Authorities on both sides are assessing whether the tunnel could have been used for drug trafficking as well as the movement of migrants. (Carlos Sánchez Colunga/Cuartoscuro)
On Friday, the United States Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) discovered a “sophisticated cross-border tunnel” connecting El Paso, Texas, to Ciudad Juárez, Mexico.
The discovery was made thanks to a binational effort between law enforcement agencies in Mexico and the U.S.
A notice stating that the tunnel had been secured by Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office. (Carlos Sánchez Colunga/Cuartoscuro)
“This is a historic event for the U.S. Border Patrol here in El Paso, Texas, along with multiple other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, including the government of Mexico,” said Border Patrol spokesman Claudio Herrera in a statement.
The tunnel’s entrance was found on the edge of Mexico’s Rio Bravo, in front of Ciudad Juárez’s Mexicanidad plaza, and exited next to marker 28 along drainage gates in El Paso. It was around 40 meters in length and measured 1.2 meters across and 1.8 meters in height.
The passage was held up by wooden beams and was equipped with electricity and a ventilation system. Authorities found items including clothing, flashlights, shovels and communication radios in the tunnel.
Investigation into the tunnel continued on Thursday. Authorities on both sides are assessing whether the tunnel could have been used for drug trafficking as well as the movement of migrants, and are expected to permanently seal the crossing once they complete the investigation.
Several Mexican news outlets have reported that the underground route was promoted on TikTok by migrants recommending the tunnel as a “safe” crossing to the U.S. Videos shared on the social media app show people who had used the crossing saying it took just minutes to safely cross the border. Some said they had used the passage one year ago or more.
It has not yet been determined how long the tunnel was in operation.
After an investigation by both U.S. and Mexican federal and local law enforcement, a tunnel was discovered that runs under the U.S.-Mexican border from El Paso, Texas to the City of Juarez, Mexico. https://t.co/9eIvszpZPTpic.twitter.com/H4X5TgWIsl
No arrests have been made but preliminary investigations suggest that the construction of the tunnel may be attributed to the Juárez Cartel, the news site N+ reported.
HSI El Paso Special Agent in Charge Jason Stevens emphasized the importance of binational collaboration to detect constructions of this type.
“Transnational criminal organizations mistakenly think they can avoid detection by moving people and contraband underground. This recent discovery is a significant blow to their operations as it highlights our capability to disrupt their sophisticated smuggling networks.”
“The FBI remains steadfast in its commitment to working with our partners along the border to combat illegal criminal activity and address national security threats and will continue to support the ongoing investigation into this tunnel,” FBI Special Agent in Charge John Morales said.
Mexico's premier wine region has accomodation to match its lofty station. Lydia Carey explored the very best on offer. (Encuentro Guadalupe/Facebook)
To fully take advantage of all of Valle de Guadalupe’s great eating and drinking options, it’s best to stay at one of the many hotels along the wine route. This will put you at a good distance from Ensenada but much closer to the area’s fine dining and wineries. For most of the hotels mentioned here, I recommend renting a car: it’s the easiest and most convenient way to move around the valley. Some hotels have their own transportation, but it won’t be on your schedule.
While accommodation styles range from luxury desert suites, to chic rustic hotels and even glamping in the middle of the grapevines, most lodging in this area is expensive. Budget at least a few hundred dollars a night and think about visiting during shoulder seasons — the high season here is during the summer and fall months — so that you can find some off-season pricing. Below is a list of some of my favorite places to stay in Valle de Guadalupe, all with great service, food and vistas.
Mira
(Mira Earth Studios/Facebook)
A new addition to Valle de Guadalupe’s many great hotels, Mira was built with both sustainability and comfort as top priorities. The already expansive packed-earth suites feel even bigger when you slide open the glass doors and add the outdoor patio to the space. The surrounding views of the valley are lovely. A small jacuzzi sits ready to be taken advantage of, and a gas fire pit will warm you afterwards. I’ve never seen a more perfectly stocked kitchen and mini bar: local wine, canned cocktails, frozen pizza, Mexican coffee with a hand grinder and pour-over filter cup, popsicles and a dozen other more little extras that remind you that you’re in one of Mexico’s best places for food and drink. Mira has a swimming pool and other facilities, including an on-site restaurant set to open this year.
Rancho Sordo Mudo, Carretera Ensenada-Tecate, Km 75
A pandemic baby, The San Diegan is laid-back Baja cool: a vintage 31-foot Airstream camper van that has been outfitted to wrap you up in coziness with the creature comforts of home. Put a jazz record on the turntable, light a stick of incense, slip into the jacuzzi or sip wine on the outdoor patio. There’s a complete outdoor kitchen with grill, an outstretched hammock, electric dirt bikes for rent and an outdoor shower and bathroom, plus a small indoor bathroom for when you’re in for the night. The San Diegan also happens to be steps away from one of Baja’s best restaurants, Finca Altozano, and their new casual spot, Lupe Erizo.
Carretera Ensenada-Tecate, Km 83
Villa del Valle
(Villa del Valle/Facebook)
Villa’s eight homey rooms, wraparound porches and high-ceilinged living room and library were all designed using passive solar design principles and as little added energy as possible. In fact, owners Eilleen and Phil Gregory were two of the first Valle de Guadalupe hoteliers to adopt sustainable construction methods. The earth-toned walls are colored with pigments instead of paints and all the bathroom products are organic, made in-house. You might think that sustainability can’t also be comfortable and beautiful, but Villa de Valle proves you wrong. The hotel’s gorgeous Mexican villa aesthetic is complimented by the warm hospitality of the staff and owners. Besides growing lavender and olives for the products they sell, Villa’s massive organic garden also supplies the in-house chef with what he needs for the hotel’s 5-course tasting menu, which you can reserve in advance. I recommend doing just that: the menu was one of the top three meals I had in Valle de Guadalupe on my most recent visit. Rancho San Marcos Toros Pintos S/N, Km 88
Encuentro Guadalupe
(Encuentro Guadalupe/Facebook)
Ethereal 1-room cabin rooms hover on stilts over the undulating landscape of northeastern Valle de Guadalupe. As one of the valley’s first boutique hotels, Encuentro set the standard, building small rooms that tread lightly on the surrounding nature and whose minimalist design encourages guests to get out and enjoy their surroundings. The pool and bar area with views of the valley below is stunning any time of the day and a glass of wine snuggled up to one of the outdoor chimneys on the patio is beyond enchanting. Carretera Tecate Ensenada, Km 75
Bruma offers three different types of accommodation on their 180-hectare property. My favorite is Casa Ocho, a collection of large suites that cluster around outdoor patios, al fresco dining rooms and a luxurious swimming pool that looks out over the vineyard. If you get antsy you can always play a game of tennis on the courts or pump some iron in the gym, but you’re more likely to end up on one of the leather couches at the Bruma garden tasting room, taking a tour of the winery or hanging out around the massive family-style tables at Fauna. The Bruma market, which is a new cluster of hotel rooms integrated into their central space where the resort’s wine garden, bakery, tasting room and shop are located also great for a little more buzz and activity. Carretera a Vinicola La Cetto, Fraccionamiento A-B, P74, Francisco Zarco
Finca La Divina
(Finca La Divina/Instagram)
Perfect for groups of families that want to stay together, Finca La Divina is a 3-bedroom house plus a small casita close to everything in Valle and not far from Ensenada either. The house has a delightful in-ground pool perfect for warmer weather, an outdoor grill and bar area and lots of large dining spaces for big groups. The bar inside the main room offers beer and wine for sale — self serve, of course — and the price of your stay includes a homemade breakfast at the house. There is ample parking if folks are coming in various groups, and the house is set back off the highway in a small little neighborhood that’s secluded and quiet. Carretera Ensenada-Tecate, Km 93.5, San Antonio de Las Minas
Cuatro Cuatros
(Cuatro Cuatros/Instagram)
One of my favorite past experiences in Valley de Guadalupe, Cuatro Cuatros has deluxe glamping tents set up on platforms in the midst of their vineyards. The tan canvas tents have a luxury safari vibe to them with comfortable beds, upholstered chairs and individual bathrooms with indoor-outdoor showers. The winery is lovely in general, with a lookout a few kilometers into the vineyards that looks over the gorgeous Pacific and is often rented for events and weddings. This property has added apartments and other residences since I was last there, so the space may be slightly more busy than it was before, but the peace and quiet of the evenings I spent here couldn’t be beat. If you want to be closer to Ensenada, Cuatro Cuatros is your best choice.
El Tigre, Carretera Libre Tijuana-Ensenada, Km 89, El Sauzal de Rodriguez
Lydia Carey is a freelance writer and translator based out of Mexico City. She has been published widely both online and in print, writing about Mexico for over a decade. She lives a double life as a local tour guide and is the author of Mexico City Streets: La Roma. Follow her urban adventures on Instagram and see more of her work at mexicocitystreets.com.
President Claudia Sheinbaum has said on repeated occasions that she is confident she will have a good relationship with Donald Trump after the U.S. president-elect returns to the White House, but Mexicans are split over whether that will actually be the case.
That was among the findings of a poll conducted for the newspaper El Universal earlier this month. The polling company Buendía & Márquez interviewed 1,000 Mexicans and the results of the poll were published by El Universal on Tuesday.
🇲🇽🤔 Casi la mitad de mexicanos ven una relación complicada entre Sheinbaum y Trump, según encuesta de Buendía & Márquez. ¿Tú qué opinas? 🌎💬https://t.co/2yHETK787L
Thus, 46% of those polled believe that Mexico’s first female president will get on well with Trump, who, next Monday, will become the oldest person to be inaugurated as U.S. president.
A slightly lower 44% of poll respondents predicted that Sheinbaum will have a “bad” (32%) or “very bad” (12%) relationship with Trump.
Of the remaining 10% of those polled, 5% predicted that the relationship between the two leaders will be “neither good nor bad” while the other 5% didn’t respond.
Sheinbaum has spoken to Trump twice by telephone since Trump won the U.S. presidential election on Nov. 5. After their second call, Sheinbaum rejected Trump’s assertion that she had “effectively” agreed to close the Mexico-U.S. border.
Almost nine in 10 poll respondents — 88% — said they knew of Trump compared to just 67% who said the same about current United States President Joe Biden.
Two-thirds of those polled — 66% — said they had a “very bad” opinion of Trump, who has made various derogatory remarks about Mexico and Mexicans over the years. Just 13% said they had a “very good” opinion of the former and future president.
In October 2024, only 4% of Mexicans polled by the newspaper El Financiero said that Sheinbaum would have a better relationship with Trump than with former presidential candidate Kamala Harris. (Graciela López/Cuartoscuro)
Large majority of Mexicans (unsurprisingly) opposed to Trump’s deportation and tariff plans
Almost nine in ten respondents — 89% — said they were not in favor of the deportation of Mexicans from the United States. Trump has pledged to carry out “the largest deportation operation in American history,” leaving some 5 million undocumented Mexicans susceptible to expulsion from the U.S.
Just over eight in 10 of those polled — 82% — said they were against United States tariffs on Mexican exports, while 73% expressed opposition to the cancelation of the USMCA free trade pact, which is up for review in 2026.
Trump has pledged to renegotiate the trade agreement, in part to insert what he called “strong new protections against transshipment, so that China and other countries cannot smuggle their products and auto parts into the United States tax free through Mexico to the detriment of our workers and our supply chains.”
Exactly seven in 10 poll respondents expressed support for the signing of a security agreement between Mexico, the United States and Canada.
A security agreement between Mexico and the United States, the Bicentennial Framework, took effect in late 2021, but that pact doesn’t include Canada.
Buendía & Márquez also asked poll respondents whether they agreed or disagreed with an increase in “foreign migrant” numbers in Mexico. Almost seven in 10 — 69% — said they were against an increase while 28% indicated they would like to see more foreigners in Mexico.
Most Mexicans see mass deportations and tariffs as ‘very’ or ‘somewhat’ probable
Almost two-thirds of those polled — 64% — said that deportations of Mexicans from the United States were either “very probable” (34%) or “somewhat probable” (30%) during the next 12 months.
Sixty-four percent of respondents also indicated that they expected Trump to follow through with his threat to impose tariffs on Mexican exports to the United States. One-third — 33% — said tariffs were “somewhat probable” while 31% said they were “very probable.”
Meanwhile, a majority of those polled — 54% — said that the cancelation of the USMCA was either “not very likely” or “not at all likely.”
Almost three-quarters of respondents — 73% — said it was “very probable” or “somewhat probable” that foreign migrant numbers will increase in Mexico during the next 12 months, while 62% said it was “very probable” or “somewhat probable” that Mexico, the United States and Canada will sign a joint security agreement within the same period of time.
Trump's tariff threat "is something that is not new," Sheinbaum said Wednesday. "He has said it several times and we, in that sense, don't agree." (Galo Cañas/Cuartoscuro)
Trump’s return to the White House is now just five days away, and Mexico could be affected almost immediately as the U.S. president-elect has pledged to impose a 25% tariff on all Mexican exports on the first day of his presidency and promptly put his mass deportation plan into action.
At her morning press conference on Wednesday, President Claudia Sheinbaum spoke about how her government will attempt to ward off the proposed tariff, and reiterated that Mexico is ready to receive Mexicans deported from the United States.
President hopes to avert US tariffs through dialogue
A reporter noted that Trump announced on social media that he will “create the EXTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE to collect our Tariffs, Duties, and all Revenue that come from Foreign sources.”
Sheinbaum on Wednesday reiterated her support of the USMCA, and said that her government supports extending that economic model to “other countries of the Americas.” (Galo Cañas/Cuartoscuro)
Trump’s tariff threat “is something that is not new,” she said.
“He has said it several times and we, in that sense, don’t agree,” Sheimbaum said.
In a Truth Social post on Tuesday, Trump said that “through soft and pathetically weak Trade agreements, the American Economy has delivered growth and prosperity to the World, while taxing ourselves.”
Sheinbaum on Wednesday said that the USMCA free trade pact “has benefited the United States a lot” in terms of jobs and production.
“And really, in the case of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, we complement each other,” she added.
Sheinbaum also reiterated her belief that the integration of the Mexican, U.S. and Canadian economies allows North America to “better compete” with other regions of the world.
The objective of the Mexican government is to expand that integration to “other countries of the Americas,” she said.
Sheinbaum reiterates that Mexico is ready to receive deportees
Sheinbaum said earlier this month that the federal government’s plan to receive large numbers of deportees from the United States during Trump’s second term as president is “ready.”
It appears likely that Mexico will receive a significant number of deportees during Trump’s second term as president, if not the millions he has promised to expel. (Damián Sánchez/Cuartoscuro)
On Wednesday, she reiterated that the government is prepared to welcome Mexicans expelled from the United States.
“Of course, we don’t agree [with Trump’s mass deportation plan] and that’s why we defend the work of Mexicans in the United States who contribute to the Mexican economy [with remittances] but contribute more to the economy of the United States,” Sheinbaum said.
“But in the case of a decision by the United States government [to deport immigrants en masse] we are prepared,” she said.
“We’re going to present [the government’s plan] in due course, we don’t need to release it in advance. We’ve been working now for several months … in order to be able to welcome our compatriots in the best way in the case of there being deportations,” Sheinbaum said.
Sheinbaum: Pemex’s debt with suppliers will be paid off in March
Sheinbaum said that money owed to suppliers of state oil company Pemex will be completely paid off in March.
A “special strategy” was formulated to settle debts with suppliers, she said.
“In March we’ll finish paying. … We’re paying now, in February and in March,” Sheinbaum said.
Mexico News Daily reported in December that some suppliers and service providers for Pemex were facing severe financial difficulties as the beleaguered company had fallen behind on payments.
Additionally, the majority of Mexicans surveyed expressed a positive outlook on their financial prospects over the next year. (Graciela López/Cuartoscuro)
Mexicans’ perceptions of progress have tripled in the last six years, according to the Latinobarómetro, a regional survey conducted by the Chile-based nongovernmental organization Latinobarómetro Corporation. Each year, Latinobarómetro surveys citizens’ perceptions of governance, economic opportunity and personal safety, among other issues, in 17 Latin American countries.
The 2024 edition of the survey in Mexico revealed that the percentage of Mexicans who perceive that their country is progressing rose from 14% in 2018 to 45% in 2024.
The perception of progress is on the rise in Latin America, with 45% of Mexicans responding that they perceive Mexico to be progressing. (Latinobarómetro)
Perceptions of progress, democracy and the economy in Mexico in 2024
According to the study, the number of Mexicans who believe the country is stagnating fell from 59% to 37% in that same period, while the proportion of Mexicans who believe the country is in decline decreased from 26% to 16% between 2023 and 2024.
That nearly half of the Mexicans surveyed in 2024 believe their country is progressing puts Mexico way above the regional average of 28%.
A survey question regarding the national economy in 2024 showed that 47% of Mexicans consider Mexico’s economy to be “much better” or “a little better,” compared to the same period in 2023. Latinobarómetro’s survey also revealed that 75% of respondents in Mexico supported former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who was still in office or recently retired when the study was conducted, between Aug. 23 and Oct. 9, 2024.
Across the region, the Dominican Republic and Panama had the highest levels of optimism regarding personal and family finances, with 74% of respondents believing their economic condition would improve in the next 12 months. Mexico came in sixth place and above the average, with 59% of surveyed individuals expressing a positive outlook on their financial prospects over the next year.
Latinobarómetro’s survey revealed that 75% of respondents in Mexico supported former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. (Magdalena Montiel Velázquez/Cuartoscuro)
The report also shows that 50% of Mexicans said they were “very” or “somewhat satisfied” with democracy in Mexico.
In response to the question “Who does your government rule for?”, however, Mexicans were divided: 47% said “for the good of all people,” whereas 50% said “for the good of the groups in power.”
The 2024 regional results suggest that in Latin American societies, optimism about the future of personal and family wealth is high. However, overall, confidence in each country’s economy remains low. This implies that there is an underlying pressure on the national economy that is contradicted by a positive perception of it.
Latinobarómetro calls this the pressure of expectations, which in 2024, is at its highest level since 1995.
What are Mexicans currently most concerned about?
A recent Statista Consumer Insights survey shared by Forbes México showed that 41% of respondents in Mexico are concerned about inflation and the cost of living, while 52% and 54% are concerned about unemployment and poverty, respectively.
The city's new residents come from over 50 countries. Some of them are students with a temporary residency permit. (Victoria Valtierra/Cuartoscuro)
The National Migration Institute (INM) issued 239,667 residency permits — both permanent and temporary — in Mexico City between 2018 and 2024. The city’s new residents ranged in age from under one year old to 98.
Official data to which the newspaper La Jornada had access showed that the number of new residency permits issued in Mexico City increased 134.9% throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, rising from 20,293 in 2020 to 47,669 in 2023.
Between January and November of 2024, the INM granted 27,878 residency permits in the capital. (Galo Cañas Rodríguez/Cuartoscuro)
These new residents come from over 50 countries, including the United States, Canada, Spain, France, China, Colombia, Argentina, Cuba, Brazil, Italy, Hungary, Panama, Chile, Peru, Australia, Germany, Barbados, New Zealand, Poland, Bolivia, the Dominican Republic, Pakistan, Lithuania, Ireland, Egypt, India, Democratic Republic of Congo, Korea and Russia, among others. Some of these foreign residents are students with a temporary student residency permit.
The highest number of applicants that received authorized visitor status was recorded between 2022 and 2023. Many of these applications were granted based on humanitarian reasons. These applications came from nationals of Nicaragua, Honduras, Venezuela, El Salvador, Haiti, Iran, Guinea, Mauritania, Afghanistan, Bulgaria and Indonesia.
Residency permits issued in Mexico City in numbers (2018-2024)
Between January and November of 2024, the INM granted 27,878 residency permits, down 41.5% from the 2023 figure of 47,669.
Here’s the breakdown of new residency permits issued in Mexico City per year:
2018
58,175
2019
31,804
2020
20,293
2021
23,236
2022
30,612
2023
47,669
2024
27,878
The institute did not share the number of temporary, permanent or visitor resident cards, nor whether any of them had changed status since being issued.
According to La Jornada, one of the reasons foreigners applied for residency permits included to “maintain the family unity of a Mexican citizen,” meaning the permit allows the family member to reside in Mexico but does not allow them to carry out remunerated activities in the country.
According to the Expat Insider report by InterNations, Mexico was the second-best place to live in 2024, after Panama. Mexico held the No. 1 position for two consecutive years in 2022 and 2023.
Valeria Moy, an economist, columnist and director of the think tank Mexican Institute for Competitiveness. Follow Moy on X at @ValeriaMoy. (IMCO)
On Monday, what was announced last week at the meeting of Mexico’s Economic Development Advisory Council was presented by President Sheinbaum. Plan México represents the vision of industrial policy that this administration seeks to promote through investment incentives and collaboration between the government and the private sector.
The plan acknowledges key areas to focus on, but the challenges for its implementation are significant.
In addition to seeking increased foreign investment, one of the 12 goals of Sheinbaum’s Plan México is to provide access to finance to at least 30% of small and medium-sized businesses. “We’re among the countries with the least funding for small and medium-sized companies,” Sheinbaum said. (Daniel Augusto/Cuartocuro)
The plan proposes to strengthen micro, small- and medium-sized enterprises. In Mexico, small businesses have a short life span.
The National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi) has observed that companies in Mexico die before they are able to start growing and strengthening them will require more than just good intentions. A small business, in which a group of individuals risk their capital, needs social and economic conditions that go beyond just subsidies or fiscal favors.
These companies are more susceptible to extortion. In this sense, the simplification of paperwork — also contemplated in Plan México — becomes key.
Each procedure, and each window to carry it out, opens a door to be extorted. If extortion from organized crime is added to the extortion involved in red tape, the yield required by small businesses becomes increasingly higher. This cost takes companies out of the market that could have grown, but the lack of rule of law forces them to close. Yes, let there be better regulation, but it has to be the right kind.
The plan also intends to build stronger links between educational institutions and the industrial sector. Undoubtedly, the conversation between the two — and I would add the public sector — is essential to understanding the current and future needs of companies. Without human capital, it will be impossible to add more value. The most competitive states in the country have the strongest links between the three sectors.
One of IMCO’s most emblematic studies — Compara Carreras (Compare Degrees) — shows that the ten most studied bachelor’s degrees in Mexico have stayed practically unchanged over the last ten years. The world is changing, the country is changing and education is not adapting. Will this administration be able to turn around the educational policy that it has pursued in recent years?
The idea of import substitution, however, is what we need to pay even more attention to. Of course, supply chains must be strengthened, companies of all sizes must be given the necessary certainty so that they can risk their capital under the best possible conditions, and the private sector must be allowed to evaluate the investments to be made. But we must not give in to the argument that everything must be produced locally. This would squander comparative advantages and would result in the misallocation of resources, labor and capital, in a way that would not be most useful to society.
The import substitution that prevailed during several decades of the last century led the country into a situation where there were hundreds of public companies because, over time, the lack of entrepreneurial expertise was rewarded. If the private bicycle company went bankrupt, the government intervened by injecting resources.
The government of President Claudia Sheinbaum, if it wants this plan to be successful, will have to be careful not to go to extremes. Provide infrastructure, energy and rule of law. But in addition — and perhaps this is the biggest challenge — it will need to work under a new judicial system that could make it very expensive to attract investment.
Domestic challenges are many, but on top of everything else, the start of Trump’s second term in office is just days away.
This article was translated, edited and republished with the permission of Valeria Moy, whose column regularly appears in the newspaper El Universal.
Trump, who will commence his second term as U.S. president next Monday, has pledged to carry out the "largest deportation operation in American history," but it is unclear how quickly the deportations will occur. (Omar Martínez/Cuartoscuro)
The municipal government of Tijuana approved on Monday an emergency declaration as it prepares for a possible influx of migrants deported from the United States after Donald Trump returns to the White House next week.
In a post to social media on Monday night, Tijuana Mayor Ismael Burgueño Ruiz said that an extraordinary meeting of the city council was held “with the objective of preparing Tijuana in the face of a possible mass arrival of migrants.”
Esta tarde, llevamos a cabo la Sesión Extraordinaria de Cabildo con el objetivo de preparar a Tijuana ante la posible llegada masiva de migrantes.
Aprobamos por unanimidad la declaratoria de emergencia para garantizar un trato digno, el respeto a los derechos humanos y la… pic.twitter.com/3FIfqI2M91
“We unanimously approved the emergency declaration to guarantee dignified treatment [of deportees], respect for human rights and the allocation of necessary resources,” the mayor said.
Trump, who will commence his second term as U.S. president next Monday, has pledged to carry out the “largest deportation operation in American history,” but it is unclear how many immigrants will be expelled from the United States and how quickly the deportations will occur.
According to a proposal sent by Burgueño to councilors before Monday afternoon’s meeting, the emergency declaration allows the municipal government to promptly access local funds to respond to the “atypical situation” that would occur if large numbers of deportees were to arrive in Tijuana.
The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that “the money — it’s not clear how much — could be used for hiring personnel, leasing facilities, utilities, Internet and legal services, among other needs.”
The emergency declaration also allows Tijuana to apply for federal funds to respond to an influx of deportees.
Some deportees would likely need to be housed and fed for a period as they make plans for their new lives in Mexico. There are already numerous migrant shelters in Tijuana, including many that have opened recently, but they could be overwhelmed if large numbers of deportees arrive in the border city.
The emergency declaration allows Tijuana’s municipal government to promptly access funds to support the preparation of migrant shelters, for example. (Cuartoscuro)
According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Burgueño has proposed renting an industrial building in southern Tijuana with the capacity to house 5,000 people.
After Monday’s meeting, the mayor said that municipal authorities in Tijuana were collaborating closely with the Baja California and federal governments to prepare for the possible arrival of large numbers of deportees.
Alicia Bárcena, former foreign affairs minister and current Environment Minister, said last year that some 5.3 million undocumented Mexicans live in the United States. Other estimates place the figure between 4 million and 5 million.
The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that there are around 120,000 undocumented Mexicans in San Diego County, according to the Mexican Consulate.
Undocumented Mexicans appear to be vulnerable to deportation during Trump’s second term, even though they make a valuable contribution to the United States economy — as Mexican officials have stressed.
Mexico could also receive non-Mexican deportees, although the federal government would prefer to see such people returned directly to their countries of origin.
Sheinbaum said on Jan. 3 that “we’re going to ask the United States to, as far as is possible, send migrants who aren’t from Mexico to their countries of origin.”
However, she added that “if they can’t, we could collaborate through different mechanisms.”
You are the poetry of patience, a triumph of time’s persuasion. My malted mysteries cry for your golden complexity; together, we will dominate Sunday suppers and late-night dinner parties.
I envy the skillet that makes you sweet, the wooden spoon that stirs you tenderly. You make the mundane divine, turning every kitchen into a teary eyed canteen. I ache to deglaze you, to mingle our essences until those diner guests fall silent in awe.
My dark hops exist for you, the sweet to my bitter, the bold to my smooth. When you soften and shine, I’ll always be there. I’m willing to sauté the pain away, if you ever find yourself stuck to the pan.
Ever yours, Negra Modelo
Ready to dance, drink (and slurp) the night away thanks to this dark, mysterious Modelo? (Cerveza Modelo/Instagram)
Dearest Negra Modelo,
You are the dark pool at the heart of my sizzling soul, the bittersweet whisper that turns onions golden brown. When I dance in the skillet’s heat, it is you I crave to quench the flames, your cold embrace a song to wash away my onion tears. Each sip from your mahogany depths reminds me why I caramelize — to bring out the sweetness in a harsh world.
You are the love I never thought I’d find, rich yet humble, an anchor in this chaotic pan. If I could sauté forever, it would be for the promise of pairing with you. Raise your bottle; let’s toast to slow, tender transformations, and to the art of our bitter-sweet romance.
Always yours, Caramelized Onions
Tender, cultured and oh so delicious caramelized onions await you, dear reader. (Grok)
Mexican French Onion Soup Recipe
Ingredients (Serves 4-6)
4 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
5 tablespoons butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon cumin
6 cups beef broth
1 cup dark Mexican beer (e.g., Negra Modelo)
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon fresh thyme or ½ teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and black pepper to taste
8 slices bolillo, toasted
1 cup shredded queso Oaxaca
1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
Don’t forget the bread either! (Grok)
Instructions
Caramelize the Onions:
Heat butter in a large pot over medium heat. (Add some olive oil if you’re worried about burning the butter)
Add the sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are deep golden brown and caramelized, about 30-40 minutes. Be patient—this step is crucial for flavor.
Add Garlic and Spices:
Stir in the minced garlic and cumin. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, letting their warmth bloom into the onions.
Deglaze with Negra Modelo:
Then comes the Modelo Negra. Scrape the pot, mix in the crusty bits.
Add Broth and Seasonings:
Stir in the broth, Worcestershire sauce, and thyme. Bring to a simmer and let cook for 15-25 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
Prepare the Bread:
While the soup simmers, toast the slices of bolillo or baguette bread. If you’d like extra flavor, rub the toasted bread with a garlic clove.
Assemble the Soup:
Preheat your oven’s broiler.
Ladle the soup into oven-safe bowls. Place a slice of toasted bread on top of each bowl, then generously sprinkle with an equal mix of shredded queso Oaxaca and Swiss cheese.
Broil Until Golden:
Place the bowls on a baking sheet and broil for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Keep an eye on it to prevent burning.
Garnish and Serve:
Optionally, sprinkle a few fresh thyme leaves on top. Serve piping hot.
Stephen Randall has lived in Mexico since 2018 by way of Kentucky, and before that, Germany. He’s an enthusiastic amateur chef who takes inspiration from many different cuisines, with favorites including Mexican and Mediterranean.
Led by Mariana Morales Cortés, the project fosters knowledge through collaboration between artists, local communities, and scientists, emphasizing sustainability and cultural roots. As Mariana puts it, “Garambullo is a platform for the exchange of knowledge. And, like any good Mexican home, the kitchen is the epicenter of the action.”
Proyecto Garambullo wants to help preserve the delicate semidesert landscape of Querétaro. (Proyecto Garambullo)
Art and community: Working hand in hand
Proyecto Garambullo’s work starts with the local communities of Colón. Before involving artists, workshops are held to learn from the ancestral knowledge of those who cultivate and gather wild products in the area. This knowledge forms the foundation for artistic residencies, where creators from various disciplines integrate into the environment and collaborate with the communities to produce work that honors the land’s roots and ancestors.
In partnership with Trámite, a bureau promoting art collecting and emerging artists in Mexico, Garambullo organizes residencies that allow artists to explore the semidesert’s biodiversity and life. These experiences result in art pieces reflecting the environment’s richness and invite contemplation on the relationship between art, nature, and culture.
In the latest Trámite edition, Paola Jasso curated the residency, presenting works by the artistic duo Celeste and artist Maximiliano Ruelas. Their pieces delved into themes of territory, community, and semi-desert life, offering a profound, reflective perspective on the region.
Garambullo also offers native food the opportunity to shine. (Proyecto Garambullo)
Gastronomy and culinary knowledge
Mariana explains, “I came to live in Colón, Querétaro, and I wanted to create something connected to nature and art. Over time, the idea grew, and now we are researching food culture. We’ve engaged with producers and gatherers to learn from these women about what they harvest and gather — wild vegetables and products. It’s a way of revisiting the past to recover from crises. By linking art with cooking and nature, we open pathways to better understand ourselves as a community and appreciate our environment.”
Cooking is a core pillar of the project. At “MADA” workshops, inspired by the Hñahñu word for a molcajete, local cooks share recipes highlighting wild ingredients and cornfield products. These workshops aim to “preserve culinary traditions and elevate the value of regional biodiversity.” Understanding what grows wild and is edible can be crucial during times of crisis.
Each month, Garambullo organizes gastronomic experiences that blend traditional dishes with community conversations and hikes through the semi-desert. These activities offer participants firsthand insight into the harvesting process and the region’s natural wealth.
The future of Querétaro’s semi-desert
As well as promoting art, Garambullo wants to help the semidesert thrive in every possible manner. (Proyecto Garambullo)
Proyecto Garambullo’s mission to revalue local knowledge and preserve biodiversity positions it as a cultural and research hub in the region. Among its long-term goals — already underway — is creating a collective recipe book that celebrates the semidesert’s biodiversity and preserves traditions like garambullo harvesting, one of the area’s most iconic fruits.
An invitation to change
Spaces like Proyecto Garambullo reshape our understanding of the relationship between art, community, and the environment. Their work inspires a shift toward a more conscious, sustainable lifestyle, allowing artists to create works that can transform perspectives and worldviews.
Anyone can visit Proyecto Garambullo to explore its workshops, hikes, and gastronomic experiences and become part of this initiative celebrating art, cuisine, and the Querétaro semidesert’s rich heritage.
Camila Sánchez Bolaño is a journalist, feminist, bookseller, lecturer, and cultural promoter and is the former Editor in Chief of Newsweek en Español magazine.
