Monday, October 20, 2025

National Palace events cost over 2 million pesos

The federal government’s austerity drive didn’t stop it from spending 2.2 million pesos on two events at the National Palace attended by special guests.

In response to a freedom of information request submitted by the newspaper El Universal, President López Obrador’s office revealed that the cost of a soirée on September 27 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the consummation of Mexican independence and a dinner for attendees of a Latin American political summit earlier the same month was just over 2.2 million pesos (US $107,000).

Around 200 guests, including ambassadors, federal officials, prominent businesspeople and religious leaders, attended the former event, which was hosted by López Obrador. The welcome dinner for the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States summit, held September 18, was attended by the region’s leaders and other officials.

El Universal reported that the September 27 event was held in the National Palace’s central garden and that a range of typical, and mouthwatering, Mexican antojitos (snacks, or literally “little cravings”) and beverages were on offer. Among them: tacos al pastor, tamales, tlacoyos, tostadas, pambazos, horchata and agua de jamaica (a hibiscus flavored beverage).

The venue was elaborately decorated with papel picado (colorful tissue paper with intricately cut designs) and more than 50 tables were adorned with Mexican motifs. A children’s marimba group from Tabasco, López Obrador’s home state, entertained the guests.

News of the government’s 2.2-million-peso outlay on the two events attracted criticism from some social media users who opined that it was incongruent with the government’s so-called republican austerity push. But at least one Twitter user concluded that the cost wasn’t so excessive.

“Do you truly think that the highest ranking public officials are going to eat 10-peso tacos like us? Besides, … there were waiters, cooks and chefs, and … [given] the number of guests that attended, I don’t think it’s a ridiculous outlay,” wrote Twitter user @superboton74.

With reports from El Universal 

Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.
IPN students

‘TlalocBox’ could streamline monitoring of Mexico’s water supply

1
The device, invented by two students at the National Polytechnic Institute and named for the Aztec rain god, aims to provide cistern water quality data in real time.
restauarnt floating in the Gulf of Mexico

Veracruz restaurant swept to sea during flood comes ashore 570 km away

0
After breaking from the city’s seawall on Oct. 10, the Tuxpan restaurant El Atracadero (The Dock) floated past the city of Heroica Veracruz and the popular tourist destination of Boca del Río before beaching near Coatzacoalcos on Friday.
Soldiers destroying confiscated firearms with a machine

Sheinbaum government seizing firearms at twice the rate of previous administration

2
The 17,283 firearms seized by the federal government in the 12 months leading up to to Sept. 30 is equivalent to 33% of the 51,384 guns confiscated during the best part of López Obrador's presidency.
BETA Version - Powered by Perplexity