Mexican TV host Andrea Legarreta said she received death threats against her and her family after saying in a morning TV show that the strengthening of the dollar did not mean that the products purchased by families would become more expensive.
She added that the deceleration of China's economy created anxiety but that the peso drop made Mexican products more competitive, thus helping employment.
After her comments dozens of memes making fun of her were shared on social networks.
After a week of controversy, Legarreta posted the following message on Facebook on February 2:
“After the financial information provided in a section of HOY TV show, I know that some people disagree with what I said and felt attacked. I apologize for that (it was not the intention). I've seen countless "memes" so funny that they have made me laugh... However what is really worrying is the lynching that exceeded all proportions. These have been hard days, words that I NEVER SAID have been put in my mouth (only an idiot would think that the dollar does not affect Mexico's economy and I NEVER said that I was paid to make that statement). I have been misquoted and treated as a criminal, I have received DEATH THREATS against me, my daughters and all my family has been ridiculed and slandered.
She added that intolerance is unacceptable and that the experience has been a great lesson for her, to grow and become a better person.
According to Reuters, Mexico's currency has hit a series of record lows against the dollar but that has not yet stoked inflation, which is near its lowest level on record. On February 1 Bloomberg reported that peso has slid 6.3 percent this year, the most among major currencies.