Key Facts
- Briefing. Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico’s president, cancelled her Monday 2 November news conference for Day of the Dead.
- Return. The daily conference resumes Tuesday 3 November.
- Parade. Mexico City’s Day of the Dead parade started Saturday 31 October at 2 p.m. local time (4 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time).
- Strike. Freight chamber CANACAR and truckers’ groups called a national strike from 26 October; the government agreed on 27 October to lift blockades.
- Concert. Gloria Trevi, a Mexican pop singer, plays the Auditorio Nacional concert hall in Mexico City on 28 November.
- Power Index. Mexico ranks 2nd of 14 in The Rio Times Latin America Power Index, with 71.4 points (October 2026 edition).
Mexico’s president put a national holiday ahead of her daily news conference, days after a trucking strike blocked highways across the country.
In Plain English
- Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo: President of Mexico since 2024, a left-leaning former Mexico City mayor.
- La Mañanera del Pueblo: Mexico’s daily presidential morning press conference for announcements and reporter questions.
- Monterrey Cabildo: The elected municipal council governing the city of Monterrey, Nuevo León.
- CANACAR and HAMOTAC: Mexican trucking industry groups representing freight companies and drivers.
Why Mexico’s President Paused the Briefing
President Claudia Sheinbaum cancelled the 2 November session of La Mañanera del Pueblo, her daily morning news conference, for Day of the Dead. She announced the pause on Friday 30 October from Palacio Nacional, the federal executive seat in Mexico City.
The conference returns on Tuesday 3 November.Day of the Dead, observed on 1 and 2 November, honours deceased relatives with altars, flowers and cemetery visits.
It has indigenous roots and is among Mexico’s best-known celebrations.Mexico City’s Gran Desfile de Día de Muertos, its large annual parade, was scheduled for Saturday 31 October at 2 p.m. local time.
That was 4 p.m. US Eastern Daylight Time, before US clocks changed on 1 November.
The Trucking Strike That Preceded the Holiday
CANACAR, Mexico’s national freight chamber, announced an indefinite national strike starting Monday 26 October over highway insecurity, extortion and cargo theft. HAMOTAC, a trucking association, backed the call.
Highways in Nuevo León, the northern state around Monterrey, Mexico’s industrial hub, were among those listed. On Tuesday 27 October the Interior Ministry and CANACAR agreed to lift the blockades and suspend the protests, and working groups with the government were set up.
Gloria Trevi Plays Mexico City on 28 November
Gloria Trevi performs at the Auditorio Nacional on Saturday 28 November 2026 at 8 p.m. local time. The show is titled Celebration.
What Links These Stories
The stories connect through Mexico’s public calendar: a federal pause for tradition, a northern city managing civic events and labor pressure, and a capital preparing for a major concert. Each shows how public institutions and private promoters navigate the same November window.
Sheinbaum’s briefing pause and Monterrey’s parade both reflect Day of the Dead’s pull on official schedules. The trucking strike and Trevi concert add economic and commercial layers to a holiday week.
The reports behind this Big Read
What It Means for US Readers
US companies with Mexican supply chains should note that the truckers’ strike was suspended after one day, but the working groups it created have no announced deadline. US travellers in Mexico City should expect crowds and street closures around the Zócalo on 1 and 2 November.
What to Watch Next
Watch Tuesday 3 November, when the daily news conference returns and Sheinbaum may address the strike and holiday. Watch the CANACAR working groups for any date on cargo-theft and tax measures.
What Is Not Known
It is not known whether every trucking group followed CANACAR in suspending the protests. The start time of the 3 November conference has not been confirmed in the sources we reviewed.
Sources
The Rio Times · Auditorio Nacional · Mexico’s Interior Ministry (Segob)
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Mexico’s presidential briefing cancelled?
Sheinbaum cancelled the 2 November news conference for Day of the Dead. She announced the pause on 30 October and said it resumes on 3 November.
When is Gloria Trevi’s Mexico City concert?
Gloria Trevi performs at the Auditorio Nacional on Saturday 28 November 2026 at 8 p.m. local time.