The move aimed at Derbez came from the Council of Presidents of Mexican Federations of California.

Leaders of the organization, who represent more than 250 Mexican immigrant organizations, said they were angry with the foreign minister because they say he refuses to pay attention to them.

The final straw, according to the group, came on Nov. 6 at Los Pinos, the residence of the president, when the foreign minister allegedly refused to listen to requests by some activists from California regarding the replacement of consuls from this state.

When they tried to tell him their reasons for being against replacing the consuls, they said Derbez responded, "Don't waste your time, the decision has been made."

The alleged incident was corroborated by Gustavo Santiago, president of the Oaxacan Federation of Indigenous Communities and Organizations in California, and Salvador Garcia, president of the Federation of Jalisco Clubs and president of the council.

"He was arrogant. He reacted in a manner that leaves much to be desired for a foreign minister," Santiago told EFE. "The least he could have done was listen to the reasoning of the immigrant community leadership of the country."

The foreign minister announced last week the dismissal of 10 of its consuls in California.

Santiago said that even though they know the change of consuls is the prerogative of the ministry, the council wanted to explain to Derbez that this is a bad moment for making those changes.

The activists believe that the changes will negatively affect the efforts by the Mexican immigrant community to confront the state's current social and political challenges.

"The changes are not opportune, the consuls who come will lose valuable time in arranging their work schedules and getting to know the place. Meanwhile, anti-immigrant forces will continue" Garcia said.

Activists said they will request a meeting with the Mexican president to express their discontentment to him.