President Claudia Sheinbaum said Mexico is advancing its energy sovereignty by modernizing refineries and boosting state-owned energy production.

This strategy aims to reduce the nation's reliance on foreign oil and stabilize the cost of fuel for citizens. By strengthening state entities, the administration intends to insulate the domestic economy from global market volatility.

Speaking during a morning press conference in Mexico City on June 13 [1], Sheinbaum said she has a plan to modernize Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) refineries. The president said the government is working toward the completion of co-processing plants in Tula and Salina Cruz. These efforts are designed to reach a national fuel production target of 1.8 million barrels per day [2].

Sheinbaum linked these industrial upgrades to the current price of fuel. "México mantiene gasolinas y diésel a buen precio," she said [3]. She said that the rescue of Pemex has been a key factor in maintaining those lower costs for gasoline and diesel.

Beyond oil, the administration is expanding its electrical infrastructure. Sheinbaum recently inaugurated a new combined-cycle plant for the Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE) in Colima, which provides 357 megawatts of capacity [4]. This expansion is part of a broader push to ensure the state maintains control over the power grid.

"Estamos recuperando la soberanía energética de la Nación, rescatamos a Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) y a la Comisión Federal de Electricidad," Sheinbaum said [5]. She said the electrical utility plays a critical role, stating, "Sin la CFE no habría soberanía nacional ni soberanía energética" [6].

The push for energy sovereignty involves a dual approach of refinery modernization and electrical grid expansion, both aimed at removing dependence on external providers.

“"Sin la CFE no habría soberanía nacional ni soberanía energética"”

The Sheinbaum administration is doubling down on a state-centric energy model, prioritizing national control over private investment or imports. By targeting a specific production volume of 1.8 million barrels and expanding CFE capacity, Mexico is attempting to decouple its energy security from U.S. imports and global price swings, though this requires significant capital expenditure in aging infrastructure.