Cuauhtémoc Blanco, a former Mexican nationwide soccer participant turned politician who presently serves because the governor of the state of Morelos, has attributed a photograph exhibiting him with three males recognized by native media as gang members to his behavior of merely taking photos with anybody who asks.

As a well-known former athlete, Blanco mentioned he has all the time obliged individuals who ask to take photos with him.

Mexican newspaper El Sol de Mexico printed the 2018 picture earlier this week after it was reportedly found on the cellphone of an alleged drug suspect who was not within the image.

The three males with Blanco have been recognized as gang members, together with one who's presently in jail and one other who was killed in jail, whereas the third man is allegedly the chief of the Tlahuica Commando gang.

Blanco pointed to a photograph additionally taken throughout his 2018 marketing campaign exhibiting him with a son of drug kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman for example that he takes images with out realizing who individuals are, saying, "I did not even know who he was, however as a result of I am such a great man, I take images with everybody."

A number of different lawmakers have requested that Blanco clarify the picture, indicating that if he refuses, authorities want to research the supply of the picture, El Sol reported.

Blanco has denied any allegations that the picture means he has connections to gangs or drug cartels within the state.

Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Mexico, Drug Gangs, Soccer
A 2018 picture of former soccer participant Cuauhtemoc Blanco just lately printed by a Mexican newspaper exhibits Blanco, who's now a politician, posing with three males who've been recognized as gang members. Above, Blanco appears on throughout Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's remaining occasion of the 2018 presidential election at Azteca Stadium on June 27, 2018, in Mexico Metropolis. Carlos Tischler/Getty Photographs

The Tlahuica Commando gang could have been concerned within the 2019 killing of a neighborhood activist.

Blanco mentioned Tuesday he had "nothing to cover," and put it right down to the risks of being a former soccer star who would by no means deny a fan a photograph op.

"I've taken a variety of images as a soccer participant," Blanco mentioned.

Requested by reporters when and the place the picture printed this week was taken—it seems to be indoors, in an workplace or eating room—Blanco mentioned, "I do not know, I swear, I do not even keep in mind."

"I take a variety of images (with individuals), and I'm not going to be asking them, 'Hey, who're you and what do you do for a dwelling?'" Blanco mentioned.

"I'm going to proceed taking images," Blanco added defiantly. "Maybe extra will come out."

Blanco beforehand served as mayor of the state capital, Cuernavaca. Throughout his skilled soccer profession, he was recognized for his pugnacious, combative type.

Morelos, recognized for its balmy local weather, was as soon as a quiet weekend getaway for Mexico Metropolis residents. However within the final 20 years, it has been hit by kidnappings, extortion and drug gang killings.

Blanco has been criticized for naming former soccer associates to state posts.

The Related Press contributed to this report.