Jump to content

Vicente Fox

From Alfawiki
Vicente Fox Quesada
Born (1942-07-02) July 2, 1942 (age 84)
Mexico City, Mexico
Occupation(s)Entrepreneur, politician
Years active1964–present
Known for62nd president of Mexico (2000–2006)

Vicente Fox Quesada (born July 2, 1942) is a Mexican entrepreneur and political figure who held the office of the 62nd president of Mexico from 2000 until 2006. As a right-wing populist candidate representing the PAN, Fox secured victory in the 2000 election, marking a historic break as the first president outside the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) since 1929 and the first opposition leader since 1911. He achieved this with 43% of the popular vote.

Fox championed social welfare initiatives, most notably co-creating and rolling out the Seguro Popular health program, which provided coverage to approximately 55 million self-employed workers. His government upheld the neoliberal economic framework established by previous PRI administrations beginning in the 1980s.

Throughout his presidency, Fox enhanced diplomatic relations with the United States and President George W. Bush, yet encountered obstacles such as unsuccessful proposals to impose a value-added tax on pharmaceuticals and to construct an airport in Texcoco. Relations with Cuba became strained due to disputes involving Fidel Castro, and concerns about human rights arose following the 2001 assassination of attorney Digna Ochoa.

The latter part of Fox’s term was characterized by political confrontations with Mexico City Mayor Andrés Manuel López Obrador, including a failed attempt to oust López Obrador ahead of the 2006 presidential race. His administration also navigated diplomatic tensions with Venezuela and Bolivia over their opposition to the Free Trade Area of the Americas. The contentious 2006 election concluded with PAN nominee Felipe Calderón narrowly declared victor amid accusations of electoral fraud and widespread demonstrations.

Internally, unrest manifested through violent protests in Oaxaca and San Salvador Atenco, episodes of government crackdowns later condemned by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. Despite these difficulties, Fox’s administration sustained economic expansion and lowered poverty rates from 43.7% in 2000 to 35.6% by 2006.

Following his presidency, Fox returned to Guanajuato where he engaged in public speaking engagements and spearheaded the establishment of the Vicente Fox Center of Studies, Library and Museum. He holds the position of co-president at the Centrist Democrat International, a global alliance of centre-right political parties. After endorsing PRI candidate Enrique Peña Nieto in 2012, Fox was expelled from PAN in 2013. Subsequently, he supported PRI contender José Antonio Meade during the 2018 presidential campaign.

Early years

Vicente Fox Quesada entered the world on July 2, 1942, in Mexico City, as the second child among nine siblings. His father, José Luis Fox Pont, was a Mexican national with roots tracing back to German-American ancestry, while his mother, Mercedes Quesada Etxaide, hailed from San Sebastián in Gipuzkoa, part of Spain’s Basque region. The family surname was originally Fuchs before being anglicized to "Fox." His grandfather on his father's side, Joseph Louis Fuchs, was born in Cincinnati in 1865 and relocated to Mexico when he was 32 years old.

Raised on a ranch located in San Francisco del Rincón, Guanajuato, Fox spent one academic year at Campion High School in Wisconsin where he acquired proficiency in English. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration from Universidad Iberoamericana in 1964 and later earned a management certificate from Harvard Business School in 1974.

Business career

Fox began his professional journey at the Coca-Cola Company in 1964 as a route supervisor. Over the course of nine years, he climbed the corporate ladder to become President and CEO of Coca-Cola Mexico. During his tenure, he successfully positioned Coca-Cola as the leading soft drink in Mexico, increasing sales by nearly 50%. Although offered the opportunity to oversee Coca-Cola's operations throughout Latin America, Fox chose to decline and left the company in 1979.

Following his departure from Coca-Cola, Fox became involved in social projects in Guanajuato, establishing the "Patronato de la Casa Cuna Amigo Daniel" orphanage. Additionally, he held the presidency of Patronato Loyola, an organization that supports the León campus of the Universidad Iberoamericana and the Lux Institute.

Family life

In 1969, Fox married Lilian de la Concha, who was employed as a receptionist at Coca-Cola. The couple had four children: Ana Cristina, Vicente, Paulina, and Rodrigo. After two decades of marriage, Lilian initiated divorce proceedings and was granted a divorce in 1990.

Fox remarried on 2 July 2001 during his presidency to Marta María Sahagún Jiménez, who had previously served as his spokesperson. Their wedding coincided with both the first anniversary of his presidential victory and his 59th birthday. Both were entering their second marriages.

Early political career

With backing from Manuel Clouthier, Fox joined the PAN on 1 March 1988 and secured election to the federal Chamber of Deputies, representing León, Guanajuato.

Governor of Guanajuato

In 1991, Fox contested the governorship of Guanajuato but was defeated amid contentious results by PRI candidate Ramón Aguirre Velázquez. Accusations of electoral fraud prompted Aguirre Velázquez to refuse assuming office; consequently, the state congress appointed PAN’s Carlos Medina Plascencia as interim governor.

Fox ran again in the 1995 Guanajuato gubernatorial election and won decisively with more than 58% of votes cast. His administration prioritized enhancing government efficiency and transparency, becoming one of Mexico’s pioneering state governments to publish detailed public financial statements.

He advocated for the unification of small businesses, increased exports of local products from Guanajuato, and implemented microloan programs that empowered low-income entrepreneurs to establish enterprises and improve their quality of life. Under Fox’s governance, Guanajuato rose to become Mexico’s fifth-largest economic region.

Campaign for president

On 7 July 1997, after opposition parties achieved a majority in the Chamber of Deputies, Vicente Fox declared his intention to run for President of Mexico. Despite facing resistance within his own party, he secured the nomination representing the Alliance for Change, a coalition formed on 14 November 1999 between the National Action Party and the Green Ecological Party of Mexico.

During the campaign, a presidential debate was arranged; however, Fox and his principal opponents—Francisco Labastida (PRI) and Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas (PRD)—disagreed over its scheduling, resulting in a widely broadcasted confrontation. In this debate, Labastida accused Fox of making disparaging comments and labeled him a "sissy" and "cross-dresser" ("la vestida," a pun involving Labastida's own name). Fox’s campaign featured slogans such as "¡Ya!" ("Right now!"), "Ya ganamos" ("We've already won"), and "Vota Alianza por el Cambio" ("Vote for Alliance for Change").

Fox’s campaign received significant support from Amigos de Fox (Friends of Fox), a nonprofit fundraising organization founded by Denise Montaño that played an instrumental role in rallying millions of supporters. The phrase "Amigos de Fox" became a widely recognized campaign motto. In 2003, allegations surfaced accusing the group of money laundering; however, these charges were dismissed shortly before that year’s midterm elections.

Election outcome

On 2 July 2000, coinciding with his 58th birthday, Vicente Fox secured the presidency by obtaining 43% of the vote (15,989,636 ballots), surpassing the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) contender Francisco Labastida, who garnered 36% (13,579,718 votes), and Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas from the Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD), who achieved 17% (6,256,780 votes). Fox proclaimed his triumph that evening, a result confirmed by then-President Zedillo. He celebrated alongside supporters at Mexico City's Angel of Independence monument, while his rivals conceded later that night.

Fox's victory attracted widespread media attention and congratulations from international leaders, including U.S. President Bill Clinton at the time. He officially assumed office on 1 December 2000, marking the first occasion since 1917 that a non-PRI candidate ascended to Mexico's presidency.

Public persona

Throughout his campaign, Vicente Fox became recognized for his cowboy image and unique character. Standing tall at , he was among Mexico's tallest presidents and drew significant crowds early in his term. Although he donned formal suits for official occasions, Fox frequently wore his trademark boots and jeans during visits throughout Mexico.

Fox projected a tranquil demeanor and often welcomed guests to his ranch located in Guanajuato. When U.S. President George W. Bush visited, both leaders donned Fox's black cowboy boots—a moment famously called "The Boot Summit" by The Wall Street Journal.

Popularity ratings

At the start of his presidency on 1 December 2000, Fox enjoyed an approval rating close to 80%. Over his tenure, his average approval stood at 53%, accompanied by an average disapproval rate of 40%.

Notable peaks included:

  • August 2002 (58% approval) following the suspension of a new airport project in the State of Mexico due to local opposition.
  • May 2003 (57% approval) after Fox declared that Mexico would not back the US invasion of Iraq.
  • Throughout 2006, maintaining an average approval rating of 58% during his final year in office amid the presidential elections; however, this did not significantly enhance support for PAN candidate Felipe Calderón, who narrowly won with 35.9% compared to Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s 35.3%.

Periods of decline featured:

  • March 2002 (39% approval), triggered by the "Comes y te vas" controversy where Fox suggested Cuban leader Fidel Castro attend a conference briefly and depart quickly to avoid offending US President George W. Bush. This episode harmed Fox’s reputation due to perceived subservience to the US and ended Mexico’s diplomatic neutrality toward Cuba.
  • February 2004 (42% approval), amidst scandals involving First Lady Marta Sahagún, accused of misappropriating public funds for her "Vamos México" foundation and pursuing an unpopular bid for the PAN presidential nomination.
  • From late 2004 through 2005, approval averaged around 45%, nearly matched by disapproval rates, largely because of the contentious Desafuero process against López Obrador. This legal attempt, backed by Fox’s administration, aimed to strip López Obrador of immunity and prevent his presidential candidacy, provoking widespread protests and criticism. Following massive demonstrations in April 2005, Fox halted the judicial proceedings.
  • May 2005 marked Fox’s lowest approval rating at 35%, resulting from fallout over the Desafuero dispute and controversial comments he made about African Americans.

These shifts in public opinion reflected critical political challenges that defined Fox’s administration and influenced how he was perceived by the Mexican populace.

Controversial remarks

  • Just two days prior to the International Conference on Financing for Development held in Monterrey in March 2002, Fox contacted Cuban leader Fidel Castro urging him to moderate his statements about the United States and suggested he depart Mexico following his address. Castro later condemned this as a "despicable betrayal."
  • During a business event in Texas in May 2005, Fox stirred controversy by asserting that Mexicans were occupying jobs "that not even blacks want to do" in the United States. This comment led African-American leaders, including Reverend Al Sharpton, to demand an apology and call for a boycott of Mexican goods. Reverend Jesse Jackson labeled Fox’s statement as "unwitting, unnecessary and inappropriate."
  • At the Royal Congress of the Spanish Language, Fox incorrectly pronounced Argentine author Jorge Luis Borges as "José Luis Borgues," which drew accusations of cultural ignorance.
  • On 30 May 2005, Fox claimed that the majority of female homicide cases in Ciudad Juárez had been solved and criticized media coverage for exaggerating the issue, urging a more measured view of their "proper dimension."
  • In 2006, after Bolivian President Evo Morales declined to sell natural gas, Fox remarked that Bolivia would have to "consume it all themselves or... eat it."
  • Following the March 2006 murder of Canadians Domenico and Nancy Ianiero in Cancún, Fox suggested suspects from Thunder Bay might be involved to reassure tourists; this was criticized for potentially jeopardizing the investigation. Authorities later clarified that Canadians were never considered suspects.
  • In November 2006, Telemundo aired footage of Fox stating he could now "say whatever nonsense" since he was leaving office. Fox’s team condemned the release, while news agency EFE accused Telemundo of unethical use of its material.
  • Also in 2006, Fox canceled the Mexican Revolution parade scheduled for 20 November, calling it an outdated festivity. Opinions varied: some interpreted this as a response to López Obrador’s alternative presidential inauguration; others viewed it either as a prudent move or a sign of political weakness.
  • While lecturing in the United States, Fox mistakenly identified Peruvian writer Mario Vargas Llosa as a Colombian Nobel laureate before Vargas Llosa had received the prize. In October 2010, Fox congratulated Vargas Llosa on Twitter but incorrectly credited the Nobel Prize to Borges.

Legacy and evaluation

Fox’s triumph in the 2000 election ended seventy years of PRI dominance and raised significant hopes for transformation. Nevertheless, his tenure faced criticism due to limited achievements regarding corruption reduction, crime control, poverty alleviation, unemployment rates, and inequality. Few major reforms were enacted, and over time Fox increasingly appeared as a "lame duck," unable to fulfill the ambitious reform agenda that had secured his rise.[1] Alejandro Cacho observed that although Fox represented hope by displacing the PRI, his administration ultimately disappointed: corruption remained entrenched, his sons-in-law amassed unexplained wealth swiftly, and economic conditions stagnated with negligible wage or employment growth. His so-called "super cabinet" generated more controversy than tangible outcomes, with his wife, Marta Sahagún, wielding considerable influence over presidential decisions.[2]

Beginning his presidency with an approval rating near 80%,[1] Fox’s public standing declined by 2006 amid contentious elections and scant reforms.

Historian Philip Russell concluded that Fox was more adept as a candidate than as president.[3] He lacked effective leadership within his cabinet, failed to establish clear priorities, and neglected alliance-building efforts. Fox himself admitted in 2001 that he preferred campaigning over governing.[2] Political scientist Soledad Loaeza characterized him as a hesitant leader who avoided difficult decisions and exhibited visible fatigue from presidential duties. Russell also emphasized Fox’s limited success in combating crime; economic growth barely exceeded population increase; fiscal reforms were insufficient resulting in low tax revenues comparable to those of Haiti. Only about 1.4 million formal-sector jobs were created during his term, fueling migration to the United States and expansion of informal employment. Ultimately, Fox is regarded as a transitional figure who brought an end to one of Mexico’s longstanding political parties.[3]

A survey conducted by BGC-Excelsior in 2012 found that 32% rated Fox’s government as "very good" or "good," 25% as "average," while 42% considered it "very bad" or "bad."Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

Public speaking and advocacy

Following his departure from the presidency in December 2006, Fox has stayed engaged on the global stage, delivering speeches in nations such as Nigeria, Ireland, Canada, and the United States. His addresses have touched on topics like the contentious 2006 Mexican election and the Iraq conflict. Unlike the customary practice in Mexico where former presidents typically withdraw from political discourse, Fox has maintained a visible public presence. He defends this involvement as an exercise of democratic freedom.

In 2014, Fox participated alongside four former Latin American presidents at the One Young World Summit held in Dublin, where they discussed findings from the Telefónica Millennial Survey. He emphasized education’s vital role in combating corruption and underscored the importance of fostering leadership.

Fox is affiliated with the Global Leadership Foundation, an organization that offers discreet counsel to political figures confronting governance challenges.

At the 2013 HowTheLightGetsIn festival, Fox engaged in a debate over drug policy reform. He questioned the ethical rationale behind criminalizing certain substances while permitting others like alcohol and tobacco. Though not a user himself, he advocated for drug legalization, citing Portugal’s success in decriminalization efforts. Additionally, he voiced respect for same-sex marriage despite personally disagreeing with it.

In February 2014, Fox penned an editorial in Toronto's The Globe and Mail promoting the legalization of all drugs, emphasizing individual accountability so long as others are not harmed. Two years later, he co-signed a letter urging UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to adopt more compassionate drug policies.

Fox acted as an international observer during Venezuela’s unofficial 2017 referendum organized by opposition forces. Drawing parallels to Mexico’s 2000 elections, he predicted the gradual downfall of Nicolás Maduro’s government. In response, Venezuelan authorities declared Fox persona non grata, accusing him of inciting violence and foreign interference; Fox dismissed this designation as unsurprising.

In 2018, Fox joined High Times magazine’s board but resigned in 2020 due to concerns regarding its stock offering.

He endorsed Javier Milei during Argentina’s 2023 general election.

Criticism of Donald Trump

Since Donald Trump announced his 2016 Republican presidential campaign, Fox has been an outspoken critic of the U.S. president. In a February 2016 interview with Jorge Ramos of Univision, Fox firmly rejected Trump’s proposal for Mexico to finance a border wall, stating bluntly that he would not pay for it and insisting Trump should cover the cost himself given his wealth. He labeled Trump as "crazy" and a "false prophet," disputing claims about Trump's support among Hispanic voters. Trump demanded an apology for Fox’s language; in response, Fox apologized but requested Trump apologize for his derogatory remarks about Mexicans and invited him to visit Mexico.

Despite this apology, Fox continued to publicly criticize Trump and engage in satirical exchanges on Twitter, vowing to be "Donald Trump's shadow until he is done with politics." He later congratulated Joe Biden on winning the 2020 presidential election. When Trump visited Mexico in August 2016 at President Enrique Peña Nieto’s invitation, Fox condemned the visit as a "desperate move" and declared Trump unwelcome unless he apologized to Mexicans—a condition Fox said had not been met. On CNN, Fox warned American audiences about potential harm stemming from Trump’s immigration and economic policies.

In September 2016, The Washington Post revealed that Fox had received several donation requests from Trump’s campaign, which he publicly ridiculed as "desperate" and akin to "begging." These solicitations raised legal questions since foreign contributions to U.S. political campaigns are prohibited.

Also that month in Los Angeles, Fox smashed a piñata depicting Trump, symbolically calling him "empty inside" and lacking intelligence. Following Trump’s election victory, Fox authored an editorial urging Mexico to seek constructive ways to collaborate with the United States despite opposing Trump’s policies and viewing his promises as temporary.

After the election, Fox persisted in criticizing Trump on Twitter, describing the border wall as a "racist monument" that Mexico would never fund and questioning Trump’s legitimacy amid allegations of Russian interference in the election. He branded Trump a "bully" ushering in "a new era of dictatorship," while expressing confidence that "America Will Survive."

In numerous interviews, Fox reiterated that Mexico should not be responsible for financing the wall. When Trump announced plans to terminate DACA in September 2017, Fox condemned the move as "vile" and "cruel," accusing Trump of dismantling America’s legacy and jeopardizing the futures of roughly 800,000 young people.

With a Twitter following exceeding one million users, Fox frequently replies directly to Trump’s tweets in English. Since May 2017, he has produced satirical videos criticizing Trump—including a parody campaign announcement titled "Vicente Fox is Running for President of the United States."

Autobiography

Vicente Fox published his memoir, Revolution of Hope: The Life, Faith and Dreams of a Mexican President, in September 2007. To promote the book, he embarked on a tour across various U.S. cities, participating in book signings and media interviews. During these events, Mexican immigrant groups protested, blaming his policies for increasing emigration to the United States. Fox addressed these criticisms in several interviews, including a notable discussion on illegal immigration with Bill O'Reilly on Fox News.

In a heated exchange with Telemundo journalist Rubén Luengas over accusations concerning properties linked to Fox's spouse, Marta Sahagún, Fox confronted the interviewer and abruptly terminated the interview, labeling him as "a liar," "vulgar," and "stupid."

The autobiography also featured remarks critical of then-U.S. President George W. Bush, whom Fox described as "the cockiest guy I have ever met," a comment that surprised many due to their previously close rapport. Fox later clarified during an interview with Larry King that he intended to convey "confidence" rather than arrogance. Additionally, he nicknamed Bush a "windshield cowboy" because Bush declined to ride a horse Fox had offered him.

Fox Center of Studies, Library and Museum

See: Vicente Fox Center of Studies, Library and Museum

Shortly after concluding his presidency, on 12 January 2007, Fox revealed plans for a multifaceted center in his hometown of San Francisco del Rincón, Guanajuato. This facility would encompass a library, museum, study center, and hotel. Promoted as Mexico’s inaugural presidential library and inspired by the Bill Clinton Library in Arkansas, the initiative is financed entirely through private funds. Its purpose is to grant public access to presidential archives, records, and gifts—an unprecedented venture in Mexico.

The center is intended to promote democratic values and leadership education while safeguarding Fox’s presidential heritage. Reports indicated steady progress in construction, with an anticipated completion date towards the end of 2007.

During a 2015 interview with Forbes at "Centro Fox," Fox underscored the institution’s goal of becoming a Latin American nexus for innovation and leadership training, especially emphasizing outreach to youth from underserved communities lacking access to high-quality educational opportunities.

Furthermore, Centro Fox has collaborated with UST Global to elevate Mexico’s position as a leading technology economy. Fox highlighted this partnership as instrumental in advancing Mexico’s participation in the regional IT transformation, reflecting sustained strategic efforts to boost technological innovation and economic development.

Centrist Democratic International

On 20 September 2007, Fox was appointed co-president of the Centrist Democrat International alongside Pier Ferdinando Casini during its leadership assembly held in Rome. The CDI is a global coalition of political parties that includes Fox’s own National Action Party among its members.

Statue controversy

In October 2007, plans for erecting a three-meter statue of Vicente Fox in Boca del Río, Veracruz sparked backlash from the opposition Party of the Democratic Revolution, targeting the PAN-affiliated local mayor responsible for its installation. The statue was placed on 13 October amid protests. Within hours, roughly 100 individuals—mostly supporters of the PRI party that Fox defeated in 2000—toppled and damaged the monument. Although reinstated for an official ceremony afterward, it was subsequently removed for repairs.

Members of PAN accused Veracruz governor Fidel Herrera Beltrán of orchestrating the vandalism. Fox publicly condemned the governor’s intolerance towards his legacy. Media analysis suggested that unveiling the statue amid ongoing allegations against Fox related to illicit enrichment was poorly timed and politically sensitive.

Health

On August 7, 2021, Vicente Fox and his spouse Martha Sahagún were admitted to a hospital in León, Guanajuato, as a precaution after testing positive for COVID-19 amid the pandemic in Mexico. Both showed only mild symptoms without any serious health complications.

2023 xenophobia controversy

In July 2023, Fox ignited a dispute by posting an image on his Twitter profile that criticized certain Morena candidates for the 2024 presidential race, while endorsing PAN’s pre-candidate Xóchitl Gálvez. The graphic highlighted the candidates’ ethnic backgrounds, stating: "Sheinbaum is a Bulgarian Jew, Marcelo is a French fifí, Noroña is an alien and Adán Augusto is from Transylvania. The only one who's Mexican is Xóchitl!". This led to swift criticism accusing Fox of antisemitism and xenophobia, including comments from politicians of both PAN and Morena opposition parties who pointed out Fox’s own German and Spanish heritage. Gálvez publicly denounced the post. On July 23, Fox removed the image and issued an apology to the Jewish community, clarifying that he had not created the image but only shared it, while reaffirming his "deep respect for the Jewish community".

Honors

See also

Further reading

  • Schmidt, Samuel (2000). México encadenado: El legado de Zedillo y los retos de Fox. México, D.F.: Colibrí.

External links

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named ortega
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named ¿Queremos candidato o presidente
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Russell, Philip 2011 593
Retrieved from "https://www.alfawiki.org/index.php?title=Vicente_Fox&oldid=62957"