Macario Martínez is a street sweeping in Mexico City who has long dreamed of a music career. His dream may come true now that a TikTok video he posted with his music in the background has gone viral on the platform. (Macario Martinez/Facebook)
A street sweeper in Mexico City has become a viral sensation thanks to his song “Sueña lindo, corazón” (“Sweet dreams, sweetheart”) rapidly gaining popularity on social media and streaming platforms.
The spike in interest in Martinez’s music and the story of his job as a street sweeper has resulted in invitations to appear on news media and other public venues. (Macario Martínez/Instagram)
His simple musical style, authenticity and heartfelt lyrics in “Sueña lindo, corazón” lament the pain and confusion of a breakup — have resonated with online viewers. The lyrics can be interpreted as a message to a sweetheart, or a wish for his own troubled heart.
According to newspaper reports, the video racked up nearly 7 million views within two days of its release in late January and now, less than 10 days later, is up to more than 14 million.
The surge extended to Spotify, where the song was added to more than 37,000 playlists in just eight days. He now boasts over 302,000 monthly listeners and has been featured on the cover of Spotify México’s Pop Folk playlist.
Though his fame is recent, Martínez has been releasing singles with themes of love, dreams and friends since 2019.
He has an indie-folk sound characterized by nostalgic and introspective lyrics — sometimes called the dream folk genre — and last April, he released a seven-song album, “Lagunas Brillantes de la Memoria” (“Bright Lagoons of Memory”).
Late last week, he posted a TikTok video thanking people “for all the support and displays of affection,” adding with a smiley face, “I’m trying to read everything.” It won’t be easy: That video alone received more than 8,000 comments, and others have received thousands.
Moreover, many TikTok users are incorporating the song into their own video posts, some of which are going viral themselves.
Seeing Martínez sweeping the street in his videos brings to mind a famous scene in the 1982 film “El Barrendero” (“The Sweeper”), in which the beloved Mexican comedic actor Cantinflas sings and dances on the job.
With one of his videos, Martínez posted the phrase: “Life demands a lot, and I am just a street sweeper who wants you to listen to his music.”
That’s exactly what has happened over the past two weeks — a testament to how a star can emerge from unexpected places these days.
Viva Aerobús' planned MRO facility at Querétaro International Airport will be in business doing maintenance, repair and overhaul of aircraft — including its own growing fleet — by 2027, airline officials said. (Daniel Augusto/Cuartoscuro)
Mexican budget airline Viva Aerobús will install a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility at Querétaro International Airport (AIQ), representing an investment of 4 billion pesos (US $193.6 million).
Together, Querétaro Governor Mauricio Kuri González and Viva Aerobús CEO Juan Carlos Zuazua announced that the new complex’s construction is set to begin in two months and will be completed by the end of 2026.
Querétaro Gov. Mauricio Kuri led the press conference in which Viva Aerobus announced its decision to build an MRO at the city’s international airport. (Viva Aerobús/Twitter)
The MRO will provide services for aircraft starting in 2027. Zuazua added that the MRO will directly employ 2,000 people and create 1,000 indirect jobs.
Viva Aerobús’ MRO complex, which will take up 15 to 20 hectares at the airport, will feature eight production lines to carry out eight simultaneous services across four mega-hangars. The MRO will be able to serve as many as 160 aircraft per year.
The airline’s current fleet consists of 90 Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft. Over the next 12 years, the company will receive 120 additional planes.
“This project will be key to the future of our airline,” Zuazua said, explaining that the airline’s expanding fleet demands a growing need for MRO services.
The MRO will also seek international certification to serve foreign aircraft, primarily targeting regional airlines in the United States, Canada, Central America and South America.
Zuazua said that the carrier and Querétaro were in negotiations for one year before reaching an agreement, as other states in Mexico were interested in hosting the MRO. Kuri said that Viva Aerobús’ trust in investing in Querétaro makes the airline stand out and strengthens the city’s commitment to the air company.
“We want investors to feel supported by the people of Querétaro,” Kuri said.
Roberto Alcántara, chairman of the airline’s board of directors, said that the board decided to invest in Querétaro due to the state’s advantages, such as a skilled local workforce, a supportive business environment and a commitment to modernization.
Minister of Sustainable Development (Sedesu) Marco Antonio Del Prete Tercero said Viva Aerobús has become one of the main generators of passengers at Querétaro’s airport, having tripled the AIQ’s traveler numbers over the past two years.
It has been a good week for President Claudia Sheinbaum. (Presidencia/Cuartoscuro)
It has been a good week for President Claudia Sheinbaum: on Monday she defused — at least temporarily — a tariff threat by reaching an agreement with United States President Donald Trump and on Tuesday the results of two national polls showed she is more popular than ever.
A remarkable 81% of Mexicans approve of Sheinbaum’s performance as president, an El Financiero newspaper poll found, while a larger survey conducted for the El Economista newspaper yielded a lower but still impressive 65% approval rating for Mexico’s first female president.
Two new national polls reveal that Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum is more popular than ever. (Daniel Augusto/Cuartoscuro)
Both the El Financiero poll, which surveyed 900 Mexicans, and the El Economista poll, which sought the opinions of more than 41,000 people, were conducted in January, when the imposition of Trump’s proposed 25% tariff on all Mexican exports to the United States loomed as a very real possibility.
Sheinbaum’s approval rating has held strong or trended higher every month since she took office in October 2024. (Rosa Icela Rodríguez/X)
It ticked up one point every month between November and January, according to the El Economista poll results, rising to 65% in January from 62% in October.
El Financiero detected 70% support for Sheinbaum in October, 69% in November, 78% in December and 81% in January.
The El Economista poll found that Sheinbaum is most popular in Mexico’s disadvantaged southern and southeastern states, while residents of the Bajío region and western Mexico are less supportive of the president. Still, more than half of the surveyed Bajío region and western Mexico residents said they approved of the president’s performance.
Strong support for government welfare programs
Well over four in five respondents to the El Financiero poll — 86% — praised the federal government for the “social support” it provides to citizens via welfare programs and employment schemes such as the “Youths Building the Future” apprenticeship initiative and the “Sowing Life” reforestation project.
Sheinbaum presented Plan México in mid-January, an ambitious economic plan whose goals include making Mexico the 10th largest economy in the world, reducing reliance on imports from China and other Asian countries and creating 1.5 million new jobs.
Fight against crime found lacking
Almost seven in 10 El Financiero poll respondents — 69% — rated the government “poorly” or “very poorly” for its efforts to combat organized crime.
Security Minister Omar García Harfuch giving an update on the security situation in Sinaloa in January. (Presidencia)
Almost nine in ten El Financiero poll respondents described the security situation in Sinaloa as “bad” or “very bad,” while 78% said that public insecurity was Mexico’s main problem.
Over half of the El Financiero poll respondents — 56% — evaluated the government in a negative light for its anti-corruption efforts, which include the establishment of an Anti-Corruption and Good Governance Ministry.
Sheinbaum’s relationship with Trump
Claudia Sheinbaum is the third Mexican president in office while Donald Trump occupies the White House. The first was Enrique Peña Nieto, whose government began the USMCA negotiations with the first Trump administration, while the second was Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who maintained a friendly relationship with Trump despite their ideological differences.
Sheinbaum, in reaching a deal that included a one-month pause on the 25% tariff that was scheduled to take effect on Tuesday Feb. 4, succeeded in her first major negotiation with Trump. As part of the agreement, she committed to deploying 10,000 National Guard troops to Mexico’s northern border.
At the time, just 31% of respondents said that the Sheinbaum government was conducting the relationship with the Trump administration in a “good” or “very good” way, while 52% said the opposite. The former percentage is likely to rise this month thanks to the deal reached on Monday.
Almost four in five of those polled said they were very or somewhat concerned about Trump’s plan to deport large numbers of illegal immigrants from the United States, while almost 90% said that the U.S. president’s proposed tariff on Mexican exports — which could still be implemented — would be very harmful (69%) or somewhat harmful (19%) to Mexico and its economy.
On Monday, it was reported that President Trump and the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Elon Musk “agreed” to close USAID. (Shutterstock)
Many organizations in Mexico — including the federal government — have been left in a state of limbo after United States President Trump announced plans to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) on Monday.
In 2023, the U.S. was the largest source of foreign aid in the world, with USAID disbursing roughly $45 billion to international programs. According to the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), the State Department and USAID together allocated $2.6 billion to over 2,000 programs across 20 Latin American countries that same year.
🚨 Trump’s decision to freeze foreign aid to Latin America is an “America Last” policy. It weakens democracy, fuels migration, and empowers corruption.
📊 WOLA’s latest analysis breaks down the consequences. Swipe through the carousel & read more here ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/cuScRHm0j6
On Jan. 20, Trump signed an executive order temporarily suspending all U.S. foreign development assistance programs for 90 days, pending reviews to assess whether they aligned with his policy goals. Then, on Jan. 24, the State Department ordered a sweeping freeze on new funding for most U.S. foreign assistance.
On Monday, it was reported that President Trump and the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Elon Musk “agreed” to close USAID.
“He [Trump] agreed we should shut it down,” Musk said during a live session on X on Monday. “It became apparent that it’s not an apple with a worm in it … What we have is just a ball of worms. You’ve got to basically get rid of the whole thing. It’s beyond repair. We’re shutting it down.”
USAID was formed in 1961 to administer aid to foreign countries to promote social and economic development. Trump and Musk, as well as Republican legislators, have previously criticized the agency for funding progressive causes abroad.
In Mexico, USAID allocated approximately $71 million in 2023, supporting civic initiatives related to human rights, anti-corruption, missing persons and environmental protection, among others.
“This [cut] is causing great uncertainty and alarm among implementing partners: civil society organizations, international organizations and contractors throughout the region,” warned WOLA in a statement on Jan. 31.
Mexican projects affected by a freeze in US foreign assistance
Around 70% of Latin American missions working with migrants, refugees and human rights will reduce their staff, while 77% will see budget cuts, according to a WOLA survey.
“The elimination of these programs would not only harm individuals and groups in Mexico but could undermine the current administration’s approach to migration, weakening efforts to address the root causes of migration, such as crime and insecurity,” said WOLA.
In Mexico, USAID provides funding to the Mexican government for the forensic identification of missing persons. With over 120,000 recorded cases of missing persons nationwide, the cuts threaten to worsen what experts have called Mexico’s “forensic crisis.”
USAID also supports several environmental causes in Mexico, funding conservation and sustainable development projects in the states of Campeche, Chiapas, Oaxaca, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Veracruz and Yucatán.
President Sheinbaum’s response to the impending closure of USAID
On Tuesday, President Claudia Sheinbaum responded to news of USAID’s impending closure positively, mentioning that the agency had financed the political opposition.
“USAID has so many things that, the truth is, yes, it is better they close it. And that, in any case, if there is going to be aid for different types, they should open other types of channels; that they be transparent, that is the issue, the big issue,” said Sheinbaum in her Tuesday morning press conference.
🇲🇽MEXICO’s PRESIDENT
SHEINBAUM:
“There are so many things inside USAID that yes, it is best if they shut it down”
El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele also accused USAID of financing political opponents.
“While marketed as support for development, democracy, and human rights, the majority of these funds are funneled into opposition groups, NGOs with political agendas, and destabilizing movements,” Bukele wrote on the X media site.
On Tuesday, President Trump announced all USAID employees would be placed on administrative leave starting Friday, Feb. 7.
La Paz's Urban Lungs program planted 300 trees in January. (Goverment of La Paz)
La Paz, Baja California Sur, planted over 300 trees in January as part of the Urban Lungs reforestation program, according to head of the General Directorate of Municipal Public Services Aurora Hernández Espinoza.
Trees were planted in the municipal eco-park, a public park in the Flores Magón neighborhood and various other locations around the city and towns in the municipality. Authorities also applied 200 kilograms of mulch to improve soil conservation.
La Paz’s municipal eco-park was one of the recipients of the plantings. (Ecoparque Municipal de la Juventud)
As part of the program, the city’s Public Services’ general director, Daniel Cabral Ramírez, said that the municipal plant nursery in the Eco Park is also receiving 25,000 plants donated by the Proforestal organization. Local authorities plan to distribute these plants across various strategic locations in the city to continue with reforestation efforts.
The Urban Lungs program is a municipal strategy that promotes sustainable practices to enhance the quality of life in La Paz, a city that has one of the worst air quality conditions in Mexico. In some areas, its air quality levels have registered as worse than in notoriously polluted Mexico City.
Pollution in the coastal city is mainly caused by the Punta Prieta thermoelectric plant — which uses fuel oil and emits sulfur dioxide, according to the Mexican NGO Metiches por Naturaleza. The other major source of pollution is auto emissions.
Jaqueline Valenzuela, operational director of the Center for Renewable Energy and Environmental Quality (CERCA), has supported Metiches por Naturaleza’s claim.
“One of the sources of polluting emissions are the power plants of the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) as well as the cars scattered throughout the city,” Valenzuela said.
The Urban Lungs program seeks to fight these conditions and restore environmental balance in La Paz. Through reforestation and the generation of sustainable public green areas, it seeks to strengthen local communities and restore environmental balance in the city.
For its efforts, the Urban Lungs program has earned La Paz the United Nation’s designation as a “Tree City.”
I call the Temperate Forest home, living in a mile-high oak and pine forest just outside Guadalajara. This puts me in the cool, green expanse of the Temperate Forest ecosystem, while the many expatriates around Lake Chapala reside in the Arid and Semi-arid Scrubland ecosystem, with its starkly different flora, fauna, and climate. Northeast of Guadalajara, communities thrive in the expansive Grasslands, while along the Pacific Coast, you’ll find two more distinct ecosystems: the lush, vibrant Tropical regions.
Guadalajara is not only a jewel, it’s an ideal base for anyone who wants to make the most of Western Mexico. (Sergio Rodríguez/Unsplash)
This proximity means that residents of Guadalajara can easily access any of these diverse environments with just a few hours’ drive. For those considering a move to Western Mexico, this region offers a chance to pick your ideal climate and settle right into it.
Exploring the temperate forest zone
Let’s focus on the Temperate Forest zone, stretching from northern Jalisco to Michoacán, skirting the Lake Chapala area. At altitudes ranging from 2,000 to 3,400 meters (6,500-11,000 feet), this area boasts cool nights and sunny days year-round, with no need for air conditioning.
Looking out my window, I see towering pines and oaks. Squirrels with big, expressive eyes leap through the branches, and my frequent visitor, Pavarotti — the blue mockingbird — entertains me with a repertoire of sounds, from a cat’s meow to a car alarm. Meanwhile, the melodious clarín (brown-backed solitaire) fills the air with flute-like music, while the red-headed acorn woodpecker noisily announces its peanut discovery with a shout of “Pirata! Pirata!”
Stepping outside, I’m greeted by a carpet of pine needles underfoot and fresh, cool air. Even in mid-August, I find myself in a sweater, relishing the crisp mountain climate. As the rest of the world swelters, I take a deep breath and exclaim, “Ahhhh, ¡Viva el Bosque Templado! Long live the Temperate Forest!”
Wildlife and Local Flavor
(John Pint)
The Temperate Forest is home to white-tailed deer, ringtails, peccaries, and even the occasional puma. In my backyard, I often spot tlacuaches (possums), while my front yard was once a nightly dining spot for three gray foxes who enjoyed gooey, overripe mangoes. Living here is quiet, beautiful and endlessly rewarding — though city dwellers might disagree.
Discovering Rancho Ecoturistico Agua Dulce
Cloud forests and rolling green hills. (John Pint)
For those interested in experiencing the Temperate Forest firsthand, a visit to Rancho Ecoturistico Agua Dulce in Jalisco’s Bosque la Primavera is a must. This recreational area offers a rich pine and oak forest with a variety of flora and fauna. The sweet water of the river born within the campsite is refreshing and perfect for children to play in. A tall watchtower provides panoramic views of the surrounding forest, while a hike through the woods reveals fascinating goblin-shaped rocks formed by ancient volcanic activity.
Charming Towns and Majestic Volcanoes
The charming Pueblo Mágico of San Sebastian del Oeste. (México Desconocido)
Within this ecosystem, you’ll find several Pueblos Mágicos like Mazamitla, Tapalpa, and San Sebastian del Oeste — each offering a magical charm. The region is also home to impressive volcanoes, including Tequila Volcano, Ceboruco Volcano, and El Nevado de Colima, Jalisco’s highest peak at 4,237 meters (13,900 feet).
The archeological site of Guachimontones, Jalisco, promises history, mystery and nature for anyone that visits. (Shutterstock)
Almost as popular as a tequila tour is a visit to the Guachimontones. This is a local name for the circular pyramids built all over West Mexico 2,000 years ago. Not just mounds, these are touted as the world’s only monuments in the form of concentric circles based on mathematical formulas. “Birdmen” probably flew from ropes tied to poles atop the pyramids while crowds danced around them, arm in arm.
Hunting for Haciendas
Most of West Mexico’s Temperate Forest area was agriculturally productive in colonial times. This means that if you wander into the tiniest pueblito, you will almost always find the remains of a hacienda. Sometimes it may have been transformed into a cultural center, sometimes restored to its former glory. The “Hacienda Hunters” of Ajijic have been visiting these fascinating old buildings for years and still have not run out of new ones to explore.
Communities Near Guadalajara
The streets of Pinar de la Venta, with Tequila Volcano on the horizon. (John Pint)
If the Temperate Forest sounds like your ideal environment, consider exploring communities near Guadalajara such as Ciudad Bugambilias, Rancho Contento, or Pinar de la Venta. A working knowledge of Spanish will enrich your experience as you dive into the vibrant culture and natural beauty of the Magic Circle around Guadalajara.
John Pint has lived near Guadalajara, Jalisco, for more than 30 years and is the author of A Guide to West Mexico’s Guachimontones and Surrounding Area and co-author of Outdoors in Western Mexico. More of his writing can be found on his website.
Despite new tariffs, Mexico's trade surplus with the U.S. increased between April 2024 and April 2025. (Shutterstock)
When evaluating international trade volumes and understanding the complexity of the production network, it becomes evident that further integration and increasing intraregional trade[1] are crucial to ensuring global competitiveness and increased capacity to address geopolitical challenges.
The United States and its USMCA partners’ total trade of goods and services exceeds $1.8 trillion, with a growth of over 50% between 2021 and 2023 (USTR, 2024). Today, the region goes beyond simple trade transactions to a co-production system. This results in a shared value model, contrasting with trade relationships involving economies like China or Vietnam, where integration is lower.
(Pedro Casas Alatriste & Arturo Martínez)
The most updated data set by the OECD (2023) presents information up to 2020. While many things have changed recently, this data allows us to analyze long-time trade relationships and trends. The first table shows the share of foreign and domestic value added[2] in U.S. gross exports, expressed as a percentage of total exports.
Higher domestic value added simply means that there is a process of production and value generation in the U.S. over imports from a particular country. Canada and Mexico contribute an additional 2.6% and 2.8% of domestic value added to U.S. exports, respectively, while economies such as China (1.8%) and Vietnam (0.4%) show notably lower percentages.
This reinforces the notion that Mexico and Canada not only export finished goods but also serve as key players in the U.S. production chains, providing essential inputs that go over a robust value-add process in the U.S. to be later exported to other markets, yielding higher returns to the United States.
(Pedro Casas Alatriste & Arturo Martínez)
On the flip side, the second table shows the share of U.S. value added in exports from various countries and the level of domestic value-added built over products imported from the U.S. The result is crystal clear: The trade relationship between the U.S., Mexico and Canada is not limited to the exchange of finished goods but operates under a shared manufacturing model in which inputs cross borders multiple times before becoming final products — a defining characteristic of the USMCA.
Mexico and Canada’s exports have 11.3% and 12.7% of value-added originated in the U.S., respectively. In comparison, other countries such as China (2.7%) have a much smaller contribution. Additionally, when measuring each country’s domestic value added to U.S. imports, Canada added 4.5% and Mexico 3.1%, while Germany (0.5%), China (0.8%), and Vietnam (0.4%), show substantially lower levels.
Mexico has built, over time, a productive integration with strategic industries such as automotive, electronics and manufacturing, which rely on a steady flow of intermediate goods. In contrast, countries like China and Vietnam have a more independent trade structure that is less tied to U.S. production, suggesting that their trade relationships rely more on finished goods than shared production processes. This should be fundamental when drafting future trade policy and its direct implications for the U.S. productive system. Not every trade relationship is the same.
(Pedro Casas Alatriste & Arturo Martínez)
It is possible to evaluate the U.S. opportunity cost of its trade relations based on their exports and trade balances. In 2023, the U.S. recorded trade deficits with Canada and Mexico of -$64,262.70 million and -$152,473.5 million, respectively. However, when analyzing these deficits in relation to U.S. exports to these countries, they represent -17.10% for Canada and -50.80% for Mexico.
In contrast, trade with countries like China (-206.40%), Ireland (-526.10%) and Vietnam (-966.90%) shows disproportionate deficits compared to the U.S. exports sent to them. These figures highlight a heavy reliance on imports, creating a structural challenge for the US economy.
We’ve discussed the relevance of strong interconnectedness through multi-exchanges amongst our economies. SMEs are key players in producing intermediate goods and specialized products that enhance the competitiveness of shared value chains in North America. Also, it is essential to consider the following: “Across OECD countries, SMEs represent around 99% of all firms, are a main source of employment and generate 50% to 60% of value added on average. Moreover, SMEs are vital for nurturing local communities and driving economies’ and societies’ major transitions” (OECD, 2024).
Unlike large corporations that dominate total export volume, SMEs make up 97% of all U.S. exporters and are critical players in supply chains. Many of these businesses thrive within the USMCA framework, where Mexico and Canada have become their top export destinations (ITA, 2022).
(ITA US Exporter Database)
In 2022, more than 90,000 U.S. SMEs exported $83 billion to Canada, while nearly 50,000 SMEs sent $110 billion to Mexico. These figures represent significant growth compared to previous years, reflecting the strong demand for U.S. products in both markets and the importance of regional productive integration while closing the argument that the “backbone” of the U.S. productive system is cemented on its regional integration (USTR, 2024).
While protectionist policies may yield immediate benefits for specific sectors, maintaining an open and fair trade and collaboration with its regional allies is key to long-term success. Co-production within North America is key to stable economic growth and rebuilding the U.S. industrial base. To thrive in a golden age, we must remain united as a block.
Pedro Casas Alatriste is currently the Executive Vice President and CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce of Mexico (AmCham). Previously, he served as the Director of Research and Public Policy at the US-Mexico Foundation in Washington, D.C., where he promoted issues such as Ally-Shoring, immigration in Mexico, integration of the binational workforce and regional competitiveness, among others. Before this role, he was the Coordinator of International Affairs at the Business Coordinating Council (CCE).
Arturo Martínez is the Technical Secretary of the Economics Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce of Mexico (AmCham).
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Mexico News Daily, its owner or its employees.
[1] International trade is increasingly concentrated around three major regions: Europe, East Asia, and North America. Together, they account for 85% of global trade. Yet, Europe and East Asia are much more regionally integrated when it comes to trade, than is North America. For example, 70% of European exports stay within Europe, and over 50% of East Asian exports remain within the region. North America, by contrast, only retains just over 30% of its exports within the region (The World Bank Global Indicators, 2023). This is largely due to our heavy reliance on East Asian imports, particularly from China.
[2] Value added reflects the value generated by producing goods and services, and is measured as the value of output minus the value of intermediate consumption. Value added also represents the income available for the contributions of labour and capital to the production process (OECD, 2024).
All the tradition of the Midwest with all the zest of Mexico. (Canva)
The first recorded recipe for meatloaf appears in “Apicius,” a Roman cookbook dating back to the 4th or 5th century A.D. The Romans, ever the innovators in weird food and conquest, mixed minced meat with bread, wine-soaked grains and seasonings, then shaped it into a loaf-like dish. It wasn’t quite the knees-deep-in-ketchup classic of today, but it was the foundation.
Fast forward to medieval Europe, where meatloaf-like dishes became a way to stretch precious meat supplies. In the 19th century, German and Scandinavian immigrants brought their own versions to the United States, adding spices and binding ingredients like eggs. By the Great Depression, meatloaf became a staple of survival, bulked up with breadcrumbs, potatoes or whatever was on hand.
Trade potato and grains for salsa, chili and a dash of Mexican pizzaz. (Deposit Photos)
What’s next in the world of meatloaf? You guessed it: the Mexican version. We’re talking jalapeños, crushed tortilla chips and hot sauce, topped with a nice salsa glaze that should be equally sweet and spicy.
The beauty of Mexican meatloaf is that it respects the past while boldly ignoring its limitations. It understands the essence of meatloaf but refuses to settle for blandness. It demands color, spice and joy. It takes the classic American dish and reminds it to dance.
And honestly, isn’t that how food should evolve? The best recipes are like stories — tweaked, adapted, passed down with new flavors and new memories. It’s for the people who want their comfort food to have a little edge, a little kick, a little bit of that “whoa, I didn’t see that coming.”
So here’s to the unknown Roman genius who first decided to mash meat and bread together, and here’s to the spirit of reinvention. You lived through another day, you made something delicious out of whatever you had and now it’s got jalapeños in it. That, my friend, is progress.
The United States wouldn’t be the United States without meatloaf, but seeing as we’re in Mexico, why don’t we make some adaptations? (Beef – It’s What’s For Dinner)
Mexican meatloaf
Ingredients
For the meatloaf
2 lbs ground beef (or a mix of beef and chorizo)
1 cup crushed tortilla chips
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 jalapeño, finely diced ( remove seeds for less heat)
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
2 tbsp hot sauce
½ tsp oregano
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
1 cup shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese
1 egg
½ cup milk or heavy cream
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
For the salsa glaze
½ cup salsa (red or green, your choice)
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp honey or brown sugar
1 tsp lime juice
Instructions
Set your oven to 375 F (190 C). Grease a loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef (and chorizo, if using) with crushed tortilla chips, onion, garlic, jalapeño, spices, cilantro and shredded cheese.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce, then mix it into the meat mixture until well combined.
Transfer the mixture into the prepared loaf pan, shaping it into a firm loaf.
In a small bowl, mix salsa, tomato paste, honey and lime juice. Spread half of this mixture over the meatloaf.
Place in the oven and bake for 45 minutes. After 30 minutes, brush the remaining glaze over the top and continue baking.
Let the meatloaf rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. Serve with rice, tortillas or a fresh avocado salad.
Stephen Randall has lived in Mexico since 2018 by way of Kentucky, and before that, Germany. He’s an enthusiastic amateur chef who takes inspiration from many different cuisines, with favorites including Mexican and Mediterranean.
President Sheinbaum is sending 10,000 of Mexico's National Guard troops to patrol the Mexico-U.S. border as part of an agreement to delay U.S. tariffs on Mexico. (Galo Cañas Rodríguez/Cuartoscuro)
On Monday, President Claudia Sheinbaum committed to sending 10,000 National Guard (GN) troops to Mexico’s northern border as part of an agreement she reached with United States President Donald Trump that resulted in a one-month “pause” on the 25% tariff the U.S. government planned to impose on Mexican exports starting Tuesday.
At her morning press conference on Tuesday, Sheinbaum said that the deployment of the troops has begun.
President Claudia Sheinbaum showed parts of a presentation she said she shared with Donald Trump to convince him to delay tariffs. One of the conditions of that delay is that Mexico send 10,000 troops to patrol the Mexico-U.S. border. She is sending National Guardsmen. (Gustavo Alberto/Cuartoscuro)
She also spoke about a U.S. “spy plane” that flew in the vicinity of the Baja California Peninsula on Monday, and Ecuador’s decision to slap tariffs on Mexican exports.
Deployment of GN troops to northern border ‘doesn’t leave the rest of the country without security’
Sheinbaum told reporters that additional GN troops had started moving to the northern border region in keeping with her commitment to Trump.
She said that National Guard personnel deployed to parts of the country without major security problems, such as Campeche, were being sent to the border.
“Others who were in the southern part of the [northern] border states are going to the northern border,” she added.
Sheinbaum asserted that the deployment of additional troops to the northern border “doesn’t leave the rest of the country without security” because the GN has 120,000 members in total.
The stretch of border highway between Reynosa and Nuevo Laredo known as La Ribereña. For more than a decade, it’s been plagued with kidnappings, smuggling and hijackings by organized crime groups. Guardsmen will now be patrolling there.
“We’re not leaving the states of the republic exposed, far from it,” she said.
“… [It’s just] a reorientation of forces,” Sheinabum said.
She said that the deployment of additional troops to the northern border will not just help the United States, but Mexico as well.
“The forces going there don’t just have the objective of patrolling customs so that fentanyl doesn’t get through, but will also help us strengthen security on the Ribereña highway, for example,” Sheinbaum said, referring to a highway in northern Tamaulipas.
“[The deployment of troops] helps us as well, it helps to avoid fentanyl trafficking in the agreement we achieved with the United States, but it also helps security on the border,” Sheinbaum said.
“… It’s an agreement that is also beneficial for Mexico,” she said.
US spy plane flight near Mexico ‘not something strange’
The Defense Ministry reported on Monday that its Mazatlán Area Control Center had informed the National Center for the Surveillance and Protection of Airspace that it detected on Monday afternoon “a flight 83 km to the southwest of Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, outside Mexican airspace over international waters.”
Mexican media reported that the aircraft was a United States Air Force “spy plane.”
A las 13:41 horas, el Centro de Control de Área Mazatlán informó al Centro Nacional de Vigilancia y Protección del Espacio Aéreo (CENAVI) que detectó un vuelo a 83 km al suroeste de Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, fuera del espacio aéreo mexicano sobre aguas internacionales.
The Defense Ministry’s post on Twitter reporting the U.S. “spy” plane.
El Universal newspaper said that the “highly specialized reconnaissance airplane has the capability to collect, analyze, and geolocate electromagnetic signals, in addition to providing critical intelligence for target selection and threat prevention.”
Sheinbaum stressed that the plane had not entered Mexican airspace, flying only in “international airspace.”
“It’s not something strange that there is a plane that flies in international airspace,” she said.
Asked whether the flight was related in any way to the agreement she reached with Trump on Monday, Sheinbaum was unequivocal.
“No, no, no. Nothing to do with it,” she said.
‘Shrimp from Sinaloa are more delicious than those from Ecuador’
Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa, left, with Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in March 2024. (Govt. of Ecuador)
Sheinbaum shrugged off the new duties, saying that she believed that shipments to Ecuador accounted for just 0.4% of Mexico’s total exports.
“Just with that, I’ll respond,” she said before emphasizing her belief that Mexico has little need to trade with Ecuador.
“Shrimp from Sinaloa are more delicious than those from Ecuador, it’s the truth,” Sheinbaum said.
“People from Baja California Sur are going to get annoyed,” she added.
The Mexican government broke diplomatic relationships with Ecuador in April 2024 after Ecuadorian police broke into the Mexican Embassy in Quito and arrested former Ecuadorian vice president Jorge Glas Espinel on corruption charges. Glas — who had been promised asylum in Mexico — had been holed up in the Mexican Embassy for four months at the time of his arrest.
The green heart of San Miguel de Allende offers a cherished breath of fresh air and serenity. Even though the walking paths, fountains and gardens of Parque Benito Juárez are always impeccable, a visitor can easily sense they have stood the test of time. This beloved park is a serene retreat where visitors can unwind on its inviting benches, wander along its pathways, or play in its basketball courts and playgrounds.
One of Parque Juárez’s most striking features is its French flair, typical of the Porfiriato era. This influence can be seen in the wide promenades and ornate fountains that were hallmarks of 19th-century landscaping with decorative wrought iron benches, sculpted hedges and elegant bridges. This design choice reflects the ambitions of the 40-year rule of Porfirio Díaz, which sought to modernize Mexico, including by emulating European aesthetics. To better understand this San Miguel icon, let’s take a look at the history of Parque Juárez, from its origins as a vibrant collection of orchards to its transformation into a beloved public park.
El Chorro, where it all began
(Sandra Gancz Kahan)
Adjacent to the park lies an area known as El Chorro. This historic spot is tied to one of San Miguel’s foundational legends: guided by thirsty dogs, the Franciscan friar Juan de San Miguel is said to have discovered a natural spring here in the early colonial period. This discovery led to the creation of the town of San Miguel el Grande in 1542, named after the friar. Located on the important Camino Real, the town became a key stop along the silver route connecting to Zacatecas.
The De la Canal family, famously wealthy in 18th-century San Miguel de Allende, left their mark on the city through majestic landmarks still standing today. Among their many contributions was the construction of public amenities at El Chorro, including a chapel, restrooms and washbasins known as Los Lavaderos. By harnessing the natural spring, they provided essential services to improve the community’s daily life.
A visionary mayor transforms the city
(Sandra Gancz Kahan)
In 1895, San Miguel mayor Dr. Ignacio Hernández Macías began purchasing orchards with the vision of creating a public recreational space that would also enhance the town’s air quality. This initiative involved careful planning to transform vegetable gardens, once sustained by the springs of El Chorro, into a beautifully landscaped park.
In 1904, the park was officially inaugurated and named in honor of Joaquín Obregón González, Governor of Guanajuato. The park’s design featured trees at the entrances, sculpted hedges and lawns. Decorative walls and columns surrounded the area, while ornately crafted bridges crossed the water stream. A vibrant field of sunflowers encircled an impressive central fountain, which was complemented by two large cisterns installed to ensure a steady water supply in case the natural spring ran dry. In 1917, the park was renamed to honor former President Benito Juárez, a pivotal figure in Mexico’s history.
New features
(Sandra Gancz Kahan)
In 2015, the environmental organization Audubon de México created a pollinator garden within Parque Juárez, transforming a small area into a lush habitat for birds, bees and butterflies. This garden serves not only as a haven for the unsung heroes of the natural world but also as an educational space for visitors. Filled with plants that attract these essential creatures, the pollinator garden demonstrates the types of plants that can be incorporated into homes and schools. The initiative highlights the importance of preserving biodiversity and provides a tranquil spot within the park for nature lovers to appreciate the delicate balance of ecosystems.
Since the 1960s, Parque Juárez has evolved to meet the needs of its community. Jungle gyms were built to provide children playgrounds. While many of the smaller fountains have been preserved, the central fountain was removed to make space for an open-air theater, which was later replaced by basketball courts. The springs of El Chorro eventually dried up, leaving the park’s stream active only during rainstorms. The park’s transformation reflects a balance between honoring its history and adapting to modern needs.
A place for everyone
(Sandra Gancz Kahan)
After marveling at the stunning Parroquia in San Miguel’s main square, a leisurely walk down Calle Aldama is the perfect way to get to Parque Juárez. Known as one of the most beautiful streets in the world, Aldama is a favorite backdrop for selfies and professional photo shoots that capture its stunning charm. At the end of Aldama, you’ll find yourself at the main entrance of Parque Juárez.
Once you arrive, the park envelops you in its own ecosystem, away from the city bustle. The weather feels different here, cooler and more humid among the lush plants and towering trees. The chirping birds perched in the canopy create a soothing symphony.
Parque Benito Juárez may not look the same as it did 100 years ago, but its spirit remains intact. Dr. Hernández Macías’s vision of a place where nature and recreation intertwine continues to thrive. Today, it is a central piece of San Miguel de Allende’s calm community pace. The park invites you to experience the charm and heritage of this enchanting town. As San Miguel continues to grow, the park stands as a reminder of the city’s commitment to preserving its natural and cultural treasures, blending past and present in a welcoming space.
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]
