By Luis De Jesus
José Ramón López Beltrán, eldest son of Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, denounced this Saturday that his phone number was leaked on social networks and described the act as revenge after the disclosure of data Natalie Kitroeff, head of correspondent of The New York Times in Mexico, on his father’s side.
In a post on his X account, López Beltrán expressed his dismay at the “invasion of his privacy” and described the leak as an attempt to harm him and put the safety of his family at risk.
The Mexican president’s son recalled that the situation was triggered after Kitroeff sent a letter to his father, which, according to him, contained “threats and lies.” He alleged that the journalist exposed her phone number in the letter with the expectation that López Obrador would respond to her “slander” by calling her.
López Beltrán pointed out that the journalist’s telephone number was already public on the internet. He also urged to verify and confirm this fact. He questioned why they were seeking “revenge” by releasing her phone number and asked: “What do I have to do with all that?”
In the last few hours, I have been subject to an act of invasion of my privacy, through the leak of my phone number. This act, which I understand as a form of revenge and an attempt to harm, not only affects me, but also endangers my family and…
— José Ramón López Beltrán (@_JRLB_) February 24, 2024
The controversy arose when the president displayed a letter from Kitroeff with his telephone number and a questionnaire about a United States investigation into alleged bribery during the 2018 presidential campaign.
The dissemination of the journalist’s private information triggered an investigation by the National Institute of Transparency, Access to Information and Protection of Personal Data, as well as reactions from The New York Times and criticism from organizations such as the Committee to Protect Journalists, concerned about the safety of communicators in Mexico.
The leak has been “very embarrassing”
The president, for his part, dismissed the INAI investigation and defended his decision to disclose the journalist’s data under the allegation of the priority of freedom over any regulation.
José Ramón López Beltrán stated that this is the second time that his phone number has been leaked and expressed his desire to maintain the privacy of his family until he decides otherwise.
In addition to José Ramón López Beltrán’s complaint about the leak of his telephone number, the president of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, also spoke out about it during his tour of the state of Sinaloa. He described the act as “very shameful” and attributed it to the actions of the right and conservatives, whom he accused of hypocrisy.
The president reiterated his commitment to the defense of freedom, justice and sovereignty of Mexico, and emphasized that his government will not allow violations of the country’s autonomy. He also stressed that his administration will not follow the example of previous presidents who tolerated external interference in Mexican sovereignty.
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