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From Mexico to the world: amaranth, the tiny seed that traveled to space

By
Diana Serratos
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Amaranth-based alegría bar
Amaranth-based alegría bar in Mexico. (Alejandro Linares Garcia/Wikimedia Commons)

Who hasn’t eaten an alegría bar at a market, a town fair or at the candy stalls outside a church? 

We Mexicans eat these sweet, nutritious, crunchy bars made with amaranth seeds, called alegría, or joy in English. But what is amaranth, and why is it so important?

Some Mexico amaranth in a glass jar
Amaranth has been enjoyed, offered and revered in Mexico throughout the ages. (Karolin Baitinger/Unsplash)

Amaranth is a seed from the plant of the same name, and it’s used similarly to some cereals, which is why it is called a pseudo-grain, meaning we use it like a grain, but it’s not from the grass family like wheat, oats, barley or rice. Buckwheat and quinoa fall into this same pseudo-grain category.

A native Mexican nutritional powerhouse

Mexico, one of the places where amaranth originated, is the main producer and consumer of this plant. 

Considered one of the most complete foods on the planet, amaranth’s protein value is comparable to that of meat, and it has more protein than corn, wheat or rice. 

Amaranth contains vitamins A, B, B1, B2, B3, and C. The B complex is found in a few foods, making alegrias one of the tastiest ways to obtain B complex vitamins in your diet. These nutritious plants also provide minerals, the amino acid lysine, folic acid, niacin, calcium, iron and phosphorus. It also contains polyunsaturated fats, i.e., the good ones, omega-3 and omega-6. 

Amaranth’s high fiber content makes it highly recommended for regulating digestion. It’s also gluten-free, making it ideal for people with celiac disease. Or for those who are lactose intolerant, blended with water, it becomes a milk substitute.

In 1975, after multiple studies conducted by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, amaranth was recognized as one of the world’s most highly nutritious plant-based foods. In the fields of nutrition science and public health policy, researchers around the world see promise in amaranth as one of the highly nutritious plant-based food sources that not only can keep up with meat in terms of caloric and protein content but is also a more sustainable protein source to farm than animals.

Amaranth’s history

Amaranth plants grown in Mexico
Endemic to Mesoamerica, amaranth plants have been grown in Mexico for at least 8,000 years. Puebla state is the largest current producer. (Gobierno de Mexico)

The amaranth plant is endemic to the Americas, but its name comes from the Greek amaranthus, meaning “immortal,” because it blooms year-round. The Aztecs called it huauhtli, and in South America, it’s kiwicha in the Guarani language.

Although it was known and consumed throughout much of the Americas, it is in south-central Mexico where there are more references to its use, as well as records of its existence dating back approximately 8,000 years. For special occasions, various Indigenous peoples of Mexico made figurines of gods, humans, or animals from amaranth grains bathed in maguey honey. They were consumed on dates similar to the modern-day celebrations of Day of the Dead.

Amaranth today

Currently, Puebla state is Mexico’s main amaranth producer, followed by Tlaxcala, Morelos, parts of southern Mexico City and Oaxaca. 

The United States, China and India all cultivate amaranth and scientists continue to research its properties. 

The grains are roasted whole and used to make sweets or coat meat or vegetables, sprinkle on salads, or accompany other dishes. It is often mixed with other cereals and nuts and eaten with milk. Amaranth can also be used in sauces, adding texture and nutritional value to dishes.

It can be processed into a flour, a lifesaver for the gluten-intolerant.

amaranth seeds and wheat side-by-side
Amaranth seeds (left) can be made into a gluten-free flour. Wheat (right) cannot. (Wikimedia Commons)

It is also made into sweet and savory snacks. Alegrias, for example — the iconic Mexican sweet treat — can be found year-round here. Reminiscent of granola bars, these are bars made of puffed amaranth seeds covered in a sweet syrup to hold everything together. Often, peanuts, walnuts, pepitas and raisins are included. 

Engineer Rodolfo Neri, remembered for being the first Mexican to travel into space, was authorized to take amaranth with him after several studies of the grain were endorsed by NASA and several universities. During the trip, it was not only part of his diet, but research was also conducted on its cultivation in space.

Amaranth’s resistance to drought and ability to grow in arid soils has allowed this plant to continue to provide us for more than 8,000 years with such a complete food.

Diana Serratos studied at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) and UNCUYO in Mendoza, Argentina, where she lived for over 15 years. She specializes in wines and beverages, teaching aspiring sommeliers at several universities. She conducts courses, tastings and specialized training.

Sheinbaum responds to AMLO’s reappearance: Monday’s mañanera recapped

By
MND Staff
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5
Sheinbaum mañanera Dec. 1, 2025
Asked about AMLO's reappearance on social media to promote his new book, Sheinbaum told reporters that she and her government colleagues were "very pleased to see him." (Andrea Murcia/Cuartoscuro)

President Claudia Sheinbaum’s Monday morning press conference was held seven years to the day after Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) was sworn in as Mexico’s president, marking the commencement of the “fourth transformation” political project.

Back in the National Palace in Mexico City after spending the weekend in the states of Yucatán, Quintana Roo and Morelos, Sheinbaum responded to a question about that anniversary, as well as one on the remarks AMLO made during a lengthy video message he posted to social media on Sunday.

Even before he took office on Dec. 1, 2018, López Obrador was using the term “fourth transformation” to describe the profound change he said he would bring to Mexico.

The “fourth transformation” (4T) political project is now led by Sheinbaum and supported by the Morena party, its allies in Congress, and millions of Mexicans across the country. The political project was named the “fourth transformation” as it follows three other transformations in Mexico, namely independence from Spain in the early 19th century, the enactment of a series of reform laws (La Reforma) in the 1850s and the Mexican Revolution in the early 20th century.

‘We were very pleased to see him,’ Sheinbaum says after AMLO reappears on social media 

Asked about AMLO’s reappearance on social media to promote his new book, Sheinbaum told reporters that she and her government colleagues were “very pleased to see him.”

“He looks very well, very happy, healthy, relaxed,” she said of her predecessor and political mentor, who recorded a 48-minute video at his ranch, “La Chingada,” in Palenque, Chiapas.

“We were very pleased to see his book as well,” Sheinbaum added.

AMLO returns to public eye to promote his new book ‘Grandeza’

“… The book is called Grandeza [Greatness] and it’s about the cultural grandeur of Mexico, which comes from the great civilizations that inhabited our territory, and of which we are inheritors,” she said.

Sheinbaum addresses AMLO’s remark that he would take to the streets for ‘three reasons’

AMLO’s reappearance on social media came six months after he spoke to reporters at a polling station in Palenque where he cast his vote in the June 2 judicial elections.

Apart from his June 2 remarks and his comments in the video released on Sunday, López Obrador has maintained a public silence since he handed over the presidential sash to Sheinbaum on Oct. 1, 2024. His social media accounts, collectively followed by more than 20 million people, had remained inactive for almost 14 months until Sunday.

In his book promotion video, AMLO called on Mexicans to support “la presidenta because it’s still buzzard season.”

“There are vultures and there are hawks,” he said, apparently referring to opposition politicians and others who are metaphorically circling Sheinbaum with an intent to inflict damage on her presidency.

“… I’m not going to tour the country to present the book because I’m going to remain retired. I would only go out to the street for three reasons,” López Obrador said.

AMLO said he would leave his ranch and take to the street:

  • “If democracy was threatened, as they did before; They — the magnates, the oligarchs, the corrupt — did the big [electoral] frauds … so that the government was at their service.”
  • To “defend” Sheinbaum “if there are coup attempts.”
  • To “defend the sovereignty of Mexico” if its sovereignty is violated (by a unilateral U.S. military intervention against Mexican cartels, for example).

Asked about those remarks, Sheinbaum said that “fortunately, we are not in any of the three circumstances he set out.”

“And the people of Mexico are with the project. We see it every day, the polls show it if there is any doubt,” she added, referring to the “fourth transformation.”

AMLO’s call for support for Sheinbaum came at the end of a difficult month for the president.

On Nov. 15, citizens fed up with persistent insecurity protested against the government in cities across the country, while truckers and farmers expressed their discontent with the Sheinbaum administration by blocking highways in a majority of states last week.

7 years of the ‘fourth transformation’

Asked to “summarize” the seven years that have passed since the commencement of the “fourth transformation,” Sheinbaum focused on the “results” achieved by the previous federal government and her own administration.

She highlighted that:

Sheinbaum asserted that “Mexico is better today than” it was before AMLO took office in late 2018.

“… We’re going well and we’re going to do better,” she said.

Asked what “more than 2,550 days of the fourth transformation” means for the Mexican people, Sheinbaum initially responded with a single word, repeated for emphasis.

“Hope, hope,” she said.

“Look, … [our] adversaries are full of hate, there is a lot of slander, lies and hate, that’s what characterizes them,” Sheinbaum said.

“So, in the face of hate, lies and slander, what is there on this side? Development, well-being and love, happiness, work, dedication, conviction and a lot of unity from the people. … That is something unique,” she said.

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

Mexico on track for record export year after October revenues hit US $66B

By
MND Staff
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exports at the port
A 34.8% year-over-year increase in the value of Mexico's non-automotive sector manufactured exports drove the 14.2% increase in revenue in October. (Unsplash)

The value of Mexico’s exports increased 14.2% annually in October to reach US $66.13 billion, a record high for any month, according to official data.

In percentage terms, the annual increase was the largest for any month since a 14.7% jump in July 2024. Compared to September, Mexico’s export revenue increased 17% in October.

The national statistics agency INEGI also reported last Thursday that Mexico’s export revenue increased 6.6% annually in the first 10 months of 2025 to reach $547.77 billion.

Mexico is thus on track to set a new annual record for export revenue this year, and to exceed $600 billion in earnings for just the second time ever, after first breaking that barrier in 2024.

The strong growth in Mexico’s export revenue has occurred despite the Trump administration imposing tariffs on a range of Mexican goods in 2025, including steel, aluminum and vehicles, as well as all other products that don’t comply with the USMCA, the North American free trade pact.

Still, the majority of Mexico’s trade with the U.S. — easily the world’s top buyer of imported Mexican goods — remains tariff-free thanks to the USMCA, a five-year-old accord that will be formally reviewed in 2026.

A 34.8% year-over-year increase in the value of Mexico’s non-automotive sector manufactured exports drove the 14.2% increase in revenue in October. Revenue from the export of those goods rose 16% annually in the first 10 months of the year.

William Jackson, Capital Economics’ chief emerging markets economist, said that Mexico’s growth in export revenue has been supported by an artificial intelligence investment boom in the United States, where huge amounts of capital are being used to build the data centers required to power AI.

Record revenue despite decline in auto exports 

As is the norm, the vast majority of Mexico’s export revenue in October came from the shipment abroad of manufactured goods. The value of those exports increased 17.4% to $61.64 billion in October, accounting for 93% of Mexico’s total earnings in the month.

Revenue from the export of non-automotive sector manufactured goods surged 34.8% annually to $45.52 billion. That increase, the highest for any month in over four years, well and truly offset a 14% decline in the value of auto sector exports, which were worth $16.12 billion in October.

The non-U.S. content in USMCA-compliant light vehicles made in Mexico has been subject to a 25% U.S. tariff since April. The United States’ 25% tariff on medium- and heavy-duty trucks — which also excludes U.S. content in USMCA-compliant vehicles — took effect on Nov. 1.

Approximately 7% of Mexico’s export revenue in October came from shipments of oil, agricultural products and mineral resources.

Oil exports brought in revenue of $1.82 billion, a 29.8% annual decline, while shipments of agricultural products generated earnings of $1.38 billion, down 19.5% from October 2024. Revenue from the export of beef, avocados, tomatoes and onions all declined.

Mining exports increased 18.6% annually to $1.28 billion in October.

Revenue from exports of manufactured goods exceeds $500 billion in 2025   

INEGI’s data shows that the shipment abroad of manufactured goods generated revenue of $501.11 billion between January and October, an increase of 8.6% compared to the same period of last year.

The value of non-auto sector exports increased 16% to $346.17 billion, while auto sector exports declined 4.9% to $154.94 billion. Of every $100 in export revenue between January and October, $63.20 came from the export of non-auto sector manufactured goods, up from $58.20 in the same period of last year.

Mexico makes a wide range of manufactured goods, including electronic equipment, medical devices and aerospace inputs.

Oil sector exports were worth $18.17 billion in the first 10 months of the year, a 24.3% annual decline, while the value of agricultural exports fell 9.6% to $17.65 billion.

The value of exported mineral resources increased 23.2% annually to reach $10.82 billion between January and October.

Mexico recorded a trade deficit between January and October  

Mexico’s outlay on imports was $550.09 billion in the first 10 months of 2025, according to INEGI. That figure represents a 3.1% increase compared to the same period of last year.

Mexico thus recorded a trade deficit of $2.32 billion between January and October, representing an 88.2% decrease compared to the deficit in the same period of 2024.

In October, Mexico’s outlay on imports increased 12.8% annually to a record high $65.52 billion, leaving it with a trade surplus of $606.1 million during that month.

In the first 10 months of the year, more than three-quarters of Mexico’s expenditure on imports (77%) went to the purchase of intermediate goods, products used as inputs in the production of other goods.

Mexico imported intermediate goods worth $423.21 billion between January and October, an annual increase of 6.2%.

Mexico’s outlay on petroleum imports, including refined fuel, declined 7.8% to $39.14 billion in the first 10 months of 2025. Expenditure on petroleum “consumer goods” — i.e. gasoline and diesel — declined by an even larger 20%, indicating that Mexico’s reliance on foreign fuel is on the wane, a positive sign as the federal government targets self-sufficiency.

Mexico’s outlay on non-oil consumer goods declined 0.4% to $67.62 billion in the first 10 months of 2025, while expenditure on capital goods (including manufacturing machinery) fell 8.6% to $46.8 billion.

Mexico spends more on imports from the United States than from any other country, and in the first eight months of the year was the world’s top buyer of U.S. goods, outpacing Canada, according to U.S. government data.

With reports from El Economista, Expansión, El Financiero and La Jornada 

Mexico’s master weavers get year-round spotlight on Google Arts & Culture

By
MND Staff
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Mexican textile art
Whether they are loom weavers, rebozo makers, ikat technique practitioners, cotton dyers or clothing designers, Mexico's textile artisans are admired worldwide. (Google Arts & Culture)

Mexico’s federal government and Google are turning a national textile fair into a year-round digital showcase, using a new edition of “Tejidos de México” to spotlight artisans and their work.

The “Tejidos de México” project — hosted on Google Arts & Culture as part of the broader Crafted in Mexico initiative — brings together 32 short photo-and-video stories about artisans from six states.

mexican traditional dress
Colorful, intricately patterned and rich in tradition, crafted dresses are so connected to the culture that ordinary people around the world who see one are likely to say immediately, “That’s Mexico!” (@ccurieldeicaza/X)

Though the name of the online exhibit translates literally to “Textiles of Mexico,” it is billed in English as “Crafted in Mexico: Empowering stories of Mexico’s craft history, culture and communities.”

It walks viewers through techniques such as loom weaving, natural dyeing and resist-dye patterns, while tying those processes to family histories, community leadership and local economies.

The artisans featured are from Coahuila, México state, Hidalgo, Oaxaca, Querétaro and Tlaxcala.

The collection focuses on creators linked to “Original, the Mexican Textile Art Encounter,” a major event organized by Mexico’s Ministry of Culture that brings together artisans from across the country to showcase and sell traditional textiles, promote fair trade and prevent plagiarism.

Held in late November, it gathers more than 400 master artisans from all 31 Mexican states and Mexico City.

The fifth edition — featuring exhibits, workshops and cultural exchanges — was held last week and over the weekend at the Los Pinos Cultural Complex in Mexico City’s Chapultepec Park, with an opening event staged nearby at the National Museum of Anthropology.

The event was framed as a celebration of traditional textiles and live music.

Culture officials describe “Tejidos de México” as both documentation and economic strategy.

The online platform is designed to promote manual labor, collective ownership and fairer relationships between the fashion and design industries and the communities that safeguard cultural heritage.

El tejido colectivo: 50 mujeres, un corazón

In practice, that means framing each profile around named artisans and collectives and pointing audiences toward ways to support their work under conditions officials say are more equitable.

The stories feature figures such as rebozo weaver Camelia Ramos Zamora (Malinalco, México state), who maintains a family workshop; weaver Crescencio Tlilayatzi Xochitemol (Santa María Tlacatecpac, Tlaxcala), who preserves an intricate ikat technique that can take months per piece; doll maker Josefina Pascual Cayetano (Amealco de Bonfil, Querétaro), who helped her collective, Artesanas Döngu, rethink the way in which Otomí dolls were valued in order to recognize the true price of their time and craft; and Verónica Lorenzo Quiroz (San Juan Colorado, Oaxaca), who grows and dyes native coyuchi cotton.

Officials say the collaboration also includes training in social media and digital commerce and is expected to expand to more artisans in future editions.

With reports from López-Dóriga Digital and Google Arts & Culture

UN: Mexico leads Latin America in poverty reduction thanks to minimum wage increases

By
MND Staff
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family in poverty
Sharp increases in the minimum wage, totaling 135% since 2018, have helped Mexico reduce its poverty rate more than any other Latin American country. (Félix Márquez/Cuartoscuro)

Mexico leads Latin America in poverty reduction, owing primarily to recent increases in the minimum wage, according to a newly released United Nations report.

The U.N. Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) states in its annual report that Mexico finished 2024 with its population living in poverty reduced by 3.1 percentage points. 

Low wage worker
Mexicans whose jobs are at the low end of the pay scale have been earning a little more in recent years, helping nudge Mexico’s poverty rate down. Inequality, however, remains a major problem, as 10% of Mexico’s population controls one-third of the national income, while the poorest 10% receive just 2%. (Edgar Negrete Lira/Cuartoscuro)

“Two of those percentage points can be explained largely by the sharp increase in the minimum wage, which was around 135% in real terms between 2018 and 2025,” said ECLAC’s executive secretary, José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, during the Social Panorama of Latin America and the Caribbean 2025 presentation.

Poverty rates fell last year in Latin America as a whole as well, which the ECLAC report attributes mainly (60%) to Mexico’s performance and to a lesser extent (30%) to Brazil’s.

Inequality remains a major concern in Mexico and throughout Latin America despite a 14% fall in economic inequality in Mexico over the last decade. According to the report, 10% of Mexico’s population continues to control one-third of the national income, while the poorest 10% receive just 2% of the income.

Mexico’s Gini coefficient — an indicator that measures inequality and social deprivation —decreased from 0.50 to 0.43 during the period, although there are fears that this trend could stall due to the current challenges facing the global economy.

Poverty in Latin America: Down but not nearly out

Around 25.5% of the Latin American population (162 million people) lived in income poverty in 2024, which was 2.2 percentage points lower than in 2023 and the lowest figure since comparable data has been available, according to ECLAC. 

Meanwhile, extreme poverty affected 9.8% of the population (62 million people), marking a decrease of 0.8 percentage points compared to 2023. However, these levels are 2.1 points higher than those recorded in 2014.

There has been a decrease in multidimensional poverty — which includes non-income factors such as health and education —  from 34.4% of the Latin American population in 2014 to 20.9% in 2024, largely owing to improvements in housing and services.

Yet Latin America and the Caribbean region continue to experience the second-highest level of economic inequality in the world, after Sub-Saharan Africa, despite the gradual decrease in inequality in recent years.

President Sheinbaum’s first year in office in 12 numbers: Part 1

Across the region, the richest 10% hold 34.2% of total income, while the poorest 10% receive just 1.7%.

“More comprehensive measurements, which incorporate information from surveys, tax records, and national accounts, suggest that inequality is even greater: the share of the richest 10% would exceed 50% of total income on average in the region,” Salazar-Xirinachs said.

Several challenges persist in further reducing inequality. For example, in 2023, 28% of the Latin American population aged 20 to 24 had not completed secondary school. Meanwhile, 47% of the region’s employed population was working on an informal basis.

ECLAC has offered the following suggestions for reducing inequality and poverty in Latin America:

  • Free universal secondary education, implementing inclusion policies for disadvantaged   groups and strengthening the role of teachers
  • Formalizing the labor market by creating quality jobs
  • Advancing gender equality to increase young women’s participation in the job market
  • Introducing policies to increase the participation in the workforce of people with disabilities, Indigenous populations and migrants

With reports from La Jornada

AMLO returns to public eye to promote his new book ‘Grandeza’

By
MND Staff
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AMLO presenting book
In a rare public appearance, former president of Mexico Andrés Manuel López Obrador posted a video to announce his new book, which he said would recast history to recognize the Indigenous as generators of Mexican culture. (YouTube)

In his first public address since leaving office in October 2024, former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador presented his latest book, “Grandeza” (“Greatness”), in which he proposes a reinterpretation of Mexico’s cultural history.

In a video posted on his social media accounts, López Obrador explained that the book constitutes the first part of a larger publishing project, based on what he calls “the twin pillars of Mexican humanism.”

AMLA0sbook
“Grandeza” (“Greatness”) is the first part of a larger publishing project, based on what its author calls “the twin pillars of Mexican humanism.” The next part (“Gloria”) explores Mexico’s political history. (YouTube)

“Grandeza” — which will be published by Planeta publishing house — focuses on the first pillar: Mexico’s rich cultural legacy. 

López Obrador (AMLO) described his new book as a vindication of Mexico’s cultural richness from an Indigenous perspective.

“Thanks to the legacy of knowledge, values, customs, traditions and art [the Indigenous] left behind, Mexico, despite everything, continues to be a cultural power in the world,” he said.

López Obrador makes the argument that what we’ve been told about these civilizations is a “false, simulated history,” constructed from the vision of the conquerors and perpetuated by the oligarchies.

In “Grandeza,” the former president seeks to replace that traditional reading with a narrative that recognizes the greatness of Indigenous cultures, their relevance and their impact on national life.

“This book is the story of our cultures, of our civilizations,” he said. “The goal is to dismantle, to tear down the history created by the invaders and maintained during centuries of elite domination.”

AMLO’s announcement included a familiar critique of the Spanish conquistadores, and of Spain itself. “Greed and corruption,” he said, “were brought here by the Spanish.” 

To illustrate the charge, he invoked a historical passage about Hernán Cortés to illustrate the difference between the Indigenous worldview and the mentality of the invaders who “simply came to plunder.” When Moctezuma gave gold to the conquistadors, they reacted “like monkeys,” López Obrador said. When asked why it mattered so much, Cortés is said to have responded: “We have a disease of the heart that can only be cured with gold.”

As president, AMLO would invoke the Conquest to rally nationalist sentiment. His words often antagonized Spain, such as when he insisted that the king “publicly and officially” acknowledge the abuses committed during the conquest of Mexico.

This episode resulted in a cooling of diplomatic relations between the two countries, as the Spanish Crown did not respond to López Obrador’s letter.

In October, the Spanish government used the loan of pre-Hispanic artifacts to Madrid museums to suggest that Spain might reflect on its colonial history.

The former president is already working on “the second pillar of Mexican humanism,” which will be entitled “Gloria.” Scheduled for publication next year, the book will address Mexico’s political history.

With reports from El Financiero, Infobae, Milenio, El Imparcial and El País

44 bison released into Coahuila reserve as part of 25-year grasslands conservation initiative

By
MND Staff
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American bison in grasslands
American bison were once found in the states of Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León and Durango, but are now considered an endangered species. (Fundación Pro Cuatrociénegas/Facebook)

Absent from the central Coahuila desert for 160 years, the American bison has returned to the region as part of a 25-year biodiversity conservation effort in northern Mexico.

Last week, 44 bison (38 females and six males) were released into the 4,000-hectare El Santuario ecological reserve located in the Sierra de Menchaca, roughly 10 kilometers from Cuatro Ciénegas.

This marks the third time since 2009 that bison have been reintroduced to Mexico’s northern plains. Sixteen years ago, 23 bison from the Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota were released into the Janos Biosphere Reserve in Chihuahua and in 2020, a herd of 19 bison from Janos was introduced into the El Carmen nature reserve in Coahuila.

The bison project is a coordinated effort with the Mexican Fund for Nature Conservation, the Cuenca Los Ojos organization and the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (Conanp).

This latest initiative — sponsored by the Pro Cuatro Ciénegas Foundation — aims to repopulate the valley, contribute to soil regeneration and rainwater retention and complete a cycle in the food chain that allows other species — such as the puma and the black bear — to thrive in these lands.

Bison — also referred to as “ecosystem engineers” — were once found in the states of Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León and Durango, but are now considered an endangered species. The absence of the bison in Mexico’s northern region is primarily due to human impacts that occurred in the late 19th century: excessive hunting, agricultural and livestock expansion and habitat loss.

The Pro Cuatro Ciénegas Foundation considered the return of the large mammals known for their muscular build, humped shoulders and shaggy fur as a key step toward recovering ecological processes that had been interrupted.

“It’s not just about bringing in a charismatic animal,” said Pro Cuatrociénegas Foundation director Gerardo Ruiz Smith. “It’s about restoring critical ecosystem functions that no other species can perform.”

The return of the bison is important for the restoration of the great native grasslands of northern Mexico. Their capacity to capture CO2, equal to wetlands and boreal forests, helps restore grasslands, enhance biodiversity and shape the landscape.

The bison prune the grasses evenly, helping to increase the diversity of plants on the ground. They also assist with the regeneration of ecosystems by carrying seeds from one place to another in their digestive tract and defecating them.

Bison also contribute to the conservation of other species. Its considerable weight flattens the grassland in its path, an alteration that helps rodents such as the Mexican prairie dog, as short grass helps them keep watch for predators. The hair shed by the bison is used by birds for their nests.

The new arrivals were welcomed to their new home with a ceremony directed by the indigenous Ndé (commonly known as Apaches), who view the bison as a fundamental element of their worldview.

“The return of the bison is not only an ecological achievement; it reconnects the Ndé Nation with a brother that is part of our identity, our spirituality and our collective memory,” said Juan Luis Longoria, who is also the Director of Culture for the Pro Cuatrociénegas Foundation.

Longoria said the ceremony sought to bless the herd and give thanks for its return.

With reports from La Jornada, El País, FD Noticias and Excelsior

In 3 weeks, Plan Michoacán reduced homicides in the state by 50%

By
MND Staff
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a person being detained by Mexican authorities
According to the National Defense Ministry, 135 people were detained in Michoacán between Nov. 10 and Nov. 28. (Juán José Estrada Serafín/Cuartoscuro)

The federal government’s efforts to pacify Michoacán with a new “peace and justice” plan are off to a positive start, with homicides declining significantly in November compared to the previous two months.

At a press conference on Sunday, federal security officials presented an update on the results of Plan Michoacán for Peace and Justice, a 57-billion-peso (US $3.1 billion) initiative that the government devised in response to the Nov. 1 assassination of Uruapan mayor Carlos Manzo and general insecurity in the state.

Wellbeing Minister Ariadna Montiel shared on Friday that a state-wide census of nearly 1.3 million homes is underway as part of Plan Michoacán
Wellbeing Minister Ariadna Montiel shared on Friday that a state-wide census of nearly 1.3 million homes is underway as part of Plan Michoacán. (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro)

The plan — under which additional federal troops were deployed to Michoacán — was unveiled on Nov. 9, and has now been in effect for three weeks.

On Sunday, National Defense Minister Ricardo Trevilla Trejo reported that there were 58 homicides in Michoacán between Nov. 1 and Nov. 28, representing a decline of almost 50% compared to the number of murders in each of September and October.

The reduction compared to the 111 homicides recorded in September is 47.7%, while the decline compared to the 108 murders in October is 46.3%.

Morelia and Uruapan, Michoacán’s two largest cities, are among the municipalities where homicides declined in November.

Morelia, the state capital, recorded 3 homicides between Nov. 1 and 28, a decline of 86% compared to the 22 murders registered across the month of October.

Uruapan, considered the world’s “avocado capital,” recorded eight homicides in the first 28 days of last month, a reduction of 60% compared to the 20 registered in October.

Trevilla noted that an additional 1,980 federal troops were deployed to Michoacán last month, bringing the total number of troops on the ground in the state to 10,506. He also highlighted that the federal government’s security operations in the state are supported by more than 1,000 military vehicles, five helicopters and 18 drones, among other equipment.

In addition, Trevilla said that the Mexican Army will provide more than 1,000 G3 rifles to the Michoacán state police, and 70 to police in Uruapan, where military engineers will build National Guard barracks.

Trevilla speaking
During a national security press conference on Sunday, Trevilla announced that the Mexican Army will build a National Guard barracks in Uruapan. (Daniel Augusto/Cuartoscuro)

The defense minister said that the decision to build the new barracks came after a Nov. 13 meeting with Uruapan Mayor Grecia Quiroz — who replaced her husband as mayor after his assassination — and the municipality’s public security chief.

135 arrests in Michoacán since new plan took effect 

Trevilla reported that 135 people were detained in Michoacán between Nov. 10 and Nov. 28.

Among those arrested are an alleged Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader who authorities identified as a mastermind of the assassination of Manzo, and seven of eight municipal police officers who were tasked with protecting the now-deceased mayor.

Trevilla outlined a range of other results achieved by Plan Michoacán for Peace and Justice in the past three weeks. They included:

  • The seizure of 57 firearms and almost 7,000 cartridges.
  • The seizure of 444.5 kilograms of narcotics and 28,800 liters of “chemical substances intended for the production of synthetic drugs, mainly methamphetamine.”
  • The seizure of 110 vehicles and 89 improvised explosive devices.
  • The seizure of 629,055 pesos (US $34,445).
  • The destruction of “eight camps occupied by organized crime.”

More than 900 arrests in Michoacán for ‘high-impact’ crimes during Sheinbaum administration 

Federal Security Minister Omar García Harfuch reported that 932 people have been arrested in Michoacán for “high-impact” crimes since President Claudia Sheinbaum took office on Oct. 1, 2024.

Among the offenses classified as high-impact crimes are murder, kidnapping, rape and extortion.

Federal Security Minister Omar García Harfuch leads a major crackdown on high-impact crimes in Mexico. (Daniel Augusto/Cuartoscuro)

García Harfuch also reported that almost 23 tonnes of drugs have been seized in Michoacán since Sheinbaum became president, while 924 firearms have been confiscated and 17 methamphetamine laboratories have been dismantled.

The Pacific coast state is one of Mexico’s most violent, with over 1,100 homicides in the first 10 months of 2025.

Beyond gun violence, extortion targeting producers of avocados, limes and other crops is a major problem in Michoacán, the hub of Mexico’s lucrative avocado industry. The state is also coveted by crime groups because precursor chemicals used to make synthetic drugs, including fentanyl, are illegally imported via the Lázaro Cárdenas port on the Pacific coast.

García Harfuch stressed that security in Michoacán is “a national priority.”

“We’re working with intelligence, coordination and zero impunity to recover peace in each municipality,” he wrote on social media on Sunday.

Sinaloa Cartel operative killed by navy 

At Sunday’s press conference, Navy Minister Raymundo Morales announced that two members of the “Chapo Isidro” faction of the Sinaloa Cartel had been detained in Sinaloa.

Another alleged member of that faction, Pedro “El Pichón” Insunza Coronel, was killed by navy personnel during an anti-cartel operation in the northern state. On social media, García Harfuch wrote:

“In an operation led by the Navy Ministry, … properties and laboratories were located where weapons, vehicles, drugs and precursor chemicals were seized, and two operators of this criminal cell were detained. Upon attacking naval personnel, Pedro ‘N,’ Pichón, lost his life.”

Insunza, identified as a high-ranking operative in the Sinaloa Cartel faction led by Fausto Isidro Meza Flores (aka El Chapo Isidro), was wanted in the United States, along with his father, Pedro Inzunza Noriega.

“Pedro Inzunza Noriega and his son, Pedro Inzunza Coronel, are charged with narco-terrorism, drug trafficking and money laundering as key leaders of the Beltran Leyva Organization (BLO), a powerful and violent faction of the Sinaloa Cartel that is believed to be the world’s largest known fentanyl production network,” the U.S. Department of Justice said in May.

It noted that an indictment against the two men was “the first in the nation to charge alleged leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel with narco-terrorism and material support of terrorism in connection with trafficking massive amounts of fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin into the United States.”

U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ron Johnson acknowledged the death of Inzunza Coronel in a social media post.

“Congratulations to the Mexican Security Cabinet on their successful operation in Michoacán against the Sinaloa Cartel. Pedro ‘N’ (Pichón) was killed and two other cartel members were arrested in a major operation conducted by Mexican Naval Forces to seize illegal narcotics, vehicles, laboratories, weapons, and chemical precursors,” he wrote.

“Pichón was accused of multiple crimes in Mexico including murders, kidnappings, torture, and violent collection of drug debts. He was also wanted in the U.S. for multiple crimes.”

With reports from Milenio

What to cook this December

By
Bel Woodhouse
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1
Christmas plate in Mexico
Christmas is a time of frequent feasting in Mexico. (Universidad Anáhuac Querétaro)

¡Feliz Navidad! This month, we’ve got a lineup of delicious Christmas dishes. It’s a time for warming atole or champurrado with crispy buñuelos. Crispy, creamy apple salads with your glazed ham lunch. In Mexico, traditional dishes you look forward to all year. 

I asked three of my Mexican friends, “What is Christmas to you, in food?” The answers came thick and fast, with everyone sharing their favorites. No matter where in Mexico they came from, a few recipes were universally recognized, such as ponche. So, this month, I’m including my friends’ traditional favorites. 

A Christmas tree in downtown Guadalajara.
Harbinger of the season: A Christmas tree in downtown Guadalajara. (Cuartoscuro)

Romeritos Navideños

Very popular in central Mexico, this is my friend Sof’s favorite. It has been around since the arrival of the Spanish in Mexico, and is still a favorite of many a Mexican family today. Originally known as revoltijo (jumble), it’s a delicious, hearty stew everyone will love. It may seem like a lot of work, but it is worth it.

This recipe is made in three parts, but it is well worth the effort. 

Ingredients:

Romeritos and mole sauce

  • 3 cups of washed and dried romeritos (seepweed)
  • 2 cups of baby potatoes, cooked, peeled and halved
  • 1 ½ cups of cooked nopales, diced
  • ⅔ cup of sun-dried shrimp (camarón seco)
  • 1 cup mole poblano sauce (homemade or store-bought)
  • ⅔ chicken broth to prepare the mole sauce
  • 1 tablespoon of salt

Tortitas

  • 4 large eggs
  • ⅔ cup dried shrimp powder (camarón en polvo or camarón molido)
  • Oil for frying

Part 1 — making the romeritos and mole

  1. Soak the dried shrimp in hot water for 20 minutes. While they soak, wash the romeritos and cover with water in a pot. Bring to a boil, then remove from the stovetop to prevent further cooking. Drain in a colander. 
  2. Mix the mole and two cups of chicken broth in a large saucepan to form a paste. Cook on medium heat until the fat floats to the surface. Then reduce the heat and simmer until it’s a nice paste, not too runny, as the romeritos will release more liquid while cooking.
Romeritos navideños
Romeritos navideños are a seasonal favorite in Mexico. (Mexico in My Kitchen)

Part 2 – making the shrimp patties

  1. Heat the oil over medium heat. While it’s heating, use an electric mixer to whip the egg whites into stiff peaks. Add in the egg yolks and gently mix. When mixed, add in the shrimp powder and fold through.
  2. Place a large spoonful of the mixture into the hot oil to form the patties. Fry for a couple of minutes on each side until lightly golden, then place on a paper towel to drain. 

Part 3 – assembling the main dish

  1. Drain the soaking shrimp. Remove skin, heads and tails, and add them to the pot with the mole. Add in the potatoes, nopales and romeritos, and mix. Simmer together for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to combine. 
  2. Serve on a plate with two to three shrimp patties on the side.

Bacalao (salted cod)

This exquisite blend of flavors is my friend Renata’s favorite. Her family makes it every year and has done so for generations. It’s better the next day, so you may want to make this one on Christmas Eve for serving on Christmas Day. Plus, the cod needs hours to soak, so it’s easier that way. Or if you want to make it on Christmas, you can soak the cod for eight hours overnight, making it nice and tender.

Ingredients:

  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 1 ½ pounds (lbs) of salted cod
  • 1 large onion, sliced
  • 2 lbs of tomatoes
  • 1 pound of small potatoes
  • 4 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 4 red peppers, roasted and cut into strips
  • 1 cup parsley, chopped
  • ¾ cup pitted olives
  • 6 pickled guëro peppers (banana peppers) — jalapeños are fine if you can’t find guëros
  • ⅓ cup raisins
  • 2 tablespoons capers, rinsed
  • 1 ½ teaspoons of dried Mexican oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste — remember the cod came salted, so taste the sauce before adding more salt. 
Bacalao
Bacalao, or salted cod, is a Christmas favorite in Mexico. (Gobierno de Mexico)

Soak and prepare the cod

  1. Cover the cod in water and rinse three times. On the third rinse, the water should be clear. Leave it to soak in this water for six to eight hours. Once soaked, it will be tender. Drain and add to a pot, then cover in clean, cold water. Simmer over medium heat until tender, about seven minutes.
  2. Drain and set aside. Keep some of the cooking liquid to add to the sauce later. 

Tomato sauce

  • Roast the tomatoes on a hot griddle for about 10 minutes while the fish is cooling. Once the tomatoes are roasted, add them to a blender and process until smooth. Then pour through a sieve to remove excess seeds. 
  • Once the fish is cool enough to handle, shred it finely.

Make the bacalao

  • Heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat. Sauteé the onion until translucent, then add garlic and cook for a couple of more minutes. Pour in the tomato sauce and simmer for five to seven minutes to allow the flavors to infuse.
  • Add the shredded cod, and once it’s simmering again, slowly add the olives, raisins and capers. Cook for a few minutes so that the flavors blend, then add the potatoes.
  • Bring back up to simmering, then add the peppers, oregano and parsley, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Remember to taste the sauce first; it may not need any more salt. Simmer for 10–15 minutes until the sauce thickens. 
  • Serve and enjoy! 

Mexican Apple Salad

Mexican Apple Salad
Fresh yellow apples and other fruits, plus heavy cream, are the stars of this holiday favorite. (Gobierno de Mexico)

 

Along with the delicious Christmas punch known as ponche, this is my friend Ana’s favorite. A heavenly mix of fruits and cream, it is an eagerly anticipated holiday delight. This recipe has been passed down from Renata’s abuela to her aunt, who shared it with me. Something I’m very grateful for! 

Ingredients:

  • 8 yellow apples, cut into small cubes
  • 1 can of pineapple in syrup, cut into small cubes
  • 1 can of peaches in syrup, cut into small cubes
  • Pecans, chopped (or your preferred nut)
  • 500 milliliters heavy cream (crema para batir)
  • Red cherries, sliced (optional)
  • White/yellow raisins (optional)
  • Peeled, seedless grapes (optional)

Make the salad

  1. Combine apples, drained peaches and pineapple cubes (save the syrup of each) in a large bowl. Add the nuts.
  2. Mix cream with two tablespoons of syrup from the canned fruits. Stir into the fruit mixture, along with any optional add-ins you’d like, adjusting the syrup for desired creaminess.
  3. Chill for three to four hours before serving.

¡Feliz Navidad y Buen Provecho!

Mexico Correspondent for International Living, Bel is an experienced writer, author, photographer and videographer with 500+ articles published both in print and across digital platforms. Living in the Mexican Caribbean for over 7 years now, she’s in love with Mexico and has no plans to go anywhere anytime soon.

The December 2025 supermoon: Watch it from Mexico City next week

By
Andrea Fischer
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0
A high up view of the Mexico City Independence Angel and a few of the city's skyscrapers are seen against an afternoon supermoon.
Astrophotographers, get ready! The year’s final full moon before the winter solstice is just around the corner — and December opens in Mexico City with a supermoon! (Jesús Toledo/Pexels)

As a child, one of my favorite things about the last months of the year was watching the moon from the segundo piso in Anillo Periférico. “December moons are the most beautiful of the year,” my father used to tell me. And he was right about that.

I remember clearly coming back from dining at my grandma’s and being absolutely taken aback by the moon’s enormous, copper face on a December night. I even thought it was a big light bulb, and was moved when I realized it was actually the moon, peeking from behind skyscrapers and billboards. It was as if we were playing catch with her, racing away across Periférico.

Supermoon in Mexico City
During supermoon season, the full moon tends to be around 14% brighter than on ordinary nights. (Andrea Hinojosa/Pexels)

Little did I know back then that what I was seeing in Mexico City’s night sky was a supermoon. Over 15 years later, capital dwellers will experience the exact same phenomenon this December! Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 supermoon in Mexico City, and some tips to enjoy your astronomical observation to the fullest this year.

What is a supermoon and is it a rare phenomenon?

A supermoon is not a common occurrence in the night sky. According to NASA, this phenomenon happens “when the moon’s orbit is closest to Earth (known as perigee) at the same time as a full moon.” This explains why these full moons appear larger from Earth’s perspective. It looks that way because it’s closer to us.

Not only does it look bigger, but it’s also more brilliant. The brightness of a supermoon is 14% greater than that of an average full moon, according to NASA’s records. Even during Mexico City’s misty December nights, this is a sight to be seen. The best part is, you don’t need any specialized equipment to get a glimpse of it this month!

When to watch December’s supermoon from Mexico City

Observation platform StarWalk’s calculations estimate that the December supermoon will be visible to the naked eye from anywhere in the country. So save the date! The night of December 4, however, will be a spectacular one for Mexico’s night skies.

The supermoon will begin at 11:14 p.m. GMT, or 5:14 p.m. in Mexico City. It will reach its peak around 9 p.m., the ideal moment to undertake astrophotography endeavors. However, there are some obstacles that observers from the capital might encounter that night.

Mexico City at night
Clouds and storms are a supermoon’s worst enemy — and light pollution, of course. (Fernando Paleta/Pexels)

Supermoon obstacles

First and foremost, the fact that Mexico City suffers from terrible light pollution is a result of “the inefficient, unnecessary and extreme use of artificial light sources,” per the Institute of Astronomy at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). This makes it practically impossible to see the Milky Way — or any stars, really — from my chaotic hometown.

Second, the fact that 2025 has been an extremely rainy year. We even had the rainiest summer in decades! Given that we have had some heavy clouds in the afternoons recently, it would be a shame — yet, very possible — that a stormy night might interfere with the observation of the supermoon.

If we do get a rainy night on December 4, however, do not worry. There are several alternatives for a clear and safe observation. First, UNAM and NASA usually broadcast supermoons from their official social media accounts. You can join the observation journey online at any time that day.

The other option is to simply wait until the storm ends. Usually, supermoons are most beautiful at dawn the next day.

So, if you’re an early bird like me — and lucky enough to get a clear morning — you’ll get to feast your eyes on the supermoon’s last glows around 5 a.m. on December 5. Nothing beats seeing the full moon with the sky in soft, pink hues in the background.

Andrea Fischer contributes to the features desk at Mexico News Daily. She has edited and written for National Geographic en Español and Muy Interesante México, and continues to be an advocate for anything that screams science. Or yoga. Or both.

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