MI’s Mexico Foreign Press Chatter, September 12, 2025
Crime and punishment dominated headlines this week. Most notably, Reuters reported on the CIA’s covert but “massive” collaboration with US-vetted Mexican elite military units, which has led to the capture of cartel leaders. While the US has a long history of concealed involvement in LatAm, the story notes this has expanded under President Trump, as his administration deploys more resources, though still stopping short of unilateral strikes in Mexican territory, which President Sheinbaum has repeatedly characterized as a “red line”.
US pressure was also linked to the high-profile arrests of Mexican naval officers allegedly involved in fuel smuggling, which the FT described as “the biggest scandal in years”, threatening the Navy’s strong reputation. The AP reported “many more” arrests are expected, as observers believe “a great deal of corruption” is needed for these criminal networks to succeed; officials included Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch pushed back, maintaining these were “isolated cases”.
And in yet more trans-border crime, US federal authorities charged Naasón Joaquín García, leader of the high-profile, Guadalajara-based La Luz del Mundo church, with trafficking women and children. Mr. García is already serving a 16-year sentence on related state charges in California since 2022, the NYT reported.
On business and the economy, the biggest news of the week was the Mexican government’s surprise announcement of tariffs of up to 50% on Chinese cars, described by analysts quoted by Reuters as a “major overhaul” that is likely “aimed at placating the US”. In response, China signaled it could retaliate, urging Mexico to “think twice”, Bloomberg reported. The budget proposal, disclosed this week, also gathered some headlines, with Bloomberg highlighting a higher tax bill for banks, but increased support for Pemex, which in turn saw a rating upgrade by Moody’s. Meanwhile, Reuters reported AT&T is unlikely to participate in upcoming spectrum auctions, and the NYT noted Mexico has seen lower remittances from the US. More optimistically, Bloomberg covered renewed “signs of life” in Mexico’s stock market, with several companies planning IPOs.
Shifting gears, culinary news surprisingly overlapped with bilateral tensions: after Eater last week highlighted American chefs’ fondness for Mexico City’s food, the NYT explored how chilangos have been less than receptive of the expat-driven reshaping of the capital’s dining scene. The piece traces tensions over gentrification, rising prices, and a wave of New York-style spots that locals say are diluting the city’s culinary identity, including its salsas’ sacrosanct spiciness. And in sports news, Reuters noted a report warned of the risks posed by extreme heat during next year’s World Cup, surprising exactly no one who’s ever been spent a summer day in Monterrey, one of six host cities called out.
Podcasts in English on Mexico
On this week’s MexMoves, Damian and Eduardo interview Didi’s Sigfried Eisennmeier on the company’s expansion in Mexico. They also discuss Klar’s acquisition of Banorte’s Bineo; the upcoming Esentia Energy IPO; Mexico’s decision to impose tariffs on imports from China and other countries; the 2026 budget; and Amazon’s investment in Rappi. You can listen to it here.
In CSIS’s Mexico Matters, Mariana Campero interviews Ioan Grillo, a journalist specializing in organized crime. They talk about internal cartel wars, benefits that the designation of cartels as terror organizations could bring, the complications of going after the money, and how the use of military grade weaponry is changing the realities of this war. It is available here.
Photo of the Week
Lupita Ricardo, a tlacoyo and quesadilla cook with a family stand operating for over 40 years, works in front of the restaurant Maizajo. Photo by Luis Antonio Rojas for The New York Times.
FOREIGN PRESS COVERAGE
Inside the CIA’s secret fight against Mexico’s drug cartels
09/10/25, Reuters, Drazen Jorgic and Laura Gottesdiener
Mexican navy scandal rocks top US cartel-fighting partner
09/10/25, Financial Times, Christine Murray
Mexico says it’s cracking down on fuel theft and critics say it underscores the depth of the problem
09/07/25, AP News, Megan Janetsky
U.S. Accuses Pastor of Creating an International Sex-Abuse Operation
09/10/25, The New York Times, Benjamin Weiser
10 Killed and 61 Injured in Mexico After Train Crashes Into Bus
09/08/25, The New York Times, James Wagner
Mexico City Gas Explosion Kills 8 and Injures at Least 90
09/10/25, The New York Times, Emiliano Rodríguez Mega
Mexico to raise tariffs on cars from China to 50% in major overhaul
09/10/25, Reuters, Ana Isabel Martinez and Adriana Barrera
China Gives Mexico Stiff Warning Over Tariffs Seen Appeasing US
09/11/25, Bloomberg, Staff
Citi’s Banamex, Spanish Banks Set to Pay Up in Mexico Tax Tweak
09/09/25, Bloomberg, Michael O’Boyle
Mexico Includes $14 Billion in 2026 Budget to Pay Pemex Debt
09/09/25, Bloomberg, Scott Squires
Moody’s Follows Fitch With Pemex Upgrade on Mexico Support
09/09/25, Bloomberg, Kelsey Butler and Scott Squires
AT&T unlikely to take part in next Mexico spectrum auction, source says
09/10/25, Reuters, Sarah Morland
Deportation Fears Are Fueling Money Transfers to Latin America
09/08/25, The New York Times, James Wagner
Mexico’s Sleepy Stock Market Stirs With Latest Listing Plans
09/11/25, Bloomberg, Kelsey Butler
What Happened to Mexico City’s Food Scene? Americans.
09/08/25, The New York Times, Priya Krishna
Extreme heat a rising threat to 2026 World Cup venues, says report
09/09/25, Reuters, Martyn Herman
Download PDF: MI-MexicoForeignPressChatter-091225
