Politics · Mexico · 1 hr ago
Meli Espinoza faces criticism over massage video after returning to Morena
Meli Espinoza, a former municipal official in Tijuana, has returned to Morena after leaving the Workers’ Party.
A video showed her wearing a Morena vest while receiving a massage in an office, drawing criticism on social media.
Some users questioned whether the scene fit the party’s stated commitment to austerity and whether the massage happened during work hours.
The available information does not establish when it happened, who paid, or whether public resources were used.
Morena in Baja California has not issued an official response to the criticism.
Espinoza was Tijuana’s municipal comptroller from 2019 to 2021 and later ran for office with the Workers’ Party.
In August 2026, she returned to Morena and registered to seek a role coordinating the party’s local committees ahead of the 2027 elections.
Meli Espinoza returned to Morena in August 2026 after leaving the Labor Party, and a video of her receiving a massage in her office has drawn criticism on social media.
The criticism focused on her Morena vest, the office setting and questions about whether the massage took place during working hours.
Espinoza said she had reached a moment to relax after a demanding day and mentioned sharing a meal with acquaintances beforehand.
The available information does not establish when the massage took place, who paid for it or whether public resources were used.
Morena in Baja California has not issued an official position on the criticism, according to the article.
- Who
- María del Carmen Espinoza Ochoa, known as Meli Espinoza, and social media users who criticized the video.
- What
- Espinoza faced criticism after a video showed her receiving a massage in her office.
- When
- The article was published on October 13, 2026; the date of the massage is not stated.
- Where
- In Espinoza’s office; the article does not state its precise location.
- Why
- Users questioned the image the video conveyed and whether it conflicted with austerity principles or took place during working hours.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Espinoza served as Tijuana’s municipal comptroller.
As comptroller, she tried to close municipal DIF offices over a claim involving expired sweets; the city’s legal adviser intervened to prevent the closure.
Carlos Atilano Peña filed a criminal complaint against Espinoza alleging electoral offenses; the article does not state its outcome.
Espinoza left the Labor Party and returned to Morena.
Espinoza announced her registration to seek a municipal coordination role, and a video of her receiving a massage drew criticism.
- Former name
- María del Carmen Espinoza Ochoa
- Former office
- Tijuana municipal comptroller, 2019-2021
- Party return
- Left the Labor Party and returned to Morena in August 2026
- Political goal
- Municipal coordination of the committees of the Fourth Transformation in Tijuana
- Unresolved details
- The article says it is unclear whether the massage took place during official working hours, who paid or whether public resources were used
Sources
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