In today’s social media age, who knows, countries may go to war in the future over inappropriate Twitter comments.
Closer to home, a battle royal is being waged over comments posted on Jalisco Attorney General Eduardo Almaguer’s Twitter account regarding Guadalajara Mayor Enrique Alfaro’s alleged – and now well publicized –
extramarital affair, in addition to allusions to his links to a drug cartel financial operator.
Although the two tweets were quickly deleted and Almaguer announced that his account had been hacked, the damage was done.
“This is an error that must have consequences,” a furious Alfaro told reporters, dismissing the suggestion that the Twitter account of the state’s top cop had been hacked as “absurd.”
As Jalisco Governor ordered an investigation into whether cybercrooks had interfered with Almaguer’s account, Alfaro called for the attorney general’s immediate resignation.
Alfaro and members of his party, the Citizens Movement (MC), say the tweets are part of a “dirty war” being waged against Guadalajara city hall by Almaguer, who clearly has higher political ambitions than his current postion.
Alfaro is expected to make a second bid for the Jalisco governorship next year, after coming close in 2012. Almaguer is expected to throw his hat into the ring for the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). Could the Twitter controversy be part of a state government strategy to undermine Alfaro, who would certainly win the race for governor were the election held today, some commentators are asking.
In an editorial this week in El Informador, Diego Peterson said the spat between Alfaro and Almaguer comes at an inopportune moment when gun crime in the state appears to be on the rise, and when close cooperation between various levels of government is required.
Said Peterson: “Which is more worrying: that the attorney general becomes embroiled in an idiotic quarrel to mock Alfaro, or that he can’t keep his Twitter account secure? Both things are hair-raising.”