A video resurfacing from months ago shows Claudia Sheinbaum introducing V\u00edctor Rodr\u00edguez Padilla as a close collaborator, a stark contrast to her statements this Monday, June 29, 2026, amid serious allegations against him. <\/p>\n
Rodr\u00edguez Padilla, former director of Pemex, is currently under investigation following accusations of domestic violence made public by his wife, Mar\u00eda Felicia Jim\u00e9nez. Security footage released shows a presumed physical assault from March 2026, intensifying public scrutiny. <\/p>\n
Back in 2024, Sheinbaum, then president-elect, praised Rodr\u00edguez Padilla during a conference announcing his appointment as head of Pemex. She highlighted their longstanding academic and professional relationship, recalling how they were classmates and co-authors of a book on energy. \u201cWe were classmates in college, master\u2019s colleagues; we wrote a book on energy together,\u201d she said, framing him as a trusted expert. <\/p>\n
However, on June 29, 2026, when questioned about the allegations, Sheinbaum distanced herself, calling Rodr\u00edguez Padilla \u201conly an acquaintance\u201d and emphasizing that no one would be shielded from justice. She confirmed that his proposed appointment to lead the National Institute of Electricity and Clean Energy (INEEL) never materialized. <\/p>\n
This shift sparked a wave of reactions on social media platform X, where users contrasted her past praise with her current dismissal of their relationship. Many questioned the sudden minimization of Rodr\u00edguez Padilla\u2019s role given the severity of the accusations. <\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the Morelos Prosecutor\u2019s Office is investigating the case, and the Secretariat for Women is providing support to the victim. Rodr\u00edguez Padilla has stepped down from any public position to face the legal process as a private citizen, pledging cooperation with authorities and requesting respect for his family. <\/p>\n
This episode highlights the complex intersections of power, accountability, and public trust in Mexico\u2019s political landscape. It also underscores the importance of transparent responses from leaders when confronting issues of domestic violence\u2014a critical concern for many in Mexico and beyond.<\/p>\n