Security Assessment / IEPS Increase to Sugary Drinks, Video Games

Mexico City-Nuevo Laredo Train Construction. President Claudia Sheinbaum announced the start of construction for the Saltillo to Nuevo Laredo section of the Mexico City-Nuevo Laredo passenger train. Minister of Infrastructure Jesús Esteva detailed that this section will have a length of 396km.

Speaking from Nuevo Leon, Governor Samuel García referred to the project as the"Tren del Norte (Train of the North), stating it is a long-awaited development for the region and celebrating that its construction will include Monterrey.

Security Assessment. Marcela Figueroa, Head, Executive Ministry of National Public Security (SESNSP), presented the crime incidence report for August 2025, highlighting a 32% decrease in the daily average of intentional homicides compared to September 2024. She noted that August 2025 was the month of August with the fewest homicides since 2015. Additionally, she reported that from January to August 2025, intentional homicides decreased 32% compared to the same period in 2018.

Figueroa also informed that in August 2025, seven states accounted for 49% of the country's intentional homicides. These states are Guanajuato with 9.4%, Chihuahua with 7.78%, Baja California with 7.1%, the State of Mexico with 6.6%, Sinaloa with 6.5%, Guerrero with 5.9%, and Sonora with 5.6%.

Minister of Security Omar García Harfuch presented the results of the National Security Strategy. From Aug. 21 to Sept. 8, federal forces detained 1,669 people, seized 552 firearms, destroyed 53 clandestine laboratories, and confiscated 5.6t of drugs. The drug seizures included 73kg of fentanyl powder and over 105 million fentanyl pills.

From Oct. 1, 2024, to Sep. 8, 2025, Harfuch reported that over 32,400 people have been detained for high-impact crimes. During this time, authorities have seized over 16,000 firearms, confiscated more than 245t of drugs, including over 3.6 million fentanyl pills, and dismantled 1,400 methamphetamine laboratories.

IEPS to Sugary Drinks, Video Games. President Sheinbaum explained the rationale behind the proposed IEPS increases on sugary drinks, tobacco, and video games included in the 2026 Economic Package.

She stated that the taxes on sugary drinks and tobacco are related to public health. She clarified that the purpose is not primarily for revenue collection, but all funds raised from these two taxes will be allocated to a specific health fund.

Regarding the tax on video games, the president indicated the decision is linked to security concerns. She clarified that video games will not be prohibited, but called for greater attention to the types of games that minors are playing.