Donald Trump has angered Mexicans with his anti-immigrant rhetoric and caused political headaches for their president. Now the White House hopeful is partly blamed for the national currency’s free fall.

The currency dropped to a record 20 pesos to the dollar on Monday, a 2.15 percent fall from last week when it closed at 19.57, according to banking firm Banamex.

Fears over a possible interest rate hike by the US Federal Reserve are cited as a key factor for the peso’s drop, although analysts now believe the Fed will keep it unchanged when it meets on Tuesday and Wednesday.

But analysts also point to concerns over Trump’s chances in the US election against Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton after recent polls showed a tight race ahead of the November 8 election.

AFP