Mexico City - Claudia Sheinbaum, the President of Mexico, recently announced her decision to retract last-minute concessions made by the Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones (IFT) before its planned dissolution. These agreements were described as attempts to conduct business quietly, which Sheinbaum condemned as "albazo," or underhanded tactics.
During her daily press briefing, La Mañanera, Sheinbaum explained, "The IFT gave us some concessions before closing, which will be rolled back. They attempted to make last-minute deals, but this will not go through. We will explain what they did here." This statement underlines her government's swift action against what she perceives to be inappropriate conduct prior to the IFT's extinction.
Sheinbaum referenced constitutional changes recently approved by the Congress, which resulted in the elimination of several autonomous organizations, including the IFT and the Comisión Federal de Competencia Económica (Cofece). The reform aims to streamline these entities under one decentralized body, led by the Ministry of Economy, with the primary goal of preventing monopolistic practices. "From these autonomous entities, we are creating a smaller organization, which will effectively reduce monopolies," she elaborated.
The President criticized the IFT for its failure to fulfill its mandated role of diminishing monopolies over nearly the past decade. She described the ineffective oversight by the IFT and Cofece, stating, "Neither the IFT nor Cofece accomplished this task" of regulating monopolies adequately. She believes the new structure will rectify these past deficiencies.
Specific details about the concessions made by the IFT are yet to be disclosed as Sheinbaum indicated more information would come soon. She strongly dismissed any narratives claiming the current administration's actions signify an authoritarian shift, asserting, "If we were an authoritarian government, there would not be freedom of expression, assembly, or protest; we possess great freedoms in our country today." This response addresses criticisms concerning the consolidation of autonomous agencies under the federal government.
Sheinbaum's government now appears poised to incorporate the functions of these obsolete autonomous organizations within federal ministries, emphasizing operational continuity to avoid losing their core capabilities. For example, she announced plans for the Comisión Reguladora de Energía (CRE) to transition under the auspices of the Secretaría de Energía.
Highlighting transparency, Sheinbaum reassured the public about enhanced measures following the dissolution of the IFT. An area dedicated to transparency will be established within the Secretaría de Anticorrupción y Buen Gobierno. Raquel Buenrostro, who oversees this department, will provide details on its operations during upcoming press conferences.
She clarified, "The objective is not just to shrink these organizations but to strengthen governance and transparency within them. The CRE, which serves as the energy regulatory authority, has faced many difficulties, and now it will form part of the Energy Ministry, aligned with newly enacted secondary legislation."
This legislative transition arises from widespread public discourse around the future of independent institutions and whether their dissolution anticipates more governmental control or fosters more effective governance. Advocates for transparency and regulatory independence have raised concerns about potential conflicts arising from the combination of these roles within government structures.
The IFT's controversial last-minute agreements surfaced during this legislative shake-up, raising alarms among opposition factions about possible overreach and lack of accountability from the Sheinbaum administration. Critics view such actions as disregarding the checks and balances initially instituted to combat monopolistic practices.
Sheinbaum vehemently defended her administration's transparency, stating, "These assertions of authoritarianism due to the elimination of autonomous entities are entirely false. Freedoms and liberties remain intact, and our commitment to gradual progression without sacrificing core democrat values is steadfast."
Underneath the mounting scrutiny over federal reforms, the Sheinbaum administration aims to return more favorable outcomes for citizens by ensuring accountability, sustainability, and efficient public service. By targeting monopolistic practices through redesigning the regulatory framework, she hopes to revitalize trust among the citizenry.
Though the upcoming changes depict challenging aspects of governance and public perception, Sheinbaum remains determined to navigate these treacherous waters, with outcomes hinging on cohesive implementation coupled with meaningful engagement with public representatives.
With multiple future announcements planned—affirming retractions of IFT concessions and the subsequent steps toward agency restructuring—the Sheinbaum administration looks to reshape the regulatory environment for telecommunications. This reorganization of federal institutions may set the precedent for similar reforms across other sectors dependent on regulatory guidance.
Sheinbaum stated, "We will restore faith through effective governance and transparency, and I aim to finish my book on historical transition processes soon, perhaps with interest from potential publishers to push forward our narratives." The guiding vision for her administration will focus on reinvigorated integrity and responsibility within Mexican governance, aiming to showcase the merits of these systemic changes.
