The Mexican government announced Columba López Gutiérrez as the new head of the Secretariat of Agriculture and Rural Development (Sader), replacing Julio Berdegué Sacristán. López becomes the first woman to lead the agency. Berdegué will continue advising on international agricultural matters.
On Friday, the Mexican government announced via a press release that Columba López Gutiérrez will take over as head of the Secretariat of Agriculture and Rural Development (Sader) from Julio Berdegué Sacristán. "Her appointment represents the arrival of the first woman to lead Mexico's agricultural policy," the statement highlighted.
López Gutiérrez, an agronomist from Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM) and a master's holder in public administration from Instituto Nacional de Administración Pública (INAP), has served since March 2025 as undersecretary of Productive Inclusion and Rural Development at the Secretariat of Welfare. She previously coordinated Welfare in the Field and territorial operations at Sader, and worked from 2018 to 2024 at Mexico City's Commission on Natural Resources and Rural Development.
Julio Berdegué issued a message thanking President Claudia Sheinbaum and congratulating López on her new role. This shift follows recent cabinet changes, including Esthela Damián's resignation as legal counsel, taken by Luisa Alcalde, and adjustments at Welfare and the Secretariat of Women.
Today, Sunday May 3, Morena's VIII Extraordinary National Congress is scheduled at Mexico City's World Trade Center, where party leadership changes will be announced.
