Power Struggle: Mexico's President Takes on a Billionaire

Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum is locked in a heated battle with Ricardo Salinas Pliego, a billionaire with a vast business empire. Sheinbaum accuses Salinas of avoiding taxes and stirring up trouble. Salinas, who has a knack for making headlines, calls himself a fighter against corruption. But Sheinbaum sees him as a troublemaker who owes the government billions. This fight isn't just about money. It's a test of Sheinbaum's power and her ability to stand up to Mexico's wealthy elite. Salinas has a lot of fans who see him as a hero fighting against the government. Some even think he could run for president one day. The business world is watching closely. Many are worried about Sheinbaum's aggressive tax policies and changes to the court system. These changes could make it harder for businesses to operate in Mexico. Salinas' wealth has taken a hit lately. His net worth has dropped from $13. 4 billion to $4. 9 billion. This is partly because of the ongoing tax dispute. Sheinbaum wants him to pay the full amount he owes, but Salinas says he's willing to pay less. The Supreme Court recently ruled against Salinas, saying he owes $2. 5 billion in taxes. This ruling can't be appealed, but Salinas could still negotiate a settlement. He accuses the government of extortion and says he's willing to pay $400 million. Sheinbaum isn't having it. This isn't the only tax battle Sheinbaum is fighting. The government is also going after Samsung for $16 billion. Some U. S. business groups have criticized Mexico's tax policies, saying they're too aggressive. Salinas has been making waves on social media, encouraging protests against Sheinbaum. He even joked about running for president at his 70th birthday party. His supporters chanted "president! " as he spoke.