Ramírez de la O’s Departure / Vulcan Materials, Mayan Train

SEP Unveils Nationwide School Health Initiative. The Minister of Public Education (SEP) Mario Delgado announced the launch of the “Live Healthy, Live Happy” strategy in public elementary schools. He stated that the program will begin on March 12, aiming to promote healthy lifestyles among students.

Key aspects of the initiative include:

• Visits to 90,832 public elementary schools, covering nearly 12 million students.

• Health promotion talks, focusing on healthy lifestyle habits.

• Oral health care, including: proper toothbrushing technique sessions, cavity screenings, fluoride application.

• Physical health assessments, including: weight and height measurements and Vision evaluations.

Sheinbaum Clarifies Rogelio Ramírez de la O’s Departure from the Ministry of Finance. President Claudia Sheinbaum explained the departure of Rogelio Ramírez de la O from the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP), stating that he had initially agreed to stay until December 2024 to oversee the 2025 budget. However, due to Donald Trump’s return to the US presidency, Sheinbaum requested that he extend his tenure.

The final agreement was for Ramírez de la O to remain until February 2025. Sheinbaum emphasized that his decision was based on prior commitments and personal projects.

She also expressed confidence in his successor, Edgar Amador Zamora, describing him as “very capable” and highlighting that he studied at UNAM’s Faculty of Economics and was a disciple of Ramírez de la O.

Sheinbaum Congratulates Mark Carney on Succeeding Justin Trudeau. Sheinbaum congratulated Canada’s new Prime Minister Mark Carney, who is succeeding Justin Trudeau amid heightened tensions with US President Donald Trump.

“We send our congratulations on this transition in Canada, and there will be an opportunity to congratulate him in person. I hope for a relationship of mutual respect and collaboration, especially regarding the trade agreement between our three countries,” Sheinbaum stated.

SEP Confirms Mexico Will Continue Participating in PISA Tests. The Minister of Public Education announced that Mexico will continue administering the PISA assessment.

He also stated that civic education is a key component of the New Mexican School curriculum. Delgado added that the Center for Research and Advanced Studies (CONVESTAV) has reviewed the math textbooks for basic education to ensure their quality.

Sheinbaum Denies Expropriation of Vulcan Materials’ Land and Chinese Funding for Mayan Train. Sheinbaum refuted claims that the Mexican government had expropriated land belonging to the US company Vulcan Materials, following a request by US congress members for Trump’s intervention in the case.

She clarified that negotiations between federal authorities and the company are ongoing to reach an agreement. She explained that Vulcan Materials exceeded its authorized extraction areas, affecting cenotes and aquifers, prompting former President López Obrador to change the land use designation for environmental protection.

Additionally, Sheinbaum dismissed allegations by US lawmakers that the Chinese Communist Party financed the Mayan Train project. She emphasized that the funding for the project is entirely public and sourced from Mexican government resources, as documented in official financial reports.