By Breaking Editor 
Ricardo Salinas Pliego, the billionaire founder of Grupo Salinas and owner of the Elektra retail chain, is once again in the spotlight as the country’s public budget grapples with his longstanding tax issues. Salinas, who reportedly owes the Mexican government the equivalent of more than 2 billion dollars, has become emblematic of the perceived inequality in tax contributions among Mexico’s elite.
On Blue Sky, the commentary highlights public sentiment against Salinas, with one user stating, “All the rich are equally patriotic; they don’t pay taxes,” while another emphasizes, “The fact that Ricardo Salinas owes 51 billion pesos is not what’s wrong; it’s what he possesses and earns to owe that much.”
The billionaire’s financial woes date back nearly two decades, as he faces accusations of tax evasion. As reported by El País, Salinas may secure a tax reduction of up to 39% on his debts, with implications for social equity and fiscal accountability in Mexico.
The spotlight on Salinas has intensified following his attendance at a Christmas dinner hosted by Donald Trump, prompting criticism over his alignment with U.S. politics during a challenging time for his business. One social media user called him “Mexico’s biggest billionaire scammer,” reflecting a growing narrative that questions his legitimacy and integrity as a businessman.
Salinas’s current financial situation is compounded by ongoing fallout from high-profile controversies, including his connections to Jeffrey Epstein.
Despite the mudslinging, Salinas appears to want to resolve his tax debts, signaling a shift in his once untouchable status within Mexican business and media. As reported by various observers, Grupo Salinas has pledged to pay 32,132 million pesos to settle fiscal obligations, thereby attempting to address two decades of contentious financial history. Whether that materializes is yet to be seen.
Ricardo Salinas Pliego remains a cartoonish figure in Mexico. In a sense, he is embodying the caricature of wealth disparity, tax evasion, and the intersection of politics and business that is so commonplace in Mexico. If he can just pay a portion of the taxes he owes at this criminal scale, then surely the country’s various social projects will benefit. One can dream..