On July 8, 2025, Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office (FGR) officially confirmed the opening of a criminal investigation into former President Enrique Peña Nieto over alleged involvement in the Pegasus spyware scandal.
The investigation stems from a report by Israeli outlet The Marker, which revealed that two businessmen—Avishai Neriah and Uri Ansbacher—allegedly paid $25 million to Peña Nieto between 2012 and 2018 in exchange for lucrative government contracts involving the controversial Pegasus surveillance software. The spyware, developed by Israel’s NSO Group, was reportedly used by Mexican agencies to monitor journalists, activists, and political opponents during Peña Nieto’s administration.
FGR chief Alejandro Gertz Manero announced that Mexico has formally requested legal assistance from Israel to obtain evidence and corroborate the claims made in the arbitration documents and media reports. He emphasized that previous complaints lacked sufficient proof, but this new case includes “specific, clear, and precise” information that could be legally actionable.
Peña Nieto responded swiftly, denying all allegations. In a statement on social media and in interviews, he called the accusations “totally false” and “malicious,” asserting that he never authorized contracts nor had contact with the Israeli businessmen.
Civil society organizations, including Artículo 19, have urged the government to conduct a transparent and exhaustive investigation, citing the broader implications of illegal surveillance and corruption. The case has reignited public debate over accountability for high-level officials and the misuse of state surveillance tools.
If substantiated, the investigation could mark a historic legal precedent in Mexico’s fight against political corruption and impunity. The outcome now hinges on international cooperation and the strength of the evidence gathered.
Source: ADN 40
