Mexico Reports 66 Flood Deaths, Seeks Clarification from U.S. on DHS Allegations

President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed key national and international issues during her Oct. 15 press conference, including the rising flood death toll, U.S. allegations about cartel “bounty” threats, and upcoming trade negotiations with Washington.
Sheinbaum confirmed that 66 people have died in recent floods across Veracruz, Hidalgo, Puebla, and Querétaro, with 75 still missing. She urged residents to report any new cases of missing persons through the government’s 079 hotline, emphasizing that rescue and relief efforts remain ongoing.
Regarding reports from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) alleging that Mexican cartels are offering bounties targeting U.S. law enforcement, Sheinbaum said Mexico has not received official information about the claims. The government has formally requested details from U.S. authorities to verify the allegations.
On trade matters, Sheinbaum said negotiations continue to prevent U.S. tariffs on Mexico’s medium and heavy-duty truck exports, scheduled to take effect on November 1. She confirmed that Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard will travel to Washington to finalize discussions ensuring that U.S.-made components in Mexican vehicles remain exempt from the 25% tariff.