DR UNAM exploded against million-dollar fine to Graue over Yasmín Esquivel case
The University Council reported that university autonomy was violated by imposing sanctions for investigating plagiarism
The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) categorically rejected the judicial resolution that obliges Enrique Graue and Fernando Macedo to pay a fine of 15 million pesos. The sanction was imposed following a lawsuit by advisor Martha Rodríguez Ortiz, linked to the thesis plagiarism case of Minister Yasmín Esquivel Mossa.
The institution described the ruling as an "unacceptable intrusion" into its autonomy.
The University Council warned that the judicial apparatus was used to intimidate officials who only applied the regulations. The decision was made by Judge Flor de María Hernández. Of the CDMX Judiciary, amid growing suspicions of political protection for the minister.
UNAM under scrutiny for punishing plagiarism
The scandal broke out in 2022 when it was revealed that Yasmín Esquivel's undergraduate thesis was a substantial copy of another published a year earlier. Both theses were advised by Martha Rodríguez, who was dismissed in 2023 by FES Aragón.
The university documented the plagiarism, but the sanction ended up directed against those who reported it.
University autonomy vs political power
For UNAM, the judicial ruling represents a direct threat to its autonomy. A sign that institutional decisions can be overturned by external interests. The Council demanded an immediate review of the ruling, warning that those who fulfilled their duty are being punished.
The minister continues in office without any sanction, thanks to the protective network surrounding him. The Judiciary, instead of investigating the plagiarism, preferred to reward his advisor and punish the university members.
What began as an academic case ended up becoming a political warning. University autonomy was trampled by interests that have nothing to do with the truth. For the regime, institutional ethics is secondary when allies are involved.
Those who dare to point out the protected by power face reprisals. The sanctions do not fall on those who commit the offense, but on those who dare to report it. Justice bends before privilege and hardens against integrity.
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