1. Former Secretary of Social Development under investigation by Secretary of Public Service for omitting financial information

Former Secretary of Social Development Rosario Robles is under investigation by the Secretariat of Public Service for allegedly failing to report banking and credit information in her patrimonial and conflicts of interest statement. The defendant’s lawyer denied the accusations and asked the authorities to provide more information.

During the term of former President Enrique Peña Nieto, Rosario Robles was pointed as one of the public officials that took part in the corruption scandal involving the embezzlement of public funds known as “La Estafa Maestra” (Master Scam).

El Universal: SFP investiga a Rosario Robles por información bancaria y crediticia no reportada

2. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador celebrates modest economic growth as ECLAC cuts Mexico’s economic forecast

The National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) reported that Mexico’s economy grew 0.1% in the second quarter of 2019. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador celebrated the modest growth claiming his critics were wrong for assuring that the country’s economy would fall into recession. Furthermore, the President guaranteed the country will grow 2% by the end of the year.

On the other hand, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) reduced its economic forecast for Mexico from 1.7% to 1%. Executive Secretary of ECLAC Alicia Bárcena concluded that the main reasons for the adjustment were the economic slowdown that started in 2018 and the uncertainty around U.S. trade policy.

Animal Político: México libra la recesion y avanza apenas 0.1%; AMLO sostiene su pronóstico de 2% de crecimiento

3. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador discussed investments in the country with Carlos Slim and other businessmen

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador held meetings with Carlos Slim and Alberto Baillères, two of the wealthiest men in Mexico, among other businessmen, to discuss investments in the country. The business leaders reaffirmed their commitment to continue investing in the country, while the President offered an update regarding the status of the oil drilling contracts.

In previous weeks, the President voiced his intentions to connect the whole country through a newly created state-owned company that will offer internet services focusing on underprivileged communities. The Mexican telecommunication sector is largely dominated by companies owned by Carlos Slim.  Moreover, one of Baillères’ companies is taking part of the contracts for oil drilling.

El Financiero: AMLO se reúne con empresaria como Slim y Larrea en casa de Baillères

4. Household Expenditure in Mexico increases 1.9%: INEGI

The National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) reported in its National Survey of Household Income and Expenditure (ENIGH) an increase of 1.9% in quarterly average expenditure among Mexican homes compared to the previous survey, summing up 31,9123 pesos.

On the other hand, the survey recorded a fall of 4.1% in household income. Mexico City, Nuevo León and Baja California were the states with the greatest household income, while the states with the greatest household expenditure were Mexico City, Nuevo León and Jalisco.

Noticieros Televisa: Gastos de hogares mexicanos aumentaron en 2018

5. Despite austerity policies and rising crime, President López Obrador continues to trust in National Guard

President López Obrador officially deployed the National Guard a few months ago aiming to reduce crime and the level of violence in the country. Despite the implementation of this strategy, reports of cases related to these issues have increased.

The Federal Government plans to keep supporting the newly created security agency in strategic locations guarantying the continuity of its operations despite austerity policies. As a consequence of the acts of public transport violence registered in the metropolitan area of Mexico’s capital, the President plans to hold a meeting to discuss the security issues taking place not only on a local level but also across the nation.

El Sol de México: Plan de austeridad garantiza seguridad pública: AMLO