Mexico’s week in review: Farewell to Cárdenas, a resignation at the INE and a record-breaking Catrina

The headlines of the week in Mexico began with news of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s reelection in Brazil, which left President Claudia Sheinbaum “very happy” and, in her words, was “a breath of fresh air” for Latin America and the Caribbean.

But at home, Mexico’s governing political movement Morena suffered another setback as the resignation of National Electoral Institute (INE) president Guadalupe Taddei raised fresh doubts about the integrity of figures tied to the government, even as Sheinbaum insisted Morena is not to blame. Meanwhile, the opposition National Action Party (PAN) announced six presumptive gubernatorial candidates for the 2027 elections.

This week also brought the death of Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas, a towering figure of Mexico’s democratic transition. And as the country heads into Day of the Dead (and Formula 1 Grand Prix) weekend, Sheinbaum called on new generations to preserve the holiday’s traditions.

Didn’t have time to catch Mexico’s top stories of the week of Oct. 26? Here’s what you missed.

Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas dies at 92

Cárdenas, a three-time presidential candidate and the son of President Lázaro Cárdenas, died in Mexico City on Wednesday. A member of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) for more than 30 years, he left the party in 1987 and ran in 1988 as the candidate of a left-wing coalition. He is widely believed to have won that election, but Carlos Salinas de Gortari was declared the winner. Cárdenas went on to co-found the Democratic Revolution Party (PRD), contested the 1994 and 2000 elections, and served as Mexico City’s first elected mayor from 1997 to 1999.

Sheinbaum called him “a man of steadfast principles,” and Thursday’s mañanera centered on a tribute to him. Asked what he leaves the Mexican left, she answered: “Honesty and democracy.” A public tribute with his coffin present was set for Friday at the Palacio de Bellas Artes. His son Lázaro Cárdenas Batel is Sheinbaum’s chief of staff.

INE president resigns; Sheinbaum weighs in

Guadalupe Taddei announced her resignation as INE president on Sunday after media outlets, including Reforma, reported that companies tied to businessman José Alfredo Hernández Casillas, with whom she reportedly has a close personal relationship, won lucrative INE contracts. She is the first head of the INE or its predecessor, the IFE, to resign since 1990. The Federal Auditor’s Office has opened an investigation, and Taddei said: “Each allegation must be examined with evidence.”

On Monday, Sheinbaum called the resignation “good” and said an audit was needed. On Tuesday, she pushed back on journalist Carlos Loret de Mola’s claim that “Taddei is Morena,” noting that the Chamber of Deputies, not the president, chose Taddei, who was picked by lottery in 2023. By Thursday, Sheinbaum went further, saying she believes Taddei “betrayed the trust of the people of Mexico.” She also said her government will propose turning the state-run printer Talleres Gráficos de México into a state-owned company to supply most electoral materials. The INE’s focus remains the June 6, 2027, elections.

IMSS workers promised 8% raise

After weeks of protests, Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) director Zoé Robledo presented a plan of 12 actions in 120 days. It includes an 8% salary increase, permanent positions for almost 11,000 temporary workers, 2,500 new specialist doctors, more than 18,000 additional beds and gurneys, and a push to guarantee medicines and clear the surgical backlog. Whether it satisfies workers, and ends shortages that have outlasted earlier government efforts, remains to be seen.

Dog poisonings rattle Condesa

Poison hidden in sausage left in and around Mexico City’s centrally located Parque España killed at least three dogs Tuesday, prompting an animal cruelty investigation. The toll later reached four. Attorney General Bertha Alcalde Luján said tests found methomyl, a highly toxic insecticide, in capsules placed inside the meat, and authorities recovered 14 suspect pieces.

On Friday, police arrested a 58-year-old man, identified as Salvador “N,” a block from the park after he resembled a person in images circulating on social media. He was detained for resisting arrest, and prosecutors cautioned that they had not yet established whether he was responsible. Residents are avoiding the park, and Cuauhtémoc borough Mayor Alessandra Rojo de la Vega urged pet owners not to let animals eat anything off the ground.

Guadalajara water plan and allegations of torture

On Wednesday, Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus announced a “historic agreement” with the federal government to invest 25 billion pesos (US $1.33 billion) in Guadalajara’s water infrastructure. The plan centers on two new aqueducts, from Lake Chapala and from the Calderón Reservoir, due by the end of 2028. The federal government will contribute 14.5 billion pesos and Jalisco 10.2 billion, and Lemus promised no new debt, privatization or rate increases. The announcement followed large protests demanding clean tap water.

The Oct. 11 protest in particular remains contentious. Two women, among around 10 people who have filed complaints with the Federal Attorney General’s Office, allege they were tortured by Jalisco state police. At least 39 people were arrested and dozens hurt. Lemus has conceded “serious mistakes” were made, Security Minister Juan Pablo Hernández denied ordering force and Sheinbaum has repeatedly denounced the alleged torture.

Citizen scientists make their mark

In Michoacán, residents who spotted unusual marks in a streambed led researchers to at least 50 dinosaur footprints near Apatzingán. The National Institute of Anthropology and History believes the Late Cretaceous tracks were left by three types of dinosaurs and says further study is needed to pin down species.

In Tabasco, residents of Barra de Santa Ana are working to restore coastal dunes. A 30-member community brigade trained by Eni Mexico and UNESCO will replant vegetation and install sand catchers. Erosion has hit 85% of the 30-kilometer coastline between Boca de Santa Ana and Boca de Panteones, and up to 3.5 meters of shoreline are lost each year.

Sheinbaum moves to keep Mexico’s masterpieces at home

Following the Gelman Collection controversy, Sheinbaum plans to strengthen the Monuments Law to prohibit the permanent export of privately owned works declared artistic or historical monuments. A preliminary draft was published Oct. 15. The change would reconcile the law with 10 presidential decrees protecting works by artists including Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo and David Alfaro Siqueiros. The timing matters, as the Supreme Court is set to hear a challenge to the 1984 Kahlo decree.

Day of the Dead highlights

• Mexico City’s cempasúchil production hit a record 10 million plants, up 53.8% from last year, grown mainly on Xochimilco’s chinampas.
• The capital unveiled the world’s tallest Catrina in the Zócalo. At 33.4 meters, the papier-mâché figure tops Puerto Vallarta’s 2023 record holder and is the city’s fifth Guinness record this year. The offering is on display through Nov. 3.
• At Friday’s mañanera, held amid marigolds and Catrina figures, Sheinbaum described the Mexican view of “death as part of life” and said the holiday has “recovered” from Halloween’s influence, partly thanks to films like “Coco.”

Mexico City unveils world’s tallest Catrina for Day of the Dead

Economy: Exports surge, growth slows and India talks begin

Mexico’s economy grew 0.9% in the third quarter from the previous quarter, down from 1.4% but above the 0.7% economists expected. Year over year, growth of 3.2% was the largest in 12 quarters, helped by a weak third quarter in 2025.

Exports, meanwhile, reached US $77.79 billion in September, up 37.9% and the third-highest monthly total on record. Over the first nine months, exports rose 30.4% to $627.19 billion, driven by computer and electronic equipment sold to the United States amid an AI data center boom. Mexico posted a $9.25 billion trade surplus, but its oil deficit of $25.68 billion already exceeds the 2025 total.

On the trade front, Mexico and India signed terms of reference on Monday for negotiations on a preferential trade agreement. Merchandise trade between the two totaled $8.74 billion in 2024, and a Mexican business mission to India is under discussion for early 2027.

Charlyn Corral makes history at the Ballon d’Or

Pachuca forward Charlyn Corral, 35, won the Gerd Müller trophy for Best Striker of the Year at Monday’s Ballon d’Or ceremony, becoming the first Mexican woman to earn the distinction. She scored 49 goals in 49 matches for club and country and shared the honor with Harry Kane.

In her acceptance speech, she also asked the audience to recognize compatriot Scarlett Camberos, who was among the 30 nominees for the main award.

Looking ahead

Whether Jalisco’s 25 billion-peso water plan will be enough to keep Guadalajara’s streets calm is an open question. The two aqueducts are not due until the end of 2028, work “could” start next year, and the Oct. 11 allegations of police abuse remain under investigation, so residents may be left with promises rather than clean tap water for some time. On trade, Sheinbaum agreed with Donald Trump that a deal with the United States is “very close”, and on Wednesday she said talks were advancing as both sides weigh whether an interim agreement is possible before U.S. midterm elections next Tuesday, Reuters reported. Mexico is still seeking a “significant reduction” in U.S. tariffs on autos, steel and aluminum, while Washington is pressing concerns over automotive content and Chinese investment.

Even a pre-election deal would leave questions for the next Congress, according to an opinion piece in The Hill by Duncan Wood and Ivan Zapien. They argue that a change in control of Congress would not end U.S. pressure on Mexico over trade, migration and security, but a Democratic House could summon officials, scrutinize the USMCA talks and push for tougher labor and environmental enforcement, while Republicans keep pressing on energy and China. Either way, they write, Mexico should expect to answer to more of Washington, more often, after the U.S. declined in July to extend the USMCA for another 16 years.

Mexico News Daily

This story contains summaries of original Mexico News Daily articles. The summaries were generated by Claude, then revised and fact-checked by a Mexico News Daily staff editor.