Background on Key Figures and Relevance
Artículo 19, Red en Defensa de los Derechos Digitales (R3D), and SocialTIC are prominent Mexican organizations advocating for digital rights. They have called upon the Fiscal General de la República (FGR) and the federal government to conduct a thorough, independent, and transparent investigation into the illegal use of Pegasus spyware in Mexico.
Enrique Peña Nieto served as the President of Mexico from 2012 to 2018. His administration is now under scrutiny due to new revelations linking high-ranking government officials and the Mexican Army to the unlawful use of Pegasus.
Key Revelations and Impact
The Israeli newspaper The Marker exposed how businessmen Avishai Neria and Uri Ansbacher allegedly acted as intermediaries between the Mexican government and Israeli companies, earning $25 million from government contracts during Peña Nieto’s presidency.
These revelations align with information from the only criminal case related to Pegasus surveillance of journalist Carmen Aristegui, which uncovered a corrupt network involving Ansbacher (owner of KBH conglomerate) and the Peña Nieto government.
Furthermore, it was disclosed that Manuel Mondragón, former National Security Commissioner, was also spied on using Pegasus, confirming the political misuse of this software.
Continued Use of Pegasus
The organizations have alleged that the use of Pegasus did not cease with the change in government. According to R3D and other investigations, the Mexican Army acquired Pegasus in 2019 through Comercializadora Antsua, linked to the same network of intermediaries.
In May 2019 alone, there were reportedly 456 Pegasus infections in Mexico, as per documentation presented in the Meta vs. NSO Group case in the United States.
Demand for Action
In response to these findings, the organizations have demanded that:
- The FGR and federal executive investigate bribery and illegal Pegasus use during the Peña Nieto and López Obrador administrations;
- Sanction all responsible parties, including the high-level officials mentioned;
- Ensure transparency in public resource allocation for surveillance technologies;
- Establish safeguards against repetition and effective accountability.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are the organizations demanding an investigation? Artículo 19, Red en Defensa de los Derechos Digitales (R3D), and SocialTIC.
- Which Mexican President’s administration is under scrutiny? Enrique Peña Nieto (2012-2018).
- What is the alleged role of businessmen Avishai Neria and Uri Ansbacher? They are accused of acting as intermediaries between the Mexican government and Israeli companies, earning $25 million from government contracts during Peña Nieto’s presidency.
- What is the significance of the Carmen Aristegui surveillance case? It revealed a corrupt network involving Ansbacher and the Peña Nieto government.
- Who else was spied on using Pegasus? Manuel Mondragón, former National Security Commissioner.
- Did the illegal use of Pegasus stop with the change in government? No, according to R3D and other investigations, the Mexican Army continued using Pegasus in 2019.
- What specific actions are the organizations demanding? Investigation of bribery and illegal Pegasus use, sanctioning responsible parties, ensuring transparency in public resource allocation for surveillance technologies, and establishing safeguards against repetition and effective accountability.
