TWO IMMENSELY DAMAGING ACCUSATIONS HAVE BEEN made against my brother, Raul Salinas: First, that he masterminded the murder in 1994 of a distinguished Mexican party leader. Second, that many millions of dollars allegedly deposited in Switzerland had been paid to him, both before and during my administration, by Mexican and Colombian drug traffickers in exchange for his collaboration or protection. These accusations have caused enormous pain and damage to me personally, to my family and to many others. Most importantly, they have impugned the integrity and legality of Mexican institutions. These accusations have been based on judicial and investigative processes that are simply scandalous. This distortion of due process, an astounding story in itself, requires attention–not only because of the harm it has done but also to examine why it happened and to understand what is ultimately at stake.
Mexican authorities have admitted paying their principal witness $500,000 as an incentive for testifying against my brother in the murder case. In October 1996 they went so far as to plant (and then unearth) a corpse on land belonging to my brother, claiming it was the body of a co-conspirator. Self-described witches and clairvoyants were called as witnesses to validate the alleged discovery. These events are undisputed: the prosecutor was removed from his post, fled the country and was then extradited. Despite these irregularities, despite the grotequeness of these events, the accusation against my brother has not been withdrawn. Prosecutors still demand that my brother spend the rest of his life in jail.
I can well understand that my brother’s published explanations for the funds discovered in Switzerland raise a great many questions. The investment fund that was ostensibly created by him was so oddly constituted that it naturally gives rise to a suspicion of wrongdoing. I do not have an explanation, for the simple reason that I was never aware of the fund’s existence. As a maximum-security prisoner, my brother has only a limited ability to communicate with his lawyers, with me or with any other member of our family. He certainly cannot talk to us in confidence. Under these circumstances, I cannot demand an explanation from him.
I do know this: at no time did I or any member of my administration under my direction knowingly take any action, make any decision, or favor any person, with a view to rewarding or inducing any of the transactions with my brother that are the subject of these accusations.
The core accusation, however, goes well beyond illegality. Based on a sloppy and inconsistent review of evidence (deposit slips counted more than once, decimal points misplaced and, most importantly, exculpatory evidence ignored that purported to document the source and flow of funds), Swiss prosecutors have supported a case against my brother with accounts given in many cases by convicted criminals in return for reduced sentences or other benefits. Their testimony effectively accuses the Mexican Congress, three former presidents, several governors, the main political parties, a former opposition attorney general and even a slain presidential candidate of engaging in a money-laundering, drug-trafficking conspiracy that effectively took over the Mexican government.
This accusation is outrageous, absurd and an affront to all Mexicans. To those who know nothing of the important, even radical transformations that took place in Mexico between 1988 and 1994, these fabrications might well convey the image of a criminal administration. This is in open contradiction with our record: during my administration, we brought to justice the heads of every one of the principal drug-trafficking bands operating in Mexico.
Our administration’s full-time occupation was to build consensus for change, struggle to reform our country and defend its sovereignty. In the process, we challenged many entrenched interests, undermined established privileges and, perhaps inevitably, made powerful enemies.
I believe, very simply, that the resentment we unleashed has poisoned the atmosphere of our political and judicial process. This, combined with the opportunism of those who want to destabilize our country’s institutions, has unleashed a campaign of vilification to which others abroad have contributed. The allegations against my administration are directly related to the struggle for power that is going on today in Mexico. For my own sake, for my family and for the many who collaborated with me over the years, I regret that this has occurred. But above all, I regret it for my country. What is at stake is the future of reforms wrought by the Mexican people, united around a common program of change. I continue to believe in that program, and in those who led it with courage and responsibility. With the pride and confidence that I have in the sovereignty of my country, I will continue to advance these objectives in any way that I can.
