Sheinbaum defends Adán Augusto against accusations against Hernán Bermúdez

Amid growing public and media criticism about possible ties between Senator Adán Augusto López and his former Secretary of Security in Tabasco, Hernán Bermúdez Requena—who has been accused of alleged ties to organized crime—Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the criticism and offered a firm but nuanced stance: “We are not covering up for anyone, but there must be evidence, not assumptions.”

In a press conference from the National Palace, Sheinbaum responded to the accusations surrounding the current Morena party coordinator in the Senate. While she defended the principle of legality and denied any type of institutional protection, the president also urged caution in the face of what she described as "baseless statements."

"It's very important to know when the investigation into this person (Bermúdez Requena) began, because there were no prior investigations," the president emphasized.

The head of the Executive branch made it clear that the Attorney General's Office (FGR) will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to link Adán Augusto López to illicit activities, within the framework of the investigations currently underway into his former collaborator in Tabasco.

This stance seeks to contain the political damage at a key moment for the Morena party, which is facing a climate of polarization and erosion due to alleged corruption networks involving public figures.

Senate President Gerardo Fernández Noroña joined the presidential endorsement, asserting that his fellow legislator is the victim of a "political coup."

"Adán Augusto has nothing to do with these accusations. It's clear this is a strategy to discredit him," Noroña stated.

This support from Congress is interpreted as an attempt to contain the crisis narrative and protect key figures within Morena from a possible domino effect.

Hernán Bermúdez was Secretary of Public Security of Tabasco during the period when Adán Augusto López was governor of the state. He is currently being investigated by the Attorney General's Office for possible ties to criminal groups, although no conclusive evidence has been presented against him so far.

The case has raised public concern, as it could implicate high-profile members of the ruling party in criminal protection structures at the state level.

Sheinbaum's message seeks to project a government that doesn't cover up, but also doesn't give in to media lynchings without legal basis. Her discourse aligns with the intention of consolidating a presidential image that is firm, institutional, and committed to due process.

At a time when combating corruption and organized crime is a central focus of the presidential discourse, any sign of tolerance for internal irregularities could prove costly to the new government's legitimacy.