Background on the Project
The Mexico-Toluca interurbant train was a project initiated by former President Enrique Peña Nieto, which remained unfinished with an 85% completion rate for the overall line and less than 50% for the urban segment (Santa Fe-Observatorio).
López Obrador’s Disregard and Impact
Upon taking office, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador dismissed this project, similar to his stance on the Texcoco airport. He left these constructions without resources and redirected funds to his own questionable infrastructure projects, demonstrating their inefficacy.
While the previous administration’s airport was barely visible from the air, leading to flooding attempts, the train project’s progress could not be hidden. Consequently, it became a monument to the folly of López Obrador’s administration.
Resuming the Project: Costs and Implications
When the current regime decided to resume work on the train, costs skyrocketed due to the need for rehabilitation of abandoned construction, recertifications, and reassignment of contracts following the departure of many original companies.
Despite these increased costs, a partially completed train connecting Mexico City to one of the major industrial hubs is preferable to an unfinished, resource-draining Tren Maya project halfway through the jungle.
Sheinbaum’s Government and Limited Resources
Under Claudia Sheinbaum’s government, scarce resources were allocated to complete the train project not out of conviction but as damage control. A 90%-complete train was deemed better than no train at all, as it would eventually generate cash flow and political capital.
This situation arose from a fiscal correction obligation that limited infrastructure development resources, postponing significant projects until 2026 due to previous years’ incomplete fiscal adjustments.
Sheinbaum’s Infrastructural Plan: A Positive Outlook
Sheinbaum’s government aims to leave a mark through substantial developments, despite public finances being strained by the previous regime’s irresponsible fiscal management.
The positive aspect is that any infrastructure development executed by Sheinbaum’s government will contrast favorably with López Obrador’s extravagant white elephants.
Moreover, Sheinbaum’s Plan for Infrastructure Development with Well-being 2026-2030 acknowledges that voluntarism alone is insufficient for building a nation, recognizing the necessity of private capital assistance—a concept previously unappreciated by López Obrador.
Private Investment and Autoritarianism
The question remains whether López Obrador’s regime can persuade private investors to trust their resources with just a “Strategic Planning Council,” given the regime’s history of authoritarian actions, such as undermining the Judicial Power and now threatening the autonomous electoral system.
The Mexico-Toluca train’s construction costs ballooned to 100 billion pesos due to López Obrador’s refusal to complete the inherited project on time. With this autoritarian mindset unchanged, will private investors trust the regime with portions of the 5.6 trillion pesos allocated in Sheinbaum’s new infrastructure plan between 2026 and 2030?
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the Mexico-Toluca interurbant train project? It’s a railway connecting Mexico City to Toluca, initiated by former President Enrique Peña Nieto but left unfinished with 85% completion for the overall line and less than 50% for the urban segment.
- Why did López Obrador dismiss the project? He disregarded it, similar to his stance on the Texcoco airport, redirecting funds to other infrastructure projects that proved ineffective.
- What challenges does Sheinbaum’s government face? Limited resources and a fiscal correction obligation have postponed significant projects until 2026, making it difficult to invest in new infrastructure.
- How does Sheinbaum’s plan differ from López Obrador’s approach? Sheinbaum acknowledges the need for private capital assistance, contrasting with López Obrador’s previous reluctance to accept it.
- What are the concerns regarding private investment? There’s uncertainty about whether private investors will trust the regime with portions of Sheinbaum’s 5.6 trillion pesos infrastructure plan, given the regime’s autoritarian tendencies.
