The people of Guerrero decided that I be the one to govern: Evelyn Salgado

Nine months ago I was a second-level civil servant. She makes eight, daughter of a candidate for governor. Seven years ago, the candidate for state governor for Morena who was leading the polls. Four years ago, candidate for governor. Governor-elect for a month and a half. And in another month and a half, the first woman to govern one of the most complex states in the country: Guerrero.

“No one, not even in the best movie scripts, would have imagined an outcome like that,” proudly admits Evelyn Salgado Pineda, who claims to be capable of facing the challenge.

In good spirits, he arrives at the party hall in the south of Chilpancingo, the place that was agreed for the interview.

Impeccable suit: jacket and red blouse, with white pants. Face mask and, as she reveals, one of the few times that she has her hair up.

He personally greets everyone present and apologizes for the delay of more than half an hour.

--I have just come from another meeting with Governor Astudillo. And I just received a call informing me that I have to be in Mexico City in the afternoon...

It is also the 13th birthday of his son “Emi”. intense day.

One of his assistants hands him some cards with data from the interview and what appears to be a topic guide. He discreetly rejects them and only with looks gives directions to her close circle. They are all young.

These recent months, which have been bachelor's, master's, doctoral and postgraduate degrees in politics, have forced her to take control of everything.

He denies that there are going to be differences with Félix Salgado, his father, the controversial senator of the Republic. “I will have a luxury adviser”, she softens, only to finish off: “… but the political and institutional decisions are made by Evelyn Salgado”.

While cameras and microphones are set up to record the interview, he chats animatedly. He acknowledges the role of the media and appreciates their patience and insistence on the interview. After a month, the schedule allows about 30 minutes to chat.

The mask is removed. Ask for help to verify that there is no stain with the red lipstick that she uses. They bring a mirror closer to him and he rejects it, only to ask his assistant for visual confirmation.

Everything okay? –He asks as he adjusts his jacket and settles into the chair.

A smile informs her that she's ready to go.

Who is Evelyn Salgado?

Today Evelyn Salgado is a full woman, a happy woman, a woman from Guerrero who, like all women on this earth, is always at the foot of the canyon.

Today I find myself with a great commitment, which I assume with all the love and all the responsibility, with the people of Guerrero. That's Evelyn: mother, daughter and sister. A woman who fights for Guerrero every day.

Did you win the tiger raffle without buying a ticket?

It was about having acquired a great responsibility, as I mentioned: no one, not even in the best movie scripts, would have imagined an outcome like that. We did not expect it like this, we were always promoting and supporting the candidacy of Félix Salgado Macedonio. I even, at the time, expressed it through my social networks: I am not Juanita. My name is Evelyn Salgado Pineda.

@alexkinsella we're looking into it. Do you know how to run our local proxy? Or disable web security on chrome & disable proxy in settings.

— Dan Silivestru Sun Jan 13 19:47:53 +0000 2013

“Juanita”?

Evelyn Salgado is a woman of her own decisions. Many asked me about that: Félix Salgado is a benchmark of the leftist struggle , he is a historical fighter, he is my ideological maximum, but political and institutional decisions are made by Evelyn Salgado.

So, what role will Félix Salgado play?

I would consider myself a lucky ruler, because I have a top adviser, I have an adviser with all the experience in the world in what the social struggle is; He knows perfectly every corner of our state of Guerrero, he is currently a senator of the Republic, he has functions that he has to fulfill and we are going to complement them perfectly and, obviously, all the advice that he can give me as a father is welcome.

How is your relationship? They are very different…

We get along great. Those who know us know that the relationship between father and daughters is magnificent, because we are 6 women (his daughters). He is the best father that could have touched us in life. He is a man who knows how to listen, he is a great adviser, a great ally of women and of us his daughters.

I think we have a very good relationship because we complement each other. The personality of Félix Salgado with that of Evelyn Salgado combined make incredible results

And what are they talking about? Who is faster and who is calmer?

Well, for obvious reasons, you can imagine who will be the accelerated one... (and lets out a smile between complicity and embarrassment that hints at the close communication that exists between father and daughter)

Sometimes we are switching roles, depending on the circumstances. Sometimes it is one that is calming the other, but in general Félix Salgado has a vision of life that I like very much, he is a very positive man, who always sees the good in any situation. Talking with him is a delight: you can arrive with all the problems in the world and talking with him calms you down, solves everything for you. It is very important to have a man by your side who, in addition to your father, is a man who knows the social struggle, the left-wing struggle, and who is a man who is always willing to support you under any circumstance.

She will be the first woman and the youngest person to govern Guerrero…

A Guerrero we like to be always present in the great struggles and in each and every one of the three previous transformations (Independence, Reform and Revolution) we have been present. We cannot be left behind in this Fourth Transformation.

Guerrero has always been present in national issues and this time was not going to be the exception. We had a historic campaign, with historic results, so for the first time a woman is in charge of the government, contrary to the forecasts that were made.

We are going to make history with the best government that Guerrero has ever had, hand in hand with all Guerrero residents. It is a double challenge: being a woman, being young and showing that we can. I take on the challenge with great affection.

--Fifteen years ago, Félix Salgado came to govern Acapulco and a young woman with no experience, you, was appointed president of the municipal DIF...

Well, as you can see, I have had to be at important family moments. I am the eldest of six sisters and well, there are many responsibilities.

At the age of 22, I took office as president of the municipal DIF (from 2005 to 2008) and I have been the youngest president of the DIF in Acapulco. They said: “she won't be able to, she's a girl; How is it possible?, if we have had first ladies with experience. She is going to spend it in the bars and discos and she is not going to be aware of her responsibilities”.

I took on this challenge and it was a great experience. I have pleasant memories and very great experiences from my time at DIF Acapulco, an excellent job was done and the Acapulqueños remember my time.

Federico Sarinana | The Sun of Acapulco