**Sheinbaum Urges Apology Over Appointment of García Luna as Security Chief During Calderón’s Presidency**
On October 17, 2024, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, President of Mexico, publicly demanded that former President Felipe Calderón apologize for appointing Genaro García Luna as the head of the now-dissolved Secretariat of Public Security during his administration. This statement comes after García Luna was sentenced to 38.8 years in prison and fined $2 million by Judge Brian M. Cogan of the Eastern District of New York for collaborating with the Sinaloa Cartel in exchange for millions in bribes.
Sheinbaum criticized Calderón for his recent public comments, which she described as “cynical,” where he distanced himself from García Luna’s actions despite having appointed him. She highlighted the judge’s comparison of García Luna to notorious drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, emphasizing the severe implications of his tenure in the government.
The president also challenged Marko Cortés, head of the National Action Party (PAN), for distancing the party from García Luna while advocating for legislation that labels organized crime as terrorism. Sheinbaum called for an honest reflection on Calderón’s knowledge of García Luna’s activities and criticized the Mexican judiciary for unfreezing the bank accounts of García Luna’s wife.
She underscored the detrimental impact of the war on drugs initiated under Calderón’s presidency, noting the ongoing consequences and urging for a reevaluation of that period to prevent a repeat of such policies.
**Secondary Article: García Luna’s Appeal Against Corruption Conviction**
In related news, the former head of the Secretariat of Public Security, Genaro García Luna, is preparing to appeal his recent conviction. His lawyer announced plans to challenge the 38.8-year prison sentence, arguing for a review of the trial’s proceedings. The case, which centers on García Luna’s alleged decade-long collaboration with the Sinaloa Cartel, has ignited widespread debate in Mexico about political accountability and judicial fairness.
The appeal is anticipated to prolong an already high-profile legal battle, sustaining the spotlight on past governmental corruption and its ramifications for Mexico’s political landscape. This move has been met with varying reactions, with some seeing it as a necessary step in legal due process while others view it as an attempt to escape accountability for deep-rooted corruption issues.