January 16th, 2026
1. Sheinbaum-Trump call: Mexican sovereignty and bilateral tensions
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and US President Donald Trump held a telephone call in which they discussed key issues such as security, drug trafficking, and bilateral cooperation. During the conversation, Sheinbaum reaffirmed Mexico’s sovereignty, rejecting any possibility of US military intervention to combat the cartels. Although the call defused the immediate threat of intervention, experts warn that it could open a period of high pressure from the US, with security demands that are difficult to meet and a possible increase in covert operations on Mexican territory. Trump, who has said in the past that cartels “rule Mexico,” is seeking tangible results in the fight against drug trafficking, which could include the surrender of criminal leaders and political figures linked to organized crime.
The call also addressed the situation in Venezuela. Although no specific details were revealed, President Sheinbaum noted that the United States respected Mexico’s position based on its constitutional principle of non-intervention. She also highlighted President Trump’s cordiality in this and all other calls she has had with the U.S. president.
Animal Político: Llamada de Sheinbaum y Trump abre escenarios de alta presión de Estados Unidos sobre México, prevén expertos
El Universal: “Tuvimos una muy buena conversación”; Sheinbaum y Trump hablan sobre el respeto a la soberanía en llamada telefónica
2. Mexican government defends USMCA
President Claudia Sheinbaum defended the validity and relevance of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and highlighted the high degree of economic integration between Mexico and the US, after Donald Trump described the agreement as “irrelevant” and “having no real advantage” for his country. Sheinbaum pointed out that part of this economic interdependence is reflected in supply chains, recalling that during recent conflicts with U.S. agricultural producers that led to the temporary closure of a bridge in Ciudad Juárez, U.S. authorities themselves pressed for its reopening due to the immediate impact on their industrial production. She also pointed out that around 400,000 vehicles cross the border every day and bilateral trade exceeds $300 billion, figures that demonstrate the magnitude of economic integration.
For his part, Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard confirmed that the review of the USMCA is progressing favorably, with a preliminary document expected by the end of January and a conclusion scheduled for July 1. Ebrard stressed that Mexico seeks to strengthen the treaty without making substantial changes, prioritizing parity in labor mechanisms, compliance with parallel letters, and agility in the dispute resolution system. He stressed that the USMCA is “strategic and indispensable” for the three countries and noted that the dialogue with the sectors involved has been professional and constructive.
El Economista: Sheinbaum defiende el T-MEC tras nuevos dichos de Trump; subraya la integración económica con EU
Proceso: México busca que haya paridad en el T-MEC y se fortalezca: Ebrard confirma revisión
3. President and Morena outline legislative agenda
President Claudia Sheinbaum met with the parliamentary coordinators of her party, Morena, from both chambers of Congress to outline the legislative agenda for the next regular session, which begins on February 1, 2026. Among the most notable proposals are several labor reforms, such as reducing the work week to 40 hours, which would be implemented gradually starting in 2027, and the inclusion of new provisions to prevent workplace violence, such as harassment and discrimination, in the Federal Labor Law. Also being considered are equal pay inspections to close the gender gap, increased paternity leave, and the possibility of increasing the Christmas bonus and mandatory holidays.
Representative Ricardo Monreal, coordinator in the Chamber of Deputies, confirmed that eight new reform initiatives will be discussed, including electoral reform, which seeks, among other things, to reduce public funding for political parties and electoral bodies, as well as to guarantee the autonomy of the INE, although the proposal is still being drafted and may not have the support of the PVEM and PT allied parties. It should be noted that the plenary session of the Morena parliamentary group, attended by all the party’s legislators, is scheduled for January 31 at the Legislative Palace of San Lázaro and will be attended by various secretaries of state.
El Economista: 6 reformas laborales que podrían ver la luz en 2026
4. Cell phone registration 2026: Biometric CURP as a new requirement
new requirement for cell phone registration has come into effect in Mexico, which seeks to link mobile lines to their authentic owners through the use of biometric CURP. This registration, which must be completed during the first half of 2026, aims to combat crimes associated with the anonymous use of phones. Biometric CURP is an advanced version of the Unique Population Registry Code that includes facial recognition and fingerprint technology to verify users’ identities.
The registration process can be done in person or online, where users must provide valid official identification and biometric CURP, as well as perform a life test to validate their identity. The information is cross-checked with the National Population Registry to ensure its authenticity. Authorities have urged users to complete the registration as soon as possible to avoid service interruptions and contribute to national security, although numerous associations have warned of the risks involved, such as the government itself using the information for other purposes or users becoming victims of hacking due to inadequate safeguards.
5. Pilgrim’s announces $1.3 billion investment in Mexico to boost regional development
The Mexican government announced that global company Pilgrim’s, one of the world’s largest producers and suppliers of chicken and food products, will invest $1.3 billion in the country between 2026 and 2030 as part of Plan Mexico, a strategy that seeks to attract foreign investment and strengthen the national economy. This investment will focus on infrastructure development and operations within the food industry, generating more than 4,000 direct jobs and 16,000 indirect jobs. In addition to promoting job creation, the project aims to strengthen local supply chains and promote economic growth in strategic regions.
The distribution of resources will be geared toward benefiting several states in the country. Durango and Coahuila will receive $200 million, earmarked for improving production capacities in these entities. Querétaro, San Luis Potosí, and Hidalgo will receive an investment of $150 million, focused on infrastructure modernization. Finally, Veracruz, Campeche, and Yucatán will be the biggest beneficiaries, with $950 million earmarked for large-scale projects in the region.
Gobierno de México: Plan México: Empresa global Pilgrim’s invertirá en el país mil 300 millones de dólares para 2026-2030; generará 20 mil empleosl