Restoring water to San Miguel de Allende, one reservoir at a time

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December 15, 2024

A dry water reservoir in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, México — As the best small city in the world faces down catastrophic water shortages, one group has banded together to make a difference. (Sandra Gancz Kahan)

Climate change is no longer a distant concern; it’s here, and it’s affecting all of us. Mexico is seeing scorching heat waves and dry spells followed by sudden downpours and floods. This crazy weather isn’t just an inconvenience: it’s wreaking havoc on agriculture and threatening the water and food supplies.

San Miguel de Allende’s water crisis

A man at a dry water reservoir in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, México — San Miguel is beautiful, but it suffers from dryness. (Sandra Gancz Kahan)

The region of San Miguel de Allende has always relied on its short rainy season for most of its water. However, climate change is putting everyone at risk, while rural farming communities feel the highest impact.

It’s hard to imagine, but the arid landscape around San Miguel de Allende was once flourishing with forests that attracted rain and cooled the land. These forests were a vital part of the Laja River watershed, playing a key role in replenishing aquifers and maintaining steady rainfall.

Over time, however, overdevelopment, drought and erosion have destroyed much of this tree cover. Without the cooling effect of the forests, the exposed land absorbs heat, disrupts rainfall patterns and becomes even drier, a destructive cycle known as the “watershed death spiral.”

Abandoned reservoirs and overexploited wells

The water crisis in San Miguel de Allende can be dealt with with sustainable water practices, applied to the desert's ecosystem. — Guanajuato’s dams are running dangerously low on water. (Sandra Gancz Kahan)

Another key factor contributing to the region’s current water crisis is the shift in how water is sourced. Rural farming communities once depended on rainwater reservoirs to endure the long dry season. However, with the arrival of electricity in the late 20th century, communities began drilling deep wells, which quickly became their main water source. As a result, rainwater reservoirs were abandoned and left to deteriorate.

Large-scale agribusiness has severely overexploited deep wells, depleting aquifers faster than they can replenish. As a result, many wells have already run dry, and the remaining water is often polluted with toxic levels of arsenic and fluoride. This contamination poses serious health risks and further exacerbates the region’s water crisis.

Tikkun Eco Center and Agua Para la Vida

Non-profit Tikkun Eco Center is stepping in to tackle this crisis. Through its Agua Para la Vida project, the Tikkun team focuses on restoring and reforesting water reservoirs to improve environmental and community health.

The Tikkun Eco Center is an oasis of green calm in the midst of one of Mexico's driest areas. — The Tikkun Eco Center is an oasis of green calm in the midst of one of Mexico’s driest areas. The experienced directorial team has helped make the center a vital local community pillar. (Sandra Gancz Kahan)

In 2022, Tikkun set out to restore the historic reservoir in the San Miguel neighborhood of San José de Gracia, a resource that had served four villages for over 200 years. Once a vital water source, the reservoir had deteriorated into little more than a mud flat after years of neglect. When the local aquifer could no longer meet the community’s needs, villagers were forced to ration water, receiving only two hours of well water per week per family, barely enough for personal use, let alone farming or livestock.

Breathing life back into the land

In just one month, Agua Para la Vida removed over 1,400 truckloads of silt and soil from the San José reservoir. Later, they raised the reservoir’s edges, reinforced the dam and installed water management systems. Thanks to these efforts, the San Jose de Gracia reservoir is now capable of holding 45 million liters of water.

The excavated soil didn’t go to waste: it became the foundation for reforestation. Tikkun donated over 100 native tree saplings and hundreds of magueys, while the San Miguel Municipal Ecology Department (DMAS) contributed an additional 1,000 native trees and cacti that were all planted by volunteers. When the rains came, the reservoir filled and Tikkun stocked it with tilapia from their own ponds.

Tikkun Eco Center 20 Reservoir Restoration Project

Watch this video on YouTube

A global movement for ecological restoration

Tikkun Eco Center’s work is part of a global movement to heal degraded ecosystems. Restoring local forests and promoting sustainable agricultural systems is essential for reversing the damage caused by deforestation and desertification. Around the world, communities facing similar challenges have achieved remarkable success.

In Asia, Africa and Australia, reforestation efforts and sustainable water practices have turned barren landscapes into thriving ecosystems. These projects bring back green spaces and improve food security, water availability and local economies, offering hope and inspiration for regions like San Miguel de Allende.

The recipe for healthy ecosystems

Tikkun Eco Park in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, México — The water crisis in San Miguel de Allende can be dealt with with sustainable water practices, applied to the desert’s ecosystem. (Sandra Gancz Kahan)

Tikkun Eco Center specializes in restoring reservoirs and laying the foundation for regenerative agriculture. Their approach includes keeping fields green year-round with cover crops and intercropping trees. Permaculture methods guide their work, transforming fields into food forests that blend trees with deep-rooted grasses to create a cooler, more biodiverse ecosystem. This approach captures carbon, provides habitats for bees and beneficial insects, restores eroded soils and improves rainwater absorption.

Scaling up the impact

Tikkun Eco Center continues to expand its impact by partnering with experts and securing funding for vital projects. With support from the Rio Arronte Fund for Natural Resources and the San Miguel Community Foundation, Tikkun has teamed up with local water-focused NGO Caminos de Agua and Querétaro-based Inana to restore the community reservoir of Los Torres, another San Miguel neighborhood.

This work is just the beginning. The region has hundreds of abandoned reservoirs. Scaling up these efforts could transform the area. Tikkun’s holistic model of ecological repair has shown what’s possible. Still, more action and support are needed to expand the scope and reach of these efforts.

Visit TikkunSanMiguel.mx to learn more about how you can help.

Sandra Gancz Kahan is a Mexican writer and translator based in San Miguel de Allende who specializes in mental health and humanitarian aid. She believes in the power of language to foster compassion and understanding across cultures. She can be reached at: [email protected]

Why do Mexicans love salsa?

By

Chris Sands

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December 15, 2024

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Two ceramic bowls with traditional Mexican salsas. — Onion, garlic, cilantro and, of course, different chile species are central in Mexican salsas. (DNE Stock project/Pexels)

No mere condiment, salsa has been a ubiquitous flavoring element of Mexican cuisine since its pre-Hispanic origins. When the Spanish first arrived in Mexico in the early 16th century, according to Harvard historian David Carrasco, they encountered a Mexica culture whose cuisine already boasted a “myriad of sauces made from beans, tomatoes, avocados, tomatillos, chilies, squashes, and mushrooms” to fish and wild game.

Well before Mexico-sourced tomatoes were introduced to Europe and inspired Italian marinara sauces, the Mexica had created recipes (or inherited them from earlier Mesoamerican cultures) for sauces like mole and guacamole that remain iconic and widely popular more than 500 years later.

Close up to a pair of bowls with different kinds of salsa. — Dating back to pre-Columbian times, salsa takes a central role in Mexican cuisine. (RDNE Stock project/Pexels)

The essential ingredients in Mexican salsas

The presence of chile pepper is the defining and indispensable element of Mexican salsas, even more so than the use of tomato or tomatillo — staple ingredients in red and green sauces, respectively.

More than 60 varieties of chile pepper are grown in Mexico, and as any connoisseur can tell you, different flavors and textures (and sometimes names) are produced according to whether the pepper is fresh or dried. Commonly used peppers like chile de árbol, for instance, have the same name fresh or dried, while chipotle is the dried version of jalapeño and guajillo the dried version of the mirasol.

Tomatoes and tomatillos are thought to have originated wild in South America, but both were first domesticated in México; tomatoes by about 500 B.C.; and tomatillos even earlier, from 800 B.C. Even though tomatillo means “little tomato,” it’s not. Rather, it’s a ground cherry. But each is part of the Solanaceae family of fruit, a category that also includes potatoes and all the world’s peppers (yes, chile peppers too).

Garlic, lime and cilantro are the major salsa ingredients brought by the Spanish, thanks to emerging trade routes. All were introduced into Mexico in the 16th century. Onion, another one, was already present during the pre-Hispanic period — its Náhuatl name was “xonacatl” – but its reputation as an aid to good salsa rose considerably during the Spanish colonial period.

The Classics

Mole

The similarity in the names of mole and guacamole speaks to a shared origin in the Nahuatl language. The first recipe for this world-class Mexican sauce was long attributed to a 17th-century nun in Puebla, Andrea de la Asunción. However, the tomato, pumpkin seed, and chile-based favorite has since been traced back to pre-Hispanic times when it was called mulli or molli (sources differ on spelling). Nowadays, regional variations abound, including some, like mole poblano, made with chocolate. But in Mesoamerica, chocolate was typically served only in beverage form, while mole sauces spiced with assorted chilies were commonly served as an accompaniment to turkey.

Guacamole

Guacamole, too, has its origins in Nahuatl-speaking cultures. The Toltecs may have invented “ahuacamolli.” Their “Feathered Serpent” deity, Quetzalcoatl, is said to have revealed it via divine message. However, the Mexica also accepted Quetzalcoatl into their pantheon as a god and the first recipe comes down to us from them. The original version, as noted, lacked lime, onion, and cilantro. The Mexica used only avocado, chilies, salt, and occasionally tomatoes. Avocados it should be mentioned, have grown wild and been eaten in México for 10,000 years or so. But they are theorized to have been first cultivated around 1800 B.C. by the Mokaya, an Olmec precursor group who lived in Chiapas and are now better known as the first people to make chocolate.

Salsa Verde & Salsa Roja

Enchiladas topped with salsa verde. (Los Tres Gallos)

Yes, salsa verde and salsa roja also date to pre-Hispanic México. Tomatillos and serrano chiles are the featured ingredients in the former, a versatile sauce that now tops everything from tacos and enchiladas to chilaquiles, quesadillas, and burritos. But garlic, onion, and cilantro are included, too, just as they are in the sauce’s “red” equivalent: salsa roja. The color difference between the two comes from the fruit of choice — tomato or tomatillo. Otherwise, these sauces are quite similar.

Salsa Bandera / Pico de Gallo

A bowl of pico de gallo. — Imitating the Mexican flag, pico de gallo is among the most famous salsas in Mexico. (Damián Serrano)

If you’re noticing a trend that suggests most iconic Mexican salsas date at least to the Mexica, salsa bandera provides further evidence. However, its name comes from the Spanish word for flag, as the main ingredients — tomato, onion, and serrano or jalapeño chiles (plus lime and cilantro) — have colors that mimic those in the Mexican flag. One of its names, that is. This salsa is also known as pico de gallo, or “the rooster’s beak.” Why? That’s unclear. But likely it acquired different monikers in different regions. By either name, it’s a superb accompaniment to Baja-style fish tacos, among other tacos and enchiladas.

Bottled Salsas

Salsa Valentina is arguably the most popular sauce in Mexico. This thick liquid is spicy, affordable and found throughout Mexico in households, at restaurants and street stalls to add freely to your snacks. (All photos by Salsa Valentina/Instagram)

Bottled salsas have added another dimension to the culinary experience, allowing for flavoring on food items not previously sauced. Who can now deny, for instance, that Salsa Valentina is perfect on popcorn, chapulines or virtually any other snack item? The Guadalajaran brand first hit the market in 1954 and has been a national favorite ever since thanks to its pleasing mix of puya chilies, vinegar, and spices.

Several other bottled salsas — Huichol and Guacamaya, notably — date to the 1940s, while habanero-spiced El Yucateco didn’t premier until 1968. However, these are relatively recent additions to the Mexican salsa tradition. As we’ve seen, many of the best-known salsas used to flavor the nation’s cuisine — including those most likely to grace dishes at your favorite restaurants and street food stands — were created before Hernán Cortés and his Spanish soldiers conquered Tenochtitlan in 1521. Some well before.

The Joys of Salsa

That’s part of what makes Mexican cuisine so special. It’s a living tradition, with staple elements that evoke millennia of history. Tortillas, for example, are said to have been around for over 10,000 years. From that perspective, salsas of all kinds are a relatively recent invention. It’s hard to imagine Mexican food without them, though. Salsas are the heart and soul of any dish they accompany and they accompany everything.

If you’ve ever felt a sense of joy as you dig into a hearty Mexican dinner, it’s likely because of the chile peppers in your salsa. They contain capsaicin, a compound that yes, makes your tongue burn. But it also signals the body to release endorphins and dopamine, flooding you with happiness and a profound sense of well-being. So the flavor is only part of the magic. Salsas please on many levels.

Chris Sands is the Cabo San Lucas local expert for the USA Today travel website 10 Best, writer of Fodor’s Los Cabos travel guidebook, and a contributor to numerous websites and publications, including Tasting Table, Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, Forbes Travel Guide, Porthole Cruise, Cabo Living and Mexico News Daily. His specialty is travel-related content and lifestyle features focused on food, wine and golf.

Taste of Mexico: Quesadilla

By

María Meléndez

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December 14, 2024

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Welcome to your latest edition of Mexico News Daily’s Corn Encyclopedia! This week we dive into another Taste of Mexico: Quesadillas.

It is one of the most controversial snacks in Mexican culinary history. There is often confusion surrounding this dish — does it contain cheese or not? Why isn’t a quesadilla the same as a taco? How can we accurately define what a quesadilla really is? Let’s dive in!

What is it?

A quesadilla is a tortilla made from corn or flour that is folded in half and filled with various ingredients. While it may seem simple, there is a rich cultural, linguistic, and regional context behind it. Understanding these aspects reveals that a quesadilla is much more than just “a tortilla with cheese.”

Linguistic Origin: Yes, It Does Come From Cheese

The word “quesadilla” has its linguistic and cultural roots in Spain. It originates from “quesada,” a sweet tart from northern Spain — specifically Cantabria — made with fresh cheese, flour, eggs, and sugar. Although this is a European dessert, its essence took root in the New World.

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During the colonial period, the term “quesadilla” adapted to the surroundings of New Spain as the blending of indigenous and Spanish culinary traditions led to countless variations in cuisine. In mestizo cooking, the term “quesadilla” gradually became associated with corn and savory fillings, particularly cheese. This is how the quesadilla evolved into the form we recognize today.

At some point, a theory emerged suggesting that “quesadilla” originated from the Nahuatl word “quesaditzin,” which means “folded tortilla.” In Nahuatl, the word for tortilla is “tlaxcalli,” so the accurate term for a folded tortilla with filling would actually be “tlaxcalpachōlli.” I’m sure this quesaditzin theory began as a meme that spiraled out of control.

The Cultural Dimension of the Quesadilla

The quesadilla serves as a cultural microcosm that encapsulates Mexico’s historical evolution. It reflects the fusion of pre-Hispanic cuisine — featuring ingredients like corn, nixtamal, herbs, mushrooms, and even insects — with the Spanish legacy, which introduced cheese, wheat, and livestock. Over the centuries, this humble snack has evolved into numerous regional variations, showcasing the rich culinary diversity of Mexico.

National Debate: With Cheese or Without Cheese?

Fighting in the Ugandan parliament. — We can’t confirm anything, but this may have started over quesdillas. (Sick Chirpse)

Families have been torn apart and friendships lost over this debate. Some argue that the answer is obvious: since “quesadilla” comes from “queso,” it should logically contain cheese.

However, reality surpasses linguistic logic. In Mexico City and the surrounding areas, quesadillas are often filled with a variety of detritus — such as squash blossoms, mushrooms, huitlacoche (corn fungus), pressed pork rind, potatoes, tinga (spicy shredded meat), picadillo (ground meat), chorizo, or rajas—and sometimes include cheese. This semantic flexibility may seem odd to outsiders unfamiliar with Mexico’s complex culinary traditions, but it reflects a unique aspect of their cuisine.

What Distinguishes a Quesadilla from a Taco?

Here’s a straightforward classification of the types of quesadillas you might encounter throughout Mexico:

1. By Type of Dough:

Corn: Made with nixtamalized corn dough; this is the most common type in Mexico.
Flour: Popular in northern Mexico due to U.S. culinary influence. In the north, quesadillas always incorporate cheese.
2. By Filling:
Orthodox: Filled only with cheese.
Inclusive: Cheese combined with other ingredients, such as huitlacoche, squash blossoms, mushrooms, pork rind, potatoes, tinga, or various meats. Sometimes we have the same fillings without cheese.

3. By Cooking Method:

Comal: Prepared on a griddle without oil, making them a healthier option.
Fried: Deep-fried in oil or lard, often topped with sauces, lettuce, cheese, and sour cream.

4. By Shape:

Folded: Dough folded in half after being filled.
Closed:Completely sealed, resembling empanadas, and prepared for frying.

5. Other Variations:

Pescadillas: A coastal classic—fried quesadillas filled with seafood.
Sweet Versions: In some regions, these are made with piloncillo (unrefined cane sugar) and fresh fruits.

The only type of quesadilla that resembles a taco is the comal cooked version filled with stews. However, there is a key difference: the size and thickness of the tortilla. Tacos typically use smaller, thinner tortillas, while quesadillas from street vendors are hand-made, much larger, and quite filling—you’ll be satisfied with just one or two.

Fun Quesdilla facts to cheese your friends

A range of Mexican cheeses — Presumably one of these ought to be inside the tortilla. (U.S. Dairy)

A Reliable Snack: Quesadillas are a popular street food that people commonly eat for lunch or dinner, rarely enjoyed for breakfast.
Easiest Dinner Ever: When you’re too tired to cook but still starving, nothing is simpler than placing tortillas on a griddle, adding cheese, and patiently waiting for it to melt.
Survival Food for Beginners: Many of us relied on quesadillas when we first moved out and lacked any cooking skills. While delicious, we sometimes ate them while crying and reminiscing about our mothers’ dishes.
Kids’ Favorite: Picky eaters rejoice! Almost every kids’ menu features an “order of quesadillas” because what child doesn’t love a warm, cheesy tortilla? For many of us, quesadillas were a staple growing up.

Amigos, now that you have all the data, tell us what you think: cheese or no cheese? And what’s the best quesadilla you’ve ever had?

María Meléndez is a Mexico City food blogger and influencer.

Where is the head of Pancho Villa?

By

Chris Sands

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December 14, 2024

3

Pancho Villa skull — The legendary Mexican Revolutionary Pancho Villa has lost something very important over the years - his head. (Public Domain)

On Revolution Day, 1976, then-president Luis Echevarría honored one of the revolution’s greatest heroes, Francisco “Pancho” Villa, bringing his remains from the Panteón de Dolores in Parral, Chihuahua to rest forever in the Monument to the Revolution in Mexico City.

Born José Doroteo Arango and nicknamed the Centaur of the North Villa joined Francisco I. Madero to end the dictatorship of Porfirio Díaz. After Madero was assassinated in a coup d’etat by usurper president Victoriano Huerta, Villa led the fearsome Northern Division to victory over Huerta’s federal army. Echeverría’s tribute was a fitting one. The only problem was that the bones may not have been Villa’s — and his skull wasn’t there at all.

Villa is best known for his daring acts of rebellion against both Mexico and the United States from his base in Chihuahua. (Gobierno de México)

The theory espoused by some in Parral was that Villa’s last wife, Austreberta Rentería, had replaced the bones in his coffin with those of an unknown woman to thwart the repeated attempts of grave robbers. Meanwhile, Villa’s real bones had been secretly relocated to another grave 100 meters or so distant, where they remain today.

As for the skull, it has been missing since Feb. 6, 1926, when it was stolen from his original grave. Nearly 50 years after Villa was laid to a hero’s rest in Mexico City, though, many in Mexico feel certain they know who has it.

But officially, the crime is still a mystery, as is the person who ordered Villa’s assassination on July 20, 1923. Rest assured, however, there are suspects aplenty, including an elite university club whose members have included several U.S. presidents.

Is Villa’s assassination linked to the stolen skull?

When Villa was gunned down in an ambush in Parral in 1923, the assailants weren’t all unnamed. One of the admitted assassins was Jesús Salas Barraza, who spent only three months in prison before being pardoned by the governor of Chihuahua. Salas Barraza, it should be noted, was a congressman himself and was considered by many a puppet manipulated by his masters, then-president Álvaro Obregón and future president Elías Plutarco Calles.

The Monumento a la Revolución in Mexico City, where (most of) Villa’s remains are interred. (jptellezgiron/Wikimedia Commons)

Obregón had good reason for wanting Villa dead. Aside from the fact that Villa was rumored to be considering a run for the presidency, thus breaking the non-political oath that had allowed him to retire in peace in 1920, he and Obregón were old rivals. After a contentious Convention at Aguascalientes in 1914, when the revolutionary factions debated what to do after Huerta’s defeat, Obregón and Venustiano Carranza had allied themselves against Villa for leadership of Mexico.

The next year, Obregón defeated troops under Villa at the Battle of Celaya. However, during the subsequent Battle of León, Obregón lost his right arm — blown off during an artillery attack. It is conceivable then that Obregón would have wanted Villa’s skull, too, as a kind of payment for his own bodily loss. But he wasn’t the only one seeking a pound of flesh.

Why Americans had a bounty on Villa

Villa had many enemies in Mexico and plenty in the U.S. after a daring cross-border raid on Columbus, New Mexico in search of supplies for his army in 1916. U.S. Cavalry repelled the raiders but that wasn’t enough for President Woodrow Wilson. He assigned General John J. Pershing the command of over 6,000 soldiers for a punitive expedition to capture Villa and bring him to justice, even if it meant going into Mexico to get him.

This expedition increased political tensions between the two countries, with Carranza’s troops eventually firing on the Americans, and ultimately proved unsuccessful. Villa eluded U.S. troops for nearly a year, by which time Pershing had been reassigned as commander of the American Expeditionary Force for the First World War.

Villa war a leading figure in Mexican society, both before and after the Revolution. (Public Domain)

Rumors of American bounties on Villa would continue even after his death. An unnamed U.S. organization was said to be offering $10,000 for Villa’s skull, twice what newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst was reportedly offering. Another group, the Yale secret society Skull and Bones, was also rumored to be seeking the skull for the collection.

The man who was arrested for stealing Villa’s skull

Only two men ever spent time in jail for removing Villa’s skull: American mercenary Emil Holmdahl and his accomplice Alberto Corral. Three days after scaling the wall of the locked cemetery in Parral, the two were locked up in the town jail. Enraged locals wanted to lynch Holmdahl. A man named Ben Williams helped to bail him out and get him across the border. A man of means, Williams was one of the investors who purchased the gigantic Palomas Ranch in Chihuahua, then the largest ranch in North America.

Williams’ version of events was later published in the 1984 book “Let the Tail Go with the Hide,” which leaves no doubt as to why Holmdahl stole the skull: it was for money. Holmdahl allegedly claimed the skull fetched $25,000 from a member of Yale’s Skull and Bones. Williams was so enraged when he learned this, per The Washington Post, he wanted to send Holmdahl back to jail in Mexico.

Skull and Bones, it should be noted, has in its historical membership some of the most powerful men in the United States, including not just scions of the Rockefeller and Vanderbilt families, but three former presidents: William Howard Taft, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush.

Is the Skull and Bones angle a conspiracy theory?

The “Tomb” of Yale University senior society Skull and Bones. Photo credit: Public Domain.

Yes, this does have all the elements of a conspiracy theory. However, evidence beyond Williams’ assertions suggests this story might be true. For starters, Skull and Bones does seem to collect skulls of famous people, including those of Villa, Apache leader Geronimo and former president Martin Van Buren. Prescott Bush, father of George H.W. Bush, was allegedly among the grave robbers who stole Geronimo’s skull.

Geronimo’s descendants are convinced Skull and Bones has his skull. As of 2009, twenty of his descendants had filed a lawsuit against Skull and Bones, Yale University and some U.S. government officials. Plenty of people buy the Villa story, too. In 1988, when The Washington Post repeated the Holmdahl story, a group of El Paso historians was mulling a lawsuit against Skull and Bones for Villa’s skull. In 2010, historians in Chihuahua asked the Mexican government to negotiate its release from Yale University, where they were positive it resided.

Many historians thus obviously believe the story is true. Two decades ago when journalist Alexandra Robbins interviewed over 100 Skull and Bones members for “Secrets of the Tomb,” her book on the organization, there finally seemed to be proof. Robbins affirmed that Skull and Bones did indeed have Villa’s skull. However, she soon recanted the claim in an interview with The Yale Herald.

So it’s still unknown to any degree of certainty. What is certain is that if Skull and Bones does have Villa’s skull, it doesn’t seem inclined to give it back.

Chris Sands is the Cabo San Lucas local expert for the USA Today travel website 10 Best, writer of Fodor’s Los Cabos travel guidebook, and a contributor to numerous websites and publications, including Tasting Table, Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, Forbes Travel Guide, Porthole Cruise, Cabo Living and Mexico News Daily. His specialty is travel-related content and lifestyle features focused on food, wine and golf.

Here’s how to get Mexicans to hang out with you

By

Sarah DeVries

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December 14, 2024

3

People socializing — Every expat wants to engage with their local community, but it's not always that easy. Here are some tried-and-tested tips for becoming the Mexicano you've always wanted to be. (Priscilla Du Preez /Unsplash)

Chances are that if you’ve moved to Mexico, you probably want to hang out with Mexicans. But how can you do this when your Spanish might not be all there yet?

Read on:

lonely person in a cityscape — Socializing in Mexico can be challenging for newcomers, but fear not, Sarah DeVries has a comprehensive guide for you. (Etienne Boulanger/Unsplash)

“It’s funny,” another foreign friend commented to me last week. “There doesn’t seem to be any formal way of asking someone out on a date here.”

“Of course there is!” I responded. “You ask if they want to get coffee!”

My friend laughed and rolled his eyes, but I was serious. That really is what people say when they want to get to know you better, romantically or otherwise. If it’s someone that you could potentially have a romantic relationship with, then it’s basically an invitation to a first date. “I bet you didn’t know you were dating so many people right now,” I teased.

Last week I wrote about all the different ways that Mexicans have to say “no,” and plenty of good extensions were added on in the comments. Unfortunately, sometimes the “no” is in response to an invitation you were excited to make.

People drinking art latte and a cold brew — Whenever a Mexican friend invites you to have coffee with them, watch out! They might be asking you out. (Nathan Dumlao/Unsplash)

More so certainly than in my native US, plans in Mexico seem to be fairly informal. This is mostly true for plans with friends, but can extend to other types of events as well. Keep in mind too that it’s common to get dumped because someone’s family has asked them to do something at the same time. Family really is first here, which is tricky if you’re not part of one.

Mexicans, for their part, are much more forgiving when those plans don’t actually get to happen. I and many of my fellow compatriots are visibly irritated when someone “nos queda mal” (doesn’t come through for us). Here, however, they tend to take a, “Well, these things happen,” approach. You couldn’t make it? That’s a shame; next time!

This is one of those few areas in which Mexicans and their North American neighbors aren’t all that compatible. In most ways, as I’ve written before, we’re natural, fast friends. But make a gringo wait around for too long, and they’re not going to be happy. Berate a Mexican for being late, and they’re not going to be happy, either.

Basically, not sticking to one’s word on either side equals trouble in paradise.

A busy street with lots of people. — Punctuality-wise, Mexicans and people from the US are definitely not compatible. (Dominic Kurniawan Suryaputra/Unsplash)

So knowing that, how can you make plans that stick?

Basic tips you can use to make friends and actually hang out with them

Go to events where you know people will already be gathered

Compared to their North American neighbors, Mexicans are still quite community-minded. This means that community events and parties are already planned and out there, just waiting to be joined! If you have kids in school, this is easy to achieve: simply show up to the school events!

Take in-person classes locally

I don’t know if my particular city is special in this regard, but it seems there are countless courses to be had. The jarana (a string instrument used in Son Jarocho) is a popular instrument to learn, and lots of Mexicans and foreigners alike take classes to learn it. I myself would love to learn the harp! In general, music classes are a good choice since you can learn quite a lot even if your Spanish isn’t perfect.

There are also ceramics and pottery classes, something I’m hoping to get into soon — really, all kinds of art classes abound! And if your Spanish is fairly good, a nice literature class could be very enriching.

Find out what clubs there are in your area, and join one!

Again, civic life seems stronger in Mexico…everyone spending all their time on phones hasn’t quite taken over yet. You might find a book club, a sports club, or even go to classes at a gym — that counts!

Hang around afterwards

Spontaneous things happen after events and classes like they do everywhere. If others are going to a café or bar afterwards and you’re around when they plan it, you’ll most likely be invited. Don’t be shy! Remember, most people here are open, friendly, and genuinely curious and generous. Take those same attitudes, and the sky’s the limit.

From lighter friendships, deeper connections can happen. And once they do, you can freely say, “Seriously, though. Are you really coming?”

Happy hanging-out time, everyone!

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

Claudia Sheinbaum, a case study: A perspective from our CEO

By

Travis Bembenek

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December 14, 2024

45

A portrait of Claudia Sheinbaum in front of an illustration of an Indigenous woman holding a Mexican flag — With the hopes of Mexico on her shoulders and facing pressure from the U.S., President Sheinbaum may have one of the most difficult jobs in the world. (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro)

Whenever I ask my Mexican friends how they feel President Sheinbaum is doing so far, I almost always get a passionate response. Surprisingly, the responses tend to be on the two ends of the spectrum of “love her” or “can’t stand her.” Often times, little more detail is provided beyond that.

I am a big believer in learning by reading or watching case studies about successful businesses, or by reading books on famous or impactful leaders throughout history. If you have yet to tune in, I highly recommend paying close attention to the case study of Mexico’s newly elected President Claudia Sheinbaum. It is a real-life, real-time leadership case study playing out right before out eyes.

Sheinbaum comes out of a building with older men in suits after a meeting with business leaders in Mexico City — The challenges Sheinbaum faces at home and abroad mean there is much to learn from a case study of her leadership choices. (Cuartoscuro)

Let’s start with a quick refresher on President Sheinbaum, as she has a fascinating background.

She’s 62 years old and was born in Mexico City.
Her grandparents on both sides were immigrants to Mexico from Lithuania and Bulgaria
She has an undergraduate degree in physics, a master’s degree in physics and a Ph.D. in energy engineering.
She has authored over 100 articles and two books on energy, the environment and sustainable development.
She completed her Ph.D. at Berkeley and lived in California for four years.
She is married, has a daughter and a step-son, and is a grandmother.
She contributed to a Nobel Peace Prize-winning report organized by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
She was mayor of Mexico City from 2018 to 2023.
She became president of Mexico on Oct. 1, 2024.
First woman president in Mexico’s history
First Jewish president in Mexico’s history

President Sheinbaum has what is likely one of the most difficult jobs in the world right now. To begin with, she has the weight of millions of women throughout Mexico and the world on her shoulders as the first female president of Mexico. Her predecessor, AMLO, left her with a significant amount of “things to clean up” from his presidency. Although he did have a long list of accomplishments, most agree that he also:

Underinvested in clean energy.
Overinvested in the inefficient government run PEMEX energy company.
Racked up considerable debt.
Invested billions in the still-not-completed Maya Train and Trans-pennisula Train projects.
Did not improve the country’s difficult security situation.

AMLO also proudly rejected invitations to participate in global forums with other world leaders, preferring to keep his focus on domestic issues. He sold the presidential airplane, making it more complicated for Sheinbaum to re-engage again in global forums. On her first foreign trip, she actually flew to the recent G20 meeting in Brazil on a commercial airline — in economy class!

(He also changed the presidential residence from Los Pinos in Chapultepec Park, which has housed the president since 1934, to the National Palace in Mexico City’s Zócalo.)

To further complicate matters, just one month after taking office, former President Trump, known for his tough talk on Mexico, won a second term in the U.S. Within days, he ratcheted up the rhetoric against Mexico on everything from migrants to drugs to trade agreements to deportations of Mexican citizens currently residing in the United States. Mexico’s other trade agreement partner, Canada, also began to suggest that Mexico should be cut out of the trade agreement between the U.S., Mexico and Canada.

Can you see why the President Sheinbaum case study is shaping up to be such a fascinating one?

Claudia Sheinbaum meets with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau while attending the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Rio. (Cuartoscuro)

Let’s walk through just a few of the many leadership situations that she is facing. I think that it’s an interesting exercise to go beyond our initial “love her/dislike her” impulses and think about how we would react or respond in each situation below.

The former president preferred not to engage in international diplomacy and sold the presidential airplane to Tajikistan. You want to begin to re-engage Mexico in important international forums. Do you:

Buy a new presidential airplane?
Fly commercial airlines in business class?
Fly commercial airlines in economy class?
Open a NetJets account to rent a jet?
Enroll in the Viva Aerobus and Volaris frequent flyer programs?

President-elect Trump threatens 25% tariffs on all Mexican imports to the U.S. “on day one.” Do you:

Downplay the threat and potentially be perceived as weak by Mexicans?
Respond with logic explaining why and how that would result in negative consequences for both countries?
Respond with passion explaining how absurd of a threat it is and face further wrath from the new U.S. administration?
Respond with the threat of your own tariffs?

Several Canadian provincial prime ministers begin to publicly state that Mexico should be cut out of the USMCA trade deal, and a new one should be signed between only the U.S. and Canada. Do you:

Ignore the comments and potentially be perceived as weak by Mexicans?
Respond with thoughtful logic and data?
Respond with the same political-driven rhetoric and risk looking hot-headed or unpresidential?
Close the Mexican border to all Canadians for the winter as punishment?

Multiple Chinese car companies have expressed interest in making significant, multi-billion-dollar investments in Mexico that would create tens of thousands of jobs producing cutting edge technology electric vehicles. In addition, tens of thousands of low-cost, high-quality Chinese made cars are entering your country each month. The U.S. has recently put in place tariffs that all but halts Chinese cars and auto investment coming into the U.S. and is now pressuring you to do the same in Mexico. Do you:

Follow the lead of the U.S. and block new Chinese auto investments into Mexico?
Follow the lead of the U.S. and block new Chinese-made vehicles from being imported into Mexico?
Try to find a middle path that allows you to court Chinese investment while still maintaining relations with the U.S.?

Cartel violence continues to be a major problem throughout the country. Your predecessors’ “hugs not bullets” strategy clearly did not work and failed to provide the hoped-for reduction in violent crime. The U.S. is strongly pressuring you to improve the situation, and quickly, to prevent tariffs and other potential measures. There are even rumors that the U.S. will attempt to take action on Mexican soil if you don’t. Attempting to improve the situation would likely result in a short-term increase in violence throughout the country. Do you:

Try to let sleeping dogs lie and continue with the “hugs not bullets” strategy, giving further ammunition to the U.S. to apply pressure through tariffs and other measures?
Try to take on the cartels in a meaningful way, risking potential civilian unrest and casualties?
Let the U.S. military help take on the cartels on Mexican soil?
Try another strategy in the decades-long battle against the cartels and the drug trade?

The new U.S. administration has made clear its intention to stop migrants from coming across the Mexico-U.S. border. They are putting pressure on you to help make it happen. Do you:

Not take action, since the migrants do not intend to stay in Mexico?
Take action to prevent the issue from spilling over into other points of discussion (i.e. tariffs)?

Your predecessor has made massive investments in trains — both freight and passenger. The Interoceanic Train is a freight and passenger network from one coast to another with aspirations to create economic growth in one of Mexico’s poorest areas and provide an alternative to the Panama Canal. The Maya Train is a passenger network connecting dozens of ruins and touristic areas. Both cost billions of U.S. dollars and have had huge cost overruns. Both will cost billions to do operate and maintain each year going forward. Do you:

Continue on as planned with these two projects?
Look to privatize them and cut your losses?
Double down with more investments in more train projects?

Your predecessor did very little green energy investment and, in fact, further invested in PEMEX (creating a debt burden of nearly U.S. $100 billion). Pemex is a mess, energy production is declining, it has massive pension burdens and is not focused on green energy. Do you:

Look to sell off or privatize parts of the business to make it sustainable?
Continue to fund the business and push the problem to the next administration, as has been done year after year?
Force necessary change within the PEMEX organization?

It is estimated that there are over 4 million undocumented Mexican immigrants living in the United States. Trump made it a key campaign message that he would “send back” undocumented immigrants to their country of origin. Do you:

Not take action and assume it is a false campaign promise?
Take it seriously and begin making preparations?

These are just a few of the many issues facing President Sheinbaum, and she has only been in the office for two months! She is a strong leader with a powerful mandate from the voters, but arguably is in one of the toughest jobs in the world right now.

President Sheinbaum will need to have incredible poise, stamina, intellect, maturity and leadership skills to navigate the country through what is arguably an extraordinarily complex time. Many leaders have a “honeymoon period” in which they get a few months, or even 100 days, to get the lay of the land before having to engage in big decision making. Sheinbaum clearly did not have that luxury and has had to hit the ground running.

Let’s hope and pray for the best for her and for the country. President Sheinbaum does not have an easy job and the next six years will most certainly make for a fascinating case study for future generations to play close attention to and learn from.

Travis Bembenek is the CEO of Mexico News Daily and has been living, working or playing in Mexico for nearly 30 years.

Sheinbaum talks judicial election funding: Friday’s mañanera recapped

By

MND Staff

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December 13, 2024

1

President Claudia Sheinbaum stands at a podium next to a Mexican flag at her morning press briefing — President Claudia Sheinbaum addresses the audience at her Friday morning press conference. (Presidencia)

President Claudia Sheinbaum canceled her Thursday morning press conference due to Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe, but she returned to the Treasury Hall of the National Palace to address reporters on Friday morning.

The organization of the upcoming judicial elections, recent raids on stores selling Chinese goods and the proposed appointment of a former governor to a high-ranking diplomatic position in the United States were among the issues she spoke about.

Sheinbaum urges the INE to explain how it will use its judicial election funding, and why it wants more

The lower house of Congress this week voted in favor of reducing the 2025 budget of the National Electoral Institute (INE) from just over 40 billion pesos to 27 billion pesos. The electoral authority will have 7 billion pesos to spend on the organization of next year’s judicial elections, almost 50% less than it requested.

Sheinbaum emphasized that 7 billion pesos (US $347.5 million) is a lot of money, highlighting that’s how much it cost to build the first two elevated cable car (cablebús) lines in Mexico City.

“Seven billion pesos is a lot more than what over half of the states receive … annually [from the federal government],” the president added.

Still, Sheinbaum said, the INE “wants more.”

Sheinbaum challenged the electoral institute to provide more reasoning for its funding request. (INE)

“They’re talking about at least 2 billion pesos more. I believe it’s important to tell the people of Mexico what [the money] will be used for because I think: What could it be used for?” she said.

“For the ballot boxes? How much can a ballot box cost?” Sheinbaum asked.

“… The majority of the officials at the polling places are volunteers, just like in the elections,” she added.

The president acknowledged that there are some significant costs associated with organizing large elections such as those that will be held on June 1, 2025. But she insinuated that 7 billion pesos will be more than enough.

“The question is, how are they going to use these 7 billion pesos that the Chamber of Deputies allocated to them? Let it be public, open. Let the people of Mexico know,” Sheinbaum said.

“And if they need more resources, [say] why they need more resources? It’s not just a matter of saying, ‘I need 10 billion pesos,’ but rather [saying] why you need 10 billion pesos,” she said.

“… That’s the request — for the INE to be transparent,” Sheinbaum said.

Seizure of counterfeit Chinese goods not aimed at pleasing Trump, Sheinbaum says

A reporter noted that authorities seized more than 1 million illegally imported and counterfeit Chinese products in Hermosillo, Sonora, on Thursday.

The raids on stores in the state capital came two weeks after authorities raided a Chinese goods plaza in the historic center of Mexico City, seizing more than 200,000 counterfeit products.

The reporter asked Sheinbaum whether the confiscation of Chinese goods had “any relation” to her discussions with United States President-elect Donald Trump during a telephone call on Dec. 27 — one day before the Mexico City raid.

Sonora state officials stand in a row behind a cart full of small, colorful products, in front of a shelf full of stuffed toys — State and federal officials confiscated over a million illegally imported Chinese products in Sonora on Thursday. (Gobierno de Sonora/X)

“No, it has no relation,” the president bluntly replied.

“The Economy Ministry is doing these actions with some of the states,” Sheinbaum said.

“… Contraband, or the illegal entry of products, can be controlled in several ways,” she added.

“One way is through customs,” Sheinbaum said, explaining that the government is “developing different actions with the goal of reducing the entry of illegal products” and ensuring all applicable taxes are paid on imported goods.

The other is by carrying out operations targeting “different places” where counterfeit and illegally imported goods are sold, she said.

Trump launched a trade war against China during his first term as president, and has accused Mexico of being a transshipment hub for Chinese goods.

In October he pledged to “seek strong new protections against transshipment” in an updated USMCA trade deal “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.”

“They smuggle this stuff in. They don’t pay anything. We’re going to have very strong language on that,” Trump said.

Mexico is seeking to reduce its reliance on goods from China and other Asian countries via the development of an import substitution plan.

Former governor capable of supporting Mexicans living in Miami, president assures reporters

Toward the end of her press conference, Sheinbaum was asked about her decision to nominate former Chiapas governor Rutilio Escandón as Mexico’s consul in Miami, Florida.

“If special circumstances arise, he has the capacity to support all our brothers and sisters in Miami,” she said of Escandón, who concluded his six-year term as governor last Saturday.

Sheinbaum was referring to Trump’s plan to deport immigrants from the United States on a mass scale. She said last week that Mexico will be prepared to welcome large numbers of deportees if need be.

President Claudia Sheinbaum glances back at a map of the United States, surrounded by images of Latino men, women and children. — President Sheinbaum has emphasized the important role Mexican citizens play in the U.S. economy, even as Mexico prepares for a possible increase in deportations from the United States. (Presidencia)

Trump, Time magazine’s “person of the year,” told Time that in executing his deportation plan he will “go up to the maximum level of what the law allows.”

“And I think in many cases, the sheriffs and law enforcement is going to need help. We’ll also get National Guard. We’ll get National Guard, and we’ll go as far as I’m allowed to go, according to the laws of our country,” he said.

By Mexico News Daily chief staff writer Peter Davies ([email protected])

BCS legislators call on Baja California to reject copper mining mega-project

By

MND Staff

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December 13, 2024

11

An large open-pit mine in an arid area with mountains in the background — The El Arco mine on the border between Baja California and Baja California would occupy up to 50,000 hectares, more than six times larger than the Peñasquito mine in Zacatecas, pictured here. (Adolfo Vladimir/Cuartoscuro)

Lawmakers from the state of Baja California Sur (BCS) unanimously lined up against a massive mining project in the neighboring state of Baja California, approving a point of order asking federal authorities to provide details on the concession and permits granted to the mining company Mexicana del Arco.

The BCS lawmakers approved several other points of order, including an invitation to Environment and Natural Resources Minister Alicia Bárcena to explain the federal government’s position on the issue to the state Congress.

The BCS deputies characterized the project as a social and environmental disaster waiting to happen as the mining operation would impact two wildlife protection areas, one in each state. The mining operation will require an estimated 9 million cubic meters of water per year, according to Mexicana del Arco’s parent company, Grupo México.

A separate point of order, according to the newspaper El Independiente, calls on the Baja California Congress to reject the El Arco mine project. The mine could begin production as soon as 2030, El Sudcaliforniano newspaper reported.

The proposed El Arco open-pit mine, possibly extending to 50,000 hectares, has the potential to be one of the largest mines in the world, producing up to 15.5 billion pounds of copper, 3.5 million ounces of gold and unknown quantities of zinc and molybdenum.

In 2021, Grupo México — the world’s fifth-largest copper producer and Mexico’s third-biggest company by market capitalization — said the El Arco mine could produce 190,000 tonnes of copper annually once operations begin. El Sudcaliforniano reported that the mine could likely be operated for 50 years before the minerals are exhausted.

A map showing the location of a proposed copper mine, just north of the border between Baja California and Baja California Sur — BCS lawmakers are concerned about a mine planned for just north of their state border. (Geocomunes)

The primary issue prompting the BCS Congress to take action is water usage, but there are other concerns as well.

The El Arco mine is located in the Valle de los Cirios Flora and Fauna Protection Area in Baja California. The water it intends to utilize would impact the El Vizcaíno aquifer, which is primarily located under the adjacent El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve in Baja California Sur.

According to El Sudcaliforniano, BCS lawmakers objected to the fact that Mexicana del Arco was allowed to carry out the water availability study, which was accepted by Mexico’s National Water Commission (Conagua).

Conagua not only accepted the results of the study — which reported water well in excess of historical records — but also created a new aquifer administration entity to manage water taken out of the newly designated “Llanos de Berrendo” aquifer in Baja California.

The BCS lawmakers say the misrepresentation of the water available in the Valle de los Cirios means the mine will actually be siphoning water from the El Vizcaíno aquifer which sits within one of the most arid areas of Baja California Sur and already presents an annual deficit of nearly 500,000 cubic meters, according to Conagua.

In addition to the water issue, the Congress noted concerns over the degradation of soil caused by open-pit mining and the damage to endemic fauna, especially the peninsular pronghorn, an endangered species known as a berrendo in Mexico.

With reports from El Sudcaliforniano and El Independiente

Tulum International Airport expands connectivity with flights to Colombia and Germany

By

MND Staff

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December 13, 2024

0

The first flight to connect Germany with #Tulum, the heart of the Maya Zone, arrives. — A year after opening its doors, the Tulum airport is adding two new international routes. (Mara Lezama via X)

After surpassing passenger projections for its first year of service, Tulum International Airport continues to expand connectivity, welcoming two new flights this week.

On Tuesday, Colombia’s Avianca Airlines made its maiden flight to Tulum, arriving from Bogotá at 4 p.m. local time with 160 passengers on board, according to the newspaper La Jornada Maya.

Mario Cruz Rodríguez, the president of Tulum’s Tourism Promotion Council, was one of the passengers, returning home after spending a week in Colombia on Council business.

Arriving with him was an assemblage of Colombian reporters and tourism industry operators who were flown in on a “fam trip” to familiarize themselves with the amenities and attractions of the popular resort area on the Caribbean coast of Quintana Roo.

The Avianca plane was the first flight to arrive in Tulum from outside North America.

On Thursday, the airport welcoming committee sprung into action again, treating the first trans-Atlantic arrival to a water arch salute. That flight, operated by Discover Airlines, came in from Frankfurt, Germany, with 199 passengers on board.

With the arrival of Discover Airlines from Frankfurt, we open new doors to the world with two weekly flights, consolidating our status as a leading global destination. — Operated by Discover Airlines, the first direct flight from Germany arrived from Frankfurt, with 199 passengers on board. (Mara Lezama via X)

Discover — a leisure airline owned by Lufthansa — runs the Frankfurt-Tulum route on a seasonal basis. It will land at Tulum International every Thursday and Sunday until April 27, 2025.

Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama and German Ambassador Clemens von Goetze led the welcome ceremony, according to the newspaper Riviera Maya News.

Lezama celebrated the occasion by saying the new flights “[contribute] to the confidence generated by our tourist destinations and … by national and international business groups and investors,” adding that it indicates a promising future for the Mexican Caribbean.

Von Goetze also spoke at the ceremony. “The inauguration of this flight represents more than an air connection,” the ambassador said. “It is a bridge between Mexico and Germany.”

Thursday’s arrival also marked the first landing of a wide-body aircraft at the new airport which opened its doors on Dec. 1, 2023, Riviera Maya News reported.

In its first year of operations, the Tulum airport surpassed its target of transporting 700,000 passengers. On Dec. 1, 2024, airport officials announced that Tulum International Airport had received 1,074,000 passengers and had carried out 8,500 air operations.

More new routes will be inaugurated before the end of the year. Canada’s Air Transat will begin flights from Montreal and Quebec on Dec. 16 and Dec. 18, respectively.

With reports from La Jornada Maya and Riviera Maya News

After budget cuts, can the INE guarantee judicial election integrity? Depends who you ask

By

MND Staff

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December 13, 2024

6

Mexico's elections chief Guadalupe Taddei stands in front of a sign reading "INE: Instituto Nacional Electoral" — President Sheinbaum said her government would appeal the National Electoral Institute (INE) ruling that prohibits public institutions from promoting the upcoming judicial elections. (Rogelio Morales/Cuartoscuro)

Will the National Electoral Institute (INE) be able to meet its usual high standards when organizing Mexico’s first ever judicial elections in 2025, despite a sizable cut to its budget?

There are conflicting answers to that question within the INE itself.

Before we get to those, let’s first look at how we got here.

Almost three months ago, former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador promulgated a controversial judicial reform that set the stage for judicial elections to be held in Mexico for the first time ever in 2025.

Citizens will elect a total of 881 federal judges on June 1, 2025, including nine Supreme Court justices.

The INE requested funding of 40.47 billion pesos (about US $2 billion) to carry out all its activities in 2025, including the organization of the judicial elections and elections in Durango and Veracruz.

Mexico Supreme Court justices — The jobs of nine Supreme Court justices will be up for grabs in the 2025 udicial elections. (SCJN)

The federal government proposed that that amount be allocated to the institute in the budget proposal it submitted to the lower house of Congress in November.

However, this week the Chamber of Deputies — dominated by lawmakers with the ruling Morena party and its allies — voted in favor of reducing the INE’s budget by 13.47 billion pesos, down to 27 billion pesos (US $1.34 billion). The cut in percentage terms is 33.3%.

INE proposed using 13.2 billion pesos for next year’s judicial elections, but was only allocated 7 billion pesos for that purpose. That means the INE will have to make do with 47% less resources than what it calculated is necessary.

Ricardo Monreal, Morena’s leader in the Chamber of Deputies, said on social media that lawmakers approved “an austere and responsible budget that guarantees economic stability and confidence in Mexico.”

Critics of the federal government’s judicial reform argue that the direct election of judges will politicize the judiciary, but President Claudia Sheinabum and other government officials reject claims that Mexico’s courts will lose their independence.

Sheinbaum asserts that a judicial overhaul via the election of judges is necessary to eliminate corruption and other ills from Mexico’s justice system.

INE questions its capacity to meet standards that citizens expect

Before the Chamber of Deputies approved the reduction to the INE’s 2025 budget, the electoral institute issued a statement in which it said that carrying out the judicial elections to “the same standards of quality to which Mexican citizens are accustomed requires the approval of the budget as it was requested.”

Issued on Wednesday, the statement was titled “the INE is confident that the budget requested from the Chamber of Deputies will be approved.”

However, as noted above, that was not the case.

In its statement, the INE said that if the Chamber of Deputies approved “the reduction proposed by the Budget and Public Accounts Committee,” it would face an “enormous challenge” in organizing and carrying out the 2025 judicial elections.

Finance Minister Rogelio Ramírez de la O submitted a 9.3-trillion-peso (about US $460 billion) budget proposal to the lower house of Congress on Friday. — Finance Minister Rogelio Ramírez de la O submitted a 9.3-trillion-peso (about US $460 billion) budget proposal in November. (Galo Cañas/Cuartoscuro)

To underscore the need for it to receive all the funding it requested, the INE noted that the number of federal judges to be elected next year — 881 — is higher than the number of federal representatives elected at the 2024 elections. A total of 629 federal representatives were elected on June 2: President Claudia Sheinbaum, 500 deputies and 128 senators.

High-quality elections are guaranteed, says INE president, but some electoral councilors aren’t so sure

In a radio interview on Thursday, INE president Guadalupe Taddei said that the electoral institute will guarantee that high-quality and trustworthy judicial elections are held next year even though it won’t have the funds it requested.

“We can’t lower the quality [of the elections],” she told Radio Fórmula.

Taddei said that the INE will “have to take this [budget] cut with all the professionalism in the world.”

She indicated that the INE is not happy with the cut, but described it as a “fait accompli.”

The INE’s first woman president — elected to the position last year — said that the electoral institute will have to “quickly” look at ways it can reduce costs given that it will have less funding than it anticipated and hoped for.

In subsequent remarks on Thursday, Taddei described the budget cut as “extremely big,” but once again stressed that it won’t “diminish the quality of the [judicial] electoral process.”

However, she did say that the INE “is obliged to reconsider the entire operational structure” for the judicial elections. Instead of setting up 172,000 (often small) polling stations known as casillas, the INE is looking at the possibility of installing around 80,000 larger “voting centers,” Taddei said.

Norma Irene de la Cruz Magaña, one of 11 electoral councilors including Taddei, said that many citizens will have to travel five or ten blocks to vote in the judicial elections rather than just one.

Claudia Zavala Pérez, advisor to the National Electoral Institute (INE) — The budget cuts will “will affect the right of citizens to have an electoral process with institutional guarantees,” according to INE Councilor Claudia Zavala Pérez. (INE/X)

“But we’re not going to reduce the quality [of the elections] or take shortcuts,” she said.

“We’re going to guarantee that every voter has a ballot,” de la Cruz said.

Claudia Zavala, another electoral councilor, said in a radio interview that the budget cut “will affect the right of citizens to have an electoral process with institutional guarantees.”

She also highlighted that many citizens will have to travel longer distances to cast their votes.

Zavala said that the INE will do its best with the money it is allocated but added that doesn’t guarantee it will be able to organize the judicial elections with the usual “quality standards and guarantees” as ensuring such things “requires resources.”

For his part, electoral councilor Jaime Rivera said in an interview that the budget cut will affect the INE’s capacity to organize elections with its usual “efficiency, … transparency and reliability in the results.”

He said that the funding amount the INE requested for the judicial elections was the “result of serious and objective analysis,” rather than a figure it came up with on a “whim.”

Rivera also said that the organization of the judicial elections would be “considerably more complicated” than the organization of the recent federal elections. There will be significantly more candidates, vying for positions in various courts.

“We have to say it with complete clarity — with such a severe reduction in the resources allocated, it is impossible to maintain the same quality in the organization of elections,” Rivera said.

With reports from El País, El Financiero, Radio Fórmula, López-Dóriga Digital, La Jornada and La Crónica