MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Corruption is part of the “Mexican culture”

The Mexican government admitted that corruption is an extended practice in the country, long rooted and therefore “part of the national culture”, and will take many years to eradicate.

A report on fraud and corruption among small and medium companies done by public relations company Consulting and Research, CEI, showed Mexicans begin paying bribes at the age of twelve, that on any average day 507 crimes of that nature are committed by such companies and that the overall annual cost exceeds 29,7 billion US dollars.

Government House spokesperson Ruben Aguilar said that the report "must be addressed by government at all levels", adding that the eradication of such practices requires a joint effort from government and bills that promote transparency, as well as from common citizens and companies willing to pay in exchange for some kind of favour or privilege.

"Corruption in Mexico is a cultural practice deeply ingrained for decades and has become a cultural referent adopted in daily life by the vast majority of Mexicans at all social levels", added Mr. Aguilar.

However he said that since conservative president Vicente Fox took office five years ago the country has advanced in building a legal framework to help prevent and detect corruption acts as well as given greater transparency to government procurement.