Mauricio Góngora Returns to Politics After Legal Battle

Playa del Carmen, September 17 — Mauricio Góngora Escalante, the former gubernatorial candidate for the PRI and PVEM parties in Quintana Roo, stated that he has overcome all the legal problems he faced during the administration of Carlos Joaquín González, which he characterized as "political persecution," and affirmed he is prepared to assume any responsibility within public administration.

Interviewed following the Government Report of Municipal President Estefanía Mercado Asencio, which he attended accompanied by former Governor Félix González Canto, Góngora Escalante maintained that he has never been absent from political life.

"I have never been absent. I have been seen participating in previous electoral processes, even supporting my sister-in-law, María José. Today, to the question of whether there is interest, yes, there has been. We are here, we have not moved, and we will continue to participate," he stated.

Regarding the allegations he faced during the previous state administration, he emphasized that the team of the then legal counsel, Lili Campos Miranda, itself acknowledged to him at the time that the processes against him had a political undertone.

"She herself told me personally, years later, that evidently it was all a political issue and that her team knew it. That gives me the certainty that I was not mistaken in pointing it out," he affirmed.

Questioned about Carlos Joaquín González, the former governor of Quintana Roo and current Mexican ambassador to Canada, Góngora was blunt: "I have no opinion, absolutely none. What I was judged for has already been paid for."

Regarding his political future, he clarified that he has not defined a specific party affiliation or a particular position but made it clear that he maintains aspirations: "Mauricio Góngora has aspirations. My work has been from different trenches, and I believe that from any space I am permitted, I will continue working for the people of Playa del Carmen and all of Quintana Roo."

Backing from Félix González Canto

For his part, former Governor Félix González Canto highlighted Góngora's ongoing political relevance and defended his record: "Politicians will always be politicians, even if we don't hold a position. Mauricio was in his time a great municipal president, effective, charismatic, and close to the people. That's why he was considered a gubernatorial candidate. What happened afterward was an attempt to hurt him and take him out of the game. Today he returns with strength, with the experience his personal and political history has given him, and many friends will accompany him in whatever project he decides to undertake."

Although he avoided speaking about a specific candidacy, González Canto considered it positive that Góngora is resuming political activity, "contributing his knowledge and capacity for the benefit of Quintana Roo."