Mexico's Economy 3.5% Growth Breaks into the Limelight

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, and everyone in between – grab your conductor hats because we're about to embark on a rollercoaster of news from the colorful land of Mexico.

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, affectionately known as AMLO, kicked off the day in style with the Morning Conference from the National Palace. What did the President's morning musings entail, you ask? Well, fasten your seatbelts and get ready for the wildest news express you've ever ridden.

The day began with David Aguilar, the head of the Federal Consumer Protection Agency, Profeco, giving us the lowdown on the price of gasoline. Regular gas is priced at 22.55 pesos, while premium gas has decided to don its fanciest attire at 24.68 pesos. And let's not forget diesel, which is calmly chilling at an average of 24.03 pesos. The Mexican pumps are certainly a happening place.

But it's not all sunshine and rainbows. More than 212 complaints were submitted on the Litro por Litro app last week, and they didn't just sit around sipping margaritas. Nope, they went out and made 191 verification visits to these gas stations. Imagine them as the gasoline superheroes, swooping in to save the day. There was one gas station, however, in Sonora, that played hard to get and didn't want to be verified. Talk about gas-station shyness.

Meanwhile, LP gas is doing its price tango, with the average hitting 17.82 pesos per kilo for cylinders and a lithe 9.64 pesos per liter for stationary gas. That's one flexible gas market. Good news though, more than 900 LP gas dispensers are playing by the rules, so you can fill up your propane tanks with peace of mind.

There's more. David Aguilar didn't stop at gasoline. He dived headfirst into the prices of the 24 products in the basic food basket. In the central zone, prices ranged from 777.30 pesos for the thrifty shoppers to 1,024.10 pesos for those who like a bit of indulgence. Shopping for groceries has never been this exciting.

Mayan Train Sections 5, 6, and 7

Choo-choo! The Mayan Train is rolling down the tracks with sections 5, 6, and 7, spanning 621 kilometers and blessing 11 municipalities in Quintana Roo and Campeche. The construction is on point, and it's not just the train; they're building stuff all around it. Twelve archaeological zones are getting a makeover, and in Calakmul, a Hotel and a Visitor's Center are popping up. It's like they're throwing a big party for the Mayans!

The southern viaduct, a whopping 5.5 kilometers long, is done and dusted. They're now laying sleepers, probably giving them a cozy little nap on the tracks. The Tulum station is also making waves, ensuring the interchange between all means of transportation is as smooth as a salsa dance.

The Mayan Train isn't slowing down, thanks to the Secretary of National Defense (Sedena). Section 6 from Tulum to Chetumal is full steam ahead, with the works of material bank exploitation, embankment laying, and elevated viaducts going full throttle. Section 7, from Chetumal to Escárcega, is a hive of activity. Four stations are in the works, with a 14,761 workers making the magic happen. They're also building an airport with a 3,700-meter runway, and it's soaring at 77.79% progress. Talk about taking off!

The Mayan Train isn't just about transportation; it's about transformation! Mara Lezama, the governor of Quintana Roo, is excited. They're building 'The Door to the Sea,' connecting Carrillo Puerto to the Caribbean Sea. And it's not just any dock, it's a paradisiacal one! They're even erecting a monument honoring political prisoners. In Carrillo Puerto, a historical museum is coming to life. If the Mayan Train was a party, this would be its grand entrance!

Dialogue Between Cuba and the US

Let's hop across the border to international affairs. President AMLO is all about diplomatic solutions. He's working on a dialogue between the United States and Cuba. The aim? To resolve the economic blockade of the island. Cuba might have been in a timeout, but it's time to break out of that corner! AMLO wishes that this dialogue rekindles faster than a Cuban cigar, and he's not alone. During UN assemblies, most countries vote in favor of lifting the blockade against Cuba. It's a global fiesta for diplomacy.

Migrants are on the move, but not everyone's happy about it. AMLO criticized the U.S. border states, especially Texas, for putting up barbed wire fences to keep migrants out. What Mexico wants is a long-term solution, tackling the root causes of migration. AMLO is saying, “Hey, let's put some real thought into this, folks.” He's all about being a good neighbor. After all, nobody wants to live next to a grumpy neighbor, right?

PJF Marches

In other news, the Federal Judicial Power (PJF) is on the streets, protesting the elimination of their million-dollar trust funds. AMLO is unimpressed, saying they're defending privileges, and he thinks it's unfair. He even compares their salaries to average folks, pointing out the giant gap. He suggests that the 15 billion pesos from those trusts could fund 2 million scholarships for needy students. It's a million-dollar dilemma!

The conservative bloc isn't taking the trust fund elimination lying down. They're filing an appeal of unconstitutionality, and AMLO finds it quite entertaining. He jokes about them becoming the Supreme Conservative Power. Well, what's a democracy without a bit of humor, right?

Governorships 2024

AMLO is all for gender balance in politics. He supports the INE's proposal for five women and four men as candidates for the nine governorships up for grabs in 2024. He's not keen on rolling back the progress made, and he's ready to keep the corrupt at bay. It's a gender-balanced political fiesta.

Water Problems in Guanajuato

AMLO isn't pleased with the situation in Guanajuato. Federal judges' resolutions on water issues are being ignored. He mentions the Gerard brothers having their fingers in many pies, and he's not impressed. The right-wing doctrine, he says, is just hypocrisy. It's a political opera, and the stage is set for drama.

Prosecutors and Homicides

The prosecutors in Morelos and Guanajuato are under AMLO's scrutiny. He's puzzled by their actions, especially when they're linked to crimes. He's not a fan of 'untouchable' prosecutors. And the homicide count? It's like checking a crime scorecard. In the grand scheme of things, Mexico City's homicide rate isn't as high as you might think.

Economy Grows 3.5% Annually

AMLO wants everyone to know that the Mexican economy is doing the cha-cha. The Global Indicator of Economic Activity and Activity Groups is strutting its stuff with a 3.5% annual growth. Mexico's economy is in the spotlight, and it's ready to go!

Boca del Cerro Bridge

And to top it all off, LAMAT Group is busy building the Boca del Cerro Bridge. It's the star of Section 1 of the Mayan Train. Choo-choo, here we go again.

So, there you have it, a day in the life of President AMLO and his world of Mexican current affairs. From gas prices to train tracks, from politics to economics, it's a wild ride through the headlines that make Mexico tick. Until tomorrow.