Late this afternoon Mexico's Chancery announced the government's "energetic condemnation" of electronic surveillance by the U.S. National Security Agency against president Enrique Peña Nieto, which an American journalist today said had occurred before the 2012 elections. Guardian journalist: U.S. spied on Enrique Peña Nieto.
The diplomatic turbulence came hours after president Peña Nieto completed his state of the nation address to Mexico, the first in the six year term he began on Dec. 1.
The Chancery, which is Mexico's foreign affairs office and is equivalent to the U.S. State Dept., said it had delivered a note of formal diplomatic protest to the United States demanding a full investigation of the allegations, and a "clear determination of responsibilities."
Officials also reported that the government had called in American ambassador Earl Anthony Wayne (below) to express "profound concern" over today's media reports.
"Without prejudging the veracity of the stories, the government of Mexico rejects and categorically condemns any espionage work which targets Mexican citizens as a violation of international law and norms. Such practices are contrary to the charter of the United Nations, as well as legal principles enunciated by the International Court of Justice at The Hague," said the Chancery in a statement.
Some press reports this evening maintain that NSA electronic surveillance of the president continued after he was elected 14 months ago. Mexico's Milenio news service claims the American spy agency even knew the names of some of Peña Nieto's cabinet members before he was sworn in on Dec. 1.
In a statement hours after the accusations broke, the U.S. State Dept. said that it did not intend to comment publicly. "We will respond to the concerns of our close partners and allies through normal diplomatic channels," said a State spokesperson in Washington.
Sept. 4 - Enrique Peña Nieto will speak directly to Barack Obama about NSA spying in Mexico
Oct. 21 - Der Spiegel: NSA broke into Mexican presidential email accounts for years
Oct. 21 - Desde 2010, Presidencia era espiada por EU
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