Marx Arriaga Navarro, a former official at Mexico's Ministry of Public Education (SEP), has publicly denied allegations of corruption, specifically related to 'moches', which refers to kickback payments. His remarks came after the emergence of a complaint lodged with the Internal Control Body, which accused him of illicit financial demands and mistreatment while he headed the General Directorate of Educational Materials. After a period of avoiding media scrutiny, Arriaga spoke candidly about the allegations while riding on the Metro Line 3 in Mexico City.

In his statements, Arriaga strongly refuted the claims against him, asserting that he never requested money from his colleagues or associated teachers. He emphasized his commitment to social justice throughout his tenure, claiming that the work carried out by his team was aimed at improving educational resources rather than personal enrichment. This defense was made during an interview with journalist Carmen Aristegui, where he reaffirmed that the accusations were completely unfounded, insisting that thousands of teachers in Mexico can vouch for his integrity and his service to the education sector.

The fallout from these allegations reflects broader concerns regarding corruption within federal institutions in Mexico, particularly in education. The claims against Arriaga could have significant implications for public trust in the Ministry of Education, especially amid ongoing efforts to reform and improve educational standards in Mexico. As the situation unfolds, the focus will likely remain on the response from both the SEP and educational stakeholders addressing the integrity of educational initiatives and the handling of public resources.