Mexico Enabling Environment Snapshot

This report covers the period of 01 Dec 2025 - 31 March 2026.

In 2026, the government of President Claudia Sheinbaum is in the first third of its six-year term, which will end on 30 September 2030. This period coincides with a significant electoral cycle: in 2026, local elections will be held in various states, whilst in 2027 federal mid-term elections will take place to renew the Chamber of Deputies, in addition to local elections in several states. 

The enabling environment for civil society in Mexico continues to be marked by restrictive trends, in a context characterised by the persistent targeting of human rights defenders and journalists, primarily by organised crime in collusion with local authorities, as well as by the growing territorial presence of this group, which limits the exercise of freedom of expression and assembly in various regions of the country.  

Added to this are tensions arising from Mexico’s geopolitical position vis-à-vis the United States, amid an increasingly tense international landscape, with pressures regarding security, migration and cooperation that create a challenging environment for groups and organisations working on migration and human rights issues, particularly along the country’s northern and southern borders, where controls have been tightened by the military presence and efforts to curb migration to the United States. 

Furthermore, the political context is shaped by the US mid-term elections due to take place in November 2026; with a wave of repression against protests within the US over Trump’s policies, the ruling party’s rhetoric in the run-up to the elections appears to be hardening on anti-migration issues. Another factor to consider is the review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), provided for in the agreement itself as a mechanism to assess its continuation, which formally began on 16 March 2026 and envisages an initial phase of discussions lasting until approximately 1 July this year. This process is significant for Mexico due to its heavy reliance on trade with the United States, as well as the pressures arising from potential regulatory changes and the uncertainty affecting investment. These dynamics are intertwined with institutional and regulatory challenges that have social, economic and political implications for Mexico.

Finally, ahead of the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, the country is under increasing international scrutiny, which highlights both social and economic tensions, such as those observed at the reopening of the ‘Estadio Azteca on 28 March; these protests demonstrate the importance of civil society’s role in advocating for its causes.