MEXICO CITY — In Mexico, an investigation has revealed that the current administration recently waived billions of dollars in taxes assessed to ghost companies, many of which were used to launder money. One of them was operated by a powerful drug cartel.
The investigation from the nonprofit Mexicans Against Corruption reveals that the government forgave about $6.6 billion in taxes assessed to non-existent or irregular companies between August and October.
Among the cases is a $5 million waiver benefiting an enterprise owned by Juan Manuel Muñoz Luévano, known as the financial operator of the Zetas cartel.
In a federal court in Texas this year, Muñoz Luévano pleaded guilty to money laundering and drug trafficking.
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador stated that tax waiving is over and that his government will investigate to hold those responsible accountable.
