Births on April 3

Carlos Salinas de Gortari, Mexican economist and politician, 53rd President of Mexico

Carlos Salinas de Gortari: A Pivotal Figure in Modern Mexican History

Few names evoke as much fervent debate and strong opinion in Mexico as Carlos Salinas de Gortari. Born on April 3, 1948, this prominent Mexican economist and politician, affiliated with the long-dominant Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), served as President of Mexico from 1988 to 1994. His six-year term, known as a sexenio, reshaped the nation in profound ways, cementing his legacy as arguably the most influential – and certainly one of the most controversial – political figures in Mexico since the 1990s.

From Academia to the Presidency: A Contentious Ascent

Before ascending to the nation's highest office, Carlos Salinas de Gortari built a distinguished career as an economist. Unlike many of his predecessors who came from legal backgrounds, Salinas was an intellectual with a deep understanding of economic policy, a characteristic that would define his administration. He rose through the ranks within the Budget Secretariat, eventually becoming its Secretary, a key role that positioned him at the heart of economic planning during a period of significant change for Mexico. His political ambition, coupled with his technocratic expertise, made him the chosen PRI presidential candidate for the 1988 elections. However, the path to power was fraught with controversy. The election on July 6, 1988, was marred by widespread accusations of electoral fraud, famously dubbed "the fallen system" (la caída del sistema), leaving a lasting shadow over the legitimacy of his victory and fueling enduring skepticism among a significant portion of the Mexican populace.

The Salinas Presidency: Economic Reform and Social Tensions

Carlos Salinas de Gortari’s presidency was characterized by an ambitious and far-reaching agenda of economic liberalization, largely in line with the "Washington Consensus" – a set of market-oriented reforms advocated by international financial institutions. He inherited the push for neoliberal, free-trade economic policies from his predecessor, Miguel de la Madrid, and dramatically accelerated their implementation. Among the most significant changes were:

• Mass Privatizations: Salinas oversaw the sale of hundreds of state-owned companies, including key industries like telecommunications (Telmex) and banking, significantly reducing the government's role in the economy.
• NAFTA's Architect: A crowning achievement for Salinas was Mexico's entry into the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) alongside the United States and Canada. This landmark agreement fundamentally integrated Mexico into the global economy, promising economic growth and increased foreign investment.
• Political Negotiations: Demonstrating a pragmatic approach to governance, Salinas engaged in negotiations with the right-wing opposition party, PAN (Partido Acción Nacional), recognizing their victories in gubernatorial elections – a rare concession for the historically dominant PRI – in exchange for their support of his economic and political policies.
• Normalization with the Catholic Church: After decades of strained relations following the Mexican Revolution, Salinas took steps to normalize ties with the Catholic clergy, amending constitutional provisions that restricted the Church's legal status and public influence.
• Currency Reform: His administration also introduced a new currency, the "Nuevo Peso," designed to combat inflation and stabilize the economy.

While hailed by the right-wing and the international community during his initial years as a modernizing force and a leading figure in globalization, Carlos Salinas de Gortari faced relentless criticism from the left. Opponents decried his neoliberal policies for allegedly increasing unemployment rates and allowing the nation's wealth to fall into foreign ownership, perceiving him as an illegitimate president whose administration benefited a select few at the expense of ordinary Mexicans.

1994: A Year of Upheaval and Unraveling

Despite years of what appeared to be steady economic growth, 1994 proved to be a watershed year that dramatically altered Salinas's public image, both at home and abroad. This tumultuous period starkly revealed how his administration had failed to address deep-seated social inequity and brought to light allegations of mismanagement and corruption within his inner circle. A series of seismic events unfolded:

• The Zapatista Uprising: On January 1, 1994, the day NAFTA came into effect, the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN) launched an armed rebellion in Chiapas, highlighting the plight of indigenous communities and the vast disparities in Mexican society.
• Political Assassinations: The nation was rocked by two high-profile assassinations. First, Luis Donaldo Colosio, Salinas's hand-picked successor and the PRI's presidential candidate for the 1994 elections, was murdered in March. Later that year, José Francisco Ruiz Massieu, Salinas's brother-in-law and the PRI Secretary-General, was also assassinated. These acts of political violence plunged Mexico into profound uncertainty and fear.
• The Peso Crisis: Facing immense pressure to devalue the Mexican peso amid economic instability, Salinas controversially held firm. He reportedly believed that maintaining the peso's value would bolster his bid to become the inaugural Director-General of the newly created World Trade Organization (WTO), a position he had been actively pursuing with the backing of the United States government. However, this decision proved disastrous. Less than a month after he left office, Mexico plunged into one of the worst economic crises in its history, known as the "Tequila Crisis," with a rapid devaluation of the peso and a severe recession.

Legacy and Enduring Unpopularity

In the immediate aftermath of his presidency, the Salinas family faced further scandal when his brother, Raúl Salinas de Gortari, was arrested for ordering the assassination of Ruiz Massieu and was later indicted on charges of drug trafficking. These events, coupled with the economic crisis, severely tarnished Carlos Salinas's reputation. He subsequently left the country for many years, largely retreating from public life.

Today, Carlos Salinas de Gortari is often considered the most unpopular former president of Mexico. A 2005 nationwide poll by Parametría strikingly revealed that 73% of respondents held a negative image of him, while only 9% viewed him positively. His legacy remains a complex tapestry of economic modernization, political maneuvering, deep controversy, and enduring public resentment, symbolizing for many both the promise and the perils of Mexico's journey into the modern globalized world.

Frequently Asked Questions about Carlos Salinas de Gortari

Who is Carlos Salinas de Gortari?

Carlos Salinas de Gortari is a Mexican economist and politician who served as the President of Mexico from 1988 to 1994, affiliated with the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI).

When was Carlos Salinas de Gortari President of Mexico?

He served as President of Mexico for one six-year term, from December 1, 1988, to November 30, 1994.

What were Carlos Salinas de Gortari's key policies?

His presidency was defined by widespread neoliberal economic reforms, including the mass privatization of state-owned companies, Mexico's entry into NAFTA, the normalization of relations with the Catholic Church, and the adoption of a new currency (the "Nuevo Peso").

What controversies surrounded his presidency?

Salinas's election in 1988 was marred by accusations of electoral fraud. His administration also faced criticism for increasing social inequality and was later implicated in the lead-up to the devastating 1994 peso crisis, as well as being associated with high-profile political assassinations and corruption scandals involving his family.

What is Carlos Salinas de Gortari's legacy?

He is remembered as a transformative leader who modernized the Mexican economy through free-market reforms and integrated Mexico globally via NAFTA. However, his legacy is heavily overshadowed by the contested legitimacy of his election, accusations of corruption, the 1994 economic crisis, and a lasting perception of unpopularity among the Mexican public.