by Mexico News Daily staff
President Claudia Sheinbaum used her Tuesday morning press conference to respond to pointed remarks made by White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller about Mexico’s justice system, security and bilateral relations.
Sheinbaum also addressed the feasibility of “sustainable fracking” in Mexico, political accusations against former Security Minister Genaro García Luna, and reaffirmed that Mexico would not be defined by foreign criticism.
Sheinbaum’s mañanera in 60 seconds
- Miller, White House deputy chief of staff, claimed that Mexico’s justice, political and legal systems “don’t work” because parts of the country are controlled and occupied by terrorist organizations that “kill or kidnap anybody who gets in their way.” Sheinbaum rejected his remarks and defended Mexico’s institutions.
- She also responded to comments made by U.S. officials regarding Mexican elections, saying Mexico should not be defined by outside criticism.
- Referring to former Security Minister Genaro García Luna, Sheinbaum said the accusations against him were politically motivated and reiterated that justice should prevail.
- The president also provided an update on an expert committee studying the feasibility of “sustainable fracking” in Mexico, saying the group expects to deliver recommendations soon.
Why today’s mañanera matters
Tuesday’s morning press conference was significant because President Claudia Sheinbaum responded directly to provocative remarks by senior Trump administration official Stephen Miller. The exchange comes as relations between Mexico and the United States remain focused on security, migration and trade.
The president also addressed recent political developments related to Genaro García Luna and updated the public on an energy assessment examining the feasibility of sustainable fracking in Mexico.
Sheinbaum responds to Stephen Miller’s remarks about Mexico
A reporter asked the president about comments made by Stephen Miller during a recent appearance on U.S. media.
Miller argued that Mexico’s justice system, political system and legal system “don’t work” because criminal organizations allegedly control territory and use violence against civilians.
He also claimed that Mexican criminal organizations “not only export massive death in the form of narcotics to our country, but they also export sophisticated criminal enterprises whose objective is to destabilize our democracy and end the rule of law in our country.”
Sheinbaum dismissed the criticism and defended Mexico’s institutions.
She said there is good coordination between Mexico and the United States and emphasized that cooperation between the two countries benefits both nations.
“We govern for the people,” Sheinbaum said. “We work every day for security and peace in our country, and there are results.”
She also criticized comments by U.S. officials suggesting Mexico should not be considered a democracy, saying Mexico should not be defined by foreign political rhetoric.
Sheinbaum: Ruffo case is a “criminal issue, not a political one”
A reporter noted that a group of former Spanish and Latin American political leaders had issued a statement supporting former presidential candidate Edmundo González and criticizing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
The conversation shifted to former Mexican security official Genaro García Luna and businessman Eduardo Ruffo.
Sheinbaum said the accusations against Ruffo are based on evidence presented by authorities and stressed that the matter should be resolved through the justice system, not politics.
“I repeat, it has nothing to do with a political issue. It is a criminal issue,” she said.
Sheinbaum provides an update on the fracking feasibility assessment
The president also gave an update on the government-commissioned assessment studying the feasibility of “sustainable fracking” in Mexico.
She said the committee has made significant progress and expects to complete its work soon.
According to Sheinbaum, experts from academic institutions and the energy sector are evaluating whether the technology can be used while minimizing environmental impacts.
She said the assessment will likely be completed next week.
Once the study is finished, the government will announce its conclusions and determine whether changes to public policy are warranted.
The president reiterated that the experts will decide what actions are necessary and that any future decisions will be based on scientific evidence.
A previous administration had promoted hydraulic fracturing as a way to increase domestic natural gas production, but Sheinbaum has maintained that environmental protection remains a priority while the review is underway.
