Analysts cite Clinton's illness in new plunge by Mexico peso

People stand outside an exchange house advertising the sale of U.S. dollars at the rate of 19.90 Mexican pesos per dollar in Mexico City, Monday, Sept. 19, 2016. The Mexican currency reached the psychological barrier of 20 pesos per dollar, and analysts and commentators cited the role of the U.S. presidential campaign. (Photo AP Photo / Marco Ugarte) (The Associated Press)

MEXICO CITY – Economists have long said that when the United States catches a cold, Mexico gets pneumonia.

But analysts now say that Hillary Clinton's pneumonia has given Mexico's peso something worse.

The peso broke the psychological barrier of 20 pesos per dollar Monday, and analysts and commentators cite the role of the U.S. presidential campaign.

A Banco Base analysis says the strength of Republican candidate Donald Trump influenced the peso. Mexico newspaper columnist Carlos Loret says Democrat candidate Clinton's health problems are key.

Trump has been critical of Mexico and the trade agreements its economy relies on.

Oil prices were once cited in the peso's decline, but they have risen somewhat from this year's earlier lows.

The U.S. has an outsize influence on Mexico's economy, buying about 80 percent of Mexico's exports.