An Unknown Enemy (2018–…): Season 2, Episode 6 - Pasarás a la Historia - full transcript
Inspired by real events and references
historical and public figures.
People, incidents, locations
and dialogue are fictional
and have been created
or adapted for dramatization purposes.
Any resemblance to historical events
and interpretations is coincidental.
WLE, the voice of Latin America
broadcasting from Mexico...
It's payday, don Fidel.
The streets get busy.
- But it picks up after the crossing.
- Don't worry about it, Celestino.
Let them wait.
...in a press meeting,
President Echeverría
made assurances that the peso is stable,
and that the economy will hold out
against foreign speculators...
- Turn it off.
- Yes, don Fidel.
It's bad, right, boss?
It's bad.
Everything in dollars again?
That's right.
Are you going on a trip?
Why do you buy dollars so often?
Just saving up for whatever may come.
That's $177.
Perfect.
On May 8th,
leaders of the private sector created
the Business Coordination Council
in response to what they claim
are increasing attacks
by President Echeverría.
This is just a result
of the policies of past administrations
that have benefited industrialists
and businessmen
who are now throwing tantrums
because we take care of those in need.
Our administration is and always will be
with those in poor conditions,
with the workers
who get up to work every morning.
They're being brutally impacted
by the conservative policies
that affect our country.
AN UNKNOWN ENEMY
- Good afternoon.
- Good afternoon, Governor.
Did they offer you a drink?
Yes, thank you.
Thank you for seeing me.
Take a seat.
I want to know what you want
to extort me with, Mr. Undersecretary.
That empty folder
you threaten everybody with?
Or are you going to make up
a problem I need you to solve?
I think that to connect with each other,
we have to do whatever it takes.
But don't worry, I come in peace.
Right.
You're heading Moya Palencia's offensive.
I know that.
If you came here, it's to recruit me.
You already know everything, Mr. Governor.
But yes, the more support we have,
the more convinced President Echeverría
will be of naming Mr. Moya.
I'm already with Muñoz Ledo.
I understand. But you've just assumed
the position of Governor.
It's best for you if the next president
has a particular interest in your state.
Every candidate for president
claims to be interested in my state.
Okay.
Let me put it this way.
If you join us,
we can help you today,
not just after the elections.
What do you mean by that?
The DEA.
The anti-drug strategy.
You've seen what's happening
in Durango and Sinaloa.
The burnings will continue.
It's up to you whether they stay
over there or spread here.
Which, as we both know,
is not in your personal interest.
The Governor asks for a couple of weeks
before spreading the word he's with us.
He wants to come up with an excuse
to distance himself from Muñoz Ledo.
Now things are really coming together.
We're getting there, Mario.
Muñoz Ledo is a good asset.
We could invite him to the cabinet.
Maybe even the Treasury Department.
I don't know.
With the economic disaster that's coming,
in Treasury we need someone
to smooth things out
with the businessmen from the start.
If Luis devalues the peso this year,
we could work on a contingency plan.
Otherwise, things will get fucked up.
And if Luis doesn't want to?
The outgoing president
has to clear the way for the next one.
Luis has to do that for us,
those are the rules.
Yes, Silvia.
Dr. Rosa Luz Alegría is here.
She has asked to see you.
Let her in.
And this?
I guess we'll see.
Excuse me.
- Thanks.
- How are you, Doctor?
To what do we owe the pleasure?
I'm here as a messenger.
You can call me by my first name by now.
Very well, Rosa Luz.
Sit, please.
Mr. Undersecretary, how are you?
Good, just working.
You never stop.
I won't take much of your time.
The President asked me to give you this.
The latest CONAPO poll results.
Ninety percent approval
as a presidential successor.
Congratulations, Mr. Secretary.
It makes me very glad the President chose
to share this news,
especially through you, Doctor.
I mean, Rosa Luz.
Hey, by the way.
You know a lot about oil.
You think we have enough stock
to avoid an economic crisis?
To give you an official answer
I'd have to be part of the cabinet, right?
I can send you my résumé.
I think we're ready
for a woman in the cabinet, right?
Certainly.
I'll let you get back to work.
- Congratulations again.
- Thank you very much.
See you later, Doctor.
- See you later.
- A pleasure.
If the President sends this message
through his daughter-in-law,
he wants you to get ready.
Former daughter-in-law.
Via satellite pictures,
we've been able to find
previously inaccessible farms.
And thanks to the joint operations
with the army,
we were able to eliminate them.
Also thanks to this new intel,
we know where
we have to redouble our efforts.
Very well.
These are all very positive developments.
But what the DEA and agent Heath tell us
is that this operation needs a face.
We need a high-profile arrest
to make these efforts visible,
now that their budget is being revised.
Have you identified anyone?
Alberto Sicilia Falcón.
We can coordinate with the DEA...
As a show of cooperation
so President Ford can rest easy,
the DEA and the General Staff
will carry out the arrest.
The army and the DNS
can share their intel.
Well, gentlemen, we're on the right track.
Thank you very much.
At the arrest, they planted everything
in a safe in Sicilia's house.
And there was this file
they made on Secretary Moya.
Bank statements, check copies, transfers.
They even planted a badge.
In Sicilia's name, signed by Moya.
Who else has a copy?
The DEA found the envelope.
By now,
everyone must have a copy, Commander.
Motherfucker!
It was Echeverría.
If he planted the badge, it was to take
Moya out of the presidential race.
What do we do, Commander?
Whoever did it, he played it well.
Putting the file in gringo hands.
Luis came up with the perfect excuse
to get rid of me.
The fucker told me, with no hesitation,
"How could I appoint you, Mario,
"with all this anti-drug pressure
in the U.S.?"
What I don't get is why the smokescreen?
Why make everyone think you're next?
If Luis put me in the spotlight,
it was to get rid of me with a scandal
and create confusion.
Now Luis will use that confusion
to name whoever he wants,
and no one will see it coming
or question it.
That means
he's appointing someone really soon.
You can imagine who he'll appoint
from his famous list.
- The last guy.
- Right.
The weaker the candidate,
the more easily manipulated as successor.
I've had four calls
with President Ford today.
You can imagine what it's like there.
I can imagine.
I'll get to the point.
President Ford asked me
to be firm with the scandal.
I'm forced to ask for your resignation.
And is this your decision or the gringos'?
Does it matter?
I just want to understand.
You're firing me for supporting Moya.
I'm not Gustavo Díaz Ordaz.
You really thought
you could impose a candidate on me?
I'll choose my successor on my own.
Not by ruling people out,
even less by manipulation.
I'm doing what all of us do
every six years.
I know you, Fernando.
You've been doing the shit you always do.
But that won't work with me.
You think the Governor of Chihuahua
wouldn't tell me you extorted him?
You think I don't know
you've been shitting on my project
to win support for Moya?
Luis, your project is over.
Even you know
these six years will take their toll.
I've put up with you a lot, Fernando.
Your cheating.
Your disloyalty, your schemes.
Lining the pockets of half the cabinet.
I've respected your position
because of our history.
And since I know
who you are and what you do,
I'll keep a close eye on you.
So these six years end smoothly.
Got it?
You're the boss, Mr. President.
He's a son of a bitch.
Luis doesn't want a strong candidate.
He wants someone to manipulate
for the next six years.
And if that's his childhood friend,
all the better, right?
But López Portillo
can't even handle the Treasury.
- You think he can handle the country?
- If Luis's plan works out,
it'll be him running the country.
His friend José will just be the face.
If Echeverría
makes López Portillo his puppet,
you won't be able to move an inch
in this term or the next.
And this asshole can't get away with it
so easily.
Right now there's a lot of animosity.
We have to use that.
We have to create the conditions
to make that grow.
Until it becomes really toxic.
So no one, not even his successor,
wants to be near Echeverría.
We'll use our contacts
to get the ball rolling
and make the gossip a reality.
They'll be watching you, Fernando.
That's why
we'll wait for this country
to choose its next president.
When José gets all the attention
and the spotlight is off Luis...
That's when this messiah
will really start to lose control.
That's right.
OVERWHELMING TRIUMPH OF LÓPEZ PORTILLO
IN PEACEFUL ELECTIONS
I'm worried about the same things you are.
But that's José's problem,
he's never believed in himself.
Now that he's made it unexpectedly,
he ends up doing everything Luis says.
That's not good for anyone, right?
Of course not. It's not fair.
If it's your turn, it's your turn.
You don't have to look down and do
everything your predecessor says.
Even if he's your friend.
That's why we have to help him.
Let him see it on his own
and he'll let go of Luis.
It won't be so easy.
He's got a tight grip on José.
He won't even get to name his own cabinet
without his approval.
Then we have to make sure
that by then don Luis
doesn't have that magic touch anymore.
How can I help you?
Well...
You know, when you're a civilian like me,
people don't listen to you as much.
You name it. Who do you want to contact?
I asked to see you because
I always thought you and I were alike.
We can both see the big picture.
We think long-term.
Above all, we really want
to serve the country.
I think I can help you with the latter.
I'm the President's former
daughter-in-law.
Close collaborator of the President elect.
With respect, I don't need your help.
Maybe so, but even during the campaign,
Echeverría wanted you out, right?
And if things don't change,
he'll never allow you
to have a place in the cabinet.
I think you underestimate
President López Portillo's independence.
If he listens to Echeverría,
it's because he seeks a smooth transition.
Doctor, you're underestimating me.
I may no longer be in the cabinet, but...
I know all about the men in it.
And José is a puppet.
If we don't help him cut those strings,
both you and the country
will be greatly affected.
What are you asking for, exactly?
Not much.
That you, being close to José,
might help him come to his senses.
And to let me know
how our two presidents are getting along.
That's all.
I've spent years
in the private sector, Fernando.
Why make a scandal now?
I know you did well here in Monterrey.
But you agree that they took you
out of the race too early, right?
If we can get rid of Echeverría,
your political career
could easily start anew.
Why do you need me?
Because I no longer have access
to those businessmen
that you're close with.
From their boards of directors,
you could make them feel the urgency
of the incoming economic collapse.
They could share this information
with those around them.
Hold on.
You want to accelerate the devaluation?
The inevitable devaluation.
What's up, Pedro?
Or do you still prefer "Camilo"?
You thought we didn't know where you were?
Let's go.
I love Rosa Luz, you know that.
But this could play against you
when you take office.
We have to take care of your image, Pepe.
Especially because of how tense
Luis is leaving things.
The Secretary and Luis's team are already
working on the image issue
for the inauguration and media management.
We're okay, Margarita, don't worry.
Of course I worry.
Luis is taking care
of his image, not yours.
And this can't be handled by just anyone.
We need someone close to look after you.
I know, and believe me,
you won't be short of things to do
in the next six years.
I just want to be useful.
And help as much as I can.
That's what family is for.
Look who it is.
She's too skinny, right?
Margarita.
So nice to see you.
Likewise, Rosa Luz.
Take care of my baby brother.
Of course. I'll keep an eye on him.
Bye, Pepe.
- Bye, Margarita.
- Excuse me.
Come in.
Congressman.
Sergio, let's go get some meringue.
Yes, ma'am.
Get down, ma'am! Don't move!
He's over there, that fucker!
Stop!
The bastard's armed!
My God!
Sergio! My God...
Lord...
She's alive.
Come on, quickly.
Today,
a commando
from the September 23rd Communist League
committed an attack on the vehicle
in which Ms. Margarita López Portillo
was traveling.
The lady's bodyguards
bravely sacrificed their lives,
but not before killing
two of these criminals.
Fortunately, Ms. López Portillo
was unharmed.
Is there a resurgence
of guerrillas in the country, General?
It's an isolated case,
but we can't rule anything out.
General, were they after López Portillo?
We have no information on that.
- Is the nation's security at risk?
- Are we talking about a coup, General?
Gentlemen, please.
I ask you not to start
any gossip or rumors
that only poison our citizenry.
Thank you very much.
- Mr. Echeverría's life is...
- The economy is...
I don't want to gossip.
But López Portillo
was only saved by sheer luck.
Because he didn't go visit his mommy.
But they were after him for sure.
Fucking guerrilla assholes.
What about you?
So sure it was the guerrillas.
- Who else, then?
- Think about it.
Who benefits if the heir doesn't make it
to the throne?
The king!
The one already sitting there.
Especially if he's a stubborn asshole
who won't leave.
A client told me Echeverría
is the richest man in the world.
That he owns Cancún.
I don't doubt it.
He must be using the money
for his reelection.
He won't make it to inauguration day.
The CIA will kill him.
Move, asshole!
Those politician sons of bitches.
I fill my tank every day. And the first
thing we'll be short on is gas.
And if Echeverría is reelected,
we'll be short on everything.
Fucking commies, that's what they do.
They just take, those assholes.
You closed the game, man.
Poor Margarita.
The guerrilla kidnapping again
is horrifying.
What does your husband say?
He says it'll get worse.
He has a lot of info
that's not on the papers.
Oh, God.
Says there's been a lot of kidnappings.
The army will be patrolling the streets.
While Echeverría
fucks around with his tours.
Let's go to Houston for a while.
Until things settle down.
COUP D'ÉTAT?
Whether the article is true or not
doesn't matter.
So, you tell me
how do I report this to Washington?
You can go to Washington and tell them
that as long as I'm president,
this transition will go smoothly.
Thank you.
150,000 pesos at an exchange rate of 12.50
totals to $12,000.
At six percent a month...
What do you mean?
You never lend me in dollars.
Here's some advice
since you're a good client and friend.
With all the money you get, buy dollars.
The peso is fucked.
Careful about putting money in the bank.
They'll nationalize it soon.
I heard it from someone who knows.
They're planning a wage hike
and general strike
to distract
from the exchange rate pressure.
Is this confirmed?
Or is it another false alarm?
True or not, what matters
is to get ahead of the coming panic.
How much of our debt is in dollars?
Half of that debt we have to convert
to pesos at a fixed exchange rate.
Friction between businessmen
and the government continues,
increasing distrust
in financial institutions.
The news and more...
How do you see things, Commander?
They're just rumors.
But where there's smoke...
That is just the amount
that left the country yesterday.
Three hundred million dollars.
How much do we need to borrow
to compensate?
Sorry, but we can't counter this
with debt.
We have to free the exchange rate.
If we do it now...
Look, Mario.
You aren't the first Treasury Secretary
to come and tell me this.
Bring me the solution, not the problem.
The solution is devaluation.
No, that's the fucking problem!
The exchange rate
hasn't moved in 22 years.
And it won't change until December 1st!
Now, I know these damn businessmen
are going to keep taking money out.
So I'm asking you as my Treasury Secretary
to get me the necessary resources
to counter this.
If it's not public banking,
make it private.
Private banking
will be much more expensive
and the next administration
won't have any recourse.
That will be their problem.
Right now,
our duty is to defend the country.
We have credit lines
collateralized with oil, right?
And oil we can spare.
Take care of the necessary paperwork.
Understood.
Last thing is for Pemex to deliver
the latest reports on reserves
and Cantarell's prospecting.
But it's known there's a lot of oil.
How long do they think they can prop up
the exchange rate with credit?
At least until December, January.
And what does López Portillo say?
He's ready to renegotiate
the terms of the new debt.
And also betting on the oil.
So he thinks he has no choice.
And what would happen
if that oil report isn't as favorable
as the President and those bankers expect?
No oil, no credit.
With no credit,
Echeverría would have to devalue.
Well, then...
We have to get some money.
And then pay a visit
to the Pemex director.
Remember the money Father Bonilla
was holding for Ochoa's ransom?
I'm gonna need it back.
I don't have all of it.
Whatever you have.
What are you up to, Fernando?
I'm gonna make one of those moves
that changes everyone's future.
We're so lucky, huh?
What other countries would give
for a piece of our wealth.
It seems those countries
want to give us a lot of money.
Thanks you for seeing me, Mr. Kuri.
- I know you're busy.
- Yes.
But Dr. Rosa Luz is a close collaborator
and told me you wanted to see me.
How can I help you?
Well, I'll get straight to the point.
I know you're preparing
a series of reports
to further indebt the country.
I'm no economist or engineer,
but I do know that debt
will only benefit one person.
Reports aside,
oil is strong, that is known.
It's also known
the exchange rate won't hold.
You've been doing this for long enough
to understand
that whoever does the damage
can't wash his hands of it.
He can't leave the chaos to his successor.
President López Portillo will need all the
help he can get to straighten the ship.
The reserve and prospecting numbers
can't be changed.
But the extraction costs can.
At least that's
what Dr. Rosa Luz tells me.
Look, you don't need
to answer right now, but...
Do think it over.
I know you're a patriot.
I'd like to acknowledge that
by leaving you with this little gift.
Regardless of what you decide,
I do ask for your discretion.
Rumors right now are a nasty thing.
Thank you, Mr. Kuri, excuse me.
How is it possible
for the report to be negative
if you said
we have spare oil for six years?
The tested reserves are good.
The problem is the extraction costs
projected in the new fields.
Extraction costs are higher.
How does this affect us?
Without this collateral,
this is a major setback.
Fuck...
Fuck!
Mr. Kuri...
What if you revised those numbers
and found more efficient costs?
The numbers are as accurate as it gets.
We didn't have much time to prepare,
but there's no margin...
Okay.
What I'm saying is you could find
some way for those numbers,
which are so crucial for our country's
future, to be more favorable.
Are you asking me to modify the reports?
No, I'm asking you to help
defend the future of this country.
Well, it's not that easy, we'd have to...
Yes or no, Mr. Kuri?
Yes, sir.
Perfect.
The sooner we have that revision,
the better.
You know how much
I appreciate your loyalty.
This son of a bitch is lying to us
with his numbers.
Why?
I've known him for years.
He'd never alter his reports.
If he was willing
to change his numbers now,
he did it for someone else.
The businessmen got to this asshole.
We have to keep an eye on Mr. Kuri.
And you keep working on that credit.
Of course.
María Ángeles Martínez Kuri, $20,000.
José Kuri Martínez, $55,000.
Pedro David Kuri Martínez, $30,000.
Your family's been buying
a lot of dollars lately, Mr. Kuri.
I don't know what to tell you,
Mr. President.
When I get to my office,
I'll sign my resignation.
Right now, the last thing I need
is for Pemex to lose its CEO.
So the first thing you'll do
is give me the numbers I need.
And once the economic issue is resolved,
confess the misuse of oil resources
and the bribes that you received.
Understood?
Yes, sir.
Now, tell me, who paid you to turn on me?
Fernando Barrientos.
And check on those around him,
he's clearly not alone.
Fuck...
Like this?
- Good morning, Alfredo.
- Morning, boss.
Head to El Cardenal, please.
Of course, sir.
I need you to come with me.
As soon as we heard about General Amaya,
we came for you.
What happened to the General?
Come with me, please.
Come in.
Are you all right?
Yes.
Sit down.
Do you need anything?
No, I'm fine.
Well...
The attack on you
was ordered by the presidency.
As soon as we heard they went
after General Amaya,
we knew they'd go after you as well.
And my family?
Everyone's going to be fine.
Why are you helping me?
We believe in what
you've been doing for this country.
We're aware of the work you've done.
We even sent you a signal
when you were Undersecretary
and the President didn't keep his word.
The recording between Moya and Echeverría.
So...
You've known
all this time what happened in my office?
We're aware of everything that happens
in all relevant areas of the government.
But right now we're worried.
Because there will always be
crises in this country.
And messianic presidents too.
But peace is kept if the rules
of the game are respected.
And Luis Echeverría didn't.
Echeverría surprised all of us
by shitting on those rules.
We let the president
have free rein to rule.
But he has to leave when it's time.
And Luis doesn't want to.
Besides the fact this schism
with the businessmen
isn't good for anyone.
We know you've pushed
for the social climate to trigger
what should happen naturally.
We'll make sure that plan
comes to fruition.
Luis Echeverría won't get any credit line.
He won't give away our oil.
So, what will happen to him?
Surely he'll throw a tantrum
and be stubborn to the end.
But devaluation will be his legacy.
And that's never going away.
You've done your part.
We'll make sure President López Portillo
knows all you've done for him.
Today, the Mexican peso lost 66%
of its value against the dollar.
In an unprecedented devaluation
after 22 years unchanged,
the exchange rate went
from 12.49 pesos a dollar
to 22 pesos a dollar.
This plunges Mexico into its worst
financial crisis in recent years.
Are you ready?
You look really nice.
I'm very proud of you.
Let's go.
They're waiting for us.
Fellow countrymen,
now, like every six years,
the tasks and expectations
of our democratic pact are renewed.
It's a privilege
in these hard times of crisis
to serve my country.
I offer a project of shared effort.
I cannot promise miracles,
only reality and coherence
between what we believe
and say and what we will do.
Let's make our solidarity our strength!
Let's join all the "I"s and make a "we."
This is the solution.
Mexico has lived, Mexico lives,
Mexico will live!
Long live Mexico!
Mr. President, so good to see you.
- Let me borrow your husband.
- Sure.
Excuse me.
I appreciate everything
you've done for me.
No need to thank me.
I only work for the country.
Well, the country and I are grateful.
Where do you want to be this term?
Leave me where I was.
- That's where I'll be more use to you.
- All right.
Thank you again, don Fernando.
And you know I'm here
for anything you need.
Thank you very much.
Just look at our Mr. President.
Just look at you, fucking Pepe.
It's real now.
We made it.
Things are gonna get good, Fernando.
You and I have a lot to do this term.
That we'll do.
- Cheers.
- Cheers.
Come on, let's take photo. Come on.
Come on.
historical and public figures.
People, incidents, locations
and dialogue are fictional
and have been created
or adapted for dramatization purposes.
Any resemblance to historical events
and interpretations is coincidental.
WLE, the voice of Latin America
broadcasting from Mexico...
It's payday, don Fidel.
The streets get busy.
- But it picks up after the crossing.
- Don't worry about it, Celestino.
Let them wait.
...in a press meeting,
President Echeverría
made assurances that the peso is stable,
and that the economy will hold out
against foreign speculators...
- Turn it off.
- Yes, don Fidel.
It's bad, right, boss?
It's bad.
Everything in dollars again?
That's right.
Are you going on a trip?
Why do you buy dollars so often?
Just saving up for whatever may come.
That's $177.
Perfect.
On May 8th,
leaders of the private sector created
the Business Coordination Council
in response to what they claim
are increasing attacks
by President Echeverría.
This is just a result
of the policies of past administrations
that have benefited industrialists
and businessmen
who are now throwing tantrums
because we take care of those in need.
Our administration is and always will be
with those in poor conditions,
with the workers
who get up to work every morning.
They're being brutally impacted
by the conservative policies
that affect our country.
AN UNKNOWN ENEMY
- Good afternoon.
- Good afternoon, Governor.
Did they offer you a drink?
Yes, thank you.
Thank you for seeing me.
Take a seat.
I want to know what you want
to extort me with, Mr. Undersecretary.
That empty folder
you threaten everybody with?
Or are you going to make up
a problem I need you to solve?
I think that to connect with each other,
we have to do whatever it takes.
But don't worry, I come in peace.
Right.
You're heading Moya Palencia's offensive.
I know that.
If you came here, it's to recruit me.
You already know everything, Mr. Governor.
But yes, the more support we have,
the more convinced President Echeverría
will be of naming Mr. Moya.
I'm already with Muñoz Ledo.
I understand. But you've just assumed
the position of Governor.
It's best for you if the next president
has a particular interest in your state.
Every candidate for president
claims to be interested in my state.
Okay.
Let me put it this way.
If you join us,
we can help you today,
not just after the elections.
What do you mean by that?
The DEA.
The anti-drug strategy.
You've seen what's happening
in Durango and Sinaloa.
The burnings will continue.
It's up to you whether they stay
over there or spread here.
Which, as we both know,
is not in your personal interest.
The Governor asks for a couple of weeks
before spreading the word he's with us.
He wants to come up with an excuse
to distance himself from Muñoz Ledo.
Now things are really coming together.
We're getting there, Mario.
Muñoz Ledo is a good asset.
We could invite him to the cabinet.
Maybe even the Treasury Department.
I don't know.
With the economic disaster that's coming,
in Treasury we need someone
to smooth things out
with the businessmen from the start.
If Luis devalues the peso this year,
we could work on a contingency plan.
Otherwise, things will get fucked up.
And if Luis doesn't want to?
The outgoing president
has to clear the way for the next one.
Luis has to do that for us,
those are the rules.
Yes, Silvia.
Dr. Rosa Luz Alegría is here.
She has asked to see you.
Let her in.
And this?
I guess we'll see.
Excuse me.
- Thanks.
- How are you, Doctor?
To what do we owe the pleasure?
I'm here as a messenger.
You can call me by my first name by now.
Very well, Rosa Luz.
Sit, please.
Mr. Undersecretary, how are you?
Good, just working.
You never stop.
I won't take much of your time.
The President asked me to give you this.
The latest CONAPO poll results.
Ninety percent approval
as a presidential successor.
Congratulations, Mr. Secretary.
It makes me very glad the President chose
to share this news,
especially through you, Doctor.
I mean, Rosa Luz.
Hey, by the way.
You know a lot about oil.
You think we have enough stock
to avoid an economic crisis?
To give you an official answer
I'd have to be part of the cabinet, right?
I can send you my résumé.
I think we're ready
for a woman in the cabinet, right?
Certainly.
I'll let you get back to work.
- Congratulations again.
- Thank you very much.
See you later, Doctor.
- See you later.
- A pleasure.
If the President sends this message
through his daughter-in-law,
he wants you to get ready.
Former daughter-in-law.
Via satellite pictures,
we've been able to find
previously inaccessible farms.
And thanks to the joint operations
with the army,
we were able to eliminate them.
Also thanks to this new intel,
we know where
we have to redouble our efforts.
Very well.
These are all very positive developments.
But what the DEA and agent Heath tell us
is that this operation needs a face.
We need a high-profile arrest
to make these efforts visible,
now that their budget is being revised.
Have you identified anyone?
Alberto Sicilia Falcón.
We can coordinate with the DEA...
As a show of cooperation
so President Ford can rest easy,
the DEA and the General Staff
will carry out the arrest.
The army and the DNS
can share their intel.
Well, gentlemen, we're on the right track.
Thank you very much.
At the arrest, they planted everything
in a safe in Sicilia's house.
And there was this file
they made on Secretary Moya.
Bank statements, check copies, transfers.
They even planted a badge.
In Sicilia's name, signed by Moya.
Who else has a copy?
The DEA found the envelope.
By now,
everyone must have a copy, Commander.
Motherfucker!
It was Echeverría.
If he planted the badge, it was to take
Moya out of the presidential race.
What do we do, Commander?
Whoever did it, he played it well.
Putting the file in gringo hands.
Luis came up with the perfect excuse
to get rid of me.
The fucker told me, with no hesitation,
"How could I appoint you, Mario,
"with all this anti-drug pressure
in the U.S.?"
What I don't get is why the smokescreen?
Why make everyone think you're next?
If Luis put me in the spotlight,
it was to get rid of me with a scandal
and create confusion.
Now Luis will use that confusion
to name whoever he wants,
and no one will see it coming
or question it.
That means
he's appointing someone really soon.
You can imagine who he'll appoint
from his famous list.
- The last guy.
- Right.
The weaker the candidate,
the more easily manipulated as successor.
I've had four calls
with President Ford today.
You can imagine what it's like there.
I can imagine.
I'll get to the point.
President Ford asked me
to be firm with the scandal.
I'm forced to ask for your resignation.
And is this your decision or the gringos'?
Does it matter?
I just want to understand.
You're firing me for supporting Moya.
I'm not Gustavo Díaz Ordaz.
You really thought
you could impose a candidate on me?
I'll choose my successor on my own.
Not by ruling people out,
even less by manipulation.
I'm doing what all of us do
every six years.
I know you, Fernando.
You've been doing the shit you always do.
But that won't work with me.
You think the Governor of Chihuahua
wouldn't tell me you extorted him?
You think I don't know
you've been shitting on my project
to win support for Moya?
Luis, your project is over.
Even you know
these six years will take their toll.
I've put up with you a lot, Fernando.
Your cheating.
Your disloyalty, your schemes.
Lining the pockets of half the cabinet.
I've respected your position
because of our history.
And since I know
who you are and what you do,
I'll keep a close eye on you.
So these six years end smoothly.
Got it?
You're the boss, Mr. President.
He's a son of a bitch.
Luis doesn't want a strong candidate.
He wants someone to manipulate
for the next six years.
And if that's his childhood friend,
all the better, right?
But López Portillo
can't even handle the Treasury.
- You think he can handle the country?
- If Luis's plan works out,
it'll be him running the country.
His friend José will just be the face.
If Echeverría
makes López Portillo his puppet,
you won't be able to move an inch
in this term or the next.
And this asshole can't get away with it
so easily.
Right now there's a lot of animosity.
We have to use that.
We have to create the conditions
to make that grow.
Until it becomes really toxic.
So no one, not even his successor,
wants to be near Echeverría.
We'll use our contacts
to get the ball rolling
and make the gossip a reality.
They'll be watching you, Fernando.
That's why
we'll wait for this country
to choose its next president.
When José gets all the attention
and the spotlight is off Luis...
That's when this messiah
will really start to lose control.
That's right.
OVERWHELMING TRIUMPH OF LÓPEZ PORTILLO
IN PEACEFUL ELECTIONS
I'm worried about the same things you are.
But that's José's problem,
he's never believed in himself.
Now that he's made it unexpectedly,
he ends up doing everything Luis says.
That's not good for anyone, right?
Of course not. It's not fair.
If it's your turn, it's your turn.
You don't have to look down and do
everything your predecessor says.
Even if he's your friend.
That's why we have to help him.
Let him see it on his own
and he'll let go of Luis.
It won't be so easy.
He's got a tight grip on José.
He won't even get to name his own cabinet
without his approval.
Then we have to make sure
that by then don Luis
doesn't have that magic touch anymore.
How can I help you?
Well...
You know, when you're a civilian like me,
people don't listen to you as much.
You name it. Who do you want to contact?
I asked to see you because
I always thought you and I were alike.
We can both see the big picture.
We think long-term.
Above all, we really want
to serve the country.
I think I can help you with the latter.
I'm the President's former
daughter-in-law.
Close collaborator of the President elect.
With respect, I don't need your help.
Maybe so, but even during the campaign,
Echeverría wanted you out, right?
And if things don't change,
he'll never allow you
to have a place in the cabinet.
I think you underestimate
President López Portillo's independence.
If he listens to Echeverría,
it's because he seeks a smooth transition.
Doctor, you're underestimating me.
I may no longer be in the cabinet, but...
I know all about the men in it.
And José is a puppet.
If we don't help him cut those strings,
both you and the country
will be greatly affected.
What are you asking for, exactly?
Not much.
That you, being close to José,
might help him come to his senses.
And to let me know
how our two presidents are getting along.
That's all.
I've spent years
in the private sector, Fernando.
Why make a scandal now?
I know you did well here in Monterrey.
But you agree that they took you
out of the race too early, right?
If we can get rid of Echeverría,
your political career
could easily start anew.
Why do you need me?
Because I no longer have access
to those businessmen
that you're close with.
From their boards of directors,
you could make them feel the urgency
of the incoming economic collapse.
They could share this information
with those around them.
Hold on.
You want to accelerate the devaluation?
The inevitable devaluation.
What's up, Pedro?
Or do you still prefer "Camilo"?
You thought we didn't know where you were?
Let's go.
I love Rosa Luz, you know that.
But this could play against you
when you take office.
We have to take care of your image, Pepe.
Especially because of how tense
Luis is leaving things.
The Secretary and Luis's team are already
working on the image issue
for the inauguration and media management.
We're okay, Margarita, don't worry.
Of course I worry.
Luis is taking care
of his image, not yours.
And this can't be handled by just anyone.
We need someone close to look after you.
I know, and believe me,
you won't be short of things to do
in the next six years.
I just want to be useful.
And help as much as I can.
That's what family is for.
Look who it is.
She's too skinny, right?
Margarita.
So nice to see you.
Likewise, Rosa Luz.
Take care of my baby brother.
Of course. I'll keep an eye on him.
Bye, Pepe.
- Bye, Margarita.
- Excuse me.
Come in.
Congressman.
Sergio, let's go get some meringue.
Yes, ma'am.
Get down, ma'am! Don't move!
He's over there, that fucker!
Stop!
The bastard's armed!
My God!
Sergio! My God...
Lord...
She's alive.
Come on, quickly.
Today,
a commando
from the September 23rd Communist League
committed an attack on the vehicle
in which Ms. Margarita López Portillo
was traveling.
The lady's bodyguards
bravely sacrificed their lives,
but not before killing
two of these criminals.
Fortunately, Ms. López Portillo
was unharmed.
Is there a resurgence
of guerrillas in the country, General?
It's an isolated case,
but we can't rule anything out.
General, were they after López Portillo?
We have no information on that.
- Is the nation's security at risk?
- Are we talking about a coup, General?
Gentlemen, please.
I ask you not to start
any gossip or rumors
that only poison our citizenry.
Thank you very much.
- Mr. Echeverría's life is...
- The economy is...
I don't want to gossip.
But López Portillo
was only saved by sheer luck.
Because he didn't go visit his mommy.
But they were after him for sure.
Fucking guerrilla assholes.
What about you?
So sure it was the guerrillas.
- Who else, then?
- Think about it.
Who benefits if the heir doesn't make it
to the throne?
The king!
The one already sitting there.
Especially if he's a stubborn asshole
who won't leave.
A client told me Echeverría
is the richest man in the world.
That he owns Cancún.
I don't doubt it.
He must be using the money
for his reelection.
He won't make it to inauguration day.
The CIA will kill him.
Move, asshole!
Those politician sons of bitches.
I fill my tank every day. And the first
thing we'll be short on is gas.
And if Echeverría is reelected,
we'll be short on everything.
Fucking commies, that's what they do.
They just take, those assholes.
You closed the game, man.
Poor Margarita.
The guerrilla kidnapping again
is horrifying.
What does your husband say?
He says it'll get worse.
He has a lot of info
that's not on the papers.
Oh, God.
Says there's been a lot of kidnappings.
The army will be patrolling the streets.
While Echeverría
fucks around with his tours.
Let's go to Houston for a while.
Until things settle down.
COUP D'ÉTAT?
Whether the article is true or not
doesn't matter.
So, you tell me
how do I report this to Washington?
You can go to Washington and tell them
that as long as I'm president,
this transition will go smoothly.
Thank you.
150,000 pesos at an exchange rate of 12.50
totals to $12,000.
At six percent a month...
What do you mean?
You never lend me in dollars.
Here's some advice
since you're a good client and friend.
With all the money you get, buy dollars.
The peso is fucked.
Careful about putting money in the bank.
They'll nationalize it soon.
I heard it from someone who knows.
They're planning a wage hike
and general strike
to distract
from the exchange rate pressure.
Is this confirmed?
Or is it another false alarm?
True or not, what matters
is to get ahead of the coming panic.
How much of our debt is in dollars?
Half of that debt we have to convert
to pesos at a fixed exchange rate.
Friction between businessmen
and the government continues,
increasing distrust
in financial institutions.
The news and more...
How do you see things, Commander?
They're just rumors.
But where there's smoke...
That is just the amount
that left the country yesterday.
Three hundred million dollars.
How much do we need to borrow
to compensate?
Sorry, but we can't counter this
with debt.
We have to free the exchange rate.
If we do it now...
Look, Mario.
You aren't the first Treasury Secretary
to come and tell me this.
Bring me the solution, not the problem.
The solution is devaluation.
No, that's the fucking problem!
The exchange rate
hasn't moved in 22 years.
And it won't change until December 1st!
Now, I know these damn businessmen
are going to keep taking money out.
So I'm asking you as my Treasury Secretary
to get me the necessary resources
to counter this.
If it's not public banking,
make it private.
Private banking
will be much more expensive
and the next administration
won't have any recourse.
That will be their problem.
Right now,
our duty is to defend the country.
We have credit lines
collateralized with oil, right?
And oil we can spare.
Take care of the necessary paperwork.
Understood.
Last thing is for Pemex to deliver
the latest reports on reserves
and Cantarell's prospecting.
But it's known there's a lot of oil.
How long do they think they can prop up
the exchange rate with credit?
At least until December, January.
And what does López Portillo say?
He's ready to renegotiate
the terms of the new debt.
And also betting on the oil.
So he thinks he has no choice.
And what would happen
if that oil report isn't as favorable
as the President and those bankers expect?
No oil, no credit.
With no credit,
Echeverría would have to devalue.
Well, then...
We have to get some money.
And then pay a visit
to the Pemex director.
Remember the money Father Bonilla
was holding for Ochoa's ransom?
I'm gonna need it back.
I don't have all of it.
Whatever you have.
What are you up to, Fernando?
I'm gonna make one of those moves
that changes everyone's future.
We're so lucky, huh?
What other countries would give
for a piece of our wealth.
It seems those countries
want to give us a lot of money.
Thanks you for seeing me, Mr. Kuri.
- I know you're busy.
- Yes.
But Dr. Rosa Luz is a close collaborator
and told me you wanted to see me.
How can I help you?
Well, I'll get straight to the point.
I know you're preparing
a series of reports
to further indebt the country.
I'm no economist or engineer,
but I do know that debt
will only benefit one person.
Reports aside,
oil is strong, that is known.
It's also known
the exchange rate won't hold.
You've been doing this for long enough
to understand
that whoever does the damage
can't wash his hands of it.
He can't leave the chaos to his successor.
President López Portillo will need all the
help he can get to straighten the ship.
The reserve and prospecting numbers
can't be changed.
But the extraction costs can.
At least that's
what Dr. Rosa Luz tells me.
Look, you don't need
to answer right now, but...
Do think it over.
I know you're a patriot.
I'd like to acknowledge that
by leaving you with this little gift.
Regardless of what you decide,
I do ask for your discretion.
Rumors right now are a nasty thing.
Thank you, Mr. Kuri, excuse me.
How is it possible
for the report to be negative
if you said
we have spare oil for six years?
The tested reserves are good.
The problem is the extraction costs
projected in the new fields.
Extraction costs are higher.
How does this affect us?
Without this collateral,
this is a major setback.
Fuck...
Fuck!
Mr. Kuri...
What if you revised those numbers
and found more efficient costs?
The numbers are as accurate as it gets.
We didn't have much time to prepare,
but there's no margin...
Okay.
What I'm saying is you could find
some way for those numbers,
which are so crucial for our country's
future, to be more favorable.
Are you asking me to modify the reports?
No, I'm asking you to help
defend the future of this country.
Well, it's not that easy, we'd have to...
Yes or no, Mr. Kuri?
Yes, sir.
Perfect.
The sooner we have that revision,
the better.
You know how much
I appreciate your loyalty.
This son of a bitch is lying to us
with his numbers.
Why?
I've known him for years.
He'd never alter his reports.
If he was willing
to change his numbers now,
he did it for someone else.
The businessmen got to this asshole.
We have to keep an eye on Mr. Kuri.
And you keep working on that credit.
Of course.
María Ángeles Martínez Kuri, $20,000.
José Kuri Martínez, $55,000.
Pedro David Kuri Martínez, $30,000.
Your family's been buying
a lot of dollars lately, Mr. Kuri.
I don't know what to tell you,
Mr. President.
When I get to my office,
I'll sign my resignation.
Right now, the last thing I need
is for Pemex to lose its CEO.
So the first thing you'll do
is give me the numbers I need.
And once the economic issue is resolved,
confess the misuse of oil resources
and the bribes that you received.
Understood?
Yes, sir.
Now, tell me, who paid you to turn on me?
Fernando Barrientos.
And check on those around him,
he's clearly not alone.
Fuck...
Like this?
- Good morning, Alfredo.
- Morning, boss.
Head to El Cardenal, please.
Of course, sir.
I need you to come with me.
As soon as we heard about General Amaya,
we came for you.
What happened to the General?
Come with me, please.
Come in.
Are you all right?
Yes.
Sit down.
Do you need anything?
No, I'm fine.
Well...
The attack on you
was ordered by the presidency.
As soon as we heard they went
after General Amaya,
we knew they'd go after you as well.
And my family?
Everyone's going to be fine.
Why are you helping me?
We believe in what
you've been doing for this country.
We're aware of the work you've done.
We even sent you a signal
when you were Undersecretary
and the President didn't keep his word.
The recording between Moya and Echeverría.
So...
You've known
all this time what happened in my office?
We're aware of everything that happens
in all relevant areas of the government.
But right now we're worried.
Because there will always be
crises in this country.
And messianic presidents too.
But peace is kept if the rules
of the game are respected.
And Luis Echeverría didn't.
Echeverría surprised all of us
by shitting on those rules.
We let the president
have free rein to rule.
But he has to leave when it's time.
And Luis doesn't want to.
Besides the fact this schism
with the businessmen
isn't good for anyone.
We know you've pushed
for the social climate to trigger
what should happen naturally.
We'll make sure that plan
comes to fruition.
Luis Echeverría won't get any credit line.
He won't give away our oil.
So, what will happen to him?
Surely he'll throw a tantrum
and be stubborn to the end.
But devaluation will be his legacy.
And that's never going away.
You've done your part.
We'll make sure President López Portillo
knows all you've done for him.
Today, the Mexican peso lost 66%
of its value against the dollar.
In an unprecedented devaluation
after 22 years unchanged,
the exchange rate went
from 12.49 pesos a dollar
to 22 pesos a dollar.
This plunges Mexico into its worst
financial crisis in recent years.
Are you ready?
You look really nice.
I'm very proud of you.
Let's go.
They're waiting for us.
Fellow countrymen,
now, like every six years,
the tasks and expectations
of our democratic pact are renewed.
It's a privilege
in these hard times of crisis
to serve my country.
I offer a project of shared effort.
I cannot promise miracles,
only reality and coherence
between what we believe
and say and what we will do.
Let's make our solidarity our strength!
Let's join all the "I"s and make a "we."
This is the solution.
Mexico has lived, Mexico lives,
Mexico will live!
Long live Mexico!
Mr. President, so good to see you.
- Let me borrow your husband.
- Sure.
Excuse me.
I appreciate everything
you've done for me.
No need to thank me.
I only work for the country.
Well, the country and I are grateful.
Where do you want to be this term?
Leave me where I was.
- That's where I'll be more use to you.
- All right.
Thank you again, don Fernando.
And you know I'm here
for anything you need.
Thank you very much.
Just look at our Mr. President.
Just look at you, fucking Pepe.
It's real now.
We made it.
Things are gonna get good, Fernando.
You and I have a lot to do this term.
That we'll do.
- Cheers.
- Cheers.
Come on, let's take photo. Come on.
Come on.