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99 facts you need to know about Mexico: 81-99

By
MND Staff
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An older woman in colorful Indigenous clothing speaks into a microphone, next to a young Mexican woman dressed in black
Over 7 million Mexicans speak an Indigenous language. Pictured: Juana Osorio, a Rarámuri woman, speaks at a presentation of a documentary about her aunt, Rita, whose story brought attention to the stigma faced by Indigenous language speakers. (Moisés Pablo/Cuartoscuro.com)

In honor of World Statistics Day on Oct. 20, Mexico’s national statistics agency INEGI published a small book presenting the 99 facts you need to know about Mexico.

This week, we have shared the book’s contents translated into English. Check out the other installments for more curious, surprising and eye-opening statistics about Mexico:

81) In 2025, potholes and water leaks were the most frequently reported community problem in neighborhoods and localities, making up 53.3% of reports.

(Source: INEGI, National Survey of Victimization and Perceptions of Public Security – ENVIPE, 2025)

Infrastructure failures such as potholes in the streets and water supply leaks are consistently viewed as top concerns in urban and rural communities. These issues affect daily life, mobility, and public trust in local government, often ranking above crime or public safety in citizen surveys.

82) In 2024, there were 1,203 registered museums in Mexico — 10 more than in 2023.

(Source: INEGI, Museum Statistics – EM, 2023 & 2024)

Mexico’s museum network continues to grow, with art, history and archaeology as the most common themes. Major museums are concentrated in Mexico City, but every state maintains cultural venues. The rising number of museums reflects increasing investment in the arts, heritage and public education.

Anthropology Museum
While the National Anthropology Museum is one of the most famous and visited cultural spaces in the country, there are over a thousand other museums registered across Mexico. (Moisés Pablo/Cuartoscuro.com)

83) In Mexico, some town names are used repeatedly. The most common is San Antonio, found in 1,440 different locations across the country.

(Source: INEGI, Register of Continental, Insular and Submarine Geographic Names – RNG, 2025)

This widespread naming reflects Mexico’s colonial and religious heritage, with “San Antonio” appearing in towns, villages and smaller settlements throughout almost every state. Locality name repetition is common for saints and Spanish-rooted place names, underscoring the country’s deep geographical and cultural diversity.

84) In 2024, there were 818,000 registered deaths in Mexico: 44.0% were women, and 55.9% were men. In 0.1% of the cases, sex was unspecified.

(Source: INEGI, Registered Death Statistics – EDR, 2024)

Mortality statistics in Mexico continue to show a gender difference, with men consistently making up the majority of recorded deaths — even as life expectancy gaps persist. These patterns are shaped by age structure, occupational risks and differences in the leading causes of death for each sex.

85) In 2025, 61.2% of the population had attended at least one cultural event or performance in the previous year, including concerts, live music, exhibitions, movie screenings and theater plays.

(Source: INEGI, Module on Selected Cultural Events – MODECULT, 2025)

Cultural participation is on the rise, with movie showings, concerts and festivals as the most attended events in Mexico. Recovery in cultural attendance after the pandemic shows renewed interest in public events across age groups and regions, though participation rates remain lower for people with disabilities and Indigenous language speakers.

86) Between 2000 and 2020, the average number of occupants per dwelling in Mexico fell from 4.4 to 3.6 people.

(Source: INEGI, Population and Housing Censuses)

Household size in Mexico has steadily decreased, reflecting demographic changes like lower fertility rates, more nuclear families and increased urban living. This trend brings new challenges and opportunities for housing, city planning, and social services.

Post-AMLO, Mexican household income is up and inequality is slightly down

87) In 2020, 51.6% of Mexico’s population lived in localities with fewer than 100,000 inhabitants.

(Source: INEGI, Population and Housing Census – CPV, 2020)

Despite increasing urbanization, the majority of Mexicans continue to live in small and medium-sized towns and rural communities. These demographic patterns affect access to services, infrastructure and economic opportunities, with significant regional disparities.

88) In 2024, 72.3% of people in Mexico felt unsafe at ATM machines located in public areas.

(Source: INEGI, National Survey of Victimization and Perceptions of Public Security – ENVIPE, 2024)

Public ATM machines are perceived as the riskiest urban locations for crime and assault, with nearly three out of four adults reporting insecurity when using them. This perception remains higher than for public transport, parks or banks — and is even more pronounced among women and in larger cities.

89) Commuting to work often means crossing municipal boundaries in Mexico. In 2020, 14.4% of workers traveled between municipalities to reach their workplace.

(Source: INEGI, Population and Housing Census – CPV, 2020)

Intermunicipal commuting has grown in recent decades as metropolitan zones expand and jobs become more dispersed. This poses mobility challenges for urban planning, transport systems and local labor markets, increasing both travel times and demand for regional coordination.

90) In 2022, 24.5 million head of cattle were registered in Mexico.

(Source: INEGI, Agricultural Census – CA, 2022)

Mexico’s cattle inventory continues to grow, with bovines kept for meat, milk and hides across all regions. Just over half the country’s cattle are concentrated in eight states, led by Veracruz, Jalisco, Chihuahua and Chiapas — making cattle farming a major part of rural economies and food supply.

91) In 2020, Jocotitlán or Xocotépetl, in the state of México, was the active volcano with the greatest number of populated localities around it: 68 towns with 95,000 inhabitants.

(Sources: INEGI, Geology and Physiography – GEOL, 2024; INEGI, Geo-statistical Framework – MG, 2020; INEGI, Population and Housing Census – CPV, 2020)
A town sits at the feet of a green volcano
The Jocotitlán volcano in México state, also known as Xocotépetl. (Carolina López CC BY 2.0)

Jocotitlán is notable both for its volcanic activity and its surrounding communities, making it the volcano with the largest concentration of settlements and residents in its vicinity. Monitoring and risk mitigation for these populations is a local priority, given the potential hazard and socioeconomic importance of the region.

92) In 2022, land dedicated to agriculture in Mexico exceeded 25 million hectares, an area slightly larger than the state of Chihuahua.

(Source: INEGI, Agricultural Census – CA, 2022)

Mexico’s agricultural land spans about 25.7 million hectares according to active productive units, placing it among the country’s largest categories of land use. The extent is comparable to the total area of Chihuahua, highlighting the importance and scale of farming activities in national territory.

93) In 2020, there were 7,364,645 people aged 3 and over in Mexico who spoke an Indigenous language.

(Source: INEGI, Population and Housing Census – CPV, 2020)

Mexico’s linguistic diversity remains significant: These speakers made up about 6.1% of the national population over age 3. The majority live in rural municipalities in the south and southeast, with Oaxaca, Chiapas and Yucatán among the states with the highest shares of Indigenous language speakers.

94) During 2024, there was an average of 1,027 traffic accidents per day in urban and suburban areas of Mexico.

(Source: INEGI, Land Transit Accidents in Urban and Suburban Areas – ATUS, 2024)

According to INEGI’s annual reporting, traffic crash frequency in urban settings remains a major public safety challenge. With over 374,000 accidents recorded for the year, the daily average underscores ongoing issues in road safety, enforcement and urban mobility nationwide.

95) Between April and June 2025, 16.4 million people worked independently in Mexico.

(Source: INEGI, National Survey of Occupation and Employment – ENOE, second quarter 2025)

Independent work — including self-employment, freelancing and those with small businesses — remains a crucial part of Mexico’s labor market. This segment represents over one-quarter of all employed people, and trends in independent work reflect changes in entrepreneurship, informal labor and economic resilience.

96) Meteorological phenomena such as tornadoes are also recorded in Mexico. In 2022, civil protection units attended 66 such reports.

(Sources: INEGI, National Census of Municipal Governments and Territorial Demarcations of Mexico City – CNGMD, 2023; INEGI, National Census of State Governments – CNGE, 2023)

Tornadoes, while infrequent compared to other natural hazards, are documented each year — mostly in northern and eastern states. Civil Protection authorities respond to all tornado reports with emergency management and risk mitigation efforts as part of broader disaster response and community support actions.

97) Of the 6.9 million people who live in a different municipality, state or country now than they did in March 2015, 2.5 million migrated to reunite with family.

(Source: INEGI, Population and Housing Census – CPV, 2020)

Family reunification remains the main reason for internal migration in Mexico, accounting for about 37.5% of all cases between 2015 and 2020. Migration for work is the next most common driver, but family ties are the central force shaping mobility patterns — particularly for women.

98) At the end of 2022, there were 2,458 mayors and municipal presidents in Mexico: 77.0% were men and 22.9% were women.

(Source: INEGI, National Census of Municipal Governments and Territorial Demarcations of Mexico City – CNGMD, 2023)

Men continue to dominate political leadership roles in local governments, with women holding less than a quarter of mayoral or municipal president positions nationwide. Although representation has improved compared to previous decades, progress slowed in 2022, highlighting persistent barriers to gender equity in political participation.

99) In 2023, seven out of every 100 inhabited households in Mexico did not have a kitchen.

(Source: INEGI, National Survey of Demographic Dynamics – ENADID, 2023)

By 2023, 93.3% of Mexican homes had a dedicated kitchen space, marking an improvement from previous years, but about 2.5 million homes still lacked this amenity. The absence of a kitchen is more common in rural, marginalized and low-income regions, which signals ongoing disparities in housing quality and access to basic infrastructure.

Mexico News Daily

A Frida Kahlo self-portrait sells for US $54.7M, a new record for a female artist

By
MND Staff
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Frida's "The Dream /The Bed)
The bed is a recurring theme in Kahlo’s art, symbolizing both refuge and confinement. (Sotheby's)

Frida Kahlo made history this week as her haunting 1940 self-portrait, “El sueño (La cama)” — which translates to “The Dream (The Bed)” — sold for US $54.7 million (hammer pricxe plus commission), shattering all previous auction records for works by female artists and further cementing her legacy as an icon of both art and resilience.

Bidding at Sotheby’s in New York lasted a brisk four minutes before the hammer fell, marking an unprecedented moment not only for Kahlo but for the broader art world.​

The Thursday sale exceeded projections, which had placed the work’s value between US $40 and $60 million, and easily eclipsed the previous high for a woman artist — Georgia O’Keeffe’s “Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1,” which fetched $44.4 million in 2014.

“El sueño (La cama)” also topped Kahlo’s own auction record, set in 2021 when “Diego y Yo” sold for $34.9 million.

The buyer of “El sueño (La cama)” remains anonymous, with the auction house confirming the work will be featured in major exhibitions in New York, London and Basel, Switzerland, through 2028.​

According to the New York Times, the painting came from a distinguished private collection, where it had remained for approximately 45 years. The previous owner reportedly acquired it at a Sotheby’s auction in 1980 for US $51,000.

Created in the midst of personal turmoil and medical hardship, the painting depicts Kahlo asleep in a carved bed under a canopy topped by a skeleton entwined with dynamite and flowers — a stark meditation on mortality and pain, rendered with unmistakable emotional candor.

The bed, a recurring theme in Kahlo’s art, symbolized both refuge and confinement, shaped by years of illness and recovery after a long metal rod tore through her midsection when a bus she was riding slammed into a trolley car. Only 18 at the time, she suffered severe fractures in her pelvis, ribs, shoulders and spine.

As Sotheby’s explained, “The bed’s structure becomes both a physical support and a metaphysical scaffolding, a stage on which death literally hovers above life. ‘The Dream (The Bed)’ undoubtedly offers a spectral meditation on the border between sleep and death.”​

Though described by scholars as distinctly surrealist in tone, Kahlo herself denied the label, famously declaring, “I never painted dreams. I painted my own reality.”

Researchers have a new diagnosis for Frida Kahlo, 70 years after her death

The blockbuster sale comes as “Fridamania” has resurged, with the opening of Casa Roja (Red House) — a new Frida Kahlo museum in Mexico City — as well as recent exhibits in Chicago and, for the first time, in China. 

It also comes amid ongoing debates over missing Kahlo works at top Mexican institutions. A newly published report alleges the disappearance of several paintings and drawings from Casa Azul, the original Frida Kahlo museum in Mexico City, sparking calls for transparency from the artist’s estate and the Mexico’s Ministry of Culture.

Kahlo’s art market remains robust, with collectors vying for any piece — no matter how small or minor.

Last year, Christie’s sold a small, 15-inch painting of knickknacks — a 1931-32 work titled “Window Display on a Detroit Street” in English — for US $7.2 million.

And in addition to the US $34.9 million received for her 1949 work “Diego y Yo” in 2021, her intimate “Portrait of Cristina, My Sister” sold for US $14.785 million in 2023 — zooming past pre-auction estimates of US $8 to $12 million.

Kahlo painted the simple composition at age 21, when she was just beginning to eschew the styles of the masters and embrace techniques and colors that would become her trademarks.

With reports from Milenio, El País, The Guardian and NPR

Baja California woman sentenced to 20 years over murder of visiting surfers

By
MND Staff
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Ari Gisell Silva
Ari Gisell Silva, 23, urged her three companions to assault the surfers, two Australians and one American, and has now received a 20-year prison sentence for her role in what turned out to be a triple murder. (@arturodetexas/on X)

A Mexican woman was sentenced to 20 years in prison for her role in the murder of three tourists during a carjacking in the northwestern state of Baja California last year.

Ary Gisell Silva, 23, pleaded guilty in state court to instigating the violent assault on Australian brothers Callum Ryan Robinson and Jake Martin Robinson, and their American friend Jack Carter Rhoad, in April 2024.

Seen in these photos released by authorities are Jesús Gerardo García Cota and Cristian Alejandro García, two
of three suspects awaiting trial for the murder of two Australians and one American who had come to Baja California to surf.

The judge handed down the sentence following an abbreviated trial after Silva had renounced her right to an oral trial. By waiving her right to a full trial, Silva received a reduced sentence. 

The judge’s ruling also requires her to pay damages exceeding 54,285 Mexican pesos (US $2,935), with the possibility of further civil compensation for the victims.

Silva offered a tearful apology in court, acknowledging that “nothing I can say will compensate you or give you peace.”

The three men arrested on charges of killing the tourists will be tried at a later date. 

Silva did not dispute the prosecutors’ case that she was the first to contact the surfers after noticing they were carrying valuables.

According to the newspaper El País, the Baja California Prosecutor’s Office (FGE-BC) based its case on the testimony of a witness who heard García say, “He has a good cell phone and good tires for my pickup.” 

Silva allegedly made the statement while standing alongside the victims’ vehicle, which was parked in the Punta San José tourist area, about a two-hour drive south of Ensenada, Baja California, the witness declared.

The FGE-BC argued that Silva then “instigated her companions” to rob the victims.

Silva testified that the three alleged murderers — identified in court as Jesús Gerardo “N,” Irineo Francisco “N” and Ángel Jesús “N” — tailed the vehicle to the campsite on the beach where the foreigners were staying. 

The BBC reported that Jesús Gerardo “N” and Irineo Francisco “N” have ties with the Sinaloa drug cartel, although prosecutors do not suspect any links between the murders and organized crime.

According to the official reconstruction, the surfers were surprised at their campsite by the suspects, who attempted to steal their Chevrolet Colorado and other belongings. When they resisted, the attackers shot each of them in the head.

The suspects then dumped the bodies of the victims in a remote well about 8 kilometers distant.

Forensic experts found traces of blood and drag marks at the campsite and identified an attempt to destroy evidence by burning tents and the vehicle. It took authorities eight days to find the bodies of the three surfers.

Jake Robinson, 33 and a doctor, traveled to the United States in mid-April to visit his brother Callum, 30, who lived in San Diego and played professional lacrosse in the U.S. Rhoad, 30 and originally from San Diego, worked at a technology firm and had plans to get married in August 2024.

The three attended the Coachella music festival in California before traveling to Mexico, arriving at Punta San José on April 27 only to be murdered a few hours later.

With reports from The Associated Press, El País and BBC

Senate approves stricter penalties for extortion, a pervasive problem in Mexico

By
MND Staff
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A hand holds a cell phone against a dark background
The legislative proposal updates definitions of extortion to make clear that it includes crimes commited by telephone, the most common type of extortion in Mexico, as well as other modern methods. (Shutterstock)

Senators this week unanimously approved the Law to Prevent, Investigate and Punish Extortion Offenses, a new legal framework that standardizes the crime throughout the country, in an effort to protect Mexicans from telephone, banking and digital extortion.

The law also strives to protect victims who file charges by authorizing ex-officio investigations, meaning the complainant does not have to be identified. It will also punish public officials who collaborate in the commission of this crime or fail to report extortion crimes.

The Mexican Senate floor
The Senate rejected a pared-back version of the bill approved by the lower house, voting this week to approve a stricter version more closely aligned with President Sheinbaum’s original proposal. (Andrea Murcia / Cuartoscuro)

Those crimes include a wide variety of offenses, ranging from threats and protection rackets to more sophisticated techniques like “virtual kidnapping,” in which criminals convince their target to leave home and turn off their cell phone, then call family members of the target demanding ransom to free the supposedly kidnapped person. Officials reported earlier this year that extortion has increased over 80% in the past decade, though data is lacking since most cases go unreported.

This week’s 110-0 Senate vote returns the bill to the Chamber of Deputies, where lawmakers there will address the 21 amendments senators added to 15 articles — including harsher sentencing guidelines — as well as the addition of a transitional article.

Members of the Morena party comprising 67 senators celebrated the passage of the bill, the first comprehensive and uniform response to the scourge of extortion, which affects individuals, businesses, services and enterprises of all sizes, as well as transportation and the distribution of goods.

“This is a firm step towards closing the … legal loopholes that left families unprotected for years,” said Sen. Heriberto Aguilar.

The bill as approved by the Senate recognizes all modern forms of digital, telephone and banking extortion, including debt scams and carjackings. It guarantees that they will be investigated and punished without the need to demonstrate financial damage, while also addressing the psychological and moral effects on the victims.

“Extortion not only affects property, it deprives people of their peace of mind, dignity and sense of community,” said Sen. Enrique Inzunza, president of the Legislative Studies Committee.

Aguilar said the new law would establish a single criminal procedure throughout the country, eliminating differences that existed in state laws and correcting the inequality of criteria that had favored impunity.

The bill calls for the creation of special units, police officers, analysts and public prosecutors who would be trained, evaluated, certified and specialized in the investigation of extortion.

The bill also incorporates a comprehensive protection system for victims, including prompt attention from the authorities, and specialized support. It also grants officials the authority to immediately cancel telephone lines being used for extortion.

Additionally, resources obtained from the forfeiture of assets will be used to restore the rights of the victims.

Security Minister: Half of reported extortion lines are operating from prisons

According to a study published by Seven Publishing Group last year, extortion has become an easy and quick source of financing for organized crime, governments and political organizations, including political parties, as well as public officials who demand a “fee” to carry out services.

The study also found that more than 97% of the victims of extortion do not report the crime to the authorities.

The most common type of extortion, telephone extortion, is of particular concern to security authorities in Mexico because it most often originates inside prisons.

To address the issue, the bill prohibits inmates from having electronic devices and includes 6- to 12-year sentences for those violating the law, while also sanctioning prison officials and other staff who allow the entry of cell phones and other devices.

“Legal mechanisms and instruments [in the bill] will block illicit communications, prohibit access to electronic devices and ensure that prisons are spaces for control and social rehabilitation, not for criminal activity,” said Sen. Javier Corral, president of the Justice Committee.

The creation of a National Information System on Extortion, a specialized reporting center, and the design of a national prevention strategy are also contemplated in the legislation.

With reports from La Jornada, El País, N+ and El Financiero

New Southwest Airlines flights will connect Puerto Vallarta and Las Vegas

By
MND Staff
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Southwest aircraft over desert
From Las Vegas, the sparkling metropolis in the Nevada desert, to Puerto Vallarta, the resort mecca on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, Southwest Airlines will be offering direct flights beginning next June in time for the World Cup. (Southwest Airlines)

Southwest Airlines has announced a new twice-weekly nonstop flight between Puerto Vallarta and Las Vegas starting June 6 next year. 

The route will operate on Saturdays and Sundays on a Boeing 737 aircraft, and will increase capacity by an estimated 1,296 extra seats per month between the sunny destinations. 

PV airport
New passengers from Las Vegas arriving at the Puerto Vallarta International Airport next June will see an airport undergoing extensive renovation that will add to its already impressive list of national and international airports served. (@diariovallarta/on X)

The new Las Vegas route adds to Southwest’s existing list of U.S. destinations from Puerto Vallarta, including Denver, Houston, Orange County, Sacramento, Austin, Phoenix and, starting in March 2026, San Diego.

It also reflects the Puerto Vallarta International Airport’s expanding service as it undergoes extensive improvements scheduled for completion in 2027. It currently connects the Jalisco state port and resort city with 54 national and international destinations.  

“In designing our summer 2026 schedule, we examined industry trends and identified locations… where we are able to provide customers more choices when they’re booking travel,” Adam Decaire, the senior vice president of network planning and network operations control at Southwest Airlines, said in a statement. “Additionally, we’re boosting service in locations where we’ve always had a strong presence to offer customers even more service than ever before in those cities.”

The new route will coincide with the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with some of the matches taking place in the Jalisco state capital of Guadalajara, 295 highway kilometers (180 miles) from Puerto Vallarta. Due to its proximity, Puerto Vallarta offers an alternative for travelers looking to combine attending games with a beach vacation. 

As part of Southwest’s expansion plans in Mexico for next year, the airline will also add a new non-stop service between Las Vegas and Cancún on June 6, with further plans to launch new flights between Las Vegas and Los Cabos. 

With reports from El Universal and Travel and Leisure

Tabasqueña Fátima Bosch wins Miss Universe after pageant bullying episode

By
MND Staff
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Miss Universe Fatima Bosch waves at the camera while wearing a crown surrounded by other pageant contestants
Fátima Bosch was crowned Miss Universe in Thailand on Friday. (Miss Universe)

Fátima Bosch Fernández, 25, has been crowned Miss Universe 2025, becoming the fourth Mexican woman in history to win the coveted title.

The announcement was made on Nov. 21 during a ceremony in Bangkok, Thailand, marking the end of an exceptionally controversial competition that first made headlines after a top pageant official berated Bosch during a livestreamed event for not posting promotional content on her social media.

@missuniverseBecause every step you take leads to something greater, and fighting for your dreams while believing in yourself will always be worth it.♬ original sound – Miss Universe

Weeks after the tense scene went viral, the woman at the center of the controversy is now the 74th Miss Universe.

“I would like to be remembered as someone who changed the stereotype of what a Miss Universe is, and as a real person who gives her all,” Bosch said after receiving the award.

Bosch stood out among 120 contestants from around the world and made her way to the top five. Miss Thailand Praveenar Singh was runner up, followed by Miss Venezuela Stephany Abasali, Miss Philippines Ma Ahtisa Manalo and Miss Cote d’Ivoire Olivia Yace.

But following the viral confrontation with Nawat Itsaragrisil, national director of Miss Universe Thailand, many have speculated online about her victory.

“Some suggest that she gained visibility thanks to the intense confrontations with Nawat. Others speculate about the influence of Raúl Rocha, president of Miss Universe, who is also Mexican,” Thai BBC correspondent Panisa Aemocha said.

Adding to the controversy, two judges resigned on the eve of the final ceremony, one of whom accused organizers of rigging the competition. Still, the Miss Universe organization has praised Bosch on its official social media account, saying that “her grace, strength and radiant spirit won the hearts of the world.”

“Today I reaffirmed that what God has destined for you, neither envy can stop, nor fate can abort, nor can luck change. Long live Christ the King!” Bosch wrote a day after the ceremony on her social media channels.

Fátima Bosch, the pride of Tabasco

Originally from Teapa in the southern state of Tabasco, Bosch comes from a prominent family in the beauty pageant world, with two of her maternal aunts having competed in the Flor de Tabasco pageant in Mexico — the same one that she would later win in 2018.

During her childhood, she faced challenges stemming from dyslexia and ADHD, an experience, she said, that has helped her build resilience. In her speech as Miss Universe, she emphasized the importance of authenticity and self-worth to inspire women of all ages.

In addition to her interest in Miss Universe, Bosch studied fashion design at the Ibero-American University of Mexico City and finished post graduate studies in Italy and the United States.

The new Miss Universe has become a source of pride in her home state of Tabasco, where 7,000 people gathered at Centenario 27 de Febrero Stadium in Villahermosa to watch the final ceremony. Thousands more watched from public squares around the state, where municipal government leaders set up giant screens for members of the public to watch the show.

With reports from El Universal, BBC and El Financiero

Meet the Iztapalapa artist making luchador masks for F1 racers

By
Alan Chazaro
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Fusing traditional Mexican culture with modern artistic sensibilities, Lilmister P has gone from an Iztapalapa street artist to an international design star. (Lilmister P/Instagram)

There isn’t any singular artist or style of art that can capture the sheer magnitude and energy of a city as vibrant as Mexico’s capital. And yet, when it comes to understanding the idiosyncratic beauties of Mexico’s biggest metro region — particularly in its vast, sprawling neighborhoods — local artists can offer a small window through which to begin to explore, if not understand, Mexico City’s unbridled soulfulness and social fabrics. 

Lilmister P is one of those artists, a contemporary muralist, designer and “Hypervector” expressionist — a phrase he says captures his sense of dimensionality and depth in whatever he aims to create — from Iztapalapa. Located in the city’s southeastern outskirts, Iztapalapa is among the most populated neighborhoods in Mexico City but is often overlooked by outsiders and lacks the major touristic appeal of Mexico City’s other offerings. Still, it’s home to a rich lineage of artistry, including Fábrica de Artes y Oficios, Centro Cultural Iztapalapa, Sala Quetzalcóatl and Centro Cultural Casa de Las Bombas. These arts and culture centers have long provided Mexico City’s residents with film screenings, dance productions, art workshops, book clubs, pottery classes and more.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by LilmisterP (@lilmisterp)

That all shaped Lilmister P as an aspiring artist who was born and raised in the borough, where he attended high school and studied graphic design, learning how to screen print and stencil at an early age — techniques he later applied to create clothing, stickers, and painting on canvases. Five years ago, he founded Hechizas, a clothing and lifestyle brand that jokingly plays on Mexican themes of bootleggery found in flea markets as a nod to his Iztapalapa upbringing.

“I like to speak loud and be proud of being born in Iztapalapa,” he says. “Through many years people have seen my area as a dangerous and problematic space in the city. But I like to show the bright side of it, like the Viacrucis. [The annual event] gathers thousands of people from all over the country and also foreigners who come to live the experience [through a dramatic reenactment of religious events in the city’s streets].”

The Chilango artist’s talents have caught the eyes of those beyond just his neighborhood, though, attracting major global brands like UnderArmour, Jordan Brand, Formula 1 and more. When F1 was in town for its annual Grand Prix this past October, Lilmister P was tasked with designing custom lucha libre masks — inspired by the sugar skull tradition of Día de Muertos — for F1 drivers Carlos Sainz and Alexander Albon of Williams Racing. Both drivers personally received the skulls and signed them. Sainz (who is a particularly notable race car driver and whose father, Carlos Sainz Sr., was a famously influential World Rally Championship driver in the 1980s and 90s who was beloved by Spanish-speaking fans worldwide) filmed a video in which he speaks about Lilmister P’s masks and celebrates being in Mexico. 

The F1 racing team found Lilmister P’s work online and contacted him about the collaboration. The mask’s details and nuances highlight Lilmister P’s attention to detail, creativity and, Mexican identity. For Sainz, the mask features the driver’s car number, 55, on the forehead, which is a Mexican tradition to honor relatives on sugar skulls; it also contains a mustache made from chilis, since that is Sainz’s nickname. For Albon, Lilmister P prominently stitched lotus flowers, since Albon is from Thailand, where the flower holds significant cultural and religious symbology; the mask also mimics cat whiskers, since Albon is known to be a cat lover.

Lucha masks are certainly a popular trope in Mexican art. But for Lilmister P, they’re more than just a one-off gimmick. A defining element of Lilmister P’s work is his artistic persona, which he signals by constantly wearing a lucha libre mask wherever he goes. In fact, there are no public photos of him without his mask. Having grown up as a lucha libre fan, he references watching both CMLL and AAA (two of Mexico’s largest lucha libre organizations) at his grandparents’ home with his cousins, where he learned to appreciate the superhuman artistry and theatrics of it all.

“I’ve loved lucha libre since I was a kid,” he says. “I’ve never seen a real superhero, like Batman or Superman, but I’ve seen Dos Caras and Tinieblas. Those guys were real. Now, wearing a mask represents my alter ego, a character that only shows up when I wear it. I’m not a luchador, but I respect the mask tradition and I don’t like to make it look funny or anything.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by LilmisterP (@lilmisterp)

The masks he wears vary, but they generally use a black fabric as the base, with white and sometimes red adornments that flare up the nose and around the sides of the skull, while incorporating fangs, extra eyes on the head, and other quirks. In his mask, he has traveled around Mexico to regions like Oaxaca and Puebla, where he is regularly commissioned to muralize walls, often done in dedication to the spirit of Mexican culture and customs.

Next up, the designer-slash-muralist is planning to launch a series of clothing items dedicated to the EZLN, or Zapatista Movement, an indigenous rights group which became internationally known in 1994 for nominally declaring war against Mexico’s government and corruption. Lilmister P also plans to paint a mural in Iztapalapa for Viacrucis.

When asked where his work can be found, he responds like a genuine street artist of the people, known for democratizing the accessibility of art for all, no matter what social class one might belong to. And despite his big name partnerships, he remains rooted where he was raised. 

“The streets will always be my favorite space to show everything I do.”

Alan Chazaro is the author of “This Is Not a Frank Ocean Cover Album,” “Piñata Theory” and “Notes From the Eastern Span of the Bay Bridge” (Ghost City Press, 2021). He is a graduate of June Jordan’s Poetry for the People program at UC Berkeley and a former Lawrence Ferlinghetti Fellow at the University of San Francisco. His writing can be found in GQ, NPR, The Guardian, L.A. Times and more. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, he is currently based in Veracruz.

 

How Guadalajara embodies Mexico’s entrepreneurial spirit

By
MND Staff
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Guadalajara, Jalisco
Entrepreneurship runs high in Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco. (Unsplash/Sergio Rodriguez)

I was having a conversation the other day with a friend from the U.S., and as we shared stories from our families and social circles, we realized just how many people I know who have their own businesses, starting with my own family.

In my family, the vast majority of family members are entrepreneurs. The spirit of building your own business was instilled by my grandfather, who, in turn, followed the example of his father. Even when times have been economically trying, the prevailing mindset has always been “let’s see what else we can sell” instead of “it’s time to find a job.”

The entrepreneurial mindset in Guadalajara

José Cuervo
José Cuervo is one of many well-known brands born in the fertile entrepreneurial spirit of Jalisco. (Mundo Cuervo)

This pattern also replicates among my friends. And while many have worked at some point for a company, most of them currently own a business, are married to a business owner or work in their family business.

Whether owners of micro or small to medium or even large companies, I grew up in an environment where employees were the exception rather than the rule. And as it turns out, this is not an isolated fact — data proves that most people in Guadalajara are business owners.  

According to a 2023 study by the Employers’ Confederation of the Mexican Republic (Coparmex), 79% of businesses in Jalisco are examples of local entrepreneurship, placing the state among the top three with the most business owners in Mexico. 

“Guadalajara’s entrepreneurial spirit is sustained by deeply rooted values: hard work, responsibility, family unity, and the pursuit of personal and collective progress,” Paloma Arámburo, a founding partner at Arámburo Muñoz Abogados and a Deputy Secretary of the Board of Directors at the Guadalajara Chamber of Commerce, told me.

“At the Chamber of Commerce, we have witnessed how this entrepreneurial spirit has been a constant that defines the city’s economic and social identity,” she added.

Historical factors for Guadalajara’s entrepreneurial spirit

According to Arámburo, the historical factors that have contributed to the city’s thriving entrepreneurial scene include its geographic location, which favored trade in the western part of the country.

Valentina salsa
There’s no doubting that family-run Valentina salsa is from Guadalajara, Jalisco. The logo features a map of the state. (Valentina)

“Guadalajara was a strategic point of trade in the western part of the country,” Arámburo explained. “Its geographic location and productive focus generated an economic culture based on proximity, trust and collaboration, elements that fostered the formation and survival of family businesses. Many of them emerged from artisan workshops or small businesses that, over time, became pillars of regional development.”

Looking at the companies that have come out of Jalisco, it’s hard to deny the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit in the city. Many Mexican household brands, renowned both nationwide and abroad, hail from here. Think of Valentina, Tajín, Pelón Pelo Rico, Dulces de la Rosa, José Cuervo, Verde Valle, Omnilife and Pisa Pharmaceuticals, just to name a few. 

What’s interesting is that all of these companies are still run as family businesses and have been operational for at least two generations. 

 Lack of opportunities spurs entrepreneurship

“In Guadalajara, it’s common for several generations to participate in the family business, strengthening not only the company but also a sense of belonging and legacy,” Arámburo said. 

While there’s a long tradition of transgenerational family businesses, the city is still seeing new businesses opening up. 

Paloma Robles, Attorney at Law specializing in Corporate Governance for Family Businesses, thinks the wave of new businesses is a response to the lack of opportunities, not only in Guadalajara, but across the country. 

Verde Valle
Family-run Verde Valle is headquartered in Zapopan, part of the metropolitan Guadalajara area. (Verde Valle)

“Salaries are bad in Mexico, and for that reason, people feel forced to start their own business,” Robles said.

Looking at the country at large, it would seem Guadalajara’s entrepreneurial spirit is only a reflection of a much broader reality: Mexico’s economy as a whole is largely driven by entrepreneurial families. 

Recent data by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) reveal that between 85% and 90% of businesses in Mexico are family-owned, with the majority (99.8%) being micro or small businesses.

Family businesses and Mexico’s GDP

According to the book “Succession in the Family Business: Success Stories from TEC de Monterrey and Citibamex” from February 2022, family businesses are estimated to account for 75% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and to provide over 70% of jobs.  

“Mexican culture is different in comparison to the United States,” Robles said. “In Mexico, it’s very common for parents to expect their children to manage a family business, whereas in the U.S., children are expected to become independent at 18. So there’s a huge cultural element in that regard,” she added.

What’s striking, however, is that 70% of family businesses in Mexico disappear after the founder’s death, while only 12% survive into the third generation. According to the Mexican Entrepreneurs Association, this is due to poor business management and a lack of financial planning.

New family businesses outnumber dying ones in Mexico

Guadalajara, Jalisco
Guadalajara is known as the “Silicon Valley” of Mexico due to its high rates of entrepreneurship. (Unsplash/Sergio Rodriguez)

Still, the entrepreneurial spirit persists, and according to INEGI, the proportion of businesses that were created between 2019 and 2023 increased in comparison with those that went under. For Arámburo, this spirit goes beyond low salaries and responds to a wish to find autonomy and create a fulfilling life on one’s own terms.

“Today, entrepreneurship also responds to a deeper search for autonomy, purpose and personal balance,” she said. “More and more young people are choosing to become entrepreneurs because they want to create projects that reflect their values, generate social or environmental impact, and have greater control over their time and professional development. In a city like Guadalajara — with an innovative, collaborative, and talented ecosystem — this drive finds fertile ground to flourish.”

Gabriela Solis is a Mexican lawyer turned full-time writer. She was born and raised in Guadalajara and covers business, culture, lifestyle and travel for Mexico News Daily. You can follow her lifestyle blog Dunas y Palmeras.

Sheinbaum takes aim at violent protesters in Revolution Day speech

By
MND Staff
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President Sheinbaum gestures during a speech on Revolution Day
The president railed against "those who cause violence" and hate in a speech during the annual Revolution Day parade on Thursday. (Juan Carlos Buenrotro/Presidencia)

President Claudia Sheinbaum used part of her Revolution Day address on Thursday to send a series of pointed messages to government opponents and critics, less than a week after large protests against her administration took place.

Speaking in Mexico City’s central square, the Zócalo, ahead of the civic-military parade to commemorate the 115th anniversary of the beginning of the Mexican Revolution, Sheinbaum took aim at “discourse that normalizes violence” as the “path” forward.

Sheinbaum and several Mexican generals ride in a military jeep in the Revolution Day parade
After her speech, the president participated in national Revolution Day parade in Mexico City, along with military leaders. (Hazel Cárdenas/Presidencia)

“Those who call for violence are mistaken,” she said five days after a group of so-called “black bloc” protesters attacked police in the Zócalo at the end of a “Generation Z” march against her administration that attracted more older adults than younger Mexicans.

“Those who encourage hate are mistaken. Those who believe force can replace justice are mistaken,” continued Sheinbaum, whose government accused foreign right-wing individuals and organizations, as well as Mexican opposition figures, of promoting the protests that took place last Saturday in Mexico City and dozens of other cities across the country.

The president also asserted that various other people are “mistaken,” including those who call for a “foreign intervention” to combat organized crime, those who think “women are weak” and those who believe that the “fourth transformation” political movement she leads is asleep at the wheel.

In addition, those who think that “campaigns of slander and lies” will resonate among the Mexican people and those who think “the people are stupid” are also wrong, Sheinbaum said.

The government has faced criticism from opposition parties, the participants in last Saturday’s protests and others over its anti-crime efforts, even though arrests are up and homicides are down, according to official statistics. It has also faced claims of complicity with organized crime and assertions that it is a “narco-government,” even though it has arrested large numbers of alleged crime group members, seized large quantities of narcotics, dismantled a significant number of clandestine drug labs and sent 55 organized crime figures to the U.S.

A major catalyst for last Saturday’s protests was the Nov. 1 assassination of Uruapan mayor Carlos Manzo, an outspoken anti-crime crusader who had urged the federal government to take a more active and aggressive approach to combating Mexico’s notorious criminal organizations. On Wednesday, federal Security Minister Omar García Harfuch announced the arrest of an alleged mastermind of the attack on the mayor.

‘There is a government that listens, respects and responds to its people’

In the first part of her speech, Sheinbaum recalled the armed uprising against “the dictator Porfirio Diáz” in the early 20th century, and said that the Mexican Revolution was “enshrined in the 1917 Constitution, the most advanced in the world in terms of social justice.”

The same constitution remains in effect today, although it has been significantly modified.

Sheinbaum dedicated another part of her address to praising her own government.

The president said that “four transformations have marked the history of Mexico” — independence from Spain, 19th century liberal reforms known collectively as “La Reforma,” the Mexican Revolution and the “fourth transformation” that she and others say began when former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador took office in late 2018.

People dressed in historical costumes ride a parade float labeled Villa and Zapata
Historical figures like Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata, represented here, as well as archetypes like peasants and soldiers, feature prominently in Revolution Day parades in Mexico. (Hazel Cárdenas/Presidencia)

“The transformation that began in 2018 is strong because there is honesty, results and love for the people,” Sheinbaum said.

“… Mexico is living a moment that previously seemed impossible. Today power is not used to subjugate, but to serve,” she said.

“There are no longer impositions or privileges; there is constitution, there is democracy and there is a government that listens, respects and responds to its people,” Sheinbaum said.

She also asserted that “today freedoms are not only granted from above,” but “exercised from below, from every neighborhood, from every community.”

“… No one is silenced in Mexico anymore, no one is persecuted for thinking differently and that is an achievement of the people of Mexico,” Sheinbaum claimed.

“Today, government is no longer a space for the few. It’s no longer a club for the privileged. Today it represents everyone — those who study, those who work, the shopkeepers, the young people, the Indigenous people and women, but above all it represents those who have the least, the modest people,” she said.

A much smaller ‘Gen Z’ protest took place in CDMX on Thursday 

Less than an hour after Sheinbaum spoke in the Zócalo, a group of protesters embarked on the second “Generation Z” march in six days in Mexico City. While some 17,000 people took part in Saturday’s march from the Angel of Independence monument to the Zócalo, the turnout on Thursday was much lower, with around 200 participants of various ages, according to media reports.

Police officers temporarily stopped the contingent of protesters from entering the historic center of Mexico City to avoid any interruption to the military parade that was taking place, and to prevent any possibility of a confrontation between demonstrators and military personnel. The protesters eventually made it into the downtown area, but police prevented them from entering the Zócalo, where military parade infrastructure, including stands and screens, was being taken down.

Middle aged Mexicans march down Paseo de la Reforma with Mexican flags
The second “Gen Z” protest on Thursday drew roughly 200 participants, many of them slightly older than the march organizers’ target demographic. (Mario Jasso / Cuartoscuro.com)

The march was largely peaceful, although the Milenio newspaper reported that some “presumed protesters” attacked police officers at the intersection of Paseo de la Reforma, the capital’s most famous boulevard, and Juárez Avenue. Scuffles between the alleged protesters and police were filmed and posted to social media.

As was the case on Saturday, some protesters carried the Straw Hat Pirates’ Jolly Roger, a flag that features in the Japanese manga series “One Piece” and which has become closely associated with “Gen Z” protest movements around the world. Others carried Mexican flags and flags that called for “justice for Carlos Manzo.”

The El Universal newspaper reported that the protesters demanded that the federal government establish “a Mexico without narcos.”

One protester, 29-year-old Neptalí Roa, told the EFE news agency that “the repression” during the protest on Saturday — some police officers are accused of committing abuses against protesters — and the closure of a number of metro stations were the reasons why the turnout was low on Thursday.

In stark contrast to the message Sheinbaum conveyed in her speech, Roa claimed that “the government is scared of its people” and doesn’t want to listen to them “because it doesn’t want to face up to reality.”

EFE reported that 16-year-old Ángel Morales — described as one of “the few” young people present in the march — said that he and other protesters want “a change” in Mexico, and evidently not that which Sheinbaum says she and her government are bringing to the country.

“We’re not associated with any [political] party or any association. We just want a better future for us,” he said.

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

Mexico is now the top buyer of U.S. goods, beating out Canada

By
MND Staff
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A cargo ship heads out to sea, leaving the Mexican port of Manzanillo
The U.S. has long been the top buyer of Mexican exports. Now for the first time, the relationship is reciprocal. (Shutterstock)

In 2023, Mexico became the world’s top exporter of goods to the United States, surpassing China.

Now it also the top buyer of U.S. goods, outpacing Canada, according to U.S. government data published on Wednesday.

In the first eight months of 2025, Mexico imported goods from the U.S. worth US $226.4 billion, according to data published by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Mexico’s outlay on U.S. goods in the period was 0.3% higher than Canada’s expenditure on imports from its southern neighbor. China ranked as the third largest importer of U.S. goods, with an outlay of $73.6 billion between January and August.

The El Economista newspaper reported that Mexico has previously ranked as the top buyer of U.S. goods in “isolated months,” but not over an extended period, as has been the case this year.

“This is the first time in history that Mexico is the largest export market for the United States,” the Business Coordinating Council (CCE), an umbrella organization of Mexican business groups, said in a statement.

A shop sign urges Canadian to buy national rather than imported products
A successful “Buy Canadian” campaign has reduced U.S. exports to Canada, clearing the way for Mexico to become the top buyer of U.S. goods. (Shutterstock)

Mexico’s outlay on U.S. goods increased 0.6% annually in the first eight months of the year, while Canada’s expenditure on such products declined 3.9%. A “Buy Canadian” movement emerged in response to tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on a range of Canadian goods.

The total value of U.S. exports in the first eight months of the year was $1.43 trillion pesos, meaning that 15.8% of the United States’ export revenue came from goods shipped to Mexico.

According to an infographic based on Census Bureau data that was shared to social media by Mexican Ambassador to the U.S. Esteban Moctezuma, Mexico is the top export market for many U.S. industries, including meat and livestock processing; oil, gas and energy extraction; iron and steel manufacturing; and electrical and electronic equipment.

The CCE noted that Mexico is a large importer of U.S. cereals, electronics, steel and iron products, vehicles, machinery and fuel (including gasoline and natural gas).

According to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), the United States’ leading exports to Mexico are “electrical machinery, machinery, energy products, vehicles, and plastics, together with over $30 billion [annually] in agricultural products, including corn, pork and pork products, dairy products, and soybeans.”

The CCE said that Mexico is the “main export destination” for 24 U.S. sectors and the “second most important market” for 50 additional ones.

“In total, Mexico occupies the first or second position as a buyer in 75% of U.S. export industries,” the organization said.

The CCE also noted that Mexico was the first or second largest export market for 26 U.S. states in 2024. For Arkansas, Texas, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, California and Oregon, it ranked No. 1.

Alfonso Muñoz, an economist at the Mexico City consulting firm CMM, told The New York Times that the publication of the data showing that Mexico is now a larger buyer of U.S. goods than Canada marks an “inflection point.”

“There is a very high complementarity between the economies of Mexico and the United States,” he said.

According to the Times, Muñoz also said that “the trend was expected to hold as long as there were no major economic crises or interruptions to the current trade agreement among the United States, Mexico and Canada.”

The USMCA free trade pact, which replaced NAFTA in 2020, is scheduled for review in 2026.

Mexico’s exports to US increase 6%

The latest U.S. Census Bureau data also showed that the United States imported goods from Mexico worth $354.89 billion between January and August, a 6.1% increase compared to the same period of 2024.

Mexico captured 24% of US import market that China lost between 2018-2024

Mexico — which sends around 80% of its exports to its northern neighbor — thus retained its position as the the world’s top exporter to the United States, ahead of Canada and China.

According to the USTR, Mexico’s leading exports to the United States are “vehicles, machinery, electrical machinery, and medical devices, together with over $48 billion [annually] in agricultural products, including fresh vegetables, beer, distilled spirits, and fresh fruit.”

Most Mexican goods can enter the U.S. tariff free, despite Trump imposing duties on certain Mexican products this year, including steel, aluminum and vehicles.

In contrast, many Chinese goods are subject to very high tariffs when entering the U.S.  Canadian products that don’t comply with the USMCA face a 35% duty when entering the U.S., 10 points higher than that imposed on Mexican goods not covered by the free trade pact.

The value of both Canadian and Chinese exports to the U.S. declined in annual terms in the first eight months of the year.

Mexico and the US are each other’s largest trade partner 

Two-way trade between Mexico and the United States was worth $581.3 billion between January and August, a 3.9% increase compared to the same period of 2024.

Mexico had a trade surplus with the U.S. of $128.4 billion in the period.

Two-way trade between the United States and Canada fell 4.5% between January and August to $485.4 billion.

Trade between the U.S. and China also declined, plummeting 21.5% to $292.6 billion. Canada is the United States’ second largest trade partner, while China ranks third.

U.S. Census Bureau data also shows that the United States’ trade with Mexico accounts for around 15.5% of the world’s largest economy’s total trade with all nations globally. That figure underscores the immense significance the North American neighbors are of to each other.

The economies of the two countries have become highly integrated in the three decades since NAFTA took effect. The integration is now so great that Mexico and the United States are said to be part of a “co-production system,” in which they provide essential inputs to each other that allow final goods to be produced in various industries, including the automotive, electronics and aerospace sectors.

With reports from El Economista, El Universal and The New York Times 

Your turn to weigh in:

Is the growing interconnectedness of the Mexican and US economies a positive development? Let us know your reasoning in the comments.

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