POLITICÓN: After 11 years of postponing hearings, what does Javier Villarreal make a living from?

I. WATER REFORM

The reform proposals promoted by President Claudia Sheinbaum 's administration continue: Morena deputies, along with their allies from the Green Party and the Workers' Party, presented an initiative to replace the National Water Law with a new General Water Law. The proposal, they say, seeks to guarantee equitable access and toughen penalties for pollution. The issue is already being analyzed in Congress with specialists and productive sectors. We will need to remain vigilant about how the changes in water management will be implemented.

II. CUSTOMS LAW IN THE SIGHT

Another legislative change proposed in Congress is the Customs Law. The official proposal seeks greater technological control and digitalization of processes, but the private sector fears negative effects. Alejandro Malagón , of Concamin , warned that customs agents would be vulnerable to disproportionate sanctions for third-party violations, and the International Chamber of Commerce Mexico warned that this overregulation would hinder nearshoring and could generate conflicts with the USMCA .

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III. START-UP

The free transportation program on main routes promoted by Javier Díaz got off to a positive start: strong public acceptance and operation according to plan. There were criticisms about the onboard internet failures, but we're told that initially only 10 units had the service, and the service was expanded to cover the entire fleet. Yesterday, it was already operating at 100%. City Hall warns that it will be vigilant to ensure the company complies with the agreement without concessions, as the goal is for the system to operate without excuses.

IV. INCOMPREHENSIBLE

One of the seemingly unexplainable enigmas is the postponement—again, again, and again, and again—of the sentencing hearing for the former all-powerful Coahuila finance chief, Javier Villarreal Hernández . Even though he is a confessed criminal and there is no evidence left to unpack, Villarreal's lawyers have managed to postpone the sentencing for 11 years, which will send him to prison. How much longer will he be able to remain free?

V. VERY EXPLAINABLE

Beyond the reasons why Judge Xavier Rodríguez has granted the 26 postponements processed to date, many are questioning how Villarreal has managed to live these 11 years in the United States and pay his defense attorneys if, despite living free, he is unable to work. But the answer is simple: he's living off the money he stole from the Coahuila coffers, something that is beyond dispute because he himself confessed to it when pleading guilty to money laundering.

VI. GREEN ALERT

There's outrage on social media: in San Alberto, residents are denouncing the felling of mature walnut trees as if they were "obstructions to the landscape." Some property owners seem to argue that "I'm in charge of my land," even though the law says otherwise. Every tree lost means less shade, less oxygen, and more concrete. The appeal is to Emmanuel Olache , director of municipal ecology, in response to a circulating rumor: Could it be that in certain subdivisions, the owners are untouchable and the law is applied only where it's convenient?

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VII. CONFUSED PATERNITY

In Monclova, a recent case made it clear that teachers not only bear the challenge of educating, but also of dealing with families who confuse defense with threat. After finding drugs on a student and referring him to a psychologist, the teachers received intimidation from the parents themselves. The leader of Section 38, Isela Licerio , reported the incident. The episode begs the question: What message do young people receive when it is their parents who violently stop any attempt at correction?

VIII. INCREASING LOAD

At UAdeC, pensions for those who contribute to the Section 38 fund are already unsustainable: today there are almost 3,000 retirees compared to fewer than 300 active workers, resulting in an annual deficit of 650 million pesos. Rector Octavio Pimentel acknowledges that this financial burden impedes progress on projects such as new laboratories, increased enrollment, or free tuition. For the time being, the institution, he said, is supported by its own resources and state "support," and insists that the real responsibility should fall on the Federation.