New Hydrocarbons Law / Soft Drinks

New Hydrocarbons Law. President Claudia Sheinbaum denied that the new Hydrocarbons Law aims to expropriate private energy plants. She explained that the only change is that in cases of emergency, when a private company cannot supply energy, CFE will step in.

“When there is an emergency and a company says it cannot meet demand, CFE steps in to operate that plant; that is what the regulation states. The rest is propaganda, not news. The current Hydrocarbons Law and the new one are practically the same. The only difference is that where it used to say SENER, it now says CFE. This is not about privatization. If today a private company faced operating issues, CFE would temporarily take over,” Sheinbaum explained.

Soft Drink Companies to Cut Sugar. Deputy Minister of Health Eduardo Clark announced an agreement reached with soft drink manufacturers following discussions about the price increases imposed on the industry due to these products’ impact on public health.

“After the proposal was presented, beverage companies approached us to find ways to work together. The goal is simple: to reduce soft drink consumption, encourage healthier choices, and get children and teenagers to drink fewer sugary beverages. With this agreement, companies commit to reducing sugar content by 30% and promoting light and zero-sugar options. We will keep the IEPS tax on sugary drinks at MX$3.08/L, as proposed, instead of increasing it further,” Clark said.

Anti-Extortion Law. Presidential Legal Counsel Ernestina Godoy discussed the new Anti-Extortion Law, designed to combat extortion and encourage citizens to report such crimes.

“The initiative establishes coordination mechanisms, defines the basic criminal offense, and includes provisions for prosecution, penalties, and enforcement. It also introduces cross-cutting policies and specific measures for correctional centers. The aim is to standardize criminal definitions and investigative processes across all states. The law elevates the national strategy to prevent and combat extortion to a legal framework, and it’s already yielding results. Citizens can report cases through the 089 hotline,” Godoy said.