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

March 15 – 21, 2023

Political Agenda

• Oaxaca: The President of Mexico, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, recognized the Governor of Oaxaca, Salomon Jara, for his knowledge of the entity’s 570 municipalities and for his leadership in the region, which will allow him to establish dialogue and collaboration with local social and political actors. Lopez Obrador highlighted the progress of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec project, including the construction of a coking plant and the rehabilitation of a refinery, as well as the upcoming completion of the highway from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido. The President also noted that Chiapas, Oaxaca, and Guerrero are the entities that have benefited the most from welfare programs and that it is important to maintain customs that promote harmonious community life. The Secretary of National Defense reported on the security situation in Oaxaca, highlighting that the state has improved in several crime rates. Governor Salomon Jara reiterated his commitment to the fourth transformation of the country and highlighted the advances in infrastructure and development in the state.

• Southeast area: The aim is for Tabasco, Chiapas, Campeche, and Quintana Roo to be able to live off their natural resources; the conversion of economic activities to ecological and cultural tourism activities is contemplated. He emphasized that the southeast has 70% of the country’s water.

• Meeting with Latin American leaders: Mr. Lopez Obrador indicated that on April 5, he will hold a meeting with some Latin American counterparts, where they will address issues related to economic trade: import and export of food and other goods, in order to jointly face the inflationary phenomenon.

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

Environment

• John Kerry Agenda: President Lopez Obrador mentioned that John Kerry, U.S. Special Climate Envoy will accompany him to Guelatao and will address the issue of renewable energies. He assessed that John Kerry is very close to President Biden and is a friend of Mexico. After Guelatao the energy cabinet will meet in Oaxaca to review joint projects.

• Oil self-sufficiency: Lopez Obrador explained that with the two coker plants in Salina Cruz and Hidalgo, the Deer Park plant, the Dos Bocas plant, and the plants that are being maintained, we will be self-sufficient in fuel production. This will prevent fuel price increases, which are fundamental to avoid food and merchandise shortages and inflation.

• Corn Producers: He pointed out that there are guaranteed prices that did not exist before, this helps so that producers are not abused. Currently, the price of corn has increased in the world and the guaranteed price has been maintained. This has resulted in some producers deciding not to sell to SEGALMEX and preferring to sell to individuals. He reported that there will soon be an increase in the guaranteed price. He reminded that the government provides free fertilizers that support producers in an important way. He explained that the country is already self-sufficient in white corn, but not yet in yellow corn. The president indicated that the use of yellow corn for domestic use is not recommended because it tends to be transgenic.

Infrastructure

• Mayan Train: At the meeting, progress was reported on the construction of the Mayan Train and the modernization works at the Palenque airport to improve air connectivity in the area. In addition, the promotion of the employment of young local talent in these works was highlighted. Progress was also reported on the ecological rescue of Section 1 of the Mayan Train, including projects for new natural protected areas such as Wanha. In terms of security, it was reported that Chiapas is among the states with the lowest incidence of crime nationwide.

• Energy: In a press conference, Mexico’s president, Mr. Lopez Obrador, spoke about progress in the country’s oil industry. He criticized the lack of construction of new refineries in the last 40 years and the fact that contracts have been awarded to foreign companies to exploit oil instead of investing in domestic production. However, the fall in oil production was avoided by focusing on onshore or shallow water extraction instead of deep water. The Secretary of Energy, Eng. Rocio Nahle, informed that interventions have been carried out in