Mexico City: Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has vowed to reduce her country’s reliance on U.S. energy imports, pledging to work toward greater energy independence while reaffirming Mexico’s sovereignty in the face of comments from U.S. President Donald Trump.
Speaking at her daily news conference, Sheinbaum noted that Mexico remains heavily dependent on “very cheap” natural gas from the United States but stressed that her administration is exploring ways to diversify energy sources.
“Mexico should work toward energy independence,” Sheinbaum said, according to Xinhua News Agency. However, she acknowledged that many existing contracts with U.S. suppliers — some lasting up to 20 years — are legally binding and cannot be dissolved immediately.
Exploring Alternatives to U.S. Energy
Sheinbaum revealed that state-owned oil company Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) has set up a working committee, led by the Mexican Petroleum Institute, to examine alternative energy options that are more environmentally sustainable. Potential alternatives under review include methane production from biomass and landfills, aimed at bolstering energy self-sufficiency and reducing reliance on imports.
“Final choices will need to be put to the public’s consideration,” Sheinbaum said, suggesting that future policy changes may require national debate or approval.
Pushback Against Trump’s Remarks
Sheinbaum also addressed President Trump’s recent comments at a White House event marking the 90th anniversary of the Social Security Act, where he claimed that “Mexico does what we tell them to do.”
Firmly rejecting that assertion, Sheinbaum said: “President Trump has his way of speaking, but as I said yesterday, the only one who rules in Mexico is the people — plain and simple.” She later echoed the message on social media, headlining her post: “In Mexico, the people govern.”
Balancing Cooperation and Sovereignty
On security issues, Sheinbaum responded to reports of U.S. military deployments in the southern Caribbean to counter drug cartels. While pledging continued cooperation with Washington, she underscored Mexico’s independent stance.
“Our position is always self-determination for all Latin American and Caribbean nations,” she said. “Mexico opposes interventionism and prefers to settle conflicts via international organizations and diplomacy.”
Sheinbaum’s statements highlight a balancing act: maintaining close ties with the U.S., Mexico’s largest trading partner and primary energy supplier, while moving toward policies that reduce dependency and reinforce national sovereignty.
As Mexico seeks to diversify its energy mix and build resilience, Sheinbaum’s pledge signals both a domestic push for sustainability and a political message of independence from Washington’s influence.
