Mexico’s Sheinbaum Appoints Defense Minister and Navy Chief, Reports Reuters

MEXICO CITY – Mexican President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum announced her selections for the country’s top military leaders on Friday, naming General Ricardo Trevilla as defense minister and Admiral Raymundo Morales to oversee the Navy.

These positions are particularly significant in Mexico, where the military has experienced an expanded role under outgoing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. The military has been involved in various projects, including the construction of major infrastructure, management of a state-owned bank, operation of a commercial airline, and running a new tourist train.

In her statement, Sheinbaum acknowledged the commitment of outgoing defense chief General Luis Sandoval and outgoing Navy Secretary Jose Rafael Ojeda, noting that her selections were the result of an “extensive” search for suitable candidates.

Both Trevilla, aged 63, and Morales, 58, have extensive military backgrounds with decades of service in various roles, as detailed in her announcement.

Trevilla, a native of Campeche, made his first appearance at Lopez Obrador’s morning news conference on July 9, where he replaced Sandoval, who had regularly attended the briefings. His appearance sparked speculation about his future role, as Sheinbaum had previously indicated she would announce her military picks in September.

Trevilla has master’s degrees in military administration focused on internal security and national defense, as well as public administration. He has served in the southern border region of Chiapas.

Morales, originally from Oaxaca, studied at the National Defense University in Washington, D.C., and took courses with the U.S. Coast Guard. He has held various positions, including chief of communications for the Mexican Navy’s general staff.

Under Lopez Obrador, Morales directed the Interoceanic Corridor, a major infrastructure project aimed at modernizing the rail link between Mexico’s Pacific and Gulf coasts on the Isthmus of Tehuantepec—an initiative intended to create a trade route that could compete with the Panama Canal.

Sheinbaum, who is set to become Mexico’s first female president, will assume office on October 1.