Mexico ambassador resigns after book theft allegation

By Sierra Juarez

MEXICO CITY, Mexico (AA) – Following accusations that he stole a book in Buenos Aires, the Mexican ambassador to Argentina has resigned due to health problems.

Earlier this month, Oscar Ricardo Valero was called home to Mexico as video footage surfaced of him appearing to put a book inside a stack of papers and attempt to walk out of the store without paying.

The former ambassador’s family is saying that Valero’s actions are likely due to behavioral changes brought about by a brain illness.

The Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said in a Monday morning press conference that he did not know about Valero’s health problems and that it was “unfortunate” and “painful.”

The country’s Foreign Relations Secretary Marcelo Ebrard tweeted about the resignation on Sunday evening.

“Ricardo Valero is a great person,” he tweeted. “He is undergoing neurological treatment. I wish him a prompt recovery.”

Valero’s family requested that the foreign relation’s office share a letter about Valero’s health with the public. The office shared it on Twitter.

In the letter, a doctor says that the diplomat underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor in 2013. The doctor added that Valero has experienced some behavioral changes in the last year or so that are likely due to the tumor, according to the doctor.

It is unclear whether the tumor has returned or whether the behavioral changes are due to lasting effects from the tumor that was removed.