Saturday, April 26, 2025

Mexico seeks to ban junk food and caffeinated drinks in schools

By
MND Staff
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The Mexican government will ban the sale of junk food — such as chips and sodas — in schools across the country beginning in March 2025.
The Mexican government will ban the sale of junk food — such as chips and sodas — in schools across the country beginning in March 2025. (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro)

The Mexican government will ban the sale of junk food — such as chips and sodas — in schools across the country beginning in March 2025, according to the Public Education Ministry (SEP).

This decision, which is part of a reform to the General Education Law, seeks to eradicate childhood obesity and promote healthier eating habits among students. 

Protest by the organizations Consumer Power and the Network for Children's Rights in Mexico to denounce the large amount of processed products that are sold in schools.
On Monday, Sheinbaum presented new regulations published in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF) on Sept. 30, aimed at ensuring nutrition and health for students in Mexico. (Galo Cañas Rodríguez/Cuartoscuro)

“We know that some sectors of the industry, especially those who produce this food with low nutritional value and high levels of calories — junk food as we know it — will not like [the ban],” Education Minister Mario Delgado told reporters at a press conference in Tabasco on Friday. “We are one of the countries with the world’s highest levels of childhood obesity and we can’t continue like this anymore,” he stressed.  

According to the National Health Survey, 98% of schools sell junk food; 95% sell sugary drinks; 79% offer soda; 77% offer junk food for sale in the vicinity of the school and 25% allow junk food advertising.

What are the new rules for food in schools?

During her Monday morning press conference, Sheinbaum presented new regulations that were published in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF) on Sept. 30, aimed at ensuring nutrition and health for students in Mexico.

The foods offered at schools must comply with the following requirements:

  1. Foods must be of natural origin or minimally processed
  2. Seasonal fruits and vegetables must be offered 
  3. For foods of animal origin, only poultry, such as chicken and turkey, is allowed and  must be prepared without fat and skin 
  4. These foods should be cooked using minimal sugar and oil 
  5. Access to drinking water must be guaranteed, free of charge
  6. Caffeinated drinks are prohibited

The new rules will become effective on March 29, 2025, and will be mandatory throughout the National Education System. Schools that do not comply will be subject to fines of between 545 and 5,450 pesos.

This is the third time that the federal government has attempted to ban junk food in schools.
This is the third time that the federal government has attempted to ban junk food in schools. (Galo Cañas Rodríguez/Cuartoscuro)

The reform also seeks to shift children’s eating habits away from unhealthy Mexican staples, including chilaquiles, tacos de canasta and quesadillas. School cafeterias are advised not to serve these types of meals to students.

Delgado also said that the ministry would carry out an educational campaign for all parties involved, including school principals, parents and teachers, among others.

This is the third time that the federal government has attempted to ban junk food in schools.

In May 2014, the government published a set of guidelines for the sale and distribution of prepared and processed foods and beverages in schools in the DOF. While some schools have tried to enforce the guidelines in the past decade, the most recent results of the SEP’s nationwide survey suggest that they have been unsuccessful.

Childhood obesity statistics in Mexico

According to the latest results from the National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT, 2023), it is estimated that between 7 and 8% of infants (1-5 years old), 37.3% of school-age children (5–11 years old) and over 40% of adolescents (12–19 years old) are overweight or obese in Mexico. Meanwhile, 12% of children under five years of age show signs of malnutrition. 

If this pattern continues, by 2030, it is estimated that 45% of adults in Mexico will be obese.

With reports from Swiss Info, El País, Reforma, La Jornada and Publimetro

Mexico and US present semiconductor industry roadmap to double exports and jobs

By
MND Staff
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0
A microchip
There is a "big appetite from American and Mexican investors to create a microchips boom in Mexico,” according to Subsecretary of Foreign Trade Luis Rosendo Gutiérrez. (Shutterstock)

On Oct. 16, the United States Embassy in Mexico and the National Chamber for the Electronic, Telecommunications and Information Technology Industry, (Canieti) presented a joint Master Plan for the Development of the Semiconductor Industry in Mexico for 2024 to 2030. 

The new plan outlines several targets including doubling both exports and jobs in the semiconductor industry and relocating design, assembly, packaging and verification operations — manufacturing activities valued at a combined US $10 billion — to Mexico.

The master plan outlines several targets including doubling both exports and jobs in Mexico's semiconductor industry.
The master plan outlines several targets including doubling both exports and jobs in Mexico’s semiconductor industry. (@DesecJuarez/X)

At present, Mexico’s semiconductor industry generates around US $4.9 billion a year in exports and employs around 10,000 people.

The plan seeks to bring those numbers to $9.8 billion and 20,000 people, respectively, in the next five years.  

Mexico produces a wide range of products requiring microchips, including computers, mobile phones and other technology devices.

In addition, the development of the semiconductor industry could expand Mexico’s role in the production of electric vehicle (EV) components, reducing the need for imports from other parts of the world. 

Last week, during the 30th annual Mexican Business Congress on Foreign Commerce, Investment and Technology held in Aguascalientes, Luis Rosendo Gutiérrez, the subsecretary of foreign trade in the Economy Ministry, emphasized the “big appetite from American and Mexican investors to create a microchips boom in Mexico.”  

Rosendo also shared that the Finance Ministry is designing a program of tax incentives similar to those established by the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act and CHIPs Act to develop the semiconductor industry in Mexico and spur technological innovation.

These incentives provide two major forms of semiconductor manufacturing support: $38.22 billion in direct funding through the Department of Commerce (including $500 million allocated to seven non-U.S. countries like Mexico), and a 25% tax credit called the Advanced Manufacturing Investment Credit (AMIC). The AMIC applies to qualified investments in buildings and depreciable property used primarily for manufacturing semiconductors or semiconductor equipment.

“We must incentivize all these industries that are going to come to us [due to nearshoring]. We have to be strategic,” Rosendo said. “And we have to be strategic with what Canada and the United States want to bring from Asia. Are we ready? What are those industries? Semiconductors, electric vehicles, batteries, rare minerals … this does not mean that we are not going to work with all sectors of the economy, but I would say that those are the areas where we are paying close attention,” he said.

The announcement of the master plan comes just one week after Foxconn announced it will build a huge factory in Guadalajara, Jalisco, where it will assemble “superchips” for U.S. technology company Nvidia.

On Tuesday, Antonio Lancaster-Jones González, coordinator of the Jalisco Chamber of Industrial Commerce, revealed that four multinational companies in addition to Foxconn plan to invest in the construction of semiconductor factories in the Guadalajara metropolitan area. He did not specify the names of the companies. 

With reports from El Economista, Tax Today Mexico, Forbes and Oilprice

Indigenous priest and peace leader is assassinated in Chiapas

By
MND Staff
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Father Marcelo Pérez Pérez, 50, was a beloved peace leader and social activist in Chiapas.
Father Marcelo Pérez Pérez, 50, was a beloved peace leader and social activist in Chiapas. (@angelesmariscal/X)

Father Marcelo Pérez Pérez, a Catholic priest in Chiapas known for his social activism and work in Indigenous communities, was killed by gunshot on Sunday morning after leading Mass in San Cristóbal de Las Casas.

Less than six weeks earlier, Pérez had led a peace march with other priests to demand an end to drug trafficking and its ties to politicians, forced disappearances and displacement of residents.

A Sept. 13 peace march to demand an end to drug trafficking in Tuxtla, Chiapas
On Sept. 13, Pérez led a peace march with other priests to demand an end to drug trafficking. (Isabel Mateos/Cuartoscuro)

That march occurred in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, the capital of the southern state of Chiapas, and was but one example of Pérez’s longtime activism. For years, he had served as a mediator in conflicts involving Indigenous communities and was known for his outspoken stance against organized crime.

In recent years, the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels, along with other sub-groups, have fought for control over territories in Chiapas near the Guatemala border that are optimal for drug trafficking and smuggling.

State authorities have launched an investigation into Pérez’s killing, though no suspects have been named. President Sheinbaum said during her Monday morning press conference that federal authorities are involved and that the case might be taken up by the federal Attorney General’s Office as the investigation proceeds.

Pérez, who had previously reported receiving death threats, was reportedly without security when he left Mass on Sunday in his pickup truck. He was said to be departing from a church in the Cuxtitali neighborhood of San Cristóbal to lead Mass at a church in another section of town, Guadalupe.

The scene of Father Marcelo Pérez's assassination in San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas
Pérez was departing in his pickup truck from a church in the Cuxtitali neighborhood of San Cristóbal to lead Mass at another church when he was killed by two gunmen. (Isabel Mateos/Cuartoscuro)

Driving alone, he was approached by two gunmen on motorcycle who opened fire and hit him several times, killing him on the spot, local media reported with confirmation from Bishop Rodrigo Aguilar Martínez of the Diocese of San Cristóbal.

Pérez was a member of the Tzotzil Indigenous people. He was 50 years old, according to the Diocese.

His death cast a spotlight on the instability in one of Mexico’s most violent regions.

“The cowardly assassination of Father Marcelo Pérez will not go unpunished,” Chiapas Governor Rutilio Escandón said on social media, echoing calls from civil society and church leaders for justice.

“We reject any effort to minimize this deed as an isolated case,” the Jesuit Order in Mexico said in a statement. “Organized crime has caused fear and pain in various parts of the country, and Chiapas is no exception. The violence in this region reflects a structural problem that demands an integral and urgent response from the state. We urgently call on the authorities to respond firmly and restore order and the rule of law.”

A memorial for Father Marcelo Pérez Pérez
“Several national and international organizations had publicly warned about the growing number of threats, attacks and acts of criminalization against (Pérez),” the U.N. human rights office in Mexico said. (Isabel Mateos/Cuartoscuro)

During the Sept. 13 Pilgrimage for Peace in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Pérez highlighted the escalating cartel violence that has led to the evacuation of many villages in towns in Chiapas, leaving some of them virtually empty.

In July, for example, over 500 villagers fearing for their lives fled to Guatemala from the town of San José de los Pozos. A similar mass exodus involving 5,000 people occurred the previous month.

“Chiapas is a time bomb,” he told the online news outlet Aristegui Noticias last month. 

Pérez also fought against drug addiction and alcoholism, issues that disproportionately affect Indigenous communities in the region.

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights had granted Pérez precautionary security measures following the death threats against him, but he was said to be alone on Sunday. 

A funeral was held for Father Marcelo Pérez on Sunday, Oct. 20.
A funeral was held for Father Marcelo Pérez on Sunday, Oct. 20. (Isabel Mateos/Cuartoscuro)

Priests in Mexico are often targeted due to their involvement in mediating conflicts between criminal groups and local communities. Pérez had previously said there was a price tag on his head.

Days before his murder, Pérez gave an interview about the rampant violence in many areas of rural Chiapas. “There are many dead, many displaced people. There are uprisings; there are people taking refuge in the hills. This is worrying. Young people are recruited by organized crime and young people are in danger,” he was quoted as saying.

“The truth is not in a palace; it is not behind a desk. The truth is in Pantelhó, the truth is in Chicomuselo. The federal government should go [to those rural communities], but we know that if they don’t do it with the National Guard, their lives are at risk.”

With reports from El País, El Sol de México, El Norte, Los Angeles Times and Associated Press

Eat like a local: Guadalajara’s best restaurants according to a Tapatía

By
MND Staff
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La Tequila, one of the best restaurants in Guadalajara
From steaks to seafood to authentic Italian pizza, Guadalajara has it all. Our local guide rates the city's best eateries. (Instagram)

Every city is home to restaurants that have stood the test of time.  My hometown, known for its extraordinary culinary offerings, is no exception. The problem with a brilliant food scene like this though, is you never truly know where the best restaurants in Guadalajara can be found, or what they’ll be like when you arrive.

From traditional taquerías to fine dining restaurants, international cuisines and even a Guinness World Record holder, the restaurants listed below have secured a special place in the hearts of tapatíos (Guadalajarans) everywhere. Despite new culinary trends and rival openings, these places have managed not only to survive but to thrive in the cosmopolitan city of Guadalajara.  

Eat like a local: Guadalajara’s best restaurants according to a Tapatía

Tacos Providencia 

Tacos Providencia, one of the best restaurants in Guadalajara
(Tacos Providencia/Instagram)

If you ask a local whether they’ve been to the Tacos Providencia, the answer is probably an emphatic yes.  

From the exquisite tacos al pastor — which have a reputation for being some of the best in the city — to tacos de lengua, carnaza, asada, dorados, gringas, quesadillas (What’s in a quesadilla anyway?) and more, Tacos Providencia has managed to retain its clientele for generations.

Pro tip: if you don’t want to queue up for lunch, make sure to arrive before 2 p.m. 

Best for: After school pick-up lunch, or a quick dinner after a movie.    

Ambience: Laid back and familiar. 

Price: $ – $$

Where? Justo Sierra and Rubén Darío.  

Hamburguesas La Squina 

(La Squina/Facebook)

What comes to mind when you think of a burger? Whatever you’re thinking, it probably doesn’t include fruit or prawns. 

Well, La Squina serves exactly that — prawn burgers with fried cheese and bacon. They are an absolute feast of flavors. Once served, guests can choose from a variety of toppings, from strawberries and jalapeños to tomatoes, onion, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise and lettuce.  

Located on a corner (esquina) in the Monraz neighborhood, the restaurant’s name alludes to its location — “La Squina.” 

Best for: A casual mid-week dinner or a family outing over the weekend.   

Ambience: Relaxed. 

Price: $$ – $$$

Where? C. Golfo de Cortes 4186.

Carnes Garibaldi

(Kamilos 333/Facebook)

If you’re looking for the best carne en su jugo (“beef in its juice”) in Guadalajara, Carnes Garibaldi won’t disappoint. As the only dish on the menu, this restaurant holds a Guinness World Record for the world’s fastest service, with the food appearing seconds after you take your seat.

Carne en su jugo is a traditional dish from northern Jalisco, made from tender beef cut into thin strips and cooked in a tomato, chili and cilantro broth. It is served with refried beans and tortillas. 

Best for: Breakfast, dinner or lunch.   

Ambience: Casual and fonda style 

Price: $ – $$

Where? C. José Clemente Orozco

La Docena Oyster Bar & Grill 

(La Docena/Facebook)

Inspired by the oyster bars of New Orleans, La Docena opened in 2012 with resounding success. It introduced po’boys — seafood sandwiches served in a baguette — to Guadalajara. But it’s the juicy Rockefeller oysters that turned this restaurant into a local sensation. Other popular dishes include the aguachile tatemado and the tuna tostadas. Think of it as a Jaliscan version of Mexico City’s Contramar.

Best for: Dinner with friends or a family lunch.   

Ambience: Industrial aesthetic, carefree vibe and lively atmosphere.

Price: $$ – $$$

Where? Plaza Andares and Punto Sao Paulo. 

El Italiano 

(El Italiano/Facebook)

Who doesn’t love a good Italian restaurant? If you do, look no further than El Italiano, a restaurant that has remained a firm favorite amongst familias tapatías for over three decades. With a delicious range of homemade pasta, the menu also offers diners the chance to try authentic Italian pizzas and seafood.

Founded by Paolo Pernazza in 1986, El Italiano remains the go-to option to enjoy a proper Italian experience.  

Best for: A first date, a business lunch or a family outing over the weekend.

Ambience: Romantic and elegant, with interiors reminiscent of an Italian village. 

Price: $$$ – $$$$

Where? Diagonal Golfo de Cortéz. 

La Estancia Gaucha

(La Estancia Gaucha/Facebook)

A staple of the fine-dining scene in Guadalajara, la Estancia Gaucha is an Argentinean restaurant with a touch of Mexican flair. It serves traditional Argentine cuts accompanied by freshly made tortillas, Mexican salsas and chimichurri sauce. 

Founded by Argentinean Roberto Masciarelli in 1978, La Estancia Gaucha’s signature dishes are the Provoleta, Queso Fundido con Chorizo and of course, Bife de Chorizo.  

Best for: Business lunch, a special occasion or a family outing.

Ambience: Stylish, classic and elegant. 

Price: $$$$

Where? Av. Niños Héroes and Punto Sao Paulo.  

La Vaca Argentina

(La Vaca Argentina/Facebook)

Mexicans love a good Argentinian cut, evidenced by the second Patagonian entry on this list. La Vaca Argentina, which translates as “The Argentinean Cow,” is a great example of why. After opening in 2005, the restaurant rapidly expanded to across the country. 

With an extensive menu featuring chistorra, provoleta, pastas, carpaccios and of course, beef, La Vaca Argentina has earned its place as a true classic and one of the best restaurants in Guadalajara. 

Best for: Business lunch, a special occasion or a family outing.

Ambience: Lavish and elegant. 

Price: $$$$

Where? Six locations in Guadalajara, including Colonia Americana and Andares. 

La Tequila

(La Tequila/Instagram)

With the spotlight firmly on Mexican food, La Tequila is regarded as one of the best restaurants in the city. Combining traditional dishes with a contemporary touch, La Tequila prides itself on exclusively local, regional and national produce. This includes a large collection of Mexican spirits — over 200 varieties of tequila and 25 types of mezcal.  

Best for: Business lunch, a special occasion or a family outing.

Ambience: Rustic interiors combine with modern features to create a stylish and sleek atmosphere.

Price: $$$$

Where? Av. México and The Landmark. 

If you think somewhere else deserves to be on our list of the best restaurants in Guadalajara, why not let us know in the comments?

Gabriela Solis is a Mexican lawyer turned full-time writer. She was born and raised in Guadalajara and covers business, culture, lifestyle and travel for Mexico News Daily. You can follow her lifestyle blog Dunas y Palmeras.

What is an appropriate Christmas gift in Mexico?

By
Sarah DeVries
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A Christmas dinner
With the holidays fast approaching, give the right gifts this Christmas! (Freepik)

It’s only mid-October, but my sister already has a suitcase full of birthday and Christmas presents for my daughter ready to go.

My kid was due on Christmas, but came early, right at Thanksgiving. Assuming she had any agency that day, she made the right choice in coming a month ahead of time. After all, we thought her fate was going to be getting told, “And this is for Christmas and your birthday!” her entire life.

Sarah DeVries Jr. (not pictured here) had a lucky escape from the dreaded Christmas/birthday combo. (Freepik)

Instead, she was born in late November. It’s early enough before Christmas that no one feels overwhelmed, and it’s around when people start getting their “aguinaldos” (Christmas bonuses). It’s a pretty sweet deal.

But compared to my Christmases growing up, hers are relatively toned down.

The culture of gift giving

For those of you who are used to U.S.-style Christmases, you might be surprised by the differences in celebrations in Mexico, especially when it comes to giving and getting presents.

When I was a kid in Texas, for example, Christmas gifts were extravagant even though we never had much money. I remember feeling like my sister and I had an endless stream of presents to open!

Everything is bigger in Texas, especially the stacks of Christmas gifts. (Patrick Pahlke/Unsplash)

And basically, we did.

In Mexico, things are a bit more mellow in the gift-giving area, and extravagant in other ways. Food, parties, drinks — the presents are mostly the presence of others (pun not intended), especially for adults.

This was driven home to me the first time I went to shop for wrapping paper. At papelerías (stationery stores, where you get school supplies and paper and pencils and stuff), you can buy a single sheet of wrapping paper. To wrap one present. You can also get rolls of wrapping paper, but typically, you’ll get no more than 4 meters or so.

The only place I’ve found to get the kinds of big rolls we’re used to in the U.S. is Costco (bet you’re glad we included Costco in our Where to Live in Mexico rankings now, huh?). I bought a 3-pack several years ago and at the rate things are going, it will probably last me another 15 years.

For the kids

Christmas gift giving often comes on January 6th, rather than December 25th – a holdover from Spanish influence. (Graciela López/Cuartoscuro)

My kid always gets three presents at Christmas, though combined with what my sister and dad send, it can quickly balloon to over 10, which feels excessive. On Three Kings Day, which is traditionally when kids get holiday presents in Mexico, she usually gets two or three more. Then there are the presents from her dad and his family!

Most kids here maybe get some Christmas presents, but definitely receive Three Kings Day presents. You may have noticed, actually, how many stores build on a special temporary toy section during the holidays. Over the past few years, I’ve seen them packed to the brim during the holidays. Could Mexico be moving toward U.S.-style patterns of gift-giving for children? I kind of hope not.

Combined with birthday presents, kids these days have a whole lot of toys. By the way, presents are typically taken home and opened in private after the party. The giver’s name may or may not be on the bag, even! I’ve always liked this dynamic because it lets the kids know that 1) bringing a present is not a source of pride or shame, and 2) they’re not the main point of the party.

And by the way: If you have children in your life here, you’re probably used to having to “purge” their rooms every once in a while. If you’re going to donate — I always get my kid to help — be sure to make those donations before the holidays rather than after so they’ve got a chance of being new presents again!

If those Christmas gift stacks are a little large, why not donate older toys to local causes? (Chris Hardy/Unsplash)

Doing this is a little tricky because there’s not an established system of official charity gift-giving here, or a national system of donation spots like Goodwill. Just keep in mind that it might take a little digging, like asking around town and looking at community groups on Facebook. You might even know a family or families personally that would appreciate a donation!

For grown-ups

Gifts for grown-ups at Christmas and for birthdays tend to be few. Again, it’s usually more about the party, which is fine by me! Some employers give their employees “despensas,” which are basically just a box of groceries. I’ve always thought that was a little weird — why not just pay them enough so they can comfortably afford their own groceries? — but their popularity is enduring.

When small gifts are exchanged, they’re often called “detalles,” literally “details.” While they’re very nice to give and to get, it’s important to keep in mind that they’re not necessarily expected. “Detalles” are often surprises.

All that said, know your audience. Is your spouse’s love language “gift giving”? If so, get on it.

Gifts for adults in Mexico tend to be much smaller and are not usually expected. (Freepik)

Finally, remember when shopping that your patronage is a great gift to those solo merchants out there. I’d never shame anyone for buying things on Amazon or at Walmart. But if you’re planning to browse, try to do it at an artisan market or a small boutique store.

Overall tip? Don’t stress too much about the gifts you’re going to give (or receive). Again, the present is the presence. And sometimes the food. And the booze.

Sarah DeVries is a writer and translator based in Xalapa, Veracruz. She can be reached through her website, https://sarahedevries.substack.com/. 

Navy makes its largest-ever maritime drug bust off coast of Michoacán

By
MND Staff
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Mexican Navy officials guard the result of their maritime drug bust, with the drugs laid out for a photo
The Navy recently seized a massive quantity of drugs off the coast of Michoacán, the military organization said. (SEMAR)

The Mexican Navy seized more than 8.3 tonnes of unspecified drugs, its largest-ever maritime drug bust, it announced Friday.

During a routine patrol, a Navy helicopter crew spotted a boat with three motors and an eight-man crew. When the suspects noticed the helicopter, they began tossing packages into the ocean.

Within minutes, a Navy ship was on the scene to make the arrests. Additional Navy ships were summoned. Over several hours, Navy personnel identified and seized five other boats approaching Lázaro Cárdenas from the south.

The operation — carried out just south of the port city of Lázaro Cárdenas in the Pacific coast state of Michoacán — netted a haul of illicit drugs valued at more than US $100 million, according to a press release issued by the federal government.

The largest quantity of drugs ever seized at sea in Mexico

The authorities arrested 23 people, seized six vessels and confiscated 8,700 liters of fuel, likely destined for the black market. The drugs were distributed among the boats, one of which was a submarine The use of such a vessel suggests a complex drug trafficking operation, according to the German news agency Deutsche Welle.

“This represents the largest quantity of drugs seized in a maritime operation; it is without precedent in the history of the institution,” the Naval Ministry said in a statement.

Green crosshairs focus on a small blurry boat with three outboard motors, in a photo apparently taken at night.
A Navy helicopter spotted the first suspicious vessel during a routine patrol. (SEMAR)

The largest drug bust made during the previous administration occurred in late August, when the Navy seized 5.6 tonnes of suspected cocaine and arrested 15 people after a high-speed chase off the coast of Colima, north of Michoacán.

The port of Lázaro Cárdenas — believed to be under the control of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), one of Mexico’s most powerful and violent criminal groups — has been a major conduit for drug traffickers as well as for precursor chemicals used to produce methamphetamine.

“Precursor chemicals are the lifeblood of the [CJNG’s] deadly drug trafficking operation,” U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said in May upon the extradition of Francisco Pulido Coracero, allegedly a broker in the precursor chemical racket.

Including this latest haul, the government has seized 11.7 tonnes of drugs since the new administration took office on Oct. 1.

Although the most recent bust is substantial, the largest in Mexico’s history remains the seizure of 23 tonnes of cocaine in the port of Manzanillo, Colima, in November 2007.

With reports from El Debate and Deutsche Welle

Peso briefly slips to over 20 to the dollar as US election approaches

By
MND Staff
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0
Mexican peso bills and coin with US dollar bills
At its weakest point on Monday, the peso was trading at 20.05 to the dollar. (Shutterstock)

The Mexican peso depreciated to above 20 to the US dollar on Monday morning before strengthening to close just below the 20-to-the-greenback mark, as the U.S. presidential election draws near.

Analysts cited what they called a growing possibility of Donald Trump winning the Nov. 5 presidential election in the United States as one reason for the weakening of the peso on Monday after it ended last week at 19.88 to the dollar.

Trump has pledged to impose hefty tariffs on cars made in Mexico and renegotiate the USMCA if he returns to the White House next January. Polls continue to show a very tight race between the Republican Party candidate and the Democratic Party’s nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris.

Peso depreciates then rallies, but ends weaker than its closing rate on Friday  

According to currency exchange website xe.com, the weakest position for the peso on Monday was 20.05 to the dollar.

The Bank of Mexico’s official closing rate was 19.97 pesos to the greenback, representing a depreciation of 0.45% for Mexico’s currency compared to the USD:MXN rate at the end of trading on Friday.

Janneth Quiroz, director of analysis at the Monex financial group, said on X on Monday that the peso was “affected by a sentiment of caution from investors due to the possibility that the Fed will reduce the federal funds rate [in the United States] more slowly than anticipated,” and by “growing probabilities” that Donald Trump will win the presidential election in the U.S. and the likelihood that the Chinese economy will slow more than expected.

A chart showing the value of the peso-dollar exchange rate in October 2024 before the U.S. presidential election
Analysts cited uncertainty about the U.S. election as a factor in the pesos depreciation on Monday. (Wise)

Alejandro Gómez, an economist and financial analyst, said that the “greater probability” that Trump will win the presidential election as well as “expected volatility moving forward” were placing pressure on the peso.

For her part, Gabriela Siller, director of economic analysis at Banco Base, said that the weakening of the peso “signals that the market expects greater volatility after the United States elections.”

On Monday, the peso was also affected by a general strengthening of the US dollar, as shown on the DXY index, which measures the greenback against a basket of major foreign currencies.

A constitutional crisis?

Currency website FX Street reported that “rising fears of a constitutional crisis in Mexico” also weighed on the peso on Monday. That was a reference to President Claudia Sheinbaum’s refusal to comply with a judge’s order to withdraw the publication of a decree that promulgated the government’s controversial judicial reform.

Some newspaper columnists and federal judge Juan Pablo Gómez Fierro are among those who claim that Mexico is already facing a constitutional crisis due to Sheinbaum’s decision to ignore the federal judge’s order.

Tony Payan, executive director of the Center for the U.S. and Mexico at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, also asserted that Mexico is entering a “constitutional crisis.” 

In support of that claim, Payan wrote on X that Sheinbaum “said she’ll willfully fall in contempt of court after a federal judge orders congressional approval of the dismantling of the judicial branch halted due to legislative procedural violations.”

The judicial reform — which was promulgated by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador in September and whose most controversial provision is that which allows Mexican citizens to directly elect all judges, including Supreme Court justices — is a major factor in the significant decline of the peso since Mexico’s June 2 elections.

The peso was trading at around 17 to the dollar before Sheinbaum and the ruling Morena party won comprehensive election victories, putting Morena and its allies in a strong position to approve a range of constitutional reform proposals.

Several constitutional bills, including the judicial reform and a reform that placed the National Guard under the control of the military, have passed Congress since recently-elected lawmakers assumed their positions on Sept. 1.

With reports from El Economista and FX Street

Perception of insecurity in Mexican cities is at its lowest in over 10 years

By
MND Staff
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Young women walk down a sidewalk while a member of the National Guard stands guard, illustrating the level of perceived insecurity in Mexican cities
In the third quarter of 2024, nearly 60% of Mexicans surveyed considered the city they live in to be unsafe. (Genaro Natera/Cuartoscuro)

Violence remains a significant problem in various parts of Mexico, but more Mexicans than ever consider their city a safe place to live, according to a recent survey on perception of insecurity in Mexican cities.

According to the results of the third quarter National Survey of Urban Public Security (ENSU), 58.6% of respondents believe the city in which they live is unsafe.

That is the lowest percentage since the ENSU was first conducted in 2013, and represents a 2.8-point decline compared to a year earlier and a 0.8-point drop compared to the second quarter survey.

While the percentage of Mexicans who consider their city unsafe has declined around 20 points since former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador took office in late 2018, the fact remains that a strong majority of city-dwellers still have security concerns.

Conducted by the national statistics agency INEGI in late August and early September, the third quarter ENSU found that 64% of women and 52.2% of men consider their city unsafe.

Unsurprisingly, the percentage of surveyed residents of Culiacán who consider that city unsafe increased significantly between the second and third quarters of 2024. A long-running dispute between the “Los Mayos” and “Los Chapitos” factions of the Sinaloa Cartel intensified after the alleged kidnapping and arrest of cartel leader Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada in late July.

The burnt-out vehicles were removed and Highway 15 north of Culiacán was reopened by Thursday night.
Residents of Culiacán, Sinaloa, have understandably reported feeling less safe since a conflict between two cartel factions broke out in their city in September. (José Betanzos/Cuartoscuro)

For the latest ENSU, INEGI surveyed adult occupants of 27,850 homes in 91 urban areas, including the 16 boroughs of Mexico City. The results were published on Monday.

Which cities have the highest percentages of residents with personal security concerns?

For the first time since 2020, Fresnillo, Zacatecas, didn’t rank as the Mexican city with the highest percentage of residents with security concerns.

The unenviable position was instead taken by Tapachula, a city in southwestern Chiapas just north of the border with Guatemala which almost invariably has a large population of recently-arrived migrants.

In the third quarter of 2024, 91.4% of surveyed residents of Tapachula told INEGI their city was an unsafe place to live. That figure rose 7.2 points in the space of just three months.

The wider border region of Chiapas has recently been plagued by violence as the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and the Sinaloa Cartel wage a war over drug and migrant trafficking routes in the southern state.

After Tapachula, the cities with the next highest percentages of residents with personal security concerns in the third quarter of 2024 were:

  • Naucalpan de Juárez, a México state municipality that adjoins Mexico City. Almost nine in 10 residents — 88% — consider the municipality an unsafe place to live.
  • Fresnillo, Zacatecas: considered unsafe by 87.9% of surveyed residents, a decline of 6.8 points compared to the previous ENSU.
  • Ecatepec, another México state municipality that adjoins Mexico City. Among residents who responded to the ENSU, 87% said the municipality was unsafe.
  • Irapuato, Guanajuato: considered unsafe by 86.4% of surveyed residents.
  • Tuxtla Gutiérrez, the capital of Chiapas: considered unsafe by 85.9% of surveyed residents

Which Mexican cities have the lowest percentages of residents with personal security concerns?

The cities with the lowest percentages of residents with personal security concerns in the third quarter of 2024 were:

  • San Pedro Garza García, an affluent municipality in the metropolitan area of Monterrey, Nuevo León. Just 13.7% of surveyed residents said the municipality was an unsafe place to live.
  • The Mexico City borough of Benito Juárez: considered unsafe by 17.5% of residents.
  • Tampico, Tamaulipas: 20%
  • Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco: 21.3%
  • Coahuila, Saltillo: 21.7%.

Perception of insecurity down significantly in 8 cities, up in 4

Compared to the second quarter of 2024, there were statistically significant changes in perceptions of insecurity in 12 Mexican cities, INEGI said.

In eight of those cities, the percentage of residents with security concerns declined significantly, while the percentage increased significantly in four.

The cities where there were significant decreases were:

  • Azcapotzalco, Mexico City: 67% in Q2 to 50.6% in Q3 (↓16.4 points)
  • Ciudad Obregón, Sonora: 81.2%-65.4% (↓15.8 points)
  • Zapopan, Jalisco: 62.6%-50.2% (↓12.4 points)
  • Chetumal, Quintana Roo: 73.3%-62.6% (↓10.7 points)
  • Monterrey, Nuevo León: 69.8%-59.7% (↓10.1 points)
  • Iztacalco, Mexico City: 62.4% in Q2 to 53.5% in Q3 (↓8.9 points)
  • Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco: 29%-21.3% (↓7.7 points)
  • Fresnillo, Zacatecas: 94.7%-87.9% (↓6.8 points)

The cities where there were significant increases were:

  • Culiacán, Sinaloa: 44.7% in Q2 to 55.7% in Q3 (↑11 points)
  • Mexicali, Baja California: 60.4%-69.2% (↑8.8 points)
  • Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas: 77.5%-85.9% (↑8.4 points)
  • Tapachula, Chiapas: 84.7%-91.9% (↑7.2 points)

The places where Mexicans most commonly feel unsafe

Just over 67% of ENSU respondents reported feeling unsafe while using ATMs on the street, while almost 62% expressed security concerns about traveling on public transport.

More than 50% of respondents said they felt unsafe at the bank, on the streets they regularly use and on the highway.

The numbers were higher among women than among men in all those places — and several others, including the home and the workplace.

Crime and anti-social behavior 

Among the respondents who reported having seen or heard criminal activity or anti-social behavior near their homes in the second quarter of 2024, almost six in 10 said they had observed people drinking in the street.

A drunk man lies on a sidewalk
One of the most common forms of criminal or anti-social behavior: drinking in public. (Tercero Díaz/Cuartoscuro)

Almost 48% of respondents reported having witnessed a robbery or mugging, and around four in 10 told INEGI they had witnessed homes or businesses being vandalized.

Just under 40% of those surveyed said they had seen people buying or consuming drugs and 36.6% reported having heard frequent gunshots.

Just under one-quarter of respondents said they had witnessed some kind of gang activity in the city in which they live.

Opinions on Mexico’s security forces

The Mexican Navy is the country’s most effective security force, according to the results of the latest ENSU. Almost 88% of respondents said they believe the Navy is very or somewhat effective in preventing and combating crime.

Just under 84% of those polled said the same about the Air Force, while the figures for the Army and the National Guard were 83.1% and 73.5%, respectively.

Almost 56% of respondents said that state police forces are very or somewhat effective in preventing and combating crime, while 48.6% said the same about municipal police.

Citizens’ security expectations 

Almost one-third of survey respondents — 31.8% — said they expected the security situation in their city to remain “just as bad” during the next 12 months, while 20% predicted a deterioration.

Almost three in 10 of those polled — 27.7% — said they expected security to improve in their place of residence during the next 12 months, while 18.9% anticipated that the situation would remain “just as good” as it currently is.

With reports from El Economista, Reforma and Milenio

New evidence in Sinaloa politician’s murder case confirms ‘El Mayo’ Zambada’s account

By
MND Staff
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Sinaloa politician Héctor Melesio Cuén Ojeda speaks at a rally
Sinaloa politician Héctor Melesio Cuén was murdered in late July, the same day as the arrest of alleged cartel kingpin "El Mayo" Zambada. (Rashide Frías/Cuartoscuro)

Federal authorities have uncovered evidence that supports accused drug trafficker Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada’s assertion that former Culiacán mayor Héctor Cuén was murdered at the same place Zambada says he was kidnapped before his arrest in the United States in late July.

That evidence, the Federal Attorney General’s Office (FGR) said on Sunday, is blood found at a property in the Huertos del Pedregal area of Culiacán that belongs to Cuén, who was also an ex-rector of the Autonomous University of Sinaloa (UAS) and founder of the regionally influential Sinaloa Party.

Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada
“El Mayo” Zambada said he was kidnapped at a meeting near Culiacán and that Cuén was killed at the same location. (Cuartoscuro)

Zambada, an accused Sinaloa Cartel leader who pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking charges in the United States last month, said in a statement in August that Cuén was killed “at the same time, and in the same place” where he was kidnapped.

That place, Zambada said, is a property outside the city of Culiacán where he believed he was going to help settle a dispute between Cuén and Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya over who should head up the UAS.

Rocha has denied he was at the meeting.

El Mayo claimed that he was lured to the meeting by Joaquín Guzmán López, who he alleges kidnapped him with the assistance of “a group of men.” The group allegedly forced him onto a private plane that took him to an airport near El Paso, Texas, and delivered him into the hands of United States law enforcement officials.

According to Zambada, the day of his kidnapping he went to Cuén’s ranch near Culiacán to meet with both Cuén (shown at center) and Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya (at right). (Autonomous University of Sinaloa)

The FGR also accuses Guzmán López, a son of convicted drug trafficker and Sinaloa Cartel co-founder Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán Loera, of kidnapping Zambada.

In a statement on Sunday, the FGR said that a “significant advance” was made in the investigation into the kidnapping of Zambada, the murder of Cuén and the forced disappearance of several other people — crimes it said are “directly linked” to Guzmán López, who flew to the U.S. with Zambada and was also taken into custody. The FGR attributed the advance to a joint action with the federal Security Ministry, supported by the National Guard, the Army and the Navy.

“At a property located in Huertos del Pedregal, Culiacán, hematic evidence was found that has been determined with complete precision … to correspond to the ex-rector of the Autonomous University of Sinaloa,” the FGR said.

The evidence “confirms information previously obtained” that shows that Cuén was “at the place of the kidnapping,” the FGR said.

The FGR also said that the “traces of blood” found at the property “correspond to the time” at which it has established that the homicide occurred.

The Sinaloa Attorney General’s Office (FGE) initially said that Cuén was killed at a gas station in Culiacán, and released a video that supposedly supported that version of events.

However, the FGR rejected the FGE’s version of events, and reiterated on Sunday that Cuén was killed “many hours” before the gas station attack took place.

The Sinaloa Attorney General’s office widely shared this video in the days after Cuén’s murder, describing it as proof that the politician was murdered during an attempted robbery at a Culiacán gas station.

“Furthermore, in the tray of the vehicle used in the gas station cover-up, human blood was found that corresponds to Rodolfo “C,” the FGR said, adding that that person is “currently missing” and has been identified as a member of Zambada’s security team.

It also said that “a clear and precise video was obtained,” in which Cuén’s driver “denies what he had previously declared to local authorities with respect to different moments of the disappearance and death” of Cuén.

“All of the above confirms the ministerial and police investigations that determined the alleged criminal and administrative responsibilities of police, … [forensic] experts and various personnel of the Sinaloa Attorney General’s Office, who have already been exhaustively investigated with respect to their participation in the case of the death of” Cuén, the FGR said.

Sara Bruna Quiñónez Estrada resigned as attorney general of Sinaloa in August after discrepancies between the state and federal findings came to light.

The FGR said it will present “all the proof” against the relevant FGE officials to an “alternative judge” in the coming days, as a federal judge in Culiacán refused to issue warrants for their arrests.

The alleged kidnapping of Zambada by Guzmán López caused a major escalation of a long-running dispute between the “Los Mayos” faction of the Sinaloa Cartel and the “Los Chapitos” faction, which is headed up by the sons of “El Chapo.”

In the first 18 days of this month, there were 110 homicides in Sinaloa, many of which were attributed to the ongoing conflict between the rival cartel factions.

With reports from El Financiero and El Economista 

17th annual Santa Lucía International Festival kicks off in Monterrey

By
MND Staff
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Monterrey's Santa Lucía Festival
The festival's events will take place at different venues across Monterrey, including at the Parque Fundidora, select metro stations, the Center of the Arts, the Esplanade of Heroes, the Theater of the City and the Museum of Mexican History. (Festival Santa Lucía/Facebook)

The 16-day Santa Lucía International Festival (FISL) kicked off on Saturday in Monterrey, Nuevo León, under this year’s theme of “taking the arts to the streets.” 

The festival, which has been held annually since 2007, seeks to foster dialogue and connection between cultures.  

The 17th annual Santa Lucía Festival kicked off on Saturday in Monterrey
This year’s edition showcases 240 artistic and cultural productions from 26 countries.(Festival Santa Lucía/Facebook)

Featuring a diverse — and completely free — program of music, dance, film, visual arts, theater, literature and activities for children, this year’s edition showcases 240 artistic and cultural productions from 26 countries. The events will take place at different venues across Monterrey, including at the Parque Fundidora, select metro stations, the Center of the Arts, the Esplanade of Heroes, the Theater of the City and the Museum of Mexican History. 

“I am sure this variety of shows will be magnificent, truly world-class shows that all citizens will be able to enjoy, both in person and through the festival’s digital platforms,” Victoria Kühne, chairwoman of the FISL Board of Trustees, said at a press conference. 

Some of the most anticipated events include the Legend of Mictlán laser show (Canada), the Alphabet of Awesome Science (Australia), a classical music concert by the Guarneri Trio (Czech Republic) and a performance of the Coronation of King Jayavarman VI (Cambodia).

For Halloween on Oct. 31, Danny Elfman will perform the soundtrack of The Nightmare Before Christmas while the movie is screened live. To celebrate Day of the Dead on Nov. 1 and 2, Lego has set up a 2-meter-high skull created from over 108,000 Lego blocks. The sculpture will be on display until Nov. 3 in the lobby of the Noreste Museum. 

To wrap up the 16-day festival, the New Zealand-based Synthony Orchestra will headline a closing ceremony celebrating 30 years of electronic music. The show will take place at the Esplanade of Heroes at 8 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3. 

To see the full calendar of events as well as times and venues, click here.

With reports from Reporte Índigo and ABC Noticias

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