Former National Action Party candidate for Mexico’s presidency Ricardo Anaya. Photo: Brightspot

By KELIN DILLON

Just two days after former Mexican presidential candidate Ricardo Anaya released a video proclaiming his innocence, he has now announced his full exile from Mexico after the country’s Attorney General-s Office (FGR) summoned him to appear in Mexico City’s North Prison for a hearing this upcoming Thursday,Aug. 26.

“In times of autocrats like President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO), exile is the only alternative to continue fighting,” said Anaya in a new video statement, likewise calling AMLO “the biggest liar in the country’s history.”

The former presidential candidate was accused of corruption and accepting bribes by former director of Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) Emilio Lozoya, accusations the FGR is now attempting to follow through on and charges that could add up to more than 30 years in prison.

“I know perfectly well that if I enter the prison, they will not let me out,” Anaya went on to say. “How can I believe in a fair trial when they start to alter the file and change Lozoya’s statement in order to prosecute me?”

Anaya then went on to address López Obrador directly, likewise confirming his commitment to run for the presidency again in 2024.

“Let it be very clear to you Andrés Manuel: I am not hiding or running away; I stand up and go into exile from my own country with great pain in order to continue fighting,” said Anaya. “You are not going to get rid of me.”

For his part, AMLO said Anaya was just trying to deflect culpability and that he “thinks that by blaming me he was going to free himself.”

“He who owes nothing fears nothing, and Anaya must present evidence and speak the truth if he has a clear conscience,” said López Obrador, thus shifting the responsibility of prrof of innocence to the accused rather than assuming innocence.