Despite facing legal proceedings as the mastermind behind the attempted murder not only of his uncle, but also of his uncle’s wife and granddaughters, Adolfo has not relented in his claims or ambitions.
Altos Hornos de México, the company that for years was Mexico’s leading steel producer, controlled by Grupo Acerero del Norte, suffered during the last six-year term. Its chief executive, Alonso Ancira, the other shareholder in the company, was persecuted by then-President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, while the Federal Electricity Commission arbitrarily and unilaterally canceled contracts for the supply of thermal coal, leading to the company’s bankruptcy at the end of 2024 and was declared by a judge to be in bankruptcy proceedings to proceed with its liquidation.
However, during the months prior to the commercial courts’ rulings on the fate of the company, Autrey’s nephew stole scrap metal, slabs, and other supplies from the company until the workers blocked access to him and his transporters in July 2023. Furthermore, in August 2024, he made a surprise appearance before Altos Hornos workers (even though he had no connection to the company, as it is his uncle who holds the shares, not him). Autrey attempted to appropriate their union dues, with the support of Pedro Haces, a controversial leader of the Autonomous Confederation of Workers and Employees of Mexico (CATEM), and together they attempted to displace the steelworkers’ union. Pedro Haces is an operator of the MORENA political party who has been accused of vehicle theft and illegal possession of weapons. He is openly misogynistic and has been accused of obtaining million-dollar contracts through influence peddling, operating with funds of dubious origin, and intimidating established and organized unions and workers.
Adolfo Autrey arrived in Monclova, Coahuila, on a private plane accompanied by Pedro Haces’ main operator at CATEM, Miguel Batarse, to meet with Altos Hornos workers, to whom he said he had a “plan B” to prevent the company from going bankrupt (which was already legally a done deal); He promised to “resolve” the conflict between the company and the federal government in exchange for their affiliation with CATEM. The workers rejected his proposal, as they realized they had been deceived, while AHMSA had to publicly distance itself from Adolfo Autrey and his actions, since he did not have the authority to represent the company. After that day, Autrey did not return to meet with the workers and abandoned his purposes.