During the 89th Banking Convention, held in Cancún, Quintana Roo, President Claudia Sheinbaum revealed plans to make all payments for gasoline and tolls in Mexico completely digital by this year. She highlighted the agreements made between her government and the banking sector as crucial to achieving this goal, although specific timelines for when the implementation will begin were not provided. The transition to digital payments is intended to eliminate cash transactions for these essential services, but the details regarding the enforcement of these mandatory changes remain vague.

Sheinbaum's announcement comes as part of a broader push to digitize financial transactions in Mexico, aiming to make payments more accessible and streamlined for citizens. The government's initiative also focuses on enhancing the CoDi platform of the Bank of Mexico (Banxico), which is expected to undergo simplifications to reduce commission fees and encourage wider usage among the public. By promoting digitization, the administration hopes to create a more efficient payment system that can cater to the needs of the modern economy.

However, the obligatory nature of these digital payments raises questions about the readiness of all citizens to transition away from cash, particularly those who may not have access to digital payment methods or the necessary technology to engage with them. The effectiveness and impact of this policy will largely depend on how well the government and financial institutions address these challenges and ensure a smooth transition for all sectors of society.