Mexico replaces security chief and foreign relations head

Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto has replaced the country's national security chief, 1 1/2 months after top drug lord Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán escaped from a maximum security prison.

Peña Nieto did not mention the escape Thursday when he announced that National Security Commission head Monte Alejandro Rubido was leaving the Cabinet. His replacement is Renato Sales, the current head of the anti-kidnapping commission.

Guzmán's July 11 escape proved a major embarrassment to the government.

Peña Nieto named current foreign relations secretary Antonio Meade as the head of the social development department.

Current tourism secretary Claudia Ruiz Massieu will take over the country's top diplomatic post.

Rosario Robles left the Ministry of Social Development for the Ministry of Agrarian, Land and Urban Development, in place of Jesús Murillo Karam, former Attorney General.

José Calzada, who requested license as governor of Querétaro, will head the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food in place of Enrique Martinez y Martinez.

Juan José Guerra Abud left the Ministry of Environment and he will be replaced by Rafael Pacchiano.

Enrique de la Madrid left the Bank for Foreign Trade to take over as Minister of Tourism instead of Ruiz Massieu.

Also Francisco Guzmán, chief of staff, will be the new head of the Office of the President instead of Aurelio Nuño, who replaces Emilio Chuayffet Chemor as Minister of Education.

Finally José Reyes Baeza will be the new director of the  Institute for Social Security and Services for State Workers (ISSSTE).

(With information from AP)