President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador criticised the affair, saying: “It is a scandalous matter, even when it is a private event.”

Mr Nieto and Carla Humphrey, a counselor with Mexico’s National Electoral Institute (INE), held their wedding on Saturday in Antigua, Guatemala. They held it abroad out of fear that a wedding in Mexico could have been targeted by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel – an infamous drug gang.

Attendees included governors, and justices, while Mr Lopez Obrador turned down an invitation.

In a statement Mr Nieto said: “Due to the criticism derived from acts of third parties related to a personal event, I present my resignation as head of the UIF. My loyalty is to the President. My love is for Carla Humphrey.”

His wife replied: “My absolute and unconditional love is for you. You are, without a doubt, the best thing that ever happened to me. A loyal, admirable and upright man and an exceptional human being who always seeks to help and support those in need.”

The Secretary of Tourism for Mexico City, Paola Felix, also resigned for breaking the rule that no government officials should fly by private jet.