May 1st, 2026
1. The United States accuses a Mexican governor and other officials of drug trafficking
The U.S. Department of Justice filed an indictment against Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya and nine other current and former Mexican officials, including Morena Senator Enrique Inzunza and the mayor of the state capital, Juan de Dios Gámez Mendívil. According to the indictment, the defendants allegedly used their public offices to facilitate the trafficking of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine to the United States in exchange for bribes, in addition to providing information on law enforcement operations, protecting drug shipments, and committing weapons-related crimes in collaboration with the Sinaloa Cartel.
In response, President Sheinbaum stated that if there is no clear evidence, the charges are politically motivated, and she emphasized that Mexico will not allow interference from a foreign government. She also noted that the FGR will review the documentation sent by the United States and, if warranted, will launch its own investigation. For their part, opposition parties made strong allegations regarding possible links between the ruling party and drug trafficking; the Movimiento Ciudadano party even filed a motion to strip Rocha Moya, Inzunza, and Gámez Mendívil of their parliamentary immunity.
Aristegui Noticias: Estados Unidos acusa de narcotráfico al gobernador de Sinaloa y otros nueve funcionarios en activo y retirados
Reporte Índigo: Interpone MC solicitud de desafuero contra el gobernador Rubén Rocha
2. Federal government signs agreements to boost the banking and steel sectors
The federal government announced an agreement with the Mexican Banking Association and the Voucher Companies Association to reduce, effective May 1, the fees charged to gas stations for accepting card and voucher payments, with the aim of keeping the final price of fuels—including diesel—in check. The measure will remain in effect until October 31 and aims to ensure that savings on transaction costs are passed on to consumers, amid high international oil prices. According to the Ministry of Finance, the agreement will eliminate interchange fees on debit and credit card payments and reduce commissions on the use of vouchers, which, according to the government, will help keep prices stable for end users and accelerate the digitization of the economy.
At the same time, Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum signed the Agreement for the Promotion of the Mexican Steel Industry, as part of Plan México, alongside 19 public institutions and three business chambers. The agreement focuses on three key areas: public procurement, industrial policy, and financing, with the aim of strengthening domestic steel production, boosting supply chains, and supporting employment in the sector. The Secretary of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation (SICT), Jesús Esteva, noted that, for this year, more than one million tons of steel are projected to be used for bridges, schools, and trains, which will translate into an investment of approximately 18 billion pesos.
El Economista: Banca reducirá las comisiones a gasolineras por aceptar pagos con tarjetas a partir del 1 de mayo
Milenio: Sheinbaum presenta acuerdo para impulsar industria siderúrgica en México
3. New shake-up in the presidential cabinet aimed at renewing Morena’s national leadership
President Sheinbaum officially announced Ariadna Montiel’s departure from the Ministry of Social Welfare, noting that she is stepping down to take on other responsibilities within the Fourth Transformation movement. According to various reports in the media, Montiel will seek to lead the national leadership of the Morena party, which would make sense, given that, following the announcement, she met with the party’s parliamentary group coordinator in the Chamber of Deputies, Ricardo Monreal Ávila—a move that could be interpreted as a bid to secure support from Morena’s leadership.
Meanwhile, Leticia Ramírez, former Secretary of Public Education during President López Obrador’s six-year term, who was serving as coordinator of Intergovernmental Affairs and Social Participation for the Office of the President, will take over the agency responsible for most of the federal government’s social programs. The official has been criticized in the past for her limited experience in public administration, although her appointment is more a recognition of her loyalty to Mayor Sheinbaum.
La Jornada: Ariadna Montiel sale de la Secretaría de Bienestar; va por dirigencia de Morena
Excélsior: Ricardo Monreal respalda a Ariadna Montiel en su camino a la dirigencia de Morena
4. The regular legislative period of Congress has concluded
The Chamber of Deputies and the Senate of the Republic concluded their regular session, thereby establishing the Permanent Commission, which will remain in office until September 1. Before concluding the session, the Chamber of Deputies approved the formation of two special committees: one to monitor the review of the USMCA and another to assess the impacts of artificial intelligence on public life. In addition, members were appointed to various bicameral committees. For its part, the Senate of the Republic closed the session with a heated debate over the U.S. indictment of Senator Inzunza for possible ties to drug trafficking.
Regarding the issues to be addressed by the Permanent Commission, the possibility was mentioned that it might convene a special session to discuss pending matters, including a potential reform related to the judicial process, although this has not been confirmed. In addition to addressing issues on the political agenda, particularly relations with the U.S. in the context of the World Cup and the USMCA, the leadership of both chambers of Congress must be renewed in August. Morena will retain the Senate presidency but not the presidency of the Chamber of Deputies, which will be held by the Green Ecologist Party.
El Sol de México: Diputados eligen a integrantes de la Comisión Permanente para el receso legislativo
Senado de la República: Senado de la República concluye trabajos del Segundo Periodo Ordinario de Sesiones
5. Grupo México announced an agreement in the energy sector
Grupo México announced the signing of a definitive agreement to combine its power generation assets with Saavi Energía, a company owned by Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a subsidiary of BlackRock. The transaction will bring together 14 power plants located in high-demand areas of the country, with a combined capacity of 4,510 MW, in addition to a project portfolio of approximately 5,000 MW.
Upon completion of the transaction, Saavi will have a shareholding structure of 70% for Grupo México and 30% for GIP. According to the company, the merger aims to generate economies of scale, strengthen the efficiency and resilience of the energy portfolio, and consolidate Saavi as one of the leading private electricity generators in Mexico. The transaction is still subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to close during the third quarter of 2026.
Bloomberg: Grupo México fusionará activos de energía con Saavi, propiedad de BlackRock
El Financiero: Grupo México y BlackRock crean gigante de la electricidad en México: ¿Qué sabemos de la fusión?