For decades, his name was low profile synonym. Nilda Patricia Velasco Núñezformer president’s wife Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de Leónshe remained almost completely outside the public debate since the end of her husband’s sexennium in 2000.
Far from actively participating in politics, he chose silence as a way of public life. Today, his figure again charges notoriety after the dissemination of a series of recordings in which he would supposedly be heard holding communication with members of organized crime.
These audios, which would have been recorded in the mid -1990s, were published on social networks by the lawyer and candidate for Minister of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) César Gutiérrez Priegoin the midst of struggles among those who have questioned their application in the Judicial election.
Born in 1953 in Cuauhtémoc Cityin the state of ColimaNilda Patricia Velasco studied Economy at the national Polytechnic Institute (IPN)institution where he met his future husband.
They married 1972being both university students. Shortly after, the couple moved to USAwhen Ernesto Zedillo entered the doctorate at Yale University. In those years they formed a family made up of five children: Ernesto, Emiliano, Carlos, Patricia and Rodrigo.
When Zedillo assumed the presidency of Mexico in December 1994Velasco became first Lady. Unlike previous figures that developed their own social agendas or formally presided over the DIF, she chose to stay out of prominence. Did not lead the National System for the Integral Development of the Familynor established a representation office within the pines.
His participation was limited to Accompany the president in official acts and state visitswhere his presence was protocol. He was seen with International leaders such as Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, The Kings of Spain Juan Carlos and Sofiathe president Bill Clinton And the first lady Hillary Clintonas well as in meetings with the Pope John Paul II During your trips to Mexico.
Throughout the six -year period, the image of Velasco was that of a reserved woman, without public speeches or political interventions. In the media of the time it was described as a figure more linked to its family role than to the governmental sphere, and as a Admirer Juana Inés de la Cruzicon of Mexican thought and literature of the seventeenth century.
After the conclusion of the presidential mandate in 2000, Nilda Patricia Velasco He retreated even more from the national stage. He did not seek to participate in international organizations, nor did he assume fees in private foundations or institutions. His name only appeared sporadically in cultural or academic notes.
One of the few known actions of that stage occurred in 2019When he donated 300 films from your personal collection to the Cineteca of the International Film Festival in Guadalajara (FICG). The collection, mainly integrated by Mexican cinema works, was made available to public consultation.
The management was carried out by its son -in -law, Diego Zúñiga Zorrillaand was formalized in a ceremony in the Guillermo del Toro room. Among the donated titles were tapes like El ciudadano kane y The fantastic planet.
In 2016Velasco also made a protocol visit to the Colima Universitywhere it was received by the acting rector. There were no public speeches or interviews.
Recently, his name occupied the headlines after the publication on social networks of A series of audios allegedly recorded in 1996in which an alleged conversation is attributed to him Jesús Amezcua Contrerasthen identified as leader of the Colima cartel.
The material was disseminated by the son of the general Jesús Gutiérrez Rebollowho headed the National Institute for Drug Fight (INCD) during the Zedillo Sexenio.
According to the lawyer, the tapes were part of an file of eleven recordings obtained by his father during official investigations. In them – he says – Velasco would be heard about payments and operations with members of the criminal group. So far Authenticity has not been confirmed of said material.
In Velasco Neither family members have responded publicly to the accusations until 05:00 on Thursday. The recordings have also emerged in the context of the election of the Judiciary.
