Claudia Sheinbaum introduces Víctor Rodríguez Padilla as the Next CEO of Pemex

Aims to diversify energy sources in the country and advance clean energy transition

Mexico's President-elect, Claudia Sheinbaum, has announced Víctor Rodríguez Padilla as the new CEO of Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) for the upcoming federal administration.

"Víctor is well-acquainted with Pemex. He recently served as an advisor to Laura Itzel Castillo, a Pemex board member. I’m pleased he has agreed to leave academia to join us," Sheinbaum stated during a press conference.

She explained that this decision aims to strengthen and consolidate collaborative efforts between Pemex, the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), the Secretaries of Energy (Sener) and Finance and Public Credit (SHCP).

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"We must ensure a stable base production while working towards the energy transition. Suppose we've been working on this in recent years. In that case, we will continue with Luz Elena coordinating CFE, Pemex, and other key areas, alongside the Pemex director and the CFE director," Sheinbaum emphasized.

She added, "Historically—though not during this administration—there has been significant disconnection between the Energy Secretariat and the energy companies. Now, we will ensure better communication, including with the Finance Secretariat."

Sheinbaum highlighted that the last six years have been crucial for the country, as Pemex has been "rescued." She noted that the company was left in shambles due to neoliberal policies over the past six administrations.

"They handed us a devastated company, in ruins, with refineries falling apart. Fortunately, they have been restored, and we are in the process of increasing their capacity," Sheinbaum remarked.

Rodríguez Padilla holds a degree in Physics and a Master’s in Energy Engineering from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and a Ph.D. in Energy Economics from the University of Grenoble, France. He has completed postdoctoral work in France and Quebec and has been a visiting professor at the Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies and the Institute of the Americas at the University of California, San Diego.

Currently, he serves as the head of the Energy Graduate Program at UNAM in Ciudad Universitaria and is a member of the National System of Researchers (SNI). He also advises the Senate on energy issues and consults for the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the Latin American Energy Organization (Olade). His scientific output includes 51 research papers published in specialized journals and international conference proceedings.

In his remarks, the incoming Pemex CEO outlined his work plan, which includes diversifying the country's energy sources, advancing the clean energy transition, and developing solar energy and leveraging lithium resources.