A shorter work week due to the Independence Day celebrations (which the NYT highlighted, were headed by a woman for the first time), but there was no shortage of headlines. The WSJ had the story of the week, with a profile of Nemesio “Mencho” Oseguera, head of the Jalisco New Generation cartel and “Mexico’s new drug king”. Mr. Oseguera has benefited from infighting at the Sinaloa cartel and the government’s focus on tackling fentanyl, allowing him to “ferry tons of cocaine” into the U.S., while acting “as a parallel government” in certain regions of Mexico. For its part, the AP had a (literal) deep dive on the alarming impact of mercury mining (an issue that has been getting headlines since July). And while Reuters covered how American officials have continued to impose sanctions on cartels, the Washington Post reported on a different strategy from the Mexican government: an anti-drug music contest. While contrary to many predictions it has proven surprisingly popular (some four million people have tuned in), there is no shortage of skeptics, with UNAM sociologist Luis Astorga describing it as an attempt to “fight the cartels without getting at the root of the problem”. Go figure.
Trade tensions also gathered significant attention. Reuters highlighted the start of consultations ahead of the formal USMCA review. As Mark Carney visited Mexico, Bloomberg reported Mexico and Canada pledged to increase coordination, following a “sometimes frosty” period in their relationship. Less auspiciously, Bloomberg also reported recent plans to impose higher tariffs on China may have led to a pause on some Chinese investments, while the AP noted the US government is removing anti-trust immunity from the Aeromexico-Delta partnership, a move characterized as “another front in the broader trade dispute”. It’ll be a challenging next few months for Mexican negotiators.
In energy news, the FT delved into the “quiet, decade-long expansion in the sector” by Carlos Slim. While other private investors remain cautious as they wait for greater clarity on the terms the Sheinbaum administration will impose, Mr. Slim’s companies are “already knee-deep” in projects. Bloomberg also reported on the government’s new bond issuance, as it moves forward with its plans to bolster Pemex’s finances. Meanwhile, the New York Times took a different perspective and presented the personal testimony of Omar Lázaro García, an environmental and human rights activist from Veracruz, denouncing how oil extraction has devastated the community’s land and culture amid government neglect that has also fueled cartel violence.
On the domestic front, Bloomberg covered the extraordinary launch of Ricardo Salinas Pliego’s campaign to oppose the Sheinbaum administration as he appears to flirt with the possibility of running for president in 2030 (watch the full video). For its part, The Guardian reported on Mexico’s plan to nearly double its sugary drinks tax to curb obesity (and raise revenues), in next year’s budget, a move that has sparked debate over whether it is a genuine health measure or a money grab.
Shifting gears, cheerful news came out of Guadalajara. Firstly, the AP reported on the recent birth of a baby Vallarta mud turtle at the local zoo, part of a breeding program to help increase the wild population of the critically endangered species. Then, The Athletic highlighted the city’s role as a host in the upcoming World Cup, celebrating its rich soccer culture, iconic Estadio Jalisco, and the festive preparations already underway to welcome fans from around the globe, even if some questions about infrastructure readiness persist.
Podcasts in English on Mexico
On this week’s MexMoves, Damian and Eduardo speak with Roberto Rocha and Germán Losada, Co-Founders of clean mobility startup VEMO, about their recent US$250 million equity raise and the company’s plans in a scenario of rapid growth – and tariff threats. They also cover: Grupo Herdez’s spin-off of Nutrisa; US/Mexico cross-border logistics networks under Trump; and FEMSA’s new CEO. You can listen to it here.
Latin America in Focus, by the Americas Society/Council of the Americas, spoke with Kenneth Smith Ramos, Mexico’s former chief USMCA negotiator, about the “complex three-ring circus” the country faces ahead of the agreement’s formal review.
And in the most recent episode of Mexico: The Podcast, Tavo Figueroa and Alex González Ormerod dive into the delights, history, and economics of tequila, Mexico’s most famous tipple.
Photo of the Week
A farmer examines an oil spill on his property in Veracruz. For years a Pemex pipeline has leaked oil onto his land, despite company promises to address it. Photo by Manuel Bayo Gisbert for The New York Times.
FOREIGN PRESS COVERAGE
For the First Time in 215 Years, a Woman Leads Mexico’s Cry of Independence
09/16/25, The New York Times, James Wagner
America Loves Cocaine Again—Mexico’s New Drug King Cashes In
09/16/25, The Wall Street Journal, Steve Fisher et al
Illegal gold mining is fueling a ‘mercury boom’ in Mexico, poisoning people and the environment
09/15/25, AP News, Megan Janetsky and Teresa de Miguel
US Treasury official to visit Mexico City to discuss cartels
09/17/25, Reuters, Timothy Gardner
US imposes new sanctions on Sinaloa Cartel and associates, including Mexican lawmaker
09/18/25, Reuters, Diego Ore et al
To fight the narcos, Mexico tries a new approach: A song contest
09/16/25, The Washington Post, Teo Armus
Mexico begins public consultation process for USMCA ahead of review
09/17/25, Reuters, Ana Isabel Martinez and Aida Pelaez-Fernandez
Canada, Mexico Pledge Coordination on Trade Pact Review With US
09/18/25, Bloomberg, Brian Platt and Alex Vasquez
Mexico Tariff Plan Is Stopping Chinese Investment, Says Chamber
09/15/25, Bloomberg, Amy Stillman
US orders Delta and Aeromexico to dissolve their partnership over fairness concerns in Mexico
09/16/25, AP News, Josh Funk
Billionaire Carlos Slim’s growing presence in Mexico’s energy sector
09/16/25, Financial Times, Jamie Smyth and Christine Murray
Mexico Sells $14 Billion of Bonds in Two Days to Aid Pemex
09/16/25, Bloomberg, Vinícius Andrade
They Came for the Oil. They Took Everything.
09/14/25, The New York Times, Omar Lázaro García
Mexican Billionaire Ricardo Salinas Launches Drive to Oppose Claudia Sheinbaum
09/16/25, Bloomberg, Marcelo Rochabrun
Attack on obesity or cash grab? Tax hike on sugary drinks divides opinion in Mexico
09/14/25, The Guardian, Oscar Lopez
Guadalajara zoo celebrates the birth of world’s smallest freshwater turtle
09/17/25, AP News, Staff
Guadalajara, ‘the most Mexican’ city, eyes its next World Cup moment
09/17/25, The Athletic, Felipe Cardenas
Download PDF: MI-MexicoForeignPressChatter-091925