Energy Sector Laws Can Be Assessed / Gender Violence Report

Energy sector changes can be assessed. President López Obrador said he would propose changes to the energy sector legal framework only if it would return PEMEX and CFE to dominance in the sector, and only if this is first proven to be feasible. “We maintain our commitment not to change the legal framework of the energy sector until we can demonstrate it is possible to strengthen PEMEX and CFE,” he said when questioned about the possibility of promoting a counter-reform to the Energy Reform. “If a modification to the law is required to return PEMEX and the Federal Electricity Commission to their role in the development of Mexico and their domain over the nation’s natural resources, then we would consider a constitutional reform initiative. So far, we are not contemplating that,” he explained.

Violence against women rises. Violence against women increased 45.8 percent in the first six months of the year compared to the same period last year, according to Ministry of Interior (SEGOB) figures. In that period, over 131,224 emergency calls related to gender violence were made to the 911 emergency line, compared to 89,998 calls in the first half of 2019. When presenting the Intersecretarial Strategy Group Against Violence (GIEV), SEGOB head Olga Sánchez Cordero highlighted that guidance and timely help are provided to women through the 911 line. “In that period, a total of 600,000 calls from women were answered,” she said.

Women must not be persecuted for abortions. Prior to the discussion by the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) on the decriminalization of pregnancy termination, Minister of the Interior (SEGOB) Olga Sánchez Cordero said women should not face criminal proceedings when facing such a situation. “A woman should not face criminal proceedings for having made a decision of that nature. The fact that a woman faces criminal proceedings is inadmissible,” she said.

Inmujeres budget cut won’t affect agenda. National Institute for Women (Inmujeres) head Nadine Gasman noted that the cut to the agency’s budget does not impact personnel or salaries and that no major implications in the office’s operation are expected. "I can say that we will continue to do what we set out to do,” she said. Minutes earlier, President López Obrador said that his government has sought economic and social gender equality by helping the poorest women in Mexico.

Looking for fair relationship with the US. President López Obrador reiterated that he is seeking to establish a different relationship with the US, one that is even, so that assets confiscated from Mexican criminals there are returned to Mexico. “There are extraditions, they judge criminals and they take away their assets. They are confiscating their property and this money belongs to the national patrimony,” he said, highlighting that an agreement in this regard is being discussed with US officials.

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Click HERE for full transcript in Spanish