When customs stops being the villain (and surprises everyone)
It seems that the Tax Administration Service (SAT) is no longer the only one stealing headlines with its tax dramas. The National Customs Agency (ANAM) has just given a masterclass on how to go from being the “ugly duckling” of bureaucracy to the sensation of the moment. And no, it is not a spin-off of La Casa de Papel, although the numbers they manage are enough for a complete season.
From corrupt to heroes: the glow-up that no one saw coming
Imagine this: Rafael Marín Mollinedo, the titan of customs, receiving recognition as if he were the protagonist of a Netflix political drama. Senator Olga Sosa (Morena, in case you doubted the origin of the plot twist) released juicier data than a TikTok gossip: tax revenue quadrupled (yes, 85 billion pesos), irregular contracts canceled (10 billion thrown in the trash) and undervalued merchandise detected (300 million in “oops, we discovered you”). And they say that mathematics is useless?
But it doesn’t end here. In Tamaulipas, land of narcocorridos and now—surprise—of customs efficiency, ANAM has been busier than an influencer on payday: 18 thousand liters of illicit diesel insured, weapons intercepted and loading lanes automated so that procedures are not slower than Telmex’s internet. Modernization? Looks like someone finally read the 21st century manual.
“On every border, in every port, the women and men of ANAM defend Mexico,” declared Marín Mollinedo with a speech that sounded more epic than the trailer for Top Gun: Maverick. Of course, without airplanes, but with a lot of institutional collaboration (read: less disagreements and more teamwork).
The secret plan: goodbye to the Mexico of “do what you can”?
Olga Sosa, in cheerleader mode for the government of Claudia Sheinbaum, released the phrase of the day: “We join together to achieve a competitive position in international trade”. Translation: we no longer want to be the country of “there it goes”, but rather the one that sells and buys without half the world stealing a percentage. Utopia? The numbers suggest that maybe, just maybe, we are on the right track.
Of course, not everything is smooth sailing. That a public institution works is almost scary. Will it be sustainable? Or will it be a one-hit wonder like the careers of influencers? For now, ANAM scored a little, and in a country where corruption is “normal”, this is like finding a unicorn in the subway.
Moral? Sometimes even the most hated institutions can be redeemed. They just need a leader who doesn’t pretend to work, technology that doesn’t look like Windows 98, and a team that believes in “legality.” Revolution? No, just comply with the basics… but in Mexico that is already epic.
Were you surprised by these results? Share this note and let’s make the good (which does exist) go viral. #CustomsThatYesWork.
Do you want more stories of institutions that break stereotypes? Explore our content on efficient government (yes, it’s possible).




