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Mexico Ends First Digital Market Probe on Amazon and Mercado Libre Without Sanctions

By  |  September 17, 2025

Mexico’s competition authority has closed its first study into the country’s e-commerce sector, acknowledging barriers to competition linked to Amazon and Mercado Libre but stopping short of issuing corrective measures. According to a statement from the Comisión Federal de Competencia Económica (Cofece), the decision was the result of a lack of consensus among commissioners, despite evidence pointing to significant market concentration.

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    The investigation, which began with a preliminary report in February 2024, highlighted that Amazon and Mercado Libre together controlled roughly 85 percent of the digital marketplace for sellers and 61 percent for buyers. According to a statement issued by Cofece on September 12, these levels of dominance raise concerns about reduced rivalry and limited opportunities for smaller players to compete.

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    The regulator’s inquiry focused on several structural and behavioral barriers. Among them were the powerful “network effects” that make larger platforms increasingly attractive, high entry costs that deter new competitors, and a lack of transparency in how products are highlighted through tools like the “Buy Box.” Another issue raised in the study was the preferential treatment given to sellers who rely on the platforms’ own logistics services, as well as loyalty schemes that bundle unrelated services such as streaming.

    Related: Recent Antitrust Development in Mexico: COFECE’s Preliminary Report on Amazon and Mercado Libre

    Despite these findings, the commission decided not to impose remedies, citing insufficient agreement over the expected benefits of such measures for consumers and small businesses. A statement noted that while the barriers were clearly identified, the commissioners did not reach consensus on corrective obligations.

    The antitrust authority emphasized that the study should serve as a foundation for future oversight. It also stressed that the insights gathered provide valuable evidence for both public and private actors to promote fairer conditions in Mexico’s online retail market.

    Source: The Logistic World