Former Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto has unexpectedly returned to Mexico after nearly seven years in self-imposed exile in Spain, a move confirmed by multiple sources late Thursday. Peña Nieto’s presidency, from 2012 to 2018, marked a notable period for the country-bringing the PRI back to power after a decade-but was also beset by allegations of corruption and widespread criticism of his management’s policies. His return comes as a surprise and is already sparking debate about his legacy and potential future political influence.
Former Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto has returned to Mexico after nearly seven years in self-imposed exile, according to reports surfacing Friday. The return of Peña Nieto, whose presidency was marked by controversy and scandal, comes as a surprise to many and signals a potential shift in the political landscape.
Sí, si les puedo confirmar que el expresidente Enrique Peña Nieto regresó anoche a México después de casi siete años de ausencia.
— Joaquín López-Dóriga (@lopezdoriga) December 7, 2025
Journalist Joaquín López-Dóriga first reported the news on X, formerly known as Twitter, confirming that Peña Nieto arrived in Mexico late Thursday, December 6, 2025. “Yes, I can confirm that former President Enrique Peña Nieto returned to Mexico last night after almost seven years of absence,” López-Dóriga wrote.
Peña Nieto relocated to Madrid, Spain, following the election of Andrés Manuel López Obrador in 2018. He has remained largely out of the public eye since then.
ES VISTO EN IXTAPAN DE LA SAL
According to columnist Mario Maldonado of El Universal, the former president was seen in Ixtapan de la Sal, State of Mexico, visiting family. “He came to visit his mother, who can no longer travel easily. He was seen these days in Ixtapan de la Sal, according to high-level sources who confirmed this to me,” Maldonado posted on X.
🚨 Tras siete años de autoexilio, el expresidente Enrique Peña Nieto (@EPN) regresó México. Vino a visitar a su familia, principalmente a su madre, que ya no puede viajar con facilidad. Se le vio estos días en Ixtapan de la Sal, según me confirman fuentes de alto nivel.
Va lo… pic.twitter.com/EkRANQnV9s
— Mario Maldonado (@MarioMal) December 6, 2025
Peña Nieto served as President of Mexico from 2012 to 2018. His administration marked the return of the PRI to power after losing the 2000 and 2006 elections.
Prior to becoming president, he was governor of the State of Mexico from 2005 to 2011.
During his time in office, Peña Nieto pursued a series of structural reforms – a total of 14 – aimed at transforming key sectors including energy, education, telecommunications, and labor, among others.
His presidency was also shadowed by significant controversy, corruption scandals, and criticism regarding security and economic policies. His public image and communication style were frequently scrutinized and satirized on social media. The return of Peña Nieto is likely to reignite discussion about his legacy and the challenges faced during his administration.
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