AMLO Launches Campaign to Support Mayan Train

After Mexican celebrities launched a campaign against the Mayan Train, demanding the suspension of section 5’s construction works for not considering the environmental damage it will cause, President López Obrador released a video defending the project. In the video, people belonging to ejidos state “Get on the Mayan Train” and emphasize that the project will not destroy the region but will improve it instead. Consequently, López Obrador assured that the works of the Mayan Train will not be suspended. In addition, he accused the celebrities who participated in the countercampaign against the Mayan Train of having private interests.

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 Results Pending on Mexico City-Toluca Interurban Train Tender

The Mexico City government launched a new tender for the construction of further works for the Mexico City-Toluca Interurban Train but results are still pending. The works include an elevated viaduct, a station and a terminal. The federal government signed an agreement to reallocate up to US$47.8 million from the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation (SICT) to the Mexico City government for the construction of these three works. 

Only Two Projects Completed From Previous Infrastructure Packages

Of the 62 projects planned for the last two infrastructure packages launched by the López Obrador's administration, only two have been completed, according to the Ministry of Finance. The completed projects are the Servant of the Nation Interurban highway in the State of Mexico, part of the connection projects to the new Felipe Angeles International Airport, and the Southwest beltway in Aguascalientes. According to the Ministry of Finance, 24 projects are in their execution stage, which represents over 50 percent of the total investment. In addition, 20 projects are still in the process of authorization, though 18 have all the needed permissions already. 

Panama Canal Proposes Simplified Toll Structure

The Panama Canal Authority issued a proposal for a comprehensive restructuring of its toll system, which would increase cargo rates as ocean shippers rake in record profits. The proposed changes would reduce the current toll structure from 430 tariffs to less than 60, providing a simpler value-based pricing structure with greater visibility and predictability, said the Panama Canal Authority. The proposal is important for Mexico since the country is positioned among the three main global users of the Canal.

Mitsui Launches MITinfra in Mexico

Mitsui & Co. has launched Mitsui & Co. Infrastructure Solutions (MITinfra) to deliver water, power and energy solutions in Mexico. MITinfra will provide companies with infrastructure services offered by Mitsui's two subsidiaries, Atlatec, a water-related business, and Mitsui & Co. Power Development and Management Americas (MPA), focused on power generation.