She defends national independence amid U.S. pressure while reporting progress in crime reduction.
Following a political tradition renewed every Sept. 1, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum presented the report covering her first 20 months in office.
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Her address to the nation detailed the progress of her administration in a context marked by global economic complexity and diplomatic pressure from the United States.
Sheinbaum emphasized that her administration has been guided by the model of Mexican Humanism and Moral Economy, prioritizing a 10% reduction in current spending and a 4.8% increase in revenue collection.
Defense of Mexican Sovereignty
A central focus of her speech was the defense of national sovereignty amid bilateral tensions. Sheinbaum strongly rejected recent extradition requests issued by the U.S. Department of Justice against 10 Mexican citizens, including a sitting governor, mayor, and senator.
She questioned the legitimacy of these actions and warned of possible intentions to influence Mexico’s domestic politics, as the extradition requests have not been accompanied by the proper public presentation of evidence.
“When it is decided from abroad who is guilty and who is not, we are no longer talking about cooperation; we are talking about interference,” Sheinbaum said, declaring that “Mexico is nobody’s punching bag!” and that “Mexico does not accept interference.”
Sheinbaum also criticized the Mexican right for promoting pressure from foreign politicians, reaffirming the constitutional principle of nonintervention and respect for the self-determination of peoples.
President Sheinbaum: ‘US Customs and Border Protection data shows that 80% of those arrested for smuggling fentanyl at US ports of entry were US citizens’ pic.twitter.com/qvTnnUmRQl
— The Gulag (@WelcomeTheGulag) August 31, 2026
Progress in Fighting Crime
During the past 20 months, the federal government reported a 49% reduction in intentional homicides and a 20% decrease in high-impact crimes.
Among the most notable operations was the killing of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
Over the past year, Mexican authorities have dismantled more than 2,700 clandestine laboratories and seized 518 tons of drugs and more than 63,500 firearms.
Economic and Labor Situation
In the first quarter of 2026, Mexico recorded a foreign direct investment record, reaching $23.591 billion pesos, 10.4% higher than the previous year. Unemployment stood at 2.5%, while the Mexican peso appreciated to 17.40 per dollar, becoming the second-most revalued currency against the U.S. dollar worldwide.
In the labor sector, the monthly minimum wage increased to more than 9,500 pesos, representing a 154% increase in real terms since 2018, while the average salary reached a historic high of 20,212 pesos.
Social Programs, Health and Education
By the end of 2026, social welfare programs will benefit 42.8 million Mexicans thanks to an investment of 1.3 billion pesos. Beneficiaries include 14.1 million older adults, 3 million women ages 60 to 64, and 2 million people with disabilities.
In the health sector, the Sheinbaum administration put 29 new hospitals into operation and distributed 1.7 billion units of free medication. This resulted in an overall supply rate of 85% and 95% in oncology care. The Mexican government’s goal is to consolidate a free Universal Health System by 2027.
In education, admission exams were eliminated for public high schools, and scholarships such as Rita Cetina, Benito Juarez and Gertrudis Bocanegra were awarded to millions of students. The Mexican government also allocated 26 billion pesos to “The School is Ours” program.
In Sabinas Hidalgo, Nuevo León, security forces intercepted 3 suspects on the Monterrey-Nuevo Laredo highway with 210 firearms smuggled from Texas.
With this seizure, the total exceeds 30,000 firearms confiscated during the administration of President Sheinbaum. pic.twitter.com/hqnP3UYNf6
— Voice of Mexico (@VOMexico) September 1, 2026
Infrastructure, Energy and Water Resources
During her government report, Sheinbaum highlighted the financial improvements at Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) and the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE).
Pemex reduced its debt by US$20 billion and refines 1.3 million barrels per day. Six new combined-cycle plants were added, and the target for renewable energy was raised to 38% of national electricity generation.
In infrastructure, Sheinbaum highlighted the recovery of passenger rail service through projects such as the Maya Train and the Insurgente Train, as well as progress in repaving 30% of toll-free highways.
Thanks to the new National Water Law, the Mexican government was able to deprivatize more than 4.6 billion cubic meters of water, returning the resource to the nation and guaranteeing supplies for communities and small farmers.
High Approval Ratings
Analyst Lorenzo Meyer said Sheinbaum arrived at the report strengthened, with an approval rating close to 70%, compared with an opposition he described as a “weak political force.”
Meanwhile, international affairs expert Enrique Catalan described Sheinbaum’s foreign policy as “constrained but successful,” saying it had managed to contain U.S. aggression and maintain traditional national positions such as support for Cuba.
“Mexican men and women decide,” Sheinbaum said during her report to emphasize the sovereign nature of the transformation her country is experiencing.
teleSUR/ JF
Sources: teleSUR – La Jornada
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