Peña Nieto, the former president of Mexico, chose to go into exile in Spain in 2019 as a way to support his successor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador. The decision was influenced by the arrest of Peña Nieto’s lawyer and friend Juan Collado in July 2019. Collado was accused of organized crime, money laundering, and tax evasion. Peña Nieto prioritized being a responsible former president over staying in the country and maintaining transparency despite facing investigations into his assets and financial transactions.
In an interview with journalist Mario Maldonado for his book “Confessions from Exile: EPN (Planeta, 2024)”, Peña Nieto expressed his commitment to supporting the current government from a distance. He clarified that his exile in Spain was not permanent and that he still plans to return to Mexico at some point. Despite facing challenges during his presidency, including political crises such as the Ayotzinapa case and the White House scandal, Peña Nieto remains focused on maintaining a healthy distance from Mexican politics while continuing to monitor investigations surrounding his assets.
Peña Nieto also shared insights into his interactions with López Obrador before and after the presidential transition. He acknowledged López Obrador’s victory in the 2018 elections and expressed respect for his governance. The former president discussed his relationships with other former Mexican presidents residing in Spain, highlighting his complex dynamics with Felipe Calderón and Carlos Salinas de Gortari.
Overall, Peña Nieto’s reflections shed light on the complexities of Mexican politics and personal decisions he made during challenging circumstances during his presidency and post-office. It also highlights how politicians navigate personal scandals while trying to maintain transparency and support their successors without causing distraction or controversy.