The former president and his “joint investment” with businessmen of dubious morals
Ah, Mexican politics. He never disappoints when it comes to scandals that seem straight out of a narco-series script. It turns out that Enrique Peña Nieto, that former president who left more doubts than achievements, would have received 25 million dollars from two Israeli businessmen, Avishai Neriah and Uri Ansbacher, during his term (2012-2018). The reason? Well, according to them, to “win juicy contracts” in their government. Come on, a bribe with a first and last name, but disguised as “joint investment.” How creative, right?
The art of buying governments without looking like a purchase
According to the Israeli media The Marker, this delicious gossip came to light thanks to a legal dispute between the two businessmen, who, in a burst of involuntary sincerity, signed an agreement in 2024 where they mentioned their “special relationship” with the former president. Of course, not to be so obvious, they called him “N” in the documents. Because what better way to hide a bribe than using initials like it’s a bad political thriller?
The best thing of all is that Ansbacher had the brilliant idea of claiming half the money back (12.5 million, in case math isn’t your thing). But, surprise, the referees told him something like: “Friend, if they already gave you million-dollar contracts, what more do you want? For them to give you your money back and thank you?” Go businessmen.
And here comes the funniest thing: Peña Nieto was not only called “N”, but also “the elected N” in 2012. Did they think they were in a spy movie? The only thing missing was a secret “the eagle has landed” code. Of course, in December 2018, when his six-year term ended, the nickname was updated to “the substituted N”. What little details.
And the 25 million? Ah, we don’t know that… but let’s imagine
The report does not clarify how those millions were spent (what a disappointment), but an “anonymous source” suggested that they could have financed political expenses, such as his presidential campaign. Come on, instead of asking for donations like ordinary mortals, they preferred the method “take the contract and give me a section in Switzerland.” Pure efficiency.
What we do know is that among those contracts was the purchase of Pegasus, that spy software that they later used to spy on even Aunt Margarita. But, of course, that was just a coincidence. Overall, what president doesn’t need a mass surveillance system paid for with opaque money? Normal things.
Moral? If you’re going to bribe a president, at least make sure there are no signed documents. And if there are, call it “N” to make it sound more mysterious.
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