Sheinbaum’s mañanera in 60 seconds
- 🚑 Venezuela earthquake response: Mexico has deployed 250 military personnel, two Foreign Ministry representatives and 18 search-and-rescue dogs to Venezuela following twin earthquakes that killed at least 589 people. Sheinbaum said she would speak with acting president Delcy Rodríguez at 10 a.m. Friday to assess what additional support is needed. Mexico also sent 10.7 tonnes of medical supplies along with helmets, gloves, chainsaws and electric generators.
- 🌉 Walls vs. bridges: Asked about U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s claim that every inch of Mexico’s northern border is under cartel control, Sheinbaum pushed back by citing Trump’s own statements declaring the border the most secure in history. She said a wall is “not necessary” and that “what needs to be built between the United States and Mexico are more bridges, not more walls.”
- 💰 Gertz Manero wealth: Sheinbaum defended former Attorney General and current U.K. Ambassador Alejandro Gertz Manero after a newly disclosed asset declaration revealed he owns 13 properties, luxury cars including a Rolls-Royce, and inherited valuables worth over 26 million pesos. She said full transparency was shown and that a problem would only arise if assets had gone undeclared.
Why today’s mañanera matters
President Claudia Sheinbaum dedicated the first part of her press conference to detailing Mexico’s response to the two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela on Wednesday. The twin quakes killed at least 589 people and left thousands injured, the Associated Press reported on Friday morning, citing an announcement on the death toll from the acting president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez.
Sheinbaum told reporters she would speak to Rodríguez at 10 a.m. on Friday. She said that the aim of her conversation with the acting president would be to find out “what else” Venezuela needs and establish what additional support Mexico can provide.
Hoy tuve llamada telefónica con la presidenta encargada de Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, a quien expresé condolencias por las víctimas de los terremotos y reafirmé nuestro apoyo al pueblo venezolano. México ya despliega ayuda humanitaria en las zonas afectadas; estamos atentos a…
— Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo (@Claudiashein) June 26, 2026
AP reported that Rodríguez announced the new death toll early Friday, “surrounded by government and military officials as she welcomed the arrival of rescue crews from all over the world.”
Today’s mañanera was significant as Sheinbaum detailed how Mexico is doing its part to help Venezuela in a time of immense need.
Also of note at the Friday morning press conference was the president’s response to remarks made on Thursday by U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, who met with Sheinbaum in Mexico City last month.
Mexico goes to Venezuela’s aid
Sheinbaum highlighted that 250 members of the Mexican military have already arrived in Venezuela along with two representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and 18 search-and-rescue dogs.
According to information she presented, the mission of the Mexican military in Venezuela is to “carry out search and rescue operations.”
Sheinbaum said that the Mexican military was assigned a work area by Venezuelan authorities and began search and rescue operations early Friday.
She highlighted that Mexico has also sent medical supplies, tools and equipment to Venezuela. Information Sheinbaum presented showed that a total of 10.7 tonnes of medical supplies was sent to Venezuela. Among the equipment sent to the South American country from Mexico are helmets, gloves, chainsaws and electric generators.
Later in the mañanera, Sheinbaum said that Mexico “always lends a hand” when a tragedy occurs.
“We always help. It’s part of the culture that comes from the Indigenous people [of Mexico], a culture of community above individualism,” she said.
Sheinbaum: A wall between Mexico and the US is ‘not necessary’
A reporter asked the president about the remarks made on Thursday by Markwayne Mullin, who asserted that “there is not one inch of Mexico’s northern border that isn’t covered by a [cartel] plaza.”
In response, Sheinbaum highlighted that U.S. President Donald Trump recently posted a statement to social media that says that the United States border with Mexico is the “most secure.”
Mullin himself said earlier this month that “under President Donald Trump’s leadership, we are delivering the most secure border in American history.”
For her part, Sheinbaum said “there couldn’t be a secure border if work is not done on both sides.”
U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported last week that “illegal [border] crossings in May remained historically low,” while drug seizures by U.S. authorities at the Mexico-U.S. border have increased 56% “this fiscal year through May.”
While Trump is reportedly “accelerating his effort to finish his border wall” as he seeks to maintain a secure border, Sheinbaum said on Friday morning that, “from our point of view … a wall is not necessary.”
“What needs to be built between the United States and Mexico are more bridges, not more walls,” she said.
“This is always Mexico’s position and it’s our position,” Sheinbaum said.
Sheinbaum responds to Gertz Manero’s asset declaration
A reporter asked the president whether the immense wealth of former Attorney General Alejandro Gertz Manero was a problem given that, as Mexico’s ambassador to the United Kingdom since early 2026, he is representing a government that prides itself on austerity.
According to a recently disclosed asset declaration, Gertz, federal security minister during the presidency of Vicente Fox, owns 13 properties and various luxury cars including a Rolls-Royce, and inherited jewels, watches, coins and art worth more than 26 million pesos (US $1.5 million).
Sheinbaum said that Gertz “was transparent and declared his assets.”
“… There is complete transparency. … It would be bad if he had assets that he didn’t declare,” she said.
By Mexico News Daily chief staff writer Peter Davies (peter.davies@mexiconewsdaily.com)
