Ayuso's Visit to Mexico: Questions about the 'Narco Threat' and Disappearance. Madrid leader Ayuso returned from Mexico with claims of threats and pressure. Official sources do not confirm any incidents, and the details of her two-day disappearance remain unclear.
The return of Madrid's leader Ayuso from Mexico sparked controversy: she spoke of serious threats and a 'narco-danger,' accusing the governments of Pedro Sánchez and Claudia Sheinbaum of fostering a hostile environment. However, as EL PAÍS notes, contradictions emerged in her account, and key details remain unanswered.
Security concerns
According to official sources, neither Ayuso nor her team contacted the Spanish Embassy or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to report any threats—though this is standard procedure in such cases. Mexican authorities offered her security, but the Madrid leader’s team declined, stating they would handle safety themselves. Ayuso claimed she hired five bodyguards but did not disclose who was responsible for her protection. Local police were present at public events, but no serious incidents were reported.
Accusations and Mexico's response
Ayuso alleged that Claudia Sheinbaum regularly criticized her at press conferences and hinted her visit was provocative. However, according to EL PAÍS, Sheinbaum’s public statements contained no direct attacks on the Spanish guest—instead, she mainly criticized the Mexican opposition and made ironic remarks. After the controversial event honoring Hernán Cortés, which angered Mexican authorities, Sheinbaum emphasized that Ayuso had a right to be in the country and express herself freely.
Program disruption and disappearance
The conflict reached its climax in Aguascalientes, where Ayuso was scheduled to receive awards from local authorities. The protests outside the parliament building were small in scale and did not lead to incidents—police maintained order. Afterward, the head of Madrid canceled her participation in several events, including the Platino 2026 award, and announced her early return to Spain. According to her entourage, the reason was threats and pressure from Mexican authorities. However, representatives of the Xcaret complex, where the ceremony was to be held, denied any pressure and said they themselves withdrew the invitation due to Ayuso's statements.
Two days out of the public eye
From Friday to Sunday, Ayuso did not appear in public, and her whereabouts remained unknown. Her team explained this by security considerations but did not reveal the exact location of the Madrid head or who was providing her protection. In an interview after her return, Ayuso said she had been forced to hide to avoid endangering herself and her colleagues, but provided no further details. Mexican and Spanish authorities did not confirm the presence of threats or restrictions for the Spanish delegation. In the end, as noted by EL PAÍS, many details of the trip and Ayuso's sudden disappearance remained unexplained.
