The mayor of San Cristóbal de las Casas, Fabiola Ricci Diestel, denied any links to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and stated that the Audi cars shown by her sons belong to her grandfather. Her comments address social media posts that raised questions about her lifestyle. Ricci Diestel, a Morena party member, said her family runs a private business to supplement her public salary.
Fabiola Ricci Diestel, mayor of San Cristóbal de las Casas in Chiapas, addressed criticism over photos of her sons posing with two 2023 Audi S5 cars, each valued at about 1.514 million pesos. In an interview with communicator Nacho Lozano, she explained that one vehicle was bought by her grandfather a year ago and loaned to the young men. "It's a nearly new 2023 car; the grandfather bought it about a year ago. I don't really know about the other one; the car isn't my sons'; the grandfather lends it to them," she stated.
The images also depicted the mayor's sons with singer Nathanael Cano and wearing Louis Vuitton sneakers worth 25,000 to 28,000 pesos. Ricci Diestel, who reports a gross monthly salary of around 112,000 pesos in her 2025 asset declaration, attributed these encounters to her official duties at fairs. "As mayor, I've had the chance to attend various fairs and meet artists. My sons accompany me and have also met them," she said.
The controversy escalated due to an alleged 'narco-payroll' document linked to Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as 'El Mencho,' leader of the CJNG, referencing 50,000-peso payments to 'Secretaría S. Cris' and 'Municipio S. Cris' from November 3 to 9, 2023. The mayor denied receiving cartel funds: "I personally have not received a single peso from any cartel or organization." She acknowledged she could not vouch for the entire municipal staff but affirmed her own integrity.
Additionally, Ricci Diestel disclosed that her family has run an auto parts distribution business for 25 years, though it was not listed in her asset declaration. She invited citizens to visit her home to confirm they do not live extravagantly. She previously served as a local deputy and councilor in the municipality.
