• 🗳️ Electoral reform now ‘constitutional’: Sheinbaum’s “Plan B” electoral overhaul has been ratified by a majority of Mexico’s 32 state legislatures, making it constitutional. The president highlighted six achievements to limit special privileges for politicians, including provisions related to nepotism and reelection, slashed legislative budgets, and the elimination of outsized pensions for former officials.

  ✈️ Barcelona bound: Sheinbaum revealed she’ll travel to Barcelona for an April 18 gathering of left-wing leaders. Expected attendees include the presidents of Colombia, Brazil and Uruguay, as well as Spain’s prime minister.

  📈 The economy, a glass half full: Despite March inflation ticking up to 4.59%, Sheinbaum touted several bright spots — the peso at 17.26 to the dollar, a 9.3% annual rise in international tourist arrivals, a 2.4% uptick in light vehicle sales, and Mexico climbing six places to 19th on the 2026 Kearney FDI Confidence Index.

Why today’s mañanera matters

With five morning press conferences every week, President Claudia Sheinbaum and other federal officials have ample opportunity to tout government policies, programs and achievements.

On Friday morning, Sheinbaum highlighted that her “plan B” electoral reform is close to becoming law and outlined how it will reduce privileges for Mexican politicians and help to create a fairer electoral system. She also talked up the Mexican economy, although inflation is on the rise and growth has been anemic.

Friday’s mañanera was also noteworthy as Sheinbaum revealed that she will make her sixth international trip as president next week. The president is headed for Spain on a trip that will be her first beyond the Americas since she was sworn in on Oct. 1, 2024.

Sheinbaum: Plan B electoral reform is ‘constitutional’

Sheinbaum said that her ‘plan B’ electoral reform — which passed the lower house of Congress this week and the Senate last month — has been ratified by 20 of Mexico’s 32 state legislatures.

“That means it is now constitutional,” she said, adding that the reform will now be certified by the Senate prior to promulgation via publication in the federal government’s official gazette.

Sheinbaum outlined what she called “six major achievements” of the “plan B” reform she submitted to Congress after her original proposal was rejected. However, some of the achievements she highlighted are in fact the product of separate reforms approved by Congress earlier in the year. Sheinbaum said that all the achievements fall under the “down with privileges” banner, specifically highlighting:

• A “no re-election” provision that prevents politicians from serving consecutive terms.
• A “no nepotism” provision that prevents relatives of politicians from seeking to succeed their family member.
• A reduction of the budgets allocated to state legislatures and the federal Senate.
• A reduction in the number of councilors in “a large number of municipalities.”
• The elimination of “golden” — i.e. excessively generous — pensions for former officials.
• The reduction of salaries and benefits for electoral councilors and electoral magistrates.

Sheinbaum to travel to Spain next week 

“I’m going to give you a story,” Sheinbaum told members of the press corps.

“I’m going to Barcelona,” she said, adding that she will travel to the Spanish city to take part in an event on Saturday April 18.

Sheinbaum said that she will attend a meeting with other “progressive” leaders who are part of a group that was formed by former Chilean president Gabriel Boric.

She said that “as far as we know,” President Gustavo Petro of Colombia, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of Spain and President Yamandú Orsi of Uruguay will attend the meeting in the Catalonia capital.

Those four leaders attended a meeting with Boric in Santiago, Chile, last July that was held under the banner “Democracia Siempre” (Democracy Always).

Sheinbaum said that her trip to Spain will be very short. “We’ll go one day and come back the next,” she said.

Sheinbaum didn’t specify what issues she and her fellow leaders planned to discuss in Barcelona.

Sheinbaum: ‘There is a lot of good economic news’ 

Sheinbaum acknowledged that inflation increased in March, reaching an annual headline rate of 4.59%.

“However,” she continued, “it’s important to say that there is a lot of good economic news.”

Sheinbaum presented five pieces of “good economic news for Mexico.”

She highlighted that:

• International visitor numbers increased 9.3% annually in the first two months of 2026.
• Industrial activity increased slightly in February — up 0.4% compared to January, although down 1.3% in annual terms.
• The Mexican peso was trading at 17.26 to the US dollar at 8 a.m. Friday.
• Sales of light vehicles in Mexico increased 2.4% annually in March.
• Mexico rose six places (to 19th out of 25 countries) on the 2026 Kearney FDI (foreign direct investment) Confidence Index.

By Mexico News Daily chief staff writer Peter Davies (peter.davies@mexiconewsdaily.com)