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1. US again closes the border to Mexican cattle

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the immediate closure of the border to cattle, bison, and horses from Mexico due to a screwworm. President Claudia Sheinbaum has defended her government’s work to combat this parasite through scientific and sanitary protocols.

The last ban on Mexican cattle lasted seven weeks between May and June, causing losses of 700 million pesos. However, Brooke Rollins, head of the agency in the U.S., had announced that collaboration between both countries had yielded results, allowing trade to resume, as no notable increases had been observed in the last eight weeks. Now, the Mexican government is once again being asked to make further progress to reopen livestock ports.

El País: Estados Unidos vuelve a cerrar la frontera para el ganado mexicano por el gusano barrenador

2. Reform is being prepared to prosecute extortion

President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that she has sent a constitutional reform initiative to create a General Law Against Extortion, as she acknowledged that it is a crime that continues to increase. She seeks for this crime to be prosecuted ex officio throughout the country, granting the necessary powers to legislate on this issue uniformly nationwide.

The President added that the State will assume the responsibility of investigating and prosecuting the crime, without the burden of reporting falling exclusively on the victims. She also emphasized that with the approval of this constitutional reform, it will be possible to advance towards a general law that obliges all federal entities to harmonize their legislation. This reform is linked to the National Strategy against Extortion led by the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection and the Security Cabinet to combat one of the crimes with the greatest economic and emotional impact in the country. The initiative will be sent on, July 16th, to the Chamber of Deputies to begin its analysis and discussion.

El Economista: Sheinbaum impulsa reforma constitucional para perseguir la extorsión de oficio

Excelsior: Iniciativa Sheinbaum ley extorsión llega Comisión Permanente

3. Government announces dates for passenger train tender

The Federal Government announced the dates for the tenders for the Querétaro-Irapuato and Saltillo-Nuevo Laredo railway lines, and the acquisition of electric trains for the Mexico City-Pachuca section. Andrés Lajous, Director General of the Agency for Trains and Public Transport, detailed that on July 18th, the call for bids will be published for 70 km from Querétaro to Irapuato, 100 km from Monterrey to Arroyo El Suez, and 117 km from Derramadero to Santa Catarina.

Also, the call for bids will be published to acquire 15 electric trains that will operate from Buenavista to the AFA, thus ensuring fast, comfortable journeys and guaranteeing a connection for all people living in Hidalgo to reach their work and study destinations in Mexico City. The call for an international public tender for the acquisition of units for this passenger route was published on the ComprasMX portal, and an investment of 50,000 million pesos is estimated, with 20% of that amount allocated for the purchase of trains, maintenance, and construction of workshops.

El Economista: Gobierno anuncia fechas para licitación de proyectos de trenes de pasajeros

ARTF comprará 15 trenes para la ruta México-Pachuca

4. After new tariff threat, pharmaceutical industry seeks better conditions

Mexico is seeking a new regional axis for developing and producing innovative medicines, with the launch of a strategic pharmaceutical plan that aims to strengthen its commercial ties with the United States and establish key alliances with Asia. The plan contemplates a relocation of active pharmaceutical ingredients, for which Mexico is already coordinating strategies with the U.S. and with Asian countries to guarantee the supply of key inputs.

From the Senate of the Republic, the president of the Health Commission, José Manuel Cruz, supported the collaborative efforts and announced legal commitments that will accelerate access to innovation. For his part, the Secretary of Health, David Kershenobich, confirmed that Cofepris is moving towards its modernization as a more agile and efficient regulatory agency. This announcement comes after the imposition of new tariffs by the U.S. on copper and pharmaceutical products, which is why Mexico is already working on strategies that include bilateral negotiations and the diversification of exports.

Milenio: México lanza plan farmacéutico para atraer innovación y fortalecer vínculo con EU y Asia

El Economista: Sheinbaum afirma que México ya trabaja en plan para mitigar aranceles al cobre y sector farmacéutico

5. Ministry of Finance requests extension from the US for 3 sanctioned banks

The U.S. Department of the Treasury, through its Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), announced a 45-day extension for the effective date of its financial blockade against three Mexican banks accused of participating in money laundering for cartels trafficking fentanyl.

President Claudia Sheinbaum reported that this extension was granted thanks to the intervention of the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit. She also detailed that the banks’ trusts have already been intervened by the Ministry of Finance and there are no other issues. Additionally, the President has assured that the Department of the Treasury has no proof regarding these accusations.

Milenio: Prórroga a bancos, por solicitud de la Secretaría de Hacienda: Sheinbaum

El Financiero: Sheinbaum revela que Hacienda pidió prórroga a EU para CIBanco, Intercam y Vector