1. Mexico’s response to Ukraine and Russia conflict

After the invasion of Ukraine ordered by the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, through a special military operation in the Donbas region, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Marcelo Ebrard, stated that the Mexican embassy in Kiev did not report incidents by of the Mexican community in Ukraine, while condemning the act.

The Mexican government reiterated its rejection of the use of force and explained its refusal to question the integrity of an independent country like Ukraine. For his part, the Permanent Representative of Mexico to the United Nations (UN), Juan Ramón de la Fuente, explained that the Security Council awaits a new draft resolution that the United States will present to resolve this conflict.

El País: México eleva el tono y condena la invasión de Rusia a Ucrania.

2. The national economy lowers its growth forecast

Economic activity in Mexico stagnated in January 2022, despite an advance in December 2021. The Timely Indicator of Economic Activity (IOAE for its acronym in Spanish) estimates a variation of the Global Indicator of Economic Activity (IGAE) with a monthly decrease of 0.15 % in the first month. Despite the signs of growth, the dynamism necessary for a consistent recovery has not been achieved.

In addition, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) cut Mexico’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) forecast to 2.3%, compared to the 3.3% considered in December, and recommended the reactivation of investment to detonate the national economy. On the other hand, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador held a meeting with members of the Business Coordinating Council (CCE), in which they agreed to increase social spending in Mexico based on a new dynamic of collaboration.

Forbes: OCDE pronostica crecimiento de 2.3% del PIB de México en 2022; resalta buen manejo de deuda.
El Economista: AMLO despide con una comida a Carlos Salazar, jefe del CCE; “no todo fue miel sobre hojuelas, pero prevalecieron las coincidencias”, dijo.

3. 2020 Public Account reveals local resources losses

The Federal Superior Audit Office (ASF, for its acronym in Spanish) published the 2020 Public Account. This report reveals that entities must clarify an amount of MXN $31,788 million on the federalized expenditure for that year, which amounts to MXN $39,567 million. The report points to municipal governments, judicial powers, and local congresses.

The federalized expenditure is important since it represents 32.6% of the total net Federal expenditure, which indicates a strong dependence on Federal resources, resulting in a careless management of public spending. In total, 1,616 audits were carried out, of which 76.9% refer to federal spending, 9.8% to economic development, 7.1% to social development, and 6.3% to government.

Excélsior: Gobiernos locales pierden el rastro a casi 32 mil mdp, según Cuenta Pública 2020.

4. SCJN will determine the constitutionality of the Electricity Industry Law

The Supreme Court of Justice (SCJN for its acronym in Spanish) stopped the amparo lawsuits for the Law of the Electricity Industry in courts throughout the country. The ministers must rule on the constitutionality of the LIE and determine its enforceability and scope, since several energy companies with cogeneration and self-supply plants, as well as wind and solar companies, have filed injunctions to limit the effects of this Law.

The energy sector pointed out that the rule altered the principles of free competition and concurrence, by creating links to the network of the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), one of the companies that seeks to strengthen its capacities under the initiative of constitutional reform in electrical matters promoted by the Federal Executive. Until the Supreme Court evaluates the action of unconstitutionality, there will be no court that can address this type of protection for the sector.

La Jornada: Frena la SCJN ola de amparos contra la reforma eléctrica.

5. The climate of violence against journalists in Mexico

Mexico is one of the most dangerous countries to be a journalist. The climate of violence against the union has drawn the attention of the United States, which has requested to redouble efforts to guarantee a free journalism exercise in a complete manner, through its Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, as well as some congressmen, with protections in the entities with the most cases of violence.

Regarding this issue, the Secretary of Foreign Relations Marcelo Ebrard sent a letter to the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, to point out that local and federal authorities are investigating the cases of journalists who have been murdered. Although the Secretariat for Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC) has reported on the status of the investigations into the murder of journalists, in fact, there is ongoing concern about the growing intimidation of journalists in Mexico.

El Financiero: Ebrard responde a Blinken: AMLO rinde cuentas exclusivamente a México