Using the caricature known as “amlito” in the elections, which represents an infantilized President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, implies making propaganda with an image alluding to a public servant, which is prohibited by the Constitution, considered the Electoral Tribunal of the Federal Judiciary (TEPJF), an instance that has already prohibited Morena and her candidates from using the drawing in their campaigns.
However, despite the fact that it is an order contained in a final judgment of the Superior Chamber of the TEPJF, Mario Delgado, leader of the official party, called for the start of a massive campaign for his followers to publish the cartoon and acquire the dolls of fabric that reproduces it.
In fact, Delgado himself appeared before the press on Tuesday with half a dozen of these dolls, because -in his opinion- the ruling of the electoral magistrates is ridiculous.
“It is already bordering on the ridiculous by the electoral authorities against Morena and everything that our movement represents, the last one is that it is forbidden to use the caricature of the “amlito”, the “amlitos” are now prohibited objects, ( …) seems to me an excess”, he pointed out.
Mario Delgado asked “all supporters of the movement to be photographed with their “amlito” and upload it to the networks”, “we are going to campaign”, challenged the leader.
inequitable campaigns
The propaganda use that has been given to this image, according to the magistrates of the Electoral Tribunal, affects the fairness of electoral contests, Therefore, it must be considered that the reproduction of the caricature, by candidates for popularly elected positions, implies undue interference in the elections, since it is the representation of an official, in this case President López Obrador.
The ruling of the Superior Court, In addition to prohibiting the use of “amlito” in campaigns, it also included a fine for Morena of 9,622 pesos, as a result of a lawsuit promoted by the deputy Jorge Álvarez Maynez, of Movimiento Ciudadano. The magistrates agreed with the legislator, who denounced Morena for using the image of the Mexican president to promote his candidates.
“Using an image that identifies a public servant is not allowed” and such use cannot be covered by the exercise of freedom of expression, detailed electoral magistrate Janine Otálora.
On his side, Judge Felipe de la Mata argued that the image of the “amlito” is electoral propaganda that specifically refers to an official. As it is not a neutral or generic promotion, with this caricature the image of a public servant is being used, which is prohibited in the legislation that governs the electoral system of our country.
Thus, the caricature, silhouette or image of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador “cannot be used in political or electoral propaganda”, and consequently, no other image that refers to, refers to or represents acting public servants, he told in turn Reyes Rodríguez, presiding magistrate of the Electoral Tribunal.
The outrage at its origin
The image of the “amlito” is the work of the cartoonist Jose Hernandez, who created it as one of the emblems that were used -in 2005- during the various protests that arose after the lawlessness to which López Obrador was subjected, when he was head of the Government of Mexico City.
The use of this cartoon then spread in 2006when the current president lost the elections to the candidate of the National Action Party (PAN), Felipe Calderón.
Since then, the followers of Andrés Manuel López Obrador, as well as Morena militants, have shown their political affiliation, and their sympathy for the president, through this image that is reproduced in color, or in black and white, and even in dolls. stuffed animals wearing the presidential sash.
Precisely for this last reason, since it refers to the president, the drawing should stop being used in the elections that will be held this year, and in the next general elections of 2024.
MORE NEWS:
surya palaces Journalist and lawyer, specialist in legal analysis and human rights. She has been a reporter, radio host and editor.