Introduction
The first presidential report by President Claudia Sheinbaum aimed to showcase Mexico as a progressing nation with significant advancements. Naturally, it did not mention the obstacles hindering the achievement of many of her objectives.
Key Achievements and Reforms
Sheinbaum highlighted 19 constitutional reforms, including the controversial judge selection process and the integration of the National Guard into the Defense Department. She also mentioned the recovery of Pemex and CFE, which still face debts, productive lag, and environmental challenges.
Economic Performance
In her report, Sheinbaum emphasized the stability of the Mexican peso, controlled inflation, and minimal economic growth. However, behind her optimism lies the “Información de Finanzas Públicas y Deuda Pública” report (January-July 2025) published by Hacienda, which indicates cuts to programmable spending—allocated for health, education, security, infrastructure, and social programs—by 7.8% in real terms. Public physical investment, a component of programmable spending, plummeted by 35.7%. These adjustments allowed for an accumulated deficit of 1.6% of the GDP by July and a viable projection of 3.9% for 2025, avoiding a potential credit rating downgrade that would increase debt and future payment costs.
Social Sectors
- Health: Sheinbaum claimed 90% medication availability, operating rooms, and labs. However, reports still indicate shortages of essential medicines.
- Housing: Sheinbaum promised 1.7 million homes, with 390,000 underway.
- Education: Sheinbaum mentioned the National Baccalaureate and the elimination of the COMIPEMS (Concurso de Asignación a la Educación Media Superior).
- Social: Sheinbaum pledged to elevate pensions and scholarships to legal status.
These are legitimate goals, but their realization depends on the availability of resources to meet these objectives.
Security and Public Safety
Sheinbaum asserted that intentional homicides have dropped by 25%, and feminicides by 40%. She also stated that extortion is being tackled as a serious crime. These figures come from the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System and INEGI, but their reductions depend on the comparison period. Feminicides vary due to case reclassification, and extortion is underreported due to insufficient denunciations.
International Relations
Sheinbaum defended cooperation without subordination and the diversification of alliances while respecting the United States. Fiscal discipline strengthens Mexico’s negotiating position within the T-MEC, aiming for a 3.9% deficit in 2025 and 3.5% or less in 2026.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: What did Sheinbaum’s first report highlight? A: The report emphasized 19 constitutional reforms, economic stability, and progress in social sectors like health, housing, education, and pensions.
- Q: How has the economy performed under Sheinbaum’s administration? A: The economy has shown controlled inflation and minimal growth, but with significant cuts to programmable spending, impacting public physical investment.
- Q: What are the current challenges in health and education? A: Despite Sheinbaum’s claims, there are still reports of medication shortages in health. In education, the National Baccalaureate has been mentioned, but the elimination of COMIPEMS remains to be implemented.
- Q: How has crime been addressed under Sheinbaum’s leadership? A: Intentional homicides and feminicides have reportedly decreased, but extortion remains underreported. Crime statistics depend on the comparison period and case reclassification.
- Q: What is Mexico’s fiscal discipline strategy in international relations? A: Mexico aims to maintain a 3.9% deficit in 2025 and reduce it to 3.5% or less in 2026, strengthening its negotiating position within the T-MEC.
