Friday, October 17, 2025

Cane alcohol blamed for deaths of 16 people in Jalisco

Some 32 people in the state of Jalisco have been poisoned after drinking a particular brand of cane alcohol and half of those have died, the state’s Ministry of Health reported. 

The culprit, authorities suspect, is a 96-proof brand called El Chorrito which may have become tainted with high levels of methanol during the distillation process. Methanol, typically used in solvents and antifreeze, can metabolize to formaldehyde and formic acid in the liver and become toxic within a few short hours of being ingested. 

The first reports of victims began Saturday in Mazamitla and Tamazula. Symptoms reported included dizziness, blurred vision or blindness, difficulty breathing, seizures and severe abdominal pain. 

Of the deceased, 15 were men between the ages of 28 and 83. One 66-year-old woman has also died. Some of the victims had to be air-lifted to local hospitals. 

The patients who have required hospitalization are 15 men between 22 and 67 years of age and a 29-year-old woman. As of Tuesday, two of those hospitalized had been discharged.

The state prosecutor’s office announced an investigation into the poisonings, which will include a look at El Chorrito’s parent company, Grupo Sáenz, and whether it was authorized to sell the product at a retail level or limited to bulk sales to the industrial and pharmaceutical sectors. 

Last year in Costa Rica at least 19 people died from drinking alcohol tainted with methanol.

Source: Jornada (sp)

Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.
Sheinbaum and graphic of machinery

Sheinbaum unveils flood website and says Fitch is ‘wrong’ about her latest reform: Thursday’s mañanera recapped

1
According to the new website, 12,350 people are responding to the emergency brought on by the recent rains and flooding, with 30 helicopters delivering supplies.
satellite

Researchers find much Mexican satellite data is unencrypted and easily hacked

0
Data from the government, military, banks, private and public companies such as Walmart and CFE, and private citizens is accessible with simple, cheap equipment.
Morenistas in the senate

Congress approves major reform to the Amparo Law, Mexico’s main legal rights protection

1
The approved changes to Mexico's long established rights protection law is meant to facilitate access by all and prevent abuse by individuals seeking delays to avoid paying taxes.
BETA Version - Powered by Perplexity