Security footage captured the moment the car plowed into a crowd of protesters in downtown Guadalajara. (Escudo Urbano C5 Jalisco)
Sixteen people were injured on Saturday when a vehicle plowed into a crowd gathered outside the Guadalajara Cathedral in the historic center of the Jalisco capital.
Video footage shows an allegedly stolen SUV ramming into people in front of the cathedral on Saturday night.
Most if not all of the injured were pro-life activists who had just completed a walk through the streets of Guadalajara and were about to start a prayer session.
The Guadalajara government said on social media that police arrested the man “allegedly responsible” for injuring the 16 people, among whom were children. According to Guadalajara Government Secretary Manuel Romo, the man, reportedly aged in his 30s, was under the influence of drugs.
In the video footage, two people are seen chasing the vehicle, one of whom is apparently the owner. A child was in the stolen vehicle as it hit the people gathered outside the cathedral, Romo said Saturday.
The Guadalajara government said that an individual allegedly stole the vehicle near the Corona Market in the center of Guadalajara and ran over the people outside the cathedral as he attempted to escape. He possibly panicked when he became aware that there was a child in the vehicle.
MOMENTO EXACTO en el que un hombre que conducía una camioneta atropelló a varias personas afuera de la Catedral de Guadalajara. El conductor fue detenido y no hay vidas qué lamentar. Video: C5 pic.twitter.com/lOaHQB8wUy
The Guadalajara government said that “thanks to the quick reaction of our police, the alleged thief was arrested … at the scene.”
It added that the officers assisted those injured, who were taken to hospital for treatment.
Guadalajara Mayor Verónica Delgadillo said Sunday that she was certain that the Jalisco Attorney General’s Office would do its job and that “there will be justice in this case.”
The alleged driver of the vehicle was beaten by people outside the cathedral before he was arrested, according to the president of the National Front for the Family, which organized Saturday’s pro-life walk.
“Even though the crowd was hitting him, we protected him until the police [came],” said Jaime Cedillo.
He initially said that he didn’t believe that the driver had planned to run people over.
“We just spoke to the owner of the SUV and everything seems to indicate that it was a theft,” Cedillo said on Saturday.
Jaime Cedillo, president of the the organization that led Saturday’s pro-life walk, said the incident didn’t appear to be a malicious attack. (Screenshot)
However, on Monday he said that authorities need to thoroughly investigate whether the driver had in fact planned an attack on pro-life activists.
“We ask for transparency and speed in this investigation. We urge authorities to carry out a transparent and diligent investigation. … Citizens deserve clarity and respect, certainty about what happened,” Cedillo said.
“… It’s essential that steps are taken to compensate the victims and all their families for all the physical, emotional and material damage they suffered. Compensation is a matter of justice and respect for those affected here, at the doors of the cathedral,” he added.
Delgadillo said Sunday that three of four people who remained in hospital were expected to be discharged on Monday, while the fourth patient would “remain under observation.”
Some of the injured suffered broken bones, according to reports. A 14-year-old girl was reportedly trapped under one of the SUV’s wheels for a period, and was only freed when citizens were able to lift the vehicle up.
The Guadalajara government expressed its “solidarity” with all those injured and committed to providing them with all the assistance they need.
Mayor Delagadillo said that steps would be taken to “strengthen road safety” in the historic center of Guadalajara.
“… In the coming days we’ll provide more information about the operations to strengthen security in the historic center,” she said.
Companies that recently relocated to Mexico contributed about US $3.58 billion in goods and services in 2023. (Gobierno de México)
Multinational companies that have relocated to Mexico amid the nearshoring trend only generate around 0.2% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), according to the World Bank’s top official in Mexico.
Mark Thomas, the World Bank’s country director for Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela, cited the figure in an interview with the El Economista newspaper during last week’s annual meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund in Washington D.C.
For her part, the Latin America head of S&P Global Ratings, María Consuelo Pérez, pointed out earlier this year that the “new” investment component of the total foreign direct investment ($36 billion) received by Mexico last year accounted for less than 0.3% of Mexico’s GDP.
Therefore, based on the estimate given by Thomas, the annual value of goods produced and services provided by companies that have recently relocated to Mexico is around $3.58 billion.
The World Bank official told El Economista that foreign companies’ impact on the economy is greater at the local level in places such as Monterrey, Nuevo León, as well as the northern border region and certain parts of the Bajío, a region that encompasses all or parts of several states including Querétaro, Guanajuato, Aguascalientes and Jalisco.
Mark Thomas, World Bank’s country director for Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela, said that northern border states and the Bajío region have benefited more from nearshoring than other parts of the country. (World Bank)
El Economista described those parts of the country as the “big winners” when it comes to the relocation of foreign companies. The new federal government is aiming to spread the benefits of foreign investment more evenly across Mexico via a plan to create 10 “specialized” industrial corridors spanning all 32 federal entities.
Thomas expressed his support for that plan.
To attract more foreign companies to Mexico, the World Bank official said that issues such as water availability, energy supply and the cost of land need to be addressed. Insecurity, government policies and constitutional reforms such as the recently enacted judicial reform are among the other concerns of current and potential investors in Mexico.
Although he outlined some deterrents to foreign investment, Thomas characterized Mexico as the best nearshoring destination in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Monterrey, Nuevo León, has been a top destination for nearshoring-style investment. (David Liceaga/Unsplash)
In addition to its proximity to the United States, Mexico is considered an attractive place to invest by foreign companies because it is party to the USMCA free trade pact and has affordable labor costs, among other reasons.
Thomas said that Mexico’s true competitors for foreign investment are located in Asia, namely the countries of Vietnam, Taiwan and South Korea.
Alicia Bárcena, Mexico’s current environment minister and former foreign affairs minister, warned in late 2023 that Vietnam could position itself as a more attractive option than Mexico for companies that are seeking to relocate, especially from China.
Which companies have recently relocated to Mexico?
El Economista didn’t quote Thomas as referring to any specific foreign companies or time period when he spoke about nearshoring’s impact on Mexico’s GDP.
A number of major foreign companies, including automakers Tesla (U.S.) and BYD (China), tech company Google (U.S.), and Lingong Machinery Group (China), have announced significant investment plans for Mexico, but their proposed projects have not yet come to fruition.
If the majority of the announced projects go ahead — of which there is no certainty — the contribution that foreign companies make to Mexico’s GDP could increase substantially in coming years.
Automotive exports accounted for almost a third of all export revenue in 2024. (Shutterstock)
Mexico remains on track to have a record-breaking year for export revenue in 2024, despite stagnant earnings in September compared to last year.
Mexican exports were worth US $455.71 billion in the first nine months of the year, according to preliminary data published on Monday, a 3.2% increase compared to the same period of 2023.
Mexico exported goods worth US $455.71 billion in the first nine months of the 2024. (Shutterstock)
Between January and September of 2024, Mexico earned an average of $50.63 billion in export revenue per month, putting it on track to exceed an annual total of $600 billion for the first time ever.
Mexico’s expenditure on imports also increased in the first nine months of 2024, and at a slightly higher pace than the year-over-year growth in export revenue.
Mexico’s deficit with its trade partners around the word increased 11% in annual terms between January and September to reach just over $11 billion.
Manufacturing sector generated almost 90% of export revenue
INEGI data shows that manufacturing sector exports were worth $408.38 billion in the first nine months of 2024, a 4% increase compared to the same period of last year.
That figure represents 89.6% of Mexico’s total export earnings between January and September.
Mexico exports a wide range of manufactured goods, including vehicles, auto parts, machinery, televisions, computers, medical devices and clothes.
The federal government and others are aiming to further bolster Mexico’s manufacturing sector by attracting foreign companies to nearshore here.
Manufacturing exports from plants like this one in Celaya, Guanajuato, made up nearly 90% of Mexico’s 2024 export revenue. (Together with Entrada Group)
The full sector-by-sector export data for the first nine months of the year is as follows:
Automotive exports increased 3.7% to $144.1 billion (31.6% of total revenue).
Non-auto sector manufacturing exports increased 4.2% to $264.73 billion (58% of total revenue).
Oil exports declined 14.1% to $21.48 billion (4.7% of total).
Agricultural exports increased 7.2% to $17.69 billion (3.9% of total).
Mining exports increased 8.2% to $7.7 billion (1.7% of total).
A stagnant September
Mexico’s exports were worth $49.62 billion in September, representing 0.0% growth compared to the same month of last year, INEGI reported.
On a month-over-month basis, export revenue fell just under 1%.
The El Economista newspaper partially attributed the lack of growth to stagnation in the manufacturing sector in the United States, which is easily Mexico’s largest export market.
Revenue from oil exports slumped 44.9% in September compared to the same month last year, while earnings from automotive sector exports declined 7.4% annually.
A drop in oil exports coupled with a slow manufacturing sector left September export revenue at a similar level to 2023 earnings. (Refinería Olmeca-Dos Bocas/X)
The decline in automotive exports coincided with a 0.5% contraction in secondary sector output in September, as reported by INEGI last week.
Despite the decline in earnings from auto exports, revenue from the manufacturing sector as a whole increased 2.6% compared to September 2023.
As detailed above, the value of oil sector exports fell 14.1% in the first nine months of the year, in part due to Mexico keeping more crude at home as it seeks to reach self-sufficiency for fuel. Lower oil prices in September were another factor in the sharp year-over-year decline in oil revenue last month.
The full sector-by-sector data for exports in September is as follows:
Automotive exports declined 7.4% to $15.42 billion (31.1% of total revenue).
Non-auto sector manufacturing exports increased 8.7% to $29.83 billion (60.1% of total revenue).
Oil exports declined 44.9% to $1.88 billion (3.8% of total).
Agricultural exports increased 12.5% to $1.51 billion (3% of total).
Mining exports increased 26.4% to $966.8 million (1.9% of total).
Spending on imports increased 3.4% between January and September
INEGI reported that Mexico spent $466.73 billion on imports in the first nine months of the year, a 3.4% annual increase. Almost 94% of expenditure was on non-oil products, while just over 6% was on oil goods, including gasoline.
The full breakdown is as follows:
Imports of intermediate goods increased 2.7% to $352.87 billion (75.6% of total expenditure). Almost 94% of that expenditure was on non-oil intermediate goods.
Imports of consumer goods increased 4.4% to $68.05 billion (14.6% of total). Almost 89% of that spending was on non-oil consumer goods.
Imports of capital goods (factory machinery, for example) increased 7.2% to $45.79 billion (9.8% of total).
Mexico has a trade surplus with the US, but a global deficit
However, Mexico recorded an overall trade deficit of $11.01 billion in the first nine months of the year, a 11% increase compared to the same period of 2023.
In September, Mexico’s spending on imports declined 1.8% to $50.2 billion, leaving it with a trade deficit of $578.9 million. That figure represents a 61.4% decline compared to Mexico’s deficit in September 2023.
The bus was approaching mile marker 74 on the Zacatecas-Aguascalientes highway when it collided with the back of a trailer carrying corn that had come loose from the tractor truck. (Alfonso Vladimir/Cuartoscuro)
Nineteen people were killed and six others were injured when a bus crashed into a detached semi-trailer on a highway in the central state of Zacatecas, Mexico.
The passenger bus was traveling from the Pacific coast state of Nayarit to the northern border city of Ciudad Juárez when the accident occurred early on Saturday morning.
There were only six survivors of the bus crash, which was caused by a runaway trailer on the Zacatecas-Aguascalientes highway. (ContrapropuestaMX/X)
The bus, operated by Omnibus de México, was approaching mile marker 74 on the Zacatecas-Aguascalientes highway when it collided with the back of a trailer carrying corn that had come loose from the tractor truck.
The bus careened off the highway and rolled down a ravine, as seen in images shared on social media.
First responders and security personnel — including soldiers and members of the National Guard — arrived on the scene and sifted through the wreckage looking for survivors, but the damage to the bus was considerable.
The six injured passengers were being treated at hospitals in the city of Zacatecas on Monday.
🚨 Tragedia en Zacatecas
Autobús cae a barranco tras choque con tractocamión, dejando al momento 24 muertos y varios heridos. Las autoridades trabajan para restablecer el tránsito en la autopista Zacatecas-Aguascalientes. #Zacatecas#Aguascalientespic.twitter.com/h56OvNWUgZ
In a post to social media, Zacatecas Governor David Monreal said he ordered the local Health Ministry, Public Works Ministry and Public Security Ministry to attend to the matter “on a permanent basis.”
Monreal said his administration had established two hotlines to manage information about the injured and the deceased, while also declaring that the state Attorney General’s Office (FGJE) had opened a criminal investigation into the accident.
According to Reuters, the FGJE said it was “carrying out investigations to arrest the driver” of the tractor-trailer.
State authorities reported an initial death toll of 24 on Saturday before revising the final count to 19. By Sunday afternoon, authorities had confirmed the identities of 17 of the 19 victims, according to the newspaper Express Zacatecas, matching the names on the bus’s passenger list. The Zacatecas State Commission for Victims’ Assistance was lending attention to the families of the dead and injured.
Express Zacatecas also reported that experts with the National Guard had confirmed that the wayward tractor-trailer had caused the accident, coinciding with the conclusions of the initial forensics investigation.
Zacatecas authorities are working with officials in neighboring states to identify the driver and the owner of the tractor-trailer involved in the accident.
More than half of Mexico’s 32 states will see temperatures drop to between -5 and 5 degrees Celsius this week with the arrival of cold front No. 6. (Graciela López/Cuartoscuro)
More than half of Mexico’s 32 states will see freezing temperatures on Monday and Tuesday as cold front No. 6 enters Mexico from the northwest.
The National Meteorological Service (SMN) warned that residents, particularly of Mexico’s northwest region, can expect significant drops in temperature throughout the week. The weather system will bring powerful wind gusts between 60 to 80 kilometers per hour, kicking up dust storms (known locally as “tolvaneras”) across Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sonora, Chihuahua and Coahuila.
Snow and sleet are possible in high peaks including the Popocatépetl, Iztaccihuatl and Pico de Orizaba volcanoes. (Wikimedia Commons)
Beginning Monday, mountainous areas of Baja California, Chihuahua, Durango, México state, Tlaxcala and Puebla can expect temperatures between -5 and 0 degrees Celsius.
The following states can expect temperatures between 0 and 5 degrees Celsius:
Sonora
Coahuila
Nuevo León
Zacatecas
San Luis Potosi
Aguascalientes
Jalisco
Michoacan
Guanajuato
Queretaro
Hidalgo
Mexico City
Veracruz
Oaxaca
Snow and sleet are also possible in high peaks including the Popocatépetl, Iztaccíhuatl and Pico de Orizaba volcanoes.
Meanwhile, a new tropical wave will approach the coast of Quintana Roo on Thursday, interacting with a low-pressure channel in Mexico’s southeast and Yucatán Peninsula. These conditions will lead to heavy rainfall and thunderstorms in the region.
The SMN has warned that rainfall may lead to reduced visibility, landslides and flooding of rivers and streams. The weather agency urged residents to follow the recommendations of Civil Protection authorities, as strong winds may knock down trees and advertisements.
Se prevé esta mañana, ambiente fresco y bancos de #Niebla en zonas altas que rodean al #ValleDeMéxico.
At least half of the country will see rainfall today. Here’s the forecast:
Heavy to very heavy rainfall (50 to 75 millimeters): Veracruz, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Tabasco and Quintana Roo.
Showers and intervals of heavy rainfall (25 to 50 millimeters): Guerrero, Campeche and Yucatán.
Showers (5 to 25 millimeters): Baja California, Tamaulipas, Hidalgo, Puebla, Tlaxcala, State of Mexico, Mexico City, Morelos and Michoacán.
Temperature forecast by region
Despite the cold front, some regions in Mexico will still experience high temperatures during on Monday. Here is the forecast for today:
Maximum temperatures of 35 to 40 degrees Celsius: Baja California Sur, Sonora, Sinaloa and Nayarit.
Maximum temperatures of 30 to 35 degrees Celsius: Baja California, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosí, Zacatecas, Durango, Jalisco, Colima, Michoacán, Guerrero, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Veracruz, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán and Quintana Roo.
“This has been a complicated week. My worst Mexican Grand Prix ever,” Pérez said after the race. (Galo Cañas/Cuartoscuro)
Mexican Formula 1 racer Sergio “Checo” Pérez had a rough weekend in Mexico City.
The Guadalajara native finished dead last among the 17 cars that completed Sunday’s Mexico City Grand Prix, adding to rumors about his future on the Red Bull Racing team.
Pérez’s poor performance at the Mexico City Grand Prix on Sunday saw Red Bull drop to third place in the Constructors Standings. (Galo Cañas/Cuartoscuro)
According to the racing website Planet F1, Pérez blamed brake problems for the poor pace during qualifying, setting him up to start Sunday’s race in 18th place. “This has been a complicated week. My worst Mexican Grand Prix ever,” Pérez said after the race. “I’ve always said my dream is to win in Mexico and I’ll be back to try again next year.”
Though Pérez wants to return to the Hermanos Rodríguez track next year, he might have to find a new team.
Despite the awful qualifying session that saw him start 18th on the grid, Pérez began the race in promising fashion, overcoming a 5-second penalty for a false start before moving into 11th place. Then disaster struck on the 18th lap of the 71-lap race.
As the fast-charging Mexican battled to pass New Zealand rookie Liam Lawson, driving for Red Bull’s sister outfit Racing Bulls, for 10th place, Lawson cut off his attempt to zip by on the inside at Turn 4. Pérez maneuvered around him on the outside of Turn 5, but Lawson made contact with Checo’s car, damaging the bodywork and knocking him out of contention.
Pérez’s poor performance saw Red Bull drop to third place in the Constructors Standings.
Lawson apologizes for inappropriate gesture
After the side-by-side battle on the 18th lap that left Checo’s car damaged, Lawson — tipped to replace Pérez at Red Bull Racing next year — flipped his middle finger at the Mexican as he surged ahead.
Liam Lawson — tipped to replace Pérez at Red Bull Racing next year — flipped his middle finger at Pérez during the race. (Moisés Pablo/Cuartoscuro)
After the race, the Racing Bulls pilot apologized, saying his gesture came in the heat of the moment.
“It wasn’t my intention [to have an incident], but I did try and leave space in Turn 4,” Lawson said. “I would have thought he would leave me space in Turn 5, but obviously not.”
In response, Pérez called Lawson, who finished in 16th place, “an idiot.”
Checo’s future at Red Bull hangs in the balance
Despite finishing third in the 2021 and 2022 Drivers championship, Red Bull boss Christian Horner and team advisor Helmut Marko have been disappointed with Checo’s performance this season. Pérez currently sits in eighth place and his poor form this season is the major reason Red Bull has tumbled in the Constructors Standings.
Last week, Marko said Checo’s position with Red Bull was secure, but Sunday’s result has stirred up the rumor mill once again. Pundit Ralf Schumacher told Planet F1 he believes Red Bull will drop Pérez from the team before the end of the season.
Horner was not so forgiving. “Checo again has had a horrible weekend,” Horner said, according to the news site Motorsport Week. “He knows Formula 1 is a results-based business.”
According to Motorsport Week, Horner would not guarantee that Pérez’s spot on the team was safe.
When it comes to memorable Dia de los Muertos events, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo is up there with Mexico's best. (All photos by Margaret Reid)
In the town of Zihuatanejo, Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead) and Halloween have collided. It is one of the most important times of the year for celebrating family and loved ones who have passed on, but it has taken on a new angle as cross-border traditions have mixed together. Time-honoured traditions include cleaning and visiting the gravesites, candlelight vigils and sharing meals, usually the favourite dishes of the person who passed. Pan de Muerto is divided, and music plays a large part in the celebrations throughout the candlelit evening.
In addition to holding onto traditional celebrations, they have expanded and, at times, appear more commercial than I have witnessed over the past 30 years, living at least part-time in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo. What used to be more about honouring the dead while visiting the graves of loved ones has now included three and four day celebrations, which, although originated in tradition, have become elaborate events. Don’t get me wrong, the gravesite gatherings are certainly prevalent and mostly away from foreign visitors’ eyes, but Dia de Muertos has become more full-blown over the years and the lines between Halloween and the traditional Mexican ceremonies of remembrance have become blurred.
Day of the Dead is usually a quiet, personal celebration of life for most Mexicans. In Zihuatanejo, it’s merging into a Halloween extravaganza of costumery and color.
I have noticed the prevalence of huge numbers of trick-or-treaters that swarm what was once a small village in Zihuatanejo. Seeing these adorable children dressed as little goblins, ghosts, SpongeBobs, and last year’s most popular character, Wednesday Addams, has become the highlight of the year for my friends and me. We park ourselves outside the Barracuda Bar and hand out goodies and take photos — which everyone happily poses for.
The festivities begin with the unveiling of a giant Catrina on October 31 at 6:30 pm at a major landmark in Zihuatanejo known as Plaza Kioto, named after one of Zihuantanejo’s sister cities, Kyoto in Japan.
A short while later, everyone moves to the Cancha Municipal, the location of all of Zihuantanejo’s most memorable activities, located downtown on the shores of Zihuatanejo Bay. Here, they can enjoy an exhibition and taste traditional pan de muerto and other tasty treats from local bakeries and Restaurante Carnivac. Following is a lighted parade of boats in the bay of Zihuatanejo known as the Desfile de la Lanchas Illuminadas.
On November 1, starting at 7:00 pm, there will be a host of activities and celebrations in Zihuatanejo and nearby Ixtapa. In Colonia la Madera, a popular area not far from Centro Zihuatanejo and famous for its many restaurants and boutique hotels, you can dine and dance in the streets a mere few steps from Playa Madera.
Visitors to Ixtapa can see the Catrina Parade through the center of the town.
In Ixtapa, 5 kilometers away, the fun continues with the “Pasarela de Textile — Catrinas de mi tierra” fashion show, which is held in the Commercial Zone of the resort area. There is also an Exhibition de Ofrendos (El Lugar de los Muertos, which means the place of the dead) at several restaurants. The traditional Day of the Dead altars can also be viewed and admired by visiting the many hotels along the main strip.
The Parade of the Catrinas on November 2 is an event not to be missed as the costumes are elaborate and breathtaking. It starts at Plaza Kioto at 7:30 pm and winds through the town streets, including the length of Cinco de Mayo to the Cancha Municipal. People line the streets for glimpses of the magical parade and can often take photos with their favourite Catrinas at the end of the line.
On November 3, everything wraps up with the Concurso de Catrinas de Zihuatanejo, another spectacular event as the participants are judged and crowned. Sadly, it’s all over after that, at least for another year, when I have no doubt that plans are already in place to top this year’s festivities.
The writer divides her time between Canada and Zihuatanejo.
There are giant rabbits, world famous rockers and skulls galore, as November in the capital rolls around. (Cirque du Soleil/Facebook)
Day of the Dead parades. Massive music festivals. Art. A haunted boat ride through the canals of Xochimilco. If you’re wondering “What’s on in Mexico City this November?” — the answer is a lot.
In fact, there’s so much on it can feel overwhelming trying to sift through the event websites and scour social media. But fear not, because we’ve compiled 10 of the coolest activities going on next month.
Mictlán
(Mictlán)
The Mexica underworld of Mictlán is the place where souls congregate after their death in from the mortal world. Azul Cielo Circo company presents a Day of the Dead-themed circus performance, where artists will vividly bring to life this magical dimension through acrobatics, juggling, and entertaining stunts. The show will feature stories inspired by Mexican mythology and ancient belief systems.
November 1–3 and 8–9
Location: Ignacio Allende 36, Del Carmen, Coyoacán
Speaking of daring acts, for a limited time only you can see the classic circus show that has captivated audiences for decades. Watch as performers execute gravity-defying stunts and intricate choreography in whimsical costumes. The combination of performing arts and live music is entertaining for all ages, making it a great night out for families, couples, and friends.
Dates: November 7–December 29
Location: Gran Carpa Santa Fe (Vasco de Quiroga 2000, Santa Fe, Álvaro Obregón)
Explore a diverse range of illustrations created by both Mexican and international artists at LAGUNA, a beautiful, open-air venue in Doctores. Visitors will have the chance to meet artists in person while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere and wide-ranging display of contemporary art.
Dates: November 8–10
Location: LAGUNA (Dr. Lucio No. 181, Doctores, Cuauhtémoc)
Sail through the eeriest tales of Mexican folklore onboard a traditional trajinera boat. As you navigate the waterways, mysterious creatures will share spine-chilling legends from local culture, creating an atmosphere filled with suspense and intrigue. After an Instagram-worthy photo stop at an area featuring zone of illuminated skulls, the adventure continues with a visit to the infamous Isla de las Muñecas (Island of the Dolls).
Dates: November 1–2 and 8–9
Location: Embarcadero de Caltongo (Nuevo León 113, Caltongo, Xochimilco)
Cost: Tickets start at 550 pesos for adults and 400 pesos for children under six years old.
*Please note: Tickets can only be purchased on the day of the event. Reservations can be made by phone: 55 4130 5594 and 55 4130 5594.
Eurojazz
(Eurojazz/Instagram)
Celebrate jazz music with this diverse lineup of both international and local artists. Expect a vibrant atmosphere filled with live performances, workshops, and cultural exchanges highlighting jazz’s infinite styles. Not to mention, all performances are free!
Dates: November 10–24
Location: Centro Nacional de las Artes, Av. Río Churubusco 79, Country Club Churubusco, Coyoacán
If you love Mexican design, this art fair is for you. Set in the former presidential residence of Los Pinos, in the middle of Chapultepec Park, artisans from diverse communities across Mexico will showcase their textile creations, from traditional designs to modern interpretations. This annual event is part of a cultural movement initiated by the national Culture Ministry, aimed at promoting the value of artisanal work and the rights of collective ownership.
Dates: November 14 – 17, 2024
Location: Complejo Cultural de Los Pinos, Calz. del Rey S/N, Bosque de Chapultepec I Secc, Miguel Hidalgo
Every pop music lover’s favorite festival is coming up and the lineup is a doozy. Shake your hips to the likes of Shawn Mendes, Green Day, and Toto. The three-day celebration closes out with Paul McCartney alongside Jack White and Empire of the Sun. It’s an eclectic mix that promises an exciting experience for all attendees.
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.
If you missed the parade, the alebrijes will remain on display along the sidewalks of Paseo de la Reforma until Nov. 3, from the Angel of Independence to the Estela de Luz monument.
(Rogelio Morales/Cuartoscuro)
On Oct. 19, Paseo de la Reforma hosted the much-anticipated Alebrijes Parade organized by the Museum of Popular Art (MAP), which saw 185 gigantic alebrijes — artisanal sculptures of fanciful creatures — stroll down Mexico City’s most prominent avenue.
If you missed the parade, the alebrijes will remain on display along the sidewalks of Paseo de la Reforma until Nov. 3, from the Angel of Independence to the Estela de Luz monument.
“La Tempestad,” by Angel Misael Velasco García, Centro Cultural Pedro López Elías, Tepoztlán, Morelos. (MAP/Facebook)
The parade
City officials reported that over 630,000 people gathered along Paseo de la Reforma to witness the MAP’s 16th edition of the parade.
The show began at noon on Oct. 19, with nearly 200 gigantic alebrijes journeying through downtown Mexico City. The colorful sculptures were created by experienced master cartoneros and emerging artists from all over Mexico. The states represented in this year’s parade include México state, Mexico City, Guerrero, Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Morelos, San Luis Potosí and Tlaxcala.
The parade also featured regional dances, live music and dance groups.
The MAP hosts an annual award ceremony to recognize the three most impressive alebrijes. This year, the top three winners will receive cash prizes of 70,000 ((US $3,489), 50,000 (US $2,492) and 40,000 pesos (US $1,993), respectively. Furthermore, eleven alebrijes with ‘honorable mentions’ will receive a cash prize of 10,000 pesos (US $498).
What are alebrijes?
Alebrijes are brightly colored Mexican folk art figures, typically made from papier-mâché or cardboard (cartonería). These remarkable figures, which blend features from different animals into fantastical combinations, were born from the imagination of artisan Pedro Linares López.
“FERIX” by Abelardo Correa Nava, secondary school No. 161 Tomas Alva Edison, Mexico City. (MAP/Facebook)
The story of alebrijes begins like something out of a fever dream — quite literally. In 1936, Linares fell ill and spent months unconscious. During this time, he was visited by extraordinary visions: a donkey with wings soaring through his dreams, a lion sporting a dog’s head, and a rooster crowned with bull’s horns. Upon recovering, he brought these mysterious creatures — which he named alebrijes — to life using the traditional technique of cartonería.
While Linares had been crafting these magical beings for decades, it wasn’t until 1975 that his work captured global attention. British filmmaker Judith Bronowski created a documentary about his craft, catapulting him to international fame.
Today, alebrijes stand as more than just art pieces. They’ve become a beloved symbol of Mexican creativity and imagination, reflecting the country’s rich biodiversity through their diverse forms.
Jenny Frausto-Aguayo and Kevin Frausto moved to Mexico during the pandemic and have found happiness and success by exploring the country. (All photos by Jenny Frausto-Aguayo and Kevin Frausto)
In our series “My American Dream is in Mexico”, we explore the growing phenomenon of Mexican-Americans who were born or raised in the U.S. yet have chosen to pursue their adult dreams in Mexico. Each feature seeks to uncover their motivations, experiences, and the connections they’re rediscovering in the country their parents left long ago in search of a better life and more opportunities. Today, we are profiling Jenny Frausto-Aguayo and Kevin Frausto of the Eat Baila Travel YouTube channel.
The couple have roots in Chicago but are planning to settle in Mexico for the long haul. We discussed their backgrounds, identity, the privilege of being bilingual and bicultural, and their plans for the future.
After leaving Chicago, Jenny and Kevin found Mexico was the perfect platform for social media success.
Age: 30 and 36
Location: Mexico City and Puerto Escondido
Occupation: YouTube Content creators and Project Manager (Kevin)
Roots in Mexico: Zacatecas (Jenny), Veracruz and San Luis Potosí (Kevin)
Why did you move to Mexico?
Jenny: “Early on when we got married we talked about leaving the U.S. and Mexico was always an option but we thought something further afield like Spain or Brazil. In 2018, we visited Playa del Carmen and Mérida and we met foreigners living and thriving in Mexico. When we realized that people who had no heritage or family connection to Mexico were living there, we saw ourselves doing the same thing. We thought, why not us? We already have the cultural connection and the opportunities to thrive are there. Our goal was to move to Mérida in 2020, since it made so much sense — we have the cultural connection and Mexican citizenship. But when the pandemic hit, we postponed until 2021 to keep working and saving up.”
Kevin: “I used to travel to Mexico a lot as a kid — like two or three times a year, our family would drive down there together. But in 2006, when cartel violence escalated, we stopped going altogether. My perception of Mexico changed because of that and because of my mom’s fears. So, when Jenny started talking about moving to Mexico, I thought she was crazy! But when we took that trip in 2018, it helped me see that, while Mexico wasn’t as safe as it had been before 2006, it wasn’t as unsafe as I’d thought either.”
How did your parents react when you told them you were relocating to Mexico?
Kevin and Jenny in Mérida.
J: “They brushed it off. We told them a year in advance, and at first, they thought we were joking or just talking about a dream we’d never actually pursue. When they realized we were serious, the concerns started. They couldn’t understand why we’d want to move to a country they saw as unsafe based on the news they watched. We had many conversations to help them warm up to the idea, explaining that, just like in Chicago, Mexico has both safe and unsafe areas.”
K: “For my mom, it eased her mind that we started in Veracruz with her family, where we stayed for two months to settle in. After that, we traveled nomadically for the rest of 2021 and 2022, spending an extended period in Puerto Escondido.”
What inspired you to start your YouTube channel?
J: “We started our YouTube channel as a way to embrace our Mexican-American identity, and how we navigate that as individuals who are exploring their heritage country. We were looking for a place to live, but at the same time, we wanted to absorb all the history and important figures we didn’t learn about growing up — like La Malinche, Miguel Hidalgo, and others. We also wanted to showcase how beautiful Mexican culture is and share our learning experience with people on our YouTube channel and hope that other Mexican-Americans can feel empowered to embrace their culture as much as we do”.
In what ways have you reconnected with your Mexican roots?
The pair in Taxco, Guerrero.
K: “For me it’s been about figuring out my identity. It’s come full circle. When I was a kid, I traveled to Mexico frequently — both to San Luis and Veracruz, which are very different from each other. The culture I grew up with in Chicago also differed greatly from that of my Mexican peers and American colleagues at school and work. Now it feels complete, and I take pride in identifying as a Mexican from Chicago. Spending so much time in Mexico has taught me so much about my family and myself — insights I probably would never have gained if I hadn’t left Chicago.”
How do Mexicans in Mexico perceive your identity?
J: “It’s very funny. We got the first taste from our family in Veracruz because we speak fluent Spanish and they were shocked. They were like: “You don’t sound like other pochos, who have more broken Spanish.” Their reaction highlighted how we were breaking their preconceived notions of what Mexican-Americans are like. Also, on YouTube, we’ve gotten hate comments from Mexicans saying we’re not really Mexican and also from Americans telling us we’re not American.”
What does the word “pocho” mean to you and have you been called it?
Ni de aquí, ni de allá: Mexican-Americans Talk Identity
J: “It’s a term often used derogatorily. Some people have chosen to embrace it and give it a positive spin, but it still bothers me when others use it to describe me. The word ‘pocho,’ as I understand it, has roots meaning something that is rotten — like a spoiled piece of fruit. It implies that we’re not good enough. We’re not good enough to be Mexican and we’re not good enough to be American either. So they put us in this limbo place that we like to call ‘ni de aquí ni de allá’ (neither from here nor there) but we’ve given it a spin and we like to say ‘de aquí y de allá’ (from here and there), because we belong to both cultures.”
Tell me more about what the phrase ‘de aquí y de allá means to you?
K: After spending so much time in Mexico, we truly feel at home here. The transition was much easier than we expected. At the same time, Chicago will always be home for us too. We feel comfortable in both places. We adopted the phrase because we’ve always felt we belong to both cultures rather than feeling like we don’t belong to either. In Mexico, we’re seen as American while in the U.S., we’re viewed as Mexican. Our constant travel between the two has shown us that both places are our home. We literally have citizenship in both countries, so we can proudly claim both, despite what others may say.”
In what ways has being bilingual and bicultural enriched your experience in Mexico?
J: “We feel like we have superpowers being fluent in two languages and bringing perspectives from both countries, though probably a bit more from the U.S.! We came to Mexico eager to learn and absorb what it has to offer. Mexico has so much to teach us and we aim to take the best from both worlds. That’s what ‘de aquí y de allá’ embodies — it’s a combination of ‘yes, and this.’ We blend the best of both to create the most fulfilling life we can. I believe that’s what our ancestors would have wanted for us: to see us happy and thriving, not struggling for basic needs. If we have the opportunity to live in the country they’ve called home for generations, why wouldn’t we?”
What is next for Jenny & Kevin?
K: “A couple of years ago, we bought land in Puerto Escondido near La Punta and we want to drive our car from Chicago to California then down to Baja and then put the car in a ferry to the coast to then make the trek to Oaxaca. Our goal is to turn the land into a home and possibly start a business, though we’re still brainstorming ideas. We might dive into this project right away or take one last taste of digital nomad life before we settle down to build both a home and a business.”
Are you a U.S.-born or raised child of Mexican immigrants currently living in Mexico? Perhaps your Mexican parents emigrated to another country, and you’ve chosen to return to Mexico? If so, I’d love to hear your story for this series! Please leave your email in the comments, and I’ll reach out.
Rocio is based in Mexico City and is the creator of CDMX iykyk, a newsletter designed to keep expats, digital nomads and the Mexican diaspora in the loop. The weekly dispatches feature top news, cultural highlights, upcoming CDMX events & local recommendations. For your weekly dose of must-know news about Mexico,subscribe here.
