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US updates Mexico travel advisories to include risk of ‘terrorism’

By
MND Staff
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Tourists walk around the Chichén Itzá pyramids in Yucatán Mexico
Yucatán, home to tourism destinations like Chichén Itzá, is one of two states with a "Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions" advisory, indicating relative safety. (Gabriela Pérez Montiel/Cuartoscuro)

The U.S. Department of State updated its travel advisory for Mexico this week, warning for the first time ever of the risk of terrorism south of the border.

The travel alert for Mexico as a whole was maintained at “Level 2 – Exercise increased caution,” but terrorism was added as a risk factor in the country, apparently because six Mexican cartels are now classified as foreign terrorist organizations by the United States government.

A US travel advisory readers "Level 2 - Exercise increased caution in Mexico due to terrorism, kidnapping and crime"
The U.S. this week update its travel advisories to warn Mexican travelers of a risk of terrorism. (US State Dept)

In its advisory summary, the State Department says that “many violent crimes take place in Mexico,” including “homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery.”

“There is a risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Mexico,” adds the summary of the advisory, which was updated on Tuesday.

The advisory says that “the U.S. government has limited ability to help in many parts of Mexico” and “U.S. government employees are not allowed to travel to certain high-risk areas.”

“Due to security risks, U.S. citizens should follow the same restrictions as U.S. government employees while traveling,” the State Department says. 

The State Department warns of the risk of “terrorism” in 30 of Mexico’s 32 federal entities.

The only exceptions are Yucatán and Campeche.

Six of Mexico’s states are classified as “Level 4 – Do Not Travel” in the State Department advisory, while eight states are classified as “Level 3 – Reconsider Travel.”

The 6 ‘Do Not Travel’ states 

Colima, Guerrero, Michoacán, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas are all classified as “Level 4 – Do Not Travel” states.

Colima had the highest per-capita homicide rate in Mexico in 2024, and the other five states are also known for cartel activity and violence.

The State Department warns of the risk of terrorism and crime in all six states. It warns of the added risk of kidnapping in Colima, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas.

A map of Mexico with Colima, Guerrero, Michoacán, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas shaded in red to indicate travel risk
The U.S. discourages travel to Colima, Guerrero, Michoacán, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas, which all have Level 4 travel advisories. (US State Dept)

In its advisories for all six states, the State Department says: “There is a risk of violence in the state from terrorist groups, cartels, gangs and criminal organizations.”

It says that U.S. government employees “may travel” to some areas of the six aforesaid states. They include:

  • Central tourist and port areas of Manzanillo, Colima.
  • Morelia, Michoacán, and Lázaro Cárdenas, Michoacán. Travel to the latter city is permitted only by air.
  • Mazatlán, Sinaloa, “by air or sea only.”
  • Los Mochis, Sinaloa, and Topolobampo, Sinaloa, “by air or sea only.”
  • Certain areas of Matamoros, Tamaulipas.
  • Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, but only by “U.S. government employees who have approved official travel.”
  • Nuevo Progreso, Tamaulipas, “within a limited radius” of the international bridge in the border town.
  • Zacatecas city, “by air only.”

The U.S. advisory also includes detailed information on which highways U.S. government employees are permitted to use in the six “Level 4” states.

The 8 ‘Reconsider Travel’ states 

Baja California, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Morelos and Sonora are all classified as “Level 3 – Reconsider Travel” states.

The state of Guanajuato has reported the most total homicides in Mexico in recent years. Guanajuato, Chihuahua and Baja California are all currently among the five most violent states in terms of total homicides.

The State Department warns of the risk of terrorism and crime in all eight “Level 3” states. It warns of the additional risk of kidnapping in Baja California, Chihuahua, Jalisco, Morelos and Sonora.

The Guadalajara cathedral
Baja California, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Morelos and Sonora have Level 3 travel advisories. Pictured: Downtown Guadalajara, Jalisco. (Sergio Rodríguez/Unsplash)

As is the case with the “Level 4” states, the State Department warns that “there is a risk of violence … from terrorist groups, cartels, gangs and criminal organizations” in the “Level 3” states.

U.S. government employees are permitted to travel to many cities in the “Level 3” states including Tijuana, Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico issued a security alert over reports of dating apps being utilized to kidnap U.S. citizens near Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco.

The 16 ‘Exercise Increased Caution’ states

Exactly half of Mexico’s 32 federal entities are classified as “Level 2 – Exercise Increased Caution” states.

They are Aguascalientes, Baja California Sur, Durango, Hidalgo, Mexico City, México state, Nayarit, Nuevo León, Oaxaca, Puebla, Querétaro, Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosí, Tabasco, Tlaxcala and Veracruz.

The State Department warns of the risk of terrorism and crime in all 16 states. It warns of the additional risk of kidnapping in México state, Puebla and San Luis Potosí.

A federal divided highway in Mexico with one lane in each direction. Cars are traveling in both directions near a highway signs for Cuautla and Cuernavaca and an exit sign for Izucar de Matamoros and Atlixco.
Large swaths of central Mexico including Puebla, México state and Hidalgo currently have Level 2 warnings. (Margarito Pérez Retana/Cuartoscuro)

It states “there is a risk of violence … from terrorist groups, cartels, gangs and criminal organizations” in the 16 “Level 2” states.

Campeche and Yucatán

Campeche and Yucatán are Mexico’s only “Level 1 – Exercise Normal Precautions” states.

Although the State Department doesn’t explicitly warn of the risk of “terrorism” in the two states, it does say “there is a risk of violence … from terrorist groups, cartels, gangs and criminal organizations” in both Campeche and Yucatán.

Sheinbaum responds to US terrorism warning for Mexico 

At her morning press conference on Wednesday, President Claudia Sheinbaum said that the reason for the United States’ terrorism warning for Mexico is that the U.S. government designated (six) Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.

“Now they use this word [terrorists] because they designated the cartels as such,” she said, referring to designations that occurred in February.

“But look, the main tourism destination for estadounidenses [U.S. Americans] is Mexico. Close to a million estadounidenses live here [in Mexico] because they like living here better, because they decided to live here,” Sheinbaum said.

Despite the terrorism warnings, “people continue coming to Mexico,” President Sheinbaum said. (Presidencia)

Asked whether the U.S. government was wrong to warn of the risk of “terrorism” in Mexico, the president responded:

“What I’m saying is that people continue coming to Mexico.”

Sheinbaum also highlighted that homicide numbers have decreased in the 10 months since she took office.

Foreign tourists, including visitors from the United States, have become victims of crime, including homicide, in Mexico. However, the vast majority of foreign tourists are not affected by serious crime while visiting the country.

Over 7 million people flew to Mexico from the United States in the first half of 2025, while almost 1.7 million visitors arrived from Canada.

The bigger picture 

The United States’ warning of the risk of terrorism in Mexico comes as the Trump administration continues to pressure Mexico to do more to combat drug cartels.

In March, President Donald Trump imposed so-called “fentanyl tariffs” on imports from Mexico that are not covered by the USMCA. The 25% duties remain in effect today.

It was revealed last week that Trump had signed a directive to the Pentagon to begin using military force against certain Latin American drug cartels that the U.S. government has designated as foreign terrorist organizations.

‘There won’t be an invasion’: Sheinbaum de-escalates after Trump orders US military to target cartels

On the first day of his second term, the U.S. president responded “could happen” when asked whether he would consider “ordering U.S. special forces into Mexico” to “take out” cartels.

Mexican authorities have arrested thousands of criminal group members and seized large quantities of narcotics since the current government took office last October.

Sheinbaum has repeatedly said that Mexico is willing to cooperate and collaborate with the United States on security issues, but will never accept subordination or any violation of its sovereignty. She said on Monday that Mexico “would never allow the United States Army or any other institution of the United States to set foot on Mexican territory.”

A day later, Mexican and United States authorities announced that 26 organized crime figures had been sent to the U.S., marking the second large transfer of Mexican prisoners to the U.S. this year.

Mexico News Daily 

Mexico’s half-year trade deficit with China hits a record US $57 billion

By
MND Staff
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Casa china store
Chinese imports are big business in Mexico but as the trade deficit grows, the federal government is increasingly considering and sometimes implementing tariffs. (Eduardo Esparza)

Mexico’s trade deficit with China set a new mark in the first half of the year as imports exceeded US $62.1 billion and exports fell short of US $4.6 billion, according to Banxico, Mexico’s central bank.

The result: a US $57.5 billion trade deficit, a new record for the first six months of a year,  according to the national statistics agency, INEGI.

insde Chinese store in Mexico
At the consumer level, China’s market power has been increasingly noticed — and often resented — in Mexico. (@opinionLSR/on X)

Data compiled by Banxico show Mexican imports of Chinese goods climbing by 2.3% during the period from January to June. Meanwhile, exports fell 4.5% year-to-year, maintaining a tendency that saw Mexican exports to the Asian giant fall for a second consecutive year in 2024.

The imbalance in trade continues a decades-long trend dating back to China’s accession to the World Trade Organization in 2001. 

Bilateral trade volume multiplied more than 20 times from 2000 through 2023, surpassing US $110 billion in 2023. But the asymmetry is astonishing. Last year, Mexico’s trade deficit with China reached nearly US $120 billion.

Over the past decade, the trade gap between the two countries has doubled, according to the Fundación Andrés Bello, a think tank focusing on Chinese-Latin American relations. In the first six months of 2015, Mexico’s trade deficit with China sat at just US $32.8 billion.

Analysts cited by the Fundación Andrés Bello warn that Mexico’s over-reliance on its second-largest trading partner may pose structural challenges for domestic industries. 

Since much of what Mexico imports from China are intermediate goods that Mexican companies use to produce finished goods for  export, the over-reliance has the effect of limiting Mexico’s technological development and reinforcing a pattern of assembly rather than innovation.

In response, Mexico’s government has expressed its commitment to strengthening export capacity and implementing import substitution strategies. At the same time, the U.S. government’s effort to decouple trade with China is forcing Mexico to reconsider its own relationship with China.

Mexico begins to take action

This month, the Mexican government began responding to the trade gap.

On Monday, Mexico implemented a 25% tariff on footwear imports from China, and upon announcing the duties, Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard said “enough is enough.”

“Those who want to import footwear (from Asia) will have to pay tariffs, so as to reduce the existing disadvantages for the domestic shoe industry,” he said.

Leather shoes on sale in Mexico with prices
Mexican shoemakers are the latest beneficiaries of tariffs on China, after a 25% import duty was announced Monday. (Crisanta Espinosa Aguilar/Cuartoscuro)

Essentially, Mexico has removed Chinese footwear from the tax-free Maquiladora Manufacturing and Export Services Industry Program (IMMEX), a government initiative allowing companies to temporarily import goods for use in manufacturing, processing or repair of goods intended for export, while deferring or exempting import duties and taxes. 

The president of the National Footwear Industry Chamber, Juan Carlos Cashat, applauded the decision. “We celebrate a long-awaited achievement: the exclusion of finished footwear from the IMMEX Program,” he said.

Cashat said that imports under the scheme being replaced had increased from 3.79 million pairs in 2022 to more than 40 million in 2024, adding that lax oversight allowed a significant amount of the footwear to be diverted into the domestic market.

On Tuesday, the Confederation of Industrial Chambers (Concamin) called on Ebrard to similarly protect the furniture sector from the “invasion” of Chinese products.

Concamin president Alejandro Malagón suggested a 30% tariff to curb the influx of Chinese furniture, urging Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus to join in the fight against the “unfair competition.” Lemus has complied, but emphasized that the proposed tariff would apply only to finished products and not to the inputs used by the sector.

With reports from El Economista, Mexico Business News and Prodensa

US drone that flew over cartel stronghold came at Mexico’s request, security minister says

By
MND Staff
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A MQ-9B SkyGuardian drone
U.S. Customs and Border Patrol operated the drone, a MQ-9B SkyGuardian designed for surveillance and reconnaissance. (X)

A United States government drone departed Texas on Wednesday and flew south to airspace over a part of México state that is a stronghold of La Nueva Familia Michoacana, a criminal group that the U.S. designated as a foreign terrorist organization earlier this year.

Security Minister Omar García Harfuch told a press conference on Wednesday that the drone flight was requested by the Mexican government.

“It’s not a military plane, it’s not a military drone. They are drones or unmanned aircrafts, to be precise. They fly at the specific request of an institution of the Mexican government,” he said.

“They fly specifically in support and collaboration for investigations that we have in our country,” García Harfuch said.

He said that the unmanned aircraft — an MQ-9B SkyGuardian made by General Atomics and reportedly owned by the U.S. Air Force — had flown over the municipality of Tejupilco and other parts of México state.

“But it’s at the request of our country,” García Harfuch stressed.

The flight, operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), came less than a week after it was revealed that United States President Donald Trump had signed a directive to the Pentagon to begin using military force against certain Latin American drug cartels that the U.S. government has designated as foreign terrorist organizations.

Earlier this year, the United States Central Intelligence Agency flew drones over Mexico to spy on drug cartels and hunt for fentanyl labs, according to U.S. media reports.

President Claudia Sheinbaum said that her government had requested the flights in order to obtain information to be able to respond to prevailing “security conditions.”

“There is nothing illegal [taking place]. What there is, is collaboration and cooperation that has been going on for many years; it’s not something new,” Sheinbaum said in February.

She made similar remarks on Thursday morning, and told reporters that the CBP drone flight on Wednesday was “for a special investigation” into organized crime.

The latest drone flight 

According to data from flight tracking website FlightRadar24, the CBP drone — which was unarmed — departed San Angelo, Texas, early Wednesday and flew south to airspace over México state.

In addition to Tejupilco, the unmanned aircraft also flew over the municipality of Valle Bravo, a popular tourist destination about 140 kilometers southwest of Mexico City.

It circled over southwestern México state for a period of approximately two hours before leaving the area. This region of México state borders Michoacán and Guerrero, states that are known for organized crime activity and drug trafficking.

A flight map of a US drone flight over southwestern México state, a known cartel stronghold
The uncrewed flight left Texas early Wednesday and flew to southwestern México state, circling the area for roughly two hours before disappearing from public view. (Flightradar24)

 

The defense news website The War Zone reported that “sometime after flying over this area, about six hours into the flight, the MQ-9 disappeared off online tracking software.”

The Milenio newspaper reported that the area of México state over which the drone flew is of “strategic interest” due to its proximity to “routes toward Michoacán and Guerrero.”

La Nueva Familia Michoacana is the dominant crime group in the area, leading many media outlets to conclude that the CBP drone was seeking to collect information and intelligence about that organization.

The War Zone said that “CBP drone operators are fully aware that they can be tracked online with ease when broadcasting with their transponders.”

“The area they circled over may have been part of an active collection area or it may not have been, with the aircraft moving to more sensitive locales after it stopped transmitting,” the news site said.

What is the MQ-9B SkyGuardian capable of? 

According to General Atomics, the MQ-9B SkyGuardian is “the next generation of remotely piloted aircraft systems, delivering persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance around the globe.”

The aircraft “can deliver real-time situational awareness anywhere in the world — day or night,” says General Atomics.

It is “outfitted with the revolutionary Lynx Multi-mode Radar, an advanced electro-optical/infrared sensor,” according to the San Diego-based company.

The SkyGuardian “is designed to fly over the horizon via satellite for up to 40+ hours in all types of weather and safely integrate into civil airspace,” General Atomics says.

La Nueva Familia Michoacana

Led by the brothers Johnny Hurtado Olascoaga and José Alfredo Hurtado Olascoaga, La Nueva Familia Michoacana (LNFM) operates in various states including México state, Guerrero and Michoacán. It engages in a range of illicit activities including drug trafficking and extortion.

In late 2022, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced that its Office of Foreign Assets Control had designated LNFM and the Hurtado brothers in accordance with a 2021 executive order — “Imposing Sanctions on Foreign Persons Involved in the Global Illicit Drug Trade.”

Authorities bust extortion ring controlling farming, construction and even package delivery

The Treasury Department said at the time that LNFM “smuggles illicit drugs into and throughout the United States” and was “behind the increasing U.S. presence of rainbow fentanyl,” allegedly “made to attract children and young users.”

Johnny Hurtado, known as “El Pez” (The Fish) and José Hurtado, known as “El Fresa” (The Strawberry or The Snob), are “two of the most wanted criminals in Mexico,” the department said.

The United States is offering a reward of up to US $5 million for information leading to the arrest of Johnny Hurtado and $3 million for information leading to the capture of his brother.

Last year, the United States government imposed sanctions on eight other alleged members or affiliates of LNFM for trafficking illicit drugs in the U.S., including fentanyl.

With reports from Milenio, El País, The War Zone and El Financiero

Where to find the most beautiful gardens in Mexico City’s urban jungle

By
Andrea Fischer
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A circular framing shows a Japanese-style gazebo with a dark tiled roof and ornate trim, nestled among trees and manicured hedges in a park.
Amid smog layers and skyscrapers, Mexico City preserves some of the most beautiful gardens in the country. These are the best among them. (Fernando Adame/Pexels)

In 2020, Mexico City was listed as the fifth most polluted city in the world. Over five years, however, air quality and environmental conditions have improved significantly. The city government has made significant efforts to restore green areas, which have helped immensely to clean the air (and our lungs, of course).  

Today, as per IQAir’s latest report, the Mexican capital does not even appear in the top 20 anymore. In honor of this collective achievement, this is our digest of the most beautiful gardens in Mexico City.

Parque Masayoshi Ōhira (Coyoacán)

A vibrant, red arched footbridge and a traditional Japanese gate are reflected in the calm water of a pond in a Japanese garden in Mexico City.
Masayoshi Ōhira Park feels like Mexico City’s own little Kyoto, where you can enjoy a perfect cup of green tea and contemplate its gardens. (Diana Macias/Shutterstock)

Ikebana is the Japanese art of creating almost sculptural compositions with live flowers. This could be the reason why Masayoshi Ōhira Park, in the Coyoacán borough, has one of the most beautiful gardens in Mexico City. As the capital’s largest Japanese garden, it serves as a living celebration of the diplomatic relations between Japan and Mexico. 

This is one of the few places in the country where you can see cherry blossoms bloom in spring, along with many other native species to Japan, such as maples, peonies and plum trees.

  • Where: Corredores, Country Club Churubusco, Coyoacán.

Fonoteca Nacional’s garden (Coyoacán)

A stone flagstone pathway at the Fonoteca Nacional gardens in Mexico City. The path is flanked by rows of thick, mustard-yellow pillars with decorative reddish-brown tops, all set within a lush, green wooded area.
Grab a book and sit in Fonoteca Nacional’s gorgeous gardens, sipping on an iced latte for summer’s sake. (ProtoplasmaKid/Wikimedia Commons)

After years of diplomatic service abroad, the Mexican Nobel laureate Octavio Paz spent his final years in Mexico City. In 1997, he and the Mexican government created the Octavio Paz Foundation, whose headquarters were in a beautiful former hacienda on Calle Francisco Sosa, in the heart of Coyoacán. Paz also lived there briefly — from 1997 until his death in 1998. 

The estate’s garden, measuring over 200 square meters, is open to the public. These days, the building operates as Mexico’s National Sound Archives (Fonoteca Nacional).

Where: Av. Francisco Sosa 383, Santa Catarina, Coyoacán.

Parque Lincoln (Polanco)

A white Art Deco clock tower viewed from a low angle on a sunny day in Parque Lincoln. In the background are surrounding trees and modern buildings of Mexico City.
An aviary, two enormous water mirrors and an open-air theater? Parque Lincoln has all that and more. (Santiago Castillo Chomel/Shutterstock)

Nestled in the elegant neighborhood of Polanco, this is “one of the most pristine and well-kept parks in the city,” as described by Mexico City’s government. It is one of the only parks in the tumultuous CDMX with an aviary, where peacocks, parrots and macaws have loud conversations. 

If you’re into living the ultimate fashionista fantasy, I’d strongly suggest brunching at Mandolina, an Amalfi Coast-inspired place with an absolutely adorable terrace. After that, head to Amorino for the perfect ice cream to have while strolling around Parque Lincoln’s gardens.

Where: Emilio Castelar 163, Polanco, Miguel Hidalgo.

Jardín del Museo de Arte Moderno (Polanco)

A tranquil park scene with various modern art sculptures scattered across a green lawn, surrounded by tall trees and dappled sunlight.
Nothing beats visiting the MAM’s temporary exhibits and having a picnic in the museum’s iconic sculpture garden. (Burkhard Mücke/Wikimedia Commons)

Designed by Mexican architects Rafael Mijares Alcérreca and Pedro Ramírez Vázquez, the outdoor area of the Museo de Arte Moderno (MAM) was completed in 1964. In addition to temporary exhibitions, the MAM is one of the few cultural venues in the country that exhibits its collection outside of its interior galleries. 

Dedicated to exhibiting the works of “the most outstanding artists of the 20th and 21st centuries in Mexico,” this is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful gardens in Mexico City. 

Where: Av. Paseo de la Reforma S/N, Bosque de Chapultepec, Sección I, Miguel Hidalgo.

Parque Lira (San Miguel Chapultepec)

An ornate fountain at Parque Lira in Mexico City. A stone sculpture of a child riding a swan sits on a bright blue base within a turquoise-painted pool, surrounded by park benches and trees.
Parque Lira has those quiet corners that capital residents need from time to time. (ProtoplasmaKid/Wikimedia Commons)

Since its construction as the estate of Vicente Lira in the 19th century, what is now Parque Lira has been renowned for its gardens featuring bridges, pools and fountains. Located north of the Tacubaya Metro station, it is easily accessible by public transportation. 

Although open to the public, the buildings now serve as the seat of the Miguel Hidalgo mayor’s office.

  • Where: Av. Parque Lira 136, San Miguel Chapultepec, Sección I, Miguel Hidalgo.

Alameda de Santa María (Santa María la Ribera)

The ornate Kiosco Morisco in Mexico City. The round Moorish/Mujedar-style outdoor kiosk has a domed roof and intricate arches. It's inside a park and framed by the purple flowers of jacaranda trees in bloom.
Framed with jacaranda trees that are heavy with purple flowers in spring, Alameda de Santa María’s Moorish kiosk is the centerpiece of one of the most beautiful gardens in Mexico City. (Diana Reyes/Pexels)

In a European geometric pattern, with four octagonal tiled fountains in the gardens, Alameda de Santa María was one of Mexico City’s first public parks. Designed in the 1880s by engineer José Ramón Ibarrola, its centerpiece is the iconic Kiosco Morisco: a beautiful Mudéjar-style kiosk in the heart of the Cuauhtémoc borough that was built to represent Mexico in the 1884 World Cotton & Industrial Exposition in New Orleans and then eventually brought back to Mexico City.

The gardens were renovated in 2010 by the Mexico City government, which gave the entire neighborhood a new, vibrant look. Today, Santa María La Ribera stands out as one of the city’s busiest and most walkable neighborhoods.

  • Where: Jaime Torres Bodet 152, Santa María La Ribera, Cuauhtémoc.

Andrea Fischer contributes to the features desk at Mexico News Daily. She has edited and written for National Geographic en Español and Muy Interesante México, and continues to be an advocate for anything that screams science. Or yoga. Or both.

Baja California Sur tourism industry demands action on insecurity

By
MND Staff
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A cactus in the desert of Baja California Sur near a beach with a small boat
Though the spike in crime has primarily affected the central region of the state, tourism leaders say it threatens the reputation of Baja California Sur's biggest money-makers: La Paz and Los Cabos. (Constanza Mora/Unsplash)

Following recent violent episodes in Baja California Sur, the La Paz Hotel and Tourism Association (Emprhotur) said the prevailing perception of insecurity in some regions of the state could negatively impact visitor arrivals and tourism investment.

Although the capital city of La Paz has not registered any direct impact on its hotel sector so far, the Emprhotur is concerned that violence events in other municipalities, such as Comondú and Loreto, are influencing the general perception of the state.

“Any hint of violence, crime, or risk can cause an immediate drop in visitor arrivals,” Agustín Olachea Nogueda, head of the Emprhotour, told local media, adding that these types of situations “directly affect the destination’s image.”

In April, the governments of Canada and the United States issued a security alert for travelers to Los Cabos (Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo) and La Paz after several reports of shootings and clashes between civilians and police officers.

From January to July this year, at least 63 intentional homicides were recorded, up 85.3% compared to the same period last year. Many of the incidents are linked to internal disputes between cells associated with the Sinaloa Cartel. Violence peaked in June with 24 murders reported, primarily concentrated in the municipalities of Comondú and Loreto.

In light of the conflict, Olachea urged government agencies to take action to avoid further damage to Baja California’s tourism reputation.

A gray-haired man speaks into a microphone
Agustín Olachea Nogueda, director of the La Paz Hotel and Tourism Association (at right), called on authorities to take action before the ongoing spike in crime hurts the state’s tourism industry. (Emprhotur)

“We demand that the current situations be addressed, that criminals be prosecuted, that arrests be made, and that we can return to the climate of tranquility we once experienced in Baja California Sur and La Paz,” Olachea said. “We’re living a climate of insecurity that we Southern Californians don’t deserve,” he stressed, adding that if the perception of risk isn’t controlled, tourism promotion efforts in source markets could be hampered.

Yet, this week, the United States updated its travel advisory for all 32 Mexican states and placed Baja California Sur at Level 2, which calls for increased caution when visiting due to events of organized crime and delinquency. The advisory states that there are no specific travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in that area.

Authorities in Baja California have stated that the U.S. advisory will not affect the state’s tourist destinations. The Tourism Minister of Baja California Sur Maribel Collins Sánchez explained that the state has been rated at Level 2 for several years and has not experienced any negative impacts. She added that despite the violence reported in the state, tourism indicators have in fact increased compared to last year.

“The tourist influx in the state is maintained and growing,” Collins said, adding that the state government is conducting a permanent observatory in collaboration with the private sector through the security roundtable. She said they’ve already held meetings with business leaders in Los Cabos and will soon do so in La Paz.

With reports from Tribuna de México, Yahoo Noticias, El Universal and El Sudcaliforniano

Why the Rarámuri run: How an Indigenous people have kept their traditions for centuries

By
Rocio Lucero
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A group of young Rarámuri girls participate in a traditional running game in a rural, mountainous landscape under a clear sky. They are wearing brightly colored pink dresses with blue floral patterns and white zigzag trim, and some are holding sticks. The girl in the foreground looks directly at the viewer
The Rarámuri have survived for centuries thanks to their almost unequalled ability to run long distances, something that has become a part of every day life in their mountain villages. (Prudencio Ramos and Mariano Ontiveros/Broetje Family Trust)

Growing up in Durango, not far from the southern Chihuahua border, I often heard passing mentions of the Indigenous Tarahumara. People would reference the mountains or “those Indigenous runners” with awe but never much depth. It wasn’t until adulthood, after moving away and returning with more curiosity, that I began to understand who they are — and why their story matters.

Known as the Rarámuri (their own name for themselves, translated as  “those who run fast” or sometimes as “light-footed”), they are among the world’s greatest endurance runners. They live deep in the Sierra Tarahumara, a dramatic and rugged stretch of northern Mexico’s Copper Canyon, an area four times the size of the Grand Canyon.

A panoramic view of Mexico's Copper Canyon in Chihuahua. The rugged canyon system stretches out under a clear blue sky, showing deep gorges and rocky, scrub-covered mesas.
The Raramuri live in northern Mexico’s Copper Canyon, one of the most inhospitable regions in the country. (Jens Uhlenbrock/Wikimedia Commons)

Yes, they are incredibly fast. But what makes the Rarámuri’s running so remarkable isn’t just physical ability — it’s that running is a reflection of how they live, what they believe and how they’ve stayed connected to their traditions in spite of everything history has thrown at them.

A lifetime of movement 

The Rarámuri have lived in Chihuahua for centuries, long before colonization pushed them into the high sierras. Those who retreated deeper into the canyons were never fully conquered, preserving a way of life that still resists full assimilation. 

Today, estimates vary, but anywhere from 50,000 to 100,000 Rarámuri live across the Alta and Baja Sierra, continuing traditions passed down for generations.

One of those traditions is running. Rarámuri children don’t train for races — they run because it’s how they get around. The terrain where they live is steep and wild. Villages can be hours apart on foot. Over time, their bodies adapt: wide feet, strong joints, incredible stamina.

They often run in huaraches, handmade sandals fashioned from leather straps and the rubber from old car tires. Their feet are wide from a lifetime of movement, and modern sneakers can feel constricting. Studies suggest their minimalist footwear helps promote a more natural, injury-resistant stride.

Black and white photo of a Raramuri woman wearing a traditional headscarf and button down traditional shirt. She looks straight into the camera.
A Raramuri woman photographed around 1940. (Casasola Archives/INAH)

Their diet also supports endurance. Take pinole, a simple but powerful mix of roasted ground maize and water. It’s nutrient-dense, slow-burning and provides sustained energy over long distances.

Their movement is woven into their lifestyle, their food and their connection to the land.

The Rarámuri have traditional footraces still practiced today. Rarajípare is a game where men kick a wooden ball ahead while chasing it over long distances. Ariwete, played by women, involves a hoop and stick. These events can go on for hours, or even days, especially when played between villages.

The spirit behind them isn’t just competition — it’s something deeper. Races are often preceded by a yúmari, a spiritual ceremony where runners are reminded to run with unity and for a purpose. Winning matters but so does how the race is run. As one phrase captures it: Iwériga — “send the power of your soul to another.”

Traditionally, the Rarámuri also hunted by chasing prey to the point of exhaustion. Running was — and still is — survival. But it’s also a form of gratitude and prayer deeply embedded in their cultural and spiritual life.

What the world gets wrong

A group of Rarámuri (Tarahumara) women and children resting together against a rustic stone wall. They are dressed in traditional vibrant clothing; the two women are laughing, while one holds a baby drinking from a bottle, and two young girls sit beside them.
The Rarámuri long ago had to adapt to the world outside their communities, but they’ve retained many of their traditions. (Graciela López Herrera/Cuartoscuro)

The global spotlight found the Rarámuri after the 2009 release of “Born to Run,” a best-selling book that chronicled their ultradistance abilities. But even well-meaning stories often drift into caricature  — calling them superhuman, mystical, or natural-born athletes with supernatural pain tolerance.

This kind of praise flattens the truth: The Rarámuri are not magical anomalies. They’re people who have maintained an active, community-centered way of life for centuries. They’ve adapted to extreme terrain, preserved ancient practices and endured repeated waves of violence and environmental destruction.

Despite staying largely out of the spotlight, many Rarámuri have earned national and international recognition in competitive races. One of the most famous is Lorena Ramírez, who made headlines in 2017 when she won the 50-kilometer UltraTrail Cerro Rojo in Puebla. She did so wearing a traditional dress and huaraches, finishing in just over seven hours.

Mexican Raramuri ultramarathoner Lorena Ramirez preparing to race in the Hong Kong Ultramarathon in 2025. She is pointing at something off camera at the starting line while holding a walking stick and dressed in a traditional Raramuri dress.
Lorena Ramírez at the Hong Kong 100 ultramarathon in January. She finished it in just over 24 hours despite being treated for foot injuries. (Fundación Lorena Ramírez A.C./Facebook)

Her story was captured in the short documentary “Lorena, Light-Footed Woman,” which highlights not just her strength but the quiet pride and cultural grounding that fuel her.

In 2024, six Rarámuri women made history by completing The Speed Project, a grueling 540-kilometer relay from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. It was the first time Indigenous Mexican women had participated in the race. 

Their names — Verónica Palma, Ulisa Fuentes, Isadora Rodríguez, Lucía Nava, Rosa Para and Argelia Orpinel — now join a growing list of Rarámuri runners who’ve quietly reshaped the global narrative about endurance and strength.

Rocio is a Mexican-American writer based in Mexico City. She was born and raised in a small village in Durango and moved to Chicago at age 12, a bicultural experience that shapes her lens on life in Mexico. She’s the founder of CDMX IYKYK, a newsletter for expats, digital nomads, and the Mexican diaspora, and Life of Leisure, a women’s wellness and spiritual community.

Sheinbaum takes questions on terrorism and taxes: Wednesday’s mañanera recapped

By
MND Staff
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Sheinbaum 13 August 2025
When asked about the United States' decision to declare a risk of terrorism across Mexico, the president responded: "Close to a million estadounidenses live here [in Mexico] because they like living here better." (Andrea Murcia/Cuartoscuro)

President Claudia Sheinbaum spoke about two “Ts” at her Wednesday morning press conference — not tacos and tortas, but rather the far less appetizing terrorism and taxes.

She also spoke about her own salary and her past and present living arrangements.

Here is a recap of the president’s Aug. 13 mañanera.

Sheinbaum responds to US terrorism warning for Mexico 

A reporter highlighted that the United States Department of State updated its travel advisory for Mexico, and is now warning of the risk of “terrorism” in 30 of 32 federal entities.

Yucatán and Campeche are the only states where the State Department advises U.S. citizens to “exercise normal precautions.”

It now warns of the risk of “terrorism” in all the “Level 4 Do Not Travel” states (Colima, Guerrero, Michoacán, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas) as well as the “Level 3 Reconsider Travel” states and the “Level 2 Exercise Increased Caution” states.

The State Department advisory also states: “Exercise increased caution in Mexico due to terrorism, crime and kidnapping. … There is a risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity, in Mexico.”

Sheinbaum said that the reason for the United States’ terrorism warning is that the U.S. government designated (six) Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.

map of Mexico with U.S. travel advisories
In its updated map of Mexico, Yucatán and Campeche are the only states where the State Department advises U.S. citizens to “exercise normal precautions.” (U.S. Department of State)

“Now they use this word [terrorists] because they designated the cartels as such,” she said, referring to designations that occurred in February.

“But look, the main tourism destination for estadounidenses [U.S. Americans] is Mexico. Close to a million estadounidenses live here [in Mexico] because they like living here better, because they decided to live here,” Sheinbaum said.

Asked whether the U.S. government is wrong to warn of the risk of “terrorism” in Mexico, the president responded:

“What I’m saying is that people continue coming to Mexico.”

After the reporter said that the beauty of Mexico “saves it,” Sheinbaum said:

“Pues, como México no hay dos.”

That saying (and movie title) means there is no place like Mexico.

‘Do you live in the middle ground, presidenta?

A reporter asked Sheinbaum whether she could remind the press corps how much she earns as president of Mexico.

She responded that her net monthly salary is 133,000 pesos (US $7,140), slightly lower than the amount mentioned in 2025 budget documents.

The reporter asked the president whether she lives in the justa medianía, a term that can be translated as “the middle ground,” or “the fair (or exact) middle ground,” or “just moderation.”

Sheinbaum recently used the term to urge politicians to live modestly after several officials with the ruling Morena party faced criticism for extravagant international travel.

On Wednesday morning, the president initially tried to evade the question about whether she lives modestly (or moderately), saying, “we already spoke about that.”

“But you haven’t told us your story,” the reporter countered.

“Let’s see,” Sheinbaum said.

“I now live here in [the National] Palace, in an apartment, the same apartment where president López Obrador lived,” she said.

“Before I lived in a rented apartment in the Toriello Guerra neighborhood in [the Mexico City borough of] Tlalpan and before that I lived in a house where my children grew up, in San Andrés Totoltepec, in Tlalpan,” Sheinbaum said.

How much do Mexico’s elected officials really earn?

Asked again whether she believed that she lives in the justa medianía, the president responded:

“Well, I earn much more than what an average worker earns.”

Sheinbaum subsequently pointed out that the average salary of a Mexican formal sector worker is around 18,000 pesos (US $965) per month — before tax is deducted.

“As mayor [of Mexico City] I earned 86,000 pesos per month,” she added.

Sheinbaum didn’t explicitly respond to the question about whether she lives in the justa medianía, but certainly acknowledged that she is paid far more than the majority of Mexican workers.

Like her predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the president is a committed public proponent of austerity. Like AMLO, she regularly flies on commercial airlines, including when she traveled to Brazil to attend the G20 Leaders’ Summit in late 2024.

Sheinbaum thanks taxpayers as collection increases 

A reporter noted that Mexico’s tax collection increased 7.2% annually in the first seven months of the year to 3.27 trillion pesos (US $175.5 billion).

He asked the president how the increase was achieved.

“Firstly, thank you to everyone who pays their taxes and fees,” Sheinbaum said.

“There is good [tax] collection thanks to the fact that people are paying their taxes. And they know that we are using them well, that no one is stealing the money,” she said.

“Rather, it is being invested in welfare programs, in education, in healthcare, in housing programs and in public works, such as trains, water projects, and the highways we are building, and also in research and technological development,” Sheinbaum said.

She said that large companies, with some “exceptions,” are also paying their taxes, and highlighted that taxes and fees collected by Customs in the first seven months of the year increased significantly.

“It’s 180 billion additional pesos that they’ve collected in customs between January and July,” Sheinbaum said. “That’s also part of the tax [revenue].”

The Finance Ministry said earlier this year that the growth in tax revenue in 2025 “was mainly driven” by increases in the collection of Mexico’s value-added tax, income tax and taxes collected by customs.

It also said that the increase in tax revenue reflected “both the strength of the internal market and greater tax collection efficiency.”

By Mexico News Daily chief staff writer Peter Davies (peter.davies@mexiconewsdaily.com)

Nearly 3 in 10 Mexicans say freedom of speech cannot be fully exercised in Mexico

By
MND Staff
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freedom of expression placard
Among university-educated Mexicans who were polled, almost four in 10 — 39% — said they disagreed with the statement, "In Mexico, freedom of speech can be fully exercised." (Graciela López/Cuartoscuro)

Almost three in 10 Mexicans believe that the right to freedom of speech cannot be fully exercised in Mexico, according to the results of a recent poll.

In late July, the newspaper El Financiero asked 500 Mexican adults whether they agreed or disagreed with the following statement:

“In Mexico, freedom of speech can be fully exercised.”

According to the results published by El Financiero on Wednesday, 70% of respondents said they agreed with the statement, while 27% said they disagreed. The remaining 3% said they didn’t know whether they agreed or not.

Among university-educated Mexicans who were polled, almost four in 10 — 39% — said they disagreed with the statement.

Among poll respondents who identified themselves as supporters of the ruling Morena party, just 13% said they disagreed with the statement, while 84% said they believed that freedom of speech can be fully exercised in Mexico.

Among supporters of opposition parties, 38% said they disagreed with the statement, while 51% said they agreed with it.

Among respondents who identified themselves as non-partisan, 53% said they disagreed with the statement that freedom of speech can be fully exercised in Mexico. Such people were the only cohort who had that view in their majority.

El Financiero also found that:

  • 70% of men agreed with the statement, while 29% disagreed.
  • 70% of women agreed with the statement, while 26% disagreed.
  • 67% of people aged 18-29 agreed with the statement, while 30% disagreed.
  • 72% of people aged 30-49 agreed with the statement, while 26% disagreed.
  • 71% of people aged 50 and older agreed with the statement, while 25% disagreed.
  • 73% of people with an education up to middle school level agreed with the statement, while 24% disagreed.
  • 74% of people with an education up to high school level agreed with the statement, while 25% disagreed.

Freedom of speech is protected by the Mexican Constitution, but…

El Financiero didn’t ask poll respondents why they agreed or disagreed with the statement, “In Mexico, freedom of speech can be fully exercised.”

According to the Mexican Constitution, “free speech shall be restricted neither judicially, not administratively,” except when “it represents an attack to public morality, life or individual rights” or “when it produces a criminal offense or disturbs the public order.”

Still, a sizable portion of the El Financiero poll respondents believe that free speech cannot be exercised “fully” in Mexico.

Earlier this year, the submission to Congress of a telecommunications reform bill triggered a range of free speech concerns, including that its approval could open the door to government censorship of media and content on digital platforms.

Telecommunications overhaul sparks free speech concerns

President Claudia Sheinbaum asserted in May that “the government of Mexico is not going to censor anyone,” but modifications were nevertheless made to the bill before its approval by the Senate in late June.

Despite the modifications, free speech concerns persisted. Such concerns could be part of the reason why some respondents to the El Financiero poll believe that free speech can’t be fully exercised in Mexico.

Another possible — or probable — reason why some Mexicans believe that free speech cannot be fully exercised in Mexico is that many journalists have faced violent repercussions, including death, for their work. Some journalists and media organizations self-censor due to the risk of violence.

In 2019, press freedom advocacy organization Article 19 asserted that then-president Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s “stigmatizing discourse” against the media “has a direct impact in terms of the … risk it can generate for the work of the press because [his remarks] permeate in the discourse of the rest of society and can even generate attacks.”

Sheinbaum has also been critical of the press, although not to the same extent as her predecessor.

Another possible reason why some Mexicans believe that free speech cannot be exercised fully is that there are bans in some states on the performance of narcocorridos  — songs that tell the stories of drug traffickers and organized crime more broadly.

Should citizens publicly apologize if they criticize politicians?

For its recent poll, El Financiero also asked respondents whether they agreed or disagreed with the following statement:

“A citizen who criticizes a politician should be obliged to publicly apologize.”

More than three-quarters of the respondents — 77% — said they disagreed with the statement, but a not insignificant 20% said they agreed with it.

Twenty-six per cent of surveyed men said they agreed with the statement, while just 14% of women said the same.

The majority rejection of the need for public apologies to politicians came after Karla Estrella, a Mexican woman, was ordered by the Federal Electoral Tribunal to apologize to a federal deputy on social media for 30 consecutive days after she claimed on social media that the lawmaker obtained her candidacy thanks to her husband, another deputy.

Estrella was found to have committed an act of political gender violence against Deputy Diana Karina Barreras, a lawmaker with the Labor Party, an ally of Morena.

She issued her final apology to Barreras this week,” although she wasn’t permitted to refer to the deputy by her name. Instead, Estrella had to use the term “DATO PROTEGIDO” (PROTECTED DATA).

“I apologize to you, PROTECTED DATA, for the message that was loaded with symbolic and psychological violence … and with discrimination based on gender stereotypes. This harmed your political-electoral rights because it minimized your abilities and political career,” she wrote on social media every day for 30 days.

With reports from El Financiero

Colima airport gets US $17.5M makeover to prepare it for international status

By
MND Staff
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Colonial style govt building in Colima
Despite its coastline and colonial architecture that graces even the state government building, Colima has been mostly under the radar as a destination. The major expansion of its airport could change things. (Shutterstock)

Work has begun on a 327-million-peso (US $17.5 million) improvement of Colima state’s Miguel de la Madrid Hurtado National Airport, aimed at transforming the facility into an international travel hub for Mexico’s North-Central Pacific Coast states.

The project, led by the Grupo Aeroportuario de la Marina under the Naval Ministry (Semar), will greatly expand the airport’s capacity and is expected to boost regional connectivity, tourism and Colima’s economy. 

Colima Governor Indira Vizcaíno Silva, who attended the launch ceremony on Monday along with General Director of Grupo Aeroportuario Marina Juan José Padilla Olmos, welcomed the commencement of the work. 

“This will be an airport as beautiful and functional as those other railway or airport terminals developed by the armed forces,” Vizcaíno said. “And it will remain in optimal condition for many years to come, thanks to the work carried out by Semar personnel.” 

Padilla said, “With these works, we not only strengthen the existing infrastructure and improve the experience of every traveler who passes through this terminal, but we also generate jobs, attract more visitors and open up new opportunities for trade and investment.”

The project will expand the airport terminal by 243%, including a fivefold increase of its airport arrivals capacity and a sevenfold capacity expansion of its waiting area. It also includes runway and taxiway renovation.  

The transformation is part of the Mexican government’s strategy of promoting regional development by enhancing air connectivity. 

On August 6, President Claudia Sheinbaum prepared a draft agreement to designate Miguel de la Madrid as an international airport, to be managed by Semar. 

The agreement will come into effect following its publication in Mexico’s Official Gazette of the Federation. It will then join the ranks of the country’s other international airports under Semar control: Ciudad del Carmen, Ciudad Obregón, Guaymas, Loreto, Matamoros and Mexico City International Airport (AICM).

At present, the Colima airport serves only two routes, one operated by Volaris to Tijuana and another by Aeroméxico to Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA), outside Mexico City. 

An estimated 117,483 travelers passed through the airport between January and June of this year, around 14% more than the same period of 2024, according to Mexico’s Federal Civil Aviation Agency.

Although Colima is one of Mexico’s lesser-known states in terms of tourism, its Pacific coast location, untouched nature and historic sites make it attractive for visitors. 

The modernization of the terminal and its new international status are expected to generate new routes, increase the number of domestic and international visitors and position Colima as a strategic hub for tourism, trade and investment in Mexico’s West.  

 With reports from El Heraldo de México and El Economista

Oaxaca plans a registry to protect Indigenous artisans from plagiarism

By
MND Staff
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man crafting a sandal
Since 1956, the Aquino family has engaged in the artisanal production of huaraches, the traditional footwear made of cowhide leather in Villa Hidalgo Yalálag. (Carolina Jiménez/Cuartoscuro.com)

In a landmark move to safeguard the legacy of Indigenous artisans, the state government of Oaxaca has launched a process to register and protect the huarache (sandal) designs of Villa Hidalgo Yalálag, following allegations of appropriation by sportswear giant Adidas.

Governor Salomón Jara Cruz convened municipal leaders, artisans and representatives from Mexico’s National Copyright Institute (Indautor) on Monday at the government palace in Oaxaca city.

a display of sandals
The governor of Oaxaca and residents of Villa Hidalgo Yalálag displayed these huaraches at recent press conferences as examples of Indigenous handiwork on which Adidas based its design of a new commerical shoe. (Carolina Jiménez Mariscal/Cuartoscuro)

The objective: Start a formal registration process for the designers and brands of Yalálag’s traditional footwear — a craft with a heritage dating back more than a century — and then provide legal support as needed.

“We will always support, preserve and defend our culture,” the governor, who is nearly halfway through his six-year term, said in a Oaxaca state press release. “The people have the final say; state and federal authorities are here to support them.”

During the assembly, the Morena party governor emphasized his administration’s respect for the community’s autonomy and the role these crafts play as both ancestral heritage and a source of livelihood for families.

Prompted by outrage over the newly released Adidas Oaxaca Slip-On shoe, which replicated traditional Zapotec huarache patterns, local artisans and authorities demanded dialogue and accountability from the brand.

“This craft is a livelihood for those who make it,” said Yalálag Mayor Eric Ignacio Fabián. “It’s not for sale. It’s for inheritance, which is why people have raised their voices.”

After last week’s reactions, Adidas and the shoe’s designer, Willy Chavarria, issued public apologies, and Karen Vianey González Vargas, legal and compliance director for Adidas Mexico, agreed to meet with Jara to discuss the issue and repair the damage.

villagers dancing in the street
Handcrafted footwear is not just a cultural tradition in Villa Hidalgo Yalálag but also an economic mainstay for the community located in Oaxaca’s Sierra Norte some 117 kms (73 miles) from the state capital. (Carolina Jiménez/Cuartoscuro.com)

“At Adidas, we deeply value the cultural richness of Mexico’s Indigenous peoples and recognize the relevance of the statement made by your institution,” she said in a statement. “Therefore, with full commitment to engaging in a constructive and respectful process, we respectfully request a virtual meeting with your office … that will allow us to move forward toward repairing the damage to the Zapotec community of Villa Hidalgo Yalálag.”

The artisan community, meanwhile, is calling for a national registry to protect cultural heritage and prevent future misappropriation.

For his part, Jara announced plans to create just such a registry, dubbed the State Registry of Indigenous and Afro-Mexican Peoples and Communities, to curb the plagiarism of Oaxacan crafts and products. He urged federal action to bolster these protections. 

With reports from Excélsior, El Sol de México, NVI Istmo and XEU Notícias

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