New laws in Mexico: Key reforms take effect July 17

This Thursday, July 17, a series of reforms and new laws approved during the last extraordinary session of the Congress of the Union , which concluded on July 2, come into force in Mexico. These provisions were published in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF) and mark an important shift in sensitive issues such as public safety , money laundering prevention , environmental protection , access to personal data , and the institutional structure of the Mexican State .

Among the most significant changes is the creation of a Single Identity Platform , a tool that centralizes information from the National Registry of Missing Persons , the National Database of Investigation Files , and the National Forensic Data Bank . This platform seeks to streamline investigations and improve the location of missing persons, one of the most complex challenges currently facing the country. Its implementation is coordinated with the reform of the General Law on Forced Disappearances of Persons and the General Population Law .

Another significant transformation is the strengthening of military control over civilian tasks, with the reassignment of certain public security functions to the Ministry of National Defense (Sedena) . The corporation responsible for intelligence and criminal investigation is now under military command, although it is staffed with personnel with police training. This has generated debate about the increasing militarization of functions that previously belonged to civilian institutions.

In parallel, the Law on the National System of Investigation and Intelligence in Public Security Matters was enacted, allowing authorities access to both public and private databases . In addition, the National Intelligence Council , charged with coordinating these efforts at the national level, was established, and the General Law on the National Public Security System was amended to improve cooperation between the three levels of government.

The legislative package also included a sweeping reform to the Federal Law for the Prevention and Identification of Operations with Illicit Proceeds , as well as to the Federal Penal Code . The main objective is to strengthen oversight and control over sectors traditionally vulnerable to money laundering , such as real estate development , art sales , luxury vehicles , and cryptocurrency trading .

With this measure, the Mexican government seeks to close legal loopholes that have been used to hide illicit funds, while also modernizing its mechanisms to detect suspicious transactions in emerging markets such as digital assets.

The new Telecommunications and Broadcasting Law establishes the creation of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission , under the umbrella of the Digital Transformation Agency . This entity will be responsible for overseeing the modernization of the sector, with a special emphasis on access to information and data protection.

It also regulates that mobile lines will remain active if they are registered with CURP and RFC , and that this data can be consulted by the Central Intelligence Platform , opening a debate on the security and privacy of personal information.

On the other hand, the National Law to Eliminate Bureaucratic Procedures is coming into effect, implementing the MX Key , a mandatory digital authentication system for citizens interacting with the government. This measure aims to reduce the administrative burden and promote state efficiency, although its mandatory use could generate resistance among sectors with limited digital access.

In environmental matters, the General Wildlife Law was amended to prohibit the use of marine animals in shows , with exceptions only for scientific, educational, or conservation purposes. This decision particularly affects shows featuring dolphins, orcas, and sea lions, in defense of animal welfare.

Likewise, a regulation was established on the commercialization of totoaba , as an indirect strategy to protect the vaquita marina , a species in serious danger of extinction due to illegal fishing in the Upper Gulf of California.

At the institutional level, several autonomous agencies were eliminated. The Federal Economic Competition Commission (Cofece) was replaced by the new National Antimonopoly Commission , which will report directly to the Ministry of Economy. The National Council for the Evaluation of Social Development Policy was also dissolved, which will entail adjustments to the evaluation of social programs.

Finally, the Railway Service Regulatory Law was enacted, establishing the Integrated Public Transport and Trains Agency , with the mission of reorganizing the country's railway infrastructure and improving regional connectivity.

The reforms that take effect on July 17 mark a profound change in the structure and direction of the Mexican government. From a greater concentration of power in matters of security and intelligence to the digitalization of services and environmental protection, this new legal framework will have lasting effects on multiple aspects of public life. What is at stake is not only the effectiveness of the state, but also the balance between security, rights, and transparency.