On Thursday, Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto vetoed a package of anti-corruption laws which includes a provision that that would have required elected politicians and other public officials to reveal their assets, taxes and potential conflicts of interest. The president's legal advisor Humberto Castillejos argued that "The presentation of the declarations of millions and millions of Mexicans, who earn their living honestly would in no way help combat corruption". However, he made no comment on the part of the package which includes the creation of an independent anti-corruption prosecutor and increasing fines and jail time for public officials convicted of bribery, illegal enrichment etc. The president plans to ask Congress for an extraordinary session to discuss changes to the bill.
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Peña Nieto’s government has been entangled in several corruption scandals, including accusations of conflict-of-interest as well as turning a blind eye to fraud. The president was also implicated in the Panama Papers through his personal friend and so-called “favorite contractor” Juan Armando Hinojosa. Meanwhile, the country is also agitated by protests supporting striking teachers.