Politics · Mexico · 1 hr ago
Mexico’s justice committee approves bill on misuse of official logos
Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies justice committee approved a bill targeting deceptive use of official identities by a 23–10 vote.
The measure changes federal laws on industrial property and criminal offences, following a proposal from President Claudia Sheinbaum.
It would punish the use of government logos and other official identifiers to mislead people and commit an offence, with prison terms of one to five years and fines.
Supporters say the bill is meant to fight fraud, piracy and impersonation of public institutions.
Opposition lawmakers say its wording could be used against political satire, journalism, cartoons and memes, raising concerns about freedom of expression.
Lawmakers from Morena and its allies reject that concern and say the bill does not target memes or parody.
The measure has been sent to the full 500-member chamber, where it is expected to be debated and voted on.
Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies Justice Committee approved a bill on misuse of official institutional graphics, including government logos, to commit fraud or other crimes.
The measure passed by 23 votes to 10 and would amend the Federal Law for the Protection of Industrial Property and the Federal Criminal Code.
It provides for one to five years in prison and fines of 1,000 to 10,000 UMA for covered misuse intended to deceive.
The bill was sent to the chamber’s governing board for debate and a vote in the full chamber.
Supporters say it targets fraud and impersonation, while opposition lawmakers warn that its wording could threaten political satire and freedom of expression.
- Who
- Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies Justice Committee approved the bill.
- What
- The bill would penalize the misuse of official institutional graphics to deceive and commit an offence.
- When
- The committee approved it on October 20, 2026, according to El Universal; El Financiero reported the approval on October 21.
- Where
- The Chamber of Deputies in San Lázaro, Mexico.
- Why
- Supporters say it aims to combat fraud, piracy and impersonation using official identities; opponents say its wording could put satire and freedom of expression at risk.
Supporters of the bill
Opponents of the bill
Purpose
Supporters of the bill
The measure updates the law and targets fraud and impersonation using official identities.
Opponents of the bill
The wording is ambiguous and could be used against journalism, political criticism, cartoons and memes.
Effect on expression
Supporters of the bill
Morena lawmaker Carina Piceno said the reform does not mention memes and does not seek to censor them.
Opponents of the bill
Opposition lawmakers say the measure could criminalize satire and threaten freedom of expression.
El Universal reported that the Justice Committee approved the bill by 23 votes to 10.
The bill was sent to the Chamber of Deputies’ governing board for debate in the full chamber.
El Financiero reported that Morena and its allies said the full-chamber vote would take place that Wednesday.
- Committee vote
- 23 in favor, 10 against
- Prison term
- 1 to 5 years
- Fine
- 1,000 to 10,000 UMA
- Laws amended
- Federal Criminal Code and Federal Law for the Protection of Industrial Property
4 sources
Diputados aprueban la segunda "Ley Antimemes" impulsada por Sheinbaum
Pleno de San Lázaro avala "Ley Antimemes"; pasa a debate en lo particular
¿Se acabó el chiste? ‘Ley antimemes’ avanza en Diputados entre críticas por libertad de expresión
What people are saying
No nos vengan a decir que no van a usar esto en contra del periodismo y en contra de la libertad de expresión, porque no es que no lo vayan a utilizar, es que ya lo están usando
La reforma no toca siquiera con el pétalo de una coma el término “meme”. Lo que pretende esta reforma es actualizar la legislación
revisen lo que están haciendo y si no quieren ser el meme, dejen de ser el material
es falso que estas reformas atenten contra la libertad de expresión y vaya a perseguir memes y parodias políticas