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Energy
IMAT: Pemex Signed Suspicious Agreement With Saipem
September 28, 2009
According to Mexico’s Technical Audit Institute (IMAT), Pemex awarded Italian oilfield services provider Saipem two
contracts to build two low-sulfur-producing facilities in Tula and Salamanca, in the states of Hidalgo and Guanajuato,
respectively, under suspicious circumstances. IMAT said that Saipem’s proposal was USD 50 million higher than
South Korean Samsung’s and that it apparently lacked the experience and technical capacity requirements specified
in the bidding rules.
Royal Boskalis Westminster Secures EUR 40 Million Contract In Mexico
September 29, 2009
Netherlands-based dredging company Royal Boskalis Westminster announced that it has been awarded a EUR 40
million contract to dredge an access channel and turning basin at the liquefied natural gas terminal of Cuyutlan, in the
state Colima. Royal Boskalis said that work is scheduled to be completed by mid-2010.
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Trade & Investment
DOT: U.S. Trade With Canada, Mexico Falls 28% In July
September 30, 2009
According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), surface trade
between the U.S. and its North American Free Trade Agreement partners Canada and Mexico fell 28% in July,
continuing a trend of falling trade among the countries during the economic downturn. The latest drop was the
seventh consecutive month with a year-over-year decline equal to or above 27%. U.S.-Mexico surface trade fell 17%
to USD 20.5 billion while U.S.-Canada surface transportation trade totaled USD 31 billion in July, down 34% from a
year earlier. Meanwhile, Rosalind Wilson, director of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Mexico said that over
2,000 Canadian firms registered to operate in the country are involved in some of Mexico’s most significant and
strategic sectors.
Japan Announces Further Investment In Mexico
October 2, 2009
Japan’s Ambassador to Mexico Masaaki Ono announced that companies from his country, whose identities he did not
disclose, will increase investment in Mexico starting with the opening of two autoparts’ manufacturing plants in the
states of Guanajuato and Nuevo Leon. Ambassador Ono noted that the measure comes also as part of the
celebration of both Nations’ bilateral diplomatic ties, which started 400 years ago, and added that Japan-based
companies employ as many as 200,000 workers in different sectors of Mexico’s economy.
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Banking, Insurance & Finance
BMV To Change Rules For Benchmark IPC Index
September 30, 2009
Mexican stock exchange operator Bolsa Mexicana de Valores (BMV) announced it plans to change the way it elects
and weights stocks for its benchmark IPC equity index. The BMV specified that the weighting of stocks in the IPC
index will be based on their free float, rather than on the total number of shares. The changes in weighting will be
implemented gradually, beginning in November, and should be completed by August 2010. New selection rules for
issues that make up the IPC will be published in January and take effect in September 2010. No single stock will be
able to make up more than 25% of the IPC, while the share of the top five issuers will be limited to a maximum of 60%
of the index.
CNBV: Banks See Improvement In Nonperforming Loans In August
September 28, 2009
According to the National Banking and Securities Commission (CNBV), Mexico's banking system observed further
improvements in asset quality during August on the back of lower levels of nonperforming consumer loans.
Nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans stood at 3.61% at the end of last month, down from 3.77% in July,
but still higher than the 3.21% reported in December. Total loans held on the balance sheets of banks and their nonbank
subsidiaries stood at MXN 1.838 trillion as of August 31, including MXN 871.91 billion in commercial loans, MXN
300.42 billion in mortgages and MXN 245.46 billion in credit-card loans.
SHCP: Citi’s Share In Banamex Does Not Violate Foreign Investment Law
September 28, 2009
According to the Finance and Public Credit Ministry (SHCP), Banamex—the Mexican subsidiary of U.S. bank
Citigroup—does not violate Mexico’s Foreign Investment Law by having the U.S. government as its majority
shareholder, as the Senate and some analysts believe. SHCP agreed that Article 13 of Mexico’s Credit Institutions
Law does not allow foreign governments’ participation in the country’s banking system but added that other regulation
establishes exceptions to some rules. In addition, Mexico’s Banking Association (ABM) agreed as well that the U.S.
government’s share in Citi and the latter’s control over Banamex does not violate Mexican Law in any way.
Nevertheless, the Senate recently announced it would submit an appeal to the Supreme Court (SCJN) so that it can
determine whether the banks violate the law.
Genworth Closes Sale Of Mexico Insurance Unit To Germany’s HDI-Gerling
October 1, 2009
U.S. financial group Genworth Financial announced that it has closed the sale of its general insurance subsidiary in
Mexico to Germany's HDI-Gerling International Holding for approximately USD 45 million. The deal includes
automobile, property and casualty, life and personal accident insurance business lines that Genworth Seguros Mexico
distributes through independent insurance agents. The agreement will build on HDI-Gerling's existing presence in
Latin America's second-largest economy, where it has operated since 1996 through HDI-Gerling de Mexico Seguros.
CNBV Authorizes Banorte And Telecom Telegrafos To Operate Together
October 2, 2009
The National Banking and Securities Commission (CNBV) announced it authorized Mexican bank Banorte and staterun
telecommunications and postal firm Telecomm Telegrafos to start running together the so-called correspondent
system. CNBV’s approval of the companies’ joint operations will allow them to be the first providers of financial
products and services under the commission agents’ scheme. Under the deal, Telecomm Telegrafos will be Banorte’s
correspondent through 1,575 offices throughout Mexico.
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Business & Industry
Mexican Chemical Firm Mexichem Sells MXN2.5 Billion In Five-Year Bonds
September 29, 2009
Mexican chemicals manufacturer Mexichem announced that it sold MXN 2.5 billion in five-year bonds to refinance its
existing debt. Mexichem said the issuance will allow it to reduce its short-term debt to 15% of total debt. The bonds
yield 244 basis points over the benchmark 28-day TIIE interbank rate. Mexichem said local brokerages Inversora
Bursatil and Casa de Bolsa Arka acted as the placement agents.
Cadbury Invests MXN 50 Million In Puebla Plant
September 30, 2009
International confectionery company Cadbury announced it is investing MXN 50 million in its plant in the state of
Puebla, adding to MXN 200 million it had already invested in Mexico in the past five years. Investment comes as part
of a cooperative agreement between the state’s government and the firm. Cadbury specified the investment was
allocated to its chewing gum production operations. Cadbury noted that it has created some 3,700 direct jobs and
about 50,000 indirect jobs through its recent expansion activities in Mexico.
Lala Acquires Two U.S. Peers
September 29, 2009
Mexican dairy producer Lala announced that it has acquired U.S. peers Farmland Dairies and Promised Land for an
undisclosed amount as part of its expansion strategy in the U.S. Lala also acquired American dairy producer National
Dairy earlier this year and Wells Dairy in 2007. Lala specified that the companies’ management, operations,
personnel and brands will remain unchanged.
Femsa Confirms It Discusses Possible Merger Of Beer Unit With Foreign Rivals
October 1, 2009
Mexican beverages and retail conglomerate Fomento Economico Mexicano SA (FEMSA) confirmed that it is in talks
with several foreign brewers such as Britain's SABMiller and Heineken from the Netherlands, about a possible merger
or sale of beer operations. FEMSA is being advised by Rothschild & Sons on the matter. Meanwhile, giant brewers
including Anheuser-Busch InBev, SABMiller, Heineken and Carlsberg might be mulling to purchase a part in
FEMSA’s domestic rival and largest beer maker in Mexico, Grupo Modelo (Gmodelo).
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Housing, Real Estate & Mortgaging
SHF Launches Home Price Index
September 29, 2009
State-run housing development bank Sociedad Hipotecaria Federal (SHF) launched a home price index to provide
investors a new tool to evaluate the country's housing industry. The index tracks the prices of houses, condominiums,
and apartments in the country's 32 states. It will allow investors, home buyers and developers to better monitor the
supply and demand for housing, as well as help credit ratings agencies assign ratings to mortgage bonds. The index
will be updated on a quarterly basis, with the data for 3Q scheduled to be released November 17.
Infonavit Sells MXN2.68 Billion In Mortgage Bonds; Attracts Foreign Investors
September 29, 2009
State-run federal housing fund Infonavit said that it sold MXN 2.68 billion of its Cedevis mortgage bonds in its fourth
issuance this year. Infonavit said it expects the 22-year bonds denominated in inflation-indexed currency units (UDIs)
to yield 5.5%, 12 basis points lower than its previous issuance in August. Infonavit said demand by institutional
investors, such as insurance companies and pension funds, was for about MXN 3.7 billion—or 1.4 times the amount
offered—and added it is the first time a placement attracts large foreign investors, whose identities were not
disclosed.
Infonavit Reaches 62% Of Mortgage-Lending Goal In September
September 30, 2009
State-run federal housing fund Infonavit said it has reached nearly 62% of its goal of half-a-million mortgages this
year. Infonavit said that it made 309,366 mortgages between January 1 and September 27, of which 79,637 loans
were through co-financing arrangements with banks and home finance companies. Infonavit also said that it financed
the purchase of 68,533 homes with energy- and water-saving features during the first nine months of the year.
Although the lender noted that it is on track to achieve its 2009 goal, it also said mortgages in the first nine months of
the year were 9.6% fewer than in the same 2008 period.
Homex Files For Debt, Share Offerings
September 28, 2009
Mexican home developer Desarrolladora Homex said in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC) that it might issue debt and shares to boost its working capital and for general corporate purposes. The shelf
registration statement also covers the possible sale of shares by its current shareholders. The company said it will
provide a description of the debt securities and common shares that it might offer, as well as information about the
number of shares that might be sold by shareholders in additional filings.
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Construction & Infrastructure
Cemex Completes Sale Of Australian Assets For USD 1.7 Billion
October 1, 2009
Mexican cement and building materials maker Cemex said it had completed the sale of its Australian assets to Swiss
rival Holcim for USD 1.7 billion and will use the funds to lower debt. The company recently refinanced USD 15 billion
in mostly bank debt, extending maturities through February 2014, and raised USD 1.78 billion in a capital increase.
Cemex acquired the Australian assets in 2007 when it purchased Rinker for USD 15.5 billion. The leveraged
acquisition led to debt problems for the company as the U.S. housing slump and global economic downturn hurt its
earnings.
Empresas ICA Sells MXN 6.55 Billion In Equity-Linked Notes
October 2, 2009
Mexican engineering and construction firm Empresas ICA and Goldman Sachs Infrastructure Partners announced
that they sold MXN 6.55 billion in equity-linked structured notes—known as CKDs in Spanish and which is a new type
of asset class designed to attract greater investment in infrastructure projects—through a trust that is now a
shareholder in ICA’s toll road unit Red de Carreteras de Occidente. Proceeds from the sale will be used to increase
the toll road operator's capital and pay down a portion of its debt. Red de Carreteras de Occidente operates the
FARAC I toll road concession. The CKDs were sold to institutional investors, including pension funds, through a
placement on the Mexican Stock Exchange (BMV).
Empresas ICA Purchases Cotrisa Construction Firm For MXN 300 Million
September 30, 2009
Mexican engineering and construction company Empresas ICA announced it acquired tunnels and underground
works firm Cotrisa for MXN 300 million. ICA said that Cotrisa, with over 30 years of experience, has built more than
60 kilometers of road and rail tunnels, as well as tunnels for major water supply and drainage works. Cotrisa, which
has no bank debt and a construction backlog of MXN 950 million, will operate as a part of ICA's civil construction
division. ICA has won a number of contracts for water-related projects, including recently a MXN 2.32 billion contract
to build a sewage treatment plant in western Mexico.
ICA, Mitsui Secure Sewage Treatment Plant In Jalisco
September 29, 2009
Mexican engineering and construction company Empresas ICA announced it secured a contract along with Japanese
peer and partner Mitsui to build and operate a sewage treatment plant in Agua Prieta, in the state of Jalisco, during
the next 20 years. ICA specified that required investment for the plant will amount to approximately MXN 2.3 billion
and will be financed through the National Infrastructure Fund (Fonadin).
SCT Receives Bids For North Pacific Road Package
September 29, 2009
The Communications and Transport Ministry (SCT) announced it received bids for a tender to build and operate
during the next 30 years five roads’ stretches in the so-called North Pacific Road Package. SCT said that bidders for
the jointly 185km long stretches include Empresas ICA, CICSA, La Peninsular, Omega Corp., Aldesa, Global Via and
OHL. Results on the tender will be made available by the end of the month.
PRI, PAN Support Government’s Proposal To Include Afores’ Funds In Infrastructure
October 2, 2009
Legislators from the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) and the National Action Party (PAN) said they support the
federal government’s proposal to include worker’s savings managed by pension fund administrators (Afores) in
infrastructure projects and added they will further analyze and discuss the initiative to probably pass it. Currently,
Afores’ funds are often invested in foreign high-yield but often risky assets.
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Retail
Walmex Invests MXN 2 Billion To Open 37 Stores In September
October 1, 2009
Walmex, the Mexican unit of U.S. retail giant Wal-Mart, said that it invested about MXN 2 billion to open 37 new
stores last month, increasing its presence to 245 cities. Walmex said it opened 29 of its Bodega Aurrera low-income
supermarkets, four Walmart stores, three Sam's Club outlets and one Superama supermarket. Walmex had
announced plans to open 270 stores in 2009, of which 177 would be opened in the last four months of the year.
Walmex operated 1,295 supermarkets, clothing stores and restaurants as of September 3. Meanwhile, Walmex also
said that it purchased 10 real properties from developer Geo to build stores at the latter’s homes’ complexes without
providing further details.
Best Buy Opens Second Store In Mexico
October 1, 2009
U.S. electronics retailer Best Buy announced the inauguration of its second store in Mexico in the city of Guadalajara,
capital of the state of Jalisco, and the creation of 300 new direct jobs. Best Buy also said it expects three more stores
in Mexico before the end of the year. Best Buy’s Mexico City’s unit is amongst the retailer’s largest facilities. The
company entered a strategic alliance in late 2008 with the Mexican unit of U.S. bank Citigroup, Banamex, to offer
credits to clients. Credits range between MXN 4,000 and MXN 200,000.
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Transportation
Boeing: Mexico’s Aeronautic Market Has A Strong Potential
September 29, 2009
U.S. aircraft manufacturer Boeing said that Mexico’s aeronautic market has a very strong potential and a bright future,
locating it only behind Brazil’s in Latin America. Boeing executives noted that Mexico’s aeronautical market grew 33%
when compared with 10 years ago, with 226 new commercial aircrafts. Boeing added also that Mexico’s travel and
tourism sector’s role is at the core of the country’s economic development as it accounts for one out of 8 jobs and
13% of the GDP.
Aeromexico Controls 32% Of Mexico’s Air Traffic
September 1, 2009
According to Mexico’s General Direction For Civil Aeronautics (DGAC), airliner Aeromexico is commercial aviation’s
market leader with a 32% share in domestic flights while rival Grupo Mexicana de Aviacion has a 29% share. DGAC
said that the domestic flights market is dominated by both carriers, which jointly share 61.5% of it.
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Telecommunications & Technology
Cofetel: 1.26 Million Phone Users Switch Carriers
October 2, 2009
According to the Federal Telecommunications Commission (Cofetel), 1.26 million wireless and fixed-line phone users
have changed service providers since number portability rules took effect in July last year. Cofetel said 60% of the
people who switched carriers were prepaid wireless subscribers, 35% postpaid fixed-line subscribers and the rest a
mix of postpaid wireless and prepaid fixed-line users.
AT&T, America Movil Seek To Merge In Puerto Rico
September 28, 2009
Mexican telecommunications company America Movil and U.S. AT&T announced plans to merge in Puerto Rico and
are currently in talks with U.S. authorities so that the latter allows the operation, valued at approximately USD 945
million. The firms have not yet obtained approval for the merger as authorities are concerned about the possible
existence of a monopoly should they allow it.
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Economy
WB: Mexico Will Account For Most Of New Latin America’s Poor
September 29, 2009
According to the World Bank (WB), about 10 million people in Latin America "will likely join the ranks of the poor" as a
result of the economic contraction, though the region is emerging stronger than others. WB also specified that
Mexico’s poor will account for most of the new deprived people in Latin America as the institution considered the
recession to be the deepest in this country, with estimates for a contraction of 7% this year.
SHCP: January-August Fiscal Deficit MXN 100.2 Billion
September 30, 2009
According to the Finance and Public Credit Ministry (SHCP), Mexico had a fiscal deficit of MXN 100.2 billion in the
first eight months of the year as the government increased spending to cushion the effects of the recession while oil
and tax revenue fell from a year ago. The year-to-date deficit was smaller than the MXN 143.9 billion shortfall
registered through July. Total revenue fell 6.7% in the January-August period. Oil income fell 22%, and tax collections
fell 13%, offset by gains in other income. Programmable spending, which excludes financing costs and federal
transfers to state governments, rose 13% from the first eight months of 2008.
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Border & Migration
U.S.-Mexico 2009 Voluntary Repatriation Program Ends With 10,561 Deportations
September 29, 2009
The U.S. and Mexico announced the conclusion of this year’s voluntary repatriation program with 10,561
undocumented immigrants flown to Mexico City from detention centers in Arizona in 40 days. Last year’s figure was
18,465, higher than what resulted for 2009 as Mexico’s Foreign Affairs Ministry (SRE) requested to end the program
earlier after U.S. authorities announced their decision to cancel it.
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Politics
Micheletti Demands That Mexico Recognize His Government
September 29, 2009
Roberto Micheletti, the de facto President of Honduras, launched a 10-day ultimatum to Mexico and other States
demanding his government be recognized or else he will expel the concerned countries’ diplomats in his nation.
Micheletti told Argentina, Spain, Venezuela and Mexico that they had to recognize his administration or their missions
would be closed, to which Mexico replied that its diplomats were immune and it would maintain relations with
Honduras’s de jure government. Mexico noted that Micheletti’s administration is compelled to honor the Vienna
Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
PRI To Dominate Key Congressional Finance Committees
September 30, 2009
According to recently published congressional documents, the center-left Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI),
Mexico's leading opposition political force, will have the most legislators on the budget and finance committees in the
lower house of Congress, both key to President Calderon's push to reform the tax system. The PRI will chair the
budget committee, and it will account for 15 of the 34 lawmakers on the finance committee. The two committees are
responsible for drafting any changes to tax laws and finalizing the 2010 budget bill.
Political Scheme Turns Eccentric Mexican Vendor Into Odd Political Celebrity
October 1, 2009
Rafael "Juanito" Acosta, an eccentric street vendor known for his Rambo-style headband, took charge of Mexico
City's most populous borough as he strode into the capital’s legislature building with his arms raised triumphantly and
was sworn into office, all being part of an elaborate political plan that has captivated Mexico. Under the scheme,
former presidential candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, a key figure in Mexico's left, wanted to hold onto
Iztapalapa, a poor but populous district of 1.8 million people that is the equivalent of a swing state in presidential
elections. His candidate, Clara Brugada, was defeated in his party's primary, so he offered to get the longshot
candidate Acosta elected. In return, Acosta agreed to step down and give the position to her. Nevertheless, when
Acosta secured a massive win he said the deal was off. He was sworn in to cries of both "Traitor!" and "Don't resign!"
as many still questioned what he would do. He answered the question submitting a request for a 59-day leave of
absence, citing heart problems.
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Justice, Safety & Crime
U.S. Top Security Officials: Mexico Drug Law Is A "Tool" Against Cartels
October 2, 2009
According to U.S. drug czar Gil Kerlikowske and U.S. border czar Alan Bersin, Washington is closely watching
Mexico's recent decriminalization of drugs but respects its neighbor's move as a tool in the fight against drug cartels.
President Calderon last month signed a law legalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana, heroin, opium,
cocaine, methamphetamine and LSD for personal use, three years after the country ditched a similar plan under
pressure from the Bush administration. More than 13,500 people have died in Mexico's drug war since late 2006.
SRE: Hardline On Drug Smuggling Is Working
September 28, 2009
Foreign Affairs Minister Patricia Espinoza said that the startlingly high death toll of President Calderon’s
administration all-out war against drug trafficking clearly indicates the policy is working. Nevertheless, she conceded,
the campaign has unleashed too much reciprocal violence to be considered a complete success. Since President
Calderon took office in December 2006, his offensive against the drug cartels has been met with unprecedented
brutality, leaving more than 13,500 people dead.
U.S. Inaugurates Anti-Drug Cartel Center In Phoenix
October 1, 2009
The U.S. announced it is inaugurating a new center in Phoenix, Arizona, to unite efforts with the Mexican government
in order to effectively fight drug cartels at the border. The new center will feature personnel from various U.S. crime
fighting agencies and other offices, including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the U.S. Customs, among others.
Kroll: Mexican Cartels May Target U.S. Firms; Earn 40 USD Million A Year
October 1, 2009
According to Miami-based global intelligence and security corporation Kroll Associates, U.S. interests could become
targets of Mexico's drug cartels as Washington deepens its involvement in the war against drugs south of the U.S.
border. Kroll said that the more the U.S. government gets involved increases the chances of exposing U.S. firms to
extortion and their managers to kidnappings and truck hijackings, among other crimes. Kroll added that Mexican drug
traffickers have benefits amounting to as much as USD 40 million per year.
Mexico; Colombia To Share USD 41 Million They Seized From Criminal Groups
September 28, 2009
The Mexican and Colombian governments said they will share as much as USD 41 million they have jointly seized in
recent weeks’ antidrug operations against criminal groups from both states. The U.S. also participated in the
operations conducted in the Mexican port of Manzanillo and the Colombian port of Buenaventura, where the money
was seized inside several containers. The U.S. said the operation displays a new level of sophistication in the cartels’
tactics but also a strengthened level of cooperation among the three countries.
PGR: Authorities Report Record Seizures Of Drug Precursor
October 2, 2009
The Federal Attorney General's Office (PGR) announced that two raids by security forces netted the largest seizures
of methamphetamine precursor chemicals in Mexico's history. PGR said agents seized 20 tons of chemicals used to
produce methamphetamine at Manzanillo, in the state of Colima, and 17 tons in the border city of Nuevo Laredo, in
the state of Tamaulipas. PGR did not disclose details about when the raids took place. Mexico is a leading producer
of methamphetamine, according to the U.S. government. In addition, the National Defense Ministry (SEDENA) said
that the army seized about USD 7 million in a house in Ciudad Victoria, in the state of Tamaulipas.
U.S. Detains 93 Drug Cartel Operatives
September 30, 2009
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced it detained 93 alleged Sinaloa drug cartel operatives in
Arizona, from whom it seized USD 150 million in cash. The DEA noted that Mexican authorities participated in the
operation and stated that they are currently focusing on arresting key drug traffickers operating in the U.S.
Mexico, France Military To Undertake Joint Training
September 30, 2009
Mexico’s Ministry of Interior (SEGOB) published a decree by means of which it authorizes Mexican military forces to
engage in joint training with French counterparts. After the decree’s publication, President Calderon can now
authorize the temporary expatriation of Mexican soldiers into French soil and French soldiers are allowed to enter
Mexico. The measure was previously approved by Mexico’s Congress.
U.S., Mexico Trace Cartel Weapons Back To Texas
October 2, 2009
The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Mexican authorities have traced many
weapons seized in Mexico back to Houston, Texas. The high-powered weapons were allegedly guns purchased at
Houston-area stores by a Mexican Gulf Cartel cell and smuggled across the border for the syndicate's bloody
warfare. The recent tracking of firearms is the result of a four-month anti-cartel operation focused largely in Houston,
which the U.S. federal government contends is the number one spot in the U.S. for acquiring guns that are later used
in underworld massacres and other crimes in Mexico.
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Health & Science
Mexico, France To Invest MXN 400 Million In Biomedic Research Center
September 28, 2009
Officials from the state of Veracruz announced that they will invest, along with the French government through the
latter’s Embassy in Mexico’s Pasteur Institute, MXN 400 million in an immediate-response biomedic research center
to better address infectious emergencies. The Biomedic Research Center for Infectious Diseases (CIBEI) will be
enabled to develop preventive vaccines for further pandemics, such as the A/H1N1 Influenza.
IMSS Saves As Much As MXN 250 Million With Reverse Tender
September 29, 2009
Mexico’s Social Security Institute (IMSS) said that preliminary estimates regarding the recent and historical
application of a new biannual scheme for medicines’ tenders through the Recurrent Discount Offers system and
under a reverse bidding scheme might have generated savings of as much as MXN 250 million. IMSS issued three
tenders under that method for a joint amount of MXN 4.8 billion in late September, or 25% of the total planned tenders
for 2010, for which IMSS has allocated MXN 20 billion.
SRE: Japan Donates MXN 10 Million To Mexico For A/H1N1 Vaccines
October 2, 2009
Mexico’s Foreign Affairs Ministry (SRE) announced that the government of Japan will donate MXN 10 million to
Mexico to purchase vaccines against the A/H1N1 Influenza virus. The donation came as part of the celebration of
both Nations’ bilateral diplomatic ties, which started 400 years ago. SRE also said that Japan’s government will
contribute to the improvement of a part of Mexico City’s sanitary and educational infrastructure.
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Environment
Al Gore Discusses Climate Impasse With President Calderon
September 29, 2009
Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore met with President Calderon to discuss the importance of breaking an impasse
over a new global warming pact. The office of President Calderon said both leaders stressed the need to reach a new
U.N. climate agreement at a conference in Copenhagen in December. In its statement, Calderon's office said Gore
applauded Mexico's leadership in climate talks and its efforts to establish a global fund to help both rich and poor
countries limit their carbon emissions.
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