Another week, another source of tension in the US-Mexico relationship, after the Department of Transportation announced a series of measures against Mexican airlines, in response to alleged anticompetitive behavior by the government. Bloomberg reported this includes revoking the Delta-Aeromexico antitrust immunity, upending their alliance. President Sheinbaum, sticking to her tried and tested playbook, refuted the allegations, and stated an agreement could be reached on the matter ‘within days’, per Reuters.
A number of pieces delved into the ongoing bilateral tensions from several angles. The New Yorker had an interesting profile of Carlos González Gutiérrez, Mexico’s consul-general in Los Angeles, and the limits he faces trying to protect local immigrants. Relatedly, Reuters reported President Sheinbaum’s calls to repatriate 14 nationals held at the infamous ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ detention center. On trade, Reuters also had a deep dive on the potential ‘chaos’ Mexican farmers could run into due to sanctions on Russia, its largest supplier of fertilizers. Meanwhile, The New York Times covered the multi-billion hit to earnings car makers have faced in the past months because of tariffs; still, their shares rallied on expectations of a deal similar to the one recently announced with Japan, reported The Wall Street Journal.
On security matters, Bloomberg covered the ‘bubbling political scandal’ surrounding Senator Adán Augusto López, whose security secretary during his time as Tabasco governor is on the run, accused of links to organized crime groups; Mr. López has denied wrongdoing. President Sheinbaum pledged her administration won’t ‘cover up for anyone’, while also denouncing a ‘media lynching’ of López. For its part, The Guardian reported on the alarming rise of mercury production in Mexico, which cartels smuggle to South America, where it is used in illegal gold mining. An investigation found ‘armed control points, surveillance towers and threats of violence. Cartel involvement has industrialised production.’
Business news was mixed. The FT reported on the government’s plans to sell up to US$10 bn of debt to help Pemex; bonds rallied on the news. However, sources cautioned ‘if this is all they’ve got, then we’re going to be back here in five years’ time’. Then, Iberdrola’s rumored intention of selling its remaining Mexican assets also gathered headlines. More cheerfully, Bloomberg reported on Fibra Next’s IPO, ‘the biggest stock debut in seven years’.
Shifting gears, the NYT had an interesting story on the prospects for Mexican coke in the US as President Trump pushes the company to switch its American production to cane sugar. Meanwhile, the BBC’s The Travel Show spent some time on Lake Bacalar, famous for its ‘brilliant seven shades of blue water’, but which also serves as home to Stromatolites, living fossils that ‘play a crucial role in oxygenating the atmosphere’.
Lastly, on this week’s MexMoves, Damian and Eduardo chat with Eduardo Verboonen Khoury, Co-President of Hospitales MAC, one of Mexico’s fastest-growing private hospital groups. He shares how rising middle-class demand, under-resourced public healthcare, growing U.S. medical tourism, and underserved regional cities are fueling the expansion of private hospitals in Mexico.
Photo of the Week
Travel Journalist Qasa Alom visits Lake Bacalar in Mexico, famous for its brilliant seven shades of blue water. Screenshot from The Travel Show, the BBC’s flagship travel programme.
FOREIGN PRESS COVERAGE
US Threatens to Upend Delta-Aeromexico Deal in Mexico Orders
07/19/25, Bloomberg, Michael O’Boyle
Mexico sees no reason for US to impose sanctions on airlines
07/21/25, Reuters, Raul Cortes and Natalia Siniawski
Mexico expects to resolve aviation dispute with US within days
07/22/25, Reuters, Kylie Madry
The Fight for Mexican Los Angeles
07/23/25, The New Yorker, Geraldo Cadava
Mexico asks US to repatriate 14 nationals held in ‘Alligator Alcatraz’
07/22/25, Reuters, Natalia Siniawski, Ana Isabel Martinez and Adriana Barrera
US sanctions could cause chaos on Latam farms run on Russian fertilizers
07/21/25, Reuters, Ana Mano and Cassandra Garrison
07/24/25, The Guardian, Luke Taylor
Sheinbaum Ally Hit by Scandal Over Alleged Ties to Drug Cartels
07/21/25, Bloomberg, Alex Vasquez
Stellantis Says Profit Plunged as Tariffs Began to Bite
07/21/25, The New York Times, Jack Ewing
G.M. Profit Shrinks on Billion-Dollar Tariff Hit
07/22/25, The New York Times, Jack Ewing
GM, Ford Stock Rally Despite Detroit’s Complaints on Japan Trade Deal
07/23/25, The Wall Street Journal, Ryan Felton and Stephen Wilmot
Halliburton says Mexico oil output decline rates will pressure reactivation of business
07/22/25, Reuters, Arathy Somasekhar
Bonds in Mexican state oil company Pemex jump on debt sale plan
07/22/25, Financial Times, Christine Murray and Joseph Cotterill
Iberdrola hired Barclays to sell assets in Mexico for $4.70 billion, El Confidencial says
07/23/25, Reuters, Inti Landauro and Javi West Larrañaga
Fibra Next Raises $431 Million; Largest Mexico IPO in Years
07/23/25, Bloomberg, Michael O’Boyle and Kelsey Butler
They Grew Up on Mexican Coke. Trump’s Cane Sugar Plan Makes Them Uneasy.
07/17/25, The New York Times, Mike Ives
The ancient Mexican lake home to Earth’s oldest lifeforms
07/21/25, BBC, Qasa Alom
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