local
Merlin the duck steals the spotlight at President Sheinbaum's news briefing
By Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News
· June 22, 2026
· 2 min read
Wearing the green jersey of Mexico’s national soccer team and a FIFA tie, he waddled into the room ahead of President Claudia Sheinbaum, took a seat facing reporters and quickly became the star of her Monday morning news briefing.Merlín the duck — Mexico’s unofficial World Cup mascot — didn’t tak...
Key takeaway Sitting beside the lectern, with Merlín at the center, were her sons, Carlos, 22, and Cristian, 14, who “doesn’t rest after school” and helps her every day by selling goods and carrying packages.
Why this matters in Alamo Heights News
The scene of Merlín the duck stealing the spotlight at President Sheinbaum's news briefing may seem like a lighthearted distraction, but it has significant implications for the community. As a symbol of Mexico's working-class families, Merlín's owner Carla Gómez and her sons represent the everyday struggles and triumphs of many Alamo Heights residents who have ties to Mexico. The fact that the family's story resonated with so many people highlights the importance of recognizing and supporting local working-class families. However, the criticism of the president's decision to welcome Merlín while ignoring relatives of missing persons also underscores the need for local leaders to prioritize the concerns of their constituents. In Alamo Heights, where many residents have strong connections to Mexico, this issue may spark important conversations about community engagement and social responsibility. The community will be watching to see how local leaders respond to these concerns.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News . Alamo Heights News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 22, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Wearing the green jersey of Mexico’s national soccer team and a FIFA tie, he waddled into the room ahead of President Claudia Sheinbaum, took a seat facing reporters and quickly became the star of her Monday morning news briefing.Merlín the duck — Mexico’s unofficial World Cup mascot — didn’t tak...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 22, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News and curated for Alamo Heights News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC) - San Antonio News. To learn more about how Alamo Heights News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Alamo Heights News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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