The 10 most read Politics news of 2022 in El Economista

The two main news items in the politics section were related to the earthquakes of September 19 and 22. In the memory of many Mexicans, especially those who live in Mexico City, September will always be associated with earthquakes. Tragedy, anguish, the seismic alarm and uncertainty are present, although we never know when it will shake again.

Let’s review the issues that marked the political agenda of The Economist.

1. Seismological reports an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.9 with an epicenter in Coalcoman, Michoacán

On Thursday, September 22, at 1:16 p.m., an earthquake was registered, whose magnitude was 6.9. according to National Seismological Service the epicenter was 84 kilometers from Coalcomán, Michoacán. In Mexico City the seismic alarm was activated. The Head of Government, Claudia Sheinbaum reported that there were overflights without detecting damage.

The Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) applied a national electricity supply review protocol. And President Andrés Manuel López Obrador shared a message through his social networks to warn that no damage has been reported.

2. Seismological adjusts to 7.7 magnitude of the earthquake of this September 19

On September 19, as happened in 2017 and in 1985, an earthquake was registered. In this 2022, the magnitude was 7.7 and the epicenter was in Coalcomán, Michoacán. The President of the Republic Andrés Manuel López Obrador and the Head of Government Claudia Sheinbaum, indicated that the respective protocols were applied, without finding material or human damage.

As every September 19, at 12:19 o’clock the seismic alarm sounded to carry out the annual simulacrum. Later, at 1:05 p.m., the seismic alarm was activated again, but now it was a real warning.

3. In the midst of the crisis in Ukraine, AMLO is preparing to send an official close to the 4T as ambassador to Russia

Andrés Manuel López Obrador appointed Eduardo Villegas as ambassador to Russia. Villegas, was his personal assistant to the President and Coordinator of Historical and Cultural Memory of Mexico (office of the presidency, created in this six-year term). The previous ambassador, Norma Pensamiento, was trained in the foreign service and was replaced by someone with no experience in international relations, reported Diego Badillo.

Norma Pensamiento was sent to the Danish embassy. The changes occur in the middle of the Russian invasion in Ukrainea warlike conflict that began on February 24 and has not ceased.

4. The Valley of Mexico will continue in Phase 1 of environmental and double contingency Hoy no Circula this Monday: CAMe

In November, due to bad air conditions, the Megalopolis Environmental Commission decided to continue Phase 1 of the Environmental Contingency. The objective is to reduce the exposure of the population to polluted air and reduce the generation of pollutants.

In the Metropolitan Zone of the Valley of Mexico, between CDMX and Edomex, a maximum value of 134 ppb ozone, at 17:00 hours. When Phase 1 of the environmental contingency is activated, cars with verification hologram 2, 50% of units that distribute liquefied petroleum gas (LP) stop circulating, among others depending on the day.

5. Plan to contain inflation: AMLO announces guaranteed prices for 24 products

In April, President López Obrador unveiled the plan to contain the rise in inflation. It establishes a guaranteed price for 24 basic basket products. The official name is Package against inflation and famine (PACIC), reported Jorge Monroy.

Cabinet members counted on the willingness of producers, merchants, transporters and department stores to lower – without imposing – prices on consumers.

6. Inai orders AMLO to be punished for displaying Loret de Mola’s personal data

The National Institute of Transparency, Access to Information (INAI) found elements to sanction AMLO for exhibiting a tax document that violates the privacy of Carlos Loret de Mola. INAI commissioners unanimously determined that López Obrador is responsible, José Soto Galindo reported.

Loreto de Mola, a journalist who opposes the President, published a report on the alleged conflicts of interest between AMLO’s relatives and federal government suppliers. The response was media harassment at the morning conference. Despite the fact that the INAI agrees that López Obrador receives a sanction, said sanctions against the president will be determined by an office subordinate to the president himself.

7. The fight against corruption stagnates; Mexico ranks 124 out of 180

Mexicans have the perception that the fight against corruption has stagnated since 2021. Our country occupies position 124, out of a total of 180 nations, which are evaluated by Transparency International (TI). The rating obtained by Mexico was 31, where 100 is the maximum. In addition, within the OECD we are the worst evaluated country in the fight against corruption. Maritza Perez reported.

8. They attack the US Consulate and facilities of the Sedena in Nuevo Laredo

In March, the Northeast Cartel fired at the facilities of the United States Consulate, in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas. This was reported by reporter Jorge Monroy for El Economista. In addition to the attack on the consulate, they burned several vehicles, blocked roads and shot at Sedena facilities. The violence was a response to the arrest of JJuan Gerardo Treviño, aka “El Huevo”last active leader of Los Zetas.

9. Mexico is prepared to face the impact of Russia’s military operation in Ukraine: AMLO

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador reported in his morning conference that Mexico is prepared to face the economic effects caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He specifically referred to the increase in the gas price to produce electrical energy. He claimed that hydroelectric plants could work at full capacity.

Finally, he said that his position will always be against any war in the world. “We don’t want war anywhere, anywhere; We don’t want people to suffer…”

10. Monterrey hopes that the solution to the water crisis will fall from the sky

During 2022, the city of Monterrey suffered one of the worst crises in terms of water supply. The main reason was the scant rainfall which caused the dams to empty. Of the total water consumed by the population of the Neolonese capital, 63% comes from three dams.

In this region of Mexico, It has rained less since 2014 and the population has increased. Therefore, there is less water, but more consumption.

itzayana.rios@eleconomista.mx