Discussions around global environmental crises are no longer about whether they are serious or not, nor about society’s responsibility in them. However, political decisions on the matter fall far short of both human and non-human needs. The geographic proximity between Mexico and the United States makes coordination on these issues unavoidable. How have the current administrations acted to advance an agenda that benefits all people and forms of life?
BY DANIEL BENET
ALEJANDRO OYERVIDES
Here we present some of the environmental actions taken by these governments, which gives us a sense of how the future of the planet is being envisioned at the highest levels of decision-making.
02/03
MONDAY /
United States
It is important to note that President Donald Trump is serving his second term, and his efforts to execute his development vision have intensified. This may be his last opportunity to realize his version of society. He has publicly expressed on numerous occasions that warnings about the causes and consequences of climate change are a hoax, and has discredited initiatives meant to address its impacts by arguing that they go against the well-being of the people. In his latest presidential campaign, he repeatedly used the slogans “Drill, baby, drill!” and “Beautiful, clean coal.”
FIRST TERM (2017–2021)
EXECUTIVE ORDER 13766 - EXPEDITING ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS AND APPROVALS FOR HIGH PRIORITY INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
This was the second executive order he signed during his first presidential term. Its goal was to expedite environmental permit reviews and approvals for infrastructure projects in the country. It enabled the Chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to approve within 30 days any project requiring federal review. This
executive order was signed on the same day Trump issued various directives allowing construction of the “Keystone XL” pipeline project—an expansion of an oil transport system running from western Canada to refineries in Illinois and Texas. That section of the pipeline faced strong opposition from environmental groups. Joe Biden revoked the project’s permits in January 2021.
EXECUTIVE ORDER 13792 – REVIEW OF DESIGNATIONS UNDER THE ANTIQUITIES ACT Ordered a review of national monuments to potentially reduce their size or rescind their designations, opening more federal land to mining, drilling, and development. While 22 terrestrial and 5 marine national monuments were reviewed for this process, Trump was very focused on Bears Ears National Monument in Utah, declared by Obama in 2016, as he was interested in resuming mining in these lands. He argued government decrees affected people’s interests in these areas, but tribal nations said they were ready to file suit if Bears Ears’ protected area was shrunk.
On December 2017, President Donald Trump reduced the size of two national monuments—Bears Ears and Grand Staircase–Escalante—removing protections from 2.8
Decline in Agricultural Land Suitability: Climate change could render 40–70% of Mexico’s current cropland unsuitable by 2030, potentially reaching 80–100% by 2100.
million acres, potentially reopening them to mining. He also lifted commercial fishing restrictions at the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, without changing its boundaries. These actions led to three lawsuits. In October 2021, President Joe Biden reversed Trump’s changes, prompting the court to pause the legal proceedings.
EXECUTIVE ORDER 13795 –IMPLEMENTING AN AMERICA-FIRST OFFSHORE ENERGY STRATEGY
Climate-Induced Displacement: Between 2008 and 2022, over 2.3 million people in Mexico were internally displaced due to climate-related events.
Signed by President Donald Trump on April 28, 2017. The order aimed to promote domestic oil and gas production, and review regulations related to offshore drilling, particularly in the Arctic. It also directed a review of National Marine Sanctuaries and Marine National Monuments, requiring a full accounting of energy resources within designated areas.
SECOND TERM (2025–PRESENT)
EXECUTIVE ORDER 14162 – PUTTING AMERICA FIRST IN INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENTS
The order was signed by President Donald Trump on January 20, 2025, his first day
back in office. The order directed the immediate withdrawal of the U.S. from the Paris Agreement and other international climate commitments. This marked the second U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, following Trump’s initial exit during his first term.
EXECUTIVE ORDER 14208 – ENDING PROCUREMENT AND FORCED USE OF PAPER STRAWS
Rescinded the federal phaseout of single-use plastics, ending the use of paper straws in federal procurement.
EXECUTIVE ORDER 14225 –IMMEDIATE EXPANSION OF AMERICAN TIMBER PRODUCTION
Mandates a major expansion of logging on U.S. public lands—opening about 112 million acres (59% of the National Forest System) to accelerated timber harvesting, aiming to increase domestic lumber production by 25% over five years. The order weakens environmental regulations by allowing logging without full reviews and invoking emergency exceptions to the Endangered Species Act. Environmental groups have condemned the move, warning of increased wildfire risk and habitat loss, and plan to challenge it in court. The appointment of a former timber executive to head the U.S. Forest Service has raised additional concerns. The order signals a shift toward industrial-scale forestry with uncertain long-term environmental impacts.
EXECUTIVE ORDER 14285 –UNLEASHING AMERICA’S OFFSHORE CRITICAL MINERALS AND RESOURCES
This order seeks to accelerate the development of seabed mining to reduce dependency on critical minerals from abroad.
ENERGY TRANSITION AND RENEWABLE ENERGY CLEAN ENERGY TARGET
Sheinbaum has committed to having 45% of Mexico’s electricity generation come from renewable sources by 2030, marking a significant shift away from dependence on fossil fuels.
INVESTMENT IN GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE
Among her presidential proposals, Sheinbaum outlined an investment of approximately $13.57 billion in clean energy projects, including the modernization of hydroelectric plants and installation of new solar and wind capacities.
ELECTROMOBILITY
The administration aims to renew 50% of the passenger and freight vehicle fleet over 15 years old, promoting electric and hybrid vehicles, and expanding electric public transport such as trains, trolleybuses, and urban cable cars. A domestic electric vehicle project called Olinia has even been announced.
WATER MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
WATER REFORM:
Proposes strengthening laws and institutions to guarantee the right to water, with an emphasis on modernizing agricultural irrigation, restoring and recovering water bodies, and improving the capacity to measure and regulate industrial water use.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION AND CIRCULAR ECONOMY REFORESTATION:
Increased Hurricane Activity: The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season is forecasted to be above average, with 13 to 19 named storms, 6 to 10 hurricanes, and 3 to 5 major hurricanes. Warmer-thanaverage ocean temperatures, influenced by climate change, are key drivers of this increased activity.
It instructs federal agencies to expedite permitting for the exploration and extraction of minerals such as nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements in U.S. and international waters. This measure has raised concern among environmental groups due to its potential impact on marine ecosystems.
REDUCTION IN ENFORCEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS
The Trump administration has rolled back many of his predecessors’ environmental initiatives and policies. Besides his executive orders, he has ordered federal government agencies and departments to stop enforcing environmental regulations and rules.
Mexico
The administration of President Claudia Sheinbaum is still in its early stage. Considering her academic background as a climate scientist and her role as Secretary of the Environment of Mexico City when Andrés Manuel López Obrador was mayor of the city, as well as her participation in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, with which she jointly received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007, it is expected that environmental matters will be a guiding principle in her policies. Her performance in this area will be crucial, especially considering that Mexico already is—and will continue to be—one of the countries most affected by climate change adversities.
Continuation of the Sembrando Vida (“Sowing Life”) program to combat environmental degradation and reactivate rural areas. This program, launched under the previous administration, promotes rural development through agroforestry systems, simultaneously supporting local livelihoods, food self-sufficiency, and ecosystem restoration.Lake Texcoco Ecological Park: Inaugurated in August 2024, this project seeks to restore a key ecosystem in the Valley of Mexico and serves as an example of urban climate adaptation. This initiative, started under former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, replaced a major infrastructure project—the now-cancelled new Mexico City airport—with the recovery of a lacustrine ecosystem, proposing a significant shift in development paradigms.
CHALLENGES
Reduced environmental budget: Despite ambitious goals, the budget for environmental protection has been reduced to 0.1% of GDP— the lowest in 18 years—which could limit the effective implementation of these policies.
The administrations of the United States and Mexico have both argued the need for certain actions with environmental consequences, in the name of economic benefit for each country and its people. Although social justice is indeed part of sustainable development, what remains missing are bold proposals that do not pit environmental care against social well-being—and that translate into a truly integrated development vision.
Shared Land, Ocean & Biodiversity
DIFFERENT APPROACHES?
ARTWORK:
Socio environmental impacts beyond borders
THE CONSEQUENCES OF ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION KNOW NO BORDERS. HUMANITY STANDS AT A CROSSROADS, AND CONTINUING ON THE SAME PATH IS NO LONGER AN OPTION. IN THE FACE OF COLLUSION BETWEEN GOVERNMENTS AND CORPORATIONS, IT IS TIME TO RESIST. BILLIONAIRES, CORPORATIONS, AND GOVERNMENTS ARE TAKING CONTROL OF OUR RIGHTS—TO A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT, TO FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION, AND CIVIC PARTICIPATION IN ISSUES OF COMMON CONCERN, SUCH AS CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE RAPID LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY.
This scenario demands a global moral response. As billionaires, oligarchs, and corporations worldwide use their wealth to silence dissent and roll back decades of environmental and social progress, solidarity and resistance continue to grow.
Just like pollution, its social consequences cross borders. Yet, scientific warnings—such as those issued by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) urging a drastic reduction in fossil fuel use—have failed to shift governmental decisions away from the fossil fuel industry.
One example is the proposed Saguaro liquefied natural gas (LNG) export project, which would serve U.S. fossil gas interests by targeting Asian markets for surplus fracked gas extracted in Texas. The project would cross the Gulf of California, harming marine life, coastal communities, and—crucially—the global climate.The gas would be extracted using fracking, which requires millions of liters of water per well and contaminates soil, air, and water by injecting pressurized water mixed with carcinogenic chemicals into underground rock formations.
The mega project aims to export fossil gas from Puerto Libertad, Sonora, a small fishing village. To deliver the gas, 800 kilometers of pipeline infrastructure would be built across mountains, rivers, ecosystems, and local communities, threatening biodiversity and livelihoods. Its impact extends far beyond the environment—it endangers the health and well-being of residents across the region.
The immediate effects of this project would be shared on both sides of the border but would amplify climate change globally. Constant noise, methane flaring, and the arrival of massive 300-meter-long tankers in Puerto Libertad would degrade local living conditions. Increased maritime traffic would endanger the Gulf of California biodiversity through excessive noise, collisions, and spill risks.
We must recognize this interconnection and urgently protect the planet and its resources. Citizen resistance and mobilization on both sides of the border are crucial to stopping this project.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the only environmental threat facing the U.S. and Mexico. In April, President Trump signed an executive order promoting deep-sea mining in both U.S. and international waters—ignoring the authority of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), the United Nations body responsible for protecting the seafloor under international law. This action endangers marine ecosystems and undermines global cooperation.
Mining company The Metals Company (TMC) has publicly declared its intent to work with the Trump administration to begin operations outside U.S. territorial waters in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone of the Pacific. Despite public support from 32 countries for a moratorium on deep-sea mining, millions of citizens oppose this dangerous industry. ISA member states and its newly appointed Secretary-General, Leticia Carvalho, condemned TMC’s announcement as a blatant attempt to circumvent international law and undermine multilateral governance of the global commons.
The U.S.’s unilateral push to claim parts of the Pacific Ocean is already facing strong international opposition. At the upcoming United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice this June, world leaders must speak with one voice and support a moratorium on this reckless industry.
It is a time for urgent, united action. We cannot allow corporate greed and the unchecked ambitions of a few to jeopardize our planet and our future. Environmental degradation and its consequences demand a coordinated regional response.
Together, we must demand change that prioritizes the planet›s health over short-term profit. Resistance and mobilization are our most powerful tools. It’s time to turn our outrage into action and fight for a future where environmental and social justice triumph over business and government collusion.
Executive Director of Greenpeace Mexico.
Aleira Lara
BETWEEN INNOVATION AND CHALLENGES GOVERNMENT IN MEXICO:
BY: SUSANA MERCADO
ALEJANDRO OYERVIDES
INTRODUCTION
Technological advances have reshaped social interaction—and the relationship between the State and citizens is no exception. In this context, e-government has emerged as a vital tool to modernize public administration, improve services, and strengthen transparency. Aware of this, Mexico has enacted laws and developed policies to integrate information and communication technologies (ICT) into government operations. However, implementation still faces significant challenges, which must be analyzed through comparative experiences and the legal framework, including court rulings.
DEVELOPMENT
E-government refers to the use of ICT— especially the Internet—by public institutions to deliver services and manage information. According to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), it entails “redefining organizational structures and internal processes to improve service delivery.”
Article 6 of Mexico’s Constitution guarantees access to ICT as part of the right to public information. This serves as the legal foundation for further legislation and policies. Mexico City adopted an E-Government Law in 2018. Nuevo León enacted a similar law in 2013.
More recently, President Claudia Sheinbaum proposed the “National Law to Eliminate Bureaucratic Procedures and Corruption,” which aims to simplify and standardize procedures nationwide. It would also create a Unified Citizen Portal for services.
The new General Law on Transparency (March 2025) requires authorities at all levels to digitize their information and adopt ICT. The General Archives Law also governs electronic document management. Mexico’s Supreme Court (SCJN) has emphasized the constitutional duty of transparency via digital tools. In ruling 631/2012, the Court affirmed that internet
Mexico is advancing digital governance through a bold legislative push, contrasting with the U.S.’s flexible, executive-led model. Key challenges include digital access, data security, and legal consistency.
access and digital services are essential to exercising fundamental rights.
COMPARING MODELS: MEXICO AND THE UNITED STATES
Mexico is pursuing legislative reform to modernize its relationship with citizens, while the U.S. relies on executive policies and tech upgrades.
TWO PATHS TO EFFICIENCY
Mexico’s law mandates the elimination of redundant procedures, digitization, and national standards.
THE U.S. HAS NO COMPARABLE LAW Executive Order 13771 (Trump)—requiring the repeal of two regulations for every new one—was later revoked. Other efforts, like those by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), are not binding.
STRUCTURED REVIEW VS. TARGETED ACTIONS.
Mexico’s law proposes a full audit of procedures and the creation of a National Catalog to unify access.
U.S. reviews are fragmented and focused on economic impact rather than streamlining. The absence of a national catalog limits oversight.
MANDATORY DIGITALIZATION VS. FLEXIBLE MODERNIZATION.
Mexico mandates interoperable digital platforms to avoid repeated data entry.
In the U.S., digital government is advanced but implementation depends on each agency’s capacity. There is no legal mandate.
ENFORCEMENT VS. TECHNICAL OVERSIGHT.
Mexico’s law would establish a National Regulatory Committee with authority to enforce compliance.
In the U.S., oversight falls to entities
like the GAO and Inspectors General. While useful, they rarely impose penalties unless misconduct is proven.
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION.
Mexico’s bill allows users to report inefficient procedures through digital platforms.
In the U.S., the public can participate in rule-making via Regulations.gov, but cannot flag everyday bureaucratic issues.
STRENGTHS, WEAKNESSES, AND CHALLENGES
E-government increases transparency, reduces costs, and boosts access—especially in cities. It also fosters civic engagement through digital platforms. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the value of digital services for administrative continuity.
CHALLENGES REMAIN.
Rural areas still lack quality internet, and many citizens—especially older adults— struggle with digital tools. Data security is also critical, as public data must be protected from breaches.
CONCLUSION
Technology must simplify—not replicate—bureaucracy. The proposed national law could ensure regulatory consistency and efficiency.
Artificial intelligence also presents a legal challenge. When algorithms issue documents like birth certificates or CURPs, who is responsible—the system or the official? These questions will be central to future digital governance.
Mexico and the U.S. illustrate two distinct strategies: Mexico favors legislative reform with standards and oversight, while the U.S. prefers executive discretion and decentralized audits. As e-government expands in Mexico, ongoing review and legal adaptation will be key to protecting citizens’ rights in a digital age.
PHOTOART:
On the diplomatic front, Ronald Johnson will encounter the challenge of securing agreements between both governments, particularly regarding security and trade issues.
While relations between the two countries are currently positive, recent months have been characterized by instability due to tariff threats from the occupant of the White House.
3 Johnson holds a bachelor’s degree in Science from New York University and a master’s in Science from the National Intelligence University.
2
1
4 He has served the U.S. government for over 40 years— first, from 1984 to 1998, as a U.S. Army officer, achieving the rank of colonel and earning the Green Beret; later, as a member of the intelligence community.
And he is not new to diplomacy—he recently served as the U.S. ambassador to El Salvador.
5
6
10
For 20 years, Johnson served as the CIA’s liaison for science and technology to the U.S. Special Operations Command in Tampa, Florida, and as a special adviser to the U.S. Southern Command in Miami.
7 Johnson speaks fluent Spanish and has experience working on regional issues, including refugees, counter-narcotics, counterterrorism, human rights, and controlling tropical viral diseases.
8
On February 12, 2025, the White House formally submitted Johnson’s nomination as ambassador to Mexico to the U.S. Senate. On April 9, 2025, the full Senate confirmed his appointment by a narrow margin of 49 votes in favor and 46 against, with nearly unanimous support from Republicans.
9 Johnson assumes the responsibility of enhancing the enforcement of the USMCA, both in trade and regulatory areas.
He will also need to work with Mexican authorities on security strategies to address drug trafficking and the fentanyl route.
Pope Leo XIV shares the humanist values of Mexico’s government: the poor come first
With an official invitation letter from the Mexican government, Secretary of the Interior Rosa Icela Rodríguez attended the inauguration ceremony of Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, representing President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo.
Tasked with conveying the Mexican people’s desire to welcome the Holy Father “ whenever he deems appropriate,” the Secretary congratulated Pope Leo XIV and expressed the government’s hope for a successful and fruitful papacy.
Rodríguez emphasized the alignment between the new Pope’s focus on the poor and Mexico’s humanist principle of “putting the poor first.”
“We recognize the Pope’ s social work, his commitment to supporting migrants, and his connection with Indigenous peoples of Latin America.
That’s why President Sheinbaum and the people of Mexico are extending this invitation for him to visit our
We recognize the Pope’s social work, his commitment to supporting migrants Like his predecesor Pope Francis— Leo XIV would also be a friend of the Mexican people ROSA ICELA RODRIGUEZ
country,” she said.
The Secretary added that the Mexican government will await the Vatican’s response, aware that it may not be immediate. However, he expressed confidence that—like his predecessor Pope Francis—Leo XIV would also be a friend of the Mexican people. Mexico is home to great religious diversity. While most of the population identifies as Catholic, as of 2024, there are over 10,000 registered religious associations across the country, according to the General Directorate of Religious Affairs of the Interior Ministry.
Although church and state are constitutionally separate, Mexico upholds freedom of religion as a fundamental right protected under Article 24 of the Political Constitution.
Following the inauguration ceremony, Pope Leo XIV received President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo’s invitation letter from Secretary Rosa Icela Rodríguez.
The Pope sent his greetings to President Sheinbaum and the Mexican people.
Mexico extends
to new Pope OFFICIAL INVITATION
The new
BY: CLARA LUZ FLORES CARRALES
ALEJANDRO OYERVIDES
Last week, Mexico’s Secretary of the Interior, Rosa Icela Rodríguez Velázquez, delivered a letter from the President inviting Pope Leo XIV to visit the country. The prospect of a papal visit is raising expectations not only in religious circles but also in political, social, and diplomatic spheres.
In a context where shared challenges between Mexico and the United States—such as migration, violence, and poverty—continue to shape the agenda, the Pope’s arrival could catalyze regional unity with global resonance.
Although no date has been set, there is hope that Pope Leo XIV, a man of multiethnic heritage born in the United States and later naturalized as a Peruvian citizen, will include Mexico in one of his first visits to the Americas.
Given his multicultural background, with French and Creole roots, many expect that he is deeply familiar with the issue of migration.
Mexico is home to the second-largest Catholic community in the world. In this sense, the Pope represents more than the Church’s spiritual leader; he is also a symbol of peace, social justice, and solidarity.
“The Holy Father’s presence in Mexico is not just a gesture toward the faithful—it is an act of closeness with all those seeking comfort and hope,” the Mexican episcopate has said.
From a binational viewpoint, the impact of this visit grows even stronger. Over 36 million people of Mexican descent live in the United States, many of whom identify as Catholic. For them, the Pope’s visit could send a powerful message of inclusion, spiritual support, and a call for human dignity.
International relations experts note that if Pope Leo XIV addresses migration in his speech, it could influence the regional narrative.
As head of the Vatican State, the Pope also holds diplomatic sway. His visit could lead to meetings with political and social leaders, where issues like climate change, inequality, violence against journalists, and the humanitarian crisis at the border may be addressed.
For many, Pope Leo XIV’s visit would be a unique opportunity to strengthen dialogue between Mexico and the Vatican—and, by extension, between Mexico and the United States, two nations that share a complex border and a deeply intertwined history.
Beyond its spiritual and diplomatic implications, the trip also carries significant cultural and media weight.
If Pope Leo XIV set foot on Mexican soil, his presence would be seen as far more than a pastoral visit. It would be a powerful symbol of fraternity between nations, attention to the forgotten, and a willingness to heal collective wounds. In times of division and uncertainty, his voice could become a beacon of hope for millions within and beyond our borders.
The Pope’s presence on Mexican soil could mark a turning point in Mexico-Vatican relations and send a powerful message to the migrant community in North America.
The Significance of A
PHOTOART:
José Benavidez Sr. crossed the border hidden in a car trunk, not knowing if he was destined to live the American Dream— proving that the road to success often comes with pain. Now, 39 years later, he can say it was all worth it. He’s lucky enough to make a living doing what he loves most: boxing.
taking risks others avoid. “There’s a reason they won’t fight him,” his father admits.
During a trip to Mexico in April, José Sr. experienced one of the most emotional moments of his career: he was welcomed at the legendary Romanza Gym by Hall of Fame trainer Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain.
“I never thought Don Nacho would treat me like that. He let me borrow his Shelby, and we talked a lot… I went back to the U.S. and recharged. Sometimes you feel like throwing in the towel, but seeing and listening to him gave me the strength to keep going.”
And for José Sr., keeping going doesn’t mean waiting for Canelo to look their way—it means reinventing the dream. They’ll build a new one if there’s no room on the main road.
José Benavidez Sr. never imagined he’d end up training boxers. In fact, he didn’t think he’d get very far at all for much of his life.
Abandoned as a child by his parents, he grew up in the streets of Arcelia, Guerrero—a region scarred by poverty, violence, and government neglect. He was raised by his elderly grandmother, who taught him one thing: survival.
At just 11 years old, he crossed the U.S. border alone, hidden in the trunk of a car. On the other side of the wall, he faced new demons: gangs, guns, and drugs—but also boxing.
“Boxing saved my life and my sons’ lives too. There were times when I had to eat dirt to ease the hunger. Now, I can afford $800 steaks. But I’m still a simple guy— give me beans, fresh cheese, salsa, and warm tortillas,” he said with pride to Heraldo USA, his eyes reflecting the memory of where he came from.
It took time to claw his way out. He lived in tough neighborhoods where the streets taught him not to back down. That mindset became his philosophy—and he passed it on to his sons, José and David. Especially David, who today is the WBC interim light heavyweight champion, feared and undefeated. David, like his father, is an underdog. He is not the favorite son, not the golden boy, but he made his way. He is a skilled fighter but not a hero. The Benavidez family has carried the uncomfortable role of anti-heroes: loud, defiant, demanding respect for what they’ve earned inside the ring.
“We waited five years for a shot.
But Canelo (Saúl Álvarez) has the belts hostage. He’s said it himself— he does what he wants,” José Sr. says, without resentment but with conviction.
Canelo’s name haunts their path. It’s the fight they ask for, the one they deserve, the one fans want— but it never comes. So David has carved his route: seeking titles in other divisions, gaining weight, and
MIGRANTPASSION:
The Battle Is Personal
“We’re ready to fight Dmitry Bivol, Artur Beterbiev, Anthony Yarde, or Callum Smith—even Zurdo Ramírez at cruiserweight. David can fight at 168, 175, and cruiser. We’re not here to protect records but to make history.”
The story they’re writing isn’t smooth or straightforward. They’re not the polished product of a big brand. They don’t have a media machine behind them. They’re a family that started from nothing, knowing little about boxing, but with one clear goal: earn respect through hard work.
“We’ve had to prove ourselves little by little, fight by fight. He wasn’t Mexican like Manny Pacquiao, but they loved him for his style. That’s what we want: to be accepted for what we do in the ring,” he said, fully aware that respect isn’t handed out.
For José Sr., the battle isn’t just in the ring—it’s personal. It’s proof that a kid from Guerrero, a street gang member, can become a respected figure in boxing. It’s his way of telling the world that origin doesn’t matter—the will to change your issues of fate.
That’s why it hurts when opportunities go to the highest bidder. “Now fights are made for money and social media fame, and the sport gets left behind. We want real fights—fights with risk, with heart. That’s what gets you into the Hall of Fame.”
There’s no nostalgia in his words, just a quiet certainty: boxing has changed, but they won’t betray who they are. When he talks about David, it’s not just as a father or trainer—it’s as someone who knows they’re on a different path—one less glamorous but more real.
“We’ll keep working. We want people to know we bring good boxing and are Mexican. Not the kind who shows up for a photo with a sombrero. We come from the hot lands.”
At a time when everything seems negotiable, José Benavidez Sr. represents something rare: the stubbornness to keep going, believing in hard work, dignity, and meaningful fights—even if they don’t bring millions. And that stubbornness is also his greatness.
BY: ÉRIKA MONTOYA ART: ALEJANDRO OYERVIDES
David Benavidez’s undefeated record.
world champion, now interim light heavyweight.
Mexican Monster.
Benavidez Sr.
Has worked alongside trainers like Freddie Roach and Abel Sánchez
Founded his gym: Benavidez Sports David started boxing to lose weight—José Jr. was the favorite
José Sr. grew up idolizing Oscar de la Hoya, watching his old fights
The birth of his sons motivated him to leave his past behind He
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TChoosing between
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