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

March 22 – 28, 2023

Political Agenda

• Plan B Electoral: In view of the decision of a minister of the Supreme Court of Justice to suspend Plan B Electoral and the announcement of the Legal Counsel of the Federal Government to challenge such suspension, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador commented that the minister overstepped his authority by becoming in fact a legislative power. He considered that the important thing is to know why they are acting in this way, since this is not a legal issue, but a political and also a commercial one, because what they do not want is that the salaries of INE’s high officials be reduced. He recalled that the Constitution establishes that no one can earn more than the President and the ministers exceed him. He expressed that there is a Plan C, which would consist of not voting for the conservative block so that the transformation of the country continues, which was already implemented in 2018. He emphasized that the transformation has been taking place with respect for the Rule of Law.

• Banning of Tik Tok: Regarding the determinations of some foreign governments to totally and partially ban this social network, the President mentioned that in Mexico it will not be banned, the freedom of manifestation of ideas will be guaranteed.

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

of Justice of the Nation is a lie, since the owner of the newspaper is upset by the cancellation of a loan granted to him during the time of the former Secretary of the Interior, Miguel Angel Osorio Chong, for 100 million dollars.

Economy

• Tour with Larry Fink: The President informed that Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, accepted the invitation to tour the Southeast of Mexico, with the date to be confirmed.

• Osorio Chong: He stated that the change in the coordination of the PRI’s parliamentary group in the Senate of the Republic is a Party matter, where his government has no interference.

• Judicial Power of the Federation: The President of Mexico reiterated the need for a reform in the Judicial Power of the Federation due to corruption and the tendency to protect power groups in its structure. He stated that the reform is not easy and that forums must be held within the Judicial Power to carry it out. In addition, he denounced that the survey published by the newspaper El Financiero on the acceptance of the Supreme Court

• Commercial banking commissions: The President pledged that during his administration the legislation will not be changed, he recalled that at the beginning of his term he made a commitment not to change the rules for the banking system and in a second moment, nothing can be approved in the legislature due to a blockade by opposition legislators. However, with the current legal framework and through the National Banking and Securities Commission (CNBV), they will fight against abuses in commercial banking, such as the excessive charging of interest.

Health

• Health: Undersecretary of Health Hugo Lopez-Gatell recognized Argentina for its ban on the marketing of tobacco products, vapes and electronic cigarettes. He also reported that COVID-19 cases continue to decline and hospital capacity remains stable. The continuation of vaccination for children from 5 to 12 years of age was also mentioned. IMSS Director Zoe Robledo highlighted the progress of the IMSS-Bienestar program in several Mexican states, including coverage, improved infrastructure, supply of medicines and new hires of Cuban specialists and doctors.

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

• Campaign against drugs: The Secretary of Education, Leticia Ramirez Amaya, presented the campaign “If you do drugs, you harm yourself” which is being promoted against addictions, focused on secondary and high school students. She presented a triptych and a video capsule with information about fentanyl, with the objective of educating teachers and students about the risks of this drug. The President reiterated the importance of disseminating the harm caused by synthetic drugs, especially fentanyl. He regretted the situation in the United States due to its high levels of mortality caused by this substance. He assured that in Mexico, drug consumption has not increased alarmingly and is focused in certain areas of some states.

International

• Peru Situation: President Lopez Obrador mentioned that he had a good meeting with Pedro Castillo’s lawyer, highlighting that they acted outside the law and there are no grounds for their imprisonment. The lawyer has evidence that the Peruvian Congress exceeded its powers. The president pointed out that since Pedro Castillo became president there has been harassment due to economic and social interests.

Security

• Report on security in the country: During the conference, the President highlighted the reduction of crime during his mandate due to the fight against corruption and the attention to the causes of violence. The Secretary of the Navy reported on the collection and participation in activities to guarantee the security of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec

Train and the transfer of vaccines. The Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection reported on the increase in crimes with firearms and the reduction in the theft of motor vehicles and hydrocarbons. He also highlighted the success of the Regularization of Vehicles of Foreign Origin program.

• Military Intelligence: The President pointed out that the Mexican Government does not use the PEGASUS software, he committed to deliver the information on the work done by the National Intelligence Center. He explained that the intelligence work performed by SEDENA is done legally and with judicial authorization. He explained that Pegasus is a brand name and there are equivalent systems everywhere, which carry out the same functions of the listening system. He accused that the information coming from “Guacamaya Leaks” is information obtained illegally and financed by Claudio X. Gonzalez’s group and international agencies to generate instability in the country.

Bilateral Relations

• Relations with the United States: Several issues related to security and the fight against crime in Mexico were discussed during the conference. The President highlighted the reduction in crime during

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

his term in office and noted that this is due to the fight against corruption and attention to the causes of violence. The Secretaries of the Navy and National Defense reported on the activities they are carrying out to guarantee security in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec Train, the transfer of vaccines and the fight against fuel theft. The Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection highlighted the increase in crimes involving firearms and the reduction in the theft of motor vehicles and hydrocarbons. She also highlighted the success of the program for the Regularization of Vehicles of Foreign Origin.

• Meeting with John Kerry: The Mexican President reported on his meeting with U.S. Climate Envoy John Kerry, and mentioned that they discussed Plan Sonora and the expansion of solar plants from Peñasco to other sites in Sonora. Also discussed was the comprehensive renewable energy plan which includes water-fired power plants, hydroelectric plants and the goal of producing 35% of all energy with renewable energy processes by 2024. The main objective of these actions is to avoid an increase in the price of electricity. In addition, the importance of the automotive industry and the natural resources that Sonora offers, such as lithium and copper, were mentioned.

Environment

• Water Crisis: In response to a specific question about the water pressure in the Cutzamala system, the President stated that the Secretary of National Defense has carried out exploration and drilling of water wells around the Felipe Angeles Airport. Work is currently underway with CONAGUA to connect the wells to the rest of Mexico City. Sec- retary Sandoval added that SEDENA will begin an operation to “bomb clouds” and facilitate rainfall in the Valley of Mexico area. Mexico City’s Chief of Government, Claudia Sheinbaum, is working to address the problem.

• Constellation Brands plant: When asked about the extension of the withdrawal time of the Constellation Brands plant and its scope, Maria Luisa Albores Gonzalez, head of Semarnat, responded that they requested an extension of 12 months and it was only granted for 6 months. The purpose is that during this time all its infrastructure can be taken to the port of Veracruz where they will be installed. For his part, the president mentioned that the company accepted the result of the consultation, they acquired a piece of land near the port, expressing that they behaved very well. He pointed out that to a certain extent they were deceived by the previous administrations by granting permission when there was no water available and the people of Mexicali protested. Because of this they spoke with the owners, who accepted the move where there is water and they also have the possibility of exporting the beer.

• Pig farms in Merida: Regarding the studies and the effects on the water that occurred in Mérida due to the pig farms, María Luisa Albores González explained that an environmental study diagnosis was carried out and they are working with the local government in a technical round table to achieve a homogenization of a real diagnosis. She expressed that they have already identified municipalities where there are red hot spots where they cannot have more pigs and where it is necessary to reduce the number of pigs in the farms.