On Wednesday, June 24, 2026, journalist Edmundo Cázares revealed he has received death threats via phone calls originating from Puebla after republishing a 1999 interview with writer Carlos Monsiváis. The interview includes contentious claims about former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador, notably suggesting a homosexual relationship between López Obrador and Monsiváis.

Cázares, speaking during a radio interview, emphasized that he has not engaged in defamation or slander despite the heated controversy. He stated, “I have never defamed or slandered anyone,” defending the republication that reignited political tensions across Mexico.

The controversy began when the interview resurfaced, drawing attention because Monsiváis’s statements referenced López Obrador during his time as the national leader of the PRD and future head of Mexico City’s government. The republication triggered strong reactions, including sharp criticism from Mexico City’s current mayor, Claudia Sheinbaum, and debates in the Senate involving both opposition and ruling party legislators.

Adding complexity, Monsiváis’s family publicly denied several claims in the interview. They refuted the suggestion that López Obrador lived with Monsiváis and argued that some attributed expressions do not align with the writer’s style or beliefs. The family also hinted at possible legal action to challenge the interview’s content.

A key point fueling the dispute is that Cázares has yet to locate the original cassette recording of the 1999 conversation. He is reportedly reviewing hundreds of personal archive recordings to find evidence supporting the interview’s authenticity.

Beyond the political storm, the threats against Cázares highlight the ongoing dangers faced by journalists in Mexico. National and international organizations have long documented harassment, intimidation, and violence against media workers, which often leads to self-censorship and undermines freedom of expression.

As of now, no formal complaints or official investigations have been reported regarding the threatening calls from Puebla. Meanwhile, the debate over the Monsiváis interview continues to dominate political discussions this week, underscoring the fragile intersection of media, politics, and personal safety in Mexico.