The NYT put the Mexican government’s “embarrassment of riches” under scrutiny once again, presenting the newly reported income of Senator Adán Augusto López, and rehashing the litany of cases that have come up over the past months. An opinion piece in The Financial Times warned of a potential “lost decade” should Mexico pursue protectionist tariffs, drawing parallels to the import substitution policy that failed almost a century ago. Speaking of which, the AP reported that China has begun investigating Mexican tariffs, calling them a “trade barrier” and underscoring the squeeze from U.S. pressure. Meanwhile, Bloomberg analyzed the first year of President Sheinbaum’s mañanera, retaining AMLO’s title as Mexico’s top streamer, while imprinting her own style, more disciplined, punctual and with “far less confrontation”. Then, León Krauze writing for The Washington Post called on the U.S. to reinstate the ban on assault weapons as a measure to effectively fight cartels. If only…
Reuters reported the screwworm outbreak continued to spread northward, with cases surging 32% and becoming more concentrated. On a brighter note, the NYTimes also reported that the Cuauhtémoc, a Mexican Navy training vessel that crashed in New York earlier this year, is expected sail back to Mexico after four months of repairs. The investigation into the accident continues, and is expected to take up to two years.
On security matters, the killing of a student at a UNAM feeder school heightened security concerns, leading to online classes and school closures, per the AP. The tragedy coincided with the 11th anniversary of the Ayotzinapa case, with protests in Mexico City and the state of Guerrero, followed days later by the October 2 annual march to commemorate the 1968 massacre of protesting students (which became violent). The AP also covered migrant caravans demanding asylum in southern Mexico, with Mexico City emerging as a new pressure point following Trump’s stringent migration policies.
On business, Pemex remained in the spotlight, mostly for the wrong reasons. Bloomberg reported that the company is on track to have its largest ever deficit to public finances, while Reuters flagged a sharp fall in crude oil exports. Reuters also reported that Carlos Slim’s Grupo Carso signed a US$2 bn deal with Pemex to drill gas wells in Ixachi, Veracruz. Then, in the intersection of politics and business, Sheinbaum’s feud with Ricardo Salinas Pliego escalated as Bloomberg reported she’s set to meet his U.S. creditors. The enemies of my enemy, the saying goes…
Shifting gears, the NYT covered the launch of Trionda, the official match ball of the 2026 World Cup. Its loud graphics pay homage to the event’s three hosts, with a star for the U.S., a maple leaf for Canada and an eagle for Mexico, but leave questions about whether it’ll make it difficult for players to pick up against multi-colored backgrounds. Also difficult to pick up: World Cup tickets, which have enjoyed strong demand, beyond expectations. For its part, the AP had a follow up of its earlier visit to Xin Xin, Chapultepec Zoo’s giant panda, and her longtime caretaker, Joel Frías. And in art news, the NYT profiled Mexican painter Ana Segovia, whose satirical takes on masculinity have earned wide recognition.
Notable podcasts and blogs in English on Mexico
On this week’s MexMoves podcast, Damian and Eduardo talk to Nikolaj Lippmann, Latin America equity strategist at Morgan Stanley, who explains how realistic it is for Mexico to develop a domestic robotics manufacturing industry over the next decade. They also discuss: Capital One’s tech investment plans in Mexico; Carlos Slim’s expanding relationship with Pemex; and the opportunity afforded to Mexico by President Trump’s controversial decision to charge $100,000 for H1-B visas. On Mexico: The Podcast, hosts Tavo and Alex explore Mexican’s contempt for the U.S, where it comes from and whether Trump has changed public opinion.
Moving to Mexico-related substacks, Materia Gris by 4T skeptics Eduardo García, Alfredo Corchado and Vicente Calderón analyzed Sheinbaum’s 1st year in government, featuring Trump, judicial reforms, corruption scandals and more. She maintains her popularity despite being “caught between a rock and a hard place”, as domestic, economic and foreign pressures mount. Other noteworthy accounts on Sheinbaum’s first year in charge include Moments in Mexico and the unashamedly pro Sheinbaum Mexico Decoded by the 4T cheerleader, Viri Ríos. Ioan Grillo’s Crashout piece on Luz del Mundo allegations on sex trafficking, child abuse and paramilitaries is gobsmacking.
Photo of the Week
Demonstrators and riot police face off during a protest in Mexico City commemorating the anniversary of the October 2, 1968, Tlatelolco killings. Photo by Claudia Rosel for AP.
FOREIGN PRESS COVERAGE
Going back to the 1970s won’t save Mexico
10/01/25, Financial Times, Eduardo Porter
China investigates Mexican tariffs on imports from Asia as trade tensions escalate
09/26/25, AP, Staff
How Claudia Sheinbaum Became Mexico’s Most Popular Streamer
10/01/25, Bloomberg, David Alire Garcia
Opinion: The United States already knows how to disarm Mexican cartels
10/01/25, The Washington Post, León Krauze
Mexico sees 32% jump in flesh-eating screwworm cases since August as cases move north
10/01/25, Reuters, Cassandra Garrison
An Embarrassment of Riches for Mexico’s Party of the Poor
02/10/25, New York Times, James Wagner
The Ship That Slammed Into the Brooklyn Bridge Has Been Repaired
09/26/25, The New York Times, James Barron
Security fears shut down classes at Mexico’s top university after student killing
09/30/25, AP, Maria Verza
Families of Mexico’s 43 disappeared students demand truth and justice 11 years later
09/26/25, AP, Maria Verza
Gaza crisis features in march remembering 1968 Mexican massacre
10/02/25, AP, Fabiola Sánchez and Fernanda Pesce
Hundreds of migrants mount protest in southern Mexico in bid to legalize status
10/01/25, AP, Edgar H. Clemente
Mexico’s Pemex crude oil exports in August fall 32% year-on-year
09/26/25, Reuters, Ana Isabel Martinez
Slim’s Grupo Carso inks $2 billion deal with Mexico’s Pemex for Ixachi wells
09/29/25, Reuters, Sarah Morland
Pemex Is Turning Into One of the Mexican Government’s Heaviest Financial Burdens
09/30/25, Bloomberg, Scott Squires
Mexico’s $12 Billion Deal to Aid Pemex Seen Spurring More P-Caps
09/29/25, Bloomberg, Kelsey Butler and Maria Elena Vizcaino
Mexico’s Sheinbaum to Meet Creditors Fighting Billionaire Salinas
09/30/25, Bloomberg, Alex Vazques, and Michael O’Boyle
Mexico auto industry warns of complex outlook ahead of USMCA review
10/01/25, Reuters, Natalia Siniawski
Mexican Peso Bulls See Trade, Carry Sustaining Currency’s Rally
10/01/25, Bloomberg, Kelsey Butler and Maria Elena Vizcaino
Mexico’s Watch Sales Continue to Grow, but Retailers Are Wary
09/30/25, New York Times, Janelle Conaway
Hello, Trionda. Adidas’ new World Cup ball and everything you need to know about it
10/02/25, The Athletic, Melanie Anzidei and Nick Miller
Booming World Cup ticket prices outstrip everything except the Super Bowl
10/02/25, The Athletic, Henry Bushnell
Mexican zookeeper reflects on caring for Latin America’s last panda
09/27/25, AP, Fabiola Sanchez
Ana Segovia Wants You to Take Another, Closer, Look at that Cowboy
10/01/25, The New York Times, Ray Mark Rinaldi
Frida Kahlo’s Prequel: A New Museum Shows Her Family Roots
09/27/25, New York Times, Elda Cantu
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