Quintana Roo Tribunal Backs Media in Mayor’s Legal Battle

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — The Electoral Tribunal of Quintana Roo (Teqroo) has upheld a decision by the Quintana Roo Electoral Institute (Ieqroo) to deny precautionary measures requested by Isla Mujeres Mayor Atenea Gómez Ricalde against the media outlet Poder y Crítica. The mayor had accused the outlet of gender-based political violence in its critical Facebook posts about her administration.

Legal Challenge Rejected

The tribunal confirmed the Ieqroo’s ruling, which rejected Gómez Ricalde’s demand for the removal of the posts. The case stemmed from a complaint filed by the mayor under file number IEQROO/PESVPG/001/2025, alleging that the outlet’s publications constituted gender-based political violence.

Gómez Ricalde, represented by legal counsel, challenged the Ieqroo’s refusal through an appeal (JDC/013/2025), seeking to overturn the decision and compel the suppression of the disputed content. However, the Teqroo ruled that the electoral institute had conducted a preliminary analysis in accordance with the law and found no evidence of gender stereotypes or violations of the mayor’s political-electoral rights in the posts.

Tribunal’s Rationale

In its decision, the tribunal emphasized that the criticized publications fell within the scope of Articles 6 and 7 of the Mexican Constitution, which protect freedom of expression and the press. It noted that the posts constituted critiques of Gómez Ricalde’s performance in office rather than attacks based on her gender.

The Teqroo further clarified that journalistic work enjoys constitutional protections as a cornerstone of public discourse, reinforcing the outlet’s right to publish critical commentary on public officials. The ruling solidifies the precedent that elected officials are subject to public scrutiny without automatic recourse to censorship under claims of gender-based political violence.

The case underscores ongoing tensions between public figures and media scrutiny in Quintana Roo, with the tribunal’s decision reinforcing press freedoms in the region.