Actor Tenoch Huerta has been the target of an extortion plot following serious accusations made by saxophonist Elena Ríos. Over the past year, these allegations have profoundly impacted Huerta’s mental health, career, and personal life. Despite intense public scrutiny, Huerta has consistently maintained his innocence, providing evidence to counter the claims against him.

In two recent articles published by Proceso, both Huerta and Ríos addressed the controversy. In Huerta’s article, titled “We are going to make a mess if you don’t offer anything”: the extortion against the actor Tenoch Huerta, the actor shares his side of the story, offering a detailed account of his relationship with Ríos and outlining the legal actions he has taken in response to threats and extortion. Ríos, in her piece “María Elena Ríos: ‘I feel my process like a coin in the air’”, discusses her acid attack case, her ongoing legal battles, her accusations against Huerta, and when asked about suing Huerta, Ríos stated that she can’t and declined to comment on her role as an alternate deputy for Morena. Both articles offer differing perspectives on the complex and highly publicized dispute.

Tenoch Huerta’s Relationship with Elena Rios

In 2022, Tenoch Huerta and Elena Rios met through the activist collective Poder Prieto, which addresses racial issues in Mexico. Their connection developed into a consensual, non-exclusive romantic relationship. Expert-verified WhatsApp messages show that they agreed on not using condoms, as Huerta (See the video below of Huerta discussing his vasectomy) had been transparent about his vasectomy. The WhatsApp messages also confirm their open relationship, with both free to see other people.

As reported in our article “A Timeline of Elena Rios and Tenoch Huerta’s Relationship,” their interactions became strained by mid-2022. Rios expressed frustration when Huerta grew closer to another colleague, and tensions escalated in May 2022, when she asked, “What are you willing to give to calm this mess?” Huerta, unsure of her intentions, offered an apology, unaware this would lead to a more serious fallout.

In December 2022, Rios publicly labeled Huerta a “predator” during an interview with Astillero Informa, just a week after he appeared alongside President López Obrador. Her accusation coincided with Huerta’s rising public profile following his role in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Despite his efforts to clarify the consensual nature of their relationship, the narrative shifted against him in June 2023 when Rios publicly accused him Poder Prieto for abuse and unpaid work.

Extortion and Threats Against Tenoch Huerta

In March 2024, an unregistered number sent Tenoch Huerta a threat, warning to destroy his reputation if he didn’t meet a demand before International Women’s Day. The message read:

“We are going to make a mess on the day of the march if you don’t offer anything… no one is going to save you, you damn rapist.”

This disturbing message, along with ongoing public harassment, prompted Huerta to file an extortion complaint with the Attorney General’s Office in Michoacán. Authorities are currently investigating the threat, attempting to trace the anonymous sender and uncover their identity.

This extortion attempt is part of a larger campaign to tarnish Huerta’s image. As after Rios made her public accusation in the summer of 2023, she had tried to publish a journalistic exposé in the United States, accusing Huerta of sexual abuse. However, WhatsApp messages from Huerta’s legal team contradicted her claims, forcing the story to be dropped. The messages showed Rios never expressed discomfort with their decisions about contraception or other aspects of their relationship, casting doubt on her allegations.

Despite these challenges, Huerta remains committed to clearing his name. His legal team continues to gather evidence, including a forensic analysis of the SMS threat, as they work to trace the unregistered number and identify those responsible.

Elena Rios, Her Family, and the Accusations Against Her

Elena Rios, once recognized for her advocacy for acid attack survivors, now finds herself at the center of multiple controversies, including serious allegations involving both her and her family. Proceso asked Rios about these decades-long-standing accusations involving her father and brother, linked to crimes such as drug trafficking, murder, and assault. In 2015, authorities accused her brother, Carlos Rios, of murdering an indigenous teenager, which led to the family’s expulsion from their home in Tonalá, Oaxaca. Her sister, Silvia Rios, also faced accusations of extortion and physical assault.

Elena herself has also been accused of violence. In 2012, she and her sister allegedly attacked a woman they believed to be their father’s mistress, using scissors to retaliate over their father’s infidelity. Ríos called the accusations a smear campaign by her ex-partner, but the claims predate their relationship, making her defense inconsistent with the timeline. Furthermore, Rios’s controversial rebranding of the “Ley Ácida” to “Ley Malena” angered fellow survivors and activists, many of whom accused her of exploiting the movement for personal gain.

Rios’s behavior has further raised concerns due to her confrontations with public figures. She has made unsubstantiated accusations against prominent individuals such as feminist lawyer Ana Katiria Suárez Castro, Oaxaca’s Governor Alejandro Murat, and actor Tenoch Huerta. Recently, Rios accused several judges of being paedophiles and aggressors, but an investigation later cleared the judges of any wrongdoing, dismissing her claims.

This pattern of confrontational behavior extends beyond public figures. Rios has also faced accusations of threatening others, including journalist Brenda Floripondio, who received alarming messages after reporting on Rios’s activities. In one message, the sender wrote, “Maldita vieja culera ya sé donde vives…” (You damn old bitch, I know where you live), a clear threat against her safety. Floripondio has since had to move multiple times and seek legal protection. These allegations against Rios suggest a disturbing pattern of retaliation and intimidation against those who cross her path.

Elena Rios’ Political Ambition

In 2024, Elena Rios was announced as the substitute candidate for Manuel Vásquez Arrellano in the Morena Party, sparking controversy as Rios, originally from Oaxaca, is now positioned to represent a constituency outside her home region. Journalist Brenda Floripondio had long predicted that Rios’ ambition was to secure a prominent political role, accusing her of using women’s struggles for personal gain. Floripondio noted that Rios, aware of her lack of local support in Oaxaca due to alleged extortion and criminal ties, sought a safer political path in Mexico City.

Rios’ political journey is not without public confrontations. Following the announcement of her candidacy, Rios took to social media to criticize Vásquez Arrellano, accusing him of merely “going to Congress and clapping.” These aggressive tactics have raised concerns about her intentions and tactics, particularly as she continues to position herself as an activist while seeking political power.

Rios’ criticism of others extended to Tenoch Huerta, where she accused him of being less committed to activism than herself, pointing out her “roots in the pueblos” while living and studying in Mexico City. Her criticism of Huerta mirrors the political maneuvering she has engaged in, as she has often displayed a pattern of using activism for personal benefit.

Her nomination as a substitute federal deputy has also drawn scrutiny due to her connection with Alejandro Murat, whom she previously accused of being an aggressor. When questioned about staying in the same political party as Murat, Rios responded by claiming she hadn’t applied for the position but was instead nominated. Despite this claim, documentation showed she had filled out the necessary forms.

This move to represent Mexico City over Oaxaca has raised questions about her credibility. Indigenous leaders have even expressed frustration, suggesting that her nomination takes away opportunities meant for genuine Indigenous candidates. If Rios wins an official political position, she will gain parliamentary immunity, which blocks authorities from arresting or prosecuting deputies and senators during their term, except in cases of flagrante delicto (caught in the act). This legal privilege, also known as constitutional privilege (fuero), would shield Rios from criminal charges during her term.

The Impact of False Accusations

Tenoch Huerta has faced significant personal and professional setbacks due to the unproven accusations against him. The intense media focus on the claims has taken a toll on his mental health and jeopardized his career. Despite not facing any legal charges, Huerta has been subjected to public judgment, largely fueled by Elena Rios’ ongoing social media campaigns. During the International Women’s Day march, posters falsely branding him a “sexual predator” were circulated, with Rios publicly supporting these efforts.

Huerta’s legal team emphasizes that no legal action has ever been taken against him, as the claims exist solely within the media, where proof is often secondary to sensationalism. This lack of due process has left Huerta vulnerable to public condemnation without the opportunity for a formal defense. Even as he contends with this difficult chapter, Huerta remains committed to his advocacy, especially in supporting anti-racism and underrepresented communities in Mexico. While the accusations have impacted his life, Huerta continues to fight for a fair resolution that restores his good name.

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