Ruffo Appel as a "huachicolero", a term for illegal fuel trafficker. He accused Somos México of aligning with "the same old corrupt individuals" and using Ruffo Appel's case as a defense strategy. Santiago questioned the source of funding for Somos México's pre-campaign activities, suggesting illicit origins.

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Now they have insinuated that some kind of resource could have circulated towards Somos México. We make an emphatic proposal to Morena: do you want us to review our finances? Let's review everyone's finances, let's form an oversight commission with external experts, lawyers who review the Ruffo case and the parties' accounts.

The controversy highlights the deep political divisions in Mexico, with accusations of political persecution and corruption being traded between opposing parties. The legal proceedings against Ruffo Appel, accused by the FGR of operating a network of shell companies for illicit trade, have become a focal point in the country's political discourse.

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It is interesting to see how the first public flag that Somos raises is the defense of a huachicolero criminal. And how important because it is your motto: 'we are'; I would rather say: 'it's the same old people, it's the same thieves, it's the same corrupt people'.