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

• Puebla: The Governor of Puebla thanked President Lopez Obrador for the support received in hospital infrastructure, health, and metropolitan mobility, including the construction of Line 4 BRT, the southern truck station and the new Ejercito de Oriente Road Distributor. Regarding the Agua de Puebla company, which has been abusing the people of Puebla for 10 years, the governor explained that it is a concession granted by the previous administration and that financially it is complicated to take action, but an agreement was reached to avoid increases of more than 4% in the service charge and to commit an investment for the benefit of the metropolitan area.

Energy

• Energy: The President mentioned that the energy self-sufficiency policy has allowed Pemex to increase the production of gasoline and gas associated with oil, thus reducing the need for imports. He also highlighted that the costs of purchasing gas from the US have been reduced and surpluses are being sold. Investments have been made to avoid flaring gas into the atmosphere, which has reduced the amount being flared and improved air quality.

Health

• End of the Pandemic: The Undersecretary of Prevention and Health Promotion, Hugo Lopez-Gatell Ramirez, pointed out that last Thursday, May 4, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the end of the COVID19 pandemic, however, the existence of the disease will remain. In terms of immunity, he said that 95% of the population has a high level of immunity through vaccines or infection. He emphasized that, given that these characteristics are met, the President has signed a decree declaring the end of the pandemic for COVID-19, which results in the end of several periods of validity established during the emergency. He mentioned that there is a long term management plan with several recommendations among them.

• Strategy against drug use: The Secretary of Education, Leticia Ramirez Amaya, announced the progress of the Strategy in the Classroom for the prevention of drug use in schools, she emphasized that it is a nationwide campaign, she said that the participation of parents is essential. The President, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, said that during his call today with the President of the United States, Joe Biden, he will address the issue of the liberalization of the consumption of some drugs, such as marijuana.

• Patria Vaccine: The director of CONACYT announced that the Patria vaccine is ready, which already has all the protocols established by the WHO. This was thanks to the conjunction of public capacities in alliance with private entities such as AVIMEX. This alliance not only makes possible technological sovereignty in vaccines, but also the return of value for Mexico.