Florida court orders ex-Mexican security chief to pay millions to Mexico
Al Jazeera1 day
Ex-Mexican Security Chief Ordered to Pay $2.4B in Civil Case
Above: Genaro Garcia Luna speaks during the inauguration of the Federal Police's scientific division on March 9, 2012, in Mexico City. Image copyright: Alfredo Estrella/Stringer/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
This is a long-overdue justice for the Mexican people who suffered under Luna's betrayal of public trust. The man who was supposed to protect citizens from drug cartels instead enabled their violence while stealing taxpayer money to fund a lavish lifestyle of luxury cars and Miami real estate. The $2.4 billion award conveys that corruption at the highest levels will face consequences. Mexico deserves every penny back from this criminal enterprise that operated under the guise of public service.
Narrative B
The civil case relies heavily on the same questionable foundation as the criminal trial — testimony from notorious cartel members who had every incentive to fabricate stories to reduce their sentences. Luna is a legitimate businessman targeted based on false information from criminals and political enemies. The astronomical judgment amount, three times what Mexico initially sought, raises questions about whether this represents justice or political theater designed to scapegoat one man for systemic failures in Mexico's drug war.