How much does the mayor of Tolimán, who is embroiled in controversy over a supposed Rolex watch, earn?

MEXICO CITY (apro).— The mayor of Tolimán, Querétaro, Alejo Sánchez de Santiago, denied that the watch he posted on social media is a Rolex valued at 400,000 pesos and stated that his gross monthly salary is 100,000 pesos.

Student gift, not luxury purchase

On June 16, Sánchez de Santiago shared a photo on Facebook holding a metallic watch with a silver and gold strap. She accompanied the image with a message thanking the "girls and boys" for the gift, describing it as a "beautiful present."

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The following day, in a press conference with local media, he responded to criticism about the alleged Rolex brand:

“It’s not a Rolex, nor could I name the brand… it was a gift from elementary school children.”

Later, in statements captured by Círculo Noticias Querétaro , he specified that the gift was presented by high school students. He emphasized that it took place in the context of school activities related to transfers and events.

The issue raised questions not only about the watch's alleged value, but also because it was donated by minors, sparking a debate about the legality of accepting gifts in the performance of public service. The lack of clarity about whether the donors were from elementary or secondary school added to the mayor's story.

Users and media outlets recalled that the General Law on Administrative Responsibilities (LGRA) expressly prohibits public servants from receiving gifts related to their duties.

How much does Mayor Alejo Sánchez of Santiago earn?

According to official statements, Sánchez de Santiago receives a gross monthly salary of 100,000 pesos. This figure was also confirmed by local media, which indicated that this amount exceeds that of other Querétaro municipalities and is several times higher than the average income in rural communities in Tolimán.

According to the CódigoQro website, 34 of the 64 rural communities in Tolimán lack drinking water , and the administration has indicated that it is working on projects to address this problem.

Legal Framework: Can the Mayor of Tolimán Receive Gifts?

The LGRA, in force since 2016, establishes obligations for public officials:

• Article 7, Section II, prohibits receiving “compensation, gifts, presents or gifts from any person or organization.”
• Article 40 requires that any gift related to the performance of one's duties be delivered to the Asset Administration and Disposal Service (SAE).

These provisions apply even when the gift comes from students or third parties, if the gift is related to public service. Failure to comply with these provisions may constitute a punishable administrative offense.

Mayor's Profile

According to Saber Votar, Alejo Sánchez de Santiago (33 years old) describes himself as:

• “Young entrepreneur.”
• Military reserve with experience in the Ministry of National Defense, both in operational and administrative areas.
• Since September 2021, he has been working as a construction site manager at the construction company RIBADI, SA de CV.
• He was a candidate for municipal president for the Progressive Social Networks.
• Since September 2023, he has served as municipal coordinator of the PVEM in Tolimán.
• She participated in cultural initiatives such as theater, dance, public speaking, and singing workshops between 2008 and 2020; and in 2013 and 2015, she represented Querétaro in workshops on cultural identity with an Otomi focus, organized by the Ministry of Education, Sports, and the National Autonomous University of Mexico (Sedena), National Institute of Statistics and Census (INALI), and the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).
• In 2021, she initiated legal action with the CEA (Central Administrative Court) to address the lack of drinking water in Higueras and other communities in Tolimán. She has also supported complaints of medical negligence within the local public health system.

Background of similar controversies

In 2018, Tatiana Clouthier, AMLO's campaign coordinator, was criticized for wearing a watch from the same brand. She later clarified that it was a gift from her husband.

Former PRI leaders such as César Camacho were also linked to Patek Philippe, Ulysse Nardin, and other luxury brand watches, with prices exceeding 700,000 pesos.

Estimated value of a luxury model

According to a report by El Universal, a Rolex Sky-Dweller Oyster model has an estimated value of $23,750, equivalent to approximately $462,887 pesos at the exchange rate of June 18, 2025. There is no evidence that the watch shown by the mayor belongs to that brand or that it has that value.