Controversy Surrounds Acapulco Mayor Over Disputed 900 Million Peso Issue
In a significant turn of events, Acapulco Trends, a digital news outlet, and its director, Jesús Gabriel Castañeda Arellano, have filed a case of gender-based political violence against the mayor of Acapulco. The mayor was subsequently added to the National Registry of Sanctioned Persons for Gender-Based Political Violence for 18 months [1].
This sanction serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing press freedom in Mexico. The case exposes the systemic intimidation and repression faced by journalists who report on political matters, particularly those affecting vulnerable groups like women. The inclusion on the registry underscores the precariousness of the press environment in Mexico, where journalists often encounter threats and harassment in their work.
The situation reveals several aspects that affect press freedom:
- Demonstrating how political actors may attempt to silence or coerce journalists through gender-based political violence.
- Raising awareness of the gender dimensions within political violence, which influences the safety and independence of journalists like Castañeda.
- Triggering official mechanisms (like the registry) aimed at protecting press freedom but also revealing ongoing risks for media actors in Mexico.
The controversy originated from investigative reports published in June 2025, questioning the mayor's refusal to disclose the use of 898 million pesos tied to post-hurricane reconstruction efforts following Hurricane Otis in 2023 [1]. The reports, which were later ruled as censorship by Castañeda and Acapulco Trends, alleged gender-based political violence against Abelina López Rodríguez, the mayor of Acapulco.
The case has sparked a national debate over the use of gender-based violence laws to suppress investigative journalism. On July 23, 2025, the Electoral Tribunal of the State of Guerrero (TEEGRO) sanctioned Acapulco Trends and Castáneda, ordering them to issue public apologies for 15 consecutive days, pay fines totaling over 22,000 pesos, and complete a gender perspective training course [1].
Organizations like Artículo 19 and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) have warned that such rulings could set dangerous precedents for press freedom in Mexico. The case draws attention to broader systemic issues regarding the safety of journalists and the protection of press freedom under gendered political pressures in Mexico [1].
[1] References: - Reports from the Auditoría Superior del Estado de Guerrero (ASE) suggesting irregularities in municipal spending. - Findings from the investigative reports published in June 2025, questioning the mayor's refusal to disclose the use of 898 million pesos tied to post-hurricane reconstruction efforts following Hurricane Otis in 2023. - The ruling by TEEGRO on August 20, 2024, partially in favor of Mayor López, ordering Castáneda to issue public apologies for 15 consecutive days, pay fines totaling over 22,000 pesos, and complete a gender perspective training course.
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