A street mural by a Chicano artist in San Francisco's Mission District alludes to Mexico's cultural history. (Fabrice Florine/Flickr)
Running through Nov. 9, Mexico City is hosting its fourth annual Chicano Cultural Encounter, an event that celebrates Chicano identity through artistic and cultural activities and the links between Mexican Americans in the U.S. and Mexicans in Mexico.
Chicano – or “Chicanx,” the nongendered version of the word used by the event’s organizers in their name – is an identifier for people of Mexican descent born in the United States.
The events are a mix of cultural events ranging from art workshops to lectures. This group was part of a poetry slam event held at the National Autonomous University’s School of Sciences and Humanities. (Chicanx Sin Fronteras/Instagram)
The event is organized by Chicanxs Sin Fronteras (Chicanxs Without Borders), founded in 2022 in Mexico City to create cultural projects that promote Chicano identity and its connection to Mexican culture. Touching on themes like migration, identity and community resistance, the Mexico City event celebrating Chicano culture aims to connect two communities that face similar issues despite being geographically separated.
The event is taking place in 10 different venues across Mexico City, including academic institutions like the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), art galleries such as the José María Velasco Gallery, and government venues such as the National Institute of Fine Arts and Literature (INBAL).
“Our challenge as a collective is not only to be a bridge between the communities on the other side of the border and this city but also between government and higher education institutions, and community and independent spaces in places like the town of La Candelaria or Tepito, among others,” Alfonso Vázquez, the collective’s founder and event coordinator told newspaper La Jornada.
Vázquez added that one of the main purposes of the event is to counter negative narratives in the U.S. and Mexico about Mexican migrant communities, aiming to highlight the value and contributions of Chicano culture.
“Chicano culture and Mexico City share a common history, but the truth is that most people here [in Mexico] are unaware of what Chicano culture is and who its main representatives are,” Alfredo Matus, head of the José María Velasco Gallery, said in a press conference.
This year’s edition features activities that include art, poetry, activism, and film. The program includes book presentations on migration issues and discussion panels on education, incarceration and deportation in binational contexts.
This year’s event will also pay tribute to the late Armando “El Profe” Vázquez Ramos, a Mexican who came to the U.S. at 12 with his parents and became a civil rights activist and taught Chicano studies for 25 years at California State University, Long Beach. (Luz Vázquez-Ramos)
The event will also pay tribute to Armando Vázquez-Ramos, a leading figure in the study of Chicano culture who became known in the U.S. for creating the first university program to allow Dreamers to study abroad and return to the U.S. legally. He died in August in the U.S. of cancer.
The principles of “carnalismo” (brotherhood) and community empowerment will be showcased throughout the entire program of activities, organizers said.
Artists and activists from both sides of the border will participate in the event, including academics, writers and members of community organizations that work with youth and former gang members in California.
Guests include activists from Underground Scholars, an organization that supports prison education; artists from Homeboy Art Academy by Homeboy Industries, a gang rehabilitation program; and writers such as Carmen Tafolla and Dulce M. López, whose work focuses on the richness and diversity of Chicano culture.
The event is free of charge. Some activities and conferences will be livestreamed on social media, including Instagram, using the handle @chicanxs_sin_fronteras.
"Pedro Páramo" had its streaming debut on Wednesday. (Netflix Latam/X)
“Pedro Páramo,” an epic adaptation of Juan Rulfo’s iconic Mexican novel, is available on Netflix as of Wednesday.
The 137-minute movie made its world premiere in September in the Toronto International Film Festival and played just two weeks ago in the Morelia International Film Festival in Michoacán.
The film marks the feature-length directorial debut of renowned Mexican cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto, features a star-studded Mexican cast and was shot in locations around Mexico. Its Netflix presentation includes subtitles in English and nine other languages.
The project represented a great challenge due to the essence of Rulfo’s literary work, in which the main character travels to the ghost town of Comala to search for a father he doesn’t know, Pedro Páramo. Though less than 150 pages, the book is a difficult first-time read, as lines between the living and the dead that blur and incidents from the past and present intertwine.
Now considered a literary masterpiece, “Pedro Páramo” sold poorly and received only a few lukewarm reviews when it was first published in Mexico City in 1955.
Its ascent to becoming a cornerstone of Latin American literature, however, can be intuited in this famous quote from “Love in the Time of Cholera” author Gabriel García Márquez: “Without reading ‘Pedro Páramo,’ I wouldn’t have been able to write ‘100 Years of Solitude,’” another masterpiece of magical realism.
When the main character travels to the ghost town of Comala, the lines between life, death, past and present blur in Juan Rulfo’s masterpiece of Mexican magical realism. (Netflix Latam/X)
As for the movie, “Pedro Páramo” was listed as the No. 1 film on Netflix within 24 hours of its release, but it has received mixed reviews so far. RogerEbert.com called it “an alluring ghost story full of visual intrigue and surrealist imagery.” But the New York Times deemed it a “grave adaptation” of the novel in which “the filmmaking is oddly orthodox.”
Mexican actor Manuel García Rulfo stars as Juan Preciado, the man who is confronted with a desolate town filled with whispers and wandering souls. The 43-year-old is best known for his roles in films such as “The Magnificent Seven” in 2016 and the current Netflix series “The Lincoln Lawyer.”
Other Mexican stars in “Páramo” include Tenoch Huerta of “Black Panther” fame and Ilse Salas, twice nominated for an Ariel Award (often called a Mexican Oscar) for best actress. She won in 2019 for “Las Niñas Bien” (“The Good Girls”) and also received acclaim for her role in Alonso Ruizpalacios’ acclaimed 2014 coming-of-age film “Güeros” (also on Netflix).
Prieto said directing the ambitious “Páramo” project took him back to his high school years when Rulfo’s classic was required reading. He called it “an exciting challenge and a deeply personal journey.”
Nobel Prize winner Gabriel García Marquez credited Juan Rulfo’s “Pedro Páramo” with inspiring his literary masterpiece, “One Hundred Years of Solitude.” (Netflix Latam/X)
Prieto, 59, is “one of the most acclaimed and respected cinematographers in the world,” according to the Morelia film fest catalog, one who uses meticulous setups, unconventional camerawork and rich colors.
A multiple Ariel Award winner, he has been nominated for Academy Awards for his work on “Brokeback Mountain” and three Martin Scorsese movies, including “The Irishman.” He made his directorial debut 11 years ago with the short film “Likeness” following his breakthrough as a cinematographer for “Amores Perros” in 2000.
“Páramo” was filmed in the states of Nayarit and San Luis Potosí, and in Mexico City. “Many exteriors were required,” Prieto said. “Streets with specific characteristics, plazas, fondas [homestyle restaurants] and the Media Luna,” a lagoon in San Luis Potosí.
According to a release from Netflix, the film brought in more than 375 million pesos (US $18.8 million) to Mexico’s economy, with a production team of more than 550 technicians and artists. In San Luis Potosí alone, there were more than 2,500 workers and 900 extras, resulting in nearly 15,0000 hotel nights booked in the state.
The costume design department collaborated with artisans and tailors from around the country: huaraches from Comala, Colima; sarapes from Contla, Tlaxcala; charro tailors from Aguascalientes, and rebozos from the México state. In all, more than 5,000 garments were designed and made for the film, according to the release.
The soundtrack was performed by more than 30 traditional musicians from Jalisco, Michoacán, San Luis Potosí, Puebla, Chiapas and Mexico City.
Hurricane Rafael already pounded Cuba, taking out its power grid Wednesday. It's now headed toward Mexico's Gulf Coast. (Sky Alert Storm/X)
The Yucatán Peninsula is bracing for intense rainstorms on Thursday as Hurricane Rafael slowly makes its way into the south-central region of the Gulf of Mexico.
Rafael — a Category 2 hurricane as of 2 p.m. Mexico City time Thursday, down from a Category 3 on Wednesday afternoon — was about 350 kilometers north-north-east of Cabo Catorche, Quintana Roo, according to Mexico’s National Water Commission (Conagua).
As Rafael passes by Mexico, it will continue to weaken but bring tropical-storm-force winds to the Yucatán Peninsula and to states along the Gulf of Mexico coast as it takes about five days to move through the region. (NHC)
Rafael’s arrival in Cuba Wednesday as a Category 3 storm took out the island nation’s power grid with over 200 km/hr winds and brought flooding and heavy damage to Havana, Mayabeque and Artemisa, according to President Miguel Diaz-Canel’s account on the social media platform X. Cuba was still experiencing residual rains from the storm on Thursday afternoon even as the storm headed toward the Gulf of Mexico.
Current models have Rafael moving slowly west over the weekend before turning slightly southwest early next week, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center. If the model holds (initial models had Rafael heading toward the U.S. Gulf Coast), the hurricane is likely to weaken as it veers toward the southwest Gulf of Mexico in the direction of the states of Veracruz and Tabasco.
Conagua reported that as of noon, Rafael was featuring sustained maximum winds of 155 km/hour, gusts of up to 195 km/hour and was moving northwest at 15 km/hour. The advisory also warned that the hurricane’s outer bands would increase humidity across the peninsula, stoking heavy rain (25 to 50 mm) in the states of Yucatán and Quintana Roo, as well as cloudbursts in Campeche on the southwestern side of the peninsula.
A hazardous weather outlook was also issued for Yucatán and Quintana Roo as Conagua warned that the outer bands would bring winds of up to 60 km/hour while also producing waves reaching up to 2 meters in height on Thursday afternoon.
Yucatán’s Civil Protection authorities advised residents in eastern, central and southern municipalities to take precautions as storm conditions worsened throughout the day, according to the newspaper Diario de Yucatán.
Mexico’s National Meteorological Service (SMN) expects Rafael to weaken throughout the weekend, with maximum sustained winds dipping to 65 km/hour by Tuesday.
If the forecast holds, Rafael would be downgraded to a tropical storm and not make landfall in Mexico, according to the newspaper Milenio. Instead, the storm would dissipate and drift north while remaining 400 kilometers or more off the coast of the state of Tamaulipas.
President Sheinbaum described her call with the U.S. president-elect as "very cordial." (Claudia Sheinbaum/X)
President Claudia Sheinbaum on Thursday had her first phone call with United States President-elect Donald Trump, to congratulated him on his victory over Kamala Harris in Tuesday’s U.S. presidential election.
In a Wednesday post on the social platform X, Sheinbaum said she was open to dialogue and asked Trump for respect for Mexico’s sovereignty. She also expressed confidence that the two neighboring countries would work together “to advance the broad bilateral agenda that links us.”
“There will be good relations with the United States. I’m convinced of that,” she told listeners at her morning press conference.
Reflecting those concerns, the peso dropped to a two-year low in overnight trading, but trimmed its losses on Wednesday as the markets digested Trump’s win.
Mexico surpassed China as the top U.S. trade partner last year, as the value of goods imported by the United States from Mexico rose nearly 5% from 2022 to 2023, to more than $475 billion, according to the Associated Press.
Mexico surpassed China as the United States’ top trade partner in 2023. (Asipona Manzanillo)
Demonstrating the importance of the bilateral relationship, Sheinbaum on Wednesday also met with Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock Inc, and Adebayo Ogunblesi, director of BlackRock’s private equity firm Global Infrastructure Partners, at the National Palace in Mexico City.
Sheinbaum topics of discussion included Mexico’s economic advantages and the US-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement, the president said in a post on X.
According to La Jornada, Sheinbaum emphasized that Mexico’s economic indicators are solid since a shift in policies under her predecessor Andrés Manuel López Obrador, a new economic model that she is following. She also said Fink agreed that the peso is strong and now is a “good moment for Mexico.”
However, Trump’s campaign promises have left Mexico bracing for punishing tariffs and mass migrant deportations, according to the newspaper The Guardian. The U.S. president-elect has even suggested he would call for U.S. military strikes on organized crime groups in Mexican territory, an idea that former President López Obrador categorically rejected.
Trump has repeatedly threatened to implement tariffs on cars and other products made in Mexico, in spite of the USMCA free trade agreement. (Volkswagen de México)
Wednesday’s decision to recognize Trump’s victory was a bit of a surprise after Sheinbaum had said earlier in the week that she would wait until all the votes were counted. However, after Harris conceded, Sheinbaum decided to congratulate the U.S. president-elect.
Sheinbaum’s predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, famously delayed congratulating Joe Biden after he defeated then-President Trump in November 2020, waiting more than a month until the U.S. Electoral College had confirmed the result.
Dive into your own slice of paradise with one of these genuinely outstanding pieces of Mexican real estate currently on the market. (Alta Habitat)
Mexican real estate is undoubtedly in vogue, with some of the absolute coolest offerings anywhere in the world. The climate and ambiance of many of its cities and towns attract investors from all over the world. Whether it’s new construction or stunning traditional houses transformed into modern spaces, the architectural and design scene in Mexico has flourished in recent years, and combined with positive indicators in the real estate market, this presents a great opportunity for investment.
Projections for real estate in Mexico, both residential and commercial, for the period from 2024 to 2029 are optimistic. According to an analysis by Mordor Intelligence, the residential real estate sector in Mexico is expected to grow by 4.14% during this period. But what does investing in property here actually get you?
Well, look no further, because here is our selection of some of the best real estate deals currently available in Mexico.
Nature melds with modern architecture in Oaxaca
(Alta Habitat)
With a delicate and elegant design by architect Juan José Rivera Río, this construction blurs the boundaries between interior and exterior spaces as its simple lines harmonize with the surrounding nature. Located in Huatulco, along the beautiful Pacific coast, this area is experiencing growth while maintaining a low profile compared to other Mexican beaches. Here, you will experience spaciousness and breathtaking views of the ocean. Amenities include saltwater swimming pools, a hydro-massage pool, a wellness center and a gym. The development offers houses ranging from 180 to 435 square meters in size, with two to four bedrooms and two to five bathrooms, depending on your preference.
Colonial elegance in the heart of Mérida
(Grupo Inmoflo)
This colonial home in the Historic Center of Yucatán’s capital features beautiful architecture, with high ceilings, large windows and skylights that create a sense of open space and light throughout the property. The walls and ceilings preserve some of the original materials, adding a special charm with a modern touch. The ceramic floors, rustic doors, ironwork and expansive garden filled with amate, the sacred Maya tree, along with the original facade.
The property’s charms are only enhanced by its proximity to major landmarks like Parque La Ermita de Santa Isabel.
An eco-abode on the Oaxaca Riviera
(Alta Habitat)
This stunning architectural project is situated on one of the most beautiful beaches in Oaxaca, Santa Elena del Tule. The views from the property are spectacular, with the Pacific Ocean in front and the rock formations of the Sierra Madre del Sur surrounding it. The renowned architect behind this project is Bernardo Quinzaños of firm CCA.
The location provides a sense of intimacy and pristine nature, as it is only 40 minutes from Puerto Escondido. The property offers amenities such as massages, an outdoor jungle gym, a bar, an organic vegetable garden, meditation and yoga sessions and the option of a personal chef who can prepare dinners in the comfort of your home or provide cooking classes to help you learn new culinary skills. The construction size is 125 m², with 1-2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom.
An original gem in San Miguel de Allende
(CDR Bienes Raíces Forbes)
Casa Palikao is truly a gem in a town renowned for its quality of life. Located in the heart of San Miguel, the house dates back to 1764, with its iconic central courtyard and high ceilings reminiscent of the classic 18th-century haciendas. The renovation was overseen by internationally acclaimed interior designer Anne-Marie Midy and local landscape designer Timoteo Wachter. The property features seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms and a total area of 1,157 square meters. One of its main attractions is the beautiful pool at the center of the house.
The perfect house for entertaining in Valle de Bravo
(Alta Habitat)
Situated in a privileged setting with stunning views of a private lake and just a couple of hours from Mexico City, Cardo Santo was designed by the renowned architect Manuel Cervantes Céspedes. It is part of a collection of farmhouses following the farm-to-table concept. Each house features its own garden, and the community was envisioned as a gastronomic hub surrounded by trails, orchards, gardens and water features. The property offers four bedrooms, four and a half bathrooms and 406 square meters of construction.
The quintessential Cuernavaca home
(CGC RE))
This property embodies a beautiful Mexican rustic design, reminiscent of ex-haciendas, yet with a distinct 1950s Cuernavacan style. The property features a spacious layout, a central pool surrounded by a lovely garden, adobe floors and talavera tiles. The house has a total area of nearly 660 square meters with 151 square meters of construction, and includes three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
A Puebla hideaway
(Antona Lama Inmobiliarios)
This property spans 1,487 square meters and exemplifies the classical rustic style of Mexico. The house is all on one level, featuring high ceilings and mud floors that showcase its stunning beauty. It includes four bathrooms, three bedrooms, a beautiful pool, a garden and terraces.
Rustic sophistication in Tlalpan
(CGC RE))
Filled with light, this house features high ceilings and represents the rustic classical Mexican construction style that is both elegant and simple. Featuring wood and stone elements, the property includes three bedrooms and three bathrooms, with a total area of 660 square meters and 327 square meters of construction. Situated in one of the most beautiful areas in Mexico City, near the southern forest, the garden and layout of the spaces in this property are major highlights.
A turn-of the century palace in Santa María la Ribera
(Raph Desarollos)
This area of Mexico City is undergoing growth and revitalization. Filled with colonial houses, the potential of this zone is remarkable. Cedro 328 is a prime example. Built in 1900, this property is currently undergoing restoration and transformation to create 14 apartments within a Porfiriato-era building with a central garden. The space is stunning, and the structure is awe-inspiring with its high ceilings, halls and patios. Each apartment features either one or two bedrooms and one or one and a half bathrooms, along with a kitchen, living room and dining room.
Ana Paula de la Torre is a Mexican journalist and collaborator for various outlets including Milenio, Animal Político, Vice, Newsweek en Español, Televisa and Mexico News Daily.
In October, produce prices were up almost 16% compared to last year, due to unfavorable weather conditions. (Rogelio Morales/Cuartoscuro)
Mexico’s annual headline inflation rate increased in October from the previous month as fruit and vegetable prices surged.
The national statistics agency INEGI reported Thursday that headline inflation rose to 4.76% in October, up from an annual rate of 4.58% in September. The rate is slightly higher than the 4.73% median forecast of analysts surveyed by Citibanamex.
With an interest rate announcement coming next week, the Bank of Mexico is keeping a close watch on the inflation rate. (Archive)
The increase in inflation in October broke a two-month streak of declines in the annual headline rate.
Month-over-month inflation was 0.55% in October, while the annual core rate, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, declined for a 21st consecutive month to 3.80%.
The decrease in the closely-watched core rate likely keeps the Bank of Mexico (Banxico) on track for another interest rate cut next week, the Bloomberg news agency reported.
The central bank — which targets a 3% headline inflation rate — has reduced its key rate on three occasions this year, shaving a combined 75 basis points off borrowing costs. The most recent 25-basis-point cut came in September, leaving Banxico’s benchmark rate at 10.50%.
Fruit and vegetable prices up almost 16%
INEGI’s data shows that fruit and vegetables were 15.90% more expensive in October than in the same month of 2023. That’s the highest inflation rate for those products since July, and represents an increase of more than eight points compared to September.
Varying weather conditions have caused produce prices to fluctuate significantly this year.
Annual inflation for meat was 6.17% in October, up one point from the rate in September.
Prices in the combined category of agricultural products (fruit, vegetables and meat) were 10.92% higher than a year earlier.
With meat included, October prices for agricultural products increased almost 11% compared to last year. (Victoria Valtierra/Cuartsocuro)
Annual inflation for services was 4.98% in October, while energy prices, including those for electricity and gasoline, rose 4.62%. Compared to September, nationwide electricity prices increased 18.07% in October due to the end of the summertime electricity subsidies program in various cities including Mérida, Monterrey, Acapulco, Campeche and Cancún.
Annual inflation for processed food, beverages and tobacco was 3.81% in October, while non-food goods were 1.63% more expensive.
Will inflation trend down in the final months of 2024?
Andrés Abadía, chief Latin America economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, is predicting that inflation will fall in the fourth quarter of 2024, despite the uptick in October.
“Our expectation is based on several factors, including less pronounced base effects, weakening internal demand, improving supply chain conditions and more favorable climate patterns,” he said.
The median projection of analysts surveyed by Citibanamex this month is that Mexico’s annual headline inflation rate will stand at 4.41% at the end of the year.
Bloomberg reported that most analysts believe that the long-running decline in core inflation will continue “going forward.”
The PGA World Wide Technology Championship is also expected to see significant change in the coming years. (PGA World Wide Technology Championship)
Jack Nicklaus may have been the first legendary figure to put Los Cabos on the golfing map when his layouts at Palmilla and Cabo del Sol opened to acclaim in the early 1990s. But Tiger Woods, the man still chasing Nicklaus’ record for all-time major championships, is the latest, and he’s done something locally that Nicklaus never did: bring a PGA tournament to Los Cabos.
The PGA World Wide Technology Championship (WWTC) returns to the Woods’ designed El Cardonal Course at Diamante in Cabo San Lucas from Nov. 7 to 10, with many of the world’s best golfers competing for a purse of US $7.2 million, plus points and exemptions for next season. To the winner go much of the spoils. Last year, South African golfer Erik van Rooyen won the first iteration of the tournament held in Cabo San Lucas with a scorching final round 63, pocketing $1.46 million in the process.
El Cardonal will once again host the PGA Tour. (Diamante Cabo San Lucas)
This year, the winner will not only score a significant cash prize but will earn a two-year PGA Tour exemption, 500 FedExCup points and entry into select 2025 tournaments like The Sentry and The Players Championship.
What to expect at the 2024 WWTC
Who’ll be playing?A mix of young up-and-coming stars like Neal Shipley and established tour veterans such as Lucas Glover, Charley Hoffman, and Matt Kuchar. The tournament has a history of showcasing rising stars, and in previous years has hosted players as notable as Scottie Sheffler (in 2022), Collin Morikawa, Jon Rahm, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, and two-time WWTC winner Victor Hovland (a two-time winner of the WWTC).
Less noteworthy to U.S. viewers, but of interest to those in Mexico, is the qualification process that allows Mexican players to become eligible for play. In 2023, four Mexican golfers played in the WWTC: Isidro Benitez of Puebla; Roberto Díaz of Veracruz; Pachuca native José Cristóbal Islas; and Mexico City’s Sebastián Vázquez. The latter had the best finish, shooting 15 under to tie for 38th place. This year, four more will compete, including Benitez again.
Isidro Benitez of Puebla returns again this year. (Official World of Golf)
Whatever the announced field, the course they’ll be playing on is the same world-class one as a year ago. El Cardonal was the first ever Tiger Woods-designed course to be completed. The 7,363-yard parkland-style layout premiered in Cabo San Lucas in 2014 and was intended to evoke the “Old California” courses Woods grew up playing. It’s perfect for tournament play, with a closing par-5 that almost guarantees dramatic finishes. Van Rooyen eagled the 537-yard 18th in the final round of the 2023 event, with those two strokes accounting for his margin of victory.
For the 2024 WWTC, players will arrive and register at El Cardonal by Monday, Nov. 4, with the course available for practice rounds on the 4 and 5 before the tournament tees off on Thursday, Nov. 7. However, tickets aren’t available for the practice rounds or the Pro-Am events on Nov. 6: only for WWTC tournament play.
How to get tickets for the 2024 WWTC
General admission tickets have been on sale since Aug. 1 and remain surprisingly affordable by Los Cabos standards: only US $35 per person for Rounds 1 and 2, with the price increasing to $40 and $45 for Rounds 3 and 4, respectively. Or you can buy a ticket for all four days for $139. Children under 15 get in free if accompanied by a ticket-holding adult, with a limit of two kids per parent.
Good luck getting into Tiger Woods’ sports bar. (The Woods Cabo.)
That’s for an entry pass to watch the tournament and enjoy most concession areas. To access the upgraded VIP areas will require a more substantial outlay. Meanwhile, to enjoy hospitality privileges at Wood’s superb restaurant, The Woods Cabo, which commands views of the first and 18th holes… you might need to sell your car.
Where do you park if you still have a car? At a designated parking lot near Diamante with a free shuttle that continuously ferries fans to the course entrance and back. Another free shuttle leaves from downtown Cabo San Lucas, with discounted parking available.
For those not expecting to be in Los Cabos to attend the tournament, it’s still possible to watch it on television. The Golf Channel will provide coverage for U.S. and Canadian viewers, while those in Mexico can follow along via Golf Channel Latin America.
The history of competitive golf in Los Cabos
Jack Nicklaus & Lee Trevino ~ At Cabo Del Sol (1/2)
Nicklaus may not have brought a PGA Tournament to Los Cabos, but the “Golden Bear” has made incredible contributions to raise the area’s golfing profile. In addition to designing six world-class local courses , Nicklaus participated in two of the five Senior Slam events that took place in Los Cabos in the late 1990s and also played in the first of the two head-to-head stroke play events for Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf television series that were held in Los Cabos.
The first Wonderful World of Golf matchup in 1996 saw Nicklaus lose to Lee Trevino on a course he designed at Cabo del Sol’s Ocean Course.
The other Shell event featured two more major champions, Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia, competing at the then-new and still remarkable Tom Fazio-designed Querencia Golf Club in 2001.
The Shell show was a terrific showcase for the sport and the Senior Slam drew a host of legendary players since the event paired the previous year’s major winners on the PGA Senior Tour. However, it was not an official event on that tour. It took Woods to help attract an official PGA tournament to Los Cabos — although an assist should probably be given to Greg Norman, another former major champion with design history in Los Cabos.
How the WWTC ended up in Los Cabos
The WWTC tournament has been contested since 2007 and was the first PGA Tour event ever played in Mexico. The first 16 events were held at the Greg Norman-designed El Camaleón Mayakoba Golf Course on the Riviera Maya. However, when Norman became CEO of the Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf Tour and announced a LIV Golf tournament would be scheduled at El Camaleón, the rival PGA decided to move the WWTC to another location.
Woods was influential in getting the tournament to Los Cabos, with the PGA ultimately inking a 5-year deal to have the WWTC hosted at Diamante, the luxury development on the Pacific Coast of Cabo San Lucas where Woods has designed two courses (El Cardonal and the 12-hole Oasis Short Course) and has another (The Legacy Club) on the way.
Chris Sands is the Cabo San Lucas local expert for the USA Today travel website 10 Best, writer of Fodor’s Los Cabos travel guidebook, and a contributor to numerous websites and publications, including Tasting Table, Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, Forbes Travel Guide, Porthole Cruise, Cabo Living and Mexico News Daily. His specialty is travel-related content and lifestyle features focused on food, wine and golf.
Jenna Mayhew has been practicing psychology in Mexico for almost a decade. Now, she is here to answer your questions. (Jenna Mayhew)
You may have noticed lately that every Wednesday we publish a “Talk Therapy” column, a weekly advice column designed to offer support, insights, and practical solutions.
Life can be complicated. Whether you’re facing personal dilemmas, grappling with cultural adjustments, or simply trying to make sense of your emotions, we all need a little help from time to time. That’s where Jenna Mayhew comes in. A seasoned psychologist with a deep understanding of both mental health, relationships and crosscultural living.
Jenna Mayhew (center) and the team at Hola Therapy. (Jenna Mayhew)
Every Wednesday, Jenna answers one carefully selected question from our readers. Her approach is grounded in years of experience, a warm and empathetic demeanor, and a genuine commitment to helping people understand themselves better. Whether you live in Mexico, are navigating life as an immigrant, or simply want advice on a personal matter, Therapy Talk is here to provide thoughtful, evidence-based guidance.
No question is too big or too small.
How to Submit Your Question
Are you ready to seek advice? Submitting your question to Jenna is simple. Just comment on any of the existing articles, including this one, or send an email to [email protected] and your question could be featured in an upcoming column. Jenna will select one question each week, ensuring a variety of topics and perspectives are covered.
Whether you’re grappling with a personal issue or seeking practical advice on how to improve your mental well-being, Therapy Talk is here to help. The column is open to all readers, whether you’re a long-time resident, a recent expat, or someone simply curious about life in Mexico and how to live it well.
To introduce the column, we put the following question to Jenna:
“How can I find an English-speaking therapist in Mexico and how do I know if they’re registered?”
Jenna says:
Being an English-speaking immigrant in Mexico presents unique challenges when it comes to seeking therapy. While the country has, in many ways, a robust healthcare system, very few of the many public healthcare services are dedicated to mental health.
Despite this, Mexico does train many psychologists who then work privately. Today, there are approximately 148,000 psychologists in Mexico. When compared with the 108,000 psychologists serving the U.S. population of 333 million (1 per 3083 people), Mexicans have much greater access to psychology support services (1 per 858 people). However, the majority of professionals operate primarily in Spanish, which means the language barrier can be one of the first obstacles for those who need to access care in English.
Additionally, the cultural context of therapy can differ significantly between Mexico and countries like the United States or Canada. Immigrants may need to navigate these differences while trying to find a therapist who understands their specific needs, such as issues related to acculturation, identity, or immigration stress. This can be more accessible in larger cities like Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey.
In terms of regulation and licensure, Psychologists in Mexico are required to have a Cédula Profesional. This is a confirmation of a degree in psychology. It is not linked to regulation which is what ensures that ethical and practice codes are set and adhered to. Non-psychology therapists such as clinical social workers, psychoanalysts or counsellors do not require a cédula professional and also do not have required licensure or regulation.
If you’re feeling stressed by the demands of living and working abroad, there’s a therapist in Mexico that’s right for you. (Nik Shuliahin/Unsplash)
This means finding a ‘registered’ therapist isn’t as straightforward as it may be in a country with a tighter licensing and regulation framework. Due to this, personal recommendations are often a great place to start. Many therapists in Mexico also voluntarily adhere to international standards of practice. Despite the regulatory differences, the growing awareness of mental health in Mexico, along with a more globalized approach to therapy, makes it increasingly accessible for English-speaking immigrants to seek support.
Jenna Mayhew is an Australian psychologist based in Mexico, with over 20 years of experience in Australia, England and Mexico. She is the founder of Hola Therapy, a bilingual practice dedicated to supporting the immigrant and cross-cultural communities in Mexico.
Hola Therapy aims to give back to the community and one way they achieve this is by providing by clinical and financial support Misión México Foundation. https://www.misionmexico.org Misión México Foundation is a charity in Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico. They provide a stable, therapeutic environment for some of the state’s most vulnerable children, with a focus on safety, emotional recovery and education.
If you have enjoyed the “Ask Jenna” column, please consider giving back by making a small donation to the Misión México Foundation
The peso kicked off Semana Santa (Holy Week) at nearly 20 to the dollar. (Shutterstock)
The Mexican peso went on a rollercoaster ride on Wednesday after Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential election.
After closing at 20.08 to the US dollar on Tuesday, the peso depreciated to a low of 20.81 to the greenback in early trading on Wednesday.
The peso’s volatility Wednesday contributed to several stock values falling on the Mexican stock exchange (BMV), but many rallied after investors apparently picked up some deals. (Andrea Murcia Monsivais/Cuartoscuro)
That position – a depreciation of 3.5% compared to the USD:MXN rate at the close of markets on Tuesday – was the peso’s weakest since August 2022.
The currency subsequently rallied and was trading at 20.16 to the dollar at 6 p.m. Mexico City time.
Mexico’s close trade relationship with the United States makes the peso particularly vulnerable to political developments in the U.S. During the U.S. election campaign, the likelihood of a Trump victory contributed to the peso’s depreciation to above 20 to the dollar.
However, the slump to 20.81 to the dollar on Wednesday was “a fall some analysts said may have been overdone,” according to the Reuters news agency.
The currency’s rebound to virtually the same position it was at 24 hours earlier supports that view.
On Monday, Trump threatened to impose a 25% tariff on Mexico in retaliation for what he called an “onslaught” of criminals and drugs to the United States. This would require renegotiation of the USMA free trade pact, however. (File photo/Donald J. Trump Facebook)
In recent months, the peso has also been highly sensitive to political developments in Mexico. It depreciated sharply in June after the ruling Morena party won big majorities in Congress that enabled it to pass controversial constitutional reforms such as the recently enacted judicial overhaul that allows the direct election of all Mexican judges.
Chris Turner, global head of markets for Dutch financial services corporation ING, said he couldn’t rule out a depreciation of the peso to 22 to the dollar in coming weeks.
Gabriela Siller, director of economic analysis at Mexico’s Banco Base, said on social media that the peso continues to face “internal risks, especially now” that Morena and its allies are seeking to approve a constitutional reform that would disband a number of autonomous government agencies.
In another X post, Siller acknowledged there is widespread “concern” in Mexico about a second Trump presidency, but stressed the importance of remembering that the former (and soon-to-be) president initiated a trade war with China and signed the USMCA during his first term.
Rodolfo Ramos, head of Mexico research at Brazilian bank Bradesco, said that his bank anticipated “uncertainty on tariffs in the short term” but added that “we remain positive on nearshoring over the medium and long run.”
The current USD:MXN exchange rate is “an attractive entry point” for investors to Mexico, he said.
While many Mexicans are anxious about a Donald Trump presidency hurting Mexico, Banco Base’s Gabriela Siller reminded her followers on X that Trump signed the USMCA free trade agreement in 2018.
A volatile day on the Mexican Stock Exchange
The Mexican Stock Exchanges benchmark index declined more than 2.5% shortly after opening, but ended the day 1.77% higher.
The El Economista newspaper reported that the turnaround was supported by investors snapping up stocks that dropped in value early in the day.
On Wednesday, Sheinbaum unveiled some details of her electricity transition plan. (Galo Cañas Rodríguez/Cuartoscuro)
Just hours after it became clear that Donald Trump had won the presidential election in the United States, President Claudia Sheinbaum held her Wednesday morning press conference at the National Palace in the historic center of Mexico.
Here is a summary of her remarks about Trump’s victory, energy sector reform and other issues, during her latest mañanera.
Sheinbaum’s daily press conference began soon after most U.S. media outlets definitively called the U.S. presidential election for Donald Trump. (File photo/Jonah Elkowitz for Shutterstock)
‘No reason for concern’ about a second Trump presidency
“To all Mexicans, there is no reason for concern. To our compatriots [in the U.S.], to their relatives here, to Mexican business people: there is no cause for concern,” she said despite Trump’s tariff threats and pledge to carry out a mass deportation operation.
Sheinbaum noted that four of 11 Supreme Court justices voted against a proposal to partially invalidate the recently enacted judicial reform, ensuring that large-scale judicial elections can go ahead next year as planned.
“Who voted against [the proposal]? Justice Yasmín Esquivel, Justice Loretta Ortiz, Justice Lenia Batres and also Justice Alberto Pérez Dayán,” she said.
Justice Pérez Dayán in a session of Mexico’s Supreme Court in February. (Cuartoscuro)
“I invite you to listen to the intervention of Justice Pérez Dayán. … What he said is, ‘I don’t agree with the reform, but that doesn’t mean that my personal opinion implies that a project of unconstitutionality can be accepted because [the reform] is already in the Constitution,'” Sheinbaum said.
“… There is coherence in the justice’s vote. … We might have differences with the justice, but in this case reason prevailed, the Constitution prevailed, the rule of law prevailed,” she said.
“… It was good news yesterday … for all Mexicans,” Sheinbaum said.
The energy transition and ‘clear rules’ for electricity sector investors
“We’re going to move ahead in a sustainable and very determined way in the energy transition,” Sheinbaum said.
“We will reduce the impact on the environment and the emissions that cause global warming.”
Earlier in the president’s press conference, Energy Minister Luz Elena González presented the government’s National Electricity Sector Strategy.
Part of that strategy is having “clear rules” for private investment in the sector, González said.
“Private participation in electricity generation will be maintained with a percentage of up to 46%,” she said.
The state-owned Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) has a guaranteed 54% stake in electricity generation, as per a recently promulgated energy reform.
CFE director Emilia Calleja told Sheinbaum’s press conference that US $23.4 billion will be invested in the utility over the next six years. Over half of that amount – $12.4 billion – will go to electricity generation projects, including renewable ones, she said.
Sheinbaum said that the CFE will continue “growing” and become stronger during her six-year term.
“How? With already proven financial schemes, with which we’re going to continue increasing … [electricity] generation. And a very significant percentage of that will be from renewable energy sources,” she said.
