Origins of the Conflict: A Tense Political Transition
The conflict began in 2018, when Uriel Carmona Gándara was appointed Morelos Attorney General during the final months of Governor Graco Ramírez’s administration. His nine-year term was designed to extend beyond the new government’s tenure, ensuring autonomy.
In July 2018, Cuauhtémoc Blanco, the former soccer star turned politician, won the Morelos governorship under Morena’s coalition. From the start, tensions arose:
- Blanco’s administration questioned Carmona’s appointment, arguing he lacked the legally required security clearance tests.
- The governor requested Carmona’s removal, but the attorney general fought back in court, securing federal protection to remain in office.
- Carmona accused Blanco of pressuring him to prosecute political rivals from the previous administration without solid evidence.
This legal standoff created a power struggle between the state executive and the independent prosecutor’s office, setting the stage for future clashes.
Key Turning Point: The Ariadna Fernanda López Case
The conflict escalated dramatically in 2022, when the body of Ariadna Fernanda López Díaz was found in Morelos after disappearing in Mexico City.
Contradictory Autopsies
- Morelos authorities, led by Carmona, initially ruled that Ariadna died of alcohol poisoning and aspiration.
- Mexico City’s forensic team later confirmed she had suffered head trauma, classifying it as a femicide.
Political Fallout
- Then-Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum publicly accused Carmona of covering up the crime.
- The Mexico City Prosecutor’s Office charged Carmona with obstruction of justice, alleging he altered evidence to protect the suspects.
This case transformed the Blanco-Carmona feud into a national legal crisis, leading to Carmona’s arrest in 2023 and multiple criminal charges against him.
Legal and Political Consequences
Uriel Carmona’s Removal and Legal Troubles
- Arrested in August 2023 and charged with obstruction, cover-up, and complicity in femicide.
- Secured temporary releases through court rulings, arguing his constitutional immunity (fuero) as attorney general.
- In December 2023, Mexico’s Congress stripped him of federal immunity, exposing him to full prosecution.
- In February 2025, the Morelos Congress officially removed him, citing misconduct and multiple legal cases.
Cuauhtémoc Blanco’s Legal Challenges
- In December 2023, Blanco’s half-sister accused him of attempted sexual assault.
- In February 2025, Carmona, still acting as attorney general, requested Blanco’s congressional impeachment (desafuero) to strip his immunity.
- Blanco responded by filing extortion charges against Carmona, calling the accusations a political attack.
These developments turned the legal battle into a fight for political survival between two of Morelos’ most powerful figures.
Political and Institutional Impact
1. Weakened Governance in Morelos
For years, the Blanco-Carmona feud paralyzed the justice system, delaying corruption investigations and security measures.
2. A Test for Mexico’s Legal System
The case set a precedent for the accountability of state attorneys general, proving that immunity is not absolute in cases of criminal misconduct.
3. Morena’s Political Strategy
Morena leaders, including Sheinbaum and President López Obrador, supported Carmona’s removal, reinforcing their anti-corruption and justice agenda.
A Political Feud That Reshaped Morelos
The Blanco-Carmona dispute evolved from a state-level power struggle to a high-profile national legal case, with lasting consequences:
- Carmona faces prosecution after losing his position and immunity.
- Blanco, now a federal legislator, remains under legal scrutiny but retains political protection.
- Morelos seeks to rebuild its judicial credibility under new leadership.
As legal proceedings continue, the case serves as a landmark moment for political accountability in Mexico.
