Political Crisis in Morelos: The Fall of Uriel Carmona and Its Aftermath

On February 6, 2025, in a swift and unexpected move, Morelos Attorney General Uriel Carmona was removed from office just hours before he was set to present an impeachment request against Cuauhtémoc Blanco, the former governor and now a Morena congressman. Blanco faces allegations of attempted sexual assault, filed by his half-sister, dating back to his time as governor.

Adding to the controversy, the Morelos Congress wasted no time in appointing Edgar Maldonado Ceballos—a former legal advisor to the Morelos government—as Carmona’s successor. Meanwhile, Governor Margarita González Saravia, a close ally of President Claudia Sheinbaum, denied any connection between Carmona’s removal and Blanco’s legal troubles.

However, sources suggest the decision was orchestrated a day earlier during a constitutional ceremony attended by Sheinbaum, Morelos legislators, and Alberto Anaya, the leader of the Labor Party (PT).

The Political Intrigue Behind Carmona’s Removal

Since taking office, Governor González Saravia had been determined to remove Carmona, but political resistance within the Morelos Congress stalled her efforts. A key legislative bloc of eight lawmakers, including two from the PT, had previously shielded the attorney general from ousting attempts.

However, Carmona’s filing of impeachment proceedings against Blanco appears to have been the final straw, setting the stage for his immediate removal.

Even Sheinbaum weighed in, claiming that Carmona had long used the case against Blanco as a “bargaining chip” to protect his own position. The President framed his removal as a victory for justice, though many observers see it as a strategic political move.

Sheinbaum’s Use of a Feminicide Case to Justify the Removal

To reinforce the decision, Sheinbaum cited the 2022 feminicide of Ariadna Fernanda, a young woman whose body was found in Tepoztlán, Morelos. The Morelos prosecutor’s office originally ruled her death as accidental, but the Mexico City Attorney General’s Office later determined it was a feminicide.

Carmona was accused of covering up the crime, leading to his arrest and temporary detention. However, he later won four court rulings in his favor and was reinstated as attorney general.

Despite Sheinbaum’s focus on Ariadna Fernanda’s case, critics argue that the real reason for Carmona’s removal was his ongoing investigations into Cuauhtémoc Blanco.

Cuauhtémoc Blanco’s Legacy of Corruption and Political Protection

Blanco, a former soccer star turned politician, governed Morelos from 2018 to 2024, a term marred by accusations of corruption, mismanagement, and links to organized crime.

Throughout his governorship, Blanco enjoyed political protection from Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO). Some political analysts believe AMLO’s personal affinity for Blanco stemmed from the fact that one of his sons idolized him.

This protection allowed Blanco to:

• Avoid scrutiny for numerous corruption allegations, including public funds mismanagement.
• Maintain political influence despite mounting evidence of financial irregularities.
• Push for his close ally Víctor Mercado to succeed him as governor (though he ultimately failed).

Upon taking office, Governor González Saravia quickly uncovered financial discrepancies in Blanco’s administration. Her legal team filed corruption charges linked to over $40 million in fraudulent transactions, with federal audits uncovering up to $4 billion in irregularities.

A Legal Time Bomb: Blanco’s Case Remains Open

Despite Carmona’s removal, the criminal case against Cuauhtémoc Blanco remains active within the Morelos Attorney General’s Office.

If Sheinbaum’s government interfered to protect Blanco, it could confirm suspicions that high-ranking Morena officials are still shielding the former governor.

Meanwhile, the contrast in Sheinbaum’s rhetoric has not gone unnoticed. Critics argue that:

• She used Ariadna Fernanda’s feminicide case to legitimize Carmona’s removal.
• But she has remained silent on Blanco’s attempted rape case, despite the allegations coming from his own half-sister.

What’s Next for Morelos Politics?

Morelos is now at the center of a political firestorm, with key questions remaining unanswered:

• Will the new attorney general pursue the corruption cases against Blanco?
• Will González Saravia maintain her promise of no impunity, or will political forces protect Blanco once again?
• How will Sheinbaum’s handling of this case impact her broader political credibility?

The unfolding crisis in Morelos is a clear example of how power struggles within Morena are shaping Mexico’s political future. What started as a case of justice against corruption has become a strategic power play, leaving many wondering if true accountability will ever be served.

A Defining Moment for Morelos and National Politics

The removal of Uriel Carmona raises serious concerns about political maneuvering in Mexico’s justice system. Whether it was a legitimate action or a strategic cover-up, it is clear that Morelos’ political crisis is far from over.With the 2027 gubernatorial race on the horizon and Sheinbaum’s presidency still in its early stages, the handling of this case could set a precedent for political accountability—or lack thereof—in Mexico’s future.