Mexican Tycoon Ricardo Salinas Pliego Locked in Escalating Showdown With President Sheinbaum

Mexican billionaire Ricardo Salinas Pliego and President Claudia Sheinbaum are embroiled in a fierce and highly public battle that has gripped the nation’s political and business circles. The government accuses Salinas of owing nearly $4 billion in unpaid taxes, a charge he disputes even as he acknowledges some back payments. The feud has intensified amid a broader tax crackdown aimed at funding Sheinbaum’s social programs, with the confrontation becoming a critical test of her willingness to challenge Mexico’s most powerful elites.

Tensions escalated sharply in November when authorities shut down two Salinas-owned casinos under a money laundering probe, an action his conglomerate Grupo Salinas called harassment. Days later, Mexico’s newly restructured Supreme Court upheld tax claims worth $2.5 billion against his companies, immediately sparking allegations of judicial bias. As Salinas accuses the government of “extortion,” Sheinbaum has rejected his $400 million settlement offer, insisting he pay the full amount. The conflict has unsettled the wider business community, already uneasy over intensified audits and investigations targeting major companies such as Samsung Electronics.

The clash has spilled into the political arena as well, with Salinas using his huge online following to amplify criticism of the government and aligning himself with nationwide protests against Sheinbaum. His fiery public remarks, coupled with chants of “president” at his recent 70th birthday celebration, have fueled speculation about future political ambitions. As the standoff deepens, analysts warn it risks inflaming divisions between the administration and Mexico’s business sector, while strengthening Salinas’ image as a populist challenger to the country’s leadership.

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