Mexico’s President Files Suit Amid Cartel Allegations

Claudia Sheinbaum speaks about remittances at news conference

Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum has filed a defamation lawsuit against Attorney Jeffrey Lichtman, who represents Sinaloa Cartel members, including Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. Lichtman suggested that his clients could reveal corruption regarding Sheinbaum’s political party. Experts have called Mexico’s lawsuit against Lichtman unprecedented and largely symbolic.

Claudia Sheinbaum arrives to close presidential campaign event

Researcher Jesús Pérez Caballero said, “The Mexican government's president speaks to the Mexican citizenry and sends a message of authority, dismissing what the lawyer says. It's a way to preemptively quash any future news regarding the confessions made by detainees like Guzmán.”

Claudia Sheinbaum takes presidential oath at Congress

Critics have viewed the lawsuit as a political stunt that may harm Mexico’s image more than it will impact Lichtman. Sheinbaum stated, “Moral and political authority is required to govern Mexico, and to be worthy of our people. So, the certainty of that authority — my history speaks for me.”

Jeffrey Lichtman speaks to press about Ovidio Guzman

Lichtman addressed the media outside a Chicago court after Guzmán pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and murder. He stated, “If this was anything more than political grandstanding to her base, Sheinbaum would sue me, a private American citizen, in an American courtroom instead of in Mexico where the lawsuit has no teeth."

Claudia Sheinbaum discusses remittances at press event

Lichtman added, "Why she felt the need to spend days denouncing me in part for representing clients charged with crimes, instead of addressing the many difficult issues her country faces is frightening — and very telling.”

Attorney speaks to media after El Chapo sentencing

Lichtman said, “Some free advice: don't discuss my clients in a cheap effort to score political points unless you are prepared for my unfiltered response.”

Jeffrey Lichtman leaves court after El Chapo sentencing

Lichtman concluded, “Apparently the president of Mexico is displeased with my truthful comments about her corrupt office and government. She can call as many hastily convened press conferences as she likes, but the people of Mexico (and myself), know she acts more as the public relations arm of a drug trafficking organization than as the honest leader the Mexican people deserve.”

Roger Anderson covers U.S. politics & news for content partner Modern Newsstand LLC.