Politics: Corruption perception index remains at a low level as scandals continue to emerge

MEXICO - Report 23 Feb 2026 by Guillermo Valdés and Francisco González

In 2025, Mexico scored 27 points (out of 100) on Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index, ranking 141st out of 182 countries. This represents a minimal improvement of one point compared to 2024 but maintains the negative trend seen since 2014 and positions the country among the worst-rated globally and as the one with the worst public perception of corruption within the OECD.

In 2025, scandals such as "huachicol fiscal"—a fuel smuggling scheme using false invoices to evade VAT and IEPS—stood out, generating estimated losses of up to 600 billion pesos during the previous six-year presidential term, involving officials from the Navy, Defense, political leaders, and companies. Investigations revealed links to illicit campaign financing and institutional omissions, including accusations against high-level operators close to power (such as Jesús Ramírez Cuevas) and the murder of a navy admiral after he reported the internal network within the Navy Ministry.

In addition, anti-corruption institutions have been weakened: INAI disappeared, the National Anti-Corruption System (SNA) was left without a budget, the Superior Audit Office of the Federation (ASF) detected irregularities amounting to over 417 billion pesos between 2019 and 2024 with no response from the Federal Government, and the Attorney General's Office has been criticized for rapid exonerations and lack of thoroughness. In the private sector, the 100 companies with the most public contracts obtained an integrity score of only 56/100 according to a report by Mexicanos Contra la Corrupción e Impunidad (MCCI), with 46 companies obtaining a failing grade and billions allocated to firms without ethical policies or a digital presence.

Surveys reflect the impact: corruption is the second main problem for 24% of the population (after security), with 74% disapproving of government management. The economic cost is estimated at 5-9% of GDP (1.7-3 trillion pesos), affecting growth, competitiveness, public services, inequality, and the environment.

This week's Political Outlook reviews the evolution of the corruption perception index, as well as the changes in public policies that have affected this area.

Now read on...

Register to sample a report

Register
Must have at least 8 characters
Sign-in
Forgot your password?
Copyright 2026 GlobalSource Partners. All rights reserved. This report is prepared for GlobalSource Partners’ clients and may not be redistributed, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, retransmitted or disclosed, in whole or in part, or in any form or manner, without the express written consent of GlobalSource Partners. This report is distributed simultaneously to our website and other portals used by GlobalSource Partners. The information herein was obtained from various sources and is believed to be reliable but GlobalSource Partners does not warrant its completeness or accuracy. Neither GlobalSource Partners nor any Country Analyst, officer or employee accepts any liability whatsoever for any direct, indirect or consequential damages or losses rising from any use of this report or its contents.