Cuban Doctors / New Decree on Infrastructure Projects

Cuban Doctors. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said that there are 700 Cuban doctors working in the country. The president said their work helps to have a more efficient service for the entire population. "We thank the government of Cuba because there are already 700 specialists who are working in hospitals in Mexico and we continue to call all doctors who want to work in the health sector. There is employment for general practitioners and specialists."

López Obrador has been widely criticized for hiring Cuban doctors to work in Mexico’s marginalized areas, so the government announced that it would create employment positions for Mexican doctors. Previously, López Obrador reported that the country had a deficit of 50,000 doctors, a problem exacerbated in rural areas as Mexican medical professionals seek to study and work in larger cities. The president said that, sometimes, Mexican doctors even refuse to move to rural areas. Meanwhile, medical and professional organizations in Mexico have claimed that López Obrador's initiative discriminates against Mexican doctors because they already compete in an oversaturated job market.

Infrastructure Projects Declared Matter of National Security. The president said that he decided to issue a new decree because he no longer trusts the Supreme Court. "We went ahead because we already knew that the Court had the intention to stop the works that we are carrying out, such as the Mayan Train, the Isthmus and other important works. We already lost the Court; it has distanced itself from the people."

Last week, the Supreme Court declared unconstitutional, with eight votes in favor and three against, the 2021 agreement for infrastructure projects to be declared of national interest, as this violated the right of access to information. The president announced a new decree with a single article that reads: "The construction, operation, maintenance, operation, infrastructure, spaces, public interest assets, execution and administration of transportation infrastructure, services and development poles for the welfare and equipment of both the Mayan Train and the Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, as well as the airports of Palenque, Chetumal and Tulum, are of national security and public interest, in the terms expressed on this decree."

Banamex Purchase. López Obrador said that negotiations continue for Grupo México to purchase Banamex. He added that there could even be a public-private partnership to acquire Banamex. "I hope an agreement is reached as soon as possible. The possibility of buying the bank has not been ruled out."

So far, Citigroup has valued Banamex at US$12 billion. However, the offers received, including Grupo Mifel's, are well below this amount. Grupo México, one of the largest copper producers in the world and the main one in Mexico, is considering acquiring Banamex. The purchase would increase the company's financial capacity, boosting its mining, infrastructure and transportation operations. However, it was rumored on social networks that Grupo Mexico had withdrawn. However, the company has not issued a statement.