SUMMARY
Mañanera Presidential Press Conference: speaking to the people without intermediaries
President Claudia Sheinbaum defended the Morning Press Conference, known as the mañanera, as a space to directly inform the public, display accountability, and exercise the right of reply. “When have we censored the media? It’s one thing that we disagree with what they publish and we exercise the right of reply here, and quite another what was done in the past,” she explained. Sheinbaum maintained that “there has never been more freedom of expression as there is now.”
Political debate must be based on truth
The President welcomed the National Electoral Institute’s (INE) order for the PRI to withdraw its materials that tied Morena to drug trafficking, deeming them slanderous. “That’s good, because the INE has the responsibility to ensure that political disputes are truthful, that there is no use of fake news or baseless arguments, and that the debate is constructive, not aggressive,” Sheinbaum stated.
The economy maintains its momentum
Sheinbaum characterized as “very good news” the quarterly GDP growth of 1.5% (2.5% in annual terms), driven by the agricultural and services sectors, while manufacturing halted its decline. The President anticipated that the second half of the year will be better thanks to public work projects, the Housing for Wellbeing program, and government investment.
Strengthening the strategy against sargassum
The President announced an investment of more than 2 billion pesos (US$110 million) to strengthen efforts to reduce sargassum in Quintana Roo with boats, barriers, and monitoring. “The state government has done a great deal, but we have to do more,” Sheinbaum said. In addition, a circular economy is being promoted with 190 initiatives, 39 companies, and the development of biofertilizers, biogas, and other derivative products.
Education must be a space of freedom
The President supported the closure of militarized schools following the death of student Dafne Quintos and said that “under the pretext of discipline there are abuses, and that cannot be allowed.” She reaffirmed that education must be a space of freedom and the building of freedom.
Mexico maintains its solidarity with Cuba
Sheinbaum rejected the use of Mexico by U.S. politicians for electoral purposes: “Mexico is no one’s piñata.” She reaffirmed that support for Cuba will continue for reasons of sovereignty, humanitarian aid, and the self-determination of peoples, and reiterated Mexico’s rejection of Washington’s blockade against the island.
The defense of migrants must unite the country
The President regretted that the opposition refused to support a statement in defense of Mexicans in the United States and charged that it “is part of (their) hypocrisy.” Sheinbaum argued that protecting migrants must be a cause embraced by all political forces, above partisan interests.
