In no way did I violate the law, assures Adán Augusto López

Fabiola Martinez and Nestor Jimenez

Newspaper La Jornada
Thursday, April 7, 2022, p. 5

To elude the reporters, the Secretary of the Interior, Adán Augusto López Hernández, chose to walk quickly along one side of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation, cross Pino Suárez Avenue and enter the Zócalo/Tenochtitlan Metro. Then, getting on a crowded car only to get off at the next station, and from there board a taxi to return to the same starting point: the Court building, where he finally did have a private meeting.

On the way, the official said about 50 times: I do not give statements, especially when he was insisted on the accusations for the alleged use of public resources to promote the referendum for the revocation of the mandate. At that time, the decision of the National Electoral Institute against federal and state officials, including him, for speaking in favor of President López Obrador in closed season, had not yet been disclosed.

At the beginning of the escape, López Hernández stated: I will declare it at the time before the corresponding authority.

– Did you break the law?

“No way,” he maintained.

The tour – which ended up being a circuit – began when the reporters were waiting for the United States ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, to leave the National Palace, as well as directors of the SAT and businessman Ricardo Salinas Pliego.

The Secretary of the Interior appeared talking with the Secretary of Welfare, Ariadna Montiel, and then headed towards the Court.

Reporters ran to catch up with him and capture the image of the official going in to see the ministers, but suddenly a hesitant and evasive Interior Secretary was seen. He quickened his pace, turned onto Venustiano Carranza, crossed Pino Suárez Avenue and got into the Metro. One of his security elements handed him a small white ticket, from collective transport and, despite his insistence, he only stopped to repeat, with many nuances, that he would not give statements because that is how he is, because he does not have that habit and that because he was in a hurry, hence any information would have to be requested from the social communication or transparency offices, he said.

In the race the questions of the journalists were mixed with the expressions of some passers-by like the kids who yelled at him legalize pot or the lord who let go Is he taking his village bath?

The secretary arrived at the platform and after waiting a couple of minutes he put on his mask and jumped to squeeze into the car. The communicators followed him, so he opted to get off at Allende and head for the vehicle that would take him back, just a few blocks, to the Zócalo. He before he approached the reporters to tell them let it be light. He believed that he had already left the questions behind, but when he left the Court, the communicators insisted, now, on the talk with him or the ministers.

Minutes later, President López Obrador left the main door of the Palace, very relaxed, dressed in his baseball suit to go exercise.