Introduction
The weight of 1968 loomed heavily over Luis Echeverría’s shoulders, prompting him to court youth and feign a democratic opening that never truly existed. Echeverría was known for being soft on the left but hard on the right. During his presidency (1970-1976), a generation of young politicians, dubbed the “Gerber” generation, rose to prominence in federal government positions without any significant merit beyond their youth. Among the most notable were Carlos Armando Briebich (31), Fausto Zapata Loredo (30), Francisco Javier Alejo López (29), Juan José Bremer (26), and Ignacio Ovalle Fernández (25).
Ignacio Ovalle Fernández: The Catalyst for AMLO’s Political Career
Ignacio Ovalle Fernández, who later became the Secretary of the Presidency, swiftly transitioned from one administration to another, much like soldiers moving through enemy trenches. He was appointed by José López Portillo as the Director General of the National Indigenous Institute, where he had the opportunity to meet Andrés Manuel López Obrador. In 1977, Ovalle appointed AMLO as the director of the institute in Tabasco. Although AMLO had previously served as Carlos Pellicer’s secretary when Pellicer was a senator, this position marked the beginning of AMLO’s political career.
The Favor That Became an Error: Segalmex and the Stain Left by AMLO
In politics, favors and mistakes are paid for over time. In this case, it took nearly 40 years to repay a favor and only four years for that favor to become a mistake: Segalmex, the stain that AMLO himself acknowledged during his presidency. This is detailed in ‘Licencia para robar,’ a well-documented and recommended book by journalists Zendryk Raziel and Georgina Zerega, with a foreword by Ricardo Raphael, published by Grijalbo.
The book chronicles a history of lies and contradictions from a government that promised to pursue corruption relentlessly but ultimately granted impunity and cover-ups. The publication is the result of meticulous work to document ‘the largest corruption case of AMLO’s six-year term and one of the biggest in Mexican history.’ The irregularities uncovered span numerous operations and products, from milk and plastic containers to corn and bean acquisitions. The scrutiny of accounts in subsequent years revealed that the amount of unaccounted funds surpassed 15 billion pesos.
The Extent of the Theft in Seguridad Alimentaria Mexicana (Segalmex)
The theft in Seguridad Alimentaria Mexicana (Segalmex) was so extensive that the Estafa Maestra appeared as a novice in comparison. When the conflict erupted and the fraud was exposed, López Obrador defended Ovalle, claiming he was a good person who had been deceived by cunning PRI members. In fewer than ten words, the president absolved his political mentor from any responsibility to answer for his actions before the law. However, this did not dispel the numerous doubts of public opinion: Was it possible that the largest embezzlement of AMLO’s term in Segalmex occurred without his knowledge?
Moreover, according to the commendable publication, ‘the million-dollar hole in the organization was not enough reason to expel the political mentor from public administration. Ovalle was appointed coordinator of the National Institute for Federalism and Municipal Development (Inafed), an entity of little significance under the Secretary of Government.’
The Role of Investigative Journalism
In conclusion, as Ricardo Raphael eloquently stated in the foreword: ‘When public funds go to the pockets of a few elites, when this happens due to the impunity provided by arbitrary power, and when the victims of immorality are the poorest, then investigative journalism becomes our last resort.’
Key Questions and Answers
- Who was Luis Echeverría? Luis Echeverría was a Mexican politician who served as President of Mexico from 1970 to 1976.
- What were the “Gerber” generation politicians? The “Gerber” generation referred to a group of young politicians who gained prominent positions in the Mexican government during Echeverría’s presidency, primarily due to their youth rather than experience or merit.
- Who is Ignacio Ovalle Fernández? Ignacio Ovalle Fernández was one of the young politicians from the “Gerber” generation who rose to prominence during Echeverría’s administration. He later became a political mentor to Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
- What is Segalmex and what was the scandal? Seguridad Alimentaria Mexicana (Segalmex) was a government organization responsible for ensuring food security in Mexico. The scandal, known as the “Stain Left by AMLO,” involved widespread corruption and embezzlement of public funds during AMLO’s tenure as the head of Segalmex.
- What role did investigative journalism play in exposing the scandal? Investigative journalists played a crucial role in uncovering the Segalmex scandal, documenting the corruption and contradictions within the Mexican government.
