**INAI and ITAIP Under Scrutiny by Mexican Administration**
The National Institute of Access to Information and Data Protection (INAI) and its local counterparts have recently found themselves under the microscope of the current Mexican administration, led by Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo. Continuing the approach of her predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the President is reportedly targeting public entities that might act as checks on government power.
While President Sheinbaum has been reserved in her comments, her statements on the subject have been distinct, particularly regarding INAI, which upholds public transparency and accountability. The Federal Law of Access to Public Information, a long-standing effort across various political eras, ensures that even corrupt or inefficient government actions are brought to light.
With more than two decades behind its establishment, INAI (formerly IFAI) and similar local entities have established themselves as crucial tools for journalists, lawyers, activists, and social leaders seeking transparency. Despite claims of austerity from the Mexican government, which might threaten these institutions, the effort to uphold public access to information remains critical.
Although local transparency organizations have faced criticism for inefficiencies—evidenced by a decline in information requests since 2017 when Baja California saw its peak—these agencies still serve vital roles in balancing power.
The INAI recently highlighted that most review requests target the Ministry of the Civil Service, suggesting reluctance in making information related to corruption—or a lack thereof—public.
In today’s political landscape, current leaders are reminiscent of Mexico’s PRI-led governance from the 1970s, using legal and ideological rhetoric to justify authoritarian actions. The potential disbanding of INAI would be a significant step backward in the fight for a modern, transparent democracy.
Unlike the Federal Judiciary, local transparency bodies lack enough foundational strength to challenge a potentially overreaching administration. The fate of INAI may be less a measure of its results and more about a regime’s desire for greater control.
**Additional Insights**
**Sheinbaum Advocates for Financial Support in Rosarito**
In recent announcements, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo has emphasized social welfare programs, including pensions and scholarships, while championing the achievements of the Fourth Transformation (4T) and the leadership of former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Her statements during a public appearance in Rosarito mark a continuation of her administration’s commitment to these programs, alongside criticism of potential changes to access information frameworks.
**Electric Interconnection Project Between Puerto Peñasco and Baja California**
Looking ahead, significant infrastructure investments, such as a $2.1 billion electrical interconnection project to link Puerto Peñasco’s solar plant with Baja California, are set to transform the region’s energy landscape. This ambitious initiative underlines the government’s efforts to advance sustainability and energy independence in Mexico.
Stay tuned with us at TJGringo.com for more updates and in-depth reports on these evolving stories.