Mexico in September 2026: the most important developments in politics
In Mexico in September 2026, the most covered story was US President Donald Trump's suggestion on September 6 and 7 to rename the US state of New Mexico "New America". He shared an image with the word "Mexico" crossed out of the state's name, and later a map showing Canada, Mexico and Greenland under the US flag. President Claudia Sheinbaum said Mexico seeks good relations with the United States and, on September 7 and 8, that Mexico "will not be a colony or protectorate" of any country. New Mexico leaders rejected the renaming. On September 15 she said in her Independence Day address that Mexico will not kneel or sell out, and she prepared a report on US interference. She dismissed a poll that backed foreign intervention in Mexico. On September 17 she held a phone call with Trump on trade relations, and she was scheduled to meet US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Rubio said the United States is committed to Mexico on security.
The second theme was Sheinbaum's second government report, delivered on September 1 amid high approval, with Noroña, Adán Augusto and Maru Campos absent. She continued an accountability tour in Durango, Veracruz and other states, saying 150,000 people attended one event. She defended the legacy of former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador and called for unity within Morena, left the definition of an alliance with the PT to Morena, and called the National Electoral Institute's 2027 budget request exaggerated. Morena named Julieta Ramírez as its candidate for Baja California.
On security, Sheinbaum met the governor of Sinaloa, Rubén Rocha Moya, to strengthen coordination, and Mexico reviewed permits in Guanajuato after a fuel seizure. A trial opened on September 7 and 8 over the killing of Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson and their US friend. A suspect in the killing of a Spanish student was arrested and confessed.
On foreign relations, the foreign minister met Wang Yi in Beijing, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung visited on September 24 and the two countries adopted a 2026-2030 joint action plan, and Russia and Mexico expressed support for UN reform.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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