From President to Exile: Peña Nieto’s Journey and Insights from His New Book, ‘Confessions from Exile: EPN’

Former Mexican president Enrique Peña Nieto has spoken out about his decision to go into exile in Spain in 2019, and the motivations behind it. In a new book titled “Confessions from Exile: EPN,” journalist Mario Maldonado shares that Peña Nieto chose to leave Mexico to support his successor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, without causing distraction or controversy.

Peña Nieto, who was the last president of the PRI party from 2012-2018, revealed that his decision to leave Mexico was influenced by the arrest of his lawyer and friend Juan Collado in July 2019. Collado was accused of organized crime, money laundering, and tax evasion, leading Peña Nieto to prioritize being a responsible former president over staying in the country.

Despite facing investigations into his assets and financial transactions, Peña Nieto has maintained transparency and defended the legitimacy of his wealth. He 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.

Reflecting on his time in office, Peña Nieto addressed the political crises that tarnished his reputation, including the Ayotzinapa case and the White House scandal. Despite facing challenges during his presidency, he completed his term and left the country following a call with López Obrador, where they expressed mutual respect for each other’s leadership.

Peña Nieto remains focused on maintaining a healthy distance from Mexican politics while continuing to monitor the investigations surrounding his assets. His reflections shed light on the complexities of Mexican politics and personal decisions he made during challenging times as president.

In conclusion, Peña Nieto’s decision to go into exile in Spain was not an easy one but necessary given political circumstances at that time. Despite facing challenges during his presidency, he remained committed to transparency and supporting current government from a distance while maintaining focus on maintaining a healthy distance from Mexican politics while continuing to monitor investigations surrounding him.