Absolute monopolistic practices are those contracts, agreements , arrangements, or combinations among competitors, with any of the following aims of effects:

•  Fix prices of sale or purchase of goods and services;
•  Set supply or demand of goods or services;
•  Divide current or potential markets;
•  Coordinate bids on the public procurements.

These are illegal practices, so nothing justifies them, because prevent society to get competition benefits:  goods and services with the best quality and price.

Current fines for these practices might be up to 1.5 million times minimum wage in Distrito Federal, more than 86 million Mexican Pesos for the first offense, or in case of reoffense up to 10% of the offender’s annual sales or the value of its assets.

The immunity program set forth in article 33 bis 3 of the LFCE allows any economic agent that has been part or is setting illegal agreements with its competitors to receive a benefit for its cooperation with the authority. The sanction  might be reduced through the agent´s cooperation from 1.5 million times minimum wage up to only a minimum wage.  

For more information about immunity program, press here.