Pemex’s Debt Spiral Becomes a National Test for Mexico

Earlier this year, the Mexican government announced a special new financial instrument to help state-owned energy major Pemex with its debt repayment. The most indebted oil company in the world was in need of a unique solution to its problem—but this problem may be bigger than unpaid bills to suppliers. In July this year, the Mexican government issued $12 billion worth of something called P-Caps. Normally used in corporate circles, P-Caps, or pre-capitalized securities, allow a borrower access to debt funding in case of need but without being…