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The historic Club de Periodistas de México building in downtown Mexico City stands as a contradictory monument to journalism – publicly opposing falsehoods while simultaneously serving as a hub for Russian propaganda efforts in Mexico.
Nestled among colonial-era buildings of tezontle and cantera stone just 900 meters from the capital’s Zócalo, the three-story structure occupies a privileged location on a street named after Mexican journalist Filomeno Mata. The imposing building, once a Bethlemite convent before being decreed for use by the Club Mexicano de Periodistas in 1961 under President Adolfo López Mateos, spans 1,892 square meters of historic architecture.
While the nonprofit organization, founded in 1952, presents itself as a champion of journalistic integrity, investigations reveal it has become a significant platform for disseminating Kremlin narratives about the war in Ukraine and other Russian interests. Led by Celeste Sáenz and Mouris Salloum George, the club maintains deep ties with Russian state media and diplomats.
“This is your Mexican home,” Sáenz told Russian Ambassador Viktor Koronelli in 2023 during an event where the Russian propaganda outlet Tsargrad received an award for its coverage of the Ukraine conflict. The club has hosted Russian state media outlet RT for journalism training events that reportedly concluded with participants shouting “¡Viva Rusia!” and “¡Viva Putin!”
Beyond its role in information warfare, the venue serves multiple commercial functions. The organization rents its grand courtyard for weddings and other social events at 77,000 pesos ($4,191) for six hours, plus additional fees. Its website promotes the space as a “Viceregal Palace” that “connects you with the cultural richness of the city.” The building includes a dormitory called Posada del Periodista that can accommodate dozens of guests, plus office space and an unused café.
The club’s political connections extend beyond Russia. The facility recently hosted a press conference by leaders of Mexico’s ruling Morena party promoting judicial reform. In 2019, it welcomed Bolivia’s Evo Morales after his resignation as president. Its imposing façade is frequently used for television and commercial filming.
The organization’s influence extends through multiple channels – it publishes a magazine, maintains a website and podcast, and operates a social welfare foundation for journalists named after its founder, Spanish journalist Antonio Sáenz de Miera Fieytal.
The grand courtyard, resembling a chessboard with its black-and-white marble flooring and columns with perfectly molded capitals, symbolizes the dual nature of this institution. On any given day, it might host a wedding, followed by a television production, and then an event promoting narratives aligned with the Kremlin’s interests.
The building’s duality reflects broader concerns about Russian influence operations in Latin America. As Moscow seeks to counter Western narratives about its military actions and geopolitical ambitions, established institutions like the Club de Periodistas provide valuable platforms for disseminating alternative viewpoints that often align with Russian government positions.
This historic journalism club, operating from a government-granted building at the heart of Mexico’s capital, represents a nexus between legitimate media activities and influence operations – a place where the boundaries between journalism, propaganda, and commercial enterprise blur into a complex institutional identity serving multiple, sometimes contradictory purposes.
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14 Comments
The club’s location in a historic building near the Zócalo sounds like it has cultural significance. But the reports of it becoming a platform for Kremlin narratives are quite alarming.
I hope the Mexican government and press watchdogs are closely monitoring this situation to ensure the club isn’t being misused for propaganda purposes.
The club’s stated mission of promoting journalistic integrity is at odds with the alleged ties to Russian propaganda. This contradiction needs to be resolved.
I hope an independent, impartial investigation can get to the bottom of this and determine the full scope of any foreign influence within the organization.
It’s disappointing to see a historic institution like this potentially being co-opted for foreign propaganda objectives. Journalism in Mexico needs to remain independent and ethical.
I hope the journalists’ club takes swift action to distance itself from any Russian influence and reaffirm its commitment to factual, unbiased reporting.
This is a concerning development that could undermine public trust in Mexican journalism if not addressed properly. Transparency and accountability will be crucial going forward.
I wonder what the Mexican public’s reaction has been to these revelations. Their perspective on the club’s activities would be valuable to understand.
Interesting to learn about this journalists’ club in Mexico City. It’s concerning to hear it has ties to Russian propaganda efforts – that’s a troubling development for journalism in the region.
I wonder what the club’s leadership has to say about these allegations. Transparency around foreign influence would be important for upholding journalistic integrity.
It’s troubling to see a respected journalism institution potentially being used as a platform for Russian disinformation. The club must address this issue head-on.
Maintaining the credibility of Mexican journalism is vital. The club’s leadership should outline clear steps to regain public trust and reinforce its editorial independence.
Journalists should be champions of truth, not purveyors of disinformation. If these allegations are true, the club has a responsibility to address them and regain public trust.
The close ties to Russian state media and diplomats raise serious red flags. This merits a thorough investigation to uncover the full extent of any undue influence.