Background on José Antonio Romero Tellaeche and the CIDE
José Antonio Romero Tellaeche, the former director of the Center for Research and Teaching in Economics (CIDE), has been removed from his position following a legal battle over allegations of administrative misconduct and lack of transparency. The controversy began when Romero Tellaeche assumed the role in November 2021 amidst strong criticism and accusations of imposition from the student community.
The Role of Sheinbaum and Secihti
Sheinbaum, the head of the Secretaría de Ciencia, Humanidades, Tecnología e Innovación (Secihti), supported the decision to remove Romero Tellaeche. She called on the institution to abandon “elitism” and embrace a more inclusive approach.
Legal Proceedings and Judge’s Decision
Romero Tellaeche attempted to halt his removal through a writ of amparo, but a federal judge denied the provisional suspension. The judge ruled that the requirements of Article 128 of the Amparo Law were not met for granting the precautionary measure.
Romero Tellaeche’s legal challenge, filed as indirect amparo 50/2026 in the 14th District Administrative Court of Mexico City, sought his immediate reinstatement based on an allegedly irregular removal. However, the judge determined that the conditions for provisional suspension were not satisfied.
With the denial of the provisional suspension, Romero Tellaeche cannot be reinstated in his former position. He can appeal this decision to a collegiate tribunal while awaiting the February 6 hearing, where a definitive suspension decision will be made.
Key Administrative Violations
Romero Tellaeche’s departure marks the end of a tenure marked by resistance and accusations. The Secihti published the legal grounds for his removal in Communicado 7/2026, citing systematic administrative misconduct as the central issue.
According to Secihti, Romero Tellaeche violated Article 98 of the General Law on the matter and Article 42 of CIDE’s General Statute. The ex-director failed to submit the self-evaluation report for the past three years to the Academic Council and the General Assembly of Personnel, as required by regulations.
The omission is significant because the regulations mandate that reports be validated by the academic community before being presented to the Governing Body. Romero Tellaeche allegedly operated outside established transparency mechanisms.
Interim Director and Future of CIDE
Dr. Lucero Ibarra Rojas has been formally appointed as the interim general director of CIDE by the Consejo Directivo following Romero Tellaeche’s removal. This transition signifies a shift towards addressing the concerns raised by the student community and Secihti regarding administrative compliance and transparency.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the CIDE? The Center for Research and Teaching in Economics (CIDE) is a prominent Mexican research institution focused on economic and social sciences.
- Who is José Antonio Romero Tellaeche? Romero Tellaeche was the former director of CIDE, appointed in November 2021 amid controversy and accusations of imposition by the student community.
- What were the allegations against Romero Tellaeche? The primary accusations were administrative misconduct, including failure to submit self-evaluation reports and lack of transparency.
- What is the role of Secihti and Sheinbaum? Secihti, led by Sheinbaum, supported Romero Tellaeche’s removal and called for CIDE to abandon elitism and embrace inclusivity.
- What happens next for Romero Tellaeche? He can appeal the judge’s decision to a collegiate tribunal while awaiting a February 6 hearing on definitive suspension.
- Who is the interim director of CIDE? Dr. Lucero Ibarra Rojas has been appointed as the interim general director of CIDE following Romero Tellaeche’s removal.
