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Mexico Petition Ponders Whether to Put Former Presidents on Trial for
Corruption

VOA News

   A petition is underway in Mexico to decide if a referendum will be held
   on whether former presidents will go on trial for alleged acts of
   corruption.

   During anewsconference Monday, President Andres Manuel LopezObrador,
   whoaccused the administrations of his predecessorsofbeing corrupt,said
   the referendum could be held at the same time as mid-term congressional
   elections next June.

   LopezObradorsaiditis notjust a small thing to put former presidents on
   trial,describing it instead asa historical matter.

   Critics accuse Lopez Obrador of using allegations of corruption against
   former presidents Enrique Pena Nieto and Felipe Calderon to divert
   attention from his administration'smishandling ofefforts
   toreduceviolent crime and thespread of the novelcoronavirus.

   Emilio Lozoya, a former chief executive of state-run PemexOil
   Company,accused ex-presidents Felipe Calderon and Enrique Pena Nietoof
   havingties to a bribery scandal.

   Calderon denies the allegations and Pena Nieto has not spoken publicly
   on the accusations.

   Meantime, Lozoya is awaiting trial on briberyand moneylaundering
   charges.

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