Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo announced this Friday the appointment of Columba Jazmín López Gutiérrez as the new Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development (Sader). She takes over the leadership of the nation's agri-food policy from Julio Berdegué Sacristán.
This move marks a historic milestone for the sector; according to the Mexican government, López Gutiérrez is the first woman to lead the country's agricultural policy. The leadership change comes at a strategically critical time for the agri-food industry, given the upcoming review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
Profile and Professional Background
López Gutiérrez holds a degree in agronomy from the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (Ulam) Xochimilco and a master's degree in public administration from the National Institute of Public Administration (INAP). With over 30 years of experience in agroecology, her recent career includes serving as the Undersecretary of Productive Inclusion and Rural Development at the Ministry of Welfare, a position she held since March 2025, as reported by El Financiero and El Universal.
Prior to her appointment at Sader, she held several operational roles within the agency, including General Coordinator of Rural Welfare in 2025 and General Coordinator of Territorial Operation in 2024. Between 2018 and 2024, she led the Commission for Natural Resources and Rural Development for the City of America, where she established her focus on sustainable development policies, according to El Universal.
Meanwhile, Julio Berdegué Sacristán is not leaving the administration. The President has tasked him with advising on and coordinating international agri-food affairs and other strategic functions. According to El Universal, Berdegué will be responsible for defending Mexican agricultural interests before trading partners, specifically in the United States and Canada, during the USMCA negotiations.
Berdegué possesses an international academic background, having graduated in Agricultural Sciences from the University of Arizona and holding a PhD in Social Sciences from Wageningen University. His previous work as the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean will be vital in his new advisory role.
Following the announcement, Berdegué posted a message expressing his gratitude to President Sheinbaum and offering his congratulations to the new Secretary.
This reshuffle at Sader is part of a broader wave of recent changes within the presidential cabinet. El Financiero reported that Legal Counsel Esthela Damián resigned to pursue a gubernatorial candidacy in Guerrero, leading to Luisa Alcalde leaving her leadership role in the Morena party to fill the position in the Legal Counsel's office. Additionally, on April 16, the President announced the departure of Citlalli Hernández from the Ministry of Women, a move intended to strengthen the party's structure ahead of the 2027 elections.
