In a statement posted to his Facebook account, Cárdenas Sosa indicated the only crime he ever did was 'dreaming.'

'Those who know me know that I come from work, sacrif
d effort.
There has not been a single day of my life since I can remember that I have not worked honestly to earn what I have, working was the inheritance of my grandfather and my parents,' he wrote.

'I dreamed of being able to govern evenly, I committed the crime of not being

...

I committed the crime of dreaming.'

Cárdenas Sosa called on his constituents to remain 'calm' and not revolt. 

'I'm going to go through this process with my head held high,' he added. 'I am not above justice, that is why I ask all those who believe in me to remain calm, I am looking for peace, not a revolution.'  

Veracruz governor Cuitláhuac García initially slammed press reports, including Al Calor Político, indicating that Cárdenas Sosa 'is clean' and that the outlet had it out for him because it disliked him.

García eventually changed his tune after obtaining information on the charges, and disassociated himself from Cárdenas Sosa, indicating he had stained the National Regeneration Movement image.

'Look at the consequences, they are going to link you and there will be no considerations here, we will not be accomplices of anyone, regardless of the party to which they belong,' García said during a press conference.

Mexico City-based consulting Etellekt found that 91 politicians who sought or held office were killed after campaigning for the midterm elections that started in September 7, 2020.

The firm registered more than 900 violent incidents against political party members during midterm election campaign season. At least 172 criminal acts were reported in over 100 cities on election

iv>