Mexico's Sheinbaum appoints political ally to head natgas body

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has appointed political ally Cuitlahuac García as director of Cenagas, the government body that manages the country's natural gas network.

García is a member of Sheinbaum's governing Morena party and a former governor of Veracruz state.

Speaking at her daily press conference Friday, Sheinbaum said García holds a degree in electrical engineering and has technical understanding of the energy sector.

"He will help us coordinate all the work that has to do with the production, consumption and distribution of natural gas," she said.

Mexico relies on natural gas for more than 60% of its electricity generation. 

The country's own production of natural gas is falling rapidly and most of the gas consumed by Mexico is imported by pipeline from the US.