Mexican President Andres Obrador Pursues Allegations Of Corruption By Three Of His Predecessors

Manuel Obrador (Twitter / @ lopezobrador_)

JAKARTA - After cleaning up the police institution, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is now eyeing many former government officials for their involvement in corruption. There are no exceptions. Even three former Mexican presidents, Felipe Calderon, Carlos Salinas, and Enrique Pena Nieto were also targeted.

This deepening was carried out following the confession of Emilio Lozoya, a key witness in a large bribery and money laundering case in Mexico. Lozoya is the former Chief Executive of Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex), Mexico's national oil company.

With a copy of Lozoya's 63-page declaration, Obrador sent threats against his predecessors. "They have to return the money," said Obrador, quoted by Reuters on Friday, August 21.

In the document, Lozoya accused Felipe Calderon, Carlos Salinas, and Enrique Pena Nieto of being involved in a corruption case. Not only that. The name of the former Mexican Finance Minister Luis Videgaray was also dragged down.

Last month, Lozoya was extradited from Spain. Lozoya was later charged with accepting bribes and committing money laundering. Although he denied this, Lozoya then revealed the role of other officials in corruption.

Obrador also asked the Attorney General's Office to seriously investigate the case. Obrador said the case was an important point in fighting corruption in Mexico.

Former Mexican President Calderon, via Twitter on Twitter, denied the allegations. He said it was ridiculous. Meanwhile, Pena Nieto and Videgaray have yet to comment on the allegations.