Ricardo Aldana PEMEX Veteran Wins Union Election

Ricardo Aldana, Treasurer of the PEMEX Union workers won the elections by a landslide with 44,983 votes out of 63,700 cast. This despite concerns about Aldana’s relationship with Carlos Romero Deschamps, PEMEX’s former union boss, who resigned in 2019 after corruption allegations. Nevertheless, none of Aldana’s contenders came close, with the second-ranked candidate receiving merely 4,505 votes.

Romero Deschamps was accused for diverting approximately US$20 million, a scandal known as Pemexgate, while Aldana was treasurer, making him a key suspect.

Many did not agree with Aldana´s win and expressed their discontent. For instance, MORENA Sen. Cecilia Margarita Sánchez said the elections were not held democratically and that Aldana's victory is meant to retain control of the union. She added that the outcome would be appealed.

One of the participants, Pablo Gonzalez de los Santos, accused Aldana for not having the proper credentials. “He should not be participating in these elections. I asked PEMEX CEO to clarify the reasons to why he was allowed to participate since only unionized workers can.”

In addition, Minister of Labor and Social Welfare Luisa María Alcalde said22 complaints have been received so far in regards to irregularities during the electoral campaigns of PEMEX Union. Moreover, Alcalde encouraged all people who have seen any irregularities to file complaints.

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador applauded PEMEX´s union successful elections. "For the first time in recent history, an election was held in which the majority of unionized workers participated. There was a very good response and their rights were guaranteed. Guaranteeing this mechanism of free, secret, direct election by telephone had never been done before."

In regards to the accusations that the elections were corrupt, López Obrador said that the accusers must present their case to the corresponding organisms for their review.