INABIE suspends school lunch contracts as Mexico faces electoral complaints

In the Dominican Republic, the National Institute of Student Welfare (INABIE) has suspended more than 40 school lunch kitchen contracts following investigations into irregularities. Executive Director Adolfo Pérez de León reported that inspections revealed issues such as dismantled kitchens, unlocatable addresses, and inconsistencies in declared production capacity. Despite these suspensions, Pérez de León clarified that the procurement process for school meals does not require prior experience or seniority, a policy intended to allow entrepreneurs and new companies to participate.

In Mexico, political tensions have escalated as the Movimiento Ciudadano (MC) party filed formal complaints with the National Electoral Institute (INE) against the Morena party. MC accuses Morena of engaging in premature campaign activities through the designation of “coordinators for the Transformation,” whom MC identifies as future gubernatorial candidates for the 2027 elections.

Simultaneously, the INE is facing scrutiny regarding legal disputes involving its staff. Attorney Mónica Calles Miramontes has denounced alleged political persecution by the Attorney General's Office (FGR) after she shared videos documenting alleged labor harassment and irregular procedures involving an INE employee. The FGR has reportedly requested the removal of certain social media posts related to the case, citing concerns over digital violence and the protection of officials.