local
Merlin the duck steals the spotlight at President Sheinbaum's news briefing
By Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· June 22, 2026
· 1 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 Merlín the duck — Mexico’s unofficial World Cup mascot — didn’t tak...
Why this matters in The San Antonio
In San Antonio , where many residents have strong ties to Mexico, the story of Merlín the duck and his owner Carla Gómez may resonate deeply. As a city with a large Hispanic population, San Antonio often looks to Mexico for cultural and economic inspiration. The fact that a working-class family like Gómez's can capture the hearts of World Cup fans says a lot about the values that many San Antonians hold dear, such as hard work and determination. However, the criticism of President Sheinbaum's decision to welcome Merlín while ignoring relatives of missing persons may also strike a chord with local residents who are concerned about social justice and accountability. As San Antonio continues to navigate its own relationships with Mexico and its cultural heritage, the story of Merlín and his family serves as a reminder of the complex issues that exist beyond the city's borders.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio 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 affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 22, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 1 min
Get more The San Antonio stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
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 affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter