AMLO Unleashes Truth Bombs at Morning Conference

The air just got thick with presidential pronouncements and a dash of Tabasco salsa at the National Palace. Today's Morning Conference with Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) was a whirlwind of Mayan Train updates, airline smackdowns, and a healthy dose of “no me digas!” moments.

Gasolinazo? Nah, Just Opposition Heartburn: The morning kicked off with AMLO squashing rumors of a sneaky gas price hike (gasolinazo). Apparently, whispers of rising costs were nothing more than the “anger of the opposition” giving their tummies a rumble. David Aguilar Romero, Profeco chief, confirmed the price stability, adding that even LP gas and basic basket groceries were chillin' like villains. Whew, dodged a bullet there.

Mayan Train Chugging Along (Mostly): Choo choo! The Mayan Train saga continues, with General Lozano Águila reporting 18 days of smooth operations and over 15,000 tickets sold. Sections 5, 6, and 7 are chugging along, with 840 fancy-sounding things like “wildlife crossings” and “catenary laying” keeping construction crews busy. February will see these sections completed, hooray!

Mexico's Thriving Train-trepreneur Ecosystem: Alstom, a bigwig train supplier, chimed in, gushing about how the Mayan Train has spawned a whole new “railway supply chain” in Mexico. Apparently, before this choo-choo choo-nami, train parts were as scarce as honest politicians (just kidding… mostly).

Archaeology 101: Mayan Train Unearths Treasures (and Skeletons): Diego Prieto from INAH, history's coolest dude, dropped some knowledge bombs about the archaeological finds along the train tracks. From 40,000 real estate-y things to 147 skeletons (don't worry, they were ancient), the Mayan Train is basically unearthing Mexico's buried secrets like a treasure-hunting mole. El Meco and Tulum are already archaeological hotspots, and the Paamul II eco-trail is giving underwater history buffs a reason to grab their snorkels.

Tulum and Calakmul Hotels: Eco-Chic or Concrete Jungles?: The Mayan Train's not just about choo-choos; it's also about swanky hotels. The Tulum pad is 41% done, boasting reforestation efforts and 580 jobs created (someone call Luisa Fernanda!). Meanwhile, Calakmul's hotel is 63% solar-powered sunshine, soaking up rays and tourists alike.

Acapulco Woes and Presidential Promises: AMLO remembered the folks in Acapulco who lost their homes in Hurricane Otis, vowing to deliver ownership certificates. He also mourned three public servants who tragically died in a car accident, sending condolences and promising a visit next Wednesday for reconstruction updates. The Morning Conference is going on Acapulco time next week.

Profeco to the Rescue: Airlines Beware!: Profeco's chief, Aguilar Romero, flexed his consumer protection muscles, taking aim at airlines. Talks are on for disability-friendly travel protocols, and airlines charging for tiny luggage will soon be singing the blues. Roaming charges are also on Profeco's radar, so get ready for clearer data quotas, cellphone fiends.

Missing Persons: Clearing the Air (and Lies): AMLO addressed the sensitive issue of missing persons, assuring everyone that his government has no desire to erase anyone from the memory banks. He called for cooperation from all levels of authority and the Security Cabinet to tackle this complex issue. He also slammed “lies” and “dirty war” narratives being peddled by his adversaries, urging transparency and information sharing instead.

Laguna Verde: Nuclear Meltdown of Misinformation: Remember that fake news about the Laguna Verde nuclear plant spread by Felipe Calderón? Yeah, AMLO wasn't having it. He called out the “desperation” of the media for magnifying such issues and assured everyone that Laguna Verde is getting the TLC it deserves. So, put down your Geiger counters and pick up a good book instead.

Ciro vs. AMLO: The Ransom Edition: Journalist Ciro Gómez Leyva threw some shade AMLO's way, claiming he knew about a ransom paid for kidnapped migrants in Tamaulipas. AMLO's retort? A raised eyebrow and a question: “Does Ciro really believe that, or is he just acting?” Zing!

Jalisco Journalist Speaks Truth to Power: María Luisa Estrada from “La Grillotina Política” brought the fire, detailing the violence faced by journalists in Jalisco, including her own experiences. She also criticized the lack of access to the Morning Conference.

Calling All Honest Ambitious People (Except Those Vulgar Ones): As the clock ticked past 10 AM, AMLO shifted gears to the 2024 elections. He laid down the gauntlet for potential successors, demanding “moral authority, honesty, convictions, ideals,” and a complete aversion to vulgarity (ouch, that narrows it down!). Being incorruptible, loving the people, and steering clear of the potentates' pockets were also on the must-have list. Basically, AMLO's looking for a superhero, minus the spandex and laser vision. Good luck finding that in the political arena.

Blast Furnaces of Mexico: From Fiery to For Sale?: AMLO took a nostalgic trip down memory lane, remembering Altos Hornos de México before it was privatized by Salinas de Gortari. Now, the company's saddled with debt, and AMLO's Ministry of Finance is trying to whip it into shape for a sale. The goal? To get it out of the clutches of Alonso Ancira, who, according to AMLO, has had his fill of fiery furnaces and financial woes. Looks like Altos Hornos is about to get a new lease on life, hopefully under less…explosive management.

And that's a wrap.