The court rejected seven of nine legal measures
Companies under Mexican conglomerate Grupo Salinas have lost a legal challenge in Mexico Supreme Court involving over US$2.6 billion in tax debts, reported the Associated Press.
The court rejected seven of nine legal measures similar to the “amparos” injunction in rulings that cannot be appealed, although Grupo Salinas can negotiate an agreement with Mexico’s tax authority.
The conglomerate said it could take the matter to international courts to duck what it said were “abusive and illegal double charges,” according to a statement published by AP News. The tax debts were incurred over 10 years ago.
Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum and her administration have sought to secure payments from make major tax debtors in the country. Her party amended the amparo legislation to complicate the process of delaying tax payment.
Grupo Salinas claimed that the tax authority did not specify how much they owed; moreover, they alleged that authorities reneged on agreements.
Businessman Ricardo Salinas Pliego owns the companies. He had claimed that the current administration was targeting him due to his criticism of the government, per AP News.
Sheinbaum said in a statement published by AP News that “debts are not politicized, they are paid, it’s that simple.” She pointed out that if Salinas settled the debts, he could avail of potential discounts offered to other overdue taxpayers.
The Supreme Court has not yet decided on the remaining two legal remedies.
Two Grupo Salinas-owned casinos were among 13 casinos that were shut down by the government on the grounds of allegedly laundering millions of dollars overseas. The conglomerate shot down the accusations and claimed it was being harassed by the government.
Mexico’s current Supreme Court comprises voter-elected justices. Many of the elected justices were reportedly connected to the ruling party, and the court’s reform received significant backlash from opposition political parties.
