With Minister of Women Citlalli Hernández at her side, President Sheinbaum stands with women cabinet members as she announces her “16 Days of Activism Against Violence Toward Women.” (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro)
Starting Tuesday, Nov. 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the focus of Mexican society for the next half month will be on raising awareness about gender-based violence, as the Sheinbaum administration launches “16 Days of Activism Against Violence Toward Women.”
“We are providing a toolkit, outreach materials and a broad national program of activities at all three levels of government,” Deputy Minister for Women Ingrid Gómez said Tuesday during the president’s morning press conference. “The focus of these 16 days … is on dissemination, consciousness-raising and sensitization.”
📣 Día Internacional para la Eliminación de la Violencia contra la Mujer #25N
🚫Ninguna violencia es aceptable
✊🏾Ningún derecho es negociable.
🙋🏽♀️Contra todas las violencias, defendemos, exigimos, tejemos y transformamos.
The daily actions from now through Dec. 10 will range from courses for public servants and the public, to film screenings, rights booklets and outreach to women with disabilities, among many others.
Minister for Women Citlalli Hernández, also speaking at the president’s mañanera, called for transformative action to combat sexism and violence against women. “To generate a cultural shift and combat sexism, we call on men to join us in the goal of ensuring that women and men have the same rights and live a full life free from violence,” Hernández said.
The impetus for the 16-day program is the worsening security situation for women in Mexico.
The rate of female victims of common crimes in Mexico has risen by 7.5% in 2025, with 100,989 women filing reports in the first nine months of the year, compared to 93,899 during the same period in 2024, according to data from the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System.
The percentage of women compared to men who have been victims of a crime also increased, from 31.2% of all victims in January to 39.5% in September.
While the number of femicides has fallen by 17.7% this year, from 624 to 513, the prevalence of femicides in certain cities has increased. As of September, the city of Culiacán in Sinaloa, where cartel-related violence has surged, reported the highest rate of femicides, with 3.96 per 100,000 women.
What are the planned activities?
The 16 days of activism start Tuesday alongside a number of protest marches calling for greater action, followed by:
Nov. 26: Mass distribution of a rights booklet.
Nov. 27: Digital platforms to sign an agreement to guarantee protection for women experiencing violence.
Nov. 28: Film screenings on violence prevention.
Nov. 29: Walks with women to identify risks and promote safe routes.
Nov. 30: Community murals with teenagers and young adults.
Dec. 1: Conference on violence prevention at universities.
Dec. 2: Community outreach with women with disabilities.
Dec. 3: National meeting: Building networks between the government and organized women.
Dec. 4: Training for educational staff and signing of an agreement with social media platforms to combat digital violence.
Dec. 5: National meeting of justice centers.
Dec. 6: Peacebuilding workshops with Mexico’s women weavers.
Dec. 7: Runs and walks for women’s wellbeing.
Dec. 8: Talks on sexual abuse and a panel on access to digital justice.
Dec. 9: Reflection sessions with men for a just and violence-free reality.
Dec. 10: Specialized panel on data and statistics for monitoring safe digital spaces.
“We aim to be present on the ground, where women spend their lives,” emphasized Gómez.
The new routes, which TAR Mexico will begin operating on Dec. 1, connect the sunny port of Mazatlán with Aguascalientes and Torreón (direct) and Los Mochis, Hermosillo and Chihuahua (with layovers). (OMA Aeropuertos)
Mazatlán International Airport (MZT) in the state of Sinaloa will receive an investment of more than 1.2 billion pesos between 2026 and 2030 to carry out major improvements and expansions.
According to Abelardo Muñoz, the head of traffic development for the regional airport administrator Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte (OMA), the improvements will add to the airport’s recent renovations in a move to boost the economic, social and tourism development of the coastal destination.
Renovations at the airport will support Sinaloa’s plans to strengthen air connectivity, as the state government recently announced new domestic routes and increased frequencies.
The new routes, which TAR Mexico will begin operating on Dec. 1, connect the sunny port of Mazatlán with Aguascalientes and Torreón (direct) and Los Mochis, Hermosillo and Chihuahua (with layovers).
“Air connectivity is a strategic priority to continue boosting the tourism and economic development of Mazatlán and the entire state,” the state’s Tourism Minister Mireya Sosa Osuna said.
TAR Mexico also announced it will increase the weekly frequencies of existing routes Mazatlán-La Paz and Mazatlán-Querétaro by 50% and 25%, respectively.
▶️ La Secretaría de Turismo de Sinaloa informó que la aerolínea TAR tendrá cinco nuevas rutas aéreas hacia #Mazatlán, esto con el objetivo de posicionar al destino en mercados clave y facilitar la llegada de más visitantes pic.twitter.com/SJ804XZ18Q
Muñoz noted that the two new direct routes to Aguascalientes and Torreón will join nine existing domestic routes from MZT, in addition to three regular international routes and ten seasonal routes — eight to Canada and two to the United States — that have restarted operations ahead of the 2025-2026 winter season.
With these routes, TAR will become the second most important operator in Mazatlán in terms of the number of routes served, Muñoz said.
These developments come on the heels of the news that Mazatlán was excluded from the most recent travel advisory issued by the U.S., even though the rest of Sinaloa maintains the highest security alert category. According to the U.S. State Department, tourists are safe to visit Mazatlán, Los Mochis and Topolobampo.
The state government said this decision responds to improved security conditions and ongoing operations in the city, which have allowed major tourism events to take place without serious incidents.
When agents conducted a physical inspection, they discovered the hidden packages of meth concealed within the lettuce. (CBP/X)
U.S. officials at the Texas-Mexico border intercepted a shipment of lettuce containing 500 packages of methamphetamine last week.
The more than 1,150 pounds of confiscated drugs have an estimated street value of more than US $10 million, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
CBP officers in Texas are saving our dinner tables from unfit salads. A commercial vehicle attempting entry into the U.S. from Mexico was referred to secondary inspection when officers discovered over 1,153lbs of meth concealed within a shipment of lettuce. The narcotics had a… pic.twitter.com/Ts74Rq7AEt
In a news release, the CBP said officers at the Pharr International Bridge in South Texas, across from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, encountered a commercial vehicle entering the United States from Mexico on Friday.
Upon being selected for a secondary inspection via non-intrusive imaging equipment, irregularities were observed. When agents conducted a physical inspection, they discovered the hidden packages of meth concealed within the lettuce.
“Within a shipment of salad greens, our frontline officers discovered contraband that does not belong on any holiday table,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez. “As this seizure aptly illustrates, our officers’ use of tools and technology was instrumental in this massive takedown of hard narcotics.”
The CBP seized the narcotics and the vehicle before turning the case over to Homeland Security Investigations. No other details with regard to the truck or the driver were provided.
The Produce News — a publishing company that has covered the fresh produce industry worldwide since 1897 — had some fun with the incident, headlining its article thusly:
“Lettuce point out this meth smuggler has the right to Romaine silent.”
Authorities at the U.S.-Mexico border frequently discover illegal drugs concealed within crates of fruits and vegetables.
During a traffic stop #DEAHouston agents found more than 900 pounds of #meth hidden in boxes containing green squash. #DEA alongside University of @houstonpolice , @katypolicedept_official and @texas_dps stopped this poison from spreading to your community! pic.twitter.com/w9fz8x1th4
Two weeks earlier at the same facility, officers intercepted 629 pounds of meth concealed within a shipment of celery after directing the driver toward a secondary inspection. The estimated value of these drugs was US $755,000.
More recently, a tractor-trailer carrying green squash was detained during a traffic stop in Houston, where Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) officials discovered over 900 pounds of meth hidden stuffed into the walls of the produce boxes.
Boots on the ground: Your build in Mexico has a much better chance of success if you — or at least a representative you trust — is doing regular site visits and communicating with the architect or the developer. (Zisla)
According to the US State Department, the number of Americans living in Mexico jumped to 70% between 2019 and 2022. There are now 1.6 million American permanent residents in the country as of 2022, a number that’s increasing every year.
While many buy an existing home in their preferred location, a few bold types think even bigger, deciding to buy land in Mexico to build a home or condo building, often with the idea of renting it for some passive income in the months they spend back home each year. Mexico also presents great real estate opportunities for the entrepreneur who wants to build a property to then sell or rent out, rather than make Mexico their home.
In your home country, a farmer deciding to sell their land parcel may be an individual decision, but in Mexico, an individual’s land may be part of an ejido, communally owned land that by law cannot be sold without formal agreement by the other ejido members. Always know the legal status of any land you’re buying. (Government of Mexico)
Do your due diligence
Whichever of the two is your preferred scenario, the basic advice is the same: Know the lay of the land and do your research. It’s easy to dream about buying land in Mexico and bringing to life a real estate project from scratch — renting out the condos in your building and reaping the fruits of your labor through passive income — but to find out how feasible this dream might be, Mexico News Daily spoke to some seasoned developers, who shared the realities of this grand endeavor.
“Do your due diligence and have realistic goals,” says Ian Gengos, a Canadian realtor living in Mexico who works with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Baja Real Estate. “It’s important to do proper feasibility studies. Your company’s title and ownership of the land has to be clear. You have to know if you can sell the properties within the project you want to develop — and, also, if it’s even possible. I’ve seen people buy land and then have this vision that just can’t be realized because what they want to do is not able to be done where they want to do it.”
There are several permits and concessions you may need to fulfill your project’s needs. It’s also critical to work with architects and engineers who know the land you’re building on and who are comfortable meeting expectations with what you’ve set out to accomplish.
As we’ve covered in the past, there are certain realities unique to Mexico: The acquisition cost of property in Mexico is higher than in the United States, for example. And it’s not unusual to pay up to 10% more for a property when you consider the added notary fee, appraisal costs and other expenses.
The dangers of long-distance buying
If you’re going to be building a property in Mexico to sell or rent out, location is especially important to consider. Is the beach easy to get to? Are there things to do nearby? Are stores and restaurants being built in the area? (Gerson Repreza/Unsplash)
There’s a lot to be said about having the right approach for your building goal.
“It depends on the purpose you have to buy property in Mexico. Is it [purely] for an investment or to have a place to live for you and your family?” said Ilan Vainer Cohen of Laiva Group in San José del Cabo. “In my experience, Americans and Canadian entrepreneurs who come to Mexico want to do both.
“But as a developer, you should think about what makes a project appealing: If there is a new highway, a new mall, or new properties being constructed near your project, that’ll add value to your investment since people will want to live there or stay frequently during vacation periods.”
Between the internet and write-ups like this, it is possible to go through the process alone. You can research where in Mexico you’d like to live, save money for a down payment and talk to the developer. If you ask Gengos, however, you’d be setting yourself up to fail.
“Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who pretend to be real estate professionals,” he said. “They’ll tell clients to wire funds to the developer or directly to a seller’s account without any recourse if things go wrong. They just want to sell somebody something without doing the work to protect the buyer against bad sellers and bad titles. Online, it’s hard to tell who is legit. But when you’re in Mexico, it’s easier to verify since you’re on the ground.”
“It’s always best to work with a licensed professional who knows the area well and can help you navigate challenges,” Gengos says. “They’ll explain processes and guide you to the right property. For example, they’ll help you understand what a fideicomiso is and how to set up an escrow account. Even if you’re the best researcher, you can still run into trouble.”
Another factor to take into account when investing in Mexico that isn’t as often talked about: the climate. Is where you’re buying prone to destructive weather? How will you deal with a tropical storm or hurricane causing damage to your property? (Agencia Perspectiva/Cuartoscuro)
Also, says Gengos, it’s better to work with independent real estate advisors as opposed to a realtor who works for the developer. Gengos also stressed the importance of working with an agent who represents you exclusively as a buyer, to assure your interests are protected and prioritized.
The value — and danger — of going the presale route
Knowing the pros and cons about buying land and building on your own versus buying a presale home versus buying a pre-existing construction is something that an experienced independent real estate advisor should be able to explain. Ilan Vainer Cohen, a Mexican resident who has spent most of his career in real estate development, says that getting the timing right can be a tough call.
“I’ve had clients who wanted to buy a [presale] condo too early and some too late. Say you find a property in development for US $300,000. If you were to put a down payment, you’d be buying the vision of what your condo might be. [But] it’s a double-edged sword because you can’t foresee any problems that may occur in construction: Maybe the developer will fall behind schedule, and you’ll have to wait longer to move in. It’s the risk you take when you go that route.”
“But if you wait until [the property is] finished to buy, the price may be US $450,000 because of all the effort that went into getting your dream home to market. The more [work] a developer [does] on a building, the more expensive the units will be at the end.”
For reasons like these, it’s also important to check the developer’s track record and reputation in the local community. If its history dictates a solid resume of quality buildings completed on time, it’s a safer investment. If not, you’ll save yourself the headache by moving on to another development project that’s more worth your time.
A presale, known in Mexico as a preventa, can be a money saver, but research your rights under Mexican law — as well as your developer’s track record. (Ivan S./Pexels)
This is another reason why having a local real estate professional on your team is worth the investment.
Of course, all this information only scratches the surface of knowing how to invest in the Mexican real estate market. But if there’s one solid takeaway, Mexico has its own unique way of doing things much like the United States, Canada, or anywhere else in the world. It’s important to do your homework. Another good piece of advice is to connect with other foreigners who have built here. Their experiences can tell you a lot, often in plain language that’s easier to understand, about what to expect from the process — and what to watch out for.
Have you built a home from scratch or bought a presale (preventa) in Mexico? Do you have any advice for foreign buyers? Let us know in the comments below.
Ian Ostroff is an indie author, journalist, and copywriter from Montreal, Canada. You can find his work in various outlets, including Map Happy and The Suburban. When he’s not writing, you can find Ian at the gym, a café, or anywhere within Mexico visiting family and friends.
Transcend this astral plane, as the Riviera Maya has no shortage of spirituality throughout the holiday season. (Rave Jungle)
Wine Fests and World Salsa Championships start this December with some decadence and devilishly good dance moves. Add in some fun in the sun with Bluegrass festivals and Frisbee beach tournaments and it’s a great time in the Riviera Maya. If you prefer something a little calmer, then paint your own Christmas presents, or get in touch with your ancestors with an oracle reading.
Euroson Latino World Salsa Championship
Promo - Euroson Latino 2024
I’m tempted to head to Cancún for this one. Dancers from 36 Latin American nations compete in what is hailed as the biggest world championship on the planet. This is must see event for any lover of music or dance. Chock full of workshops with industry-leading instructors, renowned orchestras, popular performers and after-parties to dance the night away, it’s three days of fun and sensational salsa to end year with a bang.
Count me in for this one! I’ve always been a little curious about different cultures’ ties to celestial bodies and I think this would be a beautiful and interesting experience for any astronomer. An intimate oceanfront gathering that includes moon gazing, inner connection, and a guided meditation. It also includes insights into astrology and cultural ties to the moon, creating a soulful evening of shared wisdom. And who doesn’t love a beach picnic? Drink and appetizers served.
An immersive journey through the five senses. With five hours of toasting and tasting, enjoy this unique experience that combines wine, gastronomy, and entertainment in the sophisticated surroundings of The Fives, Playa del Carmen. Tickets range from 1,490 to 1,790 pesos, with group and presale deals. The dress code is white-casual and attendance is limited, so book now to make sure you don’t miss out!
Date: 6 December, 6 -11 p.m. Location: The Fives Plaza, Playa del Carmen Cost: 1,490 pesos
Bacalar Fiesta Cosmica
I love Bacalar and this would be a perfect evening concert after dinner along the waterfront for anyone in town. The event features a fusion of three unique music projects — lengualerta, cuervocuervomusic, and galactika_deep_roots — paired with psychedelic visuals by @carlos_vj_infante. Described as the most eclectic tour of the year in the Yucatán Peninsula, the celebration combines live music and immersive visual art for a distinctive night. Come and get in touch with nature on the shores of Mexico’s most beautiful lagoon.
I’ll admit, this looks amazing. Enjoy a quick listen and get a sneak peak of the fun and frivolity of Strings & Sol here. It’s an annual crowd-pleaser and holiday rolled into one. In true Mexican Caribbean style you can enjoy the music floating in a pool with a swim-up bar…who doesn’t love that!
Date: 11-15 December Location: Sapphire and Dreams Riviera. Puerto Morelos Cost: Varied
Caribbean Ultimate Frisbee tournament
The Caribbean Classic is fun for the whole family. Frisbee enthusiasts will be in their element, but if you’re like me and love hanging out at the beach, having fun with friends, and enjoying a beach picnic, then this one’s also for you. Energy, fun in the sun, and sportsmanship await you on the beaches of Puerto Morelos.
Maya Marathon isn’t for the faint of heart. Experience the Mexican installment of the global Wildmarathon series in Cozumel, with the option to run a marathon, half marathon, or 10k.
In addition to the race, activities include snorkeling, diving, and cultural visits to Mayan ruins. The race route features beach, asphalt, and scenic dirt tracks in Punta Sur Park, with regular aid stations, transfers, meals, and race memorabilia included.
Date: 14 December Location: Cozumel Island Cost: US $35-$84
Awakin Fest Tulum 2025
(Eventbrite)
Your ticket includes everything from the sunrise opening ceremony to the sunset closing circle. It’s a day full of ancestral ceremonies, music, workshops and connection practices, healing swims in the cenote sacred waters, and a camping spot for the night.
There’s also access to the Eco Market full of crafts and natural products. Plus a special area for the kids to enjoy creativity and free expression.
Enter a candlelit, jungle-inspired sanctuary in town and reconnect with Universal Wisdom and Optimal Health through a guided group experience. Each session includes energy clearing, gentle clothed massage, breath and presence practices, an oracle reading with Q&A, and Toltec and Maya teachings for real-life integration. Expect warm chai, supportive guidance for seekers of all levels, simple preparation, and an intimate, heart-centered space whose exact address is shared after registration.
Date: 23 December, 6 pm – 7:30 pm Location: A secret location in Tulum, revealed on purchase Cost:380 pesos with two-for-one deals available
Tulum businesses issued suspensions by Profeco included supermarkets, convenience stores, restaurants and hotels.
(Profeco)
Following complaints of unjustified price increases in one of Mexico’s most popular beach destinations, a number of commercial operations have been suspended in Tulum, Quintana Roo.
Mexico’s Consumer Protection Agency (Profeco) conducted inspections to verify that businesses were complying with the Federal Consumer Protection Law (LFPC), particularly concerning price displays and the prohibition of unjustified charges. During the inspections, Profeco identified multiple restaurants, bars and hotels charging excessive prices without offering clear pricing information.
Diamante K Tulum, a boutique hotel that prides itself on environmental awareness, received its own suspension seal from Profeco. (Diamante K Tulum/on X)
As a result, several establishments were temporarily shut down for failing to display prices for their products or services, or for discrepancies between displayed prices and those actually charged to consumers.
According to Profeco, inspection was done in 29 establishments, including five self-service stores, five convenience stores, five pharmacies, five hotels and nine restaurants and cafes.
Within Jaguar Park alone, Profeco visited 22 establishments, including hotels, beach clubs and restaurants.
As a result of the inspections, operations at the following hotels have been suspended: Diamante K, Pocna Tulum, Villa Pescadores and Cabañas Playa Condesa Tulum.
Profeco said these hotels were issued a suspension seal due to a lack of observance of the LFPC, as prices were “significantly higher” than in other areas of Tulum.
#BoletínDePrensa
La Profeco informa los resultados del operativo de verificación en Tulum, donde se detectaron precios excesivos en hoteles y servicios turísticos, así como diferencias significativas entre establecimientos del centro y de Parque Jaguar.
According to Profeco, the suspended hotels failed to clearly display rates, did not provide terms and conditions for their services, encouraged the payment of tips, or lacked proper notes and receipts for the lodging services provided.
Furthermore, prices were not available on the restaurants’ menus or were displayed in foreign currency, and the dishes were listed in a foreign language.
In another indication of Tulum’s ongoing hardships, Profeco said that the Kore Tulum and Villa Miramar Tulum hotels were found to have no commercial activity at the time of the visits because they had voluntarily closed down due to low occupancy.
Profeco staff also monitored 11 food and beverage products, and found excessive prices for some dishes, including guacamole, with a minimum price of 160 pesos (US $8.64) and an average price of 226 pesos ($12.21).
The restaurants that were suspended included Burrito Amor, Batey Mojito and Guarapo Bar, Encanto, Wang Tulum, Restaurante Estrada, Sabor de Mar and Negro Huitlacoxe. Profeco said all restaurants were advised to make the necessary adjustments to comply with the LFPC.
Finally, Super San Francisco de Asís, New Walmart of Mexico, Chedraui Tulum, Southeast Pharmaceutical Trading Company and the grocery store Panadero Supplier were sanctioned for failing to properly display prices and information about warranties and returns.
The president said that Hayek spoke to her about her film project in Veracruz, but told reporters she couldn't tell them anything about it because the information is "private." (Moisés Pablo/Cuartoscuro)
Cold weather, an upcoming meeting with a fellow Latin American leader and an encounter with Oscar-nominated Mexican actress Salma Hayek were among the topics President Claudia Sheinbaum spoke about at her Monday morning press conference.
Here is a recap of the president’s Nov. 24 mañanera.
Freezing temperatures forecast this week
Asked what her “message” was for Mexico’s northern states as cold front No. 16 arrives, Sheinbaum noted that the government would issue a statement.
“Civil Protection issues it, but we do as well, as a precaution, so that people cover up,” she said.
“Through the National Guard and the Welfare Ministry we also distribute blankets in the highest, coldest areas,” Sheinbaum said.
In a statement, the federal government warned of temperatures as low as -10 degrees Celsius on Tuesday morning and Thursday morning in mountainous areas of Chihuahua and Durango.
It also said that temperatures were forecast to drop to as low as -5 degrees Celsius on Wednesday morning in high areas of Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Durango, Zacatecas, México state, Tlaxcala and Puebla.
The government statement also noted that heavy to very heavy rain is forecast for Wednesday in parts of Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosí, Hidalgo, Puebla, Veracruz and Oaxaca.
It advised citizens to adopt various “self-care measures” amid the forecast low temperatures, including the use of thermal clothing and going to temporary shelters if their homes are not equipped to “cope with extreme cold.”
Sheinbaum to meet with president of Honduras on Tuesday
Sheinbaum acknowledged that she will meet with Honduran President Xiomara Castro in Mexico City on Tuesday.
Castro, whose four-year term will conclude in early 2026, arrived in Mexico on Sunday, and will take part in a “formal nation-to-nation visit” on Tuesday, Sheinbaum said.
“The two national anthems will be played” in the National Palace, she said.
“And after there will be a series of private meetings with her, further strengthening the good relationship with Honduras,” Sheinbaum said.
Asked to elaborate on her upcoming talks with Castro, the president only said they would discuss “issues of Latin America and the Caribbean.”
She noted that “Xiomara is about to end her term as president.”
“We’ve become good friends, since I met her, since she came [to Mexico],” Sheinbaum said.
“There is a strong relationship with Honduras, of economic activity and many other activities … and we intend for them to continue,” Sheinbaum said.
In recent years, Honduras was one of the main source countries for migrants who entered Mexico via its southern border as they sought to reach the United States. In an attempt to dissuade migration from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador, former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador extended his government’s employment programs, Sowing Life and Youths Building the Future, to the three Central American countries.
Sheinbaum speaks about her meeting with Salma Hayek
“She’s making a movie in Veracruz. She has already met with Rocío [Nahle], naturally, because she’s the governor [of Veracruz]. Rocío said to me, ‘Do you want to meet her?’ … and I said, ‘Yes, of course,'” the president said.
Sheinbaum said that she and Hayek spoke for almost two hours.
“She’s a woman who loves Mexico very much and her state, Veracruz,” she said of the Coatzacoalcos native.
“… The movie that she did about Frida turned Frida Kahlo into an icon in the entire world. Foreigners no longer come to Mexico to see [the art of] Diego Rivera, but rather [to see that of] Frida Kahlo. That movie was very important, for that reason,” Sheinbaum said.
She said that Hayek spoke to her about her film project in Veracruz, but told reporters she couldn’t tell them anything about it because the information is “private.”
Sheinbaum said that she hoped that the new movie, like “Frida,” would show off Mexico to the “whole world.”
The president also told reporters that she got on very well with Hayek, and noted that they spoke about “creating incentives” so that more Mexican and international films are made in Mexico.
The film industry creates “a lot of jobs,” Sheinbaum said before declaring that she likes to see women taking the initiative in various fields.
During the presentation on Saturday, the governor of Oaxaca thanked the president for working to repay a historic debt to the Indigenous peoples of the Mixtec region. (Carolina Jiménez Mariscal/Cuartoscuro)
President Claudia Sheinbaum visited Mexico’s Mixtec region on Saturday to discuss the progress of the Lázaro Cárdenas Plan, detailing investments of 6.212 billion pesos (US $335.6 million).
The plan, launched last year in coordination with Oaxaca’s state governor, Salomón Jara Cruz, supports economic and social development in one of Mexico’s poorest areas.
“Roads and infrastructure projects cease to be mere material acts and become great acts of dignity and hope,” Jara Cruz said during the event. “That is the essence of Mexican humanism: love for the people and attention to the poorest.”
Plan Lázaro Cárdenas — named after Mexico’s president from 1934 to 1940, who was known for his agrarian reforms and focus on social justice — seeks to strengthen the region’s roads, healthcare systems, agricultural productivity, educational opportunities, environmental sustainability and cultural heritage.
“It’s been almost a year since we were here in La Mixteca with all of you,” said Sheinbaum in a speech. “I promised then that we would pave roads, that we would build new roads. Did we keep our promise? Yes. We still have work to do, but here’s the commitment: we’re not going to leave La Mixteca for the entire six-year term; we’re going to be right here.”
Regresamos a la Mixteca oaxaqueña para informar avances del Plan General Lázaro Cárdenas del Río. Son casi 900 kilómetros de reconstrucción de caminos; vamos por la misma cantidad el próximo año. Además, rehabilitamos escuelas, construimos centros de salud y obras de agua. pic.twitter.com/s3sygNNUBk
Some of the main achievements of the Lázaro Cárdenas Plan over the past eight months include:
The construction or rehabilitation of 1,100 kilometers of highway infrastructure
36 projects related to drinking water, sanitation and agricultural support by the National Water Commission (Conagua): 203 million pesos (US $11 million)
An annual investment of 120 million pesos ($6.5 million) in forest restoration through the National Forestry Commission (Conagua)
The launch of the National Institute of Indigenous Peoples’ (INPI) Justice Plan for the Chocoltec People in 19 municipalities and 70 Indigenous communities, benefiting 19,961 people: 300 million pesos ($16.2 million)
The soon-to-be-implemented Justice Plan for the Mixtec People, covering 87 municipalities and 377 Indigenous communities, benefiting 196,752 people
An initial investment of 18 million pesos ($972,000) for the construction of the Casa Odriozola School of Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage in Teposcolula
Meanwhile, the IMSS-Bienestar arm of the program, as presented by the ministry’s director Alejandro Svarch Pérez, will:
Provide for the replacement of the Huajuapan de León Hospital by December 2026
Launch the Margarita Maza Brigades to prevent, detect and diagnose breast cancer
Renovate three local health centers into Comprehensive Health Centers (CESSA)
Hire 23 specialist physicians and 99 nurses
Launch ten mobile medical units with telemedicine services
Create a High-Priority Maternal Response Network with four new obstetric ambulances
Protests disrupt the event
A group of professors with Section 22 of the national teachers union (CNTE) used megaphones to express their discontent during Sheinbaum’s presentation at the Marco Antonio Ramírez Sports Complex in Teposcolula on Saturday.
Protesters shouted slogans such as “Claudia, you lied about repealing the ISSSTE law” and “Claudia said everything would change.”
Members of the CNTE continue to press Sheinbaum on the 2007 ISSSTE Law, which changed the federal pension scheme from pooled to individual, and which the president had previously pledged to reverse. (Carolina Jiménez Mariscal/Cuartoscuro)
Earlier that day, Sheinbaum had also faced demonstrations from Section 22 at an event in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. The protests in Oaxaca came just one day after teachers from CNTE Section 7 in Chiapas briefly detained the president’s vehicle in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, demanding she sign a written commitment to restart discussions concerning the ISSSTE law and education reform.
The government's goal of getting the inflation rate down to 3.0% has proven to be elusive, though it has stayed within the margin of error. (Victoria Valtierra/Cuartoscuro)
Inflation in Mexico is accelerating faster than expected, rising to 3.61% during the first two weeks of November compared to the same period last year, according to data released by the national statistics agency, INEGI, on Monday.
While core inflation, which excludes volatile food and fuel prices, stayed steady at 4.32% due to downward pressure from the El Buen Fin discount shopping campaign, the non-core index accelerated to 1.29% annually, from 0.80% in the second half of October.
Contributing to the bump in the inflation rate was the rising price of livestock. (@GeneralMCNews/X)
Livestock prices and government-authorized tariffs drove the increase in these prices.
The rise in prices was reflected in the cost of food consumed outside the home (lunch counter prices rose 0.47%, restaurant prices were up 0.51% and prepared foods climbed 0.61%), tomatoes (up 3.98%) and air transport (up 4.6%).
Also, electricity prices soared by 20.7% following the end of a government subsidy program in 18 cities.
Mexico’s central bank (Banxico) had predicted that the current weakness of Mexico’s economy would reduce inflation, but the news agency Reuters reported that underlying price pressures pushing stubborn core inflation are a pressing concern.
In a social media post, analyst Gabriela Siller cautioned that core inflation, “which determines the trajectory of overall inflation in the medium and long term,” is not likely to decelerate any time soon.
“[This] implies that, if the rebound currently observed in non-core inflation persists, overall inflation would once again exceed 4%,” she said.
Banxico targets inflation at 3%, with a margin of error of ±1 percentage point.
Despite the worrisome inflation figures, Citibank analysts cited by Reuters expect Banxico to reduce their benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points at their next board meeting on Dec. 18.
From 2019 to 2024, the Tecate Brewery in Baja California replenished 800,000 cubic meters of water, equivalent to 800 million liters. (Heineken)
Heineken México is touting its water management programs as its Baja California plant has become the beer company’s first to meet long-term water balance goals.
Last week, Heineken Mexico CEO Oriol Bonaclocha announced the Tecate Brewery’s water balance achievement, explaining that it was replenishing nature with water in an equal amount to what it uses to make its product.
La Cervecería Tecate se convierte en la primera planta de HEINEKEN en América Latina en reabastecer a la naturaleza la totalidad del agua contenida en sus productos | #Interés – | Más info…> https://t.co/FlagBTnpThpic.twitter.com/HkoFV6LJtG
“The Tecate plant has achieved water balance, which means that all the water we use to make our beers is being returned,” said Oriol Bonaclocha.
Heineken’s “Delivering a Better World” sustainability strategy seeks to integrate economic growth with responsible practices, including the company’s commitment to water efficiency.
“A company’s economic growth does not have to be disconnected from growth that is sustainable and responsible,” Bonaclocha said.
Heineken México Sustainability Director Inti Pérez said the goal is for all operations located in water-stressed areas to replenish 100% of the water used in making its beers.
Speaking at an event linked to the Colorado River Basin restoration project, Bonaclocha said the 80-year-old Tecate plant is the first Heineken plant in Latin America to achieve water balance.
“All the water we use to build and brew our beers is being returned,” Bonaclocha said of the Tecate plant. “We are the first in the Americas to achieve that water balance.”
From 2019 to 2024, the Tecate plant replenished 800,000 cubic meters of water, equivalent to 800 million liters.
The progress there stems from the plant’s circularity and reuse actions, as well as external environmental restoration projects carried out since 2018 in partnership with the Restauremos el Colorado organization.
A few weeks earlier, at the eighth edition of “Los Bóscares” (a play on the Spanish word for forest — “bosque” — and The Oscars) co-sponsored by Reforestamos México and Mexico’s National Forestry Commission, Heineken México’s “Healthy Watersheds: Water Balancing” project was recognized for producing a positive impact on the country’s forests, watersheds and ecosystems.
The project strives to balance the water content of its products in water-stressed areas where the company operates through reforestation, soil conservation and ecological restoration, while also returning water to ecosystems, allowing for recovery of dry areas and improved water flow.
In 2024, Heineken, which is expanding in Mexico, managed to replenish 77% of the water used in water-stressed areas, and plans to certify other plants in 2026 to join the Tecate plant in moving toward total water balance in all its operations.
The Dutch brewing conglomerate’s effort is also aimed at reducing consumption in its production processes. It has set goals for 2030 of consuming 2.9 liters of water per liter of beer in plants located in regions without water stress and 2.6 liters in areas with scarcity. Globally, producing one liter of beer requires as much as twice that amount —between 4 and 6 liters of water, according to the newspaper El Economista.
Here again, the Tecate plant is leading the way. It now boasts the lowest water consumption per liter of beer produced within Heineken’s brewing operations worldwide.
