On Thursday, July 2, 2026, El Universal issued a public apology to former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) following the controversy sparked by a fabricated interview with writer Carlos Monsiváis published on June 18.

The newspaper had initially apologized to Monsiváis’s family on June 26 but extended the apology to AMLO in a statement titled “Responsibility” released this Thursday. The media outlet acknowledged that the content shared could not be verified and was created by an external former collaborator, Edmundo Cázarez. The false interview was promptly removed from all digital platforms.

El Universal emphasized its 110-year history of independent journalism free from ideological or political bias and reaffirmed its commitment to impartiality and transparency. The statement also announced internal protocol adjustments to prevent similar errors in the future.

This episode highlights the challenges media face in maintaining trust and accuracy, especially when misinformation can quickly spread online. For readers, it underscores the importance of critical consumption of news and the ongoing need for media accountability.