People’s Mañanera August 8
Every day, President Claudia Sheinbaum gives a morning presidential press conference and Mexico Solidarity Media posts English language summaries, translated by Mexico Solidarity’s Pedro Gellert Frank. Previous press conference summaries are available here.
Results of the Institute to Return Stolen Goods to the People Auction
Mónica Fernández, head of the Institute to Return Stolen Goods to the People, presented the results of its latest online auction. A total of 15,218 interested parties registered, of which 867 actively participated in bidding for various items. In total, 107,066 goods were sold, with committed sales amounting to over 40.95 million pesos (US$2.21 million).
President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that the funds raised will be allocated to Healthcare Centers included in the Amuzgo Justice Plan.
It was also reported that both online and in-person auctions will take place during August. On the website subastasenlinea.indep.gob.mx, direct sales of movable goods are also available, with prices ranging from 1 to 5,000 pesos (US$0.05 to US$269).
Promotion of Mexican Handicrafts
Marina Núñez, Deputy Minister for Cultural Development at the Ministry of Culture, reported that the economic activity generated by handicrafts in 2023 reached almost 156.36 billion pesos (US$8.43 billion), equivalent to 0.52% of GDP. She said that around 7,500 artisans have benefited directly or indirectly through events organized by the Ministry.
Cultural Appropriation of Artisan Designs
Núñez also denounced a case of cultural appropriation by Adidas and a designer, who reproduced traditional Yalalag huaraches sandals (from Oaxaca) without authorization. Adidas has reportedly contacted the state government and talks are underway to agree on reparations for the affected community.
Mexico Sings Contest and Cultural Promotion
Minister of Culture Claudia Curiel announced that the semifinals of the Mexico Sings contest will begin airing on Sunday, August 17, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM on public media. She explained that this contest is part of the Comprehensive Strategy for Addressing the Root Causes of Violence and Addictions.
Opinion on U.S. Security Policy
Sheinbaum commented on the executive order signed by President Donald Trump, authorizing the U.S. military to combat fentanyl trafficking. She clarified that this measure does not involve Mexican territory, as it is an internal U.S. question.
Announcement of Electoral Reform Forums
The President announced that during the August 11 morning press conference, Pablo Gómez will present the plan for holding consultation forums on the Electoral Reform. These forums will include participation from politicians, experts, National Electoral Institute (INE) board members, and representatives from Indigenous communities and civil society.
She clarified that the Presidential Commission for Electoral Reform will not prepare an initial proposal. Instead, the forums and debates will serve as the starting point for drafting new electoral legislation.
Recollection of 2006 Impeachment Attempt and Criticism of Conservatism
Sheinbaum recalled that Vicente Fox, Carlos Salinas, Diego Fernández, and sectors of the PRI and PAN tried to block Andrés Manuel López Obrador from becoming president through an impeachment attempt for allegedly violating a court injunction. Their goal was to disqualify him from the presidential race. She explained that the attempt failed due to popular support for AMLO and mass mobilizations. She also criticized the media campaign labeling AMLO “a danger to Mexico” and accused Luis Carlos Ugalde, then head of the IFE, of blocking a recount of the vote following the electoral fraud.
She recalled that this sparked a historic civil resistance that culminated in the Reforma Avenue sit-in, a symbol of the fight for democracy.
Criticism of Conservatism and the PAN
Finally, the President pointed out the hypocrisy of Mexican conservatism, noting that the PAN president—whom she linked to the real estate cartel in the Benito Juárez borough in Mexico City— was outraged because a governor rode in an SUV, while hiding much more serious scandals within his own party.
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Alito Moreno Corruption File Disappeared, Attorney General’s Office Never Charged Him
An interview with Hugo Eric Flores, the now-Morena Congressman with a right wing past of his own, on various barriers in the corruption cases dogging PRI President Alito Moreno.
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Analysis | Interviews | Labor
Delivering the Goods… Or Not.
Gilberto García of the International Transport Workers’ Federation says that workers possess enormous structural power: the potential to paralyze global trade.
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People’s Mañanera August 29
President Sheinbaum’s daily press conference, with comments on FIFA President meeting, excessive pensions, PEMEX corruption, Rubio visit, pharmaceuticals, first government report & the right wing anti-Noroña campaign.
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Forced Disappearance & Capitalism
What is more viable: a capitalism without violence or an anti-capitalist project?
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Elina Chauvet Mirrors the World
Chauvet is a largely self-taught artist who has been making work about gendered violence for decades, with a strength of vision that ties artistic and social justice movements.
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Analysis | Interviews | Labor
When Work Becomes a Crime
An interview with Dr. Maria Quintana on how making migration a question of legality evolved and how it puts all migrant workers at risk.
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Mexico & Brazil Sign Cooperation Agreements
Mexico and Brazil strengthened their ties with two agreements on new investments and the promotion of clean energy.
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Mexican Women Work More, But in Unpaid Labour
One of Mexico’s structural problems is that women spent twice as much time on unpaid work—66.8% of their total time—compared to men, who spent 33.2%.
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People’s Mañanera August 28
President Sheinbaum’s daily press conference, with comments on Development Hubs, footwear imports, chambers of congress promotions, USMCA, attack on Noroña, and upcoming government report.
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Opposition Insignificance & Desperation
Provocations on demand. Aggressions and abuses. Alito and Lilly aligned with the US. Paving the way for interventionism.
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The 4th Transformation: Political Regime Change & Popular Protagonism
The task of the Fourth Transformation and the Mexican people is to maintain popular protagonism, permanently building democratic elements to organize the economy as processes of economic deglobalization begin or deepen.
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The CIA & Corrupt Mexican Agents Created the Big Capos Era
The origins of organized crime and drug trafficking in Mexico begin with a CIA project of anti-communism, political repression, and right wing death squads deployed throughout Latin America.
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Soberanía 73: A Traitor In Our Midst
Ultra-right wing (& unelected) Senator Lilly Téllez calls for U.S. intervention in Mexico during a Fox News appearance, false claims from the DEA, Ken Klippenstein’s reporting on US invasion plans, & the Baker Institute’s flawed report.
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Relatives of the 43 Continue to Demand Justice
At the next meeting with President Claudia Sheinbaum, families of the 43 Aytozinapa students will ask to learn about the research team’s progress.
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Mexico City’s Mercomuna to Support 335,000 Families This Year
The expanded program replaces the previous subsidized cards, which could only be used at large chains, with vouchers redeemable at public markets and neighbourhood stores.
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CNTE Says Funding Agreed Upon with Government Hasn’t been Delivered
The teachers say bureaucratic procedures have delayed funding as well as computers and projectors for schools, which have been needed since AMLO’s term.
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People’s Mañanera August 26
President Sheinbaum’s daily press conference, with comments on solar-thermal plants, medicine supply, organized crime & US cooperation, new neoliberal party, crime, and the welfare state.
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Kristi Noem Signs Waiver for Texas Border Wall Construction
The waiver allows US Department of Homeland Security to waive any legal requirement, including environmental laws, to ensure rapid construction of five miles of border wall.
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A Revolution in the Judiciary
Appeals to international courts remain pending, but they cannot overturn Mexico’s judicial reform and will have no more value than a declaration; they cannot oppose the sovereign decision to elect the judiciary.
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The Project That Was Never “A Danger to Mexico”
The myths that have been in public debate for more than twenty years about the economic danger represented by the Fourth Transformation should forever be put to rest.
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People’s Mañanera August 25
President Sheinbaum’s daily press conference, with comments on basic basket of good prices, post-secondary education reforms, medicines supply, Senator Lilly Téllez, Rubio in Mexico, & Ángel Aguirre.
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US-China Conflict Favours US Investment in Mexico
American political and media scaremongering about China at the gates belies a simple truth: the Mexican economy is still captive to US corporate investment.
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Clicks August 24
Our weekly roundup of Mexican political stories in the English and Spanish language press, including Trump vs cartels, judicial reform, Indigenous communities vs ICE, Sheinbaum vs DEA, AMLO vs poverty, Harfuch’s power, & CATEM.
