Riviera Maya, Q.R. — Quintana Roo State Attorney General Raciel López Salazar responded to recent criticism regarding the actions of his office. He says the Attorney General’s Office (FGE) and other local authorities have been heavily criticized for the actions taken against establishments linked to illicit activities such as human trafficking.
It is one of several prostitution ring-busts made already this year.
“I am very respectful of the opinions of those who express their views, but I want to be clear: we are not pretenders, we act,” López Salazar stated during a Monday morning press conference.
López Salazar emphasized that the results are evident and noted that there are actors who, having been affected by the legal actions taken, seek to discredit the institutional work.
“There are those who dedicate themselves to defending individuals involved in these illicit activities and when interests are compromised, the reactions come. They seek to gain the spotlight and discredit what we are doing,” he said.
López Salazar said on Monday that organized crime groups are operating in the realm of perception, attempting to influence public opinion through smear campaigns, banners with threatening messages and disinformation in the media and online.
“Don’t doubt it. At any moment they’ll try to point the finger at the Municipal Secretary of Public Security (Jaime Padilla Barrientos) because he’s hurting their interests. He’s making internal rotations, he’s acting and that bothers them.”
López Salazar also reported that people have already been arrested for placing banners with threatening messages against local public servants, and that investigations are targeting criminal groups that suddenly feel vulnerable due to the lack of agreements with authorities, something that was common in the past.
Without protection agreements, nervous criminals are lashing out with disinformation, smear campaigns and accusations against local authorities shutting down their operations.
“We don’t make deals with criminals and that’s uncomfortable for them. That’s why we’re going to continue fighting against these groups that do so much harm to society,” he said.
López Salazar expressed his gratitude for the support of the public and the media committed to the truth and reiterated his administration’s commitment to legality, justice and institutional dignity.
