Enrique Peña Nieto
- Known for
- 64th president of Mexico, PRI politician
- Born in
- Atlacomulco, Mexico
- Education
- MBA, ITESM
Enrique Peña Nieto (EPN) served as the 64th President of Mexico (2012–2018) representing the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). His tenure was defined by ambitious economic liberalization, severe corruption allegations, and a highly controversial public image, ultimately making him one of Mexico's least popular former presidents.
Signature Positions
EPN's administration championed structural changes across key sectors:
- Energy Policy: Spearheaded the liberalization of Pemex, allowing significant private investment in the oil sector for the first time in 75 years, leading to Gasolinazo Price Hikes.
- Economic Policy: Focused on Infrastructure Development and job creation, launching Special Economic Zones in the south to combat regional poverty.
- Education Policy: Attempted to curb the power of the teachers' union (SNTE) through sweeping reforms, though impact on standards was minimal.
- Security Policy: Shifted strategy away from targeting kingpins toward reducing violent crime metrics like murder and kidnapping, though faced criticism over the handling of the Iguala mass kidnapping.
Notable Tensions
Peña Nieto’s presidency was shadowed by major controversies and political clashes:
- Odebrecht Scandal / Corruption: He is implicated in accepting illicit campaign funds from Odebrecht; his administration was accused of blocking investigations, including the controversial removal of Santiago Nieto Castillo from FEPADE.
- Freedom of the Press: His administration faced accusations of using Pegasus Spyware to surveil journalists and activists, notably following the Casa Blanca Scandal concerning his wife, Angélica Rivera.
- Relationship with Donald Trump: His foreign policy strained after inviting Donald Trump for a meeting, publicly clashing over who would pay for the border wall, leading to the cancellation of a subsequent trip.
EPN's political ascent built upon established PRI networks, symbolized by his alignment with the 'Golden Boys of Atlacomulco.' His low approval ratings, bottoming out at 12%, ultimately contributed to the PRI's historic defeat in the 2018 election to rival Andrés Manuel López Obrador.