How Much Will the Chairotubers Spend on Legal Advice Due to Salinas Pliego's Lawsuit?

Guadalajara, Jalisco, February 22, 2025.Banco Azteca, owned by businessman Ricardo Salinas Pliego, has filed a civil lawsuit against seven journalists and YouTubers linked to the Fourth Transformation (4T).

The financial institution accuses them of spreading false information about an alleged bankruptcy of the bank, which would have resulted in million-dollar losses and the cancellation of approximately 800,000 accounts.

Among the defendants are Jorge Gómez Naredo, Víctor Arámburu, Vicente Serrano, Sandra Aguilera, Hans Salazar, Ignacio Rodríguez (alias "El Chapucero") and Miguel Ángel Pelayo.

Estimated costs of legal defense

Facing a lawsuit of this magnitude against a powerful figure like Salinas Pliego involves substantial legal costs. Lawyers' fees in Mexico vary according to the experience and prestige of the professional, as well as the complexity of the case. In high-profile litigation, especially against large corporations, it is common for fees to be high.

According to information from the portal Informador.mx, a lawyer's hourly fees in Mexico range between $1,500 and $3,000 pesos. Considering the nature of this lawsuit, it is reasonable to assume that each defendant will require at least 200 hours of legal work, which translates into an individual cost that could range between $300,000 and $600,000 pesos.

For the seven defendants, the total cost of the defense could range between $2,100,000 and $4,200,000 pesos. These calculations are approximate and may change according to various factors. The duration of the process, the need for experts, and other additional expenses can influence the final cost.

Possible financial consequences if they lose the lawsuit

If the defendants lose the case, the financial implications could be even more severe. In Mexico, losing a civil lawsuit can require the payment of compensation, court costs, and interest. These amounts can drastically increase the total to be paid.

Banco Azteca claims that the cancellation of 800,000 accounts caused multimillion-dollar losses. In cases of this type, compensations are usually calculated based on the patrimonial and moral damage caused. If justice rules in favor of Salinas Pliego, the defendants could be forced to pay a proportional compensation.

How much could they pay if they lose?

If we consider that Banco Azteca's estimated losses reach $1,000 million pesos, the compensation could be divided among the seven accused. This would imply a payment of between $140 and $200 million pesos per person, depending on their degree of responsibility in the disinformation campaign.

To this would be added the legal defense costs, which range between $2.1 and $4.2 million pesos for the litigation.

Estimated total amount if they lose the lawsuit:

• Per person: Between $142 and $204 million pesos (including legal defense and compensation).
• In total: Between $1,000 and $1,500 million pesos to be paid among the seven defendants.

Repercussions beyond the economic

The financial costs are not the only problem for the defendants. They could also face damage to their professional and personal reputation. Media exposure and emotional strain can affect their careers and private lives.

In conclusion, the communicators sued by Banco Azteca could face significant legal expenses. If they lose the trial, the economic and personal consequences will be even more severe. This case demonstrates the importance of measuring words when making public statements about financial institutions.