The Mexican navy's massive cocaine haul on display. (Semar/X)
The Mexican navy seized 4.2 tonnes of cocaine and arrested five suspects in two operations off the coast of the southwestern state of Guerrero.
The latest seizure brings the total amount of cocaine confiscated since President Claudia Sheinbaum took office on Oct. 1, 2024, to 36 tonnes.
Hoy, #21DeAbril, día en que conmemoramos la hazaña de aquellos cadetes navales que dieron hasta su vida por la patria, con orgullo demostramos que los #MarinosMexicanos mantenemos vivo ese legado de valentía, lealtad y amor por México.
In a press release, the Naval Ministry reported that the first incident occurred after a navy Panther helicopter spotted a “go-fast” boat with five people aboard in the Pacific Ocean.
Navy ships were on the scene quickly, arresting the five men and towing the boat to a navy pier. Marines confiscated 38 packages containing dozens of bricks of a white substance similar to cocaine hydrochloride. The five men and the 1.8 tonnes of contraband were turned over to the Federal Attorney General’s Office (FGR).
In the second incident, a helicopter patrol spotted 64 sacks floating in the waters off the coast of Guerrero. Navy personnel collected the packages, which also contained dozens of bricks of a white-powdered substance totaling 2.4 tonnes.
The contraband was turned over to the FGR, which has opened an investigation.
The navy said the latest seizures are part of the military’s ongoing maritime, air and land surveillance operations “to constrain the actions of criminals and guarantee and maintain the Rule of Law in Mexican waters.”
Government security officials estimate the seizures since Oct. 1 have cost drug cartels roughly 9 billion pesos (US $459 million).
President Sheinbaum on Tuesday called Pope Francis's death a "painful loss" for Catholics and non-Catholics alike. (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro)
A day after Mexico’s government joined global leaders in mourning the death of Pope Francis, President Claudia Sheinbaum reiterated that the pontiff’s legacy would be his enduring message and belief in “love of your neighbor.”
Sheinbaum also announced that Interior Minister Rosa Icela Rodríguez would travel to Rome to represent Mexico at the pope’s funeral on Saturday.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum paid tribute to Pope Francis on Monday, describing him as a “humanist, and a man who was always close to the most humble, to the poor.” pic.twitter.com/KWXbwQxvrK
In a brief elegy, Sheinbaum described Francis as a humanist who sided with the meek and the poor, while promoting peace and equality. “For Catholics and even those who aren’t, this is a painful loss,” she said. “It was an honor and a privilege to have met him.”
Rodríguez, in a statement posted on X, lauded Francis’ propensity to use his words to promote world peace.
“It is with deep sorrow that we bid farewell … to the first Latin American pontiff, His Holiness Francis … leader of the #IglesiaCatólica since 2013, who always stood on the side of the poor and of justice.”
Other cabinet officials joined in lamenting the pope’s death.
In a social media post, Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard said Pope Francis “was very kind to Mexico, we will always remember him with gratitude and appreciation.”
On Monday, Mexico City’s Metropolitan Cathedral marked the pope’s death with a funeral tolling of its largest bell, the 29,000-pound Santa María de Guadalupe bell.
Mexico City’s Metropolitan Cathedral joined the nation in honoring the late Pope Francis on Monday. (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro)
The death of the 88-year-old pontiff on Monday saddened Mexicans from all walks of life. Mexico is home to more than 90 million Catholics, second only to Brazil’s 123 million.
Need a break at Latin America's busiest airport? We've got you covered with dining reccomendations — everything from Mexican staple dishes to sushi. (Arlette Lopez/Shutterstock)
Mexico City International Airport (AICM) can be a chaotic place. After all, it’s Latin America’s busiest airport.
Luckily, there are plenty of delicious havens to enjoy a meal here and get away from the hustle and bustle.
Passing through Mexico City’s crowded airport can be stressful. But a great meal at a great airport restaurant can make you forget all that for a while. (Victoria Valtierra Ruvalcaba/Cuartoscuro)
The great thing about the restaurants in a cosmopolitan airport like AICM is that you can find high-quality, diverse cuisines at a wide variety of price ranges.
Whether you’re flying in or out of AICM — or killing time during a layover — here are some of my favorite places to eat at the Benito Juárez International Airport.
La Mansión is so delicious, I once nearly missed a flight because I was still indulging in their delicious cajeta (caramel sauce made with goat’s milk) crepes.
Offering a sophisticated environment away from the airport’s hustle, La Mansión holds its reputation as one of the capital’s top dining chains. Its popularity stems in large part from its staple dish, lomo al limón – thinly sliced steak bathed in a scrumptious lime and butter sauce.
If you’re there for breakfast, try their popular machaca eggs or enchiladas suizas – a great choice for some preflight fuel.
The lounge, bar, and restaurant at the Hilton hotel inside the AICM might be the airport’s best-kept secret. Offering staple Mexican dishes such as Baja tacos (breaded shrimp and tortilla) and the famous Caesar salad, this quiet, elegant place is the perfect escape from AICM’s noise and crowds. Plus, you can enjoy your meal or a refreshing cocktail with a show – watching airplanes take off and land.
AICM’s Hilton offers a refuge from the bustle of Mexico City’s busy airport, where you can watch the planes take off and land. (Hilton)
Location:
Terminal 1, up the escalators from Gate 8. Hours: 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Featuring a sleek sushi bar, Iwashi’s rolls are meant to be savored, making it an ideal spot for travelers with a layover of more than a few hours at AICM.
The restaurant is owned by Mexican Japanese Edo López, founder of Edo Kobayashi Group. With the mission to spread Japanese cuisine throughout the country, his restaurant portfolio includes 15 Japanese restaurants across Mexico and the United States.
Sit at Iwashi’s sushi bar and watch the chef make your order before your eyes. (Iwashi/Instagram)
From nigiri to maki rolls and salmon bowls, this top-quality Japanese restaurant will make you forget you’re eating at an airport.
Location:
After passing security checks at Terminal 2
Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Loma Linda, Mexico City’s first Argentine steak house, conveniently has multiple branches in the Mexico City airport, in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
With a warm and cozy atmosphere, this restaurant serves everything from traditional Argentine cuts to Mexican comfort foods like sopa de fideo and huevos a la Mexicana. Whether you’re stopping there for breakfast, lunch or dinner, Loma Linda will satisfy any craving.
Loma Linda Grill has superior steaks and a host of classic comfort food. (Loma Linda Grill)
Other must-try dishes include the guacamole, chilaquiles with cecina (dried meat) and the avocado toast.
Locations:
Terminal 1, Gate 21. Terminal 2, Gates 62 and 66. Hours: Open 24 hours
It is no secret that Terminal 1 is AICM’s least preferred terminal. However, it is home to a hidden gem that makes any layover there worth it: Spanish restaurant Tasca Don Quino.
Known among locals as “the airport’s tortas place,” this modest corner of the airport offers the perfect preflight quick bite. Their signature torta de jamón, is a favorite of everyone from Mexican celebrities to politicians.
Try Tasca Don Quino for hearty Spanish tapas and tortas. (Trip Advisor)
Beyond the well-known tortas, expect to find pinchos (slices of bread with a small portion of food on top) and potato omelettes, served plain or with jamón.
If you’re short on time between flights, tacos at El Fogoncito should be your go-to.
This beloved taquería is one of Mexico City’s most popular. Famous for having invented the gringa, its restaurants stretch out as far as Costa Rica, Honduras and even China.
Craving well-done, classic Mexican food? Fogoncito epitomizes the common Mexican saying, “barriga llena, corazón contento” (full belly, happy heart). (Fogoncito)
Expect to find here classics like tacos al pastor, alambres (tacos with beef, bacon, bell pepper and onion), sopes (small but thick fried masa tortillas with various toppings), chicharrón de queso, quesadillas and more.
Locations:
Three locations at Terminal 2 Four locations at Terminal 1 Hours: 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
What are your recommendations for great dining at AICM? Share them with us in the comments below!
Gabriela Solis is a Mexican lawyer turned full-time writer. She was born and raised in Guadalajara and covers business, culture, lifestyle and travel for Mexico News Daily. You can follow her lifestyle blog Dunas y Palmeras.
President Sheinbaum said the Ecuadorian government hadn't provided evidence or shared the source of its claims that Mexican assassins were coming after its president. (Presidencia)
President Claudia Sheinbaum offered her condolences for the death of Pope Francis at the beginning of her Monday morning press conference, joining the public mourning of people around the world.
In her Q&A session with reporters, she highlighted her government’s response to a claim that criminals from Mexico were planning to assassinate the president of Ecuador.
Among other issues, Sheinbaum responded to a question about her call last week with United States President Donald Trump and acknowledged some of the current sources of tension in the Mexico-U.S. relationship.
Government denies claim that ‘hired killers from Mexico’ are planning to kill president of Ecuador
Sheinbaum noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) responded to a claim that “hired killers from Mexico and other countries” were planning to assassinate Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, who was re-elected on April 13.
The statement referred to “intelligence information that warns of the preparation of an assassination, terrorist attacks and the heating-up of streets through violent protests.”
The Ministry of Government didn’t specifically refer to “hired killers from Mexico,” but asserted that it is “deplorable that criminal structures, in complicity with political sectors defeated at the ballot boxes, intend to impose chaos through violence, fear and terror.”
“… The state is on maximum alert,” it said.
Sheinbaum — who said last week that Mexico had no plans to restore diplomatic relations with Ecuador that it broke after a 2024 raid on its embassy in Quito — said that the Ecuadorian government hadn’t provided any proof for its claims or revealed the source of the information.
In the statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it “categorically rejects the repeated and unscrupulous creation of narratives in official statements and/or leaks of official documents, which refer to Mexico as the source of supposed criminal acts or internal situations in that country [Ecuador].”
“The breaking-off of diplomatic relations with the Republic of Ecuador occurred due to the violent assault on the Embassy of Mexico in Quito on April 5, 2024, in flagrant violation of international law,” the SRE added.
Sheinbaum elaborates on her call with Trump
A reporter asked the president whether she could provide additional details about her call last Wednesday with Trump, which both leaders described as “very productive.”
Sheinbaum said that she and the U.S. president spoke about the tariffs the United States has imposed on steel, aluminum and cars made in Mexico, and all other countries around the world.
“We didn’t reach an agreement, but we did put forward arguments,” she said.
Sheinbaum said that she pointed out that Mexico has a deficit with the United States on the trade of steel and aluminum, a situation the Mexican government has highlighted on various occasions.
Sheinbaum said she discussed steel, aluminum and auto tariffs in her call with Trump last week. (Carlos Aranda/Unsplash)
She also said she advocated “zero tariffs” on products that fall under the USMCA, the North American free trade pact that superseded NAFTA in 2020.
With regard to the tariffs on vehicles made in Mexico, Sheinbaum declined to comment on the specifics of her conversation with Trump, but told reporters that, as “always,” she defended Mexico’s interests.
In subsequent remarks, she reiterated that an agreement with the United States on the trade of steel, aluminum and cars has not yet been reached, but stressed that there is communication between Mexico and its northern neighbor, both at the ministerial and presidential level.
“Our goal in the next 40 days is to achieve the best conditions among all countries of the world for the [Mexican] auto industry,” he said.
“The same thing for steel and aluminum,” Ebrard added.
Other tensions in the Mexico-US relationship
Sheinbaum acknowledged that tomatoes and water are other sources of tension in Mexico’s relationship with the United States.
The U.S. is the destination for the vast majority of Mexico’s tomato exports, the target of a recently announced tariff. (Dassaev Téllez Adame/Cuartoscuro)
Sheinbaum didn’t say whether she spoke to Trump about the tomato and water issues, but stressed that her government is discussing them with its U.S. counterpart.
Mexico is struggling to supply the water it owes to the United States due to drought, which has been particularly severe in the north of the country.
In Santa Clara del Cobre, Michoacán, an impressive 82% of residents are involved in the copper artisan business. (Government of Mexico)
One beauty of Mexico is its extraordinary artisans, Michoacán’s artisans topping the list. The many villages dotting the state are famous for their unique crafts.
We decided to explore some on a recent trip to the state capital of Morelia. Our tour guide, Rueben Reyes, took us to several places in our quest to find treasures for my home in Zihuatanejo. Among those places were the village of Cuanajo, which specializes in beautiful hand-carved, hand-painted furniture — from rustic pine designs to the more elaborate and expensive ones made from parota wood. We also visited Capula, just a short drive away, which specializes in Catrinas of all sizes.
Copper projects in various stages of completion in the studio of the Pérez Pamatz family in Santa Clara del Cobre, Michoacán. (Elisabeth Ashe)
One standout for me was Santa Clara del Cobre, best known as the town of coppersmiths.
A designated Magical Town (Pueblo Mágico) since 2010, Santa Clara del Cobre is located 18 kilometers from Pátzcuaro and 79 kilometers from Morelia, the state capital.
The Purépecha people have been working copper here since the pre-Hispanic era, which led to the town’s dominance in copper crafts well into the 19th century. After nearly dying out by the mid-20th century, the art has been revived by tourism, and today, 82% of the town’s population makes copper items, and over 250 registered workshops in and around the city process 450 tons of copper each year.
Each year, at the end of July, the town holds an artisan fair showcasing the many artists and studios, the National Copper Fair, also choosing a queen to preside over the festivities.
The book “Grandes Maestros del Arte Popular Mexicano” featured copper artist Jesús Pérez Ornelas, considered one of the most outstanding craftsmen of his time. Pérez, who passed away nearly 10 years ago, was most famous for his intricate engraving, the beauty of his designs and the quality of his finishings.
He worked well into his 70s in Mexico and abroad and was dedicated to his craft and to teaching others in Santa Clara del Cobre. Like his father before him, Pérez, also a gifted storyteller, passed his enormous skill onto his three sons, Ambrosio, Jose Sagrario and Napoleón Pérez Pamatz.
I was fortunate to visit the well-ventilated, open-roofed shop where the magic happens, located adjacent to the family home, typical of most local coppersmiths here. I spoke to Jesús’ youngest son, Napoleón, who explained the fascinating steps in making this truly intricate art.
The late copper artisan Jesús Pérez Ornelas was a huge influence on Santa Clara del Cobre, teaching others, including a subsequent generation of his family, his art. Here he is seen working on a piece for the staff of the bishop of Tacámbaro de Codallos, in Michoacán. (ResearchGate)
“We learned how to make copper at our father’s knee from the time we were six, seven years old,” he said. “Our first job was to fan the fires using huge billows called bechizo. The boy who maintains the fire is known as a zorillo, or ‘little fox.’ Almost all coppersmiths begin the trade this way.”
He pointed to the tools that surrounded him. They included anvils, picks of various sizes, awls, chisels, hammers and pliers. “Then we learn to use these.”
To demonstrate, Napoleón heated a piece of metal until the copper was red-hot and removed it from the coals and ash with large tongs. Then, with a hammer and precise, even blows, he struck the copper until it began to take shape. Occasionally, he reheated the piece and continued to hammer it into a small bowl.
“Next, we will polish the piece,” he said.
Napoleón demonstrated this by rubbing a cloth onto the copper.
“And then we etch in intricate designs, like flowers, animals or anything the client wants. My family is known for these designs made famous by my father,” he said. “The final step is a sulfuric acid bath rubbed with steel wool dipped in soap and water, followed by another polishing.”
Napoleon Pérez Pamatz hammering out a piece of copper in the family workshop. (Elisabeth Ashe)
Seeing the passion the family poured into every piece, and the generational history of the family itself, I was hopeful I would find something to take home with me. However, unlike the shops that line downtown Santa Clara — which is well worth the stroll — there were more pieces in various stages of design than there were finished works.
I then spotted a stunningly beautiful copper bowl on a workbench set to one side. When I learned it was for sale (4,000 pesos), I promptly bought it. It was one of Napoleón’s.
While I waited, he signed it for me, and it now sits proudly on a credenza in my living room, where I will treasure it for years to come.
The writer divides her time between Canada and Zihuatanejo.
This recipe takes the tangy-twist trend in desserts and applies it to a classic lemon-beer cake — Mexican style, of course! (AI-generated image)
Dessert trends are impacting 2025, from culinary fusion to the effortless ease of dump cakes to even nostalgic desserts with a twist (adding new flavors to classic favorites).
These include the popular avocado ice-cream or dessert tacos, made by baking the shells (with a light coat of oil and cinnamon) and filling them with nonfat, fruit-flavored yogurt topped by fresh fruits, coconut flakes, nuts or chia seeds.
But maybe Mexico has made more of a mark on international cuisine than international cuisine has made on it.
Mexican food restaurants abound, not only in the U.S. but also in Canada. And desserts made with cajeta or dulce de leche have become a part of English lingo — and who hasn’t enjoyed a slice of tres leches cake?
It may be unique, but not a new concept. The Irish have been doing it for centuries with Guinness, since beer/stout was often used for taste and as a leavening agent (and still is). After all, who could celebrate St. Patrick’s Day without a rich slice of Guinness Chocolate Cake?
So, in that spirit, let’s make a Mexican Modelo-Lime Cake, with Modelo Especial (the U.S.’s best-selling beer) and fresh Mexican limes and finish it off with a ricotta cheese and honey frosting, crowned by more tropical fruits like mangos and pineapple. Disfruta!
This Mexican Lime cake’s decadent frosting is made with quark and ricotta cheese. (AI-generated image)
Mexican Modelo-Lime Cake with Ricotta Honey Frosting
Cake:
Ingredients:
1 3/4 Cups (210 g): All-purpose flour*
* Mexican brands closest to American all-purpose: Espuma de Chapala or Selecta All-Purpose Flour
3/4 Cup (150 g), Brown sugar (azúcar moreno)
2 Tbs. (25 g) Caster Sugar* (azúcar estándar)
* Caster sugar is superfine sugar. To make it, pulse granulated sugar in a blender or food processor until fine but not powdered.
3 Tbs. (42.6 g) Unsalted Butter (mantequilla sin sal)
3 Eggs (huevos)
1 Tbs. (15 ml) Honey (miel)
2 Tbs. (30 ml) Fresh Lime Juice and Zest: Juice and zest of 1 lime (jugo de limón)
3/4 Cup (180 ml) Modelo Especial® Beer
2 Tbs. (30 ml) Virgin Olive Oil (aceite de oliva extra virgen)
½ tsp. (2.4 g) Baking Powder (polvo de hornear)
½ tsp. (2.8 g) Baking Soda (bicarbonato de sodio)
Pinch, Sea Salt (sal de mar)
Pinch, Cinnamon or cayenne pepper (canela molida o pimienta de cayena)
Instructions:
First:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease an 8-inch loose-base cake tin (or springform pan that’s wrapped with aluminum foil to prevent leaks).
Next:
In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda and a pinch of salt. Set aside.
Using a stand mixer, combine lime zest, brown sugar, caster sugar and butter. Beat until well combined.
Add eggs one at a time, incorporating well between additions.
Add lime juice, beer, honey and olive oil. Mix until combined.
Slowly add the flour mixture and mix until just combined.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Frosting:
Ingredients:
3/4 Cup (220 g) Ricotta cheese (queso ricotta)
1/3 Cup (100 g) Quark cheese (queso quark)
To substitute for quark cheese, use mascarpone cheese and add 1 – 2 Tbs. lime juice to increase tanginess, depending on your taste.
2 Tbs. (30 ml) Honey (miel)
2 Tbs. (30 ml) Demerara Sugar or Brown Sugar (azúcar moreno)
A raw sugar minimally processed made from sugarcane and molasses. You can sub light-brown or dark-brown sugar for Demerara.
2 Tbs. (10 g) Lime Zest: Zest of one lime (ralladura de limón)
1 tsp. (5 ml) Vanilla extract (extracto de vainilla)
Mexican brands noted for their intense flavor: Villa Vainilla; Vainilla Totonac’s; Molina Vainilla
Additions: Pineapple and mangos, cinnamon (piña, mangos, canela)
Instructions:
Prepare the frosting by mixing ricotta, quark (or mascarpone), lime zest and honey.
Refrigerate until ready to use.
Once the cake is cooled, spread the frosting on top and decorate with fresh fruits and a sprinkle of cinnamon if desired.
Disfruta!
Deborah McCoy is the one-time author of mainstream, bridal-reference books who has turned her attention to food, particularly sweets, desserts and fruits. She is the founder of CakeChatter™ on FaceBook and X (Twitter), and the author of four baking books for “Dough Punchers” via CakeChatter (available @amazon.com). She is also the president of The American Academy of Wedding Professionals™ (aa-wp.com).
The confusion that reigned after the U.S. classified beer as an aluminum derivative has been resolved after that country's commerce department sent an email clarification to the publication Politico. (Shutterstock)
After a lot of confusion due to ambiguous and apparently incorrect official information, it has become clear that Mexican beer may, in fact, be shipped tariff-free to the United States provided it complies with the rules of the USMCA free trade pact.
However, consumers in the United States could still face higher prices when buying cans of Mexican beer as a 25% tariff on imported aluminum cans is in effect.
Citing information from the United States Department of Commerce, the El Economista newspaper reported on Sunday that while U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a 25% tariff on beer cans (and empty aluminum cans), the duty doesn’t apply to the beer itself.
El Economista’s reporting comes after the digital newspaper Politico said earlier this month that it received an emailed statement from a Commerce Department official which clarified that “tariffs on imported beer only apply to the value of the aluminum content of the beer can, and not to the beer itself.”
Mexico News Daily reported at the time that as beer itself isn’t an “aluminum derivative product,” it appeared that only canned beer — the beer and its receptacle — would be affected by the 25% tariff.
An example of the kind of confusion that reigned after the United States’ supposed imposition of a tariff on beer imported in cans came in an April 10 statement issued by the Brewers of Europe association.
“When beer has been part of our culture on both sides of the Atlantic for hundreds of years, it is disappointing to see it downgraded to the status of ‘aluminum derivative’!” the association said.
In addition to the reporting by El Economista and Politico, other sources — albeit not U.S. government ones — indicate that Mexican beer is not currently subject to a 25% tariff when shipped to the United States.
According to Hillebrand Gori, an international logistics company specializing in beer and other alcoholic beverages, “if the value of the can and the beer is separated, the 25% applies to the aluminum can, and the country tariff rate applies to the beer.”
In light of the U.S. communication with Politico, it appears the 25% tariff will apply to the value of the aluminum in imported beer cans, excluding the value of the cans’ contents. (Edgardo Moya/Shutterstock)
Beer shipped to the United States from many other countries, such as European nations, faces a 10% tariff.
On Monday, Mexico News Daily contacted U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Constellation Brands — a major exporter of beer from Mexico to the United States — to seek additional confirmation that tariffs did not apply to Mexican beer. Neither had responded by 2 p.m. Mexico City time.
Mexico hit hardest by tariff on cans
Mexico is the biggest exporter of both beer and empty aluminum cans to the United States, meaning that that the 25% tariff on cans of Mexican lager, as well as unfilled cans, will affect it more than any other country.
Citing data from the U.S. Department of Commerce, the El Universal newspaper reported on Sunday that Mexico exported 1.127 billion empty 355-milliliter cans to its northern neighbor last year. The export of the empty cans generated revenue of US $135 million, according to El Economista and other media outlets.
Foreign trade consultant Víctor Pacheco told El Universal that the 25% tariff on aluminum cans is aimed at increasing production of the product in the United States. Trump asserts that his protectionist policies will lead to increased production of a wide range of products in the United States, including cars, on which he has also placed tariffs.
With regard to beer, Mexico was easily the world’s largest exporter to the United States in 2024, selling product worth almost $6.3 billion to its northern neighbor to capture 82.5% of the market for imports of the beverage.
Nearly 60% of Mexico’s beer export revenue came from bottled beer, with beer in cans and other packaging accounted for the remaining 40%. (Tecate)
Almost 60% of the revenue came from beer sent in glass bottles while beer in other packaging (mainly cans) generated just under 40% of the earnings.
Given that a 25% tariff is applicable to beer cans imported to the United States, cans of Corona, Modelo Especial, Tecate and other Mexican beers were expected to become more expensive in the U.S.
Constellation Brands, which brews Grupo Modelo beers in Mexico for export to the United States, is the company most affected by the can tariff, according to El Economista.
Earlier this month, Constellation Brands lowered its long-term earnings guidance for 2027 and 2028, citing in part “the anticipated impact of tariffs,” according to a CNBC report.
“The guidance that we have provided reflects the fact that there are a lot of unknowns today, including things like tariffs,” said CEO Bill Newlands.
Sheinbaum has introduced legislation that would ban foreign propaganda like the recent ads featuring U.S. Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem from being shown in Mexico. (Screen capture)
The U.S. government took its anti-immigration message to Mexican airwaves over the weekend, prompting criticism from President Claudia Sheinbaum.
On Monday, Sheinbaum ordered television networks to remove the U.S. ad from circulation in Mexico and announced she is preparing legislation to prevent foreign governments from disseminating propaganda in the Mexican media.
WARNING - International
During her Monday morning press conference, Sheinbaum said she sent a formal note to TV networks last week, calling on them to stop airing the ad, which announces that law enforcement officials will “hunt down” migrants who enter the United States illegally. The ad was aired during Mexican Soccer League matches over the weekend.
Critics — Sheinbaum among them — insist the ad is discriminatory, criminalizes migrants and violates the Mexican Constitution.
Sheinbaum said Noem’s ad is “an attack on human dignity and promotes acts of retaliation and violence” toward migrants. She said it contradicts her government’s objective — also embodied in the Constitution — to promote a society free of discrimination.
The reform bill will restore the clause (eliminated in 2014) that “prohibited radio and television networks from transmitting political, ideological or commercial propaganda sponsored by foreign governments and foreign agencies.” It will also reinstate the ban on “foreign” ads that attempt to influence Mexico’s domestic politics.
The ad in question is narrated by U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem:
“Thank you, President Donald J. Trump, for securing our border and putting America first. President Trump has a clear message: if you are here illegally, we will find you and deport you. You will never return. But if you leave now, you may have an opportunity to return and enjoy our freedom and live the American Dream. If you are a criminal alien considering entering America illegally: Don’t even think about it. If you come here and break our laws, we will hunt you down. Criminals are not welcome in the United States.”
The ad became a hot topic over the weekend after it was seen by millions of viewers who tuned in to the soccer matches on TV Azteca and Televisa.
The U.S. ad campaign, which features four other ads proclaiming that “criminals are not welcome in the United States,” first aired in Mexico in early April.
Shortly after, the National Council for the Prevention of Discrimination (Conapred) reportedly received a flood of complaints.
Citing violations of Article 1 of the Constitution — guaranteeing human rights and freedoms to all individuals in Mexico and prohibiting discrimination — Conapred sent a formal letter to media outlets last week, “inviting” them not to air such ads. The news that Conapred’s request was ignored prompted Sheinbaum’s follow-up response on Monday.
Dr. Ernesto Villanueva, an expert on digital rights, told the news site Animal Político that the U.S. message attacks human dignity by relying on stereotypes, victimizing migrants and violating basic human rights. Villanueva said the ad not only stigmatizes migrants but also brands the poor and dark-skinned as undesirable.
Jorge Bravo, president of the Mexican Association for the Right to Information (AMEDI), said that even though there is no law banning such ads in Mexico, domestic TV networks are “audacious” for airing them.
“Obviously, they are being paid for these ads,” Bravo said, “but the government has the right to intervene” to defend Mexico’s fundamental principles.
Tourists crowd the beaches of Caleta and Caletilla in Acapulco's Traditional Zone. (Carlos Alberto Carbajal/Cuartoscuro)
The resort city of Acapulco, which was severely damaged by Hurricane Otis in October 2023, led hotel occupancy during the Easter holiday season, with a 92% occupancy rate according to data from the Ministry of Tourism (Sectur).
These figures place the city as the destination with the highest Holy Week occupancy rate in the country, surpassing tourism destinations like Mazatlán, Cancún, Puerto Escondido and Puerto Vallarta.
Sectur reported that the high tourist influx was distributed across the port’s main areas. The Diamond Zone, known for housing the iconic hotel Princess Mundo Imperial, reported an occupancy rate of 92%. Meanwhile in the Golden Zone, at the foot of the Miguel Alemán coastline, 93% of rooms were booked.
Finally, the area known as Acapulco Tradicional reported 90% occupancy.
After Hurricane Otis hit Acapulco as a Category 5 storm in 2023, Guerrero’s top beach destination was decimated. The recovery was complicated by the arrival of Hurricane John just a year later. Acapulco continues to rebuild, and currently operates with 15,000 rooms distributed across 274 hotels — 76% of what its hospitality sector offered pre-Otis.
Booking.com data revealed that Acapulco was among the destinations with the highest number of reservations from April 17 to 20, along with Veracruz, Puerto Vallarta and Puerto Escondido.
“How wonderful! Long live Acapulco,” President Claudia Sheinbaum said after learning the hotel occupancy figures. “How great that the [Guerrero’s and Acapulco’s] governor and mayor are promoting the return of cruise ships to the port,” she said, while highlighting the importance of tourism as a driver of economic development.
Sheinbaum’s statement came in response to an article published by the newspaper El País, which contrasted the arrival of tourist cruise ships with the port’s recovery and escalating violence.
Meanwhile, the Hotel Association of Cancún, Puerto Morelos and Isla Mujeres reported an average occupancy rate of between 65% and 70% in downtown and beach hotels. It also revealed that Cancún, historically one of the leading international destinations of the region, received an average of 485 daily flights — significantly below the 600 daily flights that the association had expected during Holy Week.
Michoacán, Morelos, Guerrero and Oaxaca could see maximum temperatures of 40 to 45 degrees Celsius this week. (Magdalena Montiel/Cuartoscuro)
Prepare your wardrobe for a variety of weather this week: Mexico is set to experience contrasting climates thanks to an overlapping cold front and heat wave.
According to the National Meteorological Service (SMN), northern Mexico will see thunderstorms and strong winds, while the center and southern parts of the country could see some of the highest temperatures recorded so far this season.
Throughout the day, cold front no. 39 will remain stationary in the northeast, sending strong gusts of wind and rain to the Baja California peninsula and Sonora.
By Tuesday, the cold front will extend over the northern border, bringing cold weather and possible frost to high elevation areas of Chihuahua, Durango, Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sonora and Zacatecas.
Meanwhile, a heat wave is expected to bring scorching temperatures of up to 45 degrees Celsius in several areas of the country. The states affected include the following:
Maximum temperatures of 40 to 45 degrees Celsius: Michoacán, Morelos, Guerrero and Oaxaca.
Maximum temperatures of 35 to 40 degrees Celsius: Sonora, Sinaloa, Nayarit, Jalisco, Colima, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosí, Zacatecas, Durango, Guanajuato, Querétaro, Hidalgo, southwest México state, Puebla, Veracruz, Tabasco, Chiapas, Campeche and Yucatán.
Maximum temperatures of 30 to 35 degrees Celsius: low elevation areas of Baja California and Baja California Sur, Aguascalientes, Mexico City, Tlaxcala and Quintana Roo.
Rain is also expected in some states due to low-pressure channels over the Yucatán Peninsula and northern and eastern Mexico. Here is the rain forecast by state:
Heavy rainfall (25 to 50 millimeters): Tamaulipas, Puebla, Veracruz, Oaxaca and Chiapas.
Showers (5 to 25 millimeters): Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Guanajuato, Querétaro, Hidalgo, México state and Tlaxcala.
Scattered showers (0.1 to 5 milliliters): Coahuila, Zacatecas, Mexico City, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán and Quintana Roo.
Authorities have called on residents of these areas to stay well hydrated, wear long-sleeved, light-colored clothing, avoid extended exposure to the sun and pay special attention to children and the elderly.
