PAN Seeks Probe Into Ex-Governor’s Alleged Crime Ties

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — The National Action Party (PAN) has called for a thorough investigation into former Quintana Roo Governor Carlos Joaquín González following accusations of collusion with organized crime. The demand comes after public allegations made by Gabriel Mendicuti Loría, former mayor of Playa del Carmen and ex-secretary of Government under Roberto Borge Angulo’s administration.

Federal Lawmaker Insists on Legal Action

Federal Deputy Ernesto Sánchez Rodríguez of PAN stated that Joaquín and other former officials linked to criminal organizations must face legal consequences.

“Those involved—former government officials, ex-governors, mayors, whether current or past—must be investigated and punished to the fullest extent of the law,” Sánchez Rodríguez declared during a solemn session commemorating the anniversary of Solidaridad municipality’s founding.

The PAN lawmaker emphasized that no government should have ties to organized crime, citing the case of Adán Augusto López, former governor of Tabasco and current senator, whose ex-secretary of Public Security was previously scrutinized for alleged narco links.

Accusations of Betrayal and Political Dealings

The PAN had initially backed Joaquín’s gubernatorial campaign in 2016, even inducting him into its Association of PAN Governors. However, the party later accused him of betraying their trust by allegedly negotiating the handover of Quintana Roo’s government to the Morena-PVEM-PT alliance in exchange for political immunity. Additionally, PAN claims Joaquín secured his appointment as Mexico’s ambassador to Canada through this arrangement.

Mendicuti’s Explosive Allegations

Gabriel Mendicuti Loría, who was previously imprisoned on corruption charges related to the VIP Saesa case before the charges were dropped due to lack of evidence, accused Joaquín of “selling the state to crime” during a July 27 interview on Playa del Carmen’s FM 103.1 radio station.

“Carlos Joaquín González is a criminal; he sold the state to delinquency,” Mendicuti stated, alleging that homicides, robberies, and kidnappings surged by 800% within three months of Joaquín taking office.

Mendicuti further claimed that Joaquín’s son acted as an intermediary for extortion payments and cartel dealings, though he did not specify which of Joaquín’s two sons was implicated.

“His son was the one collecting protection fees. His son was the middleman for all extortion matters, the liaison with the cartels,” Mendicuti asserted, predicting that the issue would “blow up in the coming weeks.”

Background and Fallout

Mendicuti attributed Joaquín’s 2016 electoral victory to political missteps by the PRI but insisted that Joaquín inherited a secure state, only to dismantle its safety measures.

“He won the governorship due to political blunders, but he was handed a stable state. Perhaps the finances weren’t perfect, but security—the most critical issue for the population—was intact,” Mendicuti said.

The accusations have intensified scrutiny over Joaquín’s tenure, with PAN pushing for accountability amid broader concerns over corruption and organized crime infiltration in Mexican politics.