Valeria Moy, an economist, columnist and director of the think tank Mexican Institute for Competitiveness. Follow Moy on X at @ValeriaMoy. (IMCO)
Mexico is the country that never misses the chance to miss an opportunity, an analyst recently said when discussing nearshoring and the blow that the judicial reform would represent to the economy.
Looking at it from the outside, he continued, it’s hard to understand why Mexico insists on making decisions that hinder its growth.
The judicial reform will have harmful impacts on the country, not just from an economic perspective of course.
I think it’s naive to argue that it will “democratize” access to justice and eliminate corruption. Those who promoted and voted for it know that it will lead to setbacks, making the country less democratic and more authoritarian.
Before the reform, the GDP growth expectations for Mexico’s economy were around 1.7% this year, even below the mediocre 2% that had been so criticized. If Mexico grows at that rate during a period of nearshoring and in an election year with rampant spending, what can be expected in a year without these economic drivers?
Growth forecasts will be adjusted following the publication of the reform. Some banks have already done so, estimating that Mexico will grow 1.2% this year and 1% next year.
Beyond the exchange rate — which responds to much more than just internal policies — the real problem will be what we don’t see: the investment that won’t happen, the foreign investment announcements that won’t materialize, the jobs that won’t be created, the growth and development that won’t arrive.
That will be the real crisis: the stagnation of an economy that could have grown but chose not to.
In terms of magnitude, the judicial reform is the most harmful so far, but the ones on the horizon will not be harmless, and the relationship with our trading partners will only get more strained.
The elimination of the figure of state-owned productive enterprises could violate Chapter 14 of the USMCA by restricting investment in the electricity sector. The reform limiting the trade of genetically modified corn would violate Chapter 3 by restricting access to a market not excluded from the agreement. Additionally, the elimination of autonomous bodies would contradict other articles, such as Article 18 on telecommunications and Article 21 on economic competition.
In the specific case of the judicial reform, there is concern that administrative acts may not be impartial, which would violate Chapter 29 of the USMCA. Intellectual property protection could also be compromised, contrary to what is established in Chapter 20.
These issues could arise from a judiciary that, due to a lack of independence and skill, fails to fulfill its duty to maintain fair conditions for all economic actors. The 2026 review could turn into a renegotiation.
Just as today we don’t know what would have happened if the banking sector hadn’t been nationalized in 1982, or if Mexico hadn’t opened up to international trade, or if the 1994 crisis hadn’t occurred, or so many other things — the list is long — we won’t be able to fully grasp the impact of missed opportunities or the gradual regression these reforms represent.
They say that “what if” doesn’t exist. That may be true. But it could also be that we are simply unable to see it.
Valeria Moy has been the director of the Mexican think tank IMCO (Mexican Institute for Competitiveness) since 2020. She is an economist with degrees from the Autonomous Technological Institute of Mexico (ITAM) and the London School of Economics. She is a regular columnist for El Universal and El País newspapers and was named one of the 100 most powerful women in Mexico by Forbes.
Conjugating verbs is the hardest part of learning a language, so sit back and let MND's private tutor help you to go native! (Keren Fedida/Unsplash)
Hi there! I know Spanish can be hard when it comes to verb conjugation as English is much easier with respect to this topic. I understand it can be a challenge to deal with to think of a different form for each person, depending on who you are talking to, and for each tense.
When my Italian boyfriend started learning Spanish I noticed that he started by learning some easy verb combinations that were the simplest way to start and make progress without racking his brain. So, this is the reason why I want to share them with you. In these combinations you will only have to remember the pattern and then add the verb you intend to actually do. Let’s see some examples.
Voy a learn Spanish better thanks to Paulina. (Vitaly Gariev/Unsplash)
These are some examples of verb combinations that can help you start speaking faster. My recommendation would be to learn one or two of them and start practising whenever you have the chance. It is all about finding the pattern, getting used to it and start using it as soon as you can!
Paulina Gerez is a translator-interpreter, content creator, and founder of Crack The Code, a series of online courses focused on languages. Through her social media, she helps people see learning a language from another perspective through her fun experiences. Instagram: paulinagerezm / Tiktok: paugerez3 / YT: paulina gerez
Guangdong Vessel will build modular “houses of the future” in several new development parks throughout Nuevo León. (Vessel)
The Nuevo León government is teaming up with the Chinese Boda International Holding Group to build “houses of the future” in the northern industrial state.
Nuevo León Governor Samuel García released a video on social media on Thursday in which he announced that Boda has plans to invest US $850 million to build smart homes as part of a comprehensive community development program.
Amanecimos con una excelente noticia, porque anoche Grupo Boda nos confirmó que llegan al nuevo Nuevo León con una inversión de 850 MILLONES DE DÓLARES que generará 3 mil empleos para construir CASAS DEL FUTURO en Nuevo León junto con Vessel.
García made the announcement after meeting with Niu Shuha, president of Boda’s board of directors, and Simón Levy, Boda’s vice president.
This announcement follows hard on the heels of the news that Chinese technology company Intretech broke ground on a US $60 million “smart” manufacturing plant in Apodaca, a suburb of the state capital of Monterrey.
Boda is finalizing details with the Nuevo León government in hopes of launching the project by the end of this year. García said the ambitious project would generate 3,000 jobs and would provide environmentally friendly and economic housing options for the people of his state. The governor did not specify where the homes will be located.
Boda announced it would team up with Guangdong Vessel, a prefab house manufacturer and the self-styled pioneer of space-capsule houses, to build the developments, which will feature energy-efficient homes and state-of-the-art solid waste treatment facilities.
VESSEL-V9 - GEN6 English_Full Review - The Original space capsule house
On its website, Vessel says “we specialize in providing high-quality, environmentally friendly, and sustainable mobile housing solutions for cultural tourism resorts, boutique residences, public infrastructure and commercial projects.”
The modular homes will feature atmospheric water generators and solar panels, and each development would be built in broad parklands of at least 350 hectares (865 acres). The developments are adaptable, reported the newspaper Excelsior, so they could eventually be converted into hotels.
A bulletin released by the state government revealed that Boda intends to pursue infrastructure opportunities and has already established a relationship with several Nuevo León universities.
The long-term goal is to establish a first-ever “world housing university” to create and develop advanced regenerative water treatment plants that rely on AI, and install a photovoltaic solar farm.
Boda also wants to set up a project to export agricultural goods from Nuevo León to China. The Chinese holding company also aims to integrate the state’s small and medium-sized businesses into the production chain, according to Excelsior.
Vessel, the prefab house manufacturer, specializes in tourist-oriented cabins that strive to “reconstruct the habitat in harmony with nature by challenging traditional architecture.” However, the company has expressed an interest in building a tech center in order to contribute to the economic and cultural growth of Nuevo León.
A cultural, commercial and administrative powerhouse, La Juárez is one of the most important neighborhoods in Mexico City's most important borough. (Gobierno de la Ciudad de México)
Borough: Cuauhtémoc Established: 1906 Location: 850 m east of the Angel de la Independencia Pre-Columbian inhabitants: Mexica
Who lives here
La Juárez has come a long way since its inception in the early 1900s, when only the wealthy graced its streets. Today, you can find a mix of young professionals, artists and families largely between the ages of 25 and 45.
Mexico City’s Zona Rosa is a hub for LGBTQ+ nightlife and alternative thrill seeking, but it still retains a distinctly Mexican charm. (Your Friend the Nomad)
The unique blend of urban living, historical charm and modern amenities draws locals and, as of late, expats. La Juárez’s proximity to La Roma and the Historic Center is an added bonus, as is its generally laid-back atmosphere.
A brief history of La Juárez
At the turn of the 19th century, Mexico City’s Historic Center was losing its residential luster. As the Zócalo and surrounding streets became busier, louder and more crowded, wealthy families looked around for calmer alternatives. Colonia Juárez, officially inaugurated as such in honor of the 19th-century Mexican president in 1906, was an attractive option. It was verdant, quiet and ripe for construction.
Almost overnight, one could find new Art Nouveau mansions popping up on streets named after European cities. Embassies and businesses moved in and La Juárez quickly became one of the capital’s most affluent areas — but not for long. In 1910, the Mexican Revolution swept the city and the Porfirian elite abandoned their new community in search of safer pastures.
For years, La Juárez fell into dereliction. It wasn’t until the 1940s that it resurged. Shops, cafes, restaurants and bookstores replaced the ground floors of once-residential buildings. Antiques stores and jewelers occupied the section above Avenida Insurgentes, now known as Zona Rosa. It was a place to see and be seen, with visitors coming from nearby cities to buy collectibles or peruse local art. The arrival of Korean immigrants in the 1970s and ‘80s added another layer to an increasingly eclectic society.
Proyecto Público Prim, an event space in a Porfiriato-era mansion, encapsulates the many lives of La Juárez. (Proyectos Públicos)
The vibrant commercial district was severely damaged in the 1985 earthquake. Its soul, however, remained, and by the early 1990s La Juárez was thriving again — this time with a new look.
A guide to La Juárez today
On a map, La Juárez is shaped like a triangle, enclosed by Paseo de la Reforma, Avenida Chapultepec and Avenida Bucareli. It’s divided by Avenida Insurgentes into what might feel like two sharply contrasting personalities: to the west is Zona Rosa, a predominantly-nocturnal haven for the LGBTQ+ community. Sandwiched between its Korean restaurants are thumping rooftop bars and dance clubs. East of Insurgentes is a boutique shopper’s paradise complemented by a sizable list of trendy restaurants, art galleries and architecture reminiscent of the Parisian suburbs.
If what you’re looking for is entertainment, you’re sure to find it here. From small theaters to jazz clubs to vintage bookstores, there’s plenty to keep your attention at full occupancy. For the stylish crowd, the oh-so-chic Soho House hides in plain sight on Calle Versalles and Hanky Panky Cocktail Bar hides out of sight on Calle Turin. Surprisingly, the neighborhood remains largely local, though you’re sure to run into a fair share of expats on Calle Havre and Calle Dinamarca.
La Juárez is great if you love: Europe. Beyond the architecture and street names like Londres and Hamburgo, there is an undeniable Italy-meets-Istanbul-meets-Mexico feel going on here, and it’s rather charming.
The Chinese Clock, a gift from China’s last imperial government for the centennial of Mexican independence, marks the boundary between La Juárez and the Historic Center. (México Desconocido)
What to do in La Juárez
Postales de Cafe:The Condesa favorite recently opened its third and — in my opinion — dreamiest outpost on the bright corner of Calle Napolés and Calle Marsella. Come for strong coffee and excellent people-watching.
Librería Jorge Cuesta: Warning! This captivating vintage bookstore will give you surreal flashbacks of your hoarding grandmother’s living room – assuming it was stuffed to the gills with antiques, trinkets and the occasional cat.
Utilitario Mexicano: A go-to for gifts, this little Mexican-made shop has every cool kitchen utensil you might want, as well as a selection of paper products and bathing essentials.
Querencia: This well-priced, quality plant shop that also sells things you never knew you needed, like handmade soy candles and faux-gold jewelry.
Fusion Design Market: Where local artisans and designers showcase handmade goods, including clothing, accessories and home decor, all with sustainability in mind.
Hotel Geneve: If you don’t stay here, you should at least pop into the lobby of this historic hotel, a favorite among travelers since its opening in 1907.
Teatro Varsovia: Catch local talent in this intimate theater, which hosts various performances including plays, concerts and cultural events.
Parker and Lenox: Stylish and sexy, this NYC-esque jazz club is a great spot for a date with your cute Spanish teacher or as a group outing with your music-loving friends.
Xaman Bar: Almost undiscoverable as a speakeasy should be, you’ll be greatly rewarded by the basement bar’s marvelous cocktail menu and seductive vibe.
Museo de Cera: To be clear, this is a wax museum. If that’s not your thing, who am I to judge? It’s not mine either. A walk by the magnificent mansion it’s housed in, though, is worth your while.
Fábrica Social: You might experience sticker shock upon first glance. But these incredible, colorful textiles are sustainable, durable and handmade by artisans all over Mexico.
The Edificio Mascota, inaugurated in 1913, was Mexico City’s first purpose-built apartment building (Gobierno de la Ciudad de México).
Where to eat in La Juárez
Pazzesca Pizzeria: This place is a jewel for anyone who appreciates authentic Italian food. I’m talking pasta al dente, pizza made in the estilo di Napoli, focaccia baked in front of your eyes and the opportunity to eavesdrop on your neighbor’s conversation… in Italian.
Taller Xilotl: My fingers tremble as I type this. Do I want to share my very favorite restaurant in all the land with hundreds of thousands of readers? When it only has about six tables and a tiny, open-air kitchen? Yes, I do, because I believe it’s that good. Find me a better fish taco in Mexico City. I dare you.
La Barrita Comida del Mar: If you’re craving fresh, coastal dishes in a casual environment, this is your spot. The clientele spills onto the sidewalk in the most inviting of ways, making you feel like you’re at a laid-back house party, without the chit-chat.
Sushi Kyo: It’s one of the most highly-rated sushi spots in a city that boasts a plethora of highly-rated sushi spots. Edo Kobayashi rarely disappoints, and this 13-seater escape to Japan is no different.
Café Nin: Don’t go on a weekend, as there will be a wait. Elena Reygadas, the brainchild and chef behind Roma favorite Rosetta, knows ambience and she knows it well. Add to that some of the best pan dulce in CDMX and you’ve got yourself a lovely breakfast nook.
Havre 77: Escargot, anyone? When you’re feeling French, chef Eduardo García’s latest masterpiece has you covered. Both the food and the space are works of art and will effectively whisk you away to La Marais, one bite at a time.
Taverna: The Mediterranean-inspired menu and extensive wine list is best enjoyed within its dynamic, artsy atmosphere. The bar scene is exceptionally vibey, but go early, as it fills up quickly.
Bagels Lepu: They claim to be the closest thing to New York bagels in Mexico, which might be why the place is always packed. Their menu is straightforward: classic bagels and toppings like lox, whitefish, cream cheese and eggs. There’s also a bakery but… bagels.
One hidden gem
I stumbled on Tannin Artbar by sheer chance and was wowed by the concept. An art gallery, wine bar, tasting house and garden oasis, all in one? Sold. To boot, there’s a generous selection of Mediterranean dishes, perfect for indulging in under the not-so-starry Mexico City sky.
Bethany Platanella is a travel planner and lifestyle writer based in Mexico City. She lives for the dopamine hit that comes directly after booking a plane ticket, exploring local markets, practicing yoga and munching on fresh tortillas. Sign up to receive her Sunday Love Letters to your inbox, peruse her blog, or follow her on Instagram.
The president said the U.S. was "jointly responsible" for the current wave of violence in Sinaloa, which was triggered by the kidnapping and subsequent arrest of cartel leader Mayo Zambada in the U.S. (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro)
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador claimed on Thursday that the United States government is partly to blame for the wave of cartel violence that has claimed more than 40 lives in Sinaloa in the past two weeks.
By “operation” he apparently meant a negotiation with another alleged Sinaloa Cartel leader, Joaquín Guzmán López, that he believes resulted in the delivery of Zambada to U.S. law enforcement authorities at an airport near El Paso, Texas.
While Los Mayos and Los Chapitos have been fighting each other for years, the main cause of their current conflict is the alleged kidnapping of El Mayo.
Since El Mayo’s capture, shootings and other incidents of violence have increasingly disrupted everyday life both in rural areas of Sinaloa and in the state capital of Culiacán — and AMLO says the U.S. government is partly to blame. (José Betanzos/Cuartoscuro)
Nevertheless, López Obrador declared that the United States government needs to “internalize” that it “can’t act like that, without taking the government of Mexico into account.”
“In other words, there can’t be a relationship of cooperation when unilateral measures are taken. That can’t be accepted,” he said.
The president charged that there was an agreement between Guzmán López and U.S. authorities, and “due to that agreement … the confrontation that is occurring was caused.”
AMLO alleged that the U.S. government made a deal with Los Chapitos leader Joaquín Guzmán López, right, that led him to kidnap fellow drug trafficker Mayo Zambada and turn him into U.S. authorities. (Archive)
He said that Mexican authorities still didn’t know the details of the alleged agreement, despite their calls for transparency from their U.S. counterparts.
Jeffrey Lichtman, Guzmán López’s lawyer, said in late July that his client didn’t have any deal with U.S. authorities.
However, López Obrador said that “according to the Federal Attorney General’s Office [FGR], the [U.S.] Department of Justice conducted talks with one of the crime groups in Sinaloa and they had agreements.”
“They even released or gave a different status to one of the prisoners in the United States at the same time that another person was taken [to the U.S.],” he said.
Publicly available records of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons showed that Ovidio was released from prison on July 23 — two days before the arrest of his brother and Zambada — but United States Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar has said on repeated occasions that Ovidio remains in U.S. custody.
Unconfirmed reports have indicated that Ovidio Guzmán, aka “El Ratón,” is in U.S. witness protection — something the U.S. government has denied. (Cuartoscuro)
“That requires an explanation because we’re now facing a situation of instability, of confrontation in Sinaloa,” he said.
“It’s due to them taking that decision,” López Obrador said.
“We don’t agree … because we have the problem here. Of course we’re facing up to it, we’re solving it, but in Sinaloa there wasn’t the violence there is now,” he said.
“Nor is it … [as bad as] they think, it’s [not] completely out of control, no,” López Obrador said.
“… But we’ve had to take special measures and move members of the armed forces [to Sinaloa]. And we’ve also lost soldiers who have been murdered because of this special, extraordinary situation.”
AMLO: US ‘operation’ to capture Zambada was ‘completely illegal’
Later in his press conference, López Obrador was asked whether the United States was “right” to carry out an operation (or negotiation) to arrest Zambada.
“It can’t be right because they murdered people. It was completely illegal,” he said, apparently referencing El Mayo’s claim that former Culiacán mayor Héctor Cuen was killed at the same place he was abducted.
“And agents of the [U.S.] Department of Justice were waiting for el señor Mayo,” López Obrador said, seeking to provide further evidence of a prior agreement with Joaquín Guzmán López.
U.S. agents reportedly scrambled to get to an airport near El Paso after receiving word that El Mayo was en route. He was received by DEA and FBI agents when his plane landed. (DEA via SDP Noticias)
He also said that it was “completely irregular” that a person was “kidnapped via an agreement and taken to the United States.”
During lengthy remarks about the case, López Obrador also questioned whether the United States “really” negotiated the arrest of Zambada out of its desire to stem drug trafficking, especially the entry of the deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl to the United States.
“Let’s see if it was that or if it was a decision that was taken, as always, to [just] show that they’re attending to the fentanyl use problem — just for propaganda,” he said.
“The relationship has to be good for geopolitical reasons, because of the border — 3,180 kilometers long,” he said.
“Forty million Mexicans live and work honorably in the United States. … So we have to maintain a relationship of respect and good neighborliness with the United States,” López Obrador said.
“The only thing they have to understand is that we’re an independent country.”
German tennis player Alexander Zverev, currently ranked No. 2 in the world, will be among the top players at the 2025 Mexican Tennis Open, to be held in Feb. 24–March 1 in Acapulco's GNP Seguros Arena. (Alberto Carbajal/Cuartoscuro)
Acapulco is ready to host the 32nd edition of the Mexican Tennis Open next year, according to the Mexican Tennis Association (AMT) and the state’s Tourism Ministry (Sectur).
The tournament is set to take place from Feb. 24 to March 1 at the Arena GNP Seguros. According to organizers, 60% of the tournament’s tickets have already been sold.
Many iconic hotels and other sites in Acapulco suffered major devastation from 2023’s Hurricane Otis, but the resort city managed to recover enough to host the 2024 edition of the tournament. (Cuartoscuro)
During a press conference, AMT head of operations Geoffrey Fernández recalled that the Category 5 hurricane caused structural damage to the Arena GNP Seguros event complex. However, the arena was ready by the time the tournament returned for the 2024 edition in February.
For that reason, Fernández said, “the 2024 edition was a magical and unique year.”
Fernández said he expects the tournament’s upcoming edition to bring in 500 to 550 million pesos (US $25 to $28 million), exceeding by 200 million pesos (US $10 million) the revenues of the previous edition.
So far, players expected to compete include the No. 2 world-ranked German player, Alexander Zverev, who won the championship in 2021; Norway’s Casper Ruud, who lost in the 2024 finals to Australia’s Alex de Minaur; the United States’s Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton; Denmark’s Holger Rune; and Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti.
The full list of players attending the event, Fernández said, will be released in the coming weeks.
Fernández also announced the launch of digital tickets this year for the event, to prevent ticket resales.
Casper Ruud, left, and Alex de Miñaur at the 2024 Mexican Tennis Open finals. Ruud will play in the 2025 edition of the tournament. (Carlos Alberto Carbajal/Cuartoscruo.com)
Acapulco’s reconstruction continues
According to Welfare Ministry head Ariadna Montiel, the reconstruction of Acapulco and Coyuca de Benítez after Otis has cost 35 billion pesos (US $1.82 billion).
Simon Quiñones Orozco, head of Guerrero’s state Tourism Ministry, said that 1,000 rooms per month have been renovated in 236 hotels since Otis and that he expects 16,000 rooms to be available in the Diamante and Dorada hotel zones by next February.
People are gaining confidence in Acapulco, he said, and the city’s schedule of events is only bolstering that confidence.
Quiñones expressed gratitude for the Mexican Tennis Open’s sponsors and organizers, saying that thanks to the tournament, Acapulco’s reconstruction process was “accelerated,” making it possible for both Sectur’s annual Tourist Tianguis tourism industry conference, the Tourist Tianguis, and the National Banking Convention to take place in the city earlier this year.
Guadalajara's Colonia Americana neighborhood was designated as a Barrio Mágico, or Magical Neighborhood by Mexico's Tourism Ministry. The designation comes with federal neighborhood improvement and tourism promotion funds. (Ricardo Pacheco/Shutterstock)
Guadalajara’s Colonia Americana neighborhood — recently ranked as the world’s coolest neighborhood by Time Out magazine, is now also a Barrio Mágico, or Magical Neighborhood — a tourism designation granted to remarkable neighborhoods in Mexico’s cities.
Mexico’s Tourism Ministry (Sectur) created the program in 2022 to promote tourism in Mexico’s major population centers. It’s similar to Sectur’s Pueblos Mágicos (Magical Towns) program, which highlights towns across Mexico with historical and cultural value. As large cities are ineligible for the Pueblos Mágico titles, the Magical Neighborhoods program seeks to highlight certain locations or areas with tourism appeal within Mexico’s cities.
Built in the late 1800s and designed by Ernesto Fuchs, a German living in Guadalajara, Colonia Americana is a historic neighborhood full of European influences. (X)
Jalisco’s Tourism Minister Vanessa Pérez Lamas said that those who have had the chance to explore Colonia Americana “can verify that it is indeed a very cool neighborhood; it is indeed a Magical Neighborhood, and this designation is extremely deserved.”
Colonia Americana’s designation as a Barrio Mágico was awarded by Mexico’s Tourism Minister Miguel Torruco Marqués, though not in Guadalajara, but in Puerto Vallarta. In the same ceremony, Torruco also updated the designation of Magical Towns in Jalisco: Tapalpa, Tequila, Mazamitla, Tlaquepaque, Mascota, Talpa de Allende, San Sebastián del Oeste, Lagos de Moreno and Ajijic.
To date, Sectur has designated 177 towns in Mexico as Magical Towns and named 34 Magical Neighborhoods across the country. Just like the other towns and neighborhoods in the two programs, Colonia Americana will receive federal funding to renovate buildings and promote its tourism industry.
Adjoining Guadalajara’s downtown, Colonia Americana is one of Guadalajara’s oldest neighborhoods. Built in 1898, it was designed by German engineer and architect Ernesto Fuchs, who added European features to the neighborhood’s streets and avenues. Some of the neighborhood’s main landmarks include the Expiatory Temple of the Blessed Sacrament, Revolución Park and the Museum of Arts of the University of Guadalajara (MUSA). The neighborhood is also home to many restaurants and bars.
Time Out has described the neighborhood as “an edgy blend of art deco and neoclassical mansions with artists’ squats and warehouses containing some of the city’s best music venues.”
However, the neighborhood’s popularity has led to gentrification, real estate speculation and insecurity, forcing many locals to exit the neighborhood or close their businesses due to the increase in rental prices.
Maussan will open his home to two guests as part of Airbnb's new "Icons" program. (Jaime Maussan OOA - Observatory Portrait - Airbnb - Credit David Rincon)
The Mexican paranormal investigator Jaime Maussan, host of a UFO-themed television show that airs in several Spanish-speaking countries, is offering a free, one-night stay in his forest cabin that Airbnb says will be “out of this world.”
In a deal promoted through the booking platform, Maussan will welcome two guests, preferably UFO enthusiasts, into his home for an overnight stay on Oct. 5 — a Saturday night during World Space Week from Oct. 4-10.
Two lucky guests will get to experience Maussan’s cabin during World Space Week, roughly the first week of October. (Jaime Maussan OOA – Hero – Airbnb – Credit Renata Bolivar)
Among other perks, the guests will get to enter the bunker where Maussan keeps evidence of his research on extraterrestrials, unidentified flying objects and undiscovered planets.
“After years of exploring the unknown, I want to invite the most passionate to share my most personal retreat: my house,” the host of the TV program “Tercer Milenio” (“Third Millennium”) posted this week on social media.
The booking process — which will commence on Sept. 25 at 11 a.m. — “is not a contest,” Airbnb wrote in announcing the promotion. However, Maussan will determine the “winner” by reviewing and assessing each application. The booking does not include transportation.
Guests will get to see where Maussan keeps evidence of his research on extraterrestrials and unidentified flying objects. (Jaime Maussan OOA – Studio – Airbnb – Credit Renata Bolivar)
His cabin, which is touted as having a great view of the heavens, is located in the Desierto de los Leones National Park, a 1,500-hectare woodland reserve in the southwestern area greater Mexico City.
Tucked into a verdant natural landscape, the cabin includes a bedroom with a queen bed for the visitors, plus a sky-viewing room with a telescope.
It is in this home that Maussan spent a lot of time doing research.
“Here I connect with nature and find inspiration to look up at the sky and wonder what lies beyond,” Maussan said. “To celebrate Space Week, I decided to open the doors of my home to two lucky visitors who are ready to face the mysteries that are beyond the scope of our understanding while enjoying this place, which is my lair within this dimension and on this planet.”
He said the cabin “is the perfect place to explore and reflect on the enigmas of the cosmos. I advise [you] to be ready to live a truly extraordinary experience.”
In addition to the researcher chatting with the guests about his theories, there will also be “an ancestral meal prepared by Maussan himself.”
Tucked away in a forested area, the cabin has a sky-viewing room and a queen bed for visitors. (Jaime Maussan OOA- Observatory – Airbnb – Credit Renata Bolivar)
Airbnb calls this new type of booking “Icons,” experiences that are hosted by entertainment and sports stars, world-class museums and other entities.
Several months ago, Airbnb announced its first 11 “Icons.” The list included sleeping in a “floating” house from the Disney-Pixar movie “Up,” spending a night in the Ferrari Museum in Italy, joining a living room session with singer Doja Cat and staying in Prince’s Purple Rain house in Minnesota.
In the June 2 presidential election Sheinbaum won by a wide margin, taking home 59.75% of the vote in a three-candidate race. (Cuartoscuro)
Sheinbaum, a representative of the ruling Morena party, will succeed Andres Manuel López Obrador, who won the the presidency at his third attempt in 2018.
She will serve a six-year term that will conclude in 2030.
Here’s everything you need to know about Mexico’s 2024 presidential inauguration ceremony.
Located about 2.5 kilometers east of the capital’s central square, the building houses Mexico’s lower house of Congress, the Chamber of Deputies.
A group of female military cadets will escort Sheinbaum to the Legislative Palace.
The inauguration ceremony will commence at 9 a.m. on Oct. 1 in a general Congress session. Federal deputies and senators will attend the joint sitting of Congress.
The Mexican flag and coat of arms will both be on display during the inauguration ceremony, and attendees will rise for a rendition of the national anthem at its conclusion.
The inauguration will be held at 9 a.m. Oct. 1 in the San Lázaro Legislative Palace in Mexico City. (Thelmadatter/Wikimedia Commons)
A representative of each of the political parties represented in Congress will have the opportunity to speak.
The ceremony could last more than three hours, the news website Expansión Política reported.
The presidential oath of office
According to Article 87 of the Mexican Constitution, the president, upon taking office, takes the following oath before the Mexican Congress.
“I swear to observe and uphold the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States and the laws that emanate from it, and to loyally and patriotically perform the position of President of the Republic, which the people have conferred upon me, pursuing the welfare and prosperity of the country; and if I do not fulfill these obligations, may the Nation demand it of me.”
The presidential sash
President López Obrador will attend the inauguration ceremony wearing the red, green and white presidential sash for the final time.
At the appropriate time, he will remove the sash and pass it to Congress President Ifigenia Martha Martínez y Hernández, a 94-year-old Morena party lawmaker.
On Oct. 1, Sheinbaum will become the first woman to wear the presidential sash. (via Político MX)
Martínez will then bestow the sash on Sheinbaum, providing her with an important symbol of the power and responsibility vested in the president of Mexico.
It will be the first time that a woman hands over the sash to Mexico’s new president.
* Presidential sashes are more common in Latin America than any other region in the world. According to the news publication Foreign Policy, most Latin American leaders wear presidential sashes that they first receive at their inaugurations.
Which world leaders will attend Sheinbaum’s inauguration?
The president-elect said in a statement on Wednesday that representatives of 105 countries and 22 international organizations had confirmed they will attend her inauguration ceremony on Oct. 1.
Sixteen of those countries have confirmed that their leaders will attend. Those leaders are:
Prime Minister John Briceño of Belize.
President Luis Alberto Arce Catacora of Bolivia.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil.
President Gabriel Boric Font of Chile.
President Gustavo Petro Urrego of Colombia.
President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez of Cuba.
President Xiomara Castro Sarmiento of Honduras.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica.
President Luis Rodolfo Abinader Corona of the Dominican Republic.
President Bernardo Arévalo de León of Guatemala.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana.
Régine Abraham, head of the Transitional Presidential Council of Haiti.
Mohamed Yunus al-Menfi, chairman of the Presidential Council of Libya.
President Santiago Peña Palacios of Paraguay.
Prime Minister Bouchraya Hammoudi Bayoun of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.
Prime Minister Philip Joseph Pierre of Saint Lucia.
Who will represent the United States and Canada?
President Joe Biden announced Wednesday that his wife and first lady of the United States, Dr. Jill Biden, will lead a U.S. presidential delegation that will attend the inauguration of Sheinbaum.
“The full list of delegation members will be announced at a later date,” Biden said via a White House press release.
In her statement, Sheinbaum didn’t provide any information about who will represent Canada, Mexico’s other USMCA trade partner, at her inauguration.
It remains to be seen whether Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will make the trip to Mexico to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Mexico’s first female leader.
Sheinbaum’s first act as president
After she has been sworn in as president, Sheinbaum will address the joint sitting of Congress.
Based on the remarks she has made since winning the June 2 election, it is likely she will emphasize the fact that she is Mexico’s first female president, and stress that her ascension to the nation’s top job is a victory for all women.
After her inauguration, Sheinbaum will give a speech from the Mexico City Zócalo — something she has done before, but never as president of Mexico. (Cuartoscuro)
It is also likely that she will be highly appreciative of López Obrador, her political mentor, and acknowledge the achievements of his administration over the past six years.
Later in the day, Sheinbaum will deliver another speech in Mexico City’s central square, the Zócalo, where a large crowd of supporters is expected to be in attendance.
A pedestrian walks through heavy rains in Mexico City earlier this month. (Moisés Pablo Nava/Cuartoscuro)
Western and southern Mexico are on alert for intense storms on Thursday, and steady rainfall is expected throughout the weekend, according to weather service Meteored.
Intense rains of up to 150 mm are forecast to descend upon Chiapas starting Thursday, and 11 other states across Mexico could see 50-75 mm of heavy rain. (Conagua/X)
Thursday’s predicted storms are being driven by Tropical Wave No. 23, which is approaching Mexico’s Pacific coast.
That system is expected to arrive over Michoacán and Colima on Friday just as Tropical Wave No. 24 moves across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec from the Yucatán Peninsula—where it is expected to interact with the Maya Trough (an elongated low-pressure system that frequently occurs over the Peninsula).
Another trough extending from the northern mesa to central Mexico, in combination with humid air from the Pacific and the Gulf of Mexico, is likely to produce electrical storms, high winds and occasional hail storms across the northern half of the country.
Chiapas is expected to receive torrential rains (75-150 mm) on Thursday, while Campeche, Colima, Guerrero, Jalisco, Michoacán, Oaxaca, Puebla, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Veracruz and Yucatán should see 50-75 mm of precipitation. The SMN says this system, driven by Tropical Wave No. 23, will likely feature electrical storms.
Meteored reported that the possible development of a Central American Gyre (CAG), a sprawling low-pressure system over Central America, could make this weekend — and coming weeks — particularly tempestuous for Mexico.
The CAG is a large-scale weather pattern that often leads to the development of tropical storms and hurricanes. It typically forms in late spring or early fall and can have far-reaching impacts, especially in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean, particularly if water temperatures and upper-level winds are conducive for the development of tropical disturbances.
The seasonal weather phenomenon the Central American Gyre can span hundreds of miles, bringing heavy rains as far as Mexico. It can occasionally spin off tropical cyclones like this one from 2018, which became the devestating Hurricane Michael. (NASA/Wikimedia Commons)
Meteored is reporting that just such conditions exist now as tropical humidity and high temperatures come up against cold fronts sweeping down from the north. Add in the CAG and a tropical cyclone or two and intense storms could be in the offing.
The SMN also issued an alert about two low-pressure areas that could generate tropical cyclones over the Atlantic in the coming days, while a potential low-pressure system has been identified in the western Caribbean Sea.
The two systems over the Atlantic have less than a 30% chance of developing into tropical cyclones, but the system in the Caribbean has a 40% chance of becoming a tropical cyclone in the next seven days as it approaches the Yucatán Peninsula.
Another low-pressure area appears to be forming in the Pacific south of the Baja California Peninsula. On Thursday morning, the SMN reported that the system has a 20% chance of becoming a tropical cyclone in the next seven days.
