Mexico president reshuffles Cabinet; security chief, FM out

By Nancy Caouette

MEXICO CITY

 President Enrique Pena Nieto on Thursday announced a major shakeup to his administration, with nine Cabinet members being removed or reassigned, including the national security chief and foreign relations minister.

‘’These changes will help the government face new circumstances and challenges we have as a country’’, Pena Nieto said during a press conference.

The reshuffle occurs a month-and-a half after the high profile prison escape of drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, who is actively sought by American and Mexican authorities.

National Security Commission head Monte Alejandro Rubido, who has been heavily criticized for lack of security at the country’s jails, is now out and replaced by Ronato Sales who formerly served as head of the anti-kidnapping commission.

Pena Nieto moved Antonio Meade from the Foreign Minister post to the head of Social Development. Claudia Ruiz Massieu, who served as Tourism Minister, will replace him.

And controversial former Attorney General Jesus Murillo Karam, who left the post amid criticisms while leading an investigation into 43 missing students and was then named as the head of Urban and Rural Development, is leaving the Cabinet.

The heads of education, environment and urban development ministries have also been changed.

"This is a government that works in a team to change the country,” Pena Nieto said.

Despite the plunging value of the pesos and falling oil prices, the president did not make any change to his economic team.

The Cabinet shake up comes on the heels of growing public dissatisfaction with the administration. A survey by the Pew Research Center published Thursday found the president’s public approval rating down  7 percent in the past year, falling from 51 percent in 2014 to 44 percent in 2015.