Netanyahu congratulates Mexico’s new president-elect

Enrique Pena Nieto met the prime minister two years ago, during a visit to Israel

Enrique Peña Nieto (left), then governor of the state of Mexico, receives a briefing about Qassam rockets from Sderot Mayor David Buskila on February 3, 2010. (photo credit: Eddie Israel/Flash 90)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Mexican President-elect Enrique Pena Nieto on Wednesday evening, congratulated him on his election victory and recalling their meeting two years ago when Pena Nieto visited Israel.

“I am certain that Israeli-Mexican relations will continue to develop and tighten during your term in office,” Netanyahu said, according to an official press release.

Israel and Mexico celebrated 60 years of bilateral relations on Sunday. Trade between the two countries currently stands at $600 million per year.

Pena Nieto’s victory, however, has been called into question, with widespread suspicions of voter fraud. On Wednesday, Mexican electoral authorities ordered a recount of more than half the ballot boxes used in the weekend’s presidential elections after finding inconsistencies in the vote tallies.

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