Sheinbaum bill would ban dual nationals from top political offices: Thursday’s mañanera recapped

On Thursday, President Claudia Sheinbaum announced a constitutional bill that would ban dual nationals from running for top political offices in Mexico, including the presidency, governorships, and the mayorship of Mexico City. The bill is aimed at addressing a perceived loophole in the current Constitution, which has allowed some dual nationals to hold these positions, such as former Tamaulipas Governor Francisco García Cabeza de Vaca, who was born in Texas and holds dual U.S. and Mexican citizenship.

During the press conference, Sheinbaum's legal adviser, Luisa María Alcalde, presented the proposed constitutional bill to Congress. Alcalde explained that the current wording of the Constitution creates a legal ambiguity that has led to "interpretative misunderstandings." To address this, the government is proposing that the Constitution explicitly state that Mexican citizens who already possess another nationality are ineligible to hold the positions of president, governor, or mayor of Mexico City.

To register as a candidate, such individuals would need to renounce their second citizenship, according to Alcalde.