Mexico Poised for Tax Hikes Sheinbaum Once Said Wouldn’t Happen

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has repeatedly ruled out tax hikes to help reduce her nation’s fiscal deficit. But a slew of new levies are hiding in plain sight in a 2026 budget blueprint her ruling Morena party is pushing through Congress.

The plan, which lower house lawmakers approved last week, adds some 137 billion pesos ($7.4 billion) in revenues through new or increased taxes on sodas, gory video games, cigarettes and lucky gamblers, according to an analysis by local think tank CIEP.

Sheinbaum has cast the so-called sin taxes as a matter of public health, telling reporters last week ...