In 2005, Víctor González Torres, the founder of one of Mexico’s largest pharmacy chains, publicly supported abortion during his presidential campaign. At the time, Mexico was a deeply Catholic nation, with 88% identifying as Catholic. However, as abortion rights movements gained traction and led to significant legal advancements, González Torres’ stance shifted. Over the past seven years, the Dr Simi Foundation, linked to his business empire, donated $86,394 to Vida y Familia (Vifac), a non-profit that actively campaigns against abortion.
An investigation by openDemocracy revealed a significant flow of funds from 22 foundations associated with Mexico’s wealthiest families and influential corporations to Vifac. Between 2017 and 2023, these foundations contributed $1.9 million, accounting for 10% of Vifac’s revenue. This funding fuels a network of 37 crisis pregnancy centres that aim to dissuade pregnant individuals from seeking abortions, often using misleading information.
A broad spectrum of donors
The 22 contributing foundations span industries such as finance, construction, retail, soft drinks, tequila production, and foreign-owned maquilas. Some foundations, like those associated with José Cuervo, claim to champion gender equality, while others openly oppose abortion. One notable contributor is the Fundación del Empresariado Chihuahuense (FECHAC), a controversial organisation that administers a trust fund built from business tax surcharges in Chihuahua. FECHAC alone donated $719,620, making it Vifac’s largest single funder.
Crisis pregnancy centres and disinformation
Vifac operates centres offering free pregnancy tests and ultrasounds, often targeting those seeking abortions. Their online content includes misleading pro-choice messaging designed to attract individuals before presenting anti-abortion rhetoric. In northern states like Chihuahua, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas, where access to abortions is heavily restricted, these centres thrive on funding from corporate donors.
Vifac founder Marilú Mariscal admitted during a 2022 World Congress of Families event in Mexico City that the organisation’s mission is to prevent abortions. However, neither Vifac nor Mariscal responded to openDemocracy’s inquiries regarding their controversial practices.
Lack of transparency
Vifac’s revenue between 2017 and 2023 totalled $21.4 million. While the organisation is not legally required to disclose donor names, it previously listed 35 benefactors on its now-defunct website. Most donors do not report these contributions publicly. Of the 35 listed, only nine declared their donations to tax authorities. OpenDemocracy’s investigation also uncovered 13 additional foundations contributing undisclosed amounts.
The opacity extends to Vifac’s financial records, with significant portions of its funding categorised vaguely, including $112,000 from unidentified foreign donors and $190,000 with no specified origin.
Public money and religious agendas
In Chihuahua, FECHAC’s funding enabled Vifac to establish centres and run programs like Yo Amo La Vida (I Love Life), which promotes religiously motivated sexual education in public schools. These programs emphasise chastity and abstinence under the pretext of preventing adolescent pregnancies.
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FECHAC lost its tax-exempt status in 2019 after Mexico’s tax authorities determined it failed to allocate its assets exclusively to its stated charitable purposes. Despite appeals, the Supreme Court upheld this decision. Critics like Mariela Castro Flores of Marea Verde Chihuahua argue that such funding undermines human rights and federal guidelines for comprehensive sexual education.
Regional challenges
Access to abortion remains limited in northern Mexico, where Vifac is particularly active. Federal regulations require healthcare providers to offer abortions and emergency contraception to survivors of gender-based violence, yet compliance is inconsistent. Vifac and its affiliates have been accused of exploiting this gap, using public and private funds to obstruct reproductive healthcare.
Wider implications
This revelation underscores a troubling trend: wealthy individuals and corporations using charitable foundations to influence public policy and restrict reproductive rights. Sandra Cardona of Red Necesito Abortar described these efforts as strategic and organised attempts to erode fundamental rights.
As Mexico continues to navigate its path towards reproductive justice, the influence of organisations like Vifac and their powerful backers raises critical questions about transparency, accountability, and the intersection of charity and politics.
