Mexico Falls in Global Corruption Index, but Sheinbaum Sees Progress

Mexico’s Corruption Perception Worsens in Global Rankings

Mexico’s battle against corruption took a hit as the country dropped 14 positions in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), placing 140th out of 180 nations in 2024. The country’s score fell from 31 to 26 points on a scale of 100, indicating a significant decline in perceived transparency and accountability.

The CPI, compiled annually by Transparency International, assesses expert opinions, financial risk analyses, and insights from academics and business leaders to gauge corruption levels worldwide. This decline raises concerns about Mexico’s governance and institutional integrity.

Sheinbaum Defends Government’s Anti-Corruption Strategy

During her morning press conference on February 12, President Claudia Sheinbaum dismissed the index’s findings, arguing that public perception contradicts the reported data.

“Fortunately, the people’s perception is different,” she stated, emphasizing that her administration remains committed to transparency and economic growth.

Sheinbaum highlighted that Mexico nearly doubled its tax revenue between 2018 and 2024 without implementing a fiscal reform, attributing this increase to anti-corruption efforts.

“Corruption and Privileges Are Over”—Sheinbaum

Sheinbaum reinforced her stance by pointing to significant government-funded infrastructure projects and social programs, which she claims were made possible through resource recovery rather than tax hikes.

“The privileges are over, corruption is over. We still have areas where we can recover resources, but we’ve made significant progress.”

She argued that the economic policies under her predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO), led to poverty reduction for over nine million Mexicans. Furthermore, she defended AMLO’s legacy, saying:

“If there had been a corrupt regime, López Obrador wouldn’t have left office with an eight out of ten approval rating.”

What’s Next for Mexico’s Fight Against Corruption?

Despite the government’s claims, international analysts warn that Mexico’s weak judicial system and unchecked political influence remain major obstacles to eliminating corruption. With foreign investment and economic stability at stake, the coming years will be critical for Mexico’s ability to improve its standing in global transparency rankings.

Sheinbaum has promised to tighten anti-corruption measures and continue AMLO’s policies, but whether these efforts will reflect in future rankings remains uncertain.