Salinas Pliego Reaches Agreement, ending Decades-long Tax Dispute with Mexico
After a protracted legal battle spanning more than 15 years, Mexican businessman ricardo Salinas Pliego has begun settling a ample debt with the Mexican Treasury. The agreement, announced Thursday, involves an initial payment of 10.4 billion pesos, with a total commitment of 32.133 billion pesos – a 37% reduction from the original 51 billion pesos demanded by the state due to late payment surcharges.
The Salinas Group, while maintaining its disagreement with the Treasury, confirmed its commitment to resolving the debt to “turn the page” adn “put an end to the persecution,” focusing instead on “continuing to create value for Mexico,” according to a company statement. The final settlement amount, while still importent, falls below the approximately 36 billion pesos initially at the heart of the successive tax lawsuits, effectively resetting the balance, officials say.
This resolution marks a historic victory for the Mexican Treasury, which had pursued the debt for nearly two decades without success.A senior official stated that the entire state apparatus was dedicated to achieving this outcome. The recent renewal of the nine ministers of the Supreme Court through popular vote, completed in five months, proved pivotal, reviving almost a dozen previously stalled tax trials. Further bolstering the Treasury’s position was a reform of the appeal for protection, specifically designed to address tax debtors.
The government,under President Claudia Sheinbaum,demonstrated increased resolve,recovering approximately 500 billion pesos in revenue last year – a 4.8% increase – through these legal maneuvers. The revised figures left salinas Pliego with a clear choice: pay voluntarily and benefit from legal tax reductions, or risk asset seizure and the loss of those benefits.
Initially, the magnate threatened to continue the legal fight, even filing a complaint with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) alleging “political persecution.” The status of that international litigation remains unclear, but domestically, a compromise has been reached. While not a complete victory, the agreement allows Salinas Pliego to avoid the substantial late payment penalties and settle for approximately 4 billion pesos less than the amount previously contested in the Supreme Court.
“Today a new stage begins. Optimism and will. There will be great results,” Salinas Pliego posted on his social media accounts following the announcement. Despite President Sheinbaum’s attempts to frame the dispute as purely fiscal,the conflict has taken on significant political dimensions,fueled by numerous direct and indirect exchanges between the two figures.
Salinas Pliego, owner of Elektra, has emerged as a prominent voice of opposition, leveraging his social media presence to champion what he calls a “cultural battle.” While he has not definitively addressed speculation about a potential presidential candidacy in 2030, the possibility looms large, unsettling traditional political parties, especially the conservative PAN. The tycoon continues to navigate this political landscape, offering statements that neither confirm nor deny his ambitions. his political projection and media influence, however, ultimately could not prevent this outcome. After more than 15 years, the employer will pay.
Why did this happen? Ricardo Salinas Pliego owed the mexican Treasury approximately 51 billion pesos in back taxes and penalties. The dispute stemmed from late payments and subsequent surcharges.
Who was involved? The key players were Ricardo Salinas Pliego and the Mexican Treasury, under the administration of President Claudia Sheinbaum. The Supreme Court also played a crucial role through recent reforms and minister renewals.
What was the outcome? Salinas Pliego agreed to pay 32.133 billion pesos, a 37% reduction from the original demand. This ended a
