MexMoves

Rodrigo Velasco, Head of BBVA Spark Mexico & LatAm, discusses how BBVA’s division for fast-growing, tech-oriented companies and funds works in practice, and what he looks for when taking on a new client, extending credit or investing in a VC fund.First, Eduardo and Damian dissect the news of the week:* S&P moves Mexico’s outlook to negative while keeping the rating at BBB.* Ebrard prepares markets for a USMCA review without a clean endpoint.* Alejandro Werner warns on Mexico’s low-growth model.* SICC’s US$2bn Hidalgo pharma MOU — and why investors may be skeptical.* GAP shifts from airport operator to broader infrastructure platform.* Tourism weakness hits hotels* Braskem Idesa faces an operational and financial crisis.* Bunq applies for a Mexican banking license.

Eduardo García interviews Nico Girard, CEO and Founder of telco upstart OXIO, on its bold move to buy Telefónica’s Movistar Mexico business, the future of telecom competition, MVNOs, AI-driven telecom platforms, and what success could look like in one of Latin America’s toughest mobile markets.Before that, Damian joins Eduardo to dissect Mexico’s latest business news:* Plan México’s new deregulation push and the government’s “zero excuses” message to investors* Cox Energy’s US$2bn bond to refinance its audacious US$4bn Iberdrola México acquisition* Why pawn shops are booming across Mexico* World Cup hype versus economic reality* Tiendas 3B crushing traditional retail* Banamex returning to international debt markets

We interview Emilio Cadena, CEO of Prodensa and President of the US-Mexico Foundation, on the continued nearshoring opportunity for Mexico; what’s working, what isn’t, and why a roll-up of some of Mexico’s SME export industrial plays makes sense.Before that, Eduardo and Damian discuss the big business news of the week. Grupo México takes control of Saavi Energía, partially cashing out BlackRock/GIP, a clear example of global capital rotating out while rich local players step up.Mexico’s GDP contracted 0.8% in 1Q, its weakest start since 2020, while the U.S. grew around 2%. The divergence is striking: the U.S. is being supported by AI capex, while Mexico is held back by weak domestic consumption, investment, and autos.Yet Mexico’s non-auto exports are quietly booming. Growth is coming from electronics, electrical equipment, and industrial inputs tied directly to the AI buildout. This is nearshoring  in action, though it is not yet translating into GDP growth perhaps given the large import component in electronics.And in our quick takes, we look at Televisa preparing for Telco M&A, positive 1Q26 reports from FEMSA, Televisa, mixed results from BBVA Mexico, BanBajío, Walmex and others, plus Banorte’s bet on baseball.

Andrés Martínez, Co-Director of the Great Game Lab at Arizona State University, joins us to discuss the business significance of the first North American World Cup. Pedro Casas, CEO of AmCham Mexico, gives us the latest on USMCA talks following the USTR’s visit to Mexico. Before the interviews, Eduardo and Damian assess the state of Mexico’s economy and Q1 earnings so far, ballooning contraband around the World Cup, Fibra battles getting personal, Banamex’s new CEO, Flex’s AI infrastructure investment bet, and Atlas football club set to change hands.

We interview Adriana Rangel, Head of LatAm distribution at Vanguard, on one of Mexico’s biggest long-term weaknesses: why retirement savings remain so low despite gains in financial inclusion and average incomes. The answers include still low incomes relative to living costs, low female labor participation, high informality, poor financial education, and complexity and high cost of many existing financial products.Eduardo and Damian first turn to the week’s key stories: • Tomato prices surge: up as much as 100% YoY, pushing inflation higher, while tortilla prices also look set to rise. • Fracking reconsidered: Sheinbaum shifts policy, but cheap US gas remains hard to compete with. • Plata at a $5bn valuation: a major fintech milestone and a sign of renewed capital flows. • GS Motos hits 10 million motorcycle units sold: a major success story now facing stronger Indian competition. • Herdez’s ice cream JV with Froneri marks another step toward its leaner operating model.

This week on MexMoves, we interview Carlos Madrazo, head of Jumex USA, on how the company is approaching the US market, what lessons it can bring from its success in Mexico, what has to change, and why both Hispanic and mainstream consumers are part of its long-term ambition. Before that, Eduardo and Damian break down the week’s biggest stories: China’s growing footprint in autos, as GAC claims it will begin to assembly cars in Mexico in the second half of 2026; the implications of Telefónica’s sale of its Mexico business, and what the buying consortium-leader Oxio does next; and the debate around Victoria Rodríguez’s leadership of Banxico after a critical Bloomberg Opinion column.’

This week, Eduardo and Damian sit down with Rubén Mugártegui, Managing Director of Amazon Web Services Mexico, as AWS celebrates its 20th anniversary, to discuss how the company helped drive Mexico’s shift to cloud computing and how it is now positioning itself at the centre of the country’s AI transition.This episode also dives into:🔹 The debate over Mexico’s ‘’Broken Economy’’ by The Economist. What causes Mexico’s persistently weak economic growth - seemingly everyone has a view🔹 Park Life’s debut on the stock exchange, the first Mexican listed residential property company 🔹 What new data on Mexico’s fast-growing e-commerce economy shows🔹 Nissan’s closure of its historic CIVAC plant in Morelos as part of its global restructuring

We interview Manuel Rodríguez Arregui, head of AINDA, the infrastructure and energy private equity fund focused on Mexico and Colombia. We discuss how AINDA sees the opportunities and challenges in financing Mexico’s much-needed infrastructure and energy projects, how the firm creates value across its portfolio, and why incorporating the highest ESG standards at every level of the company is key to raising capital and investing wisely in private equity.First, Eduardo and Damian cover the week’s major business themes. Stagflation fears are rising after weak growth and high inflation readings in the first months of the year. Walmex’s Investor Day sought to answer investor questions around execution, pricing strategy, inventory management, leadership changes, and rising competition from hard discounters and e-commerce players. We also discuss what a Pemex-Petrobras alliance could mean, and how Mexico’s casino and betting business has become a major consumer, technology, and cash-flow story.Try Whitepaper 30 days freeBuy your Whitepaper merch here

This week we chat with Marcos Bucay, showrunner of La Oficina, about bringing The Office TV show to Mexico and what it reveals about hierarchy, nepotism, and the absurdities of corporate life a la mexicana. And in a bonus, top Stripe executive Neetika Bansal also joins us to explain how Stripe is adapting to the Mexican market and its vision for the growing role of stablecoins in global and local payments.First, Eduardo and Damian analyse the key Mexico business stories of the week: the takeover battle around Fibra Macquarie as Fibra Monterrey and Funo’s Next enter the fray; the surprising split between OXXO and Nu; Alsea’s growth strategy as outlined at its New York investor day; and takeaways from the ABM meeting in Cancun, where top banks are talking and talking about SME credit and how to accelerate the shift from cash to digital payments.Try Whitepaper 30 days freeBuy your Whitepaper merch here

We talk with Guillermo Zamarripa, president of Mexico’s pension fund association, Amafore, about the growing importance of Mexico’s pension funds, including their role in the country’s long-term savings, capital markets, infrastructure and private assets, the challenge of ensuring adequate pensions as the population ages, and the structural or regulatory changes still needed for the Afore system to play a larger role in the economy. In the first part, Eduardo and I discuss Fibra Monterrey’s successful follow-on offering and what it says about continued investor appetite for Mexican equities, the broader consolidation wave in industrial real estate, why global tensions may actually strengthen Mexico’s nearshoring story, BBVA Mexico’s investor update and how it has out-finteched the fintechs while maintaining “principalidad,” Mexico’s latest billionaire list and what it reveals about the country’s wealth structure, and the growing foreign investment flowing into Liga MX.Try Whitepaper 30 days freeBuy your Whitepaper merch here

Felipe Vallejo, Country Head of Bitso Mexico, explains how the company is pivoting from a crypto-first exchange into a broader investing and payments platform, leveraging stablecoins to facilitate business payments and offering individuals non-crypto digital products including global stocks and bonds.A geopolitically driven oil price spike is no longer the windfall it once was for Mexico. With the country now a structural energy importer, higher oil prices can marginally worsen the external balance and, through the IEPS fuel-tax buffer, create a fiscal hit that can outweigh the upside from crude exports, potentially leaving Pemex stronger but the federal deficit weaker.Next, we look at Bloomberg and Whitepaper’s profiles of Fernando Chico Pardo, the new chairman of Banamex. What have learnt that is new? Finally we cover Mexico fintech fundraising and product expansion. DolarApp’s rebrand to ARQ signals a shift from cross-border finance toward a daily-use platform combining FX, cards, investing and credit, backed by major global investors (Sequoia and Founders Fund, no less). We also discuss Ualá’s ambitions in Mexico and why public data suggests its progress in the market seems problematic despite continued fundraising momentum.Try Whitepaper 30 days freeBuy your Whitepaper merch here

This week we chat with Gina Diez Barroso, founder of CENTRO University, and a leading Mexican voice in education, innovation, urban renovation, arts and women in business. She reflects on the evolution of Mexico’s creative economy, and what it takes to build globally competitive creative business leaders in Mexico and elsewhere.We also speak with Edmundo Sandoval of Control Risks, the global risk consultancy, on how companies navigate insecurity, cartel dynamics, and extortion in Mexico, especially timely given the recent operation against the CJNG and the retaliatory violence that followed.To kick off, Eduardo and I break down 2025 full-year corporate results, focusing on FEMSA and Mercado Libre. We also analyze major corporate moves of the week, including Fibra Prologis’ bid for Fibra Macquarie, a sign that consolidation is returning to Mexico’s industrial real estate market and, potentially, the capital markets more broadly.Try Whitepaper 30 days freeBuy your Whitepaper merch here

Pedro de Garay, co-CEO of GBM and founder of Siclo, describes the pivot from a broker and investment bank built for Mexico’s financial elite to a mass-market investing platform, scaled with SoftBank backing and designed for first-time investors. We look at what comes next as GBM tries to turn scale into higher profitability.Diplomat Shauna Hemingway joins from the Canadian delegation of business leaders visiting Mexico to discuss where Canadian companies are investing, how they are reading the USMCA review, and the frictions that still slow cross-border deals.Before the interviews, Eduardo and Damian cover Mexico’s new 30% film and TV production tax credit, including local supplier rules and minimum spend thresholds, and Netflix’s new Mexico City headquarters, another signal that it sees Mexico as a long-term production base.We analyse Aeroméxico’s impressive cash generation in 2025, and Kavak’s fresh funding and what it says about late-stage tech in Mexico. We then break down Walmex’s softer 4Q25 results, a reminder that the consumer is still under pressure and competition is tightening. And on the Caribbean coast, early sargassum arrivals near Cancún are back on the radar, with potential consequences for tourism as the season approaches.Try Whitepaper 30 days freeBuy your Whitepaper merch here

Martin Mazza from Sam Altman’s Tools for Humanity and its World project, tells us why Mexico and LatAm are key markets for Proof of Human tools in an AI world, how far they’ve progressed in getting Latin Americans to “eyeball up,” and what still needs to happen to reach critical scale. We also chat with another Argentine, Tomás Mindlin, CEO and co-founder of tapi, following the company’s US$27M Series B, on why Mexico is central to their expansion, profitability, the Arcus integration, and the role of cash-in/cash-out in Mexico’s payments digitalization. As always, Eduardo and Damian kick off with their take on some of the week’s main business stories: the Vizsla-linked kidnappings and murders in Sinaloa and what they signal about security risk in mining; Chinese OEM interest in Mexico colliding with U.S. tariff pressure and trade politics; Nu’s overcooked Mexico messaging; and the Volaris–Viva tie-up as the key stress test for Mexico’s new competition authority.Try Whitepaper 30 days freeBuy your Whitepaper merch here

We interview Domingo Valdés, CFO of Vinte, Mexico’s largest homebuilder, on where Mexican housing is headed over the next decade. We discuss policy shifts from Peña Nieto to AMLO to Sheinbaum, Infonavit’s expanding role, the successful Javer acquisition, and how Vinte’s ESG focus translates into financial benefits. Before the interview, Eduardo and Damian first break down the week’s biggest Mexico storylines. Namely, the relevance of Mexico to Sunday’s Super Bowl; the government’s new multi-year infrastructure push; BBVA México’s blowout results and why Mexico remains the group’s profit engine; the proposed workweek reduction and what it could mean for the formal vs. informal labor divide; and the latest on Pemex’s “turnaround” narrative.Try Whitepaper 30 days freeBuy your Whitepaper merch here

ZONAMACO takes centre stage this week as we interview Zélika García, the founder behind Mexico’s top contemporary art fair, on how it became a global hit. We also speak with consultant Juan Saldívar on selling Mexican consumer brands in the US. And as always, Eduardo and Damian break down Mexico’s top business moves of the week: Sheinbaum’s private meetings with senior bankers and economic officials to push funding for Plan México and deepen credit; Revolut’s headline 15% yield on small deposits; and Banorte’s latest strong results and 2026 outlook. We also discuss how Grupo México became by far Mexico’s most valuable company, and how it’s poised to deploy its massive cash pile to invest more in mining, if permits come through.Try Whitepaper 30 days freeBuy your Whitepaper merch here

We interview Andrés Pliego on the outlook for Mexico’s water sector and how Rotoplas, where he is CFO, is investing across the region by providing practical, decentralized water solutions. Before the interview, Eduardo and Damian discuss the 2026 outlook for Mexico’s financials, energy, and mining sectors. We look at the impact of fintechs on lending and deposit rates, question Pemex’s ability to raise oil production, and highlight the need for the government to unlock mining investment by accelerating the approval of permits. We also discuss Mexico’s notable absence at Davos 2026. While thousands of the world’s leading CEOs and government figures were present in perhaps the most interesting Davos of all time, Mexico’s top brass was mostly absent.Try Whitepaper 30 days freeBuy your Whitepaper merch here

This week we interview Odracir Barquera, Head of the Mexican Automotive Industry Association (AMIA), on the negative impact of US tariffs on Mexico’s automotive industry in 2025 and how the 2026 USMCA review could unfold for what is the most important sector in Mexico’s economy. The review could either cut current tariffs and ease uncertainty in a best-case scenario or worse-case cement the current unfavorable treatment of Mexican auto exports and hurt investment for decades to come. Ahead of that, Eduardo and Damian assess the 2026 outlook across Mexico’s media & telecom, real estate, aviation and airports, and consumer sectors, focusing on how the USMCA, the World Cup, M&A activity, rising real wages and labor costs, and falling interest rates may shape each industry.Try Whitepaper 30 days freeBuy your Whitepaper merch here

To restart our weekly podcast, Damián and Eduardo speak with Michael Fung, a leading expert in human capital, education, and skills development at Tecnológico de Monterrey. He shares his assessment of how Mexico is performing in these areas—and the challenges and opportunities that artificial intelligence brings to education and the workforce. Damian and I also discuss the outlook for the Mexican economy in 2026, as well as the late-2025 announcement of a potential merger between Mexico’s two low-cost airlines, VivaAerobus and Volaris. Finally, we review the latest changes in Grupo Televisa's ownership structure.Try Whitepaper 30 days freeBuy your Whitepaper merch here

For our Christmas special, we interview Carlos Miguel Prieto, renowned Artistic Director of the Orquesta Sinfónica de Minería, about the business and current state of classical music in Mexico. We also speak with Verónica García de León about the smog crisis in Monterrey: what’s driving it, and why it persists. To kick off, Eduardo and I discuss Mexico’s 2025 corporate and market highlights, from Fernando Chico Pardo taking control of Banamex, to the rally in Pemex bonds, IPOs at Aeroméxico, Fibra Next, and Esentia, and a wave of new CEOs at Coppel, Alsea, Walmex, Femsa, Bimbo, and others. Finally: Bread Culture Wars. We reflect on the Green Rhino / Richard Hart controversy, and how intemperate comments on the alleged poor quality of Mexican bread rolls in an obscure 2024 podcast became a social-media firestorm 18 months later, and turned into a proxy for (some of) Mexico’s gentrification and anti-foreign anxieties.Try Whitepaper 30 days freeBuy your Whitepaper merch here

Jaime Guillen, co-founder and partner at Mexico Infrastructure Partners (MIP), joins us to explain how the firm became the country’s largest infrastructure fund, the strategy behind its landmark Iberdrola acquisition, and where MIP is heading next, from energy and digital infrastructure to industrial real estate and international expansion. For a sector that usually works under the radar, this is a rare look at the decisions shaping Mexico’s power and infrastructure future.We then turn to Bruce Boren, Partner at THR3 Media and former Televisa executive, producer of HBO’s hit Chespirito biopic. Bruce breaks down how the project came together, why it struck such a nerve, and what the looming Netflix and Paramount battle for Warner Bros. Discovery could mean for content creators in Mexico.Before the interviews, Eduardo and I run through the week’s business and economic headlines. We look at the impact of the hike on tariffs on imports from non-FTA countries like China, the latest inflation data and what it may signal for Banxico’s next moves. Then we discuss Alsea, which continues to reshape its portfolio, now bringing Raising Cane’s, one of the fastest-growing QSR brands in the U.S., to Mexico. The move pairs with its 2026 Chipotle rollout and follows recent divestments in Chile and Spain.Finally, we dig into the rising speculation around a potential AT&T México, Televisa and Izzi deal. If it happens, Televisa would take on many of AT&T’s challenges, including high spectrum costs, MVNO pressure and Telcel’s dominance, while gaining the scale of a national mobile operation along with the advantages of its broadband and cable network and the political muscle that comes with still being Mexico’s leading broadcaster.Try Whitepaper 30 days freeBuy your Whitepaper merch here

MexMoves interviews Salvador Rivero, the new Country Head of Binance Mexico, who lays out what the world’s largest crypto exchange plans to do in the country. We also speak with US-Mexico policy expert Duncan Wood for his take on the USMCA hearings in Washington — what’s at stake and what 2026 US trade outcomes are realistic for Mexico. To kick off Eduardo and Damian as always dig into the main corporate and economic stories of the week. Grupo Bimbo turns 80 and opens its new museum in Mexico City, which leads us to a broader question: why has Mexico produced so few large new companies in recent decades? Many of today’s corporate giants trace their origins to the Porfiriato or the WWII industrial boom — and unlike in USA, Brazil, Argentina, not many newer firms have joined their ranks. Finally, we look at the 13% minimum-wage increase for 2026 and the government’s plan to cut the workweek from 48 to 40 hours by 2030. Great news for workers with formal jobs — but with informality already above 50%, critics warn that steep wage hikes and shorter hours could unintentionally curb formal hiring and push more firms into the gray economy.Try Whitepaper 30 days freeBuy your Whitepaper merch here

Join us for a deep dive with Banco Azteca Chairman Alejandro Valenzuela on how Azteca really makes its money, why cash still refuses to die, and why a phygital model is the way forward for Mexican banks. Javier Treviño shares leadership lessons from his new book Silos, celos y círculos íntimos and what a more ethical, less “clubby” business culture in Mexico could look like. Eduardo and Damian break down the farmer and trucker highway blockades as corn prices, water rights and insecurity fuel nationwide protests; the details behind Fibra NEXT’s US$400m downsized follow-on; the US$100m wager on American football in Mexico under the NFL’s shadow; and the battle over credit and debit card related interchange-fees between the banks and authorities just as the government unveils the new financial inclusion strategy for 2025-2030.Try Whitepaper 30 days freeBuy your Whitepaper merch here

Desteia’s Diego Solórzano explains how real, operator-focused AI tools can ease Mexico–U.S. logistics bottlenecks. Journalist Steve Fisher recounts the unlikely recovery of a gold mine in Sonora that many had written off, detailing the operational, financial, and human factors behind its revival. We discuss Mexico surpassing Canada as America’s top export market for the first time, driven by tighter USMCA rules of origin, China-related tariff pressure, and decades of integrated US/Mexico supply chains. We review Esentia Energy’s IPO, completed but priced below range as investors weighed its exposure to CFE and the shadow of Aeroméxico’s post-IPO weakness. We also cover ASUR’s acquisition of 20 airports across Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Curaçao; Tiendas 3B’s standout quarterly results; and rumors Grupo Salinas is selling Mazatlán FC, potentially opening the door for Atlante’s return to Liga MX.’

We talk with Neri Tollardo, Plata’s co-founder and CEO, to understand how the fintech rocketed from zero to more than two million users and a $3 billion valuation in just over two years. We also explore the pros and cons of Mexico City as a potential home for U.S. sports teams, the stakes behind Esentia’s planned gas-pipeline IPO as Mexico and the U.S. both benefit from the decade-long boom of gas imports Texas to Mexico, and how Kimberly-Clark’s acquisition of Kenvue (Tylenol, Listerine, etc.) could affect its separately listed and managed Mexican business.Try Whitepaper 30 days freeBuy your Whitepaper merch here

Octavio Camarena, CEO of KIO, Mexico’s leading local data-center company, talks to us about the company’s ambitious expansion plans, power bottlenecks, and why a successful data-center build-out is relevant to Mexico’s AI competitiveness. Then French-owned Natixis explain their local asset-management push, driven by rising savings and pension assets. Eduardo and Damian analyze GAP’s purchase of CBX from its controlling shareholders and the move to internalize technical assistance; dilution now, potential gains later. They also cover ASUR’s bid for a South American airport bundle, and how Aeromexico priced its IPO despite tough U.S.–Mexico travel conditions. Finally, they dissect the current investment slump which suggests Plan Mexico is not working - and why U.S. business is pressing Mexico for clear, predictable investment and tax rules.Prueba Whitepaper 30 días gratisCompra tu gorra o ilustraciones de Whitepaper aquí

This week on MexMoves, Uber’s top Mexico executives break down their strategy and why the country has become one of Uber’s biggest global markets. Juan Guerra, CEO of Revolut Bank Mexico, discusses how the fintech will be adapting its European model to Mexico (ie, credit will be a bigger part of the story). We examine the U.S. route bans hitting Mexican airlines, the government’s controversial plan to slash credit card fees and impact on FinTechs, and the wildly divergent fortunes of Mercado Libre, Oxxo, and Walmex in 3Q25 amid a slowing consumer backdrop.Try Whitepaper 30 days freeBuy your Whitepaper merch here

This week we interview Sebastián de Lara, Chief Regulation and Expansion Officer at Finsus, one of Mexico’s few profitable fintechs, to explore its path toward regulated scale. We then preview Aeroméxico’s upcoming IPO, highlighting its impressive post-COVID recovery powered by higher fares and sharp efficiency gains. In M&A, GE Vernova’s $5.3 billion purchase of Xignux’s remaining 50 percent stake in Prolec underscores investor appetite for electricity-infrastructure assets amid the AI-driven energy boom and highlights the valuation gap between Mexican industrials and U.S. buyers—echoing the Grupo Herdez joint-venture sale earlier this year. We also unpack Mexico’s insurance VAT truce, where firms like Qualitas and AXA avoid massive retroactive tax bills but accept higher costs from 2025 onward. Meanwhile, GM’s strong Q3 results show Mexico’s tariff exposure easing more than expected, though new investment flows are shifting north as the automaker doubles down on U.S. production. Finally, Revolut secures its long-awaited banking license in Mexico—after four years of waiting—and now faces the ultimate challenge: how to compete and profit in Latin America’s toughest fintech market without offering credit.Try Whitepaper 30 days freeBuy your Whitepaper merch here

We interview Pedro Latapi, CEO of HR Ratings, on the firm’s growth in Mexico and now the U.S. and its rating outlook for both markets. Bernardo Cordero, founder of Mexico Tech Week, joins to discuss Mexico’s startup and tech ecosystem. Plus: Mercado Libre challenges the government over planned withholding taxes on third-party sellers, Orbia jumps on divestiture rumors, Plata’s valuation climbs to $3.1 billion after another $250 million raise, and AFORES’ influence keeps growing across Mexico’s capital marketsTry Whitepaper 30 days freeBuy your Whitepaper merch here

We interview Jean-Michel Enríquez, partner at Creel, García-Cuellar, Aiza y Enriquez SC, on the impact of the judicial reform on dealmaking, arbitration as a workaround, the amparo debate, and the business of corporate law in Mexico. Eduardo and Damian cover Chico Pardo’s apparent win over Grupo México in the battle for Banamex; potential disruption in the brokerage market after Bitso’s move to offer free U.S. stock trading; the paradox of splashy foreign investment announcements versus declining fixed investment; and fresh USMCA risks.Try Whitepaper 30 days freeBuy your Whitepaper merch here

Nikolaj Lippmann, Latin America equity strategist at Morgan Stanley, explains how realistic it is for Mexico to develop a domestic robotics manufacturing industry over the next decade. What policies would the government need to implement to attract investors? Could the USMCA help—or hinder—Mexico’s chances in this growing sector? Capital One’s investment plans in Mexico, not in finance, but in tech hub; Carlos Slim’s expanding relationship with Pemex after Grupo Carso secured a $2 billion drilling contract; and President Trump’s controversial decision to charge $100,000 for H1-B visas, which could open new opportunities for Mexico to lure small and mid-size tech firms. Plus, the latest on tequila in the business headlines—and a few items more.Try Whitepaper 30 days freeBuy your Whitepaper merch here

Estephany Ley, Head of Retail Banking at BanCoppel, lays out the bank’s strategy to broaden its client base and product offering—from its traditional retail financing to car loans, credit cards, mortgages, payroll loans, and more. She argues that branches, scale, trust, and technology working together will prove a winning formula. Daniela Dib explains how Querétaro is booming for data centers, but the electricity grid isn’t keeping up. We look at Fernando Chico Pardo’s purchase of a 25% controlling stake in Citi’s Banamex for US$2.3bn at 0.8x book. Banamex now must grow loans and revenues, cut costs, better use its cheap deposits, and lift ROE before the upcoming IPO. Carlos Slim—through Carso and FCC—wins a big Saltillo–Monterrey passenger railway contract. Finally, Tito’s takes a majority stake in LALO Tequila as the US tequila market cools—too many brands, price hikes that stretched consumer budgets, and Gen-Zs binge drinking less.Try Whitepaper 30 days freeBuy your Whitepaper merch here

This week on MexMoves, we speak with Roberto Rocha and Germán Losada, Co-Founders of VEMO, the Riverstone-backed Mexican clean mobility startup, about their recent US$250 million equity raise and the company’s rapid growth in EV leasing and infrastructure. We also ask about the threat to VEMO of increased tariffs on Chinese EV imports — subsequently confirmed.René Lankenau of Whitepaper breaks down Grupo Herdez’s spin-off of Nutrisa and the US$750 million sale of part of its McCormick joint venture — moves that are reshaping one of Mexico’s most iconic food groups.Ricardo Kumar Dadoo of Clarendon Group explains how US/Mexico cross-border transport and logistics networks are holding up under Trump’s new trade and immigration regime.We also cover FEMSA’s new CEO, the Aeroméxico–Delta joint venture facing U.S. regulatory pushback, and take a closer look at the motives behind Mexico’s move from Free Trade Bastion to Fortress North America, via the planned big hike in tariffs on Chinese imports.Try Whitepaper 30 days freeBuy your Whitepaper merch here

This week on MexMoves we interview Sigfried Eisennmeier from DiDi on the company’s remarkable expansion in Mexico, with context from Whitepaper’s Daniela Dib.  Eduardo and Damian look into Klar’s acquisition of Banorte’s digital bank Bineo, the upcoming Esentia Energy IPO, and Mexico’s decision to impose tariffs of up to 50% on imports from countries without free trade agreements such as China and Korea. We also unpack the 2026 budget, which raises taxes on soft drinks, cigarettes, and gambling but avoids structural tax reform, keeping the deficit at around 4% of GDP while Pemex debt grows off balance sheet. Finally, we discuss Amazon’s new US$25 million convertible note investment in Rappi, which could give it up to a 12% stake in the Colombian delivery company. Don’t forget to comment and rate the podcast to help spread the word and grow the audience.Try Whitepaper 30 days freeBuy your Whitepaper merch here

We interview Alejandra Palacios, former president of COFECE, for a clear-eyed take on Mexico’s new competition framework - one that may not end up as bad as first feared. We also speak with Fernando Sandoval, CFO and cofounder of Kapital, on how a small and mostly unknown fintech has quickly grown into a regulated bank now reportedly valued at $1.3 billion, fresh off a $100 million raise and the acquisition of Intercam’s assets. Beyond the interviews, we look at the rumored soda tax already shaking KOF and Arca investors, recap BIVA Day in New York, examine Pemex’s so-called “not-fracking” plan, and review the government’s new anti-dumping tariffs on Chinese shoes.Try Whitepaper 30 days freeBuy your Whitepaper merch here

In this episode, we sit down with Valeria Moy, director of Mexico’s leading think tank, the Mexican Institute for Competitiveness (IMCO), for a reality check on the government’s plans to jumpstart the economy. We also break down reports on possible Mexican tariffs against Chinese imports—from cars to textiles. Plus: Nutrisa’s push to list shares on the Bolsa, the latest on Fibra NEXT, and how crypto platform Bitso is betting big on stablecoins.Try Whitepaper 30 days freeBuy your Whitepaper merch here

In this episode, we interview academic Andrew Paxman on the history of U.S.–Mexico business ties. Daniela Dib of Whitepaper discusses how the JAC/Giant Motors alliance is emerging as an attractive model for making affordable EVs in Mexico. We break down McCormick’s $750M deal with Herdez and its impact on the food sector, analyze the banking shake-up involving Intercam, CIBanco, Kapital, and Multiva, and cover the CEO change at Nu México. Finally, we take a cautious look at the ambitious Taruk electric bus project led by Megaflux.Try Whitepaper 30 days freeBuy your Whitepaper merch here

As Mexico moves to dismantle its telecom regulator, we speak with Ernesto Piedras — one of the country’s leading consultants and experts on the digital economy — about what’s at stake. We also cover Western Union’s purchase of rival Intermex, the fallout for Mexican beverage giant Cuervo from Canada’s rejection of U.S.-made spirits, the potential takeover of a controlling stake in Banamex by Chico Pardo, the latest on Mexican fintechs, and the storm over Adidas’s alleged cultural appropriation.Try Whitepaper 30 days freeBuy your Whitepaper merch here

We interview Carlos García, President of AmCham México, to discuss the current state of U.S.–Mexico business relations heading into the critical 2026 USMCA review. We also speak with Raúl Livas, former COO of Pemex, who breaks down the government’s new rescue plan for the struggling oil giant. In the headlines: AT&T is said to be looking to exit Mexico after sinking over $10 billion into its mobile business. Meanwhile, MercadoLibre posts a strong rebound in Mexico during Q2, Walmex makes a surprise CEO change, and remittances dropTry Whitepaper 30 days freeBuy your Whitepaper merch here

This week on MexMoves, we talk with Gerardo Lozoya of Alsea to explore what’s driving the restaurant group’s strong momentum — and how it plans to grow Chipotle in Mexico, now as its local operator. We also break down strong 2Q GDP figures; Live Nation’s $646M additional investment in OCESA, its majority-owned live entertainment arm in Mexico; Liverpool’s Nordstrom strategy; ASUR’s U.S. airport pivot, and Nemak’s bet on EV with a a big new global acquisition. Plus: Trump’s 90-day tariff deal delay, again — and the jaw-dropping $400M scam that ensnared Ricardo Salinas Pliego.Try Whitepaper 30 days freeBuy your Whitepaper merch here

We chat with Eduardo Verboonen Khoury, Co-President of Hospitales MAC, one of Mexico’s fastest-growing private hospital groups. He shares how rising middle-class demand, under-resourced public healthcare, growing U.S. medical tourism, and underserved regional cities are fueling the expansion of private hospitals in Mexico.Plus, we break down the Fibra NEXT IPO, Iberdrola’s rumored exit, Pemex’s refinancing, 2Q corporate earnings, and how tariffs are already hitting the Mexico operations of Nissan, GM, and StellantisVisit ArkhamTry Whitepaper 30 days freeBuy your Whitepaper merch here

This week we discuss AI adoption in Mexico with Julián López Portillo, CEO of Senzai, and Mauricio Sepúlveda, CEO of Arkham Technologies—two tech founders shaping the future of AI in the region. On the sports front, we evaluate the Liga MX ownership changes, including Querétaro FC’s sale to U.S.-based Innovatio Capital and Atlas FC’s pending divestment, as FIFA cracks down on multiple team ownership. We evaluate the impact of Trump’s latest tariff threats and the new duties on Mexican tomato exports to the U.S. Finally, we look at the recent gentrification protests in Mexico City and what if anything they mean for tourism in the City ahead of the 2026 World Cup.Try Whitepaper 30 days freeBuy your Whitepaper merch here

This week on MexMoves, we sit down with Gabriel Casillas, Chief Latin America Economist at Barclays, on why Mexico’s economy is stronger than you think. From a 10% peso rally to GDP estimates nudging up and cooling rates, Casillas breaks down the drivers — and what could come next. Plus: delays in US sanctions on three banks, lithium letdowns, Mercado Pago’s new app, cartel-fueled fuel fraud, and Cancun’s tourist troubles.Buy your Whitepaper merch hereTry Whitepaper 30 days free

This week, we speak with Ricardo Cacho at top Mexican law firm Von Wobeser y Sierra to unpack the fallout from U.S. sanctions on CI Banco, Intercam, and Vector. Plus: More News from FIntechs Klar, Plata, and Nu; BYD freezing Mexico plans Giant Motors’ JAC Mexico EV bet, and Mexico’s cargo theft crisis.Try Whitepaper 30 days free

Dollar stores are gaining ground in Mexico’s retail landscape — and the latest player is JOi Dollar Plus, a Canadian venture tapping into the growing demand for single-price items. We speak exclusively with Rahim Bhaloo, the founder and executive president behind the brand. Also in this episode: the U.S. Treasury Department accuses three Mexican financial institutions of involvement in money laundering linked to fentanyl trafficking. We break down the implications for the banking sector and cross-border relations. Plus: signs of a potential U.S.-Mexico tariff deal on steel and aluminum, and major changes in Mexico’s sports television landscape.Visit ArkhamTry Whitepaper 30 days free

Mexico’s energy demand is rising fast — but will recent regulatory changes be enough to reignite investor interest? We speak exclusively with César Hernández, former Deputy Electricity Minister, and José Antonio Aguilar, founder and managing partner of wind-power company Vive Energía, to assess the sector’s prospects. Also on the show: one large new Fibra has already just listed (FIEMEX), another (Fibra Next) is preparing to follow, and regulators hit the country’s largest mobile operator with a major fine.Try Whitepaper 30 days free

How can Mexico close its yawning education gap? We speak exclusively with Aurelio Nuño, ex-Education Minister, and Juan Rebolledo of Lotus Education,to explore what’s at stake and what can be done. Then: GM pivots future production from Mexico to US; Heineken Mexico talks up investment plans; and Hispanics in US pull backTry Whitepaper 30 days free

This week on MexMoves, we sit down with Leandro Cuccioli, SVP of Mercado Libre, for an exclusive look at how Latin America’s e-commerce giant plans to keep growing in Mexico — across e-commerce, logistics, and finance. We also dive into: a sharp drop in April remittances and a surge in crypto-powered transfers; Infra REIT Xinfra’s $270M raise to expand into power; mounting trouble at SOFOM Préstamo Feliz; the quiet rise of Canadian dollar store PesoRama in Mexico City; and baseball’s growing popularity in Mexico.Try Whitepaper 30 days free

On this episode of MexMoves, we look at what’s in store for Mexico’s economy in the second half of 2025 with Miriam Acuña from GBM. Andrés Benavides, founder of Cometa, shares how edtech can help Mexico’s private schools improve operations & collections, and focus on teaching. We also break down the top stock market winners and losers of 1H25, why U.S. fintechs are doubling down on microloans in Mexico, and Liverpool’s strategic bet on Nordstrom.Try Whitepaper 30 days free

This week, we sit down with Dr. Andrey Zarur, CEO and founder of Boston-based GreenLight Biosciences — maybe Mexico’s most accomplished scientist turned entrepreneur. We explore how his company is applying biotechnology to Mexican agriculture to boost productivity and food security sustainably, and why he believes Mexico has the potential to become a pharmaceutical powerhouse.Also in this episode:Potential Nissan Mexican plant closures; what the government and lawyers are saying about Mexico’s foreign investment outlook, and the latest on the U.S. remittance tax proposal stirring debate in Washington.Try Whitepaper 30 days free