April 5, 2019


1. President López Obrador meets with U.S. legislators to discuss immigration and the Venezuelan political crisis

Following U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to shut down the border and stop immigration into the United States, President López Obrador held a meeting with members of the U.S. Congress, led by Democrat Eliot Engel, Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Engel assured that legislators oppose the construction of the wall and favor “building bridges” between the two nations. 

Mexico’s Ambassador to the U.S., Martha Bárcena, reiterated President López Obrador’s non-interventionist policy regarding the Venezuelan political crisis, proposing instead discussions that could lead to a negotiated solution.

Milenio: AMLO habla sobre migración y Venezuela con congresistas de EU

2. Finance Secretary, lower 2019 economic growth forecasts

President López Obrador has reduced Mexico’s economic growth projection to 2% for 2019 and 3% for 2020 although he had previously claimed that the economy would grow 4% in his first year in office. López Obrador’s statements came in light of the Finance Secretary lowering its forecast to a range between 1.1% and 2.1%.

Mexico’s Central Bank had previously reduced its forecast to the same range. Despite the adjustments, President López Obrador trusts the economy will grow at the rate he claims.

Forbes:  AMLO también rebaja su proyección de crecimiento: al menos 2% en 2019

3. President López Obrador names commissioners to the Energy Regulatory Commission

Mexico’s Senate once again rejected the proposed candidates to head the Energy Regulation Commission, allowing President López Obrador to name Luis Linares Zapata, Norma Leticia Campos Aragón, José Alberto Celestinos Isaac and Guadalupe Escalante as the body’s administrators. 

The list of candidates was rejected by opposition leaders for being proposed twice, but in a different order. The President rebutted, stating that the appointees are both honest and qualified.

Milenio:  AMLO designa a integrantes de la CRE

4. President López Obrador asks Mexico’s Congress to pass Labor bill agreed to during USMCA negotiations

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi warned that the United States will not authorize USMCA until Mexico passes legislation to protect workers, an issue discussed during the negotiations for the trade agreement.

Mexican legislators plan to sanction a Labor bill which would make it easier for workers to unionize. President López Obrador denied any pressure from the United States to enact the bill and added that the government doesn’t “want any reason to reopen negotiations of the agreement.”

Expansión:  AMLO pide al Congreso aprobar la reforma laboral acordada en el T-MEC

5. President López Obrador meets with Roberto Azevêdo, Director-General of the World Trade Organization

President López Obrador and Economy Secretary Graciela Márquez held a meeting with WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo and Mexican WTO representative Roberto Zapata Barradas, to discuss free trade and multilateral initiatives.

Azevêdo made a commitment to help Mexico reach its economic growth targets during López Obrador’s term, as well as guarantee social justice and the distribution of benefits to all Mexicans.

El Sol de México:  OMC ayudará en crecimiento económico de México