Public Records Show President Pena Nieto Misrepresented Personal Land Deal Michael Williams - Reuters
go to original May 29, 2015

Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto and first lady Angelica Rivera wave during the military parade celebrating Independence Day at the Zocalo square in downtown Mexico City. (Reuters/Edgard Garrido)

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto misrepresented to authorities the circumstances under which he acquired one of his properties, public documents reviewed by Reuters show, a discrepancy that could add to a controversy surrounding his personal finances.

According to an official asset declaration first made in 2013, Pena Nieto stated that he acquired the property through a "donation" or gift from his father. Pena Nieto, who made his asset declaration public in 2013 as part of a transparency and accountability push, has since updated and ratified this declaration twice.

Under a public information request, Reuters reviewed documents showing that Pena Nieto actually purchased the property in question - a 1,000 square metre piece of land in the town of Valle de Bravo - in 1988 from a third party. He paid 11.2 million pesos, equivalent to about US$5,000 (3,261.58 pounds) at the time, the registry shows. His wealth declaration lists the property as being valued at just 11,200 "old" pesos, the equivalent to about US$5 at the time.

Reuters was unable to determine why Pena Nieto's declaration mischaracterised the purchase as a gift and understated the price. The declaration lists eight other real estate properties, five of which are also listed as donations. Reuters could not determine if those five properties, which include houses and land, are accurately characterized.

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