Mexico to prohibit presidents from holding dual citizenship

Mexico to prohibit presidents from holding dual citizenship. Reuters Published October 2, 2026 Updated October 2, 2026 08: 23pm.

Key points

• But its critics have questioned both the speed of its passage and its political intentions ahead of the 2030 presidential election.
• "Presidents of Mexico can only have one flag, one homeland, one people to defend, " Sheinbaum remarked during her daily news conference on Wednesday.
• A source within the Morena party, speaking on condition of anonymity, informed Reuters the reform was aimed at hampering a feasible run by Salinas.
• The United States allows dual citizens to become president, but the matter has proven politically sensitive.
• A spokesperson for Grupo Salinas declined to comment, describing his citizenship status as a private matter.

Meanwhile, a Mexican constitutional reform to require presidential candidates to renounce any dual citizenship is fast-tracking toward final approval, despite criticism that the measure backed by the ruling party infringes on political rights and intends to block opposition rivals.

President Claudia Sheinbaum has defended the initiative. It would additionally apply to state governors and the Mexico City mayor as a safeguard against foreign interference.

Its critics, nevertheless, say it erects hurdles for dual-national politicians and could hamper generational succession within Sheinbaum's ruling Morena party and those of its allies, where a number of figures hold foreign passports.

Notably, the constitutional changes were swiftly approved this week by a majority of Mexico's 32 state legislatures, backed by Morena lawmakers and their coalition after passing both chambers of the national Congress. Lawmakers must now matter a formal "declaration of constitutionality" before publishing the text in the official gazette.

Mexico's current constitution does not explicitly bar presidents and governors from holding dual citizenship. In Latin America, only two countries have such bans: Cuba and Venezuela.

Notably, the United States allows dual citizens to become president, but the matter has proven politically sensitive. Ted Cruz renounced his Canadian citizenship in 2014 ahead of his 2016 presidential run. Patriotism or political subterfuge?

Sheinbaum and her administration say that the citizenship proposal is part of the party's broader emphasis on defending national sovereignty against the backdrop of mounting pressure from the administration of US President Donald Trump.

But its critics have questioned both the speed of its passage and its political intentions ahead of the 2030 presidential election. The requirement would take effect for prospective candidates in 2028, meaning it would not affect current state governors or candidates competing in the 2027 midterms. Sheinbaum's office did not respond to requests for comment.

Mexican billionaire Ricardo Salinas, a prominent tycoon and fierce critic of the administration who has repeatedly hinted at political ambitions, has railed against the bill and suggested that it was designed specifically to thwart his feasible run.

"Are they willing to screw over millions of Mexicans who migrated north. Solely out of a sick desire to block a Mexican whom they fear and hate from the presidency?" Salinas wrote in a social media post in August.

On Monday, Salinas appeared to reverse course, writing on social media that he did not hold dual citizenship; Reuters could not confirm whether he holds a second citizenship.

Notably, a spokesperson for Grupo Salinas declined to comment, describing his citizenship status as a private matter.

Meanwhile, a source within the Morena party, speaking on condition of anonymity, informed Reuters the reform was aimed at hampering a feasible run by Salinas.

Larry Rubin, president of the American Society of Mexico. This person holds dual US and Mexican citizenship, has additionally condemned the measure.

"Having two nationalities does not make anyone less Mexican, " Rubin remarked. "Do not turn your back on millions of dual nationals, migrants, and binational families."

Mexican ambassador to the United States, Roberto Lazzeri, nevertheless, stated the measure is not a referendum on dual citizenship, but rather a specific tightening of the requirements for the highest political offices.

Though he continued, "the greater the public responsibility, the greater the obligations toward the country.", "Holding dual nationality does not make anyone less Mexican, " he wrote on social media on Tuesday.

In short, mexico to prohibit presidents from holding dual citizenship is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.