Former Mexican minister criticized for Trump visit gets new job

MEXICO CITY, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto named Luis Videgaray as foreign minister months after he resigned as minister of finance and faced criticism for arranging a visit by then-Republican candidate for U.S. president, Donald Trump.

Videgaray has been tapped to encourage a "constructive" relationship with the upcoming administration of President-elect Trump.

Seen as Peña Nieto's right-hand man, Videgaray's departure from the administration after serving as his adviser for more than a decade was linked to his role in coordinating Trump's visit to Mexico during the U.S. presidential campaign. The visit caused Peña Nieto's popularity to fall to a record low following public backlash, Grupo Milenio reported.

Peña Nieto said Videgaray's new role as foreign minister would be to "accelerate the dialogue and contacts so that, from the first day of the new administration, we can establish the basis of a constructive working relationship" with the United States under Trump.

Trump angered many Mexicans by describing some who attempt to illegally enter the United States as "rapists" and "drug dealers." Trump has pledged to build a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico and criticizes U.S. companies who outsource jobs to the country.

Peña Nieto said Videgaray will "promote Mexico's interests without diminishing our sovereignty and the dignity of Mexicans."