1. Remittances surpass income from FDI, oil exports, and international tourism

Finance and Public Credit Secretary Arturo Herrera revealed that in 2020, remittances surpassed income from Foreign Direct Investment and were 2.3 and 3.7 times higher than was generated by international tourism (USD $11.2 billion) and oil exports (USD $17.4 billion).

The increase in remittances corresponds in large part to the U.S. government stimulus, as well as the depreciation of the Mexican peso. In addition, the Director of Research at Banco de México, Daniel Chiquiar, highlighted that remittances favored people with low and middle incomes, where more than 30 percent of their spending is financed with resources, they receive from Mexicans living in the United States.

El Heraldo de México: Remesas superan ingresos por turismo y exportación de petróleo

2. Candidates change political party to participate in the electoral process

The electoral period in Mexico has characterized by 16,603 individuals who have left their parties of origin to join other political movements. The phenomenon affects all political parties and has not been limited to the states of the country with upcoming elections.

In addition, the Electoral Institute of the State of Guerrero approved to withdraw the candidacy of Félix Salgado Macedonio, a candidate mired in a sexual abuse scandal, for not documenting the mandatory pre-campaign period. Leaders of the dominant party in government have mentioned the need to implement substantial changes in the Mexican electoral controller.

Excélsior: 16 mil políticos dejan sus partidos de origen.
El Financiero: Instituto Electoral de Guerrero aprueba quitar el registro a Félix Salgado

3. Mexican president sends bill to Congress modifying the Hydrocarbons Law

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador sent a bill to Congress that would modify six articles of the Hydrocarbons Law that came into force in 2015. The proposal seeks to return the diesel import and regular gasoline market to Petróleos Mexicanos (PEMEX).

The changes are aimed at discouraging various practices related to the illicit hydrocarbon trade and ordering various economic activities in the sector to combat corruption and protect the national economy, as well as State income.

El Economista: Reforma a la Ley de Hidrocarburos para devolver mercado a PEMEX

4. Mexico singled out for violence against migrants

On Monday, March 29th, the Generational Equality Forum was inaugurated. President López Obrador, Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard and the Director of UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo, inaugurated the Forum to promote women’s rights. It is an international event dedicated to gender equality and the defense of women’s rights in the world.

In contrast, Mexico received claims from the International Organization for Migrants, the High Commissioner for Human Rights and Refugees, and UN Women, after the murder of a migrant from El Salvador in Tulum, Quintana Roo. International agencies requested an impartial investigation in line with human rights standards.

La Jornada: Agencias de ONU condenan asesinato de salvadoreña en Tulum.
Milenio: AMLO inaugura Foro Generación Igualdad

5. Number of deaths from COVID-19 could be 60% higher

The Ministry of Health has underreported COVID-19 deaths, according to excess deaths figures from across Mexico. In 2020, a total of 326,609 excess deaths were registered, 45% more than expected based on mortality figures from the previous five years. Of these excess deaths, 70.6% are thought to be related to COVID-19. Mexico City leads excess deaths, followed by the State of Mexico and Puebla.

On the other hand, the vaccination plan changed for the largest cities in the country, above other states. Mexico City, State of Mexico, Hidalgo, Puebla, Morelos, Querétaro and Tlaxcala figure among the national government’s priorities regarding vaccination.

Excélsior: Ligan con Covid 70% del exceso de muertes en el país.
Milenio: Secretaría de Salud presentará plan de vacunación en Megalópolis