Call with Trump / Electoral Reform

Call with Trump.  Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed a brief call with US President Donald Trump, focusing on security and intelligence cooperation.

“He called for eight minutes to ask about Mexico, how things are. I explained the operation and the US intelligence support. Coordination is going very well. The call was short.”

Mexican Armed Forces. President Claudia Sheinbaum highlighted the role of Mexico’s Armed Forces in the recent operation against “El Mencho,” emphasizing that the Army and Navy now act in support of citizens.

“It was a time when the army’s vision was different, because the supreme commander used the armed forces against the people. Today, the army is not used against the people, but for their benefit, in security, citizen services, and strategic projects… the people of Mexico are proud.” 

Sheinbaum also reported that security in Jalisco is under control following the operation against El Mencho. “A joint operation was carried out to remove all vehicles along the roads; most have been cleared, very few remain. Classes resume today, more National Guard personnel were deployed to Guadalajara, and the situation across the country is calm and under constant communication.”

2026 World Cup. Sheinbaum underlined Mexico’s international credibility ahead of the 2026 World Cup, noting that the Mexican and Portuguese national teams will play a preparatory match in Mexico on March 28.

“It is important that the Mexican and Portuguese teams clarify that it is a mutual desire to hold the match in Mexico. There is no problem. Yesterday, FIFA President Infantino said he has confidence and that there is no issue.”

Electoral Reform. Interior Minister Rosa Icela Rodríguez outlined 10 main elements of the reform, including a 25% reduction in electoral spending, facilitation of voting for Mexicans abroad, regulation of AI in campaigns, elimination of immediate reelection starting in 2030, and expanded participatory democracy.

The main points of the proposal are:

• Representation in the Chamber of Deputies: The Chamber of Deputies would keep 500 seats, with 300 filled through majority vote and 200 through proportional representation. Among the proportional seats, 97 would be assigned to the highest-performing losing candidates, 95 would be chosen by direct vote from regional lists, and eight would represent Mexican citizens living abroad. The proportional representation mechanism would be eliminated in the Senate, reducing the number of senators from 128 to 96.
   

• Reduction in election costs: The reform proposes a 25% cut in the cost of elections, implying adjustments to funding for the INE and political parties.
   

• Strengthened financial oversight: The INE would gain greater access to the financial operations of political parties.
   

• Voting from abroad: Mexicans living abroad would be allowed to elect eight federal deputies.
   

• Airtime on radio and television: Political parties’ time during electoral periods would be reduced from 48 minutes to 35 minutes.
   

• Regulation of artificial intelligence: The use of AI in electoral processes would be regulated and manipulation through bots and similar mechanisms on social media would be prohibited.
   

• District-level vote counts: District counts would begin immediately after polls close, eliminating the Preliminary Electoral Results Program, or PREP, and generating official preliminary results directly.
   

• Expansion of participatory democracy: Mechanisms for citizen involvement in electoral processes would be broadened.
   

• Prohibition of nepotism: Nepotism would be banned at all levels of government.
   

• Ban on immediate reelection: Immediate reelection for all public offices would be prohibited starting in 2030.