1. Federal Government seeks agreement with Canadian companies in gas pipeline dispute

The Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) was reported to have started a trial against Infraestructura Marina del Golfo (IMG), a joint venture between TransCanada and IEnova, over “abusive” pipeline contracts, including a gas pipeline running from Texas to the Mexican Gulf coast port of Tuxpan.

The Canadian Ambassador in Mexico, Pierre Alarie, expressed concerns about contracts not being honored with IMG. President López Obrador said that the Federal Government is seeking an agreement to solve the issue without hurting public funds.

Excélsior: Va México por acuerdo con Canadá para evitar daños por gasoductos

2. National Guard to be deployed in Mexico City over security concerns

According to President López Obrador, Mexico City has faced a crime wave over the last year due to previous local administrations’ lack of interest regarding the city’s security.

To combat the rising tide of crime, the President announced that the security force will be officially deployed next Sunday to help Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum solve the local security crisis.

El Economista: Guardia Nacional operará en toda la CDMX por inseguridad: AMLO

3. Foreign Secretary and Finance Secretary to attend G20 Summit 

President López Obrador confirmed he won’t attend the 2019 G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan. The Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Marcelo Ebrard, and the Secretary of Finances, Carlos Urzúa, will attend the international forum on his behalf. The summit hopes to address climate change, protectionism and respect for international trade laws.

According to Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Julián Ventura, Mexico will hold bilateral meetings with G20 countries and seek the support of Japan and South Korea on the Mexican migration issue. Also, Mexico and Japan will preside over discussions on anti-corruption measures.

Aristegui Noticias: No habrá espacios en la cumbre del G-20 donde la voz de México no se escuche: SRE

4. Crisis among Mexican public media intensifies following budget cuts to Mexican Radio Institute

Many critics have voiced their discontent in light of the termination of employees during the second quarter of the year and other adjustments caused by budget cuts forcing the Mexican Institute of Radio (IMER) to halt the production of 2,900 hours of programming.

Opposition parties spoke about how media agencies shouldn’t be used as ideological tools, nor dismantled. To that effect, President López Obrador stated during a press conference that injustices will be corrected but austerity measures will continue as planned.

El Economista: Medios y públicos

5. Lawyer of Emilio Lozoya, accused of corruption in PEMEX case, and Mexico’s Attorney General, says he faces no conflict of interest

Attorney Javier Coello Trejo,  part of the legal team defending former PEMEX head Emilio Lozoya in a high-profile corruption case, was discovered to have been the legal representative of Mexico’s Attorney General Alejandro Gertz Manero.

Coello Trejo assured he faces no conflict of interest representing both parties as he’s working in strict compliance with the law. Lozoya’s defense also made it clear that former President Enrique Peña Nieto will be called to testify.

Animal Político: “No me enfrento al fiscal”: Abogado de Lozoya niega conflicto por ser apoderado de Gertz