- MEXICO
U.S. ACCUSATION AGAINST SINALOA GOVERNOR
• The U.S. Department of Justice filed criminal charges against Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya and nine current and former officials, alleging collaboration with the Sinaloa Cartel to facilitate large-scale drug trafficking into the United States.
• The indictment, presented by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, claims officials provided protection, intelligence leaks, and logistical support in exchange for bribes and political backing.
• Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum responded by demanding “irrefutable evidence” and emphasized that any legal action must proceed under Mexican jurisdiction.
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a formal diplomatic complaint over the public disclosure of what it considers confidential legal proceedings.
• Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office is currently reviewing U.S. requests, including potential extradition orders.
• This episode introduces new strain in the bilateral relationship ahead of the USMCA review, highlighting persistent tensions around security cooperation and sovereignty.
• While the U.S. seeks accountability through its judicial system, Mexico is signaling limits to external intervention, reinforcing a framework of cooperation conditioned on legal and diplomatic protocols.
SOURCE: EL ECONOMISTA, MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, US ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
- MEXICO
FGR OPENS NATIONAL SECURITY PROBE OVER CIA PRESENCE IN CHIHUAHUA
• Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office (FGR) has launched two investigations following a drug enforcement operation in Chihuahua, including a probe into the alleged involvement of U.S. agents potentially linked to the CIA.
• The FGR indicated that the investigation into the foreign agents is being pursued due to its “nature and relevance,” with authorities assessing whether violations related to national security may have occurred.
• A separate case focuses on the discovery of an open-air synthetic drug production site between the municipalities of Morelos and Guachochi.
• The case adds pressure to ongoing scrutiny of subnational coordination with foreign agencies.
SOURCES: POLITICO MX, LA JORNADA
SILENT NEARSHORING DRIVES MEXICO’S EXPORT SURGE
• Mexico posted a record $70.7 billion in exports in March 2026, up 27.7% year-over-year, with a $5.9 billion trade surplus. Beyond the headline figure, the key signal lies in composition: growth is being driven by non-automotive manufacturing, suggesting a gradual but meaningful reallocation of U.S. supply chains toward Mexico.
• At the same time, intermediate imports rose sharply, while capital goods lagged—indicating that firms are scaling output through existing capacity rather than new investment.
• Part of the surge may reflect temporary factors, including inventory adjustments and pre-USMCA review positioning. Also, structural constraints (energy, security, and regulatory uncertainty) remain. The broader takeaway is that nearshoring is already materializing, not through headline investments, but through increased industrial utilization and supply chain integration.
SOURCE: EL FINANCIERO
US - MEXICO
MEXICO AND EUROPEAN UNION TO HOLD SUMMIT IN MEXICO CITY
• Mexico and the European Union confirmed that a bilateral summit will take place on May 22nd, 2026, in Mexico City, following a call between President Sheinbaum and Charles Michel. The meeting aims to strengthen political and economic ties.
• The summit will focus on advancing cooperation in trade, investment, climate action, energy, health, and gender equality. It will serve as a platform to continue discussions on the modernization of the EU-Mexico Global Agreement.
• The EU remains one of Mexico’s key economic partners, ranking as its third-largest trading partner globally. This high-level meeting reflects a shared interest in deepening economic integration and diversifying partnerships.
SOURCE: INFOBAE
MEXICO LAUNCHES STEEL INDUSTRY AGREEMENT UNDER “PLAN MÉXICO”
• President Sheinbaum signed a landmark agreement to promote Mexico’s steel industry as part of the government’s “Plan México,” aimed at strengthening domestic production and supply chains.
• The agreement brings together 19 public institutions and key industry chambers, establishing that government procurement of steel will prioritize materials produced in Mexico. Authorities framed the initiative as a strategic effort to boost industrial capacity, reduce import dependence, and support national development.
• The policy is structured around three pillars: public procurement, industrial policy, and financing. Measures include incentives for using domestic steel in infrastructure projects, mechanisms to counter unfair trade practices, and financing tools to support projects that incorporate national inputs.
SOURCE: GOVERNMENT OF MEXICO
LEGISLATIVE CHANGES AND INITIATIVES
LABOR
• DRAFT DECREE AMENDING THE GENERAL LAW ON THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS, ON THE INSTALLATION OF BREASTFEEDING ROOMS IN WORKPLACES.
Presented by: Commission on Children and Adolescents’ Rights
Objective: require public and private workplaces to provide adequate, hygienic, and designated spaces for breastfeeding.
Status: 2026-04-29 - Likely published in the Parliamentary Gazette
• DECREE AMENDING AND ADDING PROVISIONS OF THE FEDERAL LABOR LAW REGARDING THE REDUCTION OF WORKING HOURS
Presented by: Northern Border Affairs Commission
Objective: Reduces the maximum ordinary working week to forty hours, allowing flexible distribution by mutual agreement between employers and employees. Establishes that overtime is limited to twelve hours per week, with double pay for extraordinary hours, and caps total daily working time at twelve hours. Mandates electronic time tracking.
Status: 2026-04-22 - Published in the Official Gazette of the Federation
TECHNOLOGY
• DECREE ISSUING THE REGULATION OF THE FEDERAL LAW FOR THE PROTECTION OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY
Presented by: Federal Executive Objective: Issues the Regulation of the Federal Law for the Protection of Industrial Property, establishing provisions of public order and general application throughout the national territory. Ensures its enforcement without prejudice to international treaties to which Mexico is a party, providing the regulatory framework necessary for the implementation of industrial property protections. Status: 2026-04-28 - Published in the Official Gazette
LEGISLATIVE CHANGES AND INITIATIVES
ENVIRONMENTAL
• DECREE AMENDING THE TARIFF OF THE LAW ON GENERAL IMPORT AND EXPORT DUTIES AND THE INITIATIVE WITH DRAFT DECREE AMENDING AND ADDING PROVISIONS OF THE GENERAL LAW FOR THE PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT OF WASTE
Presented by: Sen. Jorge Carlos Ramírez (YucPVEM)
Objective: Empowers the federal government to issue Official Mexican Standards for the treatment of leachates generated in waste disposal sites, including technical criteria for high-efficiency contaminant removal technologies. Establishes fiscal incentives, sustainable site certification, updated sanctions for environmental damage, and joint liability between operators and municipalities.
Status: 2026-04-29 - Published in the Parliamentary Gazette
• BILL TO THE GENERAL LAW ON THE PREVENTION AND COMPREHENSIVE MANAGEMENT OF WASTE
Presented by: Senator Armando Ayala (MORENA)
Objective: Mandates the federal government to incorporate into Official Mexican Standards the gradual reduction and potential elimination of single-use plastics. Promotes sustainable alternatives, reuse, recycling, circular economy principles, and extended producer responsibility.
Status: 2026-04-29 - Presented to the Plenary
NEWS BY STATE
BAJA CALIFORNIA
Playas de Rosarito is preparing to host the 2026 API Rosarito Real Estate Forum on May 19 and 20, bringing together real estate developers, investors, advisors, tourism leaders, and government representatives from both sides of the border to discuss urban growth, investment opportunities, and the municipality’s international projection. Organized by the Rosarito Association of Real Estate Professionals, the forum aims to align efforts across the real estate, tourism, and business sectors to promote organized, long-term development in the region. The agenda will include panels and conferences on topics such as AI in real estate, fractional ownership, residential investment, medical tourism projects, infrastructure, and public-private collaboration, while also highlighting Rosarito’s growing appeal to both domestic and foreign investors as the city continues to position itself as an emerging destination for strategic development and cross-border business opportunities.
SOURCE: INDUSTRIAL NEWS BC
NEWS BY STATE
CHIHUAHUA
Chihuahua is strengthening its position in advanced manufacturing through innovation in aluminum research led by the Advanced Materials Research Center (CIMAV). Researcher Raúl Pérez Bustamante highlighted aluminum’s importance for the automotive, aerospace, electrical, and electronics industries due to its lightweight, durable, and recyclable properties. CIMAV is developing new alloys and manufacturing processes to improve efficiency and sustainability, while also promoting technologies such as metal 3D printing. The state’s growing scientific ecosystem and industrial capabilities continue to position Chihuahua as a competitive hub for high-value manufacturing and advanced materials innovation.
SOURCE: EL HERALDO DE JUAREZ
NEWS BY STATE
COAHUILA
Coahuila will host the 2026 National Convention of Canacintra, bringing together industrial leaders, business executives, and manufacturing stakeholders to strengthen competitiveness, investment, and supply chain integration in Mexico. The event will highlight Coahuila’s strategic role as a major manufacturing hub, particularly in the automotive, metalworking, and export sectors, while also promoting opportunities driven by nearshoring and Mexico’s growing position as a North American industrial platform. Discussions will focus on innovation, technological development, local sourcing, and increasing national manufacturing content, as the industrial sector adapts to global logistics shifts, rising costs, and evolving production technologies. The convention will also serve as a platform to showcase Coahuila’s infrastructure, skilled workforce, and strategic border location as key advantages for attracting high-value industrial investment.
SOURCE: MEXICO INDUSTRY
NEWS BY STATE
NUEVO LEON
Monterrey’s industrial market reached 17.9 million m2 of inventory in Q1 2026, reinforcing its position as Mexico’s largest industrial real estate market, according to CBRE. Following the rapid expansion driven by nearshoring, the market is entering a normalization phase, with vacancy rising to 6.9% and average lease rates stabilizing at $7 USD/m2 per month amid increased speculative supply and greater competition. Despite this adjustment, net absorption remained positive at 212,000 m2, dri-
ven mainly by pre-leased and build-to-suit projects, while sectors such as diversified manufacturing, automotive, and high-tech continue to lead demand. The report also highlighted Nuevo León’s strong foreign direct investment growth and the continued expansion of industrial developments in key submarkets such as Apodaca and Ciénega de Flores, supporting a more balanced and sustainable growth outlook for the remainder of 2026.
SOURCE: CLUSTER INDUSTRIAL
NEWS BY STATE
QUERETARO
INDEX Querétaro hosted the 7th Foreign Trade, Tax, and Logistics Forum, where Emilio Cadena, CEO of Prodensa, analyzed the current challenges and opportunities facing Mexico’s IMMEX manufacturing sector amid rising trade tensions with the United States. During his keynote, “IMMEX in the Current Landscape,” Emilio, highlighted how tariffs, geopolitical shifts, and the politicization of global trade are reshaping export manufacturing and North American supply chains. He emphasized Mexico’s strategic position within the USMCA framework, the growing importance of regional integration, and the need to strengthen local supply chains in sectors such as electronics, automotive, pharmaceuticals, and data center technologies. The discussion also underscored the importance of regulatory efficiency and industrial policy to help Mexico move up the global value chain while maintaining competitiveness in an increasingly complex international trade environment.
SOURCE: CLUSTER INDUSTRIAL
NEWS BY STATE GUANAJUATO
Cortazar hosted the “Conexión Laboral” job fair, bringing together 29 companies and offering 575 job opportunities to strengthen workforce development and formal employment in the region. Organized by the Government of Guanajuato, the initiative aims to connect job seekers with employers through recruitment, training, and employability programs. Companies from key sectors such as automotive, agribusiness, and logistics participated, including ArcelorMittal, PepsiCo, Mabe, and DeAcero. The event also highlighted the use of digital tools such as the Coneecta platform to support labor market integration and regional economic growth in Guanajuato.
SOURCE: CLUSTER INDUSTRIAL
NEWS BY STATE
MEXICO CITY
• Mexico City is experiencing a growing mismatch between limited industrial space and rising logistics demand, driven largely by the sustained expansion of e-commerce.
• With vacancy rates hovering between 3% and 4% in the metropolitan area, companies are increasingly repurposing underutilized assets—such as old factories, warehouses, and office buildings—into urban distribution centers to meet last-mile delivery needs.
• This shift coincides with strong growth in online consumption, which surpassed 77
million users and generated over MXN 941 billion in sales in 2025, a 19.2% annual increase.
• As a result, logistics operators are prioritizing proximity to consumers over facility size, prompting investments in modernization, automation, and space optimization.
• The combination of land scarcity and rising demand is also accelerating trends such as vertical logistics and corridor specialization, reinforcing the strategic importance of location and operational adaptability in Mexico City’s evolving industrial landscape.
SOURCE: EL ECONOMISTA
NEWS BY STATE STATE OF MEXICO
• A new industrial complex, VCO Parque Toluca, has been inaugurated in Toluca, State of Mexico, with an initial investment of $16 million, reinforcing the region’s position as a strategic hub for manufacturing and logistics.
• The park is designed to accommodate a wide range of companies, from small-scale service providers to larger industrial operations, with flexible spaces starting at 300 square meters. It meets high standards in design, safety, and environmental compliance, aligning with the growing demand for modern industrial infrastructure.
• Among the first tenants is SEG Automotive, which announced an additional investment exceeding $50 million to manufacture electric vehicle motors.
• Local authorities highlighted that Toluca attracted approximately $950 million in investment in 2025, generating over 14,000 jobs. The addition of this new industrial park—one of at least 17 in the city—reflects sustained economic momentum driven by strong logistics, connectivity, and workforce availability.
• The project underscores the State of Mexico’s ongoing efforts to attract high-value manufacturing, particularly in emerging sectors such as electromobility, while strengthening regional supply chains and industrial diversification.
SOURCE: MILENIO
INVESTMENT NEWS
Northern México
TERNIUM
Ternium, the global steel manufacturer, announced the third-phase expansion of its Industrial Center in Pesquería, Nuevo León, with an additional investment of US$4 billion that brings the complex’s accumulated investment to over US$7.5 billion. The new stateof-the-art steelmaking facility will reach 2.6 million tons of annual capacity by late 2026, producing high-value automotive steel with the lowest CO2 emissions per ton globally.
Central México
SIG
SIG, a Swiss global leader in aseptic carton packaging, announced an investment of US$96 million (1.91 billion pesos) to expand its plant in Colón, Querétaro, located in Aerotech Industrial Park. The two-phase expansion will generate 40 new direct jobs and aims to reach 3 trillion packages produced annually by 2028, doubling current capacity and integrating extrusion processes locally.
SEIREN VISCOTEC
SEIREN VISCOTEC, a Japanese manufacturer of advanced textile materials and technical industrial components, opened a new plant in Abasolo, Guanajuato, with an investment of US$40 million (800 million pesos). The facility, located in Marabis Industrial Park, will generate 200 direct jobs and supply automotive and high-performance industrial applications, marking the company’s 10-year anniversary in Mexico.
MERCADO LIBRE
Mercado Libre, the leading e-commerce platform in Latin America, announced the installation of a new service center in Aguascalientes, located in Mezquite Industrial Park. The facility will integrate into the company’s national logistics network of 14 distribution centers and over 100 operational sites, strengthening same-day delivery capacity in the region.
INVEST MTY, INDUSTRY NEWS MX, MEXICO INDUSTRY
PRODENSA INSIGHTS
Choosing the Right Turnkey Partner in Mexico
Selecting the right turnkey partner is one of the most critical decisions when launching operations in Mexico. Beyond speed to market, the right partner ensures compliance, operational stability, and long-term scalability.
This article explores what companies should evaluate when choosing a partner—from legal structure and compliance capabilities to execution experience and alignment with long-term business goals.
• What defines a strong turnkey partner
• Why compliance and structure matter from day one
• How the right partner accelerates success in Mexico
Prodensa Hosts Executive Breakfast on USMCA, Trade, and Labor Reform
Prodensa recently hosted an executive breakfast bringing together clients and industry leaders to discuss the evolving U.S.–Mexico trade landscape. Key conversations focused on USMCA dynamics, current trade challenges, and upcoming labor reforms shaping operations in Mexico.
This event highlights the importance of staying ahead of policy and regulatory changes through dialogue, insight sharing, and collaboration across the North American business community.
• Key takeaways on USMCA and trade relations
• Insights on Mexico’s labor reform and its impact
• Why collaboration is critical in today’s environment