Background on Key Players and Context
With only seven months until the FIFA World Cup kicks off in Mexico City, a significant transportation issue has emerged. The controversy revolves around the authorization for drivers affiliated with technology applications, such as Uber and Didi, to operate at the airports of the three Mexican host cities without facing penalties.
The Legal Standoff
A federal judge issued a definitive suspension against restrictions set by the Federal Department of Road and Bridge Transportation in June 2022. Despite this, the Mexican government insists that Uber, Didi, and similar companies should refrain from covering routes to and from airports until the core issue is resolved or the existing legal framework is amended.
Uber sought and obtained federal court protection after negotiations with officials from the Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation stalled. The matter has returned to the federal government’s working tables, led by Secretary of Governance Rosa Icela Rodríguez, following insistence from World Cup organizers to allow full operation of on-demand transportation services.
Proposed Legal Changes
Achieving a “structural solution” requires amendments to the Federal Highways, Bridges, and Transportation Law and reforms to the Federal Transportation Regulations. These changes aim to legitimize on-demand transportation services provided by contracted drivers via digital platforms and exempt these drivers from obtaining federal licenses.
President López Obrador’s Proposal
One month before the change of administration, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador submitted a proposal to the National Regulatory Improvement Commission through his legal counsel. The proposal included introducing a new service modality: connections with airports and seaports.
Distinction in Transportation Services
For land transportation or access to seaports and airports, distinct from on-demand transportation services provided by digital platforms, interested parties would need to apply for a Vehicle Identification Card and adhere to technical-administrative regulations established by the Federal Civil Aviation Agency. This would mean that technology companies wouldn’t be required to list the provision of federal transportation services as their primary activity.
Side Effects: Anecdotes and Suspicions
Festive Activities
Andrés Manuel López Beltrán, the organizational secretary of Morena, took a break from his usual campaigning to enjoy the Day of the Dead in Mexico City. He visited his favorite centro historical restaurant and mingled with the crowd.
Personal Pursuits
Enrique Ochoa Reza and Pedro Joaquín Coldwell, former PRI presidents during the “peñismo” era and colleagues at the Secretariat of Energy, now enjoy their retirement from politics. They indulged in their passions by attending an NBA game between Detroit and Dallas, following the action on their smartphones from the VIP section.
Suspicions and Notoriety
Under the protection of Tamaulipas Governor Américo Villarreal, a group of young entrepreneurs has gained attention—not for positive reasons. Examples include José Eduardo López Portillo, accused of influencing President López Obrador and amassing wealth through luxury properties in Mexico City and Morelos, high-end vehicles, and a horse ranch under construction. Harry Córdova, a former IMSS Bienestar official in the border state, is another notable figure.
