KEYPOINTS OF PRESIDENT ANDRES MANUEL LOPEZ OBRADOR’S MORNING PRESS CONFERENCE

Public Credit (SHCP) to the Secretariat of Public Function. The change has not been implemented yet, but the responsibility has already shifted.

• Mining accident: The Mexican government promised to compensate the families of the miners and recover the bodies before the end of the current government, but Grupo Mexico says it is not feasible to recover the bodies within that time frame.

• Real estate cartels: The President expressed his support for the investigations into irregularities in properties linked to the administration of the Miguel Hidalgo municipality.

• INE Demonstration: The President referred to the INE March as a political matter where the opposition aims to maintain the oligarchy and its interests. He called for a counter-demonstration on March 17th.

Foreign Relations

• John Kerry visit: Lopez Obrador announced that he will receive US lawmakers on March 19 and former US Secretary of State John Kerry on March 21.

• Peru: The President stated that he does not support the removal of the former President of Peru, Pedro Castillo.

• Nicaragua: Lopez Obrador stated that his government respects the situation in Nicaragua and is working towards a dialogue to resolve differences. He declined to comment on whether President Daniel Ortega violated human rights.

Infrastructure

• The President provided updates on various infrastructure projects, including the completion of the Dos Bocas refinery, maintenance contracts for the Maya Train, and the expansion of ports and industrial parks in the Trans-isthmian corridor. He also noted that the new Felipe Angeles International Airport will be self-sufficient by December 2023.

• The Tren Maya project is progressing well, with the salvaging of archaeological sites almost complete. The train will be integrated with the Corredor Interoceanico to boost freight transport and will have new academic programs in the region. The first train will arrive on July 8, 2023, and security measures will be in place.

• Tesla will establish its plant in Nuevo Leon, with a series of commitments to address the water scar-

KEYPOINTS OF PRESIDENT ANDRES MANUEL LOPEZ OBRADOR’S MORNING PRESS CONFERENCE

city issue. The federal government is supporting the state of Nuevo Leon to provide access to water for human consumption by assisting in the construction of water works.

Energy

• Energy: The Mexican government is working on promoting the use of clean energy sources and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

• Regarding electricity generation, the President stated that 544 applications for the generation of electric energy have been submitted to the National Energy Control Center (CENACE) and that the government is seeking to promote the use of renewable energy sources in the country.

Health

• The Mexican government is implementing a universal vaccination program to address the decline in vaccination coverage caused by major pharmaceutical companies withdrawal from distributing vaccines globally.

• The Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (COFEPRIS) has initiated administrative proceedings against Psicofarma for monopolizing the sale of psychiatric drugs to both the government and private sectors. COFEPRIS found issues with the company’s production lines, including cross-contamination between medications and problems with the traceability of active substances, leading to sanctions and production line stops. Despite a shortage of medications in the private sector, the public sector is not affected because it purchases from external suppliers.