Mexico's Sheinbaum promises no protection to the ex-Pemex boss after his wife posts an alleged abuse video
Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexican president, said on Monday she would not 'protect anyone after it was revealed that a video had been released showing the violent abuse of his wife by Victor Rodriguez, former head state energy company, Pemex.
The video was posted on YouTube by a woman who identified herself as Maria Felicia Jimenez. She is Rodriguez's spouse. It appears that the video was recorded by a surveillance system at home in a living-room and dates March 15, 2026.
At the time, Rodriguez was still the head of Pemex. He announced his resignation on May 14, in a video with Sheinbaum in which Sheinbaum thanked him and stated that his resignation was in line with the timeline he set for himself when he accepted the position.
Rodriguez was not available for comment. On Friday, a statement appeared on an X-account that appeared to belong Rodriguez. It stated that he has stepped down from public roles while the investigation is ongoing and that he would be willing to cooperate with all authorities.
Sheinbaum stated during her morning press conference that "we will not protect anyone".
Sheinbaum added that Rodriguez wouldn't take on another role in the government.
The five-minute video viewed by shows Rodriguez grabbing the woman's neck, pulling at her hair, pushing her and holding her on a sofa.
The video clearly identifies Rodriguez as the man who was topless during part of the footage. At the beginning of the video, a young boy can be seen before he runs out of shot.
The statement that accompanied the YouTube video reads: "Breaking My Silence meant losing my job and?my money. It also meant having no place to live. And it meant having my children taken away from me. This was all because of his proximity to the highest spheres -- the president, governors, congress members, and secretaries of state."
It said: "This is a women-led government, so I ask for help and?for the necessary?measures?to be?taken to protect me and my minor children."
On Friday, the Attorney General's Office for Morelos state said that they had opened an investigation regarding suspected criminal acts arising from a video in which "a violent act is observed against a woman."
Sheinbaum, who was elected in 2007, has repeatedly stressed the need for substantive equalities, a gender-based perspective, and a right to live a life without violence. She declared an "era of woman" upon taking office.
Sheinbaum and Rodriguez have been close friends since their days as students.
Rodriguez, who left Pemex in may, was named to head the INEEL energy transition institute. The energy ministry stated in a press release that the appointment of Rodriguez was never officialized. (Reporting and editing by Stephen Eisenhammer, Bill Berkrot and Ana Isabel Martinez; Additional reporting and editing by Raul Cortes, Aida Palaez Fernandez and Ana Isabel Martinez)
(source: Reuters)
