Mexico‘s Antitrust Regulator Finds Amazon, Mercado Libre Impede Competition But Won’t Mandate Changes
Mexico City – september 12, 2025 – Mexico’s competition authority, Cofece, has ruled that Amazon and Mercado Libre create barriers to competition for sellers on their platforms, yet announced it will not order corrective measures. The decision follows an examination into the country’s eCommerce market where the two companies collectively control 85% of total sales, Reuters reported Friday.
Cofece determined the companies harm competition by withholding sufficient details from sellers regarding product featuring criteria and by prioritizing sellers utilizing their in-house logistics services.Though, the regulator expressed uncertainty whether sanctions would ultimately benefit consumers and small businesses.
“We are pleased with Cofece’s decision not to impose corrective measures, which underscores the competitiveness of the retail sector in Mexico and the absence of barriers to competition,” Fernanda Ramo, deputy general counsel and director of legal affairs at Amazon Mexico, told Reuters.
Mercado Libre highlighted its impact on the Mexican economy, stating in a September 10 press release that over 1 million Mexican entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) leverage its platform and Mercado Pago for growth and financial access. The company reported its eCommerce and financial ecosystem contributed approximately 0.81% of Mexico’s GDP in 2024, with SMB economic activity exceeding $15 billion.
“Our focus is clear: we want to build local solutions that solve real challenges-logistics, payments and credit-that enable [smbs] to operate in the digital economy,” said David geisen, general manager of Mercado Libre Mexico and senior vice president of Hispanic Marketplace, in the release. ”Data shows that the Mercado Libre ecosystem increases economic activity, creates jobs and accelerates financial inclusion across the country.”
Cofece initially indicated in a February 2024 preliminary report that corrective measures should be considered to ensure competition within the Mexican eCommerce market.
