Vance Center Organizes Anti-Corruption Roundtable in Mexico City

Organizers and participants in the Vance Center’s USMCA anti-corruption roundtable discussion in Mexico City, May 9, 2023. (Photo credit: Jaime Chávez Alor)

The event drew a diverse set of participants, including public officials from specialized anti-corruption agencies, anti-corruption and compliance lawyers, members of civil society organizations, and employees of private sector companies, as well as experts in implementation of Chapter 27 of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). 

Diego Sierra, partner at Von Wobeser, co-organized the event, representing the Mexican Bar Association and the Anti-Corruption Commission of the International Chamber of Commerce Mexico. Vance Committee member Ruti Smithline, partner at Morrison & Foerster, and Shearman & Sterling partner Sara Raisner brought a U.S. perspective to the discussion, which was moderated by Vance Center Latin America Policy Director Jaime Chávez Alor.

Public officials in attendance were Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor Dr. María de la Luz Mijangos and Roberto Moreno, Executive Secretary of the National Anti-Corruption System (SESNA), the technical support body of the anti-corruption system’s Coordinating Committee.   

The Vance Center’s USMCA anti-corruption roundtable discussion in Mexico City, May 9, 2023. (Photo credit: Jaime Chávez Alor)

The frank, open conversation covered a range of topics such as the background and negotiation of Chapter 27, international cooperation, joint work between agencies, challenges, and opportunities for implementation. Key issues included: 

• Non-judicial resolutions, their differences within the Mexican and U.S. systems, and the problems of unconstitutionality and lack of uniformity of corrupt conduct; 
• The lack of protection and incentives for whistleblowers in Mexico, and opportunities to promote whistleblowing; 
• The role of Mexico’s federal and state Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office and the issue of reparatory agreements, as well as arrangements between the government and companies; 
• Moving toward a culture of compliance, integrity, and anti-corruption behavior within the private sector.  

Participants expressed their intention to continue supporting the fight against corruption in critical areas where it can have an impact, such as whistleblower protection.