Mexico's Pemex has new director general

Nov. 2, 2004
Mexican state oil company Petróleos Mexicanos Dir. Gen. Raul Munoz Leos resigned Monday in the midst of allegations of scandals, and Mexico President Vicente Fox named Luis Ramirez Corzo to succeed him.

By OGJ editors

HOUSTON, Nov. 2 -- Mexican state oil company Petróleos Mexicanos Dir. Gen. Raul Munoz Leos resigned Monday in the midst of allegations of scandals, and Mexico President Vicente Fox named Luis Ramirez Corzo to succeed him.

Ramirez Corzo was director of Pemex's exploration and production division. A Pemex statement did not explain why Munoz Leos resigned. Fox appointed him as Pemex's top executive in December 2000.

Since September, Munoz Leos had been the target of widespread criticism in Mexico regarding allegations that he approved a benefits package for unionized staff without support of the Pemex board.

In addition, a Mexico City newspaper reported last month that Munoz Leos used Pemex money to pay for plastic surgery for his wife.