( CNN ) -- Mexican President Felipe Calderon announced the resignations Tuesday of three high-level government officials , most notably Communications and Transport Secretary Luis Tellez Kuenzler . The government of Mexican President Felipe Calderon , seen here in January , is facing elections in July . Abraham Gonzalez , a key official for the powerful ministry that oversees Mexico 's government , also resigned . So did Sergio Vela Martinez , president of the National Council for Culture and the Arts . No official reasons were given for any of the resignations , which analysts said did not appear to be related . But at least two of the resignations did not come as a surprise . Tellez , who stepped down from a Cabinet-level post , had been involved for weeks in a controversy over taped comments revealed last month by CNN journalist Carmen Aristegui . In the taped conversation , Tellez said former Mexican President Carlos Salinas de Gortari had stolen government money . Salinas has not been formally accused of any crime . Tellez received an anonymous threat in late February from an apparent political enemy telling him to resign or more damaging audiotapes would be released to the media . He refused and turned the matter over to authorities . Ana Maria Salazar Slack , a political analyst who is host of a daily radio show in Mexico City , called it `` an almost soap opera-ish scandal '' that left Calderon little choice but to force Tellez to resign . `` Although Calderon wanted to keep him in office , it made it very difficult to keep him there , '' she said . Calderon moved Tellez to a post as a presidential aide dealing with economic matters . Other observers also were not surprised by the move . `` That was waiting to happen , '' said Andrew Selee , director of the Mexico Institute at the Washington-based Woodrow Wilson Center . `` But evidently the president values his counsel and has kept him in a high-profile position in the presidency from which he 'll continue to have influence . '' Robert Pastor , the Latin America national security adviser for President Jimmy Carter in the 1970s , praised Tellez but said political considerations prevailed . `` He 's a very competent fellow , '' Pastor said . `` One of the most competent people I 've known in Mexico . But this tape in particular was very embarrassing . '' In a televised news conference after Calderon announced the changes , Tellez expressed his `` gratitude for this opportunity that few Mexicans obtain . '' Replacing Tellez will be Juan Molinar Horcasitas , the head of the Mexican Institute for Social Security . Molinar belongs to the same party as Calderon , the National Action Party [ PAN ] , while Tellez belongs to the opposition Institutional Revolutionary Party [ PRI ] . That played a role , Slack said . `` The president is sending a signal to his party that he 's going to support people from his own party , '' Slack said . `` Beyond the political scandals of the tapes , there 's a decision for the president to appoint people very close to the party . '' Gonzalez 's departure was not a surprise either , since he is running for a congressional seat in July and Mexican law requires him to resign . Analysts spoke highly of Gonzalez 's replacement , Geronimo Gutierrez Fernandez . He had been the top person in the foreign ministry for Latin and North America . `` Gutierrez moving in is outstanding , '' the Mexico Institute 's Selee said , calling him `` one of the smartest people ... I 've met '' and `` an impressive guy . '' Consuelo Saizar Guerrero takes over as head of the National Council for Culture and the Arts , replacing Vela , whose reasons for resigning were not disclosed . Saizar previously served as head of the Economic Culture Fund , the government 's book-publishing enterprise . The arts and culture post will play a significant role in 2010 , when Mexico celebrates 100 years of its social revolution and 200 years of its declaration of independence , radio analyst Slack said . As for the timing of resignations from three key posts , Slack linked it to Mexico 's election calendar . `` In order to understand these changes , '' she said , `` you have to understand there are midterm elections in July . So if there are going to be any changes , they have to take place right now . '' Meanwhile , Peter Hakim , president of the Washington-based Inter-American Dialogue , said the changes do not portend a political shift . `` This does n't sound like any major direction in change for Calderon , '' Hakim said .
Analyst says timing of comments linked to Mexican presidential elections in July . Transportation and transport secretary resigned amid controversy over comments . Key official for ministry that supports Mexico 's government leaves .