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1. Mexico advocates for multilateralism in Spain

During her participation in the 4th “In Defense of Democracy” Summit, President Claudia Sheinbaum put forward two proposals: to allocate 10% of global military spending to a global reforestation program, and to hold the next edition of this forum in Mexico. The president defended the principles of Mexican foreign policy: the self-determination of peoples and non-intervention, the peaceful resolution of disputes, and the rejection of the use of force.

In a joint statement with Brazil and Spain, Mexico expressed its solidarity with Cuba and called for: the provision of humanitarian assistance; respect for international law and the principles of territorial integrity, sovereign equality, and the peaceful resolution of disputes; and a call for dialogue to find a definitive solution to the economic blockade facing the island. In another event, President Sheinbaum held a bilateral meeting with Spanish President Pedro Sánchez, where they discussed strengthening cultural and technological cooperation, as well as President Sheinbaum’s formal invitation to the Spanish leader to make a state visit. It was also emphasized that there has never been a diplomatic conflict between the two nations.

La Jornada: México defiende sus derechos sin dejar de respetar a los demás: Sheinbaum en cumbre progresista

El Universal: De esto habló Sheinbaum en la Cumbre por la Democracia

2. New economic review dialogue between Mexico and The United States

A high-level meeting was held between Mexico’s Secretary of Economy, Marcelo Ebrard, and his U.S. counterpart, Jamieson Greer, in preparation for the upcoming economic review of the USMCA. In this regard, representatives of the Mexican business sector called for the elimination of tariffs on Mexican products and for accelerating integration with the United States. Greer also held a meeting with President Claudia Sheinbaum, as well as private meetings with representatives from sectors such as the automotive, steel, agricultural, and service industries.

Following this meeting, technical working groups from both delegations have been meeting throughout the week. The topics addressed have included rules of origin, supply chains, trade barriers, the Special 301 report on intellectual property, and tariffs on steel, aluminum, and automobiles under Section 232. Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard reported that the formal negotiation phase of the USMCA will begin on May 25, as part of the joint review process scheduled for July 1.

El Economista: IP de México pide a Greer eliminar aranceles y acelerar integración con EU

El Financiero: Inicia negociación del T-MEC en mayo; acuerdan con Greer

3. Controversy erupts over the involvement of two U.S. agents in security operations

Two U.S. officials were killed in a car accident in Chihuahua, Mexico, while returning from an operation targeting clandestine drug labs. According to reports by The Washington Post and The New York Times, the victims were CIA agents. President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that her government had no prior knowledge of the U.S. officials’ presence in the country and added that an investigation will be conducted to determine whether their participation in the operation violated the National Security Law. Meanwhile, state authorities in Chihuahua offered conflicting accounts regarding the role of the U.S. citizens, initially stating that they were engaged in training activities and later admitting that they were part of the operation.

President Sheinbaum insisted that Mexico is willing to coordinate with Washington, but without allowing joint ground operations that violate national sovereignty. Meanwhile, the Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, Omar García Harfuch, met privately with Chihuahua Governor María Eugenia Campos, who comes from an opposition government, to review the controversial operation. Likewise, the Senate summoned the governor to appear before it on April 28.

The New York Times: Los 2 estadounidenses que murieron en el accidente en México eran de la CIA

BBC: Las incógnitas que rodean el caso de los 2 agentes de la CIA que murieron en México

4. Changes in key positions continues clave

Luisa María Alcalde confirmed that she will step down as president of Morena, the ruling party, to take on the role of Legal Counsel to the Federal Executive, at the request of President Sheinbaum. In the coming days, the party’s governing bodies will be convened to elect a new president, a position expected to be filled by someone in whom the president Sheinbaum has complete confidence, as one of the president’s main responsibilities will be to prepare the party and select candidates for this year’s and next year’s elections. At the same time, Sheinbaum confirmed that Roberto Lazzeri, the current director of the government’s main financial organizations, will be nominated to replace Esteban Moctezuma as head of the Mexican Embassy in the United States, a change the mayor linked to the trade agenda with that country.

Finally, the National Electoral Institute renewed part of its General Council with the addition of three new council members: Frida Gómez Puga, Blanca Yassahara Cruz, and Arturo Chávez López, who will serve for nine years. Council President Guadalupe Taddei emphasized that they are joining at a time of high institutional demands, with an eye toward the 2027 electoral process. However, the opposition criticized the process and the new council members’ possible ties to the ruling party, which could undermine fairness and impartiality in the elections.

UNO TV: Luisa María Alcalde deja dirigencia de Morena; acepta Consejería Jurídica de Presidencia
 
Proceso: Sheinbaum propone que Roberto Lazzeri sustituya a Esteban Moctezuma en la embajada de México en EU
 
Aristegui Noticias: Nuevos consejeros del INE asumen cargo por nueve años

5. Federal Government agrees to cooperate with the UN

President Claudia Sheinbaum held a meeting with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, during which they agreed to strengthen cooperation on human rights issues. The president noted that, in addition to disappearances in Mexico, they also addressed issues such as indigenous peoples, the protection of activists, and other matters related to the human rights agenda. The High Commissioner also held meetings with groups of families of missing persons, authorities, legislators, and civil society organizations. According to the Mexican government, the official highlighted the country’s legal and institutional framework for addressing the issue of disappearances, while describing the visit as “fruitful.”

The meeting takes place amid tensions following the report by the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances, which characterized disappearances in Mexico as possible crimes against humanity. The Mexican government rejected that characterization and maintained that it remains firmly committed to searching for missing persons and assisting victims.

NMÁS: “Le Pedimos Varias Colaboraciones”, Dice Sheinbaum por Reunión con Alto Comisionado de la ONU
 
Infobae: Sheinbaum acuerda colaboración con la ONU tras reunión con Volker Türk en medio de presión por desapariciones