Ruffo Appel's daughter forms committee, alleges distrust in fiscal 'huachicol' case

Verónica Ruffo Sánchez has announced the formation of the "Plural Committee for the Freedom of Ernesto Ruffo Appel," an organization dedicated to securing the release of her father, the former governor of Baja California. Ernesto Ruffo Appel is currently detained at the Altiplano prison in Mexico, facing charges related to organized crime and fuel smuggling.

During a press conference, Verónica Ruffo expressed significant distrust in the ongoing legal proceedings against her father. She revealed that her own business bank account was inexplicably canceled. Access to her father has also been difficult; she was unable to see him during a recent visit to the prison, only managing to deliver documents for a visiting permit, which she anticipates will take two weeks to process.

Ruffo stated that her father, who is 74 years old, conveyed a message of "reflection and unity" during her last visit. She sees organizing the committee as fulfilling this instruction, aiming to unite those who have spoken out in support of him. "This Committee fulfills that purpose of unity and organization of all those people who have already raised their voices and are continuing to join for my father," she asserted.

Emilio Álvarez Icaza, former executive secretary of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, spoke at the event, characterizing the committee as a non-partisan citizen initiative. He announced plans to expand the campaign nationwide, establishing committees in various states and municipalities. Álvarez Icaza declared the effort a campaign to free Ernesto Ruffo, whom they consider a political prisoner of the current administration, citing a pattern of human rights violations.