Daily: Mexico Political 28.01.2026

FEATURED STORY

President Sheinbaum defended oil shipments to Cuba as a sovereign decision, but did not confirm whether they will continue

• President Sheinbaum stated in her morning press conference that the cancellation of an oil shipment to Cuba was a sovereign decision and not a response to pressure from the US. She emphasized that the state-owned oil company PEMEX can act for commercial or humanitarian reasons and that Mexico will continue to show solidarity with the island.
• However, Republican lawmakers in Florida warned of consequences if the supply is not stopped. The president avoided confirming whether the shipments have been suspended and highlighted bilateral cooperation on health issues, such as the use of Cuban technology to treat diabetic foot in Mexican clinics.

EXECUTIVE BRANCH & PRESIDENCY

President defended reduction in salaries and benefits at the Supreme Court following controversies over luxuries 

• Following controversies over new robes and luxury SUVs, President Sheinbaum presented a comparative breakdown of the incomes of former ministers and current members of the Supreme Court at her morning press conference. She highlighted that the new ministers, elected by popular vote, receive 2.2 million pesos per year compared to the previous 3.5 million, representing a 38% decrease. In addition, benefits fell from 1.3 million in 2023 to 569,802 in 2026, and from September 2025, benefits such as major medical insurance, seniority bonuses, and hazard pay are no longer granted.

Interoceanic Train driver arrested after accident in Oaxaca 

• Felipe de Jesús “N”, the driver of the train that derailed on December 28 in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, causing 14 deaths, was arrested in Chiapas by the Federal Ministerial Police. Attorney General Ernestina Godoy presented her conclusions on the case, confirming that there were no technical faults in the superstructure or the braking system, but that the train was traveling at excessive speed, and that criminal proceedings will therefore be brought against those responsible.

LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENTS

Congress opens legislative agenda for February 

• The Lower House will meet on February 1 and 2, without a long weekend for the anniversary of the Constitution, to make progress on issues such as contentious proceedings, sexual abuse, and organized crime, according to MORENA’s Coordinator, Ricardo Monreal. Meanwhile, Senate President Laura Itzel Castillo Juarez announced that in the Senate, MORENA will prioritize reforms on faceless judges and the reduction of the work week to 40 hours in the second regular session.

Progress and tensions continue in the electoral reform negotiations 

• The Ministry of the Interior reported progress in meetings with MORENA, PT, and PVEM to present the electoral reform initiative in February, with MORENA’s Coordinator Ricardo Monreal ruling out alternative proposals from the Lower House. However, the San Luis Potosí, Governor, Ricardo Gallardo, warned that the project has not been sufficiently publicized and could affect the PVEM, which is demanding clear benefits before supporting the changes.

FOREIGN POLICY

61% of Mexicans support US military intervention against cartels, survey reveals

• In light of recent threats by the United States regarding possible military intervention, a survey by Cripeso reveals a striking fact: the majority of Mexicans would support US troop operations on national territory. 

Russia Launches Migration Initiative to Attract Talent in Mexico

• The Russian Embassy in Mexico announced its ‘Migration Initiative to Attract Global Talent 2026’, which allows Mexican citizens to move to Russia. Published in Presidential Decree No. 883, this program seeks to repatriate foreigners who wish to contribute their skills. Accelerated migration procedures are offered, including temporary and permanent residence permits without the need for Russian language exams.

Mexico Considers Trump's Invitation to Gaza’s Board of Peace

• Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo confirmed that the government received an invitation from US President Donald Trump to participate in the Board of Peace. Sheinbaum explained that the response is being evaluated in accordance with the country's constitutional and foreign policy principles, and that the decision will be announced this week. 

President ruled out use of AI in Ryan Wedding photo  

• President Sheinbaum denied that the image of former Canadian athlete Ryan Wedding in front of the US embassy was created using artificial intelligence. She pointed out that social media automatically flags this type of content and that the photo was shared by the embassy itself. Meanwhile, Wedding's lawyer, Anthony Colombo, clarified that Wedding did not voluntarily surrender in Mexico but was arrested, and at his first hearing in California, he pleaded not guilty to 17 charges.

President requests extradition to the US of suspects linked to fuel theft and the Ayotzinapa case  

• President Sheinbaum said she asked the US to extradite individuals linked to fuel smuggling and the Ayotzinapa case, emphasizing that cooperation must be carried out with respect for Mexican sovereignty. The request was made directly to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who expressed his willingness to cooperate, although the extraditions have not yet been finalized and there are outstanding arrest warrants against those involved in fuel theft.

Political Parties

Fractures in MORENA and its allies threaten unity ahead of 2027 midterms

• Tensions between Morena, the PT, and the PVEM have escalated into a crisis marked by the rejection of the electoral reform and disputes over state candidacies. Within the MORENA party, MORENA’s Coordinator Ricardo Monreal is pushing for the reelection of Superior Auditor David Colmenares against the opposition of Alfonso Ramírez Cuéllar, a key Sheinbaum ally.
• For its part, the Green Party has warned that it will not support changes that reduce multi-member districts and funding, and the PT faces divisions reflected in Oaxaca, where Benjamín Robles Montoya lashed out at Governor Salomón Jara. Looking ahead to 2027, both parties are considering competing without MORENA in key states, encouraged by recent victories in Veracruz and Durango, which puts the cohesion of the ruling coalition at risk.

Citizens' Movement Commits to Growth in 2027 Elections

• Jorge Álvarez Máynez, national coordinator of the Citizens' Movement (MC), stated that the party will not compete in a coalition at the federal level in the 2027 midterm elections. However, the leader is open to local alliances with parties such as the Sonoran Party in Sonora. Álvarez Máynez mentioned that MC seeks to differentiate itself from other parties and has detected growing interest among citizens, especially given the disappointment with the MORENA government in several states.

Local Politics

International Collaboration in the Murder of the Mayor of Uruapan

• Carlos Alejandro Bautista Tafolla, an independent congressman, announced that more than 50 people are expected to be arrested in connection with the murder of the mayor of Uruapan, Carlos Manzo Rodríguez. The legislator highlighted the collaboration of US authorities and the State Attorney General's Office in the investigation, which has already resulted in 15 arrests, including Jorge Armando Gómez Sánchez, leader of the CJNG.

Controversy surrounding the Baja California Governor due to her ex-husband's corruption

• The Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila is under pressure due to allegations of corruption directed at her ex-husband, Carlos Torres. The Attorney General's Office  is investigating Torres for his possible links to organized crime, which has led Vania Pérez, president of the Citizen Participation Committee of the National Anti-Corruption System, to request that Ávila step down from her position so as not to obstruct the investigations. Ávila confirmed that her divorce from Torres took place in October 2025, but the stain on her image persists.