Editor’s briefing for the week commencing 8 September 2025
Monday 8 Sept
Fourteen people — including six Navy personnel, customs officials, and businesspeople — were arrested as part of a large operation targeting illegal fuel smuggling (“huachicol”). The case centers on a seizure of a tanker in Tampico in March, which exposed a scheme of misclassifying diesel as petrochemical to evade import taxes, and authorities say further arrests — possibly involving more government officials — are expected.
Thousands of residents of Culiacán marched for peace after a year of brutal cartel infighting between the Los Chapitos and Los Mayos factions, which has left over 1,800 dead and about 2,800 missing. They demanded stronger government action, the governor’s resignation, and relief for businesses crippled by violence.
The Foreign Affairs Committee of Peru’s Congress approved a motion declaring President Sheinbaum “persona non grata” due to her refusal to recognize Dina Boluarte as the country’s president. The motion will now go to Peru’s full Congress for a vote. Sheinbaum has called the ousting of Peru’s former president Pedro Castillo a “coup.”
Tuesday 9 Sept
Mexico’s 2026 budget proposal clocks in at MXN$10.19 trillion pesos (US$547B), marking a 5.9% increase over 2025. Key among its priorities is welfare spending — boosted 18% to nearly MXN$1 trillion. Meanwhile, the budget is projected to stabilize Mexico’s debt at 52% of GDP. Analysts caution that projection may lean optimistic.
Annual inflation in Mexico rose to 3.57% in August, ticking up slightly from July, but staying within Banxico’s target range. Core inflation also edged up—0.22% month-on-month—to 4.23% year-on-year, reflecting continued price pressures in food, housing and services.
Wednesday 10 Sept
A gas tanker carrying ~49,500 litres of liquified petroleum gas overturned and exploded on a busy highway in Iztapalapa, Mexico City, killing 8 people and injuring around 90, with 21 in critical condition.
Claudia Sheinbaum slammed ex-President Felipe Calderón for his remarks in the US claiming that the judiciary reform in Mexico occurred “under the nose” of the US ambassador, calling it “outrageous” and accusing him of being a “sell out.”
Thursday 11 Sept
China formally condemned Mexico’s plan to hike tariffs — including raising auto tariffs from 20% to as much as 50% — saying the move looks like it surrenders to “coercion” by the US, something China strongly opposes. Mexico’s response, by President Sheinbaum and Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard, was that the tariffs aren’t aimed at any single country, but meant to protect domestic industry, correct unfair pricing, and are consistent with WTO rules.
Thirty port security workers in Tampico were fired after a ship loaded with illegally imported fuel was seized, with allegations that safety systems at the port had been manipulated to facilitate the smuggling.
Martha Lidia Pérez Gumecindo was appointed as the new head of Mexico’s National Search Commission (CNB), the agency in charge of locating the country’s more than 100,000 missing people. A lawyer with extensive experience in human rights and criminal investigation, she was selected after a months-long process that included input from victims’ collectives and civil society, though some groups remain skeptical about whether her leadership will bring real change.
Friday 12 Sept
President Sheinbaum denied a Reuters report of extensive collaboration, training, and funding arrangements between Mexican security forces and the US Central Intelligence Agency. During her morning press conference, Sheinbaum said, “It’s totally false,” again stressing coordination with the US and nothing else.