During the 1980's Mexico pursued an assertive hemispheric policy. In 1982 Miguel de la Madrid Hurtado was elected to succeed President Lopez Portillo. By the mid-1980's a swift increase in foreign, coupled with falling oil prices, had plunged the country into severe financial straits. Amid reports of widespread irregularities, the PRI (Partido Revolucionario Institucional which is the largest and most important political party in Mexico) claimed victory in congressional elections in 1985. However in that same year the added burden of a devastating earthquake, which killed seven thousand ke…
