18/06/2026 21:46 - Internacionales
Edificio gubernamental mexicano con escudos y banderas, ambiente de conferencia de prensa oficial, iluminación institucional
The Attorney General's Office of the State of Mexico (FGJEM, by its Spanish acronym) uncovered that the alleged kidnapping of Nancy Nápoles Pacheco, mayor of Tenancingo, was planned as early as February 2026 by her husband José Roberto 'N' and brother-in-law Óscar 'N', both currently fugitives.
The plan's primary objective was to secure a ransom of 40 million Mexican pesos (approximately $2.3 million USD) from municipal funds to cover a suspected embezzlement in the local administration.
Simulated kidnapping: up to 16 years in prison
Extortion: up to 25 years in prison (for Karla Valeria 'N' and Víctor Manuel 'N')
Public servant: up to 700 days of community service
The scandal has taken on political significance as a video circulates on social media showing President Claudia Sheinbaum explicitly requesting votes for Nancy Nápoles ahead of the June 2 elections:
"Friends of Tenancingo, I highly recommend Nancy Nápoles, vote for all Morena this June 2."
Nápoles Pacheco has a long history with Morena (Mexico's ruling party): she served as local representative for District 7 and has presided over the party's State Council in the State of Mexico for five years.
The investigation determined that Nápoles arrived at her home in a Volkswagen Jetta driven by her sister. A red Volkswagen Virtus appeared and Víctor Manuel 'N' simulated forcing her into the back seat. Surveillance cameras showed no violence or restraint.
During the journey, the mayor herself indicated the route to avoid cameras. Upon seeing patrol cars with sirens, she took the phone and asked her sister not to notify the police.
The mayor formally reported the "kidnapping," claiming she escaped by taking advantage of her captors' carelessness.
Collaboration between the prosecutor's offices of State of Mexico and Oaxaca led to the capture of three accomplices. Analysis of the mayor's mobile phone revealed the device was active in Oaxaca from June 8-10.
The Attorney General's Office documented 49 calls between the mayor's husband and brother-in-law between April 7 and June 4, 2026.
They also recorded 136 calls between Óscar 'N' and Cristian 'N', who received an offer of 500,000 pesos to participate in the staged event.
Morena is Mexico's ruling political party, founded in 2014. It has dominated Mexican politics in recent years. Tenancingo is a municipality in the State of Mexico, located about 100 kilometers southwest of Mexico City, known for its textile industry and traditional culture.
The State of Mexico (Edomex) is the most populous state in Mexico, surrounding Mexico City, and is a key political battleground in Mexican elections.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
