Enrique Peña Nieto: A look into Mexico's presidential front-runner

From Enrique Peña Nieto

Born on July 20, 1966 at Atlacomulco, Enrique Peña Nieto’s parents are Gilberto Enrique Pena del Mazo, who worked for the Comission Federal del Electricidad, and Maria del Perpetuo Socorro Ofelia Nieto Sanchez, a school teacher. He is related to several prominent political figures including former State of Mexico Governor and former Federal Deputy Arturo Moriel Rojas.

In an interview with the prestigious publication Mexican Leaders, Peña Nieto shared how he has been deeply interested in politics even at a young age. During his junior year in high school, he represented his class at public ceremonies. Nieto completed his Bachelor’s degree at the Universidad de Panamericana and his Masters in Business at the Insituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey.

In 1984, Enrique Peña Nieto prompted his political career by joining the Partido Revolucionario Institutional (PRI), one of the leading political parties in Mexico, and held several public offices:

• 1990 - Secretary of the Citizen Movement of Zone I of the State Directive Committee of the National Confederation of Popular Organization (CNOP)
  
• 1991 – Delegate to the Organization and Citizen Front (State of Mexico). During this period, Nieto also served as an instructor at the PRI’s Electoral Training Center.
  
• 1993 to 1998 – Under the governorship of Emilio Chuayfett, Nieto held the position of Chief of Staff for the Secretary of Economic Development of the State of Mexico.
  
• 1999 – Nieto was named Deputy Secretary of Government for the State of Mexico.
  
• 2000 to 2002 – Nieto was deployed to undertake various state administration tasks as Government Administration Secretary, President of the Directive Council of the Health Institute of the State of Mexico, and Vice-President for the State of Mexico’s Government Board for the Integral Family Development System (DIF).
  

From Enrique Peña Nieto

On the 17th of October 2004, Peña Nieto was nominated as one of PRI’s candidate for the Governorship of the State of Mexico. He won the gubernatorial race and was sworn into office the following year. Putting speculations to rest, Nieto formally announced his intentions to run as the PRI’s 2012 presidential candidate on September 19, 2011.

More information about Enrique Peña Nieto political career can be found at www.enriquepenanieto.com.

From Enrique Peña Nieto