Private investment in Mexico airports grows 86%

Private capital drives the transformation of Mexican airports with a record investment, marking a new course in national connectivity.

Publicado 9 septiembre, 2025 el 9 de septiembre a las 05:03 | 4 mins reading |4,004 vistas | por Sofía Ramírez

The Boom of Private Investment in the Mexican Skies

It seems that, against all odds and in the midst of the general chaos that we sometimes feel, the Mexican airline sector is having its main character moment. According to the First Government Report of President Claudia Sheinbaum, the Private Initiative (IP) decided to open its wallet in an epic way during the six-year term of Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Investment in physical airport infrastructure skyrocketed by 86.5 percent compared to the era of Enrique Peña Nieto. Yes, you read that right: it almost doubled. Because apparently, when it comes to planes and terminals, the Mexican private sector said “hold my beer.”

To give you an idea of the magnitude of the glow-up, in the period 2019-2024, resources amounting to 60,788.77 million pesos were channeled (at 2024 prices, because inflation is that toxic friend that never goes away). This contrasts brutally with the 32,596.19 million pesos that were invested during the previous PRI mandate (2013-2018). The difference is so obvious that even a meme would understand it.

Airport Groups: The True MVPs

But who is behind this rain of millions? Juan Carlos Machorro, an expert in Aeronautical and Airport Law from the Santamarina y Steta law firm, explains it to us with the calm of someone who knows what he’s talking about. According to him, the Airport Groups have not only fulfilled their five-year Development Plans, but have exceeded expectations. Basically, they did their homework and also handed it in with just little flowers around it.

These groups have not only dedicated themselves to the basics – such as investment in conservation and maintenance–, but they have gone further: they built new terminal buildings and even runways in several airports in the country. The protagonists of this transformation are the airports of Cancún, Monterrey, Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta, because, let’s be honest, who doesn’t want to land in a place that doesn’t look like something out of a dystopia?

Machorro also highlighted a no minor detail: the pandemic. Yes, that traumatic stage that we all want to forget but that definitely marked a before and after. It turns out that the reactivation of the industry was much faster than expected, which triggered an acceleration of investment in airports. In other words, after months of being locked up, we all wanted to travel and the private sector knew it. Capitalism 101: detect the need and monetize it.

Lost Connectivity and Found Opportunities

But not everything is rosy. Machorro pointed out another key factor: the cancellation of the New Mexico International Airport (NAIM) and the reduction of slots at the Mexico City International Airport (AICM). This caused a significant loss of connectivity, which, in colloquial terms, was a logistical disaster. However, as in any good story of improvement, this crisis generated opportunities. The Airport Groups saw the need to fill that void and acted accordingly. Investment, baby, investment.

Now, what does all this mean for the average traveler? Well basically our airports no longer make others sad. Thanks to this injection of capital, today we have more modern terminals, more efficient processes and, above all, a travel experience that does not make us wish we had taken a truck. Furthermore, this growth not only benefits tourists, but also boosts the local economy and creates jobs. In the end, we all win.

In summary, the Mexican airline sector is experiencing a golden era thanks to the determined commitment of private initiative. With record investment and a clear focus on modernizing infrastructure, the country’s airports are ready to compete in the international league. And although there will always be challenges – such as saturation of the AICM or the need for greater regional connectivity –, progress is undeniable. The future of aviation in Mexico looks promising, and that is something we can all celebrate.

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National

FDA recognizes false positive in Taylor Farms lettuce

Cofepris analysis rules out contamination; FDA admits error in initial sample.

Publicado 5 hours ago el 23 de julio a las 22:34 | 1 min reading

Analysis results

The Ministry of Health reported that tests carried out on lettuce and water samples from the Taylor Farms Mexico plant were negative for the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis —which causes severe diarrhea— and also for fecal coliforms. The analyses, carried out by Cofepris, confirmed that the product complies with the physicochemical parameters established in national standards.

Traceability and false positive

Taylor Farms has a traceability system that allowed United States authorities to identify the origin of the product and track a batch held at customs in Laredo, Texas. That batch never entered US territory.

The sample obtained from that batch returned a false positive, a situation that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recognized in an update published on July 19. The Ministry of Health emphasized that the product is suitable for human consumption.

National

UIF identifies 55 people in the CJNG financial network

The FIU detected 55 people linked to a CJNG financial network, including 16 front companies.

Publicado 7 hours ago el 23 de julio a las 21:08 | 2 mins reading

The Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF) of Mexico detected 55 people allegedly linked to a financial network of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). The finding was achieved through specific financial indicators, as reported by the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP).

Release 61 details that the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the United States Department of the Treasury designated 55 people – 39 individuals and 16 legal entities – related to this structure. The action is part of bilateral cooperation against the finances of organized crime.

Indicators detected

The FIU identified “indicators related to possible operations with resources of illicit origin.” Among them: cash operations, acquisition of high-end vehicles, jewelry and real estate, international transfers, intensive use of credit and service cards, and inconsistencies in income reported to the SAT.

The authorities detected “possible inconsistencies between the income reported to the tax authority and the resources observed in the financial system,” which strengthened the identification of the network.

Front companies and complaints

Of the total, 16 legal entities had illegal activities. According to the FIU, some registered relevant operations, while others were front companies with “limited or no apparent economic activity.”

The UIF filed a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office (FGR) for the crime of operations with resources of illicit origin. It also included the subjects designated by OFAC on the List of Blocked Persons (LPB), and added eight additional ones—four individuals and four legal entities—linked to the same financial structure.

International coordination

The Treasury stressed that the coordinated actions with the United States seek to “prevent improper use of the financial system, combat money laundering and weaken the economic structures of organized crime.” The FIU maintains cooperation with national and international authorities, in accordance with the standards of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

National

US Treasury locates Florence as a drug production center

The Treasury Department identified the Zacatecas municipality as the CJNG base for fentanyl and cocaine.

Publicado 7 hours ago el 23 de julio a las 20:44 | 2 mins reading

The United States Department of the Treasury identified Florencia de Benito Juárez, Zacatecas, as one of the key points of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) to manufacture fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine.

According to the agency, José Octaviano García Martínez is the current head of the plaza in the area, accompanied by Cuauhtémoc Rivera Zepeda and Uriel Hernández Morales. These last two would be in charge of the clandestine laboratories in Zacatecas and Jalisco. All three report to Audias Flores Silva—alias El Jardinero—, designated as successor to the late leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, El Mencho.

Criminal presence in a small municipality

Florencia de Benito Juárez barely covers 328 square kilometers in the south of the state, in the Sierra Madre Occidental, adjacent to Jalisco. Despite its size, the municipality has been the scene of organized crime operations.

In March 2025, authorities dismantled a camp used by a criminal cell. Months later, in June, they destroyed a greenhouse used for growing marijuana. Both operations sought to neutralize illegal infrastructure.

The municipal president elected in 2024 is Fortino Cortés Ramírez, who will conclude his term in 2027.

Recent violence and federal response

On Saturday, July 18, 2025, 10 bodies were found in the municipalities of Morelos, Pánuco and Sain Alto. Of the victims, six were construction, mining and entertainment businessmen. Two others were officials of the Fresnillo city council: Fidel Alvarado de la Torre, secretary of Municipal Social Development, and firefighter Jesús Gerardo Muñetón Hernández.

Given these events, the Secretariat of National Defense deployed 100 Special Forces elements on July 22. They joined the 400 Army and National Guard troops who had already been operating since July 19. They carry out ground reconnaissance and deterrent actions in Zacatecas, Guadalupe and Fresnillo.

The conflict in the region is not new. On May 20, 2011, a clash between rival groups—known as The Florence War—left 77 people dead. The journalist Alfredo Valadez Rodríguez documented this episode in the book of the same name, published by Ediciones Proceso in 2021.