Background and Relevance
Javier Jiménez Espriú, a seasoned Mexican politician and economist, became the first Secretary of Communications and Transports under President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s Fourth Transformation. His appointment came after he, along with Sergio Samaniego, dictated the cancellation of the NAIM airport project and relocated the international airport in Mexico Valley to Santa Lucía.
Key Team Members
López Obrador assembled a team to execute his infrastructure plan, which included projects like Dos Bocas refinery, AIFA, and the Maya Train. Among them were remote collaborators like Jorge Arganis and individuals with neoliberal pasts, such as Jorge Nuño Lara and Jorge Mendoza, who were recruited due to military high-ranking recommendations.
Jorge Arganiz and Román García Álvarez
Jorge Arganiz began the López Obrador administration as Pemex PTI’s head and oversaw the Olmeca refinery project’s executive phase. His ex-wife, Guadalupe Cano Herrera, was appointed as the major officer at Caminos y Puentes Federales, along with her lawyer, Román García Álvarez. García Álvarez joined the SCT in 2020 when Jiménez Espriú was replaced as its secretary.
Both Arganiz and García Álvarez were dealing with health issues during their last promotions. García Álvarez managed the SCT’s Legal Affairs Unit while undergoing treatment for a pancreatic tumor, and Jiménez Espriú contracted COVID-19 twice.
Jorge Nuño Lara and Jorge Mendoza
Jorge Nuño Lara and his namesake, Jorge Mendoza, were recruited despite their neoliberal backgrounds, thanks to military high-ranking recommendations.
Controversies and Impact
The current holders of the secretariat of mobility in the State of Mexico and the state road board have remained silent amidst controversies surrounding concessions and highway trusts. These issues have been highlighted by internal denunciations of corruption and “moches” (bribes).
Secondary Effects
Interferences
New evidence suggests that Julia Abdalá Lemus, while Manuel Bartlett Díaz led the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), was involved in the CFE’s insurance program for disasters, responsibilities, and civil liability. This program cost over 1,600 million pesos annually. Seguros Inbursa and GMX Seguros were the main providers during the previous administration. Abdalá Lemus, through Jorge Luis Águila, reportedly played a crucial role in selecting intermediaries for reinsurance placements in international markets. Investigations focus on Reinsurance Consulting and Star Reinsurance offices, with rumors of evidence linking these firms to the transfer of funds to Abdalá Lemus’s team.
Concession Controversy
In October 2020, the Viaduct Bicentennial was ten years into private exploitation, generating 10,000 million pesos annually in toll fees. However, the 2011 concession granted by the State of Mexico government to OHL reportedly violated the General Law on National Assets. The 2020 agreement is subject to potential annulment.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Javier Jiménez Espriú? A Mexican politician and economist who became the first Secretary of Communications and Transports under President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s Fourth Transformation.
- What projects did López Obrador’s team execute? Projects included the Dos Bocas refinery, AIFA, and the Maya Train.
- Who are some key team members? Jorge Arganiz, Román García Álvarez, Jorge Nuño Lara, and Jorge Mendoza.
- What controversies surround the current secretariat of mobility in the State of Mexico? Internal denunciations of corruption and “moches” (bribes) have raised concerns about the maintenance of infrastructure.
- What is the controversy surrounding the Viaduct Bicentennial concession? The 2011 concession to OHL is alleged to have violated the General Law on National Assets, and the 2020 agreement is under scrutiny for potential annulment.
