CEMEX Announces Plans to Divest U.S. Assets.

MONTERREY, Mexico -- CEMEX, S.A. de C.V. (NYSE: CX) announced today that it has signed a Letter of Intent with Votorantim Cimentos LTDA for the sale of certain CEMEX assets in the Great Lakes region of the US, subject to definitive documentation and the satisfaction of customary conditions precedent.

Votorantim presented a non-binding offer for the Charlevoix and Dixon-Marquette cement plants, and other associated operating assets in the region.

CEMEX began evaluating alternatives to divest these assets at the beginning of 2004, after reviewing its strategic position in the US. The potential transaction would be structured as a sale of assets valued at US$400 million. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2005. The proceeds will be used to either pay down debt or reduce the level of indebtedness required for the RMC acquisition.

Total production capacity of both cement plants is close to 2 million metric tons a year and represent about ten per cent of the operating cash flow generation of our U.S. business.

CEMEX is a leading global producer and marketer of cement and ready-mix products, with operations concentrated in the world's most dynamic cement markets across four continents. CEMEX combines a deep knowledge of the local markets with its global network and information technology systems to provide world-class products and services to its customers, from individual homebuilders to large industrial contractors. For more information, visit www.cemex.com

This press release contains forward-looking statements and information that are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of CEMEX to be materially different from those expressed or implied in this release, including, among others, changes in general economic, political, governmental and business conditions globally and in the countries in which CEMEX does business, changes in interest rates, changes in inflation rates, changes in exchange rates, the level of construction generally, changes in cement demand and prices, changes in raw material and energy prices, changes in business strategy and various other factors. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein. CEMEX assumes no obligation to update or correct the information contained in this press release.