CROC Leader Denies Murder Link, Halts Elections

Cancún — Sixteen days after the murder of Mario Machuca in Cancún, the new leadership of the Confederation of Revolutionary Workers and Peasants (CROC), headed by Isaías González Cuevas, held a press conference to set a course for the union following the recent events.

Elections and New Leadership on Hold

During his address, the former federal deputy for the PRI categorically denied having any relation to Machuca's homicide. Simultaneously, he announced that he would not call for elections or appoint new leadership "until things are settled" within the organization.

González Cuevas recalled that the CROC's last internal elections were held in September 2024, a process in which he and a group of leaders—including Mario Machuca Sánchez—were reelected with 98 percent of the votes for a term of up to six years to form part of the National Executive Committee.

He specified that this Committee, of which he is the leader, is the body authorized to "appoint delegates and commissioners." However, he announced that for now he will not exercise that authority.

"We will be here until things are settled and, in due course, it will be the Executive Committee that determines how the leadership of the delegation in Cancún will be chosen," he concluded.

Murder of Mario Machuca in Cancún

Regarding the allegations linking him to the murder of Mario Machuca in Cancún, Isaías González Cuevas was emphatic in distancing himself.

"I am at peace, because if anyone helped me, it was Mario Machuca; if anyone was loyal in winning last year's election, it was Mario Machuca. I got along great with Mario, always," he stated.

He added that, so far, eight people have been called to testify before the State Attorney General's Office, which has also requested the recordings from the union's internal cameras, as well as other materials that could provide evidence for the investigation.

Being a Leader Carries a Risk

Isaías González said he did not know the motive for the murder. "We didn't have enemies of that magnitude… he never told me anything, nor did I see him worried," he expressed.

However, he acknowledged that the risk of being a union leader "is always present," he added.

"I trust the president, the governor, and the attorney general. They promised us they would find those responsible and throw the book at them," he concluded.

Regarding the direction of the CROC Cancún, Isaías Cuevas mentioned that, for now, they are working on reviewing 198 labor contracts to ensure workers' rights are not affected, in addition to other core issues within the organization, such as the distribution of tips, health programs, and others.