Is Aeromexico worth the price tag?

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September 19, 2025

Aeromexico airline in flight — Aeromexico is one of Mexico's most iconic airlines. But how does it stack up against the competition? (Aeromexico)

Last year, for my 40th birthday, I took myself to Japan. One of the deciding factors to book this trip, which was rather last-minute, was that Aeromexico offered a direct flight from MEX (Mexico City International Airport) to NRT (Narita International Airport).

Because I’m a writer, I couldn’t quite swing business class. I did, however, manage to secure a great seat in the front row of comfort economy (8A) on a Dreamliner. This is the next best thing. I’ve flown extensively throughout my adult life working in the travel industry, and was happy when the flight of nearly 15 hours felt relatively easy. I wish I could say the same for the staff. Little things kept popping up — a pretentious attitude with the older Mexican man behind me, acting visibly irritated when another passenger asked for an extra blanket, and the kicker — absolutely no water provided after dinner and all service wrapped up. I’m a Delta girl, and all of this is simply unacceptable behavior, especially when the flight ran me upwards of US $3,000. (You only turn 40 once!)

An Aeroméxico airplane — Aeromexico flights can be expensive. (María Ruiz)

So when I flew to Rome at the end of August, I passed on the direct Aeromexico flight, opting instead for a layover in Atlanta with Delta. I chose Delta for two reasons: customer service and cost. A seat in Delta Comfort was half the price of Aeromexico’s economy option, and in my experience, the Delta crew is always friendly. I despise layovers, but this one felt justified.

The thing is, coming home to Mexico City from Rome took nearly 24 hours. Was it worth losing an entire day just to avoid Aeromexico? Let’s investigate.

Aeromexico’s storied history

But first, a quick background. Aeromexico was founded in 1934, meaning last September the airline celebrated its 90th birthday. The first official flight — reportedly carrying just two passengers and three crew members — was on a Stinson Reliant SR-5A, heading south from Mexico City to Acapulco. Around 20 years and a national expansion later, Aeromexico introduced its first international flight: Mexico City to New York. It was around this time that the airline introduced its iconic logo “Caballero Águila”, honoring Mexico City’s Aztec heritage and Mexican identity. (The Eagle Knight recently underwent a refresh to reflect a “more modern and humanized design.”)

Boeing planes were added to its growing fleet after the 1970s, and in 1998, the carrier launched its website and soon started selling tickets online. Aeromexico was among the founding members of the SkyTeam Alliance in 2000, joining airlines like Air France, Delta and Korean Air in an attempt to enhance global connectivity. In 2015, Aeromexico became the first Latin American airline to fly nonstop to Asia. The rest, as they say, is history.

The true cost of flying Aeromexico

But history aside, what matters to travelers today is value for money. One of the first things a regular flier will inevitably notice is pricing. Aeromexico is the only pseudo-premium airline in Mexico, and domestic flights can carry a price tag up to three times that of ultra-low cost carriers like Viva Aerobus and Volaris. With the extra fee comes more options: flexibility, amenities and routes. At present, a round-trip flight from Mexico City to Guadalajara runs US $100–$110 on Aeromexico, and about $73–$85 on Viva Aerobus, including extra fees for a checked bag.

Internationally, there is little competition apart from U.S.-based airlines such as Delta (currently a codeshare partner, though not for much longer), American and United Airlines. Viva and Volaris offer limited flights to the U.S., Caribbean and Central America. But it’s Aeromexico with the overwhelming majority, currently operating approximately 50 direct routes to various cities in the Americas, Caribbean and six European hubs. Two routes connect Mexico City to international airports near Seoul, Korea, and Tokyo, Japan.

Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner — Spacious and comfy Boeing Dreamliners are an added plus for those flying with Aeromexico. (Aeromexico)

The question is, how do costs stack up? Let’s take a real-life example, based on my most recent international trip. If I were to book a premium economy flight from Mexico City to Rome for the first week of December, right now (as I write this article), it would cost me 41,379 pesos. A Delta flight with a 3-hour layover in Atlanta would run me 26,444 pesos. Is the direct flight worth an extra 15,000 pesos? The choice comes down to time and customer service.

Why Mexico City flights cost so much

Part of Aeromexico’s pricing puzzle lies in Mexico City itself. Mexico City International Airport operates at maximum capacity with heavy slot regulation. The high demand and lack of available slots make it costly for airlines to operate, and those costs get passed directly to passengers through higher fares.

Then there are the government fees. Mexico imposes airport usage fees and taxes that are among the highest in the region. Every time you book a ticket, you’re not just paying for your seat. You’re also covering a significant chunk of regulatory overhead that gets tacked onto your base fare.

The lack of real competition doesn’t help either. When major airlines dominate key routes, there’s less pressure to keep prices competitive. It’s basic market dynamics, and unfortunately, passengers bear the cost.

Overall service: How does Aeromexico rank?

Aeromexico’s reputation among travelers is mixed, as made apparent by the following review platforms. Trustpilot gives Aeromexico a rating of 1.4 out of 5, a glaringly awful number, with reviews largely citing cancelled flights (many with no compensation) and poor customer service. TripAdvisor rates the airline a 3.0, Yelp a 1.3. Kayak is more forgiving with a 74% rating out of 100. (For contrast, Viva Aerobus rates 1.3, 2.5 and 1.3, with no rating on Kayak; Delta 1.6, 4.0, 3.5 and 80%, respectively).

Despite the relatively abysmal ratings (which one might argue plagues most Western airlines), Cirium awarded the carrier its yearly Global On-Time Award in 2024. The largest worldwide aviation analyst attributes Aeromexico’s success to “strategic investments in fleet modernization and technological advancements” and “adoption of advanced scheduling systems and AI-powered tools.” I raise an eyebrow to the latter — Aeromexico’s app almost consistently fails on me every time I’m en route to the airport.

Conclusion: Is Aeromexico worth it?

TripAdvisor rating page for Aeromexico — Reviews on rating sites like TripAdvisor don’t always paint Aeromexico in the best light. (TripAdvisor)

So back to my original question: was losing an entire day of my life worth avoiding Aeromexico on my Rome trip?

The honest answer depends on what you value most. If you prioritize convenience and hate layovers, Aeromexico’s direct routes from Mexico City are genuinely valuable — especially to destinations like Tokyo, where alternatives are limited. The Dreamliner aircraft are comfortable, and when the service works, it works decently.

But if you’re price-sensitive or have had poor experiences with their customer service, those 24-hour travel days might feel justified. My Delta layover cost me time but saved me money and stress. For a route like Rome, where I have options, I’ll likely stick with what I know keeps my heart rate at a healthy minimum.

The real test will be whether Aeromexico can improve the service inconsistencies that inundate review platforms. Until then, I’ll continue to weigh each booking decision based on three factors: my budget, my schedule and my tolerance for potential frustration. Sometimes that direct flight is worth every peso — and sometimes it absolutely isn’t.

Bethany Platanella is a travel planner and lifestyle writer based in Mexico City. She lives for the dopamine hit that comes directly after booking a plane ticket, exploring local markets, practicing yoga and munching on fresh tortillas. Sign up to receive her Sunday Love Letters to your inbox, peruse her blog or follow her on Instagram.

Survey: Over 40% of recent Mexican deportees lived in the US for more than a decade

By

MND Staff

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September 18, 2025

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Brown men walk through the US-Mexico border in Nogales — Of the group surveyed, 44% were long-term U.S. residents and 39% experienced family separation. (Humberto García via El Imparcial)

Many Mexicans deported from the United States since U.S. President Donald Trump took office in January were long-term U.S. residents, a new report indicates.

Between May and July, the Kino Border Initiative (KBI), an organization based in Nogales, Arizona, and Nogales, Sonora, conducted surveys with 278 Mexican deportees who had arrived at a Mexican government shelter in the latter city.

Of those 278 people, 44.4% reported having lived in the United States for more than 10 years, KBI said in a report titled “‘They Didn’t Let Me Say Bye’: Revealing the Human Toll of Deportations Today.”

Including deportees who had lived in the United States for six years or longer, the percentage rises to 57.1%. Just 5% of the deportees KBI surveyed reported having lived in the United States for less than one year.

KBI said that the high percentage of long-term residents being deported from the U.S. demonstrates “how current policies disrupt established families and communities.”

The Trump administration is aiming to deport large numbers of undocumented immigrants, carrying out immigration raids across the United States.

The New York Times reported in late June that immigration arrests had “increased nationwide and more than doubled in 38 states in the months since President Trump took office, new data shows.”

“Many states have seen even larger surges in enforcement activity in the last few weeks, after Mr. Trump’s top immigration adviser, Stephen Miller, demanded that agents make every effort to increase arrests,” the Times reported.

Earlier this month, President Claudia Sheinbaum said that her government had supported more than 86,000 Mexicans who were deported from the United States during the second Trump administration.

While KBI’s report is based on surveys with fewer than 300 deportees, it suggests that a significant number of the Mexicans deported from the United States this year had been living in the U.S. for a considerable amount of time and were thus long-term members of their local communities.

Deportees report family separations and unsafe detention conditions in US

In its report, KBI said that 39.2% of the deportees it surveyed “reported experiencing separation from family members, resulting in severe emotional and caregiving hardships.”

“… Many long-term residents were forcibly removed from their homes, leaving behind children, partners, and other dependents,” KBI said.

A chart showing that most deported Mexicans were residents of the US for at least 6 years — The majority of deportees surveyed lived in the U.S. for at least 6 years. (Kino Border Initiative)

“… This dynamic not only places families at financial risk, since many repatriated men were primary breadwinners, but also criminalizes them by making legal reunification nearly impossible.”

KBI also said that “multiple testimonies reported dangerous conditions like medical neglect, overcrowding, exposure to toxic smoke, and significant emotional trauma in U.S. detention centers.”

“These abuses are exacerbated by the lack of adequate oversight and the push towards prosecutions of individuals for first-time illegal entry, which leads to longer detention times,” KBI said.

The organization noted that 84.3% of its survey respondents — based on 223 respondents who disclosed their gender — are men.

Other findings

KBI also reported that deportations are driven both by local law enforcement collaboration and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. It said that “33% of deportations start with a regional or state law enforcement stop, and nearly half are from direct ICE operations, usually in public areas such as the street and courthouse.”

KBI said that 63% of surveyed deportees were detained in Arizona, a situation it described as “not surprising” given that “almost all deportations from the state have long been conducted through Nogales, and there are three detention centers in the state.”

“What is more striking is the fact that more than a third of people deported were detained elsewhere, some as far away as Florida, and transferred to Arizona for deportation. These transfers across multiple states and several detention centers take a significant toll on individuals,” KBI said.

A chart shows the states where Mexican deportees were detained, based on a small survey — Just over a third of deportees survey in Nogales were originally detained in a state other than Arizona. (Kino Border Initiative)

The stories of 2 deportees

In its report, KBI also detailed the personal stories of more than a dozen deportees. Here are the stories of two of them (KBI changed names to protect the deportees’ privacy).

Manny:

Manny, who spoke “very limited Spanish,” told KBI staff that he didn’t understand why he was deported to Mexico as he was a lawful permanent resident of the United States and had never had any legal problems.

According to the KBI report, “he explained that he had hired a contractor to do some work at his home, and that was when both he and the worker were detained.”

“He mentioned that his family in the United States hired an attorney to fight his case. Still, since most of the communication had been handled by his relatives, he was not aware of the details regarding why he was ultimately deported. He was highly distressed and confused about the situation,” KBI said.

Andrea:

Andrea, a 30-year-old woman from Oaxaca, was deported to Mexico after Border Patrol detained her crossing into the U.S. through Naco in the summer of 2024, according to KBI.

Andrea “had previously lived in the U.S. since 2000 and is the mother of two U.S. citizen children, ages 15 and 14,” KBI said.

The organization said that she was a victim of sexual harassment while held at a detention center in Florence, Arizona, and noted that she had expressed fear about returning to Mexico.

An overhead view of a detention center in Florence, Arizona — Andrea was reportedly held in Florence, Arizona, where a network of public and private prisons and detention centers hold ICE detainees. Pictured: Arizona State Prison Complex Florence. (Arizona Prison Roster)

“Andrea is also a survivor of gender-based violence perpetrated by her ex-husband. She fears what will happen to her now that she is back in Mexico, with no certainty that her ex-husband will not seek her or her children,” KBI said.

The personal stories of other deportees KBI surveyed are also harrowing.

The organization said that the testimonies it collected “reveal systemic deficiencies in U.S. enforcement and detention practices.”

KBI’s recommendations

KBI outlined a number of “key recommendations” in its report, directing them to the U.S. Congress, Arizona legislators and local officials and “allied organizations and individuals.”

It urged U.S. lawmakers to “publicly amplify the cases of community members, including DACA recipients, detained by immigration authorities through media interviews, public statements, and questions to administrative officials during hearings and other oversight opportunities.”

Among other recommendations, KBI said that “allied organizations and individuals” should speak with “neighbors, family, friends, and acquaintances about the stories contained in this report to invite them to understand the way that their community members are being affected by immigration enforcement” in the U.S.

Mexico News Daily

Oaxaca town asks to relocate as rising sea levels flood homes and schools

By

MND Staff

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September 18, 2025

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flooded neighborhood — Due to an ever-invading sea, the San Mateo del Mar neighborhood of Cuauhtémoc is in a permanent state of flooding. (@LaTintaOax/on X)

Heavy ocean swells in recent days have again left a Oaxacan coastal area in crisis — a 20-year-old situation that prompted residents four months ago to vote in favor of relocating one neighborhood to a nearby hill.

Starting on Monday, floodwaters began surging into streets and homes, forcing the cancellation of school and disrupting daily life for nearly 800 families.

SAN MATEO DEL MAR (ISTMO) : el pueblo que llegó del mar 🌊 | DOCUMENTAL

Watch this video on YouTube

Officials in the municipality of San Mateo del Mar have reported that classrooms, the health clinic and the church were all impacted by floodwaters. Families have been forced to pretty much shelter in place, as neighborhood mobility has been rendered nearly impossible.

San Mateo del Mar is in southwestern Oaxaca, a 30-minute drive from Salina Cruz, the western terminus of the Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, a major infrastructure project spanning Mexico’s shortest route from the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico.

It sits on a narrow sandbar between two huge lagoons and the ocean — an isolated, low-lying position that has made it vulnerable to flooding and environmental changes.

Gabriel Pinzón, a municipal agent representing the most affected neighborhood, Cuauhtémoc, explained this week that the tide has repeatedly risen over the past two decades, eroding beaches and pushing water into residential areas — severely impacting the area’s economy and culture.

Cuauhtémoc is populated largely by Ikoots, an Indigenous people (historically known as the Huave) who have a deep cultural and spiritual connection to the sea, subsisting mainly on fishing and gathering shellfish.

Media reported this week that the Pacific Ocean in recent years has advanced some 700 meters into Cuauhtémoc, where some fishermen and their families live in small houses made of wood and palm leaves. Most of the 800 families affected this week are in that neighborhood.

“Every time the swell or heavy rains hit, children stop studying because the entire neighborhood becomes a lagoon,” Pinzón said.

The most recent flooding struck just as the community was preparing for Independence Day events, which were abruptly canceled.

Mayor Raúl Rangel González reported many families declining refuge in local shelters to stay closer to home.

No lives were lost, but families remain at risk for illness and face possible isolation as standing water lingers.

Residents have adapted over the years by raising furniture and laying sandbags, but many say they have reached their limit. The community’s future becomes more and more uncertain each season.

Flooding overwhelms Oaxaca communities, leaving knee-deep water in streets and homes

In May, San Mateo del Mar’s residents voted in favor of a federal plan to relocate the Cuauhtémoc neighborhood to Cerro Paloma, a hill 3 kilometers inland within the same municipality.

Yet, as families wait for authorities to come through with funding and begin construction, disillusionment has grown.

“What we need is no longer visits or photo ops, but a real solution,” resident María Hernández told La Tinta Oaxaca. “The sea is winning the battle, and families can’t continue living like this.”

A report last year in the Istmo Press, an investigative news agency based in Oaxaca, noted that Cuauhtémoc “is being swept away by the sea due to the construction of the Interoceanic Corridor.”

The report said the increasingly severe tidal disturbances over the past four years have been “caused by the expansion of the breakwater at the neighboring port of Salina Cruz, carried out as part of the Interoceanic Corridor megaproject of the 4T government.”

With reports from El Universal, Milenio, La Tinta Oaxaca, Excélsior and Istmo Press

Mexico freezes funds of Morena lawmaker and others targeted by US sanctions

By

MND Staff

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September 18, 2025

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Diputada Brown — After being placed on a trafficker list by the U.S. and having her assets frozen by the Mexican government, Congresswoman Hilda Araceli Brown Figueredo posted on Facebook that she was being made "an object of infamy" by enemies of Morena. (Facebook)

In response to an updated U.S. list of individuals and companies alleged to have links to terrorists and drug traffickers, Mexico’s Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF) froze nearly two dozen bank accounts on Thursday, including one that belongs to a ruling party lawmaker.

Earlier, the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), an office of the Treasury Department, formally designated the Sinaloa Cartel faction known as “Los Mayos” and the leader of its armed wing, Juan José Ponce Félix (aka “El Ruso”), as terrorists.

Congresswoman with Los Mayo figure — The U.S. Treasury Department published this photo of Congresswoman Brown with Los Mayos figure Candelario Arcega. (Facebook via U.S. Treasury Department)

Shortly thereafter, the UIF blocked a total of 22 accounts belonging to taxpayers accused of money laundering by the OFAC, which also alleged that those 22 individuals and companies have ties with the “Los Mayos” faction of the Sinaloa Cartel.

In a Thursday press release, the OFAC designated five individuals and 15 companies it had linked to a regional network of Los Mayos as “Specially Designated Nationals” (SDNS), while also designating the leader of a separate Sinaloa Cartel-affiliated gang engaged in fentanyl production.

“The Sinaloa Cartel is a foreign terrorist organization that continues to traffic narcotics, launder its proceeds, and corrupt local officials,” said Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence John K. Hurley, during a Thursday trip to Mexico City.

Among those added to the SDNS List was Deputy Hilda Araceli Brown Figueredo, a member of the ruling Morena party. Brown’s alleged relationship with Los Mayos dates to her time as mayor of Rosarito, Baja California (2021-2024).

“Due to its proximity to the U.S. border, Rosarito and the surrounding areas form a key artery for Sinaloa Cartel’s drug trafficking operations,” the OFAC noted.

The OFAC alleges that Brown had links to Candelario Arcega, a member of Los Mayos whose name is also on the latest SDNS list. The pair was allegedly associated with the Arzate brothers, previously designated Los Mayos leaders.

“Arcega maintains a close personal relationship with Brown and, because of their relationship, was able to control parts of the municipal government and appoint his allies to high-level positions within Rosarito’s government,” the OFAC press release stated.

After the OFAC action, the UIF announced that it had frozen bank accounts belonging to seven individuals and 15 companies.

“As a result of the designation of the [OFAC], and within the framework of the international cooperation mechanisms to which the Mexican State participates in matters of money laundering and terrorist financing prevention, the UIF has ordered an administrative freeze” on 22 entities, reads the announcement.

In a statement released on social media, the UIF said it will begin analyzing financial information related to the designated subjects, while also making clear that being included on the SDNS List is “a preventive measure, not a judicial determination, and does not prejudge the existence of criminal liability without evidence.”

If evidence of criminal activity is found, the UIF will forward its findings to the Attorney General’s Office (FGR).

When a person or group is designated an SDNS (that is, acting for or on behalf of terrorists or drug traffickers), the U.S. Treasury blocks their assets and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from dealing with them.

With reports from La Jornada, El Economista, Proceso and Milenio

Did Mexico hand over druglord Caro Quintero on Trump’s orders? Thursday’s mañanera recapped

By

MND Staff

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September 18, 2025

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"Conferencia del Pueblo" reads a banner behind President Sheinbaum as she stands at the podium of her morning press conference — Sheinbaum touched on the story behind a druglord's explusion from Mexico, the future of the USMCA free trade agreement and AMLO's legacy at her Thursday morning press conference. (Presidencia)

At her Thursday morning press conference, President Claudia Sheinbaum responded to an assertion made by United States Attorney General Pam Bondi and spoke about the future of the USMCA free trade pact.

Among other issues, she also spoke about the popularity of her government, which is now less than two weeks away from completing its first year in office.

Did Mexico hand over Caro Quintero ‘at President Trump’s direction’?

A reporter noted that Bondi asserted on Wednesday that Mexico handed over notorious drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero to the United States on the orders of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Caro Quintero — the convicted murderer of United States DEA agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena — was arrested in northern Mexico in 2022 and transferred to the United States along with 28 other cartel figures in February.

In a social media post on Wednesday, Bondi said that earlier this month she “had the honor of introducing the family of fallen DEA Special Agent Enrique ‘Kiki’ Camarena” to U.S. President Donald Trump.

“In February, at President Trump’s direction, we received custody of Kiki’s killer from Mexico,” she wrote before noting that Camarena’s son, Enrique, is now a judge in California.

Asked about Bondi’s assertion, Sheinbaum said that the issue in question has already been thoroughly discussed.

“It was explained that it was a national security decision — the delivery of this significant number of organized crime people [to the United States],” she said.

“It was a national security decision and there was also a request from the United States government, from the Office of the Attorney General of the United States,” Sheinbaum said.

She stressed that Mexico’s National Public Security Council took the decision to send the cartel figures to the United States.

“Yes there was a request from … [the United States], but the decision was taken here in the Security Council for national security reasons,” Sheinbaum said.

The day after Caro Quintero and the other 28 cartel figures were sent to the United States, Security Minister Omar García Harfuch said there was a risk that some of the 29 defendants sent to the United States could have been released from prison if they remained in Mexico.

DEA agents surround drug lord Raphael Caro Quintero after his extradition to the U.S. — DEA agents surround Raphael Caro Quintero, a leader of the extinct Guadalajara Cartel, after he was expelled from Mexico in February. (X)

Sheinbaum said the same day that “the corruption of the judicial power in our country is abnormal and offensive.”

The USMCA ‘will continue,’ says Sheinbaum

A reporter asked the president whether Mexico and Canada should form “a united front” to strengthen their positions in trade negotiations with the United States during the 2026 review of the USMCA free trade pact.

“Let’s see, all three countries agree on the treaty,” Sheinbaum said without directly responding to the question.

“… The treaty will continue. Obviously, we have tariffs today on a range of products that give a different consideration [to Mexico’s trade relationship with the United States], but the vast majority of what is exported doesn’t have tariffs,” she said.

“And the three countries agree — obviously Canada and Mexico agree — on strengthening the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement,” Sheinbaum said.

While Sheinbuam is confident that the USMCA will endure beyond 2026, Trump has both questioned whether the USMCA is still needed and indicated that he wants to “renegotiate” the agreement rather than just review it.

Sheinbaum: AMLO is in the hearts of the people of Mexico ‘and he will remain there’

A reporter noted that a new poll found that Sheinabum has an approval rating of 72%, and asked the president whether the people of Mexico no longer allow themselves be fooled by “the dirty war of the right.”

“Yes, it’s now very difficult [to fool people],” Sheinbaum said.

Press pool reporters raise their hands at Sheinbaum's morning press conference — In light of another poll showcasing her high popularity, Sheinbaum said the public is no longer fooled by what one reporter described as “the dirty war of the right.” (Presidencia)

She said that most people no longer pay attention to “a certain television station” and other media outlets that are opposed to her government.

Before social media, Sheinbaum continued, it was “very common” for traditional media outlets to have “a tremendous influence” on people’s opinions.

Now, people inform themselves in “many” different ways, she said, adding that they see the positive changes the government has made “reflected in their daily lives.”

Sheinbaum also asserted that former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador found a place in the hearts of the people of Mexico during his six-year term.

“And he will remain there,” she added.

“And in our case, we govern with the same principles,” Sheinbaum said, partially explaining her own popularity.

“At this time, the presidenta is who governs the country with her team, but we have the principles that took the transformation movement to victory in 2018 and we will never betray them,” she said, referring to the ruling Morena party and its stated commitment to ideals such as austerity, support for the poor and zero corruption and impunity.

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

What you need to know about Friday’s nationwide disaster drill

By

MND Staff

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September 18, 2025

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people evacuating building durin simulacro — While official personnel and trained responders will oversee the drill at many locations, everyday residents are expected to participate, such as by evacuating buildings during the earthquake simulations. (UNAM/Cuartoscuro.com)

More than 80 million cell phone users in Mexico should expect to receive an alert at noon on Friday as a signal to participate in the government’s twice-annual earthquake drill, which will also include emergency exercises for several types of natural disasters, depending on the region of the country.

Friday’s drill, the second this year, falls on the 40th anniversary of the devastating Sept. 19, 1985, earthquake that claimed the lives of untold thousands. That 8.1-magnitude temblor was followed by an aftershock the next day that heightened the damage.

collapsed building after 1985 quake — While Sept. 19 is a designated date for disaster drills across Mexico, it’s also a time for remembering the victims of the devastating earthquakes on that day in 1985 and 2017. (Courtesy/DGCS UNAM)

The drill also falls on the eighth anniversary of the 7.1 magnitude quake that killed more than 350 people and heightened the notion among Mexicans that September is earthquake month.

However, since not all states are equally vulnerable to seismic events, the type of drill will vary by location.

The hypothesis for central Mexico, including Mexico City, will be an 8.1-magnitude earthquake with its epicenter in Lázaro Cárdenas, Michoacán, on the Pacific Coast. The simulation will be for an intense quake in Mexico City, Guerrero and Michoacán; a strong or very strong one in Colima, Oaxaca, Morelos and México State; and a moderate temblor in Guanajuato, Puebla, Tlaxcala and Veracruz.

In the states of Campeche, Yucatán, Sonora, Quintana Roo and Baja California Sur, the hypothetical emergency will be a hurricane.

In the states of Durango, Guanajuato and Tamaulipas, it will be an urban fire, while Baja California residents simulate a reaction to a tsunami.

Who participates in the drills?

Local governments will join the federal government in carrying out Friday’s drill, which will ask civil protection and security agencies as well as emergency responders and everyday residents to react to the hypothetical natural disasters.

The federal government will also test its cell phone alert system, announcing on Tuesday that it hopes to send a warning to cell phones in every corner of the country. During last year’s September drill, the alert system was tested only in the greater Mexico City area.

Local governments have been preparing for the drill for several months. The Mexico City drill preparations included a request that building managers/owners register with City Hall and submit participation results and observations afterward. More than 9 million people have signed up as formal participants, and 126,000 buildings are registered.

A Mexican government post on X, translated into English, reads: "On Friday, September 19, at 12:00 p.m., the Second National Drill 2025 will take place. A mass alert will arrive on all cell phones via text message with sound.You do not need mobile data or apps; just make sure you have emergency alerts enabled on your Android or Apple device." — The government urged Mexicans to enable emergency alerts on their phones ahead of Friday’s drill. (X)

Community organizations were advised of the hypothetical disaster for their region and asked to confirm evacuation plans, discuss and prepare protocol and ensure that emergency contact information is up to date.

What should you do during the drill?

The drill will begin at 12 noon Mexico City time and all 32 federal entities (31 states and Mexico City) will participate.

In a press release describing the drill at length, the government said the earthquake siren will ring out from 14,491 loudspeakers (primarily located in Mexico City), while alerts will be issued by 100 AM/FM commercial radio stations, as well as 11 public TV stations. Cell phones should start pinging at the same time.

The public is asked to participate by evacuating buildings and obeying instructions of safety representatives.

Participants should also assist and look after children, the elderly and people with disabilities.

They should also turn off gas, water and electricity as they would in a real emergency. With this in mind, the public should consider family civil protection plans and consciously identify safe areas in homes, schools and workplaces.

Since emergency response protocols will be activated and municipal, state and federal authorities will use the drill to test emergency response strategies, the public is asked to remain calm and allow responders to carry out their exercises.

With reports from El Economista and El Financiero

Less smuggling, more import tax collection: The goals of Mexico’s biggest customs reform in decades

By

MND Staff

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September 18, 2025

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A semi trailer appraoches customs at a land border crossing — Customs handles major amounts of money: 30% of Mexico's tax revenue (over a trillion pesos a year) comes from import duties and other customs payments. (Carlos Sánchez Colunga/ Cuartoscuro)

The Mexican government anticipates that it will collect an additional 3.49 billion pesos (US $190.2 million) in revenue in 2026 due to the modernization of information and control systems in customs, an initiative that also seeks to reduce the entry of contraband and tax evasion at Mexico’s land and sea ports.

The plan to increase tax collection through the upgrade of customs systems was outlined in the government’s proposed 2026 budget. It is also part of a proposed reform to the Customs Law that was submitted to Congress by President Claudia Sheinbaum last week.

A portrait of the Mexican president, Dr. Claudia Sheinbaum — Last week, President Sheinbaum submitted a proposal to Congress to reform Mexico’s customs laws. (Graciela López/Cuartoscuro)

According to a report by the news website Expansión, the last time the government received additional revenue due to the modernization of customs systems was in 2007. From 2008 onwards, “the amount remained at zero,” Expansión wrote.

The additional revenue that is projected to be collected due to the modernization of customs systems exceeds the proposed 2026 budget of the National Customs Agency of Mexico (ANAM), which is slated to get 3.46 billion pesos next year.

Around 30% of Mexico’s tax revenue comes from import and export duties and other payments collected by customs. The Finance Ministry projects that the government will receive 5.83 trillion pesos (US $317.4 billion) from tax collection in 2026.

In the first half of 2025, Mexico’s customs offices collected almost 712 billion pesos (US $38.8 billion), with the office in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, taking in the most revenue in the period.

Modernization of customs systems aims to stop crime and promote ‘more efficient foreign trade’

In budget documents, the Finance Ministry (SHCP) said that cutting-edge technology will be used to detect and prevent criminal activity, including tax evasion, at points of entry to Mexico — i.e. land ports along the country’s borders with the United States, Guatemala and Belize, and sea ports on the Pacific and Gulf coasts.

To prevent tax evasion, corruption and other forms of criminal activity, customs will make use of tools such as artificial intelligence, biometric devices and non-intrusive inspection technology, as well as risk management systems, real time video surveillance systems and tracking systems that monitor the movement of goods.

Criminal activity at land and sea ports includes the entry of contraband such as narcotics, firearms and chemical precursors used to make synthetic drugs including fentanyl and methamphetamine. The new technology could also help customs in the fight against the avoidance of paying the IEPS excise tax on imports of fuel, a practice known as “huachicol fiscal” — fiscal fuel theft, or tax-robbed fuel.

Writing in the El Economista newspaper, the director of the consultancy firm Inteligencia Más, Jimena Ortiz, said that “the bet” of the federal government is that with the use of new technological tools, “the state will be able to detect irregularities” at customs “with greater precision and reduce dependence on manual processes that are subject to discretion.”

The upgrade of customs systems will also facilitate smoother trade flows, according to the SHCP.

“In 2026 we will achieve the comprehensive modernization of customs operations, which will make the flow of goods and people more agile, significantly reducing waiting times and optimizing clearance processes,” the ministry said.

the commute from Tijuana to San Diego — The Finance Ministry said the customs reform will reduce wait times and streamline the flow of people and products across Mexico’s borders. (Omar Martínez/Cuartoscuro)

The SHCP said that the implementation of state-of-the-art technology in customs will also improve service and control at points of entry, promoting “more transparent and efficient foreign trade, which will contribute to an increase in tax collection and the economic growth of the country.”

According to Expansión, the proposal to reform Mexico’s Customs Law also seeks to “harmonize the responsibilities” of federal tax agency SAT and ANAM, “completely digitalize” operations in customs and allow technological collaboration agreements between ANAM and the federal government’s Digital Transformation and Telecommunications Agency.

The reform proposal also seeks to allow the imposition of more severe sanctions on people, including customs agents and brokers, who are found to have committed customs violations. Its passage through Congress is virtually assured given the dominance of the ruling Morena party and its allies in both the upper and lower houses.

The New York-based international law firm White & Case said that “the pending 2025 Customs Law reform, presented as part of the 2026 Economic Package, is widely viewed as the most significant” customs update in Mexico since 1995.

Will new technology really stop criminal activity at Mexico’s ports?

Alejo Campos, regional director for Latin America for the organization Crime Stoppers, told Expansión that investment in technology is not enough to stop the entry of contraband to Mexico and the evasion of customs duties.

“El Salvador is an example of how to reduce illegal trade to almost zero, but that is achieved when criminal structures [within customs] are broken up and a system that tolerates corruption doesn’t exist,” Campos said.

Mexican soldier at a customs station — The military took over customs operations in 2020, aiming to eliminate corruption — a goal that has yet to be realized. (File photo)

He said that “the human factor” continues to be crucial, even when an investment is made in artificial intelligence, scanners and real-time alert systems.

“The problem is who receives the alert. If the official is colluding [with criminals] or threatened, he won’t act. There are cases in which [customs] employees aren’t corrupt, but are being extorted and they fear for their life or the lives of their family. That paralyzes action,” Campos said.

In 2020, former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador gave the military administrative control of customs and ports as part of efforts to eliminate corruption at ports of entry. But large quantities of contraband have continued to enter the country.

One current case that points to military personnel not being as squeaky-clean as AMLO might have hoped is that involving the seizure of a petroleum tanker at the port of Tampico, Tamaulipas, in May. The tanker was carrying diesel on which a special import tax was due, but the cargo was declared to customs as a petrochemical exempt from the tax.

Earlier this month, authorities announced the arrest of 14 people in connection with the case. Among those detained were customs employees, businessmen and six members of the military, including a vice admiral.

With reports from Expansión and El Economista

Talk to the gods: The best archaeological sites to visit in Mexico City

By

Andrea Fischer

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September 18, 2025

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Mexico archaeological site — Believe it or not, Mexico City has her own ancient archaeological sites — some of them, hidden in the capital’s metro stations. (Andrea Murcia Monsivais/Cuartoscuro)

In convoluted CDMX, it is not uncommon to find archaeological sites right beside a Catholic cathedral. As devotees attend their Sunday service, both local and international tourists visit the remains of some of the greatest ceremonial complexes in the Americas — no wonder why Mexico City dwellers keep our Mesoamerican traditions alive.

If you’re tired of trying (aimlessly) to climb the Sun Pyramid in Teotihuacán and are craving a chit-chat sesh with the Mexica gods, Mexico City has some of the most impressive archaeological sites in Latin America. Talk to the gods — here’s our digest of the best archaeological sites in town.

Templo Mayor (Centro Histórico)

Designed by Mexican architect Pedro Ramírez Vázquez, the Templo Mayor archaeological site is located in the exact same place where “the most important ceremonial complex of the Mexica people” was erected, confirms the Cultural Information System (SIC). Originally, two majestic pyramids stood where the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral now stands. One was dedicated to Huitzilopochtli, the God of War, and the other to Tláloc, the God of Water. It is said that, after the Spanish invasion in the 16th century, most of the stone used for these temples was used for building the cathedral in the present-day Zócalo.

Where? Seminario 8, Centro Histórico, Cuauhtémoc.

Tlatelolco (Cuauhtémoc)

Throughout the centuries, the Tlatelolco square has witnessed bloodshed, prayer and intense commerce — all in the same place. (Andrea Murcia Monsivais/Cuartoscuro)

After Templo Mayor, the Tlatelolco archaeological site is probably “the second in importance in Mexico City,” claims the capital’s government. Located in the heart of Plaza de las Tres Culturas, remains suggest it was founded around the 14th century, “although there is evidence that it was previously inhabited.” The site is well-known for having held the greatest marketplace in Mesoamerica, which provided México-Tenochtitlán with the goods its population needed. Dozens of human remains have been found in the area, presumably belonging to the warriors who fought the Spaniards upon their arrival.

Where? Eje Central Lázaro Cárdenas S/N, Tlatelolco, Cuauhtémoc.

Adoratorio a Ehécatl (Metro Pino Suárez)

Subway shrine Mexico City — Only in Mexico City can you find shrines nestled in the bowels of the subway, right? (Andrea Fischer)

The first time I visited Ehécatl’s Shrine, I was overwhelmed by the tumult. Hundreds of people rushed through the Pino Suárez Station, seemingly unaware that there, just before their eyes, was a pyramid. Originally a part of “an extensive Mexica ceremonial center,” as unearthed by the Mexico City Metro authorities, this temple was found by accident during the construction works of the subway’s Line 2 in 1967. INAH archaeologists determined that the shrine was dedicated to Ehécatl, the god Quetzalcóatl’s wind incarnation, due to a figurine found on top of the main structure. Today, this is Mexico’s tiniest archaeological site.

Where? José María Pino Suárez Station, Centro Histórico, Cuauhtémoc.

Mixcoac (Benito Juárez)

Mixcoatl site — Mixcóatl translates from Náhuatl as “serpent of the clouds,” a cosmological reference to the Milky Way. (EViloria/Wikimedia Commons)

Originally founded on the shores of Lake Texcoco, as noted by the Mexico City government, “it later became an important religious and devotional site for the Mexica of the Triple Alliance” during the 15th century. Although only a small fraction of the pre-Hispanic settlement remains, tourists can visit the pyramid dedicated to Mixcoatl, the god of hunting. Remains show that this was a place of celebration and worship, where the Tepanecs invited the inhabitants of Tenochtitlán and Tlatelolco to enjoy displays of dance and music.

Where? Pirámide 7, San Pedro de los Pinos, Benito Juárez.

Cuicuilco (Tlalpan)

The archaeological site of Cuicuilco in Mexico City features one of the world’s few examples of a cylindrical pyramid. (Andrea Fischer)

Just as it is not uncommon to find Mesoamerican temples next to Catholic cathedrals in Mexico City, it is also possible to find archaeological complexes alongside highways. That is exactly the case with the Cuicuilco site. Now a national natural reserve — one of the few spots in CDMX where you can have a glimpse of what nature was like before the Conquest — this was the home of the Cuicuilca people during the Middle Preclassic period. Remains suggest this is the oldest site in central Mexico, with the “first ceremonial center of the Valley of Mexico,” as documented by Mexico City’s government. After the terrible explosion of the Xitle volcano, however, their civilization was destroyed.

Where? Av. Insurgentes Sur S/N, Espacio Ecológico Cuicuilco, Tlalpan.

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

‘Mentiras, La Serie’ is a playful television spin on Mexico’s longest-running musical

By

Rocio Lucero

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September 18, 2025

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Belinda Perigrin — "La Mentiras, La Serie" promises big hair, bigger lies and plenty of 1980s nostalgia. (IMDB)

In my 20s, I gravitated toward serious television. I couldn’t get enough of arthouse dramas, documentaries and obscure black-and-white films. Sure, like everyone else, I also enjoyed mainstream comedies – “Broad City” and “Girls” were staples of my early adulthood. But I preferred headier content. Maybe it was a reaction to growing up on unserious, though beloved, Mexican telenovelas, absurd talk shows and raunchy comedies. My taste swung the other way.

That shifted in my 30s. With daily news cycles already serving up endless drama, and at times trauma, I lost my appetite for bleak documentaries or heavy films. Instead, I began seeking out lighter shows. So when I saw the trailer for “Mentiras, La Serie,” I was delighted. Not only did it star my childhood icon Belinda, but it also featured a lineup of Mexican talent including Luis Gerardo Méndez, Regina Blandón, Mariana Treviño and Diana Bovio. The series premiered on Amazon Prime in June, which in today’s infinite-content reality doesn’t exactly make it “new.” But at MND, we like to highlight great Mexican movies and television shows, regardless of their release date.

A passion project

Poster for "Mentiras, La Serie" — A promotional poster for Amazon Prime’s “Mentiras, La Serie.” (Amazon Prime)

“Mentiras, La Serie” springs from “Mentiras, el Musical,” Mexico’s most successful stage show. Since its 2009 debut, the jukebox musical built around 1980s Spanish-language pop hits has logged over 4,000 performances. Written by José Manuel López Velarde, it combines melodrama, comedy and nostalgia in a story of four women caught in a deadly love quadrangle, all played out with the era’s most beloved songs.

For “Mentiras, La Serie,” Luis Gerardo Méndez not only played Emmanuel but also served as executive producer, teaming with López Velarde and director Gabriel Ripstein on the adaptation. Ripstein described the project as both a tribute and an expansion. A chance to revisit beloved characters while widening their universe through a fresh visual style. He noted that more than 30 of the most iconic songs from the 1980s would anchor the story, brought to life by a cast and crew he called “spectacular.”

The music rights posed a major hurdle, dragging negotiations out for four years. Some iconic hits didn’t make the cut due to licensing costs. Still, Méndez held firm on what mattered most: preserving the playful, campy energy and casting talent that could carry it. He pursued actress-singer Belinda for Daniela from the start and brought back Mariana Treviño, who had originated Lupita on stage.

Méndez has also cited “Moulin Rouge,” “La La Land,” and even “Barbie” as inspirations for the show’s hyper-stylized tone. And that influence is easy to spot. The series is bold, theatrical, and not afraid to lean into excess.

Campy, colorful and surprisingly layered

The eight-episode series is a visual feast: over-the-top ’80s aesthetics, from big hair to bright costumes to exuberant musical numbers. The theatrical connection is obvious in intentionally artificial sets –cardboard trees, painted backdrops, stage-like spaces –that remind viewers this is performance first and foremost.

But beneath the camp, there’s sneaky depth. Some of the characters eventually confront the biggest lies of all. The ones they’ve been telling themselves. And while the show thrives on melodrama, it also exposes the assumptions society projects onto women – assumptions that in 1980s Mexico, with its deep traditionalism, weighed even more heavily. That combination of playful excess with undercurrents of critique is what makes “Mentiras, La Serie” more than just a glossy adaptation.

Why the musical struck such a chord

Mentiras, La Serie | Amazon Prime | Trailer Oficial

Watch this video on YouTube

“Mentiras, el Musical” endures not only because of nostalgia but also because it reimagines the music and sensibility of the ’80s in a way that feels affectionate and exaggerated, like a telenovela with dance numbers. Its success stems from the energy of camp paired with the emotional resonance of songs embedded in Latin American popular culture.

That formula has proven durable, spawning tribute concerts, anniversary editions, and the drag parody “Mentidrags.” For many, the musical isn’t just a night at the theater. It’s a reminder of the cultural mood of the ’80s, when Latin pop and power ballads offered both entertainment and catharsis.

Songs and scenes that soared

The adaptation found new life through its soundtrack. Belinda’s mash-up of “Él Me Mintió / Mentiras Mentiras” climbed to No. 1 on Spotify’s Viral 50 Global chart, while the Mentiras album debuted at No. 6 on Spotify’s Top Albums Debut Global list. Overall, the soundtrack racked up over 2.4 million streams in just days. The success also boosted the original singers. Daniela Romo’s streams jumped 170%, Amanda Miguel’s by 94% and Yuri’s by 75%.

The series itself fueled online buzz, with Belinda’s numbers and several campy scenes going viral on TikTok and X (formerly Twitter), where fans dissected everything from the costumes to the cheeky dialogue.

More than just escapism

When I first watched “Mentiras, La Serie,” I didn’t realize the stage show’s cultural weight, so I came in fresh. Some longtime fans criticized the changes to the plot, but I found the series fun, layered, and at times poignant. It left me curious to see the musical live.

I don’t really seek heavy content because the world already feels heavy enough. Mentiras, La Serie gave me the kind of playful diversion I was craving, but it also offered something deeper. A reflection on love, lies and the roles women were boxed into during a more conservative Mexico. That mix of camp and commentary is what makes the series worth watching—and why it’s more than just light entertainment.

Rocio is a Mexican-American writer based in Mexico City. She was born and raised in a small village in Durango and moved to Chicago at age 12, a bicultural experience that shapes her lens on life in Mexico. She’s the founder of CDMX IYKYK, a newsletter for expats, digital nomads, and the Mexican diaspora, and Life of Leisure, a women’s wellness and spiritual community.

Manufacturing production dips in July despite growth in exports

By

MND Staff

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September 18, 2025

0

A masked person welds metal in an industrial workshop — July's dip in production coincided with a drop in manufacturing jobs. Employment for independent contractors, the hardest hit group, has declined 16% since last year. (Josh Beech/Unsplash)

Manufacturing production volume declined by 2.7% in July, according to official data from the National Institute of Geography and Statistics (INEGI). The slowdown comes after two months of growth, and contrasts sharply with the growing value of Mexico’s manufacturing exports.

Production volume also decreased year-over-year, declining 1.1% compared to the same month in 2024.

Both internal and external pressure have contributed to the industry’s slowdown. Economic uncertainty, low levels of productive investment, and reduced domestic and international demand have weakened the sector. Inflationary pressures and international risks have further constrained manufacturing activity, specially in subsectors such as textiles, wood and apparel.

INEGI also shows a 0.2% decrease in manufacturing employment, marking the sixth consecutive month of decline. Self-employed workers (independent contractors) were particularly affected, experiencing a 2.1% decline in July. The same self-employed workers have experienced a dramatic 16% drop in employment since last year.

The number of hours worked fell by 0.2% in July compared to June, and 2.2% compared to 2024. Meanwhile, people employed in the manufacturing industry declined 0.2% in the monthly comparison, which is equivalent to 19,000 jobs lost in July. The industry has lost 221,000 jobs since July 2024, a 2.3% decline.

The textiles and apparel sector are the hardest hit (down between 8-9%), along with the manufacturing of textile inputs and textile finishing (down 9%). Other manufacturing industries, such as oil and metals, weathered the impact better.

Industrial activity in Mexico falls for fourth consecutive month

The only positive data point was a 0.7% monthly increase and a 6% annual increase in average real wages within the manufacturing industry. With an average salary of 12,600 pesos, this translates to an increase of just 90 pesos per worker per month.

Overall, the sector’s 9.6 million employees received an additional 865 million pesos (US $47 million) in payroll.

Exports up in July

The manufacturing production’s slowdown sharply contrasts with INEGI’s data regarding July exports, which grew 4% in value compared to the same month last year, reaching US $56.7 billion in total exports. Mexico’s exports were worth US $54.78 billion in July 2024, which in turn increased by 14.7% compared to the same month of the previous year.

Interestingly, this growth is primarily attributed to the manufacturing sector, which contributed more than 90% of total export value, amounting to US $52.3 million in July alone.

Manufacturing exports offset the contractions in export value for other sectors, such as oil, which fell 23% year-over-year to US $1.9 billion, and the automotive sector, which also saw export value decline 7% to US $15.9 billion. Within the latter, exports to the United States fell 9.2%, although a 4.9% increase was observed to other destinations.

With reports from El Economista