Mexico will investigate a "dirty campaign" against the president

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – The Mexican government announced on Thursday that it would investigate funding for President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's critical coverage during his candidacy for the 2018 election, suspected of having received illicit support from his opponents.

Santiago Nieto, head of the financial intelligence unit of the Ministry of Finance, announced that the government would investigate the financing of the series Populismo in America, which featured an episode dedicated to Lopez Obrador.

Nieto said the documentary was part of a "dirty campaign" aimed at discrediting Lopez Obrador during the elections.

Standing alongside Lopez Obrador during his usual morning press conference, Nieto said the documentary had been funded by a group whose backing included the OHL Mexico construction company, now known as the 39, Aleatica, and the Government of the State of Mexico.

An investigation would determine whether the funding was contrary to Mexican campaign finance laws, he added.

The State of Mexico is headed by the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), a party of former President Enrique Pena Nieto, who was governor before taking up the post of senior official.

OHL Mexico was a successful bidder of Pena Nieto during his tenure in the state between 2005 and 2011.

The inquiry may raise questions over repeated statements by leftist Lopez Obrador that he will not pursue his political opponents once in power – a position that has not always been well received by his central supporters.

OHL Mexico changed its name to Aleatica last year after being sold to IFM Investors. Aleatica could not be contacted immediately for comment.

Lopez Obrador mentioned the April 2018 documentary in a video address to his supporters, in which he accused his political opponents of conducting a "dirty war" against him.