Overview of corruption and anti-corruption efforts in Mexico

Query

Please provide an overview the current situation regarding corruption and anti-corruption efforts in Mexico.

Contents

1. Overview of corruption in Mexico
2. Corruption by sector
3. Legal and institutional anti-corruption framework
4. References

Main points

• The extent of corruption is widespread across Mexico, both at the federal and subnational levels.
• Corruption in public procurement is a notable problem that leads to overpricing for both the public and private sectors, notably in the energy sector.
• In 2015, Mexico approved a national anti-corruption system which creates a framework for coordination between all federal and state anti-corruption bodies as well as civil society
• The media and civil society, though hurt by the drug war, continue to be an important driver for anti-corruption reforms

Summary

Mexico has spent its first two decades of competitive, multiparty democracy in the grips of drug related violence and dealing with its long past of corruption and clientelism. Bribery, embezzlement and procurement corruption are all common practices in Mexican public service. The mining sector, healthcare sector and energy sector are especially vulnerable to corruption.

Despite this, recent efforts – largely spurred on by civil society organisations – have led to innovative reforms of the country’s institutional and legal anti-corruption framework. A national anti-corruption system is taking its first steps as it reorganises anti-corruption bodies in a concerted effort against corruption.

Caveat

This Helpdesk Answer draws heavily on an earlier December 2018 Helpdesk Answer, “Integrity Risks for International Businesses in Mexico”, by Roberto Martinez B. Kukutschka.

Authors

Inaki Albisu Ardigo, [email protected]

Reviewer:

Roberto Kukutschka, Transparency International

Date

01/04/2020

Tags