Senator Gerardo Fernández Noroña unveiled his official portrait as president of the Senate's Mesa Directiva in the old Xicoténcatl building, highlighting the challenges of his tenure and defending the 32,000-peso cost of the artwork. He thanked the people of Mexico and his political allies for their support during the first year of the 66th Legislature. He also reaffirmed that he will continue taking annual vacations, like his recent trip to Rome paid with his own money.
In a ceremony held on January 13 at the old Senate building in Xicoténcatl, Gerardo Fernández Noroña, a Morena legislator, unveiled his official portrait as president of the Mesa Directiva during the first year of the 66th Legislature. The artwork, an oil on canvas measuring 40 by 50 centimeters painted by Aurora Argüello Gutiérrez, cost approximately 32,000 pesos, a figure Noroña described as austere compared to previous presidents' portraits like those of Pablo Escudero and Manlio Fabio Beltrones, which reached 100,000 pesos.
In his speech, Noroña expressed thanks to the people of Mexico and the Morena movement for the opportunity to preside over the Senate, a achievement he called unimaginable for a 'son of the people.' He recalled the biggest challenge of his tenure: the approval of the judicial reform, which he described as 'tough and very difficult,' especially after the incident where Judicial Power workers took the podium to sabotage the session. 'They took the podium. They shouted all sorts of things at us,' he recounted, and mentioned the recognition from former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who said: 'Noroña has me astonished' for his handling.
'I never imagined I would have such a huge honor... that my portrait would be with a bunch of scoundrels from the PRI and PAN who presided before,' Noroña stated, referring to figures like Diego Fernández de Cevallos, Santiago Creel, and the late Miguel Barbosa, alongside whom he now appears in the presidents' gallery.
Senator Verónica Camino Farjat, vice president of the Mesa Directiva, praised his straightforward style: 'We know him as a man who says things straight, combative, and sometimes he loses his composure.' Laura Itzel Castillo, the current Senate president, remembered him as a 'fellow social fighter' from his days as secretary to Porfirio Muñoz Ledo. Although invited, Morena coordinator Adán Augusto López did not attend the event.
Before the ceremony, Noroña defended his vacation in Rome: 'Because I take a few days off once a year, it seems inconceivable to them. Well, get used to it because I've always gone on vacation in December and I'll keep doing it,' and assured that the trip was paid with his own money. Additionally, after meeting with Venezuelan ambassador Stella Lugo, he warned: 'We do not accept any interference from any power, no matter how powerful.' The portrait joins the collection in the Xicoténcatl mansion, symbolizing his contribution to the legislature.
