Laments SCJN Decision on Energy / Thanks US for Water Deal

Will fight Supreme Court decision on energy. President López Obrador said he will defend the public interest after the Supreme Court (SCJN) again rejected the Ministery of Energy’s (Sener) new energy bill. “We are going to see if there is another way to defend the public interest. If necessary, I will propose a constitutional reform so the national interest prevails over natural resources. The people’s interest is above personal or group interests, regardless of how legitimate they may be,” he said. López Obrador noted that ministers and the people must understand that a change in the energy policy is needed, since companies took advantage of agreements signed after the 2014 Energy Reform at the expense of national companies PEMEX and CFE. The president insisted that Iberdrola’s decision to appoint former President Felipe Calderón as a board member is proof of why change is needed.

Recognizes US for water agreement. Amid a long conflict in Chihuahua, an agreement was reached with the US government on water supply, President López Obrador said. “Yesterday, a very important arrangement was signed on the water supply agreement with the United States. I would like to thank the US government for its understanding and solidarity, to thank President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mr. (Mike) Pompeo,” he said. López Obrador said the conflict involving La Boquilla dam and local farmers was created by Chihuahua’s authorities and that Gov. Javier Corral is only pushing a personal agenda ahead of elections.

CONAGUA head highlights benefits for Mexico. National Water Commission (CONAGUA) head Blanca Jiménez said that water supply for 13 border cities was secured after yesterday’s agreement with the US and the Chihuahua dams have “even more water” than what they normally have. “It is a very beneficial treaty for the country because we get four times more than what we give on an annual basis. We receive 1,850 million cubic meters and we contribute 432 million cubic meters,” the new official noted. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs (SRE) Roberto Velasco stated that Mexico cannot delay two consecutive cycles of water supply, as specified in the signed agreement. “The United States accepted a clause that it would cooperate with Mexico for humanitarian reasons in the event of an extreme drought or some other emergency,” Velasco said.

All Mexican beaches are now public. President López Obrador said the country's beaches are now public and will no longer be handed over to private companies. “Beaches are no longer being handed over to private companies. They are public. Before only those who were hosted in hotels could enter the beaches,” he said. Yesterday, the president signed a decree published in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF) to guarantee the access of any citizen to the coastal areas of the country. López Obrador noted that a fine of up to MX$1.4 million (US$67,000) will be applied to those “who prevent, discourage, restrict or hinder access to the beaches.”

Pope Francis asked me to keep going. President López Obrador said that Pope Francis sent him a message through his wife, Beatriz Gutiérrez Müller, after her recent visit to Europe. “Do you know what the Pope asked my wife to tell me? That I must not get tired and keep going on,” he said. López Obrador noted that Gutiérrez Müller has already returned to the country after a working tour to secure historical pieces to be exhibited during the Independence bicentenary celebrations.

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Click HERE for full transcript in Spanish