Senators from the majority Morena Party vote Wednesday on the reform bill of the Amparo Law, which was approved 81-37 after earlier approval by the Chamber of Deputies.
(Galo Cañas/Cuartoscuro.com)
A major reform to Mexico’s long-established legal rights protection law known as the amparo, has been approved by both chambers of Congress.
The reform, proposed by President Claudia Sheinbaum, has generated intense political and legal debate, with opposition parties claiming it will accomplish the opposite of its intended objective of facilitating access to amparo protection.
Opposition lawmakers in the lower house express their displeasure with the reform of the Amparo Law. (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro)
But the comfortable majority enjoyed by the president’s party (Morena), along with its congressional allies (the Green Party and Labor Party), resulted in Senate passage by a vote of 81-37 after a quick but winding journey through the two chambers. The Senate approved the presidential initiative on Wednesday on a fast-track basis, bypassing committees, after the Lower House gave its approval early Wednesday morning, with a key amendment that remains controversial.
The Amparo Law is the regulatory norm for Articles 103 and 107 of the Constitution that establishes the rules for amparo proceedings. It is a legal mechanism designed to protect individuals against laws, acts, or omissions of authorities that infringe upon their human rights.
The reform was introduced in the interest of efficiency and fairness, but also in response to concerns about the difficulty in collecting outstanding tax payments. Its supporters contend that abusive use of injunctions has been increasing by wealthy individuals to avoid paying taxes.
Thus, according to Sheinbaum, the bill will allow for the release of more than 2 billion pesos (US $108 million) in tax credits held up in court due to protracted litigation via successive injunctions.
Other approved changes include allowing digital technology in the proceedings, including to file for an amparo; time limit on judges to issue rulings; and making it difficult to receive amparo protection for a case previously decided.
Critics have said that the new law compromises access to justice. For instance, under the new terms of the law, a general concern or indirect damage are no longer sufficient cause to file an amparo lawsuit. Another concern includes the new scenarios in which a provisional suspension (halting the allegedly abusive act of the government while the case is being resolved) will not proceed.
One proposed change that experts expected to be removed was in fact amended. Legislators had included a clause that allows the new law to be applied retroactively, affecting cases already initiated under the previous law. This retroactive application was widely criticized and deemed unconstitutional when it was first proposed, as it violates the principle of non-retroactivity of laws in Article 14 of the Constitution.
Critics from the opposition are skeptical that the amended version actually solves the retroactivity question. They warn about a possible “disguised retroactivity” that could be applied at an individual judge’s discretion during an amparo trial already underway.
Arturo Zaldívar, general coordinator of policy and government in the president’s office and a former minister of Mexico’s Supreme Court, insists that the final bill does not violate the retroactivity principle. The new wording, he says, establishes that all concluded amparo proceedings are final and cannot be modified in any way. Only in phases of a current trial yet to commence will the new legal framework apply.
The blue note's portrait of Juárez is familiar to most, but perhaps not the reverse side, which depicts Monte Albán, a Zapotec archaeological site in Oaxaca. (Shutterstock)
The Bank of Mexico (Banxico) has begun withdrawing the blue 20-peso banknote bearing the image of President Benito Juárez, ending nearly 20 years of circulation for one of the country’s most recognizable bills.
The move took effect Oct. 10, according to a notice published in the Official Gazette of the Federation.
One reason for the coming disappearance of the 20-peso banknote is the ongoing move to replace lower-denomination bills with coins, such as this 12-sided 20-peso coin introduced in 2021, the 200th anniversary of Mexico’s final achievement of Independence. (Banxico)
All credit institutions must stop recirculating the note and return it to the central bank.
Its successor — a green-and-reddish horizontally oriented 20-peso bill from the “G family” — was introduced in 2021 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Mexican independence.
That note depicts the moment when the rebel army entered Mexico City in 1821 (Mexican independence was declared the next day) on one side, and the Sian Ka’an Biosphere in Quintana Roo, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site, on the other.
Juárez hasn’t been forgotten; his portrait is on the blue 500-peso note, which debuted in 2018. Its reverse side features a gray whale and her calf in the El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve in Baja California Sur — as representative of Mexico’s coasts, seas and islands ecosystem.
As for that time-worn blue 20-peso still in your possession — don’t worry.
The note remains legal tender for the time being. Holders can continue to use them for payments or deposit them in banks, which must then forward them to the central bank for destruction.
The polymer (durable plastic) bill, introduced in 2007, was the first in its series and distinguished by its small size (120 by 66 millimeters) and predominantly blue color.
Its obverse features Juárez, the popular 19th-century president who enacted Mexico’s Reform Laws in 1859, alongside a scale of justice. The reverse depicts Monte Albán, a Zapotec archaeological site in Oaxaca recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
For many, this bill became a fixture of daily life and a cultural reference, representing everyday commerce as much as national identity. Its vivid blue tone, transparent security window and tactile surface made it instantly recognizable.
The decision to do away with it is part of a long-term modernization plan.
“The main reason for this decision lies in Banxico’s strategy of replacing lower denominations in paper currency with coins,” which last longer and cost less to produce, the newspaper El Informador reported.
The Juárez note belongs to the “F family” — a generation of banknotes released between 2006 and 2008 that incorporated improved colors, security features and distinctive sizes for each value.
A year earlier, Mexico’s 100-peso bill depicting the self-educated nun and intellectual Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, with the monarch butterfly biosphere reserve on its reverse, was voted the winner for 2020.
It may never replace mezcal and tequila, but whiskey has gained its following in Mexico over the years, and the Irish Whiskey Association has noticed. (Shutterstock)
Representatives of the Irish Whiskey Association (IWA) visited Mexico this past week, promoting links between Ireland and the 15th-largest economy in the world.
The IWA — self-described as “the representative voice … working to promote, protect and represent the Irish whiskey category globally” — sees Mexico as a market with “incredible scope for growth.”
Tullamore D.E.W. is one of many award-winning Irish whiskeys rarely seen in Mexico. Could that be changing? (Tullamore D.E.W./on X)
The trade body views Mexico — “with a population of 130 million with a growing middle class, a strong and proud spirits tradition among its consumers and a natural affinity and friendship with Ireland” — as a “bright opportunity.”
That outlook has improved as Mexico has gained recognition as the presumptive Cocktail Capital of the World, especially after Mexico City’s Handshake Speakeasy was named the World’s Best Bar in 2024. The Handshake Speakeasy — located in the Zona Rosa neighborhood — “slumped” to second-best in this year’s world rankings but still retained its claim to Best Bar in North America.
“As such, Mexico provides a natural stage for Irish whiskey to showcase its own heritage, quality and versatility,” Eoin Ó Catháin, director of the IWA said.
OriGIn is the Organization for an International Geographical Indications Network, a global NGO that campaigns for the legal protection of geographical indications (GIs). GIs are signs used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities, characteristics or a reputation essentially due to its origin. Tequila has GI status as do Irish whiskey, Irish Cream and Irish Poitín.
Irish whiskey exports surpassed US $1 billion last year, but trade relations with the U.S., its biggest market, have become tense due to tariffs imposed on the European Union by the Trump administration. As a result, producers are exploring other emerging regions for potential growth.
The IWA said Irish whiskey export value to Mexico has increased four-fold over the last four years, albeit from a low base.
“There is incredible scope for growth in our drinks exports to Mexico,” Ó Catháin told The Whiskey Wash magazine. “The IWSR (International Wine and Spirits Record), which tracks alcohol sales and trends worldwide, has identified Mexico as among the markets with the greatest potential.”
As part of its promotional campaign, the IWA hosted an Irish whiskey tasting on Oct. 13 at the Irish Ambassador’s residence in Mexico City. The event coincided with ongoing celebrations recognizing 50 years of diplomatic relations between Mexico and Ireland.
As is often the case in Mexico, the burial site was discovered by a search collective run by mothers and family of missing people. (Buscadoras Por La Paz)
Five men were arrested in connection with the discovery of 60 bodies in a rural part of the municipality of Hermosillo, the Sonora Attorney General’s Office (FGJE) said Tuesday.
The bodies were all of men who were murdered in a “settling of scores of organized crime,” according to the FGJE. They were found in early 2025 at a “search site” next to Highway 26 in a rural area of western Hermosillo, a large municipality that includes the state capital and coastal communities such as Bahía de Kino.
In a statement, the FGJE acknowledged that the discovery of the bodies “between late January and early February” had been reported by a local news outlet, which obtained the information from “a collective of searching mothers.”
In response to the news, the FGJE announced that five of seven people suspected of committing the murders had been detained.
It identified those suspects as Sergio Andrés “N”, Roberto “N”, Ángel Ubaldo “N”, Jesús José “N” and Daniel Antonio “N”.
The FGJE said that the five men “are already facing criminal proceedings.”
It said that warrants for the arrest of two other people on charges of homicide and abduction have been issued.
The FGJE also said that every one of the 60 victims was identified through scientific testing and that their bodies were returned to their families.
Jesús Francisco Moreno Cruz, Sonora’s deputy attorney general for investigations, said that the FGJE had established that the homicides were related to organized crime.
“Up to this moment, these homicides are attributed to a single [crime] group,” he said without identifying it.
The search collective Buscadoras Por La Paz found remains of over 40 people at the site early this year. Since then, a total of 60 victims have been identified. (Buscadoras Por La Paz)
Moreno also said that the victims were originally from Sonora, a northern state that borders the United States.
Neither he nor the FGJE said when the murders occurred. However, the El Universal newspaper reported that some of the victims disappeared several years ago.
Sonora’s ‘Peace Seekers’ collective found the bodies
The collective Buscadoras Por La Paz Sonora (Sonora Peace Seekers) said on Facebook on Jan. 28 that it had found 26 graves containing “27 skeletons or bodies” at the rural site in Hermosillo.
The collective subsequently made a number of other posts to Facebook that included updates on the number of bodies found as well as photos of the searchers and the human remains they had discovered.
On Feb. 7, Buscadoras Por La Paz said that it had found 41 skeletons, seven bodies and “two bone remains.”
Additional human remains were found at the same site after that date, bringing the total number of bodies and skeletons to 60.
The search collective Buscadoras Por La Paz found the site in January then returned Feb. 7 for a deeper revision, ultimately finding 41 skeletons, seven bodies and various bone fragments. (Buscadoras Por La Paz)
Clandestine graves are dotted across Mexico
The discovery of clandestine graves where crime groups buried people they killed is common in Mexico. As was the case in Sonora earlier this year, many of the makeshift graves are uncovered by search collectives made up of the relatives of missing people and others. Such collectives exist across Mexico.
In March, Sheinbaum said that “attending to the problem of missing persons” is a “national priority” for her government, and announced six “immediate actions against the crime of disappearance,” including the strengthening of the National Search Commission and legislative reform.
More than 150 search collectives, activists and relatives of victims of abduction and enforced disappearance expressed profound concern about the president’s proposal to address Mexico’s missing persons crisis, saying that it demonstrated “a lack of knowledge about the institutional mechanisms and procedures that already exist in the country in search and investigation matters.”
Greenhouse agriculture is a booming business in Mexico. (Novagric)
Mexico’s agricultural landscape is undergoing a profound transformation. The rise of Protected Agriculture (PA) — including greenhouses, shade houses and plastic tunnels — has turned what was once a niche segment into a booming industry. Today, Mexico is a leading year-round supplier of high-value fruits and vegetables, primarily serving North American markets.
This article explores the scale, location, financial dynamics and technological innovations driving the Mexican protected horticulture sector forward.
The scale of Mexico’s protected agriculture boom
The growth of the protected agriculture area in Mexico (1999–2019)
The growth of protected agriculture has been remarkable over the last two decades, fueled by export demand, government incentives, and modern production technology.
From 1999 to 2019, the area dedicated to protected agriculture skyrocketed:
1999: 1,853 acres (750 hectares, or ha)
2010: 37,065 acres (15,000 ha)
2019: 133,808 acres (54,150 ha)
The Mexican Association of Protected Horticulture (AMHPAC) manages roughly 23,107 acres (9,351 ha) of protected structures across 24 states. AMHPAC members have been expanding at an average of 3,707 acres (1,500 ha) annually, historically supported by government subsidies totaling 7 billion pesos (US $550 million) between 2001 and 2018.
Financial and productivity advantages
While investment costs are high, returns in protected agriculture are exceptional:
In 2018, protected agriculture accounted for only 2% of Mexico’s fruit and vegetable acreage but generated 17% of sector revenue. Controlled environments boost yields, delivering productivity up to seven times higher than open-field farming.
Production cycles extend from 12–15 weeks in open fields to 38–40 weeks under protection, enabling year-round harvests. This combination of high efficiency and longer production cycles makes protected agriculture an attractive option for investors and exporters.
Production hotspots and regional specialization
Mexico’s diverse geography shapes the type of protective structures used, creating regional specialization. Approximately 57% of Mexico’s total protected agriculture area is concentrated in Sinaloa, Jalisco, and Michoacán.
Structural distribution of protected agriculture area in Mexico (2019 data).
Northern/Northwestern states, such as Sinaloa (the leading tomato producer, contributing 22% of the national total) and Sonora, predominantly use shade houses. Their warmer climate and lower rainfall make this cheaper structure suitable for pest management and quality control.
The Central Highlands (the Bajío region), including Jalisco, Michoacán, Querétaro, Guanajuato and San Luis Potosí, have adopted greenhouses and plastic tunnels. Their altitude and lower temperatures necessitate the use of plastic coverings to regulate the climate and extend the growing season, allowing for stable, year-round production.
In 2019, protected agriculture areas were composed of 46% shade houses, 28% plastic tunnels and 26% greenhouses.
What Mexico grows
In Mexico’s protected agriculture sector, the vast majority of production — over 96% — is dedicated to high-value fruits and vegetables for export. The industry focuses on crops that offer strong returns on investment and meet the strict quality standards of international markets. The leading greenhouse crops produced (by AMHPAC members, rather than small-scale producers) are tomatoes (66%), peppers (18%) and cucumbers (15%), with berry production rising.
Tomatoes are a cornerstone crop, with approximately 67%-70% of total national production occurring in protected structures. Total national tomato production (protected and open field) reached an estimated 3.3 million metric tons in 2024. This has made Mexico the dominant supplier in the U.S. import market; in 2023, 88% of all greenhouse-grown tomatoes sold in the U.S. originated from Mexico.
Peppers and cucumbers, meanwhile are key high-yield exports. Bell pepper production in a high-tech hydroponic greenhouse averages between 28 and 30 kilograms per square meter. Along with cucumbers, they benefit significantly from Mexico’s proximity to the U.S. and Canada, given their short shelf life. The national output of green chile peppers was approximately 612,000 metric tons.
Surprisingly, perhaps, the production of high-value berries (strawberries, raspberries and blueberries) is one of the fastest-growing segments, leveraging protected environments to produce higher-quality products and making them a major U.S. export.
Export orientation: Supplying North America
The Mexican protected agriculture sector is a heavily export-driven model that leverages its climate to fill the winter market window in other countries.
An estimated 78% of all vegetables produced under protected agriculture are exported to the United States, with an additional 5% destined for Canada. The U.S. heavily relies on Mexican greenhouse produce, importing 1.82 million metric tons of Mexican tomatoes in 2023, valued at US $2.7 billion, which accounts for approximately 93% of Mexico’s total tomato exports.
This success has led to long-standing political friction. The industry has been combating the threat of tariffs from U.S. growers since 1996, with current tariffs standing at nearly 21% on Mexican tomatoes.
Domestic consumption is primarily a residual market. The highest-quality produce is channeled into the high-paying export market first, and the remaining supply is allocated to domestic markets.
Challenges and the push for sustainability
The need to mitigate risk and increase efficiency is driving the industry toward high-tech, climate-smart agriculture:
Resource scarcity
Drought and water scarcity are the most pressing environmental challenges, particularly in the northern irrigated regions. The industry faces intense pressure as agriculture is the largest water consumer and a major contributor to water pollution via nitrogen fertilizer runoff into aquifers and rivers.
Protected agriculture is taking place on 23,107 acres across 24 states in Mexico. (Agrichem de Mexico)
The industry is responding to the challenge by utilizing advanced hydroponics and irrigation systems, which significantly increase water-use efficiency. AMHPAC has initiated a project to formally measure the sector’s water footprint in 2024 to diagnose usage and improve efficiency.
Labor and costs
The shortage of skilled labor and rising labor costs are pressing challenges. Qualified agricultural workers are increasingly migrating to the U.S. and Canada, making recruitment expensive and limited. This necessitates the adoption of automation and robotics to maintain productivity.
The industry, through organizations like AMHPAC, is focusing on improving working conditions, social responsibility and training to stabilize its workforce. Protected agriculture generated around 110,000 permanent jobs and 120,000 seasonal positions across the sector in 2024, according to the Secretariat of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER).
Pests and diseases
New and virulent pathogens, such as the Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV), pose a threat, causing substantial economic losses and accelerating the need for investment in disease-resistant varieties and strict biosafety measures.
Economic pressure
The recent strength of the Mexican peso against the U.S. dollar has slowed growth over the past two years, as it makes Mexican exports less competitive in cost.
Clean energy transition and its impact on protected agriculture
Mexico’s national renewable energy strategy is increasingly shaping the future of its agricultural sector. The government has set an ambitious target of raising the share of renewable energy from 18% in 2023 to 45% by 2030, fueled by investments in solar, wind and energy storage. This clean energy transition is expected to reduce electricity costs and improve reliability, benefiting energy-intensive industries like protected horticulture.
Large-scale solar energy sites, like this one in La Paz, Baja California Sur, are becoming increasingly common in Mexico. (Gauss)
With some of the world’s best solar conditions, Mexican producers are well-positioned to adopt on-site solar systems and participate in distributed generation schemes. Here are the key figures:
Solar photovoltaic potential: 24.9 GW
Wind potential: 3.7 GW
Conventional geothermal potential: 2.5 GW
Hydropower capacity: 1.2 GW
Much of Northern and Central Mexico, as well as the Baja California Peninsula, enjoys excellent solar conditions, with daily yields greater than 4.5 kWh/kWp (an energy output efficiency ratio), making it ideal for greenhouse operations. Many large-scale growers have already installed photovoltaic panels and solar-powered irrigation pumps, offsetting the high energy costs of heating, cooling and automated fertigation.
In addition, Mexico’s 2025 grid code requires new solar and wind installations to integrate battery storage equal to at least 30% of their capacity, ensuring grid stability — a critical factor for agricultural operations that demand consistent electricity.
Trends in growth and diversification
The industry is transitioning from basic protection structures to high-tech, climate-smart agriculture (CSA).
The Mexican vertical farming market is set for explosive growth, projected at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.66% (2025–2030). This signals a shift to ultra-efficient indoor production. Hydroponics is the dominant technique (64.1% market share). While lighting held the largest component sales share in 2024 (45.9%), sensors are forecast to be the fastest-growing component (17.8% CAGR), indicating a greater reliance on automated, data-driven climate control systems.
Mexico’s capacity for organic production is also expanding, with exports such as avocados, berries and tomatoes becoming a significant component of trade.
AMHPAC is actively working to establish phytosanitary protocols to target Asian markets, such as Japan, Singapore and South Korea, regions that offer premium prices for high-quality Mexican products. A key strategic goal is to establish facilities for lycopene extraction from non-export-quality tomatoes, which will be sold to international buyers. This pioneering bioeconomy model converts agricultural waste into a high-value industrial product.
Mexico’s protected agriculture industry has matured into a highly specialized, globally essential sector. While facing challenges in labor, water and disease management, continued technological investment, innovation and strategic geographic advantage ensure its ongoing growth. As a year-round supplier of high-value produce, the sector remains a cornerstone of Mexico’s agricultural exports and a model for modern, climate-smart horticulture.
Irena Vélez is a journalist at Wikifarmer.com, based in Seville, Spain. She holds a Bachelor’s in Journalism Honours from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, and has a background in agricultural reporting. She writes research-based articles on sustainable farming, crop management and rural entrepreneurship, helping make agricultural knowledge accessible to farmers worldwide.
For readers looking to dive deeper into the protected agriculture sector, Wikifarmer offers expert insights, market data, and crop trends. Wikifarmer empowers farmers, agribusiness professionals, and industry observers through four key pillars: the Wikifarmer Marketplace, connecting producers with buyers around the world; the Wikifarmer Library, a free knowledge hub with thousands of expert-authored articles on crops, technologies and best practices; the Wikifarmer Academy, offering online courses with certifications to enhance agricultural skills; and Wikifarmer Price Insights, providing real-time market intelligence on key commodities. By combining practical expertise with up-to-date data, Wikifarmer helps stakeholders navigate the complexities of modern agriculture, making it an essential resource for anyone interested in Mexico’s booming greenhouse and horticulture industry.
Del Toro celebrates his Giro del Veneto victory with teammates in Verona, Italy. (Isaac del Toro/Instagram)
Mexican cyclist Isaac del Toro claimed his 16th title of the 2025 season on Sunday, winning the 161-kilometer Giro del Veneto with a late breakaway. The victory came just a day after the release of the new world rankings that placed del Toro among the top three cyclists in the world.
The 21-year-old Baja Californian attacked on the final climb, authoritatively breaking away from the pack and riding solo for the final 10.7 kilometers to the finish line. He finished 22 seconds ahead of UAE teammate Pavel Sivakov.
DEL TORO ACABA POR LA PUERTA GRANDE EN VERONA | GIRO DEL VÉNETO 2025 | VÍDEO RESUMEN Y HIGHLIGHTS
Rising from No. 57 at the beginning of the season, Del Toro now sits behind only UAE teammate Tadej Pogaçar (four-time Tour de France winner) and Team Visma’s Jonas Vingegard (two-time winner in Paris and winner of this year’s Vuelta de España). Only Pogaçar has more victories this season. The powerful Slovenian has 19 wins.
After Sunday’s race, ESPN wrote that Del Toro’s performance “has not only carved his name among the world’s cycling elite, but also makes him one of the leading figures in Latin American cycling.”
His social media mentions are flooded with support from fans across Latin America. Proud Mexican flags, heart emojis and chants of “Viva México!” can be found in every comment thread.
Before the race, Del Toro spoke with ESPN about his rise into the upper echelon of world cyclists in just his second season with the elite UAE Team Emirates, admitting that he never imagined achieving such success so early in his career.
“I would have liked to make it aspirational and reach a top ten; maybe, very boldly, think about a top five, but honestly not a top three,” he said. “It’s something that has surprised me, and obviously, if you do all the small goals in the best way possible, they ultimately add up to a result like this.”
Del Toro said his main objective now is to remain calm and plan for the future without rushing into anything.
“I need to rest my mind a bit, not worry about it,” he said. “I’m very young, and I want to look at where I can improve for next year and prepare my entire schedule ahead of time so I can make the most of it and benefit … for years to come.”
Before he can do that, however, the Ensenada native is preparing for Sunday’s Andorra Cycling Masters, a special exhibition race in which he will compete against Pogaçar, Vingegard and four-time Vuelta de España winner Primož Roglič.
Kermeses are all fun and games until you cross the gates of its horror house. And trust us, they can get dark. Really dark. (cottonbro studio/Pexels)
October is finally here! The afternoon glow hits differently, the wind gets chillier and nights are longer — all the more reason to get in the mood to go to a horror house. Mexico City does not disappoint in this area. As a millennia-old capital, ancient spirits, ghouls and yearning souls lurk in the shadows. Perhaps the aura of these ancient spirits is most concentrated — and almost palpable — in the horror houses of the kermeses.
Amid the lively music, games and food of these traditional fairs, haunted houses bring a slightly eerie note to the general joy. If you’re looking to get a proper spook this season, here’s what to take into account when visiting these attractions.
What are kermeses in Mexico?
Imagine a typical town fair, but make it Mexican — that’s a kermés for you. (Victoria Valtierra/Cuartoscuro)
Kermeses are not regular “fairs.” As a popular festival, these events have been around since the 19th century in Mexico. Heiress of the northern-European tradition of the kercmisse, a fair after Sunday service, a kermés is usually held in the streets, and requires the efforts — and resources — of the entire neighborhood. Neighbors organize raffles, design lotería prizes and even build mechanical games with extravagant designs — some of which depict Jesus and Goku in the same setting, somehow.
Traditionally, there is live music, dancing and the selling of traditional Mexican food. And candy. Lots of candy. If you’re lucky, you can find tepache and mezcal stands, depending on the state you’re in. No kermés is complete without a “torito” stand: a mechanical bull that is meant to be tamed, despite its fierce — and often very dangerous — movements. People traditionally ride the machine, and whoever can last the longest without falling off, wins.
Although a kermés is “a matter of life to be shared and a joy to be remembered,” perMXC magazine, we Mexicans are no strangers to horrors — and actually kind of enjoy a nice spook. As much as kermeses are all about color, music and dance, no Mexican kermés is complete without a horror house.
Beware! Horror houses are no joke in Mexico
Mexican horror houses can get dark. Really dark. (Gabriela Pérez Montiel/Cuartoscuro)
Kermeses are all fun and games until you cross the gates of its horror house. Growing up in Tepepan, south of Mexico City, my partner was terrified when his sister and cousins wanted to go to the one in thehistoric center of Xochimilco. Although even as children, they laughed and had a blast with zombies and serial killers popping out of nowhere, he certainly dreaded the experience.
Mexican horror houses can get dark. Really dark. You can find them as “casa del terror,” “casa embrujada” or “casa de sustos,” with run-down façades and that “Danger!” tape covering the empty windowpanes. The tour generally lasts no more than half an hour, during which actors lurk in the shadows and “attack” visitors with chainsaws and bloody knives.
Horror houses at kermeses rely on pop culture and folklore to spook the hell out of visitors.La Llorona is a common supernatural encounter, but you can also find Freddy Krueger and other famous serial killers along the way. Some people claim to have encountered Michael Jackson or former President Carlos Salinas de Gortari, for some reason.
Making your worst nightmares come true
Chucky and the “It” clown are nothing compared to what you’ll face in a horror house at a Mexican kermés. (Victoria Valtierra/Cuartoscuro)
Mexican horror houses come in all shapes and sizes. From feeble, cardboard-box-like structures toPorfirian-era manors, they all serve the same purpose: making your worst nightmares come true. Some of them are guided tours, where INAH specialists tell the legends associated with the neighborhood or property in question. Others, however, just let visitors explore the place freely. Most people laugh and love the thrill of it all. Some of us just find it a little bit too much.
Especially because Mexicans know Mexicans. In more local, not-as-touristy haunted houses, it is not uncommon for actors to pick on those who get startled easily and make sure to spook them even more. Of course, no one is in real danger at any time. However, more sensitive children often cry and don’t enjoy the experience as much.
The horrors persist: horror houses at kermeses today
If you’re into a proper spook this season, Escape Rooms in Mexico City are the way to go! (Gabriela Pérez Montiel/Cuartoscuro)
Horror houses at kermeses have evolved from their original forms. Today, people actually enjoy getting spooked at so-calledEscape Rooms — or Enigma Rooms —, where visitors are expected to solve mysteries and puzzles to “get out alive.” From “Panic at the Metro” to haunted mental institutions, these new versions of horror houses take the experience to a whole new level.
Designed as puzzles to be solved, with different stories depending on the selected setting, Escape Rooms are meant to be “played” in teams. You can book a solo visit, but you will be assigned a group before the game begins. Although these experiences are not age-restrictive, as noted on their official website, “minors must be accompanied by at least one responsible adult” at all times.
Most of them are conveniently located inColonia Roma,Condesa andZona Rosa. These spooky experiences have proved so terrifying that their official site even warns potential visitors that they can leave at any time: “You just have to press a button to open the doors,” the warningreads. “Your exit will be immediate.”
However, the moment a participant presses the panic button, they are automatically disqualified and cannot re-enter. Most of them do not offer refunds, so watch out for that. If they wish to join the group, they will have to wait until the activity ends.
Sheinbaum reported that the death toll related to flooding in recent days in the states of Veracruz, Hidalgo, Puebla and Querétaro had risen to 66. (Andrea Murcia/Cuartoscuro)
Flood-related fatalities, U.S. government allegations against Mexican cartels and the United States’ impending tariffs on medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks were among the issues President Claudia Sheinbaum spoke about at her Wednesday morning press conference.
Here is a recap of the president’s Oct. 15 mañanera.
Death toll from floods rises to 66
Sheinbaum reported that the death toll related to flooding in recent days in the states of Veracruz, Hidalgo, Puebla and Querétaro had risen to 66.
“Today I asked the security minister and there is no information that this institution of the United States government has given to Mexico,” Sheinbaum said.
She said that she and her government colleagues found out about the alleged “bounty program” the same way reporters did — via the DHS statement.
The president said that there was no investigation in Mexico related to the alleged bounty scheme. (Andrea Murcia/Cuartoscuro)
Sheinbaum said that her government was requesting additional information about the allegations from the U.S. government. She said that there was no investigation in Mexico related to the alleged bounty scheme.
Will Mexican trucks face the United States’ 25% tariff?
Sheinbaum said that progress is being made toward an agreement with the United States that would exempt U.S. content in medium and heavy-duty trucks made in Mexico from the 25% U.S. tariff that is set to take effect on Nov. 1.
She noted that Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard would travel to Washington D.C. soon to continue talks with U.S. officials.
While the government has mostly focused on rehabilitating Pemex, the debt-ridden official oil and gas company, the private sector is all in on investing in renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. (Prensa Gobierno de NL/Cuartoscuro)
Mexico’s Energy Ministry (Sener) forecasts that almost all private-sector energy capacity investment in the 2025-2030 period will be allocated to renewable energy projects.
“Ninety-six percent of the capacity additions from projects to be developed by private individuals in the 2025-2030 period will be from intermittent renewable energy sources such as solar and wind,” the ministry’s newly released Energy Sector Program 2025-2030 (Prosener) says.
Luz Elena González, shown here with President Sheinbaum earlier in October, heads Mexico’s Energy Ministry, which just released its five-year energy plan that will guide energy policy through 2030. (Galo Cañas/Cuartoscuro)
The program suggests that having such a vast majority of new privately driven power generation dedicated to clean technologies, such as solar and wind, aligns with Sener’s goal of modernizing the country’s energy mix.
Prosener also seeks to strengthen the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) and Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) by securing 56% of the electricity market and maintaining exclusive control over distribution and transmission. Pemex is set to lead oil production in collaboration with the private sector, facing the challenge of sustaining hydrocarbon production to decrease dependence on foreign sources of natural gas, petroleum products and petrochemicals.
As for the CFE, the commission will play a key role in generating renewable electricity to meet the goal of 38% clean energy in national electricity production by 2030, as established in the simultaneous 2025-2030 National Development Plan (PND).
In terms of energy transition, the goal is to increase the share of renewable energy sources to between 35% to 45% of the total energy mix.
“Energy justice is one of Prosener’s priority objectives,” the program says. “The goal is to increase the percentage of the population with access to electricity from 99.64% (in 2024) to a figure close to universal coverage (99.99%) in 2030.”
President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration has established that the Mexican government will be responsible for maintaining 54% of electricity production, while private companies will contribute up to 46%. This follows a sweeping energy reform that partially reinstates the 2014 liberalization measures implemented by former President Enrique Peña Nieto.
The new initiative for the private sector, through isolated self-supply models, long-term contracts, Mexican producers and electricity market generators, aims to add 6,400 to 9,550 megawatts of installed capacity with a private investment of US $6 billion to US $9 billion by 2030.
Collection centers like this one have been set up across central Mexico to receive donations for victims of the recent flooding in regions of Veracruz, Hidalgo, Puebla, Querétaro and San Luis Potosí. (Crisanta Espinosa Aguilar/Cuartoscuro)
The extraordinary rainfall that has inundated parts of five central and eastern states (Puebla, Hidalgo, Veracruz, Querétaro and San Luis Potosí) over the last several days has caused 66 deaths and left 75 persons missing as of Wednesday morning.
It has also driven countless others from their homes, many of them stranded without their possessions and cut off from supplies due to flooding, landslides, damaged roads and impassable rivers.
Soldiers in Puebla deliver supplies to flood victims. (Mireya Novo/Cuartoscuro)
Flood victims are in desperate need of help, so collection centers have been set up to receive donations across central Mexico. Here’s how to help and where to bring your donations.
What to donate
Authorities are asking for donations of:
non-perishable food, such as tuna, sardines, coffee, mayonnaise, mashed potatoes, bottled water, powdered milk, cookies, beans and baby food.
personal hygiene items, such as toilet paper, soap, menstrual pads, shampoo and deodorant.
cleaning products (chlorine, detergent and dish soap).
clean or new clothing.
baby items.
medications and medical supplies like disposable gloves, disinfectant alcohol, bandages, masks, antibacterial gel, cotton and sterile gauze.
Collection centers in Mexico City
The Navy Ministry (Semar), the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN) and the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) have installed collection centers in Mexico City. Here are some of them:
IPN – DIET (Casco de Santo Tomás): Calle Manuel Carpio, between Av. de los Maestros and Circuito Interior, Colonia Agricultura. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
UNAM: Parking Lot 8, Estadio Olímpico Universitario. Av. Insurgentes Centro S/N, C.U., Coyoacán. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cuartel General del Alto Mando: Av. Heroica Escuela Naval Militar No. 669, Colonia Coapa Presidentes Ejidales, in the Coyoacán borough.
Metropolitan Autonomous University (UAM): At Door 2 of the General Rectory, located at Prolongación Canal de Miramontes 3855, Colonia Rancho Los Colorines, in the Tlalpan borough. Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Collection centers in Puebla
Human Rights Commission (CDH): Av. 5 Poniente 339, Historic Center of Puebla, 72000. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Archdiocese of Puebla: At the main Basilica Cathedral and any parish.
Anáhuac University: Calle Orión Norte S/N, Colonia La Vista Country Club, San Andrés Cholula, Puebla. Collection center located in parking lot 4. From 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Collection centers in Veracruz
Agustín Lara House Museum: Bv. Adolfo Ruíz Cortines Fracc., Costa Verde, Boca del Río, Veracruz.
Red Cross Veracruz Delegation: Av. Salvador Díaz Mirón, 1698. Fracc. Moderno, Veracruz.
Miguel Lerdo de Tejada Plaza: Located in the Historic Center of the city of Veracruz.
Collection centers in San Luis Potosí
Municipal Administrative Unit: Salvador Nava Martínez 1580, Constitución neighborhood of San Luis Potosí city, in the offices of the Councilors and the Municipal Welfare Ministry.
Parque Tangamanga: The State Civil Protection Coordination has set up collection centers in the city’s main park.
Faculty of Nursing and Nutrition of the Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí: Zona Universitaria, 78240 San Luis Potosí city.
Collection centers in Querétaro
Plantel 17 of Cobaq:Constitución de 1917, in the Querétaro city metropolitan area, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
DIF Municipal de Querétaro:Antonio Carranza 100, Santiago de Querétaro.
