1. Avocado in check due to security problems

In the context of Super Bowl LIV, avocado exports faced challenges entering the United States, one of the largest markets for the fruit. Last week, a US Department of Agriculture official received a threat from organized crime, prompting a swift and forceful reaction from the US government to protect its health inspectors in Mexico.

The Board of Directors of the Association of Producers and Packers Exporters of Avocado (APEAM) planned lines of action to solve the suspension of exports of the Mexican product. The government of Michoacán and United States officials agreed on workshops to discuss the necessary security elements and alleviate commercial tension for the main avocado exporter in the world.

El Economista: Hay avances rumbo a destrabar inspección de aguacates: Apeam

2. Santa Lucia between opportunity and risk

In a month, the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) will begin its operations, however, the challenge to face is to finish the redesign of the airspaces, essential to establish safety mechanisms in navigation, as well as speed up flights in the airspace of the Metropolitan Airport System (SAM), which has increased commercial airlines interest.

In addition, the airline industry is going through a recovery period, after the health crisis and internal economic problems, despite the latest positive data in the last quarter. The airlines have mobilized more than 54 million passengers in the last year, below 70.3 million in 2019. The new airport and its security systems will be decisive for the industry in the short term.

El Universal: Santa Lucía abrirá sin ajusto completo en espacio aéreo.
El Financiero: Aerolíneas mexicanas, aún lejos de los niveles prepandemia.

3. The national economic outlook weakens

The Mexican economy continues to deteriorate, based on the latest economic indicators from the Bank of Mexico (Banxico), the global monetary cycle, investor uncertainty, the rise in inflation, as well as the increases in the new Omicron variant. GDP fell in the fourth quarter of 2021, and they have forecast to lower the median from 2.7% in January to just 2% for February.

The Mexican Institute of Finance Executives (IMEF) stated that the foreign situation will be key for the economic growth, as part of the second year of recovery in the United States, which is predicted to be broad. The institute recommended tracking changes in oil prices and geopolitical conflicts that determine shifts in national economy.

El Financiero: IMEF ve malas señales para la recuperación de la economía mexicana en 2022.

4. New role of banks in illicit financing crimes

The amendments to Title Five of the Law of Credit Institutions, endorsed by the President’s party, Morena, stipulate that the Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF) will not be obliged to notify individuals when their accounts are frozen upon detection of indications of terrorist financing or money laundering, whether physical or moral. The Chamber of Deputies reformed the Law of Credit Institutions, with 266 votes in favor, which will force the bank to notify the blocking of accounts.

Some congressmen have questioned the constitutionality of the changes to the norm because it violates human rights. The FIU stated that new functions are not included in the order, so it will continue to be under the order of the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP).

Excélsior: La UIF se fortalece; congelará cuentas sin mediar aviso

5. Final details for Revocation of Mandate

The National Electoral Institute (INE) and the Ministry of the Interior endorsed the printing of more than 94 million ballots for the mandate revocation consultation, which will take place on April 10. The presiding officer of the INE, Lorenzo Córdova, clarified that the number of ballots did not depend on the current resources of the institute.

On the other hand, the same institute, through the Complaints and Denunciations Commission, ruled the suspension of government propaganda in favor of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, by the group of governors of the Morena party, of which the Federal Executive is a member. The institute will monitor any concerted action on the promotion of any political party during the electoral period.

Milenio: Inicia impresión de boletas para consulta de revocación de mandato.

Excélsior: INE ordena a gobernadores de la 4T eliminar comunicado en apoyo a López Obrador.