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1. Senate approves reform to reduce working hours

The Mexican Senate unanimously approved a constitutional reform to reduce the work week from 48 to 40 hours without affecting wages. In addition, a maximum limit of 12 hours per week was established for overtime, with additional pay of 100% for the first 12 hours and 200% if this limit is exceeded. Overtime work is also prohibited for minors under the age of 18. The reform will be implemented gradually until 2030 and seeks to improve the quality of life of workers by reducing stress and illnesses associated with long working hours.

However, some opposition lawmakers expressed concerns, noting that the reform does not explicitly guarantee a five-day work week with two days off, as originally proposed. They also warned that increasing the overtime limit could lead to working weeks of up to 56 hours, affecting workers. In addition, it was noted that the changes will not benefit the 55% of workers in the informal sector. The reform is expected to be approved without changes by the Chamber of Deputies and supplemented with amendments to the Federal Labor Law in the coming months.

El Economista: Senado aprueba reforma constitucional para reducir jornada laboral a 40 horas

2. Moody’s warns about USMCA and Pemex-MEC y Pemex

Moody’s, one of the most influential credit rating agencies globally, has issued a warning about the impact of the Mexican government’s continued financial support for Pemex, the state-owned oil company, on the country’s public finances. According to the agency, this support is complicating fiscal adjustment efforts and putting significant pressure on Mexico’s sovereign debt, which is currently rated Baa2 with a negative outlook. This rating level reflects the perception of moderate risk for investors, but with signs of deterioration in the country’s ability to manage its finances in a sustainable manner. Moody’s noted that support for Pemex, a key company for the Mexican economy but with high levels of debt, is limiting the government’s ability to achieve fiscal consolidation, which could have negative repercussions on long-term economic stability.

On the other hand, the agency noted that uncertainty surrounding the review of the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) is seriously affecting private investment, a key factor in driving economic growth. The lack of clarity on the terms of the agreement and potential trade conflicts between member countries have created an atmosphere of caution among investors, which in turn is slowing down a more robust economic recovery. Moody’s warned that, taken together, these factors are creating a complicated financial outlook for Mexico, with challenges both domestically, due to fiscal pressure from Pemex, and externally, due to trade uncertainty with its main partners.

Industry & Energy Magazine: Moody’s advierte que apoyo a Pemex eleva la deuda y presiona las finanzas de México

3. Mexico seeks trade openness with India and China

Amid trade tensions with China due to tariffs announced by President Claudia Sheinbaum at the end of 2025, officials from both nations held a meeting in Beijing with the aim of exchanging views on bilateral economic relations and channeling institutional dialogue. The meeting, which was the first high-level face-to-face contact since the application of tariffs of up to 35% on various Chinese products, allowed the parties to express their concerns and reiterate their willingness to keep channels of communication open. For its part, the government headed by President Claudia Sheinbaum has indicated that the measures seek to strengthen domestic production and address trade imbalances, while Chinese authorities have warned of possible countermeasures, although they expressed their interest in resolving differences through consultations and mechanisms of mutual understanding in an international context marked by adjustments in supply chains and revisions of trade agreements.

In the same vein, Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard and Indian Ambassador to Mexico Pankaj Sharma met to promote the renewal of bilateral cooperation to attract capital and technology from India with the aim of strengthening Plan Mexico, their strategy to boost investment and productive development in priority sectors. During the working meeting, the parties conducted a comprehensive review of trade negotiations and explored mechanisms to expand economic exchange that benefits both nations, as well as strategies to boost the attraction of technological investment, especially in areas such as science and technology, digitization, and pharmaceuticals, taking advantage of the complementarity of the economies. They also agreed to schedule a working call between Ebrard and Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal in the coming weeks and to plan a future face-to-face meeting to follow up on the agreements and consolidate a more dynamic and sustainable strategic agenda.

La Jornada: China y México mantienen conversaciones en medio de tensiones comerciales por aranceles

Milenio: México busca capital y tecnología de India para fortalecer Plan México

4. Mexico will recover 200 mining concessions to strengthen its sovereignty

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced the recovery of 200 mining concessions currently held by private companies. This measure is in line with the government’s strategy to reinforce sovereignty over the country’s natural resources, in the context of negotiations with the United States to establish “preferential trade” in strategic minerals. Sheinbaum stressed that, although collaboration with the US is being sought, there will be no changes to Mexican legislation and natural resources will not be handed over to foreign interests. The decision is part of a broader effort that has already led to the recovery of 1,126 concessions during her administration.

Despite criticism from some environmental groups, which have called for greater restrictions on mining, Sheinbaum defended the measure as a necessary step to ensure that Mexico’s natural resources directly benefit the country and are not exploited to the detriment of the environment or local communities. The recovery of these concessions also has economic implications, as it seeks to promote more strategic management of mineral resources, which are essential for the development of clean and renewable technologies.

El País: Sheinbaum anuncia que México va a recuperar 200 concesiones mineras

5. Mexico sends humanitarian aid to Cuba amid U.S. energy blockade

Two Mexican Navy ships arrived in Cuba with more than 800 tons of humanitarian aid, including food and powdered milk, at a critical time for the island, which is facing a severe energy crisis. This situation has been caused by an “energy blockade” imposed by the United States, which has intensified economic sanctions against Cuba. These measures include threats of tariffs on countries that supply oil to the island, forcing the Cuban government to ration energy, severely affecting transportation, hospitals, schools, and food production. The Mexican aid seeks to alleviate the immediate needs of the Cuban population.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has reiterated her commitment to continue sending humanitarian aid and has called for peaceful dialogue to ensure that Cuba can receive oil, an urgent necessity to mitigate the crisis. The situation has been exacerbated by the suspension of crude oil shipments by Pemex and the interruption of supplies from Venezuela, which has led Cuba to implement extreme measures such as reducing bank hours and limiting fuel sales. According to reports, U.S. sanctions have cost Cuba more than $7.5 billion between March 2024 and February 2025. Although Russia has expressed solidarity with Cuba, it has not confirmed oil shipments, and its airlines have had to adjust routes to the island due to restrictions.

Los Ángeles Times: Llega a Cuba ayuda humanitaria mexicana en medio de bloqueo energético de EEUU