The Mañana Syndrome? Mexico delays implementing the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention
TrustLaw
Mexico recently received a poor bill of health with respect to fighting foreign bribery.
A recent OECD Working Group report assessed the implementation of Mexico’s commitments under the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention and highlighted “deficiencies” and “shortcomings” in implementing the Convention’s requirements.
While it acknowledged “some improvements to [Mexico’s] legislative framework for fighting bribery” and Mexico’s “efforts to promote awareness, prevention and detection of foreign bribery within the private sector,” it paints overall a picture of delay.
This was the OECD’s third such report for Mexico.
These results are significant as OECD Working Groups do not conduct such country reviews very often – only once every several years for each country. Moreover, Mexico’s results are in direct contrast to the progress that other countries such as Brazil and Turkey are currently making.
Mexico has significant influence in the regional and global economy, including in countries known for corruption risk. A more robust effort by Mexico to confront foreign bribery could have a significant and positive impact.
