Anomalies in the vote count and computer glitches forces Veracruz authorities to order a recount in the June 1 state election. (Victoria Valtierra/Cuartoscuro)
June 1 is remembered as the date of Mexico’s first-ever judicial elections, but in a number of states they were combined with voting for local government posts as well. In one of those states — Veracruz — allegations of irregularities have led to an order for a recount, starting this week.
According to the Local Public Electoral Body of the State of Veracruz (OPLE) the official vote count that began on Monday revealed inconsistencies with the number of votes counted in the authorized municipal councils. Furthermore, intermittent periods when the server was unavailable forced many staff members to resubmit information, ultimately resulting in duplicates. The system barely functioned properly for an hour.
The official vote count for the June 1 election began Monday, but in Veracruz they’ve had to start over from scratch, after irregularities forced a recount. (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro)
“In order to provide certainty and transparency to the results,” the OPLE said in a statement on Tuesday, the vote count will be restarted “no later than June 13.”
OPLE head Marisol Delgadillo said the problems have not affected the validity of the ballots, which will now be processed manually under the “vote by vote, polling station by polling station” system. There are 27 authorized municipal councils and more than 3,000 accredited observers who will be able to monitor the counting process.
Issues have also been reported in the mayoral elections. The national leader of the Movimiento Ciudadano party, Jorge Álvarez Máynez, who pulled off a major upset with a victory in 40 municipal seats, has reported irregularities in the vote count in Poza Rica and Papantla.
Some judicial candidates, such as Rosalba Hernández, who was leading the race to preside over the state’s Superior Court of Justice when the system collapsed, have expressed distrust over the possibility that these failures in the vote-count could ultimately manipulate or distort results.
Beyond the irregularities, the election in Veracruz has been troubled from the start. The lead-up to voting day was marked by an escalation of violence.
According to data from the Votar Entre Balas (Voting Between Bullets) observatory, Veracruz recorded 32 violent incidents during the electoral process, 17 of which were directed against pre-candidates or candidates, representing 53.1% of the total.
The violent events included the murder of Morena and Green Party mayoral candidate Yesenia Lara Gutiérrez and three of her supporters during a campaign event in Texistepec, a town and municipality in the south of Veracruz. Twelve days earlier, Germán Anuar Valencia, Morena’s mayoral candidate in the northern Veracruz municipality of Coxquihui, was shot dead.
Tepoztlán: So close to the capital, yet so far from the urban bustle. With each visit to this charming Pueblo Mágico in Morelos, my dependency grows. Its perfect balance of spiritual energy and pueblo culture makes Tepoz, as it’s so fondly called by locals, a delightful escape from the city.
Tucked at the base of the towering Tepozteco mountain, there are just enough experiences here to fill a memorable weekend getaway: hiking to waterfalls, exploring ancient pyramids, purifying yourself in a traditional temazcal ceremony and wrapping it all up with a creative cocktail in a lush greenhouse-turned-restaurant. Whether you’re a Mexico City resident seeking mountain air or an international traveler wanting authentic culture, Tepoztlán is sure to deliver.
Tepoztlán has gained a reputation as an enticing destination for those seeking nature with a side of spirituality and tranquility. (Expedia)
How to get to Tepoztlán from Mexico City
ADO’s OCC line runs up to 23 departures daily from the Taxqueña terminal, reaching Tepoztlán in 1.5 hours on a good day or up to 2 hours with traffic. Tickets start at 140 pesos. Rideshares are also an option — just let your driver know your destination and expect to pay tolls for both the ride there and the return trip.
When to visit: The best time for a getaway to Tepoztlán
Visit during the June-to-September rainy season for waterfall sightings — hike in the mornings for the best experience. The dry season offers perfect outdoor weather and clear mountain views. Any time works, but pack accordingly: layers and rain gear for wet season, light clothes and hats for dry season.
1. Hike to the Tepozteco pyramid
Tepoztlán is most famous for the Tepozteco temple, atop a mountain on the edge of the city. (Wikimedia Commons)
The classic Tepoztlán experience. This moderate 2-hour hike up the Tepozteco mountain rewards you with a 12th-century pyramid at the top and panoramic valley views. Start early to beat the crowds and heat. For something further off the beaten path, hire a local guide to take you to the “portal” — your guide will know exactly what you’re referring to when you ask for this undercover site.
2. Experience a traditional temazcal ceremony
For an unforgettable and invigorating temazcal experience, Hostal de la Luz is hard to beat. (Booking.com)
This millennia-old traditional Mesoamerican sauna cleanses you in all the ways: physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Hostal de la Luz offers my preferred temazcal experience — ask for Andrés to lead you through the ceremony. It’s intense but transformative, perfect for those seeking a deeper connection.
3. Explore the New Tepoztlán Market
Tepoztlán’s market is a feast for the sense. (Happy Sleepy)
From the bright colors to the mouthwatering scents, this three-level market completed in 2024 is a feast for the senses. Start your meandering with a fresh fruit juice or a steaming espresso made using beans from Chiapas. Next, try itacates, Tepoztlán’s famous triangular fried masa, topped with everything from nopales to grasshoppers. The market perfectly captures this Pueblo Mágico’s blend of tradition and modern Mexican culture.
4. Sample authentic Tepoztlán cuisine
Tepoznieves has over 100 flavors available to sample and has become something of a Mexican ice cream legend. (City Foodsters / CC BY SA 2.0)
Tepoztlán’s cuisine extends beyond the charming markets. Around town, don’t skip a visit to Tepoznieves — a local ice cream shop with over 100 flavors — and a bite of cecina, the traditional dish of Morelos. These aren’t just tourist foods; they’re what locals actually eat. The flavors here reflect the town’s mountain setting and Indigenous heritage.
5. Visit the Museo de Arte Prehispánico Carlos Pellicer
The hundreds of pieces at this museum were once the collection of Tabasco native and poet Carlos Pellicer. (México Desconocido)
This compact museum houses impressive ancient artifacts that tell the story of the region’s pre-Columbian cultures, once the private collection of poet Carlos Pellicer. It’s a great activity for a rainy afternoon or when the sun is at its peak, adding some cultural context to your Tepoztlán experience.
6. Relax at Amomoxtli
Amomoxtli boasts sweeping views of the Sierra del Ajusco-Chichinautzin. (Amomoxtli)
Book a day pass at what I call the Soho House of Tepoztlán. This hidden gem is tucked away among lush pine and tropical plants, offering spa treatments that incorporate ancestral techniques and local herbs harvested from the property’s onsite gardens. The service is top-notch and you won’t find a better spa experience in town.
7. Have cocktails at Margarita Concept Garden
Unwind in comfort at Margarita Concept Garden. (Margarita Concept Garden/Instagram)
This unique greenhouse-turned-restaurant has become the social hub for trendy visitors from Mexico City. The setting is Instagram-worthy, but the drinks, food and atmosphere are the real draw. Try the Ambar, a spiced martini of mezcal, Lillet and Ancho Reyes with a side of homemade gnocchi.
8. Wander the Historic Ex-Convent of the Nativity
The convent is a fantastic example of early Spanish colonial architecture, and well worth checking out even for those not historically inclined. (Meer)
This Unesco World Heritage site showcases 16th-century frescoes of fantastical creatures and detailed colonial architecture. It’s a peaceful contrast to the town’s bustling energy and offers insight into Tepoztlán’s layered history, and its artsy entrance made entirely of seeds gives it that unique flair you’ll soon come to expect in this part of the world.
9. Discover local street art and artisan culture
Amate paper, made of tree bark, is crafted in Tepoztlán and used for traditional Mexican illustrations. (Etsy)
Tepoztlán’s murals and artisan shops reflect the town’s creative spirit. Wander the cobblestone streets to find handcrafted jewelry textiles and artwork that capture the region’s mystical energy. Paintings and lamps made from traditional amate paper, crafted from tree bark, are an ideal souvenir to take home.
10. Take a nature walk to Amatlán
Amatlán at sunset. (Drejtinm / CC BY 3.0)
This nearby village offers excellent hiking opportunities and a chance to explore beyond central Tepoztlán. Local guides can show you hidden waterfalls and share stories about the area’s spiritual significance. Amatlán is the alleged hometown of Quetzacoatl, the Mesoamerican feathered serpent god of wind, wisdom and creation.
Where to stay in Tepoztlán
Casa Fernanda: A 5-star boutique hotel for its breezy design, excellent restaurant and unpretentious pool. It’s like staying at your rich friend’s country villa with easy town center access.
Amomoxtli: Another luxury option with excellent service and the best spa in town, tucked among lush pine and tropical plants. Within its luxe garden property is the only Casa Dragones tasting house outside of San Miguel de Allende.
Hostal de la Luz: Perfect for spiritual seekers, this sprawling Amatlán property offers both traditional treatments, like temazcals, distinctive ones, like labyrinths and gamma chambers. The views are breathtaking.
La Buena Vibra Wellness Resort & Spa: A peaceful mid-range retreat with beautiful gardens, full-service spa and renowned Sunday breakfast buffet. Great wellness atmosphere at a more accessible price point.
Hotel Teocalli: Excellent budget choice near the center with relaxed vibes, pool, gardens and on-site massages. Clean, comfortable rooms in an ideal location for exploring on foot.
Tepoztlán has this way of sticking with you long after you’ve returned to the city. Maybe it’s the mountain air, the energy that locals swear by, or simply the fact that everything feels more manageable at a slower pace. Whatever it is, I keep finding excuses to go back. Pack your hiking boots, a swimsuit and an open mind: Tepoz is waiting to work its magic on you too.
Bethany Platanella is a travel planner and lifestyle writer based in Mexico City. She lives for the dopamine hit that comes directly after booking a plane ticket, exploring local markets, practicing yoga and munching on fresh tortillas. Sign up to receive her Sunday Love Letters to your inbox, peruse her blog or follow her on Instagram.
Get to know Mexico City and drink in everything this stunning city has to offer with a walk down its most beautiful streets. (Los Muertos Crew/Cristian Rojas/Pexels)
One of the great joys of living in Mexico City is that its streets are still walkable — if you know how tododge broken sidewalks and loose cobblestones. GuruWalk’s most recent ranking agrees with me: the capital beat Tokyo among the best walking cities in 2025. Sadly, that’s something you realize when you lose it. Growing up in the heart of Coyoacán, I took for granted that there would be a café or vintage bookstore on every corner and that churros and tarot readings were available just blocks away.
As acity that’s over 700 years old, the Mexican capital offers a unique variety of architectural styles and historical sites easily accessible on foot. Craving a colonial vibe? Chimalistac is your choice. Eager for a Porfiriato-era pedestrian street? The Historic Center is for you. How about a more Bauhaus feel? We’ve got plenty in the south of the city! After years of enjoying long walks in my hometown, here’s an insider’s digest of the most beautiful streets in Mexico City.
Avenida Francisco Sosa: Stroll like a hacendado
Avenida Francisco Sosa holds some of the most beautiful haciendas in Mexico City, such as the Instituto Italiano de Cultura and the Fonoteca Nacional. (Gobierno de la Ciudad de México)
Running from Avenida Universidad to Calle Tres Cruces, Avenida Francisco was originally built in the 16th century as the main connection to the town of San Ángel when Coyoacán and San Ángel were separate municipalities.
After over 500 years of history, Francisco Sosa is today framed by old ash trees and offers magnificent baroque temples and colonial-era haciendas, as well as some of the best bakeries in town. One of my absolute favorites isCafé Ruta de la Seda.
Although it’s not located exactly on Francisco Sosa, you can walk your way from Coyoacán’s zócalo to Calle Pino. If in doubt, search for Parque de la Aurora and you’ll find the spot on one of the park’s corners. Order a slice of Kyoto cake and thank me later. Also, try arriving early for breakfast, before 10 a.m., or expect a line of over an hour!
Calle Amargura: Stepping back into old San Ángel
Small courtyards like these are easily found across San Ángel, one of the neighborhoods with the most beautiful streets in Mexico City. (Milenagh93 / CC BY SA 4.0)
With haciendas and convents gracefully built over centuries-old cobblestone streets, this is one ofSan Ángel’s most iconic streets. Gorgeous bougainvillea bushes frame the wooden doors that distinguish this southern neighborhood of Mexico City. Arched alleyways and Baroque churches can be found as you walk along Calle Amargura, offering interesting opportunities to appreciate the religious architecture of 17th-century Mexico.
If you’re free on a Saturday morning, do not miss the chance to visit the art market in San Ángel’s zócalo. After enjoying the exhibition offered by local artists that weekend, it is simply a joy to spend the afternoon walking through little streets like Amargura. Before you know it, you might find yourself onPlaza de los Arcángeles. Formerly the central piece of the San Jacinto Monastery, this baroque corner in San Ángel has three stone benches, each dedicated to an archangel: Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, alluding to the spot’s name.
Avenida Francisco I. Madero: The heartstring of the Historic Center
Window shopping across Avenida Madero is a quintessential Mexico City experience. (Thomas Ledl / CC BY SA 4.0)
Often referred to simply as Madero, this avenue is currently the main access road to the Zócalo and one of the busiest pedestrian routes in terms of tourism and shopping in the entire capital.
If you’re an architecture nerd like me, do not miss the chance to visitCasa de los Azulejos, a luxurious example of how Talavera Poblana ceramics were once used to decorate the exteriors of Baroque buildings. Built in the 18th century, it is catalogued as one of the Mexico City’s “most spectacular” residential palaces, in the words of the city’s government.
Ever had breakfast at a Sanborns? This is your chance! With reasonable prices, you can enjoy traditional Mexican cuisine, with the restaurant’s special seasoning that feels like home. Having lunch at the Casa de los Azulejos’s Sanborns branch is like having grandma’s hot cocoa in a luxurious 300-year-old Baroque palace. On Madero, that’s actually possible.
Calle Isabel la Católica: Sor Juana’s old haunt
From the Museo del Estanquillo’s terrace, you can enjoy the view of the church of La Profesa and the clock of the Edificio La Mexicana, which has been working non-stop since 1905. (Museo del Estanquillo)
On the corner of Isabel la Católica and Avenida Cinco de Mayo, you’ll find a ceramic plaque: “This street was called Carreras (races), down which the conquistadors fled during the siege of Tenochtitlan.” Today, the street bears the name of the monarch who sent those conquistadors. Beyond the cultural breviary, Calle Isabel la Católica is dotted with wonderful cafes run by local chefs and baristas, often graduates of the Universidad del Claustro de Sor Juana.
When I was in high school, my mother taught business administration at the Claustro. Her students used to show me these trendy spots, and I learned to distinguish the taste of burnt coffee with them. Every now and then, I accompanied my mother to the university and enjoyed wandering around the Historic Center Center. That’s when I came across Museo del Estanquillo’s sky terrace. It’s easily one of the loveliest views downtown, where you can enjoy a nice cup of coffee and delve into what Italians call “dolce far niente”: the joy of doing absolutely nothing, watching passersby below.
Avenida Presidente Masaryk: For the couture connoisseur
Since 2017, Avenida Masaryk has hosted the Flowers and Gardens Festival (FYJA). (Magdalena Montiel / Cuartoscuro.com)
Prada, Dior, Cartier, Louis Vuitton and other haute couture houses have found a home on Avenida Presidente Masaryk. As one of Polanco’s most walkable streets, with wide sidewalks and nice spots for brunching, the eyes can feast on Mexico City’s California-style architecture. Polanco screams expensive: the country’s most exclusive hotels and restaurants have thrived here, and people enjoy strolling across Masaryk on a Sunday morning.
If you want to dive into Polanco’s chic fantasy, do not miss the chance of brunching at Casa Portuguesa. You can walk from Masaryk to Avenida Emilio Castelar. Just in front of gorgeous Parque Lincoln, enjoy a wonderful croissant with jelly to start. Even though their specialty is bacalao, my personal favorite is their huevos cazuela. End your breakfast with a nice latte and rejoice in the neighborhood’s luxury.
Calle Colima: Where Roma Norte really lives
Calle Colima runs near Plaza Rio de Janeiro and its iconic Witches Building. (Noemí Jiménez/Pexels)
I think Calle Álvaro Obregón is overrated. Want to really dive deep into Roma Norte? Head straight to Calle Colima. Home to some of the capital’s trendiest fitness studios and bistros, this tree-lined median street could become the heart of your digital nomad era.
Just like the surrounding streets, Colima has textile design studios that combine traditional backstrap loom techniques with the latest fashion trends. In Roma Norte, not only can you wear fashion, but you can use fashion. Along with several vintage clothing stores, you can find designer houses in every specialty. Ceramics, candles, jewelry — the sky’s the limit.
So picture this: you just had the perfect yoga class on your perfect yoga mat in your perfect outfit, and you’re crave the perfect latte to finish the perfect morning. You walk across Colima and findConstela Café: a wonderful cafecito where you’ll order an iced coffee. You can also try their ceremonial grade matcha to go and enjoy the rest of the day walking around one of the most beautiful streets in Mexico City.
Andrea Fischer contributes to the features desk at Mexico News Daily. She has edited and written for National Geographic en Español and Muy Interesante México, and continues to be an advocate for anything that screams science. Or yoga. Or both.
Landau said he "personally gave the order" to cancel the visa of Melissa Cornejo, the name listed on the account that posted a profane message in support of the protesters. (Gage Skidmore CC BY-SA 2.0)
Would you expect a high-ranking United States government official to respond to a Mexican woman who took to social media to tell U.S. bureaucrats to stick her U.S. visa up their backsides?
That’s exactly what Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau did on Thursday.
Let’s back up a bit (pardon the pun).
Earlier this week, Melissa Cornejo, a member of the state council of the ruling Morena party in Jalisco, shared a photo to the X social media site of a man holding up a Mexican flag in front of a burnt-out vehicle in Los Angeles, where protests against immigration raids have been held in recent days.
Painted on the side of the car in capital letters was the message “FUCK ICE” — ICE being the acronym of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which carries out raids targeting undocumented immigrants.
Above the photo, Cornejo wrote: “They’re going to take away visas from those who share…”
Cornejo shared the comments alongside a photo of protester with a Mexican flag in a post that has since been made private. (X)
She was apparently alluding to the possibility that she could be stripped of her U.S. visa for sharing a photo of a defiant protester. However, Cornejo made it clear she didn’t care about that (if in fact she actually has a U.S. tourist visa, that is).
“And it shouldn’t surprise you what they answered: that you don’t even have a valid visa to cancel,” he wrote.
“How easy it is to talk about your disdain for ‘my visa’ on social media when you don’t have one. Those who glorify violence and the defiance of legitimate authorities and public order (‘FU** ICE’) are in no way welcome in our country,” Landau wrote before signing off with his name and official title.
By mid-afternoon, the deputy secretary of state and former ambassador to Mexico had attracted a response from Denise Dresser, a well-known Mexican political scientist and writer.
“With all due respect, Ambassador Landau, this is conduct unbecoming of a U.S. government official,” she wrote.
Landau — who met with President Claudia Sheinbaum in Mexico City on Wednesday — got a mixed reaction to his post from other X users, with comments including “that’s right Mr. Secretary”; “excellent response”; “fascist”; and “don’t you think it’s totally extremist to cancel a visa for expressing an opinion on social media?”
Mexico's central bank will have to decide whether to continue slashing interest rates, as advocated by its governor, Victoria Rodríguez, or pause the cuts in order to further study inflation trends, as suggested by Deputy Governor Jonathan Heath. (Galo Cañas/Cuartoscuro. Archive)
The one-two punch of rising inflation and stagnant growth have weakened confidence in Mexico’s economy, but the Bank of Mexico (Banxico) supplied some positive spin in its biannual stability report, suggesting it will continue to lower interest rates.
However, consensus on that strategy may be hard to reach, as prominent central bank Deputy Governor Jonathan Heath suggested that it may be time to “pause” the rate cuts.
Banxico Governor Victoria Rodríguez, shown here at an April Senate appearance, told the press Wednesday that Mexico “has a solid macroeconomic framework.” (Graciela López/Cuartoscuro)
Either way, Banxico Governor Victoria Rodríguez sought to assuage fears about Mexico’s banking system and its economy on Wednesday, pointing to the optimistic outlook in the report, while insisting Mexico “has a solid macroeconomic framework.”
The report says Mexico’s financial system has shown “resilience” despite lingering trade tensions with the U.S. and a global context characterized by an economic slowdown.
Banxcio insists the nation’s banking system “maintains solid liquidity with capital levels above regulatory minimums,” according to Reuters, and stress tests indicate it can withstand simulated adverse scenarios, the report says.
Even so, Banxico faces a difficult balancing act: It must ease rising inflation while stimulating the sluggish economy.
The challenge is made more formidable by concerns of long-term high inflation, especially as headline inflation rose to 4.42% in May, well above the 3% target. The concerns are partially fueled by Banxico’s own forecast that inflation won’t converge on the target until the third quarter of 2026.
Talking to reporters on Wednesday, Rodríguez insisted it would be “premature” to conclude that Mexico will slip into a period of high inflation. She pointed to a steady downward trajectory from the highs reached in 2022, when it peaked at 8.7%.
Still, core inflation — excluding volatile items like food and oil — hit 4.06% in May, its highest level in nearly a year.
Although Rodriguez said Banxico will probably continue easing its monetary policy, the decision is not likely to be unanimous.
Heath said on Tuesday that the spike in inflation requires a cautious stance.
“This might be the moment to pause and study the inflation data,” he said, referring to Banxico’s three consecutive 50 basis-point cuts to its benchmark interest rate.
Heath did clarify that his posture reflected a more aggressive approach to reducing inflation by the third quarter this year as opposed to Rodríguez’s preference for gradual easing. He also acknowledged that the situation could evolve depending on changes in the global economy or with regard to U.S. trade policy.
A Reuters survey indicated that Banxico is expected to implement a fourth consecutive 50-point rate cut at its next meeting on June 26.
Analysts cited by El Economista noted that the rise in merchandise prices could continue to offset the decline in prices of services, preventing core inflation from continuing to decline. However, they expect Banxico to bet that services prices will begin to fall due to cyclical conditions and, as a result, to continue their monetary easing later this month.
The 2026 World Cup is a chance for Mexicans to show that they are the "best fans in the world," Sheinbaum said. (Saúl López Escorcia/Presidencia)
The 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Mexican government’s electric vehicle project were among the topics President Claudia Sheinbaum spoke about at her Thursday morning press conference.
Here is a recap of the president’s June 12 mañanera.
Sheinbaum: FIFA World Cup opening will be a ‘very special moment for Mexico’
Sheinbaum declared that next year’s FIFA World Cup — to be co-hosted by Mexico, the United States and Canada — will be “very special.”
Sheinbaum said that Mexico will need to collaborate with its co-hosts (and USMCA partners) in a range of ways to ensure the event is a success.
“The football World Cup is the world’s premier event,” she said.
Mexico City’s Aztec stadium will host the first 2026 FIFA World Cup match on June 11, 2026. (Wikimedia Commons)
“… In Mexico it will be in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey. Yesterday the Cup was with [Mexico City Mayor] Clara [Bruagada],” Sheinbaum said, seemingly giving precedence to the winner’s trophy.
Sheinbaum said that the 2026 World Cup will give Mexicans the opportunity to show that they are the “best fans in the world,” a controversial statement given that those very fans have been punished in the past for using a homophobic chant at matches.
The president also told reporters that her government wants World Cup-related activities to be held in all 32 states, not just in those that will host matches.
“It’s a very beautiful project that will elevate the name of Mexico. We also hope that the national team does very well,” she said.
Asked whether she would attend the inauguration of the 2026 World Cup, Sheinbaum responded, “I don’t know yet. Politics is for some things and sport is for others, and you have to give each its space.”
— Clara Brugada Molina (@ClaraBrugadaM) June 12, 2025
Sheinbaum nevertheless declared that the World Cup opening ceremony at Estadio Azteca will be a “very, very good event.”
“… It will be a special moment for Mexico,” she said, adding that she expected a worldwide audience similar to the 550 million people who watched the opening match in Qatar at the 2022 World Cup.
“In addition Mexico City is the only city that [will] have held the opening ceremony of the World Cup three times,” said Sheinbaum, who confirmed that she is a football fan herself.
Mexico’s electric vehicle project going ‘very well,’ says Sheinbaum
A reporter asked the president how the federal government project to build an electric vehicle is progressing. The Sheinbaum administration said in January that it was planning to debut the vehicle — called Olinia — at the 2026 World Cup opening match in Mexico City.
Sheinbaum said on Thursday that the project is going “very well.”
She confirmed that “the idea” was to “present” the vehicle at Estadio Azteca on the day of the opening match of the World Cup, but asserted that it was too early to say whether that would in fact happen.
Olinia, which means “to move” in Nahuatl, will be designed as an affordable EV for Mexican families and young people, with competitive prices compared to other available brands. (Shutterstock)
She indicated that only a prototype, rather than the final model, would be ready next year.
“The idea is that next year … the first prototypes will begin to be produced,” Sheinbaum said, adding that the goal was to subsequently commence “mass production” via a joint venture between the government and a private company.
Authorities made no attempt to interfere with the striking teachers at Chichén Itzá, and the tourists' access to the archeological site was not hindered. In fact, the CNTE even issued a statement in English for their benefit. (Coordinadora Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación/Facebook)
Hundreds of teachers from the National Coordination of Education Workers (CNTE) have escalated their protest movement in Yucatán this week, taking over the Chichén Itzá archaeological site on Wednesday and staging a demonstration at the Maya Train station in Valladolid on Thursday.
The Valladolid train station of the Train Maya line in Yucatán state was another site of a CNTE takeover. The protesters did not interfere with arrivals or departures. (@desdebalcon/X)
On Wednesday morning, around 300 CNTE members occupied the ticket booth at Chichén Itzá, allowing free entry to tourists and setting up tents at the site, all the while chanting slogans in Spanish, such as “You can see it, you can feel it, the CNTE is present!”
Similar actions took place at Ek Balam and Uxmal, with teachers reiterating their demands for a 100% salary increase, 90 days of bonuses and, mainly, the repeal of a 2007 ISSSTE (public sector social security) law that restructured federal pensions.
They even issued a statement in English, explaining their demands and the reasons for their protests, in the presence of foreign tourists and the media.
“The teachers of Yucatán denounce that federal and state authorities have remained silent or continue to simulate dialogue, while laws that violate the right to a decent pension remain in force,” CNTE stated on social media, according to the newspaper Reforma.
Despite the disruption, authorities from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) and local police did not intervene, and operations for tourists continued under the supervision of site staff.
The Cultural Trust called for dialogue, emphasizing the need to avoid compromising the local economy or Yucatán’s reputation as a tourist destination.
Thursday’s protest shifted to the Maya Train station in Valladolid, where about 100 teachers rallied outside the facility without disrupting train operations. Organizers said they would return to their camp in downtown Valladolid while awaiting the outcome of talks with the state government.
Earlier in the week, on Tuesday, teachers and administrators at Metropolitan Technological University called off classes so people could join a march from San Juan Park to the Government Palace in Mérida, Yucatán. Additionally, there were reports of high school students joining the march.
Not all groups supported or participated in the “takeover” at Chichén Itzá.
Juan Luis Robert Arias noted that his group, the Independent Union of Education Workers of Mexico (SITEM-UTM), disagreed with the illegal nature of the action and its negative impact on the final stretch of the academic year.
Protestors at Yucatán’s Ek Balam archeological site on Wednesday. (CNTE/Facebook)
“We are convening a discussion table with this group of teachers and administrators,” he said. “We have a proposal to teach online classes to properly close the school year and not affect students.”
The actions in Yucatán have come on the heels of the Mexico City sit-in and various other actions around Mexico since May 15. These include toll-booth takeovers, embassy protests, and blockades at the Mexico City International Airport (AICM) and main roads in the capital.
President Claudia Sheinbaum had proposed a 10% salary increase, but the union rejected the offer, vowing to continue local demonstrations until their demands are met.
The CNTE has warned that if negotiations do not yield results, protests could intensify nationwide in September, with a possible return to the capital.
For now, teachers across Yucatán, Guerrero and other states say they will keep up the pressure with ongoing strikes and demonstrations.
Immigration and security were the focus of what Sheinbaum described as a "courtesy visit." (Claudia Sheinbaum/X)
Mexico doesn’t agree with immigration raids targeting people working “honestly” in the United States.
President Claudia Sheinbaum said Thursday that she conveyed that message to United States Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau during their meeting in Mexico City on Wednesday.
Sheinbaum discussed issues including immigration and security policy with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau. (Presidencia)
Speaking at her morning press conference, Sheinbaum said that she and other Mexican officials discussed a range of issues with Landau, who was accompanied by U.S. Ambassador Ron Johnson during the meeting at the National Palace.
“We showed him the security results, [we spoke about] migration issues, we spoke about the defense of our migrant brothers and sisters, [we said] we didn’t agree with raids being used to detain people who work honestly in the United States,” she said.
Sheinbaum said she told Landau that the arrest of immigrant workers in the United States doesn’t just “harm” the workers themselves, but also the United States economy.
“We don’t agree with this scheme of criminalizing working people,” she told reporters.
While Mexicans in the United States send tens of billions of dollars to Mexico in remittances each year, the president and other Mexican officials have stressed that some 80% of their earnings remain in the U.S.
Sheinbaum said that Landau told her that he would convey Mexico’s opposition to raids against immigrant workers both to the State Department and President Donald Trump.
“What we want is recognition of the Mexican community [in the United States], of the honest, noble work they all do,” she said.
“… [Landau] said he was going to pass on this message. And I said it was one of the issues we wanted to speak about with President Trump the day we’re at the G7 [Summit],” Sheinbaum said.
Sheinbaum: We have ‘various issues’ with the United States
Sheinbaum described her meeting with Landau as a “courtesy meeting.”
“He came to introduce himself in his new assignment in the State Department of the government of President Trump,” she said.
“And — he said — to seek the best [possible] relationship between Mexico and the United States,” Sheinbaum said.
“… It was a good meeting,” she said.
Landau, seen here on a trip to Mazatlán, Sinaloa, previously served as U.S. ambassador to Mexico from 2019-2021. (Christpher Landau/X)
Later in her press conference, Sheinbaum noted that there are a range of “issues” (and tensions) in the Mexico-United States relationship, and said they were discussed with Landau.
She said that she pointed out to Landau that Mexico imports more steel and aluminum from the United States than it exports to its northern neighbor, and stressed that “it’s necessary to reach an agreement” on the trade of those metals.
The Bloomberg news agency reported earlier this week that Mexico and the United States were “closing in on a deal” that would remove Trump’s tariffs on Mexican steel — which doubled to 50% last week — “up to a certain volume.”
But as of early Thursday afternoon, no deal had been announced.
A deal to bring down 50% tariffs on Mexican steel is in the works, Bloomberg reported earlier this week. (Mads Eneqvist/Unsplash)
Asked whether Landau had asked for anything specific from Mexico, as was the case when Noem met with Sheinbaum in March, the president said he did not.
She subsequently denounced as “completely false” a Reuters report that stated that “the Trump administration is pressuring Mexico to investigate and prosecute politicians with suspected links to organized crime, and to extradite them to the United States if there are criminal charges to answer there.”
On Wednesday, Landau and Ambassador Johnson “didn’t ask for anything,” Sheinbaum said.
“It was a courtesy visit. And we [interacted with them] always with respect, but with firmness in the defense of Mexicans in the United States, and of what affects the people of Mexico at this time,” she said.
Sheinbaum reiterates that meeting with Trump next week is ‘very probable’
Three days after she confirmed that she would take up the invitation of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and attend next week’s G7 Summit in Alberta, Sheinbaum reiterated that a bilateral meeting with Trump was “very probable.”
She said Thursday that Foreign Minister de la Fuente and the head of the Foreign Ministry’s North America department Roberto Velasco would accompany her to Canada, and that other ministers may join the trip as well.
“We’re determining [who] according to the issues that will be dealt with,” Sheinbaum said.
Pressure is mounting for Sheinbaum to crack down on corruption, but going after her fellow politicians carries major political risk.(Victoria Valtierra/Cuartoscuro)
Is the United States pressuring Mexico to investigate and prosecute politicians with suspected links to criminal organizations?
Does the United States government have a so-called “narco-list” of Mexican politicians it believes have ties to organized crime?
Now, Reuters has reported that the Trump administration is indeed pressuring Mexico to go after politicians with suspected narco ties, but Mexico’s Foreign Affairs Ministry (SRE) and President Claudia Sheinbaum denounced the news agency’s reporting as “completely false.”
That the United States believes there are corrupt officials in Mexico with links to drug cartels is nothing new. Indeed, the White House made the daring assertion in February that that “the Mexican drug trafficking organizations have an intolerable alliance with the government of Mexico.”
“The government of Mexico has afforded safe havens for the cartels to engage in the manufacturing and transportation of dangerous narcotics, which collectively have led to the overdose deaths of hundreds of thousands of American victims,” the White House said in a “fact sheet” on tariffs.
The U.S. wants Sheinbaum to go after corrupt politicians who have made Mexico a “safe haven” for traffickers who manufacture and transport narcotics like fentanyl. (US CBP)
Meanwhile, twice in the past eight days the United States Embassy in Mexico has felt it was necessary to publicly debunk “narco-lists” circulating on social media.
Reuters: Mexico under pressure to investigate corrupt politicians
Citing “sources familiar with the matter,” Reuters reported that “the Trump administration is pressuring Mexico to investigate and prosecute politicians with suspected links to organized crime, and to extradite them to the United States if there are criminal charges to answer there.”
The news agency said that the U.S. “requests” were raised at least three times by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his team in bilateral meetings and conversations with Mexican officials. The “list of Marco” or “Marco’s list” is an alternate name for the alleged U.S. list of Mexican politicians with suspected organized crime ties.
Citing “four people familiar with the matter,” Reuters said that the U.S. requests “seek to push President Claudia Sheinbaum’s government to investigate current elected officials and launch an unprecedented crackdown on narco corruption.”
The news agency said that it was told by two of its sources that U.S. officials “have called for action against several politicians from Sheinbaum’s own Morena party and threatened to levy further tariffs if Mexico did not take action.”
Reuters also reported that two sources said that “five current Morena officials and one former senator were mentioned” during conversations between U.S. and Mexican officials “including Baja California Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila.”
The U.S. first requested that Sheinbaum step up pressure on corrupt politicians at a bilateral security meeting in February. In attendance were U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Mexican Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente and others. (U.S. White House via SRE)
Again citing its sources, the news agency said that the United States government first raised its request about the investigation and prosecution of Mexican officials at a meeting in Washington on Feb. 27 attended by Rubio, Mexican Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, Mexican Attorney General Alejandro Gertz, Mexican Security Minister Omar García Harfuch and other officials.
Citing an unnamed member of Sheinbaum’s security cabinet, Reuters said that a “crackdown” on Mexican politicians with suspected links to organized crime “carries political risks” for the president “as some of the allegations involve members of her own party.”
In its report, Reuters also said it “could not determine if the U.S. provided Mexico with a list of politicians suspected of links to organized crime, or evidence against them.”
It also said it was not “able to independently confirm if any individuals flagged by the U.S. had engaged in any wrongdoing.”
Ávila has rejected claims of wrongdoing, including reports that she is under investigation for links to a money laundering network. She has asserted that the revocation of her visa was “an administrative decision, not an accusation.”
Like his wife, Carlos Torres Torres is a Morena party politician. He has served as a deputy in both the federal Congress and the Baja California Congress.
Baja California Gov. Marina del Pilar Ávila and her husband Carlos Torres both lost their U.S. visas earlier this year. (@MarinadelPilar/X)
Sheinbaum has defended Ávila as questions linger over why the governor’s U.S. visa was revoked.
Sheinbaum responds to the report
Mexico’s Foreign Affairs Ministry responded to the Reuters report in a social media post on Wednesday.
“Both the Mexican Foreign Affairs Ministry and the United States Department of State have given transparent accounts of the various conversations held between the two countries on various issues, including security,” the SRE said.
“It is completely false that requests were made to investigate, prosecute, or extradite any official from Mexico in the meetings held with Secretary Rubio or with his team from the State Department,” the ministry said.
“The conversations have revolved around the search for agreements on various issues based on the principles of sovereignty, coordination without subordination, and respect for human rights,” the SRE said.
Sheinbaum also described the information in the Reuters report as “completely false.”
Claudia Sheinbaum (@Claudiashein) calificó como “falsa” la nota de Reuters que señala que EU pidió a México investigar a políticos mexicanos con presuntos vínculos con el crimen.
“¿No les parece extraño que cuando estamos en la reunión (con Landau) sale la nota? ¿De dónde sale… pic.twitter.com/1tQV353f1n
“Don’t you think it’s strange that when we were in the meeting [with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau” an article came out … saying that they were asking us to give them names of Mexican politicians. There is nothing more false than that,” she told reporters at her Thursday morning press conference.
“But the question is where does the [information in the] article come from?” Sheinbaum asked before describing the content of the Reuters report as “completely false.”
She said that the United States “didn’t ask for anything” at her meeting on Wednesday with Landau and U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ron Johnson, which came ahead of expected bilateral talks between Sheinbaum and U.S. President Donald Trump during next week’s G7 Summit in Canada.
The US Embassy denounces another ‘narco-list’
The United States Embassy in Mexico denounced on Wednesday an “initial list” of politicians with alleged criminal links posted to social media by Simón Levy, an entrepreneur and former deputy tourism minister in the government of Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
“WARNING. This information is false,” the embassy said in a post to X that showed Levy’s list superimposed with the word “FALSO” in red.
Earlier on Wednesday, Levy announced on X that he would reveal the names of “Mexican politicians, governors and politically exposed people” who are subject to arrest warrants in the United States due to their alleged links to “organized crime, money laundering and drug trafficking.”
The eight names on his “initial list” included Tamaulipas Governor Américo Villareal, Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya and former Morelos governor and soccer star Cuauhtémoc Blanco. It also included former Federal Electricity Commission director Manuel Bartlett and Andrés Manuel López Beltrán, son of former president López Obrador and Morena’s secretary of organization.
Levy claimed, without citing any source, that those five men and three others face charges related to “huachicol,” or fuel theft.
In the report, The Financial Times said that “under pressure from the Trump administration, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum is trying to crack down on illegal fuel imports.”
“But the cartels’ connections to the authorities, as well as the huge sums to be made, mean that they have the protection and incentive to continue,” the report said.
The United States Embassy’s denunciation of Levy’s list as “false” came eight days after it labeled as “false” a supposed U.S. government statement that purported to identify various “political leaders in Mexico with ties to drug cartels.”
Asked about Levy’s list on Thursday, Sheinbaum said “this person is not worth talking about.”
Other media outlets fuel speculation
Citing unnamed United States officials, the U.S. investigative journalism organization ProPublica reported on May 15 that “the Trump administration has begun to impose travel restrictions and other sanctions on prominent Mexican politicians whom it believes are linked to drug corruption.”
“So far, two Mexican political figures have acknowledged being banned from traveling to the United States,” ProPublica said, referring to Governor Ávila and her husband.
“But U.S. officials said they expect more Mexicans to be targeted as the administration works through a list of several dozen political figures who have been identified by law enforcement and intelligence agencies as having ties to the drug trade. The list includes leaders of President Claudia Sheinbaum’s governing party, several state governors and political figures close to her predecessor, former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the U.S. officials said.”
The list includes figures close to former President López Obrador, ProPublica reported. (lopezobrador.org.mx)
In response to the ProPublica report, Sheinbaum said that its author, journalist Tim Golden, “already has a history of providing information without sources.”
She also said that her government wouldn’t “protect anyone linked to organized crime as long as there is proof.”
A few days before ProPublica published its report, journalist Salvador García Soto wrote in a column for the newspaper El Universal that the Trump administration, “through its powerful Secretary of State Marco Rubio has commenced the ‘hunt’ for Mexican politicians, which, according to their investigations, have links to drug trafficking.”
García asserted that the Department of State has a so-called “list of Marco” that includes “at least 44 names of prominent officials and politicians” from Mexico with alleged links to drug trafficking, including federal ministers, governors, mayors and lawmakers.
He wrote that the list includes “politicians from all existing parties in Mexico,” but “the majority of those mentioned are active members of Morena, the party of President Sheinbaum, and some have a very close relationship with her and with the ex-president López Obrador.”
Asked on May 15 about a supposed U.S. “narco-list,” that includes the names of “narcogobernadores” (narco-governors) and other officials, Sheinbaum responded:
“There are a lot of rumors. They are rumors.”
She said at the time that her government had not received any notification from the United States government about the existence of “lists” of politicians with links to drug cartels.
Many repatriated Mexicans deboarded their flights from the U.S. in the Tapachula, Chiapas, airport near the Guatemalan border, and not in Mexico City as expected. (Gabriela Coutiño/X)
A government program designed to provide support for deported Mexicans from the United States is proving to be woefully deficient, mainly because the U.S. is flying them far away from where the support resources are located.
In January, President Claudia Sheinbaum’s government formally launched the “Mexico Embraces You” deportee reception program with much fanfare. Sheinbaum enlisted the support of a leading business association and more than 380 companies that had agreed to provide 60,000 permanent jobs to repatriated Mexicans.
With Donald Trump’s election as U.S. president in November 2024, the Sheinbaum administration anticipated a spike in return-migration as Trump had repeatedly pledged to carry out mass deportations during his campaign.
Upon presenting the new program in January, the Mexican government touted months of preparation that would provide returnees “with an appropriate reception and give them certainty of opportunities for a dignified life in their native country.”
However, an update provided last month by the Interior Ministry revealed that the program had provided jobs for only about 4% of the nearly 40,000 Mexicans who had been deported since Trump returned to the White House.
A geographic mismatch
The major stumbling block for the “Mexico Embraces You” program has been the U.S. government’s decision to send deportation flights to airports near Mexico’s southern border with Guatemala.
That decision, according to Bloomberg News, was to discourage the returnees from attempting the arduous journey north again. But the practical effect is that it strands them miles distant from the job opportunities and reintegration services so carefully prepared by the Sheinbaum administration.
Mexican officials had expected deportees to arrive by plane in Mexico City — where services to receive them had been established — or to be sent across the northern border by land, where a significant amount of resources had been sent.
Mexico’s Business Coordinating Council (CCE) had agreed to hold job fairs to assist expelled Mexicans at Mexico City’s AIFA airport. But so far, no such fairs have been held since regular flights have not arrived.
Instead, more than 90 deportation flights have been sent to Chiapas or Tabasco in southern Mexico and not a single deportation plane has landed in Mexico City since Feb. 17.
Employment resources are available at welcome centers like this Tijuana refuge — but many deportees are arriving in southern Mexico. (via ContraRéplica)
The CCE further says that the lack of space at smaller airports in southern Mexico makes it impossible to host job fairs there.
Mexico’s National Migration Institute has been enlisted to transport repatriated countrymen who find themselves in southern Mexico to bus terminals, but the one-time cash benefit supplied by the government is often not enough to purchase a ticket home.
The result is that many deportees have found themselves stuck in states where jobs are scarce. Chiapas and Tabasco are among Mexico’s poorest states.
Bloomberg reported that around 40% of the more than 70,000 “Mexico Embraces You” job openings reported in mid-May were located in the northern industrial state of Nuevo León, in the west-central state of Jalisco and in Mexico City and surrounding México state. By contrast, Chiapas and Tabasco are among the states with the fewest openings, less than 1,000 each.
Another issue hampering the programs, according to Bloomberg, is the lack of advance notice regarding deportation flights given by the U.S. government to Mexico.
