Daniel Assaf, a name that has become synonymous with the security of the Mexican President, is a man of many talents. Born in Lebanon, Assaf is an entrepreneur and restaurateur who has made significant strides in the political landscape of Mexico.
Assaf’s journey in the political realm began when he served as an advisor to Miguel Torruco Marqués, the head of the Secretariat of Tourism of Mexico City, from 2012 to 2017. His educational background in International Relations from the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City further bolstered his credentials.
In 2016, Assaf ran as a candidate for the Movimiento Regeneración Nacional (Morena) party for the Constituent Assembly of Mexico City. Around the same time, he made headlines for his active participation in a protest against a proposed official standard that threatened the artisanal production of maguey distillates.
However, Assaf’s most notable role to date is his appointment as the head of the security team for the President of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador. This team, known as the “ayudantía,” consists of 20 professionals, including 10 women and 10 men, all of whom hold bachelor’s degrees. The ayudantía replaced the Estado Mayor Presidencial, an elite military body that had been responsible for the President’s security for over a century.
Assaf’s leadership of the ayudantía signifies a shift in the security protocol for the Mexican President. The team is unarmed and is expected to provide close protection to the President. This change was implemented by López Obrador, who rejected the traditional protection and security provided by the Estado Mayor Presidencial.
Recently, Assaf has been under investigation by the Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional (SEDENA) due to suspicions of corruption. The allegations stem from his conversation with a businessman, which has raised questions about his integrity. The outcome of this investigation could have significant implications for Assaf’s role within the Mexican government.
Daniel Assaf is a multifaceted individual who has made his mark in both the business and political sectors. His current role as the head of the “Ayudantía” places him at the forefront of a new era in presidential security in Mexico. However, the recent allegations against him serve as a reminder of the challenges and scrutiny faced by those in positions of power.
Two days ago, Mexican journalist Carlos Loret de Mola presented an investigation on his online streaming media outlet “Latinus” regarding the involvement of Daniel Assaf in illegal deals, allegedly using the Public Purse to close businesses that will supposedly benefit, the sons of Lopez Obrador, and Amilcar Olán Aparicio, their favorite frontman with billions of pesos.
TYT Newsroom