The Mexico Political Economist

The Mexico Political Economist

Big News Breakdown

Mexico hits back at US

Timing of legal moves hint at a drive for self-defense by the ruling Morena party's big wigs, as much as a push for national defense.

Jul 13, 2026
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The Big News Breakdown. Unpacking this week’s most important news.

Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration has been taking far more aggressive legal action against the US government and its officials in recent days.

First, Mexico reacted with anger after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents killed a Mexican in their custody. As opposed to the tepid diplomatic notes that have characterised the previous responses to ICE brutality, the promise is now to take “more forceful legal measures,” said Sheinbaum.

These have been speculated to involve direct legal action against ICE in the US or support of class action suits filed by victims and their families.

The Mexican government has also committed to a full investigation—run by the federal attorney general and Sheinbaum ally, Ernestina Godoy—into whether the capture of notorious drug lord, el ‘Mayo’ Zambada, involved meddling by US authorities on Mexican soil.

From the very beginning, Sheinbaum expressed concern about US involvement, but it is only now, two years later, that the government is mobilising legally.

Perfect timing

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