Mexico’s week in review: Exports and gas production hit record highs as patriotic spirit swells

Mexico’s week of September 7‑13 unfolded as a vivid tableau of triumphs, tensions and the everyday hopes of families from the tianguis stalls of Oaxaca to the maquiladoras of the northern border. While President Claudia Sheinbaum kept a steady tone of optimism, the nation’s streets echoed with the same patriotic fervor that will soon ring out on the night of El Grito. At the same time, the government’s budget plans, security gains, and record‑breaking trade figures were set against a backdrop of sharp political sparring with the United States and a sobering education report that has families worrying about the future of their children’s schools.

Budget for 2027: modest growth, big promises

On Monday Finance Minister Édgar Amador Zamora presented Congress with a 10.6‑trillion‑peso budget for the 2027 fiscal year, a modest real‑terms increase of about one percent over the current year. The proposal is built around five pillars – economic growth, protecting government priorities, strengthening revenue, more efficient spending and fiscal discipline – and aims to narrow the deficit to 3.9 % of GDP, down from an estimated 4.1 % in 2026. Public debt is projected to sit at roughly 55 % of GDP, a level that the administration says is manageable as long as spending stays disciplined.

Key allocations reflect Sheinbaum’s social agenda. Health care receives a 10.9 % real‑terms boost to 1.1 trillion pesos, largely earmarked for IMSS‑Bienestar infrastructure and medicine supplies. Education rises about seven percent to 1.3 trillion pesos, funding new schools across the country. Pension and welfare programs are allocated just over one trillion pesos, while debt service consumes 1.6 trillion pesos – roughly one in seven pesos of total spending. Security agencies see an 11.6 % increase to 331.4 billion pesos, whereas Pemex’s budget is slashed by 69.2 % as the state oil company pushes toward self‑sufficiency.

The National Electoral Institute (INE) enjoys the largest real‑terms rise, up 87.5 %, reflecting the government’s focus on the 2027 midterm elections. In contrast, the Energy Ministry, the National Human Rights Commission and the Federal Electricity Commission face the steepest cuts. Sheinbaum praised the package as “very satisfactory,” noting that the growth outlook could exceed the official forecast of 1.5‑2.5 % if trade relations with the United States and Canada remain stable.

Security gains and the lingering battle against cartels

Security officials reported a dramatic 53 % drop in daily homicides in August compared with September 2024, marking the least violent August since 2015. Since Sheinbaum took office, more than 67,000 individuals have been arrested for high‑impact crimes, a figure that underscores the administration’s aggressive crackdown. Yet Security Minister Omar García Harfuch cautioned that “the job is not done,” emphasizing that the fight against organized crime remains far from over.

In Chiapas, President Sheinbaum highlighted a 63 % reduction in the homicide rate since Governor Eduardo Ramírez Aguilar assumed office, alongside nearly 10,000 arrests in the southern state. The same briefing revealed a clandestine hospital operated by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), a stark reminder that cartels continue to adapt and embed themselves in remote communities.

Border cooperation also made headlines. The binational “High Eagle” operation, conducted by Mexican and U.S. forces near Tijuana and San Diego, targeted drones that cartels use to surveil authorities. While the operation showed promise, officials warned that the technological cat‑and‑mouse game will likely intensify as criminal groups adopt more sophisticated tools.

Oil and gas: Olmeca refinery’s record month

Pemex’s Olmeca refinery in Tabasco posted its best month yet in July, averaging 252,498 barrels per day – a 78.8 % jump over June. Gasoline output surged even more sharply, up nearly 128 % month‑over‑month after earlier equipment fires forced repairs. Despite the impressive gains, the plant – which began operating roughly two years ago – is still running at about two‑thirds of its 340,000‑bpd capacity, indicating room for further growth.

The refinery’s performance arrives at a time when Pemex’s overall budget has been cut by 69.2 %, reflecting the government’s push for the company to become self‑sufficient and less dependent on state subsidies. Analysts note that while the record month is encouraging, sustained investment and maintenance will be crucial to keep the refinery operating near its full potential.

Trade with the United States hits new heights

Mexico’s exports to the United States reached a monthly record in July, with US $60.55 billion worth of goods sent north. This pushed Mexico’s share of the US $332.92 billion import market above 18 %, meaning Mexican products now account for almost one‑fifth of all US imports. The export basket includes vehicles, auto parts, machinery, medical devices, AI servers, alcoholic beverages and fresh food such as tomatoes – the very commodity that sparked a diplomatic flare‑up earlier in the week.

High‑level talks continued despite weather‑related disruptions. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s flight to Mexico City was grounded, but he and Sheinbaum held a video call on USMCA negotiations. Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard described the discussion as “cordial” and “very useful,” with talks focusing on steel, aluminum and automotive tariffs ahead of a fourth bilateral review round.

These trade successes are set against a backdrop of rising inflation, which ticked up to 3.26 % in August – a level Banxico expected, with forecasts of 3.5 % by year‑end. While inflation remains modest by regional standards, families in the colonia and ejido feel its impact in daily expenses, especially as fuel prices have not risen due to the government’s decision to avoid new taxes or price hikes.

Education crisis: PISA results spark national debate

New PISA results released this week painted a stark picture of Mexico’s education system. Among 7,843 students tested across 297 schools, 41.8 % of 15‑year‑olds scored below the basic level in math, reading and science – more than double the 19.7 % OECD average and the worst showing since 2009. Average scores were 388 in math, 408 in reading and 414 in science, all well below OECD averages of 463, 461 and 482 respectively.

Education Minister Mario Delgado blamed excessive screen time for the decline in reading comprehension, arguing that “screens make it easy to ‘read’ or consume images.” He defended the New Mexican School curriculum while promoting traditional games like yo‑yos, marbles and spinning tops as alternatives to phone use. The Ministry also announced a partnership with UNESCO to guide a “responsible” rollout of artificial intelligence in classrooms, aiming to ensure AI supports rather than replaces teaching.

President Sheinbaum responded by promising new math and reading textbooks for the next school year, incorporating poems and short stories, and a “return to pencil and paper.” She linked these reforms to national guidelines that already restrict cellphone use in schools, hoping to reverse the downward trend that has persisted since the 2009 PISA evaluation.

Political realignments ahead of the 2027 midterms

The week’s most striking political moment came when former President Vicente Fox met with PRI leader Alejandro “Alito” Moreno to discuss building a strong opposition ahead of the 2027 midterms. The reunion, occurring 26 years after Fox helped end PRI dominance, reignited old rivalries. Morena denounced the meeting as a “reorganization of the power elite,” accusing the participants of merely changing names while keeping the same old faces.

Sheinbaum labeled the Fox‑Moreno alliance “PRIAN” politics tied to the neoliberal era of former President Carlos Salinas de Gortari, and called Fox a “traitor of democracy,” referencing his controversial role in the disputed 2006 election. The PRI, once the ruler of Mexico for 71 years, now holds only two of the country’s 32 governorships, the same number as the much smaller Citizens Movement (MC) party.

These dynamics underscore a fragmented opposition landscape as the country prepares for the 2027 midterm elections. With the INE receiving a massive budget boost, the electoral arena is set to become a focal point for both established parties and emerging coalitions seeking to shape Mexico’s political future.

Patriotic fervor and the upcoming Independence celebrations

Amid the political and economic currents, the nation is gearing up for its 216th Independence Day on September 16. More than 18,000 members of the armed forces are preparing for a military parade through Mexico City, featuring drones, horses, dogs and a float commemorating the country’s recent World Cup hosting duties. President Sheinbaum will lead the traditional Grito de Independencia from the National Palace balcony, while the Tejano band Intocable headlines a concert in the Zócalo.

Festivities will echo across the country, from the tianguis of Sinaloa’s capital Culicán – which will hold a public celebration for the first time in two years – to the bustling mercados of the central plateau. For many families, these celebrations are more than symbolic; they represent a moment of collective pride that counterbalances the challenges highlighted this week, from security concerns to education setbacks.

In the midst of heat waves scorching the northern border and monsoon rains drenching the Pacific coast, the patriotic spirit remains a unifying thread. Whether it is a farmer in Chihuahua using an award‑winning irrigation filter, a student reading a new textbook, or a worker loading fresh tomatoes onto a truck bound for the United States, the hope for a better tomorrow is palpable. As Mexico moves toward the 2027 budget, the midterm elections, and the next chapter of its democratic journey, that hope will be tested, but it will also continue to drive ordinary Mexicans forward.

This article was produced with AI-assisted research and editorial support. Reporting is based on the source material cited below. Sources: Mexico News Daily; mexiconewsdaily.com; Global1.News (13 September 2026).

By Rosa Martinez, Staff Writer