MI’s Mexico Foreign Press Chatter – Sep. 18, 2026

septiembre 25, 2026
12h00

The New York Times published a detailed, visually striking report on the long-festering environmental pollution at the Endhó Dam in Hidalgo this week. The reservoir, dubbed “the world’s largest cesspool” by locals, has suffered for decades since wastewater and industrial runoff from Mexico City was diverted there to prevent flooding in the metropolis in the 1970s. Cancer rates in the surrounding areas have at times spiked as much as 50 per cent higher than the national average; the article details not only the impact of illness, but the everyday miseries in nearby communities, including the stench and massive swarms of mosquitoes. The NYT reporting gives little credence or space to government efforts so far to address the pollution; there is no mention that both the Tula river system, which feeds into the reservoir, and the dam itself are included in the Sheinbaum administration’s federal clean-up budgets. However, the article notes that critics say the remediation plan launched in 2024 following a presidential decree “feels hollow”.

On the heels of a nearly 70 per cent cut in Pemex support in the proposed 2027 federal budget, Reuters reported that Sheinbaum “lashed out” at senior officials in a July meeting over Pemex’s struggling output, quoting four anonymous sources who were present. She also “grilled” them on the 12 accidents at Pemex refineries so far this year. An unnamed Pemex official, who shared analysis showing refinery production below target at every plant, told the outlet: “Every month we’re losing money — some months more, some months less, but we keep losing”.

In economic news, Bloomberg’s JP Spinetto argued that something should be done to offset the negative side effects of the superpeso, but after spelling out the unsavoury options (intervention by Banxico, lowering interest rates or expanding US dollar reserves) concludes that there is really very little to be done: “Mexico’s smartest response to the superpeso may for now be prudence and patience”. Bloomberg also reported on Mexico’s slump in international air arrivals (citing the stronger peso making the country more expensive for visitors as one factor) which has affected popular beach resorts such as Cancún, Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta. Tourism Secretary Josefina Rodríguez told the outlet that her ministry is banking on drawing more Chinese visitors, stating rather categorically: “The Chinese tourist to Mexico, first of all, isn’t looking for sun…They love Day of the Dead, and it’s more about food and culture.”

While Mexico courts Chinese tourists, the country is yet again being eyed by the US as a backdoor for Chinese products. The Wall Street Journal reported that US trade negotiators are floating the idea of applying rules of origin similar to those the USMCA requires for cars (a 75 per cent minimum North American content threshold) but for AI equipment, including chips and servers, which have this year outstripped automobiles among Mexican exports to the US.

In cultural news, Reuters covered the loan of the Codex Azcatitlan as part of the celebrations marking 200 years of Mexico-France diplomatic relations. The 16th-century manuscript has been held in the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris since 1898, and this is the first time it has been in Mexico since 1840. France is in a generous mood, having also loaned the famous Bayeux Tapestry to the British Museum for a blockbuster exhibition that opened last week, returning it to England for the first time since it was made nearly 1,000 years ago.

Blogs destacados en inglés sobre México

The internal struggle for power within Morena was covered in Mexico Decoded this week, with guest contributor Tamara Mares arguing that this “fragmented inheritance” from AMLO is far more relevant than anything the ruling party’s opposition is doing. The Mexico Political Economist examined how the government is attempting to raise tax revenue without introducing new taxes in the 2027 federal budget, against a backdrop of weak economic growth. Ioan Grillo continues his series on extortion with a report on Acapulco this week, following the arrest of a local crime boss on 3 September that has already led to violent fallout, including narco-banners threatening federal security chief Omar García Harfuch. Eduardo García takes a critical look at Sheinbaum at the two-year mark in Materia Gris, arguing that while the president has indeed faced internal and external headwinds, she is broadly getting too much credit for her handling of both economic and political issues: “These interpretations leave aside relevant elements that cannot be ignored simply to construct a favorable reading of President Sheinbaum’s performance so far”. Miranda Intelligence published its incisive, polymathic daily Mexico reports – spanning the country’s Culture, FinTech, Markets, Public Affairs, Energy, Podcasts, Politics, and Foreign Press (i.e., what you are currently reading). It is currently offering new subscribers a 25% discount on the list price to celebrate Mexico’s Independence. ¡Viva México, Viva la Inteligencia!

MXPE – Mexico’s 2027 budget: More of the same hides Sheinbaum’s new strategy
CrashOut – Acapulco – From “Pearl of the Pacific” To Protection Central
Mexico Decoded – A Fierce Battle to Control Mexico’s Political Future
Materia Gris – Sheinbaum, neither devout nor strong
Miranda Inteligencia daily reports on Substack

Photo of the week

A water mower that state authorities deployed to shred the invasive water hyacinth [in Presa Endhó] — despite warnings by federal authorities that chopping it can accelerate its spread. (NYT/Alejandro Cegarra)

MI’s Mexico Foreign Press Chatter – Sep. 18, 2026

Blogs destacados en inglés sobre México

Photo of the week

Top Stories on Mexico