President Sheinbaum Stresses Mexico’s Energy Independence, Reaffirms Sovereignty in U.S. Relations

Mexico City: Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has underlined her government’s push to reduce reliance on U.S. natural gas imports, while also rejecting recent remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting Mexico acts under Washington’s direction.

Speaking at her daily press conference on Monday, Sheinbaum acknowledged that Mexico depends heavily on “very cheap” natural gas from the United States but said steps are being taken to build greater energy self-sufficiency. She noted that long-term import contracts, some extending up to 20 years, limit immediate changes but stressed the need for alternative strategies.

To explore sustainable options, state-owned Petroleos Mexicanos has set up a working group coordinated by the Mexican Petroleum Institute. The team is examining less environmentally damaging energy sources, including methane from landfills and biomass, as part of a broader plan to diversify national production. Any major policy decisions, Sheinbaum said, would ultimately be placed before the public.

Her comments followed Trump’s assertion at a White House event that “Mexico does what we tell them to do,” citing its border enforcement measures. Responding on August 15, Sheinbaum was firm: “In Mexico, the people govern. The only one who rules in Mexico is the people — plain and simple.” She also posted the same message on social media with the title “In Mexico, the people govern.”

Addressing another sensitive issue, Sheinbaum was asked about U.S. troop deployments in the southern Caribbean aimed at combating drug cartels. She reaffirmed Mexico’s longstanding position in favor of sovereignty, self-determination, and diplomacy. “Our stance is always self-determination for all Latin American and Caribbean nations,” she said, adding that Mexico rejects interventionism and supports international institutions as the proper channels for resolving disputes.