We will never know what deals Carlos Slim made to gain the Telmex monopoly. But we know this was crony capitalism in its most destructive form.

Should The New York Times Investigate 

Wal-Mart Or Carlos Slim?

The  New York Times’s Vast Mexico Bribery Case Hushed Up by Wal-Mart After Top-Level Strugglesuggests that Wal-Mart violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The smoking gun: Seven years ago, Wal-Mart de Mexico hired two outside lawyers for $8.5 million to “facilitate” store permits. The lawyers were effective:  “Legal and bureaucratic obstacles melted away after payments were made to minor officials who could thwart Wal-Mart’s growth.” Wal-Mart executives, the  article charges, did not take appropriate action after an internal investigation. No believer in free enterprise should excuse or make light of violations of laws by Wal-Mart or any other private company. We hope that Wal-Mart moves forcefully to put this business behind it...

Carlos Slim was the highest bidder for Mexico’s dilapidated national telephone company, when it was privatized in 1990. Slim was wealthy at the time, but he was not in the top 100. Telmex made him the world’s richest man, quite a feat for someone from a desperately poor country.

Forbes.com