The extortion case involving Eduardo Fernández García, former president of the National Banking and Securities Commission (CNBV) during President Zedillo's administration, has generated surprise and controversy. It all began when Fernández decided to extort Grupo Televisa, demanding large sums of money in exchange for not disseminating damaging information about the company's reputation.
According to investigations, Fernández initially requested 40 million pesos in cash from Televisa but later increased his demand to 200 million. The company's executives, Alfonso de Angoitia and Bernardo Gómez, alerted the authorities about the extortion letters received, which led to a formal complaint being filed with the attorney general’s office in Mexico City.
Fernández then attempted to contact the Wall Street Journal to offer supposedly "devastating" information about Televisa, but when he did not receive a favorable response, he turned to Carmen Aristegui. The journalist disseminated the information provided by Fernández, pointing at Televisa and its executives for alleged mismanagement, which prompted an intervention by the Attorney General's Office.
As more details emerged, it was discovered that the information provided by Fernández was false and manipulated, aiming to extort Televisa for economic reasons. Both Aristegui and her news chief, Daniel Lizárraga, could face legal consequences for having collaborated with a convicted criminal in extortion acts.
Eduardo Fernández, a figure who transitioned from holding significant positions in the CNBV to engaging in criminal practices, now finds himself at the center of a scandal that has called into question the integrity of several involved parties. As the investigation progresses, more details are being revealed about a case that has shocked the financial and media world in Mexico.
