Monday, December 8, 2025
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MND Local: World-class performers shine a light on Baja California

By
Chris Sands
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Ensenada
Ensenada has been at the center of two world-class achievements this year. (Unsplash/Yitzhak Rodriguez)

Baja California is famed more for its destinations than its residents, although some of the latter have achieved worldwide recognition. For the most part, these have been boxers, with several world title holders having hailed from the state’s most populous city, Tijuana, including Erik “El Terrible” Morales, Antonio “El Tornado de Tijuana” Margarito,  Jackie “Aztec Princess” Nava, and Jaime Munguía. 

In 2025, however, two new stars have arisen to represent Baja California, and neither is a boxer.

Isaac del Toro is amazing and he’s just getting started

Isaac del Toro
Isaac del Toro emerged as a star of European and world cycling in 2025. (Instagram/Isaac del Toro Romero)

At 64 kilograms, Isaac del Toro Romero is hardly a giant. But by the time his career is over, the cycling world may well see him as one. The Ensenada native won 16 times in his second European season cycling for UAE Team Emirates XRG on the UCI WorldTour, and as a result has risen to third in the world rankings. 

He’s already been nominated for the Vélo d’Or 2025 (Golden Bicycle Award), presented by France’s Vélo Magazine to the world’s best cyclist of the year, and topped the list of those receiving the annual National Sports Award — the highest athletic honor bestowed by Mexico’s government. The award will be presented by President Claudia Sheinbaum in a ceremony this month, and includes not only a gold medal but a cash prize of 796,000 pesos (US $43,000).

How he pedaled his way to the top

It’s a remarkable story, given what Del Toro had to overcome to reach the heights of his sport and receive the plaudits that go hand-in-hand with sporting trophies. Born in Ensenada in 2003 to a cycling family, the sport seemed to be in his blood. However, from the beginning, it was also a challenge, not only due to the training, but also because of the cost and the health issues he had to overcome. 

“We had to spend so much money on doctors, medication, supplements, lab work (for osteoporosis, tumors and other health difficulties) … Isaac always dreamed of representing his flag, and I’m proud too — but it hurts to hear these things,” his father, José del Toro, said of claims Isaac received support from Mexican Cycling early in his career. “It’s outrageous, unbelievable … and it’s expensive, very expensive. You pay a high price to do this.

“They always talk about millions and millions being invested, but I don’t know a single cyclist who gets their travel paid, or their entry fees, or even their meals. I struggled so much with my kids and never got a single bit of help,” he told CyclingUpToDate.

Climbing the hill

Despite these early difficulties, Del Toro became a complete cyclist, adept in mountain, cross and road forms of competition, while honing his climbing skills on the 4,631-meter Nevado de Toluca, Mexico’s fourth-highest peak. By the time he was a teenager, he had joined A.R. Monex, a professional cycling team based in Italy, but made up exclusively of Mexican riders. 

Isaac del Toro
Del Toro raises his hands in triumph after winning in Ensenada in October 2025. (Instagram/Isaac del Toro Romero)

His ascent through the ranks was slowed by the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, but his big breakthrough finally came in 2023 when he won the Tour de l’Avenir in France, becoming the first cyclist from Latin America ever to do so. The event is a benchmark of under-23 cycling and harbinger of future Grand Tour success that has been won over the years by a who’s who of cycling greats, from Greg LeMond to his current teammate and Vélo d’Or nominee, Tadej Pogačar.

Del Toro’s performance in the Tour de l’Avenir marked him as a rising star in the sport and earned him a contract with one of the world’s best teams, UAE Team Emirates XRG. It also set the stage for his incredible 2025 season, with his 16 victories across Europe. 

A series of spectacular finishes

In October, Del Toro returned home to compete in the National Road Cycling Championship of Mexico, held in 2025 in Valle de Guadalupe, near his hometown of Ensenada. The European season was over, and following his string of winning results, he was able for the first time in years to compete in front of a home crowd. Certainly, they had plenty to cheer for, as he surged into the lead by the end of the first lap and never relented, earning both time trial and road race titles for a rare double. 

“Sometimes I don’t feel like this person, I feel like they’re exaggerating, but it feels very nice, honestly,” he admitted to La Jornada after triumphing in the 160-kilometer road race course, and edging out yet another Baja California rider,  Éder Frayre, who finished second.

It’s been quite a year for Del Toro, especially considering he still hasn’t turned 22 years old yet. 

The world’s best wine guide was written about Baja California

Isaac del Toro isn’t the only one spreading the fame of Baja around the globe this year. Two wine writers accomplished the same feat when their guide to Baja California wines was named the world’s best wine guide, beating out 60 entrants from other countries at the 2025 Gourmand Awards in Portugal in July. 

Gourmand Awards wine guide
Fabián Jáuregui and Lorena Hernández wrote the world’s best wine guide in 2025, per the Gourmand Awards. (Instagram/Vinitácora)

Husband-and-wife team Lorena Hernández and Fabián Jáuregui wrote “Vinitácora: Wines and Wineries of Baja California,” the winning guide that featured information on more than 80 wineries, 900 labels, and the seven wine valleys that are responsible for nearly 70% of all wines produced in Mexico. Both are from Jalisco originally, with Hernández noted as a sommelier and an illustrator under the name Vionda, while Jáuregui has a background in business.

“This recognition is not only ours; it represents the work of many people who have believed in Mexican wine. We are proud to put Mexico on a high note and to celebrate this achievement just as Vinitácora turns 10 years old,” Jáuregui said.

After founding Vinitácora as a publishing company a decade ago, they’ve achieved international success with their current Baja California guide, available as a book or digital edition and bilingual in English and Spanish. However, it’s not their only one: another can be purchased for the wines of Querétaro. 

Chris Sands is the former Cabo San Lucas local expert for the USA Today travel website 10 Best and writer of Fodor’s Los Cabos travel guidebook. He’s also a contributor to numerous websites and publications, including Tasting Table, Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, Forbes Travel Guide, Porthole Cruise, Cabo Living and Mexico News Daily.

‘We want there to be zero robberies on Mexico’s highways’: Tuesday’s mañanera recapped

By
MND Staff
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On International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, much of President Claudia Sheinbaum's morning press conference focused on the actions her government is taking to protect women.
On International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, much of President Claudia Sheinbaum's morning press conference focused on the actions her government is taking to protect women. (Hazel Cárdenas/Presidencia)

On International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, much of President Claudia Sheinbaum’s morning press conference focused on women’s rights and the actions the federal government is taking to improve the lives of Mexican women.

“There are several policies of support for women,” noted Minister for Women Citlalli Hernández, who cited the pension program for women aged 63 and 64 and “support for working mothers,” among other initiatives.

President Sheinbaum invited the top-ranking women of her administration to join her press conference on Nov. 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
President Sheinbaum invited the top-ranking women of her administration to join her press conference on Nov. 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. (Hazel Cárdenas/Presidencia)

Deputy Minister for Women Ingrid Gómez spoke about the government initiative called “16 Days of Activism Against Violence Toward Women,” part of the United Nations’ “UNITE to End Violence Against Women Campaign.” (Read MND’s story on the initiative here.)

Later in the press conference, Sheinbaum spoke about the so-called megabloqueo (mega-bloackade) — the highway blockades set up across Mexico on Monday by truckers and farmers, who called on the federal government to combat insecurity and extortion and provide more support for producers of crops such as corn and beans.

Sheinbaum: ‘We don’t prosecute anyone for protesting’

Sheinbaum asserted that none of the organizers of the highway blockades that were set up across Mexico on Monday is subject to an active criminal investigation, even though Federal Interior Minister Rosa Icela Rodríguez said on Monday that “many” of them are.

“The minister was asked if it was a crime to shut down highways, and it is a crime, but that doesn’t mean that we’re going to prosecute people for protesting — no,” she said.

“… Perhaps it was misunderstood, but Rosa Icela never raised that issue,” Sheinbaum said.

However, Rodríguez did indeed say that “many of these [protest] leaders have, for many years, had open [criminal investigation] files … for the obstruction of main roads.”

“Some of them have even been detained, not in our administration, but they have a whole history of blocking highways, taking over toll booths, etcetera. … We weren’t born yesterday,” she said.

Farmers occupy Ciudad Juárez customs facility, halting border trade in protest of water law

On Tuesday morning, Sheinbaum reiterated that blocking a highway — as occurred in a majority of Mexican states on Monday — is a crime, before declaring:

“When there is a protest that has to do with political or social matters, with demands, we don’t prosecute anyone for protesting. That is important.”

Sheinbaum presents statistics showing a decline in reported robberies of freight trucks 

Sheinbaum asserted that truckers had no reason to protest against insecurity on the nation’s highways on Monday because the federal government is already engaging with them on the issue.

“They’re talking about security. The door is permanently open [to discuss] security issues on highways with the National Guard, with the Interior Ministry, with the Security Ministry,” she said.

“In other words, they shouldn’t have protested because there is a permanent working group on all issues, dialogue is open,” Sheinbaum said

“… So why shut down highways if there is a table of dialogue?”

Sheinbaum also presented statistics that showed that the daily average of reported violent robberies of freight trucks is down 54% in 2025 compared to 2018, a year in which former president Enrique Peña Nieto was in office for the first 11 months.

An average of 14 violent robberies of trucks was reported per day in the first 10 months of 2025, compared to a daily average of 30.3 in 2018, according to the data the president presented.

The president’s figure of 14 truck robberies per day is quite different from the ANTAC truckers’ association’s estimate of 54-70. (Hazel Cárdenas/Presidencia)

For his part, the president of the ANTAC truckers’ association, David Estévez, said this week that insecurity on Mexico’s highways “has increased since the past six-year term of government and shows no sign of stopping.”

He said that between 54 and 70 trucks are targeted in robberies on a daily basis. The discrepancy between the figures he cited and those presented by Sheinbaum may lie in the difference between reported robberies and actual robberies. Many crimes go unreported in Mexico for reasons that include a lack of confidence that authorities will, in fact, investigate.

In an opinion article published by The Hill on Sunday, Mark Vickers, an executive vice president and head of international logistics at the U.S.-based transportation insurance company Reliance Partners, wrote that “organized crime groups in Mexico are now threatening U.S. companies and their employees.”

“I have been working in cross-border logistics for over a decade and a half and I think that the security environment for companies operating in Mexico has never been more complicated than it is right now,” Vickers wrote.

“I frequently talk to executives at companies in Mexico. One manager recently told me a story about a truck driver who was kidnapped and threatened by hijackers. The driver resigned from the company out of fear of being targeted and attacked again in the future. This isn’t an isolated incident.”

Sheinbaum acknowledged that her government needs to “continue working” to combat insecurity on highways.

“And that’s why the door is open with the National Guard, which looks after the highways,” she said.

“… We have to keep working because we want there to be zero robberies on all of Mexico’s highways,” Sheinbaum said.

By Mexico News Daily chief staff writer Peter Davies (peter.davies@mexiconewsdaily.com)

Construction sector’s ongoing decline alarms industry leaders who had called for more public investment

By
MND Staff
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constrction site CDMX
The 17-month-long construction industry freefall prompted industry leaders to urge a huge injection of public investment, but it hasn't happened. (istockphoto.com)

The construction industry in Mexico has been in freefall for 17 months, alarming industry leaders who had called earlier for a doubling of public investment in infrastructure.

The September survey of construction companies, carried out by the national statistics agency INEGI and released Monday, found that the downward trend identified since April 2024 has intensified.

Industry performance as measured by the value of construction output reached 48.86 billion pesos (US $2.65 million) in September, a slump of -15.4% compared to September 2024. The month-to-month performance also slipped for a third consecutive month, coming in at -1.5% compared to August 2025.

The drags on the month-to-month indicator were the oil and petrochemical sector at         -13.8% and the transport and urbanization subsectors (-4.0%).

Annualized performance metrics slipped close to levels seen in 2021 before the construction boom prompted by the flagship works of the previous administration.

The INEGI survey found that civil engineering continued to show the greatest weakness, with a year-on-year decline of -29.1%. Building construction showed year-on-year growth of 1%, although the monthly figures registered three consecutive declines, with September’s decline hitting -1.5%.

The slowdown has also sent construction workers to the unemployment line.

On an annual basis, in September 2025, the total employed personnel showed a reduction of 9.9% and hours worked in construction companies fell 0.1% compared to the previous month and decreased 11.2% year-on-year.

As the federal government prepared its 2026 budget package earlier this summer, industry leaders pleaded for public investment in light of the challenges ahead of next year’s World Cup, which is expected to attract 5 million visitors to Mexico.

Finance Ministry unveils 10 trillion-peso budget with 18% increase to welfare spending

Pointing to the downward trend in the sector, CMIC president Luis Méndez said the lack of resources is a major contributor to the decline in an industry that contributes 7% to national GDP and generates roughly 4.7 million jobs.

The government’s decision earlier this year to approach debt reduction by shrinking public investment (rather than welfare programs) has drawn criticism from other quarters, as well. 

The National Bank of Public Works and Services (Banobras) projected that 2.67 trillion pesos (US $144.7 billion) is needed to close infrastructure gaps, trigger economic growth and promote regional connectivity. 

Méndez said the World Cup afforded the perfect opportunity to increase infrastructure spending, citing shortcomings in tourist infrastructure in the three cities where games will be played: Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey.

The CMIC emphasized a willingness to collaborate with the federal and state governments to define investment mechanisms that combine public and private resources.

With reports from La Jornada, El Economista, Ámbito Financiero and El Universal

Scientists from Mexico and US create joint water management portal

By
MND Staff
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Mexico and the United States share water from the two main rivers in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, with the allocation of resources having been outlined in the 1944 Treaty on Utilization of Waters. (Remexcu)

Mexico’s national university and a U.S. NGO comprising water management experts have agreed to jointly develop a digital platform with information on the water resources that the two neighboring countries share.

The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM)’s Institute of Geography will work with the Permanent Forum on Binational Waters (PFBW) to create and run the platform that will include scientific data, maps and other key information in Spanish and English about the shared water sources in the border region, most prominently the Río Bravo (Rio Grande on the U.S. side), the Colorado River and the Tijuana River basin. 

The policy of the PFBW, one of the participants in the joint portal, is that water systems, major and minor, do not respect international boundaries, meaning not only nations but also cross-border communities need to act cooperatively. (PFBW)

The aim is to provide access to reliable information on transboundary water resources to governments and universities in both countries, as well as the general public, in order to support integrated water management for long-term planning and for drought and flood response.

The UNAM Institute of Geography’s International Laboratory for Space Technology and Research (iSTAR) will develop the binational geoportal, while the PFBW will support research and development. 

“This agreement strengthens scientific cooperation between Mexico and the United States and allows initiatives such as the data platform of the One Coast, One Community project to be hosted within this infrastructure,” said PFBW’s director, Rosario Sánchez. “We are laying the foundations for open, sustainable, useful and accessible science for all.”

The agreement spans five years, with the potential for renewal, and includes joint actions in research, technological development, specialist training and public dissemination of data on water and the environment. 

Mexico and the United States share water from the two main rivers in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, with the allocation of resources having been outlined in the 1944 Treaty on Utilization of Waters.

After eight decades of cooperation, the accord turned rocky this year. In March, for the first time since the treaty was signed, the U.S. denied a request by Mexico for water delivery, blaming recent shortfalls in Mexico’s water deliveries.

The hope is that establishing a jointly run platform with up-to-date information about the shared water sources will support better resource management and cooperation moving forward. 

Mexico News Daily

Farmers occupy Ciudad Juárez customs facility, halting border trade in protest of water law

By
MND Staff
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Some 1,500 U.S.-bound tractor-trailers were left stranded due to the blockades.
Some 1,500 U.S.-bound tractor-trailers were left stranded due to the blockades. (Manuel Sánchez/Cuartoscuro)

As part of a nationwide protest against low purchase prices for crops and proposed changes to the National Water Law, farmers in the northern border state of Chihuahua broke into the customs office at the Córdova-Las Americas International Bridge in Ciudad Juárez on Monday.

Disgruntled farmers also blocked access to border crossings between Ciudad Juárez and El Paso, Texas, preventing large quantities of goods from reaching the United States, the main destination for Mexican exports.

The actions were part of the megabloqueo, or mega-blockade, in which truckers and farmers shut down highways in more than half of Mexico’s 32 federal entities on Monday. Some other border crossings to the U.S. were also blocked.

While farmers want greater support from the federal government and are not happy with proposed changes to the National Water Law, truckers want greater action to combat insecurity and extortion on the nation’s highways, on which trucks are frequently targeted in robberies.

Farmers’ forced entry into the customs office at the Córdova-Las Americas International Bridge occurred at around 9 a.m. Monday. They were led by Eraclio Rodríguez, a leader of the National Front for the Rescue of the Countryside (FNRCM).

“You’re not going to arrest us, it’s a protest. We’re not criminals, you have no reason to have the damn doors closed,” Rodríguez told security personnel in an encounter captured on film.

“Here we are and we’re not going to leave until the employees vacate,” said another FNRCM leader.

The newspaper La Jornada reported that the farmers “forced the workers to vacate” the customs office.

“We’re not going to allow customs procedures to be carried out in order to slow down trade between Mexico and the United States a little,” Rodríguez told La Jornada.

The blockades of the Córdova-Las Americas International Bridge and the Ysleta–Zaragoza International Bridge between Ciudad Juárez and El Paso, as well as the nearby Santa Teresa Port of Entry between San Jerónimo, Chihuahua, and Santa Teresa, New Mexico, continued into the night on Monday. In the case of the Córdova-Las Americas International Bridge, the blockade and protest continued on Tuesday afternoon, according to the Reforma newspaper, which reported that the occupation of the customs office had surpassed 24 hours.

Some 1,500 U.S.-bound tractor-trailers were left stranded due to the blockades, La Jornada reported. Private light vehicles were allowed to pass through the roadblocks and pedestrians were able to cross into the U.S. as well, according to media reports.

On Tuesday morning, the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transport reported that trucks were still being prevented from passing blockades on four highways in Chihuahua, including that between the state capital, Chihuahua city, and Ciudad Juárez.

Farmers from municipalities in southern Chihuahua also blocked the railroad that runs between Mexico City and Ciudad Juárez.

‘Total rejection of the new water law’

In an interview with La Jornada, Rodríguez, the FNRCM leader, complained that corn buyers, including large corn flour and tortilla companies, aren’t complying with agreed per-kilogram prices. He also said that farmers maintain their demand for a federal government guaranteed purchase price of 7,200 pesos (US $390) per tonne of corn.

Farmers protesting the new water law claim that the wording of the legislation does not allow agricultural water concessions to be transferred or inherited, saying “we will no longer be able to do what our fathers and grandfathers did.” (Manuel Sánchez/Cuartoscuro)

Rodríguez added that farmers are opposed to the government’s proposed National Water Law modifications, which he described as having a “punitive spirit.”

Gerardo Fierro, one of the farmers protesting at the Córdova-Las Americas International Bridge on Monday, told the EFE news agency that approval of the water law reforms would leave farmers without the right to extract water from wells.

“The government says that the water belongs to the people, and that’s why we’re defending it,” he said.

“… We don’t want [the government] to monopolize water and to do whatever they want with [water] permits,” Fierro said.

Fidel Mendoza Hernández, a farmer and representative of a Plant Health Local Board in Chihuahua, told EFE that the new water law “would strangle” the Mexican countryside.

“They would make us criminals when they cancel our water well titles. We will no longer be able to do what our fathers and grandfathers did,” he said.

Ricardo Monreal, the Morena party’s leader in the lower house of Congress, said Monday that the proposed new water law, as it is currently worded, will be modified to allow agricultural water concessions to be transferred or inherited in their current form.

However, in Ciudad Juárez on Monday, farmers made their view clear by hanging a banner on the Ysleta–Zaragoza International Bridge that read: “Total rejection of the new water law.”

Farmers also complained about high prices for diesel in Mexico.

“In the United States, a farmer buys diesel for 14 or 13 pesos [per liter]. We’re buying [a liter] at 24 pesos. We can’t compete,” said Fierro.

Mendoza complained that farmers don’t receive any assistance to help cover the costs of buying diesel and other essential inputs. “It’s now very difficult to produce in Mexico,” he said.

Farmers in Ciudad Juárez called for “real” negotiations with the federal government, discussions in which their views and demands are genuinely listened to and taken into account.

Rodríguez said that the government needs to recognize the FNRCM as an “interlocutor” in the negotiations before the organization will engage in dialogue with the federal Interior Ministry.

Government reports highway blockades in 17 states

The federal Interior Ministry (Segob) said in a statement that truckers and farmers blocked highways in 17 of Mexico’s 32 states on Monday, causing a range of impacts on citizens as they sought to go about their everyday activities.

“In total, 29 blockades were reported, 17 of which occurred on federal highways and the rest on state highways. Of these, 17 were full closures and the rest partial,” Segob said, adding that protests were also held at three toll booths and one customs office — that in Ciudad Juárez.

Blockades were still in place in highways in various states on Tuesday, including Guanajuato, Michoacán, Jalisco, Puebla, Tlaxcala, Hidalgo, Sinaloa, Sonora, Durango, Tamaulipas and Chihuahua, according to the newspaper Reforma.

Segob asserted that there was no reason for the blockades to take place, saying that the federal government is “always” ready to listen to “social demands.”

“During the past weeks, more than 200 meetings have been held between federal authorities and farmers to address concerns and make progress on agreements,” the Interior Ministry said.

“In addition, for months there have been working tables with the National Guard and the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transport [aimed at] guaranteeing the safety of highway operators, as well as the protection of their routes and goods. For that reason, only one transport group protested, while the rest of the organizations, which are in talks, distanced themselves from the mobilizations,” Segob said.

The ANTAC truckers’ group was one of the main organizers of the megabloqueo.

Interior minister claims that protesting agricultural leaders belong to opposition parties

At a press conference on Monday, federal Interior Minister Rosa Icela Rodríguez asserted that “apart from being leaders of the countryside,” protesters from groups such as the FNRCM and Movimiento Agrícola Campesino farmers’ group “belong to political parties.”

“They belong to the PRI, they belong to the PAN and they belong to the PRD,” she said, referring to Mexican opposition parties.

“It’s not that I say it, they have a political history,” Rodríguez said.

Rosa Icela Rodríguez
Federal Interior Minister Rosa Icela Rodríguez said that protesters from groups such as the FNRCM and Movimiento Agrícola Campesino “belong to the PRI, they belong to the PAN and they belong to the PRD.” (Rosa Icela Rodríguez/X)

The federal government also accused opposition parties of involvement in the so-called “Generation Z” protests that took place in cities across Mexico on Nov. 15.

The national president of the National Action Party (PAN) said it was “ridiculous” to link his party to the protests on Monday.

“If thousands of truckers [and farmers] are willing to close highways, it’s not for pleasure, it’s out of desperation,” Jorge Romero said.

Institutional Revolutionary Party politicians also rejected the claim that PRI members were involved in organizing the megabloqueo.

In a statement, the PRI’s leader in the lower house of Congress, Rubén Moreira, said that Mexico today is hearing “two chimes that cannot be ignored: that of the truckers who demand safe routes and that of farmers who defend their right to water and complain about the neglect of the government.”

“They’re not isolated protests. They’re alerts from the real country that sustains our daily life, because when the road becomes a territory of risk and when water is administered without justice, what’s at stake is not a sector, but rather the very productive life of the country,” Moreira said.

With reports from La Jornada, Reforma, EFE, Noroeste, El Heraldo de Chihuahua and DW

25N: Government plans 16 days of actions to prevent violence against women

By
MND Staff
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President and administration members
With Minister of Women Citlalli Hernández at her side, President Sheinbaum stands with women cabinet members as she announces her “16 Days of Activism Against Violence Toward Women.” (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro)

Starting Tuesday, Nov. 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the focus of Mexican society for the next half month will be on raising awareness about gender-based violence, as the Sheinbaum administration launches “16 Days of Activism Against Violence Toward Women.”

“We are providing a toolkit, outreach materials and a broad national program of activities at all three levels of government,” Deputy Minister for Women Ingrid Gómez said Tuesday during the president’s morning press conference. “The focus of these 16 days … is on dissemination, consciousness-raising and sensitization.”

The daily actions from now through Dec. 10 will range from courses for public servants and the public, to film screenings, rights booklets and outreach to women with disabilities, among many others.

Minister for Women Citlalli Hernández, also speaking at the president’s mañanera, called for transformative action to combat sexism and violence against women. “To generate a cultural shift and combat sexism, we call on men to join us in the goal of ensuring that women and men have the same rights and live a full life free from violence,” Hernández said.

The impetus for the 16-day program is the worsening security situation for women in Mexico. 

The rate of female victims of common crimes in Mexico has risen by 7.5% in 2025, with 100,989 women filing reports in the first nine months of the year, compared to 93,899 during the same period in 2024, according to data from the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System. 

The percentage of women compared to men who have been victims of a crime also increased, from 31.2% of all victims in January to 39.5% in September. 

While the number of femicides has fallen by 17.7% this year, from 624 to 513, the prevalence of femicides in certain cities has increased. As of September, the city of Culiacán in Sinaloa, where cartel-related violence has surged, reported the highest rate of femicides, with 3.96 per 100,000 women. 

What are the planned activities?

The 16 days of activism start Tuesday alongside a number of protest marches calling for greater action, followed by:

  • Nov. 26: Mass distribution of a rights booklet. 
  • Nov. 27: Digital platforms to sign an agreement to guarantee protection for women experiencing violence.
  • Nov. 28: Film screenings on violence prevention.
  • Nov. 29: Walks with women to identify risks and promote safe routes.
  • Nov. 30: Community murals with teenagers and young adults.
  • Dec. 1: Conference on violence prevention at universities.
  • Dec. 2: Community outreach with women with disabilities.
  • Dec. 3: National meeting: Building networks between the government and organized women.
  • Dec. 4: Training for educational staff and signing of an agreement with social media platforms to combat digital violence.
  • Dec. 5: National meeting of justice centers.
  • Dec. 6: Peacebuilding workshops with Mexico’s women weavers.
  • Dec. 7: Runs and walks for women’s wellbeing.
  • Dec. 8: Talks on sexual abuse and a panel on access to digital justice.
  • Dec. 9: Reflection sessions with men for a just and violence-free reality.
  • Dec. 10: Specialized panel on data and statistics for monitoring safe digital spaces.

“We aim to be present on the ground, where women spend their lives,” emphasized Gómez.

With reports from Milenio, Infobae, El Economista and El Financiero

Mazatlán airport to receive 1.2B pesos as TAR expands service with 5 new routes

By
MND Staff
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two women walking down a plane vestibule
The new routes, which TAR Mexico will begin operating on Dec. 1, connect the sunny port of Mazatlán with Aguascalientes and Torreón (direct) and Los Mochis, Hermosillo and Chihuahua (with layovers). (OMA Aeropuertos)

Mazatlán International Airport (MZT) in the state of Sinaloa will receive an investment of more than 1.2 billion pesos between 2026 and 2030 to carry out major improvements and expansions.

According to Abelardo Muñoz, the head of traffic development for the regional airport administrator Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte (OMA), the improvements will add to the airport’s recent renovations in a move to boost the economic, social and tourism development of the coastal destination.  

Renovations at the airport will support Sinaloa’s plans to strengthen air connectivity, as the state government recently announced new domestic routes and increased frequencies. 

The new routes, which TAR Mexico will begin operating on Dec. 1, connect the sunny port of Mazatlán with Aguascalientes and Torreón (direct) and Los Mochis, Hermosillo and Chihuahua (with layovers).   

“Air connectivity is a strategic priority to continue boosting the tourism and economic development of Mazatlán and the entire state,” the state’s Tourism Minister Mireya Sosa Osuna said.

TAR Mexico also announced it will increase the weekly frequencies of existing routes Mazatlán-La Paz and Mazatlán-Querétaro by 50% and 25%, respectively.

Muñoz noted that the two new direct routes to Aguascalientes and Torreón will join nine existing domestic routes from MZT, in addition to three regular international routes and ten seasonal routes — eight to Canada and two to the United States — that have restarted operations ahead of the 2025-2026 winter season. 

With these routes, TAR will become the second most important operator in Mazatlán in terms of the number of routes served, Muñoz said.  

These developments come on the heels of the news that Mazatlán was excluded from the most recent travel advisory issued by the U.S., even though the rest of Sinaloa maintains the highest security alert category. According to the U.S. State Department, tourists are safe to visit Mazatlán, Los Mochis and Topolobampo. 

Canada has also removed the city of Mazatlán from its list of travel advisories in Mexico. 

The state government said this decision responds to improved security conditions and ongoing operations in the city, which have allowed major tourism events to take place without serious incidents.

With reports from El Economista, Bien Informado, Debate and Infobae

‘A salad unfit for this year’s Thanksgiving table’: CBP incercepts US $10M of meth in lettuce shipment

By
MND Staff
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3
lettuce wrapped up in plastic
When agents conducted a physical inspection, they discovered the hidden packages of meth concealed within the lettuce. (CBP/X)

U.S. officials at the Texas-Mexico border intercepted a shipment of lettuce containing 500 packages of methamphetamine last week. 

The more than 1,150 pounds of confiscated drugs have an estimated street value of more than US $10 million, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

In a news release, the CBP said officers at the Pharr International Bridge in South Texas, across from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, encountered a commercial vehicle entering the United States from Mexico on Friday.

Upon being selected for a secondary inspection via non-intrusive imaging equipment, irregularities were observed. When agents conducted a physical inspection, they discovered the hidden packages of meth concealed within the lettuce.

“Within a shipment of salad greens, our frontline officers discovered contraband that does not belong on any holiday table,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez. “As this seizure aptly illustrates, our officers’ use of tools and technology was instrumental in this massive takedown of hard narcotics.”

The CBP seized the narcotics and the vehicle before turning the case over to Homeland Security Investigations. No other details with regard to the truck or the driver were provided.

The Produce News — a publishing company that has covered the fresh produce industry worldwide since 1897 — had some fun with the incident, headlining its article thusly:

“Lettuce point out this meth smuggler has the right to Romaine silent.”

Authorities at the U.S.-Mexico border frequently discover illegal drugs concealed within crates of fruits and vegetables.

On Aug. 24, 2024, CBP officers at the Port of Otay near San Diego confiscated two tonnes of crystal meth hidden in packages designed to look like watermelons. The street value of these drugs was estimated at US $5 million.

Two weeks earlier at the same facility, officers intercepted 629 pounds of meth concealed within a shipment of celery after directing the driver toward a secondary inspection. The estimated value of these drugs was US $755,000.

More recently, a tractor-trailer carrying green squash was detained during a traffic stop in Houston, where Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) officials discovered over 900 pounds of meth hidden stuffed into the walls of the produce boxes.

With reports from The Guardian, Fox News and The Austin American-Statesman

Investing from scratch: When your dream is building property in Mexico 

By
Ian Ostroff
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0
A team of architects and engineers reviews blueprints on a stack of concrete blocks at a home building construction site in Mexico.
Boots on the ground: Your build in Mexico has a much better chance of success if you — or at least a representative you trust — is doing regular site visits and communicating with the architect or the developer. (Zisla)

According to the US State Department, the number of Americans living in Mexico jumped to 70% between 2019 and 2022. There are now 1.6 million American permanent residents in the country as of 2022, a number that’s increasing every year.

While many buy an existing home in their preferred location, a few bold types think even bigger, deciding to buy land in Mexico to build a home or condo building, often with the idea of renting it for some passive income in the months they spend back home each year. Mexico also presents great real estate opportunities for the entrepreneur who wants to build a property to then sell or rent out, rather than make Mexico their home. 

Local farmers in a rural area in Mexico wearing cowboy hats sit on benches under a thatched-roof shelter during an ejido assembly, illustrating the community governance process often required when buying land in Mexico to build a home in rural areas.
In your home country, a farmer deciding to sell their land parcel may be an individual decision, but in Mexico, an individual’s land may be part of an ejido, communally owned land that by law cannot be sold without formal agreement by the other ejido members. Always know the legal status of any land you’re buying. (Government of Mexico)

Do your due diligence

Whichever of the two is your preferred scenario, the basic advice is the same: Know the lay of the land and do your research. It’s easy to dream about buying land in Mexico and bringing to life a real estate project from scratch — renting out the condos in your building and reaping the fruits of your labor through passive income — but to find out how feasible this dream might be, Mexico News Daily spoke to some seasoned developers, who shared the realities of this grand endeavor. 

“Do your due diligence and have realistic goals,” says Ian Gengos, a Canadian realtor living in Mexico who works with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Baja Real Estate. “It’s important to do proper feasibility studies. Your company’s title and ownership of the land has to be clear. You have to know if you can sell the properties within the project you want to develop — and, also, if it’s even possible. I’ve seen people buy land and then have this vision that just can’t be realized because what they want to do is not able to be done where they want to do it.”

There are several permits and concessions you may need to fulfill your project’s needs. It’s also critical to work with architects and engineers who know the land you’re building on and who are comfortable meeting expectations with what you’ve set out to accomplish. 

As we’ve covered in the past, there are certain realities unique to Mexico: The acquisition cost of property in Mexico is higher than in the United States, for example. And it’s not unusual to pay up to 10% more for a property when you consider the added notary fee, appraisal costs and other expenses. 

The dangers of long-distance buying

Aerial view of the Cancun Hotel Zone and turquoise Caribbean coastline, highlighting the Restricted Zone where foreigners must use a bank trust when buying land in Mexico to build a home or acquiring beachfront property.
If you’re going to be building a property in Mexico to sell or rent out, location is especially important to consider. Is the beach easy to get to? Are there things to do nearby? Are stores and restaurants being built in the area? (Gerson Repreza/Unsplash)

There’s a lot to be said about having the right approach for your building goal.

“It depends on the purpose you have to buy property in Mexico. Is it [purely] for an investment or to have a place to live for you and your family?” said Ilan Vainer Cohen of Laiva Group in San José del Cabo. “In my experience, Americans and Canadian entrepreneurs who come to Mexico want to do both. 

“But as a developer, you should think about what makes a project appealing: If there is a new highway, a new mall, or new properties being constructed near your project, that’ll add value to your investment since people will want to live there or stay frequently during vacation periods.”

Between the internet and write-ups like this, it is possible to go through the process alone. You can research where in Mexico you’d like to live, save money for a down payment and talk to the developer. If you ask Gengos, however, you’d be setting yourself up to fail.  

“Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who pretend to be real estate professionals,” he said. “They’ll tell clients to wire funds to the developer or directly to a seller’s account without any recourse if things go wrong. They just want to sell somebody something without doing the work to protect the buyer against bad sellers and bad titles. Online, it’s hard to tell who is legit. But when you’re in Mexico, it’s easier to verify since you’re on the ground.” 

“It’s always best to work with a licensed professional who knows the area well and can help you navigate challenges,” Gengos says. “They’ll explain processes and guide you to the right property. For example, they’ll help you understand what a fideicomiso is and how to set up an escrow account. Even if you’re the best researcher, you can still run into trouble.” 

A backhoe clears mud and debris from around homes and businesses in downtown Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, after Tropical Storm Lidia.
Another factor to take into account when investing in Mexico that isn’t as often talked about: the climate. Is where you’re buying prone to destructive weather? How will you deal with a tropical storm or hurricane causing damage to your property? (Agencia Perspectiva/Cuartoscuro)

Also, says Gengos, it’s better to work with independent real estate advisors as opposed to a realtor who works for the developer. Gengos also stressed the importance of working with an agent who represents you exclusively as a buyer, to assure your interests are protected and prioritized. 

The value — and danger — of going the presale route

Knowing the pros and cons about buying land and building on your own versus buying a presale home versus buying a pre-existing construction is something that an experienced independent real estate advisor should be able to explain. Ilan Vainer Cohen, a Mexican resident who has spent most of his career in real estate development, says that getting the timing right can be a tough call. 

“I’ve had clients who wanted to buy a [presale] condo too early and some too late. Say you find a property in development for US $300,000. If you were to put a down payment, you’d be buying the vision of what your condo might be. [But] it’s a double-edged sword because you can’t foresee any problems that may occur in construction: Maybe the developer will fall behind schedule, and you’ll have to wait longer to move in. It’s the risk you take when you go that route.”

“But if you wait until [the property is]  finished to buy, the price may be US $450,000 because of all the effort that went into getting your dream home to market. The more [work] a developer [does] on a building, the more expensive the units will be at the end.”

For reasons like these, it’s also important to check the developer’s track record and reputation in the local community. If its history dictates a solid resume of quality buildings completed on time, it’s a safer investment. If not, you’ll save yourself the headache by moving on to another development project that’s more worth your time. 

An architect in a red blazer reviews detailed floor plans with a male and female client, illustrating the design and planning phase for building a home in Mexico.
A presale, known in Mexico as a preventa, can be a money saver, but research your rights under Mexican law — as well as your developer’s track record. (Ivan S./Pexels)

This is another reason why having a local real estate professional on your team is worth the investment. 

Of course, all this information only scratches the surface of knowing how to invest in the Mexican real estate market. But if there’s one solid takeaway, Mexico has its own unique way of doing things much like the United States, Canada, or anywhere else in the world. It’s important to do your homework. Another good piece of advice is to connect with other foreigners who have built here. Their experiences can tell you a lot, often in plain language that’s easier to understand, about what to expect from the process — and what to watch out for.

Have you built a home from scratch or bought a presale (preventa) in Mexico? Do you have any advice for foreign buyers? Let us know in the comments below.

Ian Ostroff is an indie author, journalist, and copywriter from Montreal, Canada. You can find his work in various outlets, including Map Happy and The Suburban. When he’s not writing, you can find Ian at the gym, a café, or anywhere within Mexico visiting family and friends.

What’s on in the Riviera Maya in December

By
MND Plus
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0
Transcend this astral plane, as the Riviera Maya has no shortage of spirituality throughout the holiday season. (Rave Jungle)

Wine Fests and World Salsa Championships start this December with some decadence and devilishly good dance moves. Add in some fun in the sun with Bluegrass festivals and Frisbee beach tournaments and it’s a great time in the Riviera Maya. If you prefer something a little calmer, then paint your own Christmas presents, or get in touch with your ancestors with an oracle reading. 

Euroson Latino World Salsa Championship

Promo - Euroson Latino 2024

I’m tempted to head to Cancún for this one. Dancers from 36 Latin American nations compete in what is hailed as the biggest world championship on the planet. This is must see event for any lover of music or dance. Chock full of workshops with industry-leading instructors, renowned orchestras, popular performers and after-parties to dance the night away, it’s three days of fun and sensational salsa to end year with a bang. 

Date: 1-6 December
Location: Hotel Grand Oasis Cancún
Cost: 1,600 pesos single or 4,200 pesos for a full pass

Gemini Full Moon

Count me in for this one! I’ve always been a little curious about different cultures’ ties to celestial bodies and I think this would be a beautiful and interesting experience for any astronomer. An intimate oceanfront gathering that includes moon gazing, inner connection, and a guided meditation. It also includes insights into astrology and cultural ties to the moon, creating a soulful evening of shared wisdom. And who doesn’t love a beach picnic? Drink and appetizers served.

Date: 4 December, 6 – 9 p.m.
Location: Oceanfront Hotel Panamera, Tulum
Cost: 535 pesos

Wine Fest 10th Anniversary

Wine Fest

An immersive journey through the five senses. With five hours of toasting and tasting, enjoy this unique experience that combines wine, gastronomy, and entertainment in the sophisticated surroundings of The Fives, Playa del Carmen. Tickets range from 1,490 to 1,790 pesos, with group and presale deals. The dress code is white-casual and attendance is limited, so book now to make sure you don’t miss out!

Date: 6 December, 6 -11 p.m.
Location: The Fives Plaza, Playa del Carmen
Cost: 1,490 pesos

Bacalar Fiesta Cosmica

I love Bacalar and this would be a perfect evening concert after dinner along the waterfront for anyone in town. The event features a fusion of three unique music projects — lengualerta, cuervocuervomusic, and galactika_deep_roots — paired with psychedelic visuals by @carlos_vj_infante. Described as the most eclectic tour of the year in the Yucatán Peninsula, the celebration combines live music and immersive visual art for a distinctive night. Come and get in touch with nature on the shores of Mexico’s most beautiful lagoon. 

Date: 6 December, 8 p.m. – midnight.
Location: Maiz Azul, Avenida 3, Bacalar.
Cost: 200 pesos

Strings and Sol

I’ll admit, this looks amazing. Enjoy a quick listen and get a sneak peak of the fun and frivolity of Strings & Sol here. It’s an annual crowd-pleaser and holiday rolled into one. In true Mexican Caribbean style you can enjoy the music floating in a pool with a swim-up bar…who doesn’t love that!  

Date: 11-15 December
Location: Sapphire and Dreams Riviera. Puerto Morelos
Cost: Varied

Caribbean Ultimate Frisbee tournament

The Caribbean Classic is fun for the whole family. Frisbee enthusiasts will be in their element, but if you’re like me and love hanging out at the beach, having fun with friends, and enjoying a beach picnic, then this one’s also for you. Energy, fun in the sun, and sportsmanship await you on the beaches of Puerto Morelos.

Date: 13-14 December, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Playa Sol, Puerto Morelos
Cost: free

Maya Marathon – Run in the Jungle

(Wild Marathon)

Maya Marathon isn’t for the faint of heart. Experience the Mexican installment of the global Wildmarathon series in Cozumel, with the option to run a marathon, half marathon, or 10k.

In addition to the race, activities include snorkeling, diving, and cultural visits to Mayan ruins. The race route features beach, asphalt, and scenic dirt tracks in Punta Sur Park, with regular aid stations, transfers, meals, and race memorabilia included.

Date: 14 December
Location: Cozumel Island
Cost: US $35-$84

Awakin Fest Tulum 2025

(Eventbrite)

Your ticket includes everything from the sunrise opening ceremony to the sunset closing circle. It’s a day full of ancestral ceremonies, music, workshops and connection practices, healing swims in the cenote sacred waters, and a camping spot for the night. 

There’s also access to the Eco Market full of crafts and natural products. Plus a special area for the kids to enjoy creativity and free expression.

Date: 19 December
Location: Zenote, Tulum
Cost: Adults 1,200 pesos, kids 550 pesos

Ancestral Journeys

(Eventbrite)

Enter a candlelit, jungle-inspired sanctuary in town and reconnect with Universal Wisdom and Optimal Health through a guided group experience. Each session includes energy clearing, gentle clothed massage, breath and presence practices, an oracle reading with Q&A, and Toltec and Maya teachings for real-life integration. Expect warm chai, supportive guidance for seekers of all levels, simple preparation, and an intimate, heart-centered space whose exact address is shared after registration.

Date: 23 December, 6 pm – 7:30 pm
Location: A secret location in Tulum, revealed on purchase
Cost: 380 pesos with two-for-one deals available

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