A government spokeswoman says Treasury Minister Luis Videgaray has resigned after Donald Trump’s visit to Mexico.
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A somber-looking Pena Nieto told a news conference that Videgaray, who officials said was the architect of the visit by the Republican nominee for the November 8 US presidential election, would give way to a former finance minister, Jose Antonio Meade.
Pena Nieto was pilloried on social media for hosting Trump at short notice last Wednesday, after the New Yorker had spent much of the past year launching verbal attacks on Mexico as a country sending rapists and drug runners across the USA border.
However, “it is up to the government to tighten its belt, without affecting the people”, said Pena Nieto, adding “there will be no new taxes nor increases to existing ones”.
Trump insulted Mexicans by saying the country sent rapists and drug runners into the United States.
Pena Nieto was widely pilloried for hosting Trump at short notice last Wednesday after the NY businessman had underpinned much of his campaign on building a border wall that he said Mexico would pay for to stem illegal immigration.
Even Trump himself said Videgaray’s resignation was related to his visit.
That didn’t happen – Trump’s presidential and diplomatic approach disintegrated after he returned to US soil, and Peña Nieto was roundly criticized for failing to call Trump out on his inflammatory rhetoric toward the country to his face.
Trump commented on the resignation during a forum with USA veterans on NBC television when he was asked if the United States could take a chance with him as commander-in-chief.
Mexico’s finance minister was a key government architect of Donald Trump’s visit to Mexico.
Pena Nieto, 50, has seen his public approval ratings plummet amid dissatisfaction with the government’s efforts against corruption, violence and growth below its own expectations that has dogged him since taking office in 2012. Pena Nieto ordered an inquiry, which cleared both of any wrongdoing.
Former finance secretary Jose Antonio Meade, who has since served as foreign relations secretary and social development secretary, will replace Videgaray.
Polls show the main hopefuls for 2018 face a tough battle, with Osorio Chong leading prospective PRI contenders. He also previously served as energy minister and a deputy finance minister.
“He’s been a minister five times, and on those five occasions he’s done a good job”, Cordero said.
The new budget will be under close scrutiny after rating agency Standard & Poor’s last month said it could cut Mexico’s credit rating following a marked increase in debt.
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Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, also invited to visit by Pena Nieto, said this week that she won’t be coming to Mexico before Election Day.
