With a first-year budget of 100 million pesos (US $5.4 million), Mission Ixtli has involved researchers, students and academics at four Mexican universities. (AEM/X)
Mexico is taking steps toward technological independence by developing four Earth observation satellites that could be launched over the course of several months beginning in December 2026.
The satellites, collectively called Mission Ixtli, are being designed to monitor phenomena related to climate change and national security, allowing the country to generate its own information without relying on foreign sources.
Ixtli aims to end Mexico’s dependence on foreign satellite information by using its own technology to generate data and strategies to address forest fires, forest health, landslides, crop health and species monitoring, as well as a variety of national security issues.
Ixtli means “eyes to see” in Nahuatl, the Indigenous language spoken throughout central Mexico.
With a first-year budget of 100 million pesos (US $5.4 million), researchers, students and academics at four institutions — the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN), the Center for Scientific Research and Higher Education of Ensenada (CICESE) and the Popular Autonomous University of the State of Puebla (UPAEP) — have been in charge of designing the satellites since December 2024.
A larger budget is anticipated next year so that more domestic technology — perhaps up to 50% — can be included progressively in the design, components, satellite integration and ground stations.
“We want to grow as a technologically independent nation that can make its own decisions,” José Francisco Valdés Galicia, coordinator of the UNAM Space Program, told the news magazine Expansión.
More than 50 government institutions, including the National Forestry Commission, the national statistics agency INEGI and the Environment Ministry, rely on satellite imagery acquired by companies in the U.S., France, and other nations, at an annual cost of roughly 250 million pesos (US $13.6 million).
Gxiba-1 — part of Mission Ixtli — will be launched from Japan’s Tanegashima Space Center in October and is designed to monitor Mexico’s active volcanoes. (AEM/X)
Valdés said the development of satellites tailored specifically to the country’s needs will help Mexico achieve independence. Additionally, Ixtli will help Mexican scientists gain experience and knowledge in these techniques for the first time, he said.
“The tangible benefits of the project might not be seen for another 10 years,” Valdés said. “But what we will see in concrete terms is that Mexico is entering the space age.”
In a related development, the UPAEP will launch its second nanosatellite on Oct. 20. This CubeSat, Gxiba-1 — part of Mission Ixtli — will be launched from Japan’s Tanegashima Space Center and is designed to monitor Mexico’s active volcanoes in the hopes of developing prediction models for possible eruptions.
Gxiba-1 — which means “universe” or “stars” in the Indigenous language Zapotec — is equipped with sensors to measure changes in volcanic gases such as carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide.
CubeSats typically measure 10 centimeters on each side and weigh approximately one kilogram. They have gained popularity as a viable replacement for traditional satellites in space programs due to their low cost as they can be built with readily available commercial parts.
La Niña is the cool phase of the ENSO cycle and results in drier, milder weather systems. (Denisse Hernández/Cuartoscuro)
Mexico is gearing up for a warmer and drier winter than normal, according to official forecasts from the National Water Commission (Conagua) and the National Meteorological Service (SMN).
Conagua is forecasting that in October and November, most of the country will experience temperatures one to three degrees Celsius above the climatic average recorded over the past 35 years – an anomaly caused by the weather phenomenon known as La Niña.
In the Sierra Madre Occidental region (Chihuahua, Durango and parts of Sinaloa and Zacatecas), the SMN expects below-average minimum temperatures.
El Niño is the warm phase of the ENSO cycle and is characterized by the unusual warming of surface waters in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. This phenomenon causes heavy rains and rising temperatures in several ocean regions, primarily in waters off the west coast of South America.
Meanwhile, La Niña is the cool phase of the ENSO cycle and results in effects that are generally the opposite of those of El Niño.
While most of the country can expect a mild winter, higher elevation areas of Mexico’s Sierra Madre Occidental region (Chihuahua, Durango and parts of Sinaloa and Zacatecas) could see below-average minimum temperatures. (Unsplash)
Although La Niña is associated with the cooling of the Pacific Ocean, it can increase temperatures in Mexico during the winter, primarily because it reduces the arrival of cold fronts and favors dry conditions.
According to the SMN, this year’s cold season — which technically runs from September 2025 to May 2026 — will see 48 frontal systems compared to the 46 recorded between September 2024 and May 2025. The SMN has reported that five cold fronts are expected to occur in September, five in October, six in November, seven in December, six in January, five in February, six in March, five in April and three in May.
“This forecast considers the influence of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon, which, although currently in the Neutral phase, has a 60 percent chance of developing a weak, short-lived La Niña event in the fall,” the SMN report says. “For Mexico, this typically translates into warmer and drier winters than usual, particularly in the north [of the country].”
La Niña’s effects are further exacerbated by climate change. Statistically, data from Conagua indicates that Mexico loses one day of frost every 15 years, a trend that began in 1950 and continues to this day.
Many of the hundreds of thousands of firearms smuggled annually into Mexico from the United States end up in the hands of members of notorious drug cartels. (Myko Makhlai/Unsplash)
Mexico and the United States announced on Saturday the launch of a new bilateral initiative aimed at disrupting the southward flow of illicit weapons across the Mexico-U.S. border.
Mexican and U.S. officials thrashed out the details of the joint project — called “Mission Firewall: United Against Firearms Trafficking Initiative” — at the inaugural meeting of the Mexico-U.S. Security Implementation Group, held last Friday in McAllen, Texas.
The group is set to meet regularly to coordinate joint security actions and operations.
Mexico’s Foreign Ministry (SRE) said in a statement that the “main goals” of Mission Firewall include:
Increasing border operations to prevent weapons from entering Mexico.
Expanding use of the eTrace tool to strengthen firearms investigations in both countries.
Implementing ballistic identification technology across all 32 states of Mexico.
Strengthening information sharing between Mexican and U.S. authorities.
Increasing investigations and prosecutions of criminal cases involving firearms.
The U.S. State Department said that the U.S. would “increase inspections and coordination with Mexico to stop the southbound flow of firearms.”
It described Mission Firewall as “an ambitious bilateral effort to combat illicit firearms trafficking through an unprecedented level of collaboration between both nations.”
“For the first time, the United States recognizes that it has to do operations to control … the illegal trafficking of weapons to Mexico,” President Sheinbaum said on Monday. (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro)
On Monday, President Claudia Sheinbaum said that for “years” the United States “didn’t accept” that the trafficking of weapons from the U.S. to Mexico was a “problem,” or “did the Fast and Furious operation [in Mexico] with the consent of the then [president Felipe] Calderón.”
Now, “for the first time, the United States recognizes that it has to do operations to control … the illegal trafficking of weapons to Mexico,” she said.
The agreement to conduct Mission Firewall is “very important,” Sheinbaum said.
The United States Ambassador to Mexico, Ron Johnson, said on social media on Saturday that “for the first time,” the U.S. and Mexico were “implementing joint inspections, real-time info-sharing, and expanded investigations to stop weapons fueling cartels.”
“… Mission Firewall marks a new chapter in U.S.–Mexico cooperation,” he wrote.
The meeting in McAllen
The meeting in McAllen, a border city opposite Reynosa, Tamaulipas, took place just over three weeks after Rubio held security talks with Sheinbaum and other Mexican officials in Mexico City. He subsequently said that the U.S. and Mexico were “amplifying” their security cooperation in order to combat organized crime groups and the narcotics they traffic on both sides of the border.
The State Department said that representatives from six U.S. government agencies and their Mexican government counterparts attended the meeting in McAllen on Friday.
Representatives from six U.S. government agencies and their Mexican government counterparts attended the inaugural Mission Firewall meeting in McAllen, Texas, on Friday. (@SRE_mx/X)
The SRE said that the U.S. government reported on the progress that has already been made to stop arms trafficking to Mexico. The ministry said that U.S. officials reported that since January, the Trump administration has “opened more than 125 arms trafficking investigations, seized firearms, and identified suspected members of criminal networks involved in this crime on U.S. territory.”
At the meeting, the Mexico-U.S. Security Implementation Group also announced “the formation of a bilateral working group to combat cross-border illicit finance and cooperate on civil asset forfeiture,” according to the State Department.
It also said that “at Mexico’s request, the United States has created a first-of-its-kind secure platform to allow information sharing regarding suspicious air shipments and packages to identify and interdict illicit drugs, chemical precursors, firearms, and illicit fuels.”
The ramping up of security cooperation between Mexico and the United States comes as U.S. President Donald Trump continues to pressure the Mexican government to do more to combat cartels and stop narcotics, especially fentanyl, from reaching the U.S.
Sheinbaum has said on countless occasions that her government is willing to cooperate and collaborate on security issues with its U.S. counterpart, but won’t accept subordination or any violation of its sovereignty. She revealed in May that she had declined an offer from Trump to send the U.S. army into Mexico to combat cartels, and has ruled out the possibility of the U.S. “invading” the country or bombing cartel targets.
Mexico is attempting to get guns off it streets, with the help of the Catholic Church. (Gobierno de la Ciudad de Mexico)
In January this year, the Mexican government, in collaboration with the Catholic Church, launched the program Sí al Desarme, Sí a la Paz (Yes to Disarmament, Yes to Peace) to encourage citizens who own firearms to voluntarily and anonymously exchange them for money.
This is the first time the program has been replicated nationwide, having previously run in Mexico City during the time President Claudia Sheinbaum served as head of government.
President Claudia Sheinbaum exchanges a toy as part of the government’s Sí al Desarme, Sí a la Paz initiative. (Gobierno de Mexico)
The program’s goal is to remove guns from households, particularly among civilians, to reduce high-impact crimes, injuries and accidental deaths caused by firearms. It also seeks to promote values, attitudes and behaviors that prevent violence, as well as educate people about the dangers and consequences of possessing or handling weapons, ammunition or explosives in their homes.
Children are also included in the initiative, as the program encourages them to exchange any toy guns for educational and constructive toys instead.
“Guns are a symbol of violence and death. We don’t want any family to have a gun in their home,” declared Sheinbaum, who insisted on addressing the causes of violence in the country from early childhood.
While this is a laudable initiative, there are questions about its efficacy. Over 16 million guns are still circulating in Mexico.
How does the program work?
One of the strongest pillars of the program is its policy of anonymity. Anyone interested in exchanging firearms can do it freely, anonymously, respectfully and without legal consequences. “Identity and collected data will be protected at all times,” the government decree states.
For the collection of firearms, exchange booths are set up in public spaces, often church atriums, to provide a safe and secure space for citizens to surrender their weapons without fear of being investigated or targeted.
Sí al Desarme, Sí a la Paz
Those who turn in weapons are given financial compensation depending on the weapon and its condition. The amounts established by the Ministry of the Interior range from 4,000 to 26,450 pesos (US $200 to US $1,300), depending on the model, caliber and service life of the weapon. Explosives, ammunition or cartridges are also accepted.
President Sheinbaum has allocated a budget of 6 million pesos (US $325,254) for the program.Of that amount, 10% of the total budget corresponds to operating expenses, while 5.4 million pesos is used to fund financial compensation for the exchange of firearms and war-themed toys.
All weapons collected are sent to be destroyed by the National Defense Ministry (Sedena). Some weapons are destroyed on the spot.
How many firearms has the program collected and destroyed?
Official figures show that since the program began in January this year, 5,890 arms have been collected. Meanwhile, 5,169 war toys have been exchanged in activities organized for children and teenagers.
But despite efforts to take firearms out of circulation, the majority of weapons circulating in the country are not in the hands of the general population. Weapons here are usually found in the hands of the Armed Forces or organized crime.
How many firearms are in circulation in Mexico?
There are 16 million firearms in Mexico currently, a number the government is working to reduce. (Gobierno de Mexico).
According to recent data from the Small Arms Survey, there are an estimated 16 million firearms in Mexico, with the Army typically seizing around 13,000 each year. However, the vast majority of Mexicans do not own a gun.
According to the results of the Second Mexican Survey on Firearm Possession, Use, and Opinion, 96% of respondents stated that no one in their household owned a firearm. Furthermore, a separate survey conducted by the Center for Social Studies and Public Policy (CESOP) revealed that Mexicans lack both legal and cultural incentives to own a firearm. Reasons against ownership cited include child safety, the belief that firearms are dangerous and general opposition to violence and guns.
These results contrast sharply with the fact that nearly 2,000 illegal weapons enter the country every day, making it the country with the sixth-highest number of illegal firearms.
This data is in stark contrast to the United States, where 72% of U.S. citizens say they have fired a gun at some point, four in 10 American adults have a gun at home and 30% report that they personally own at least one firearm.
Earlier this year, the United States government revealed that 74% of the weapons used by Mexican cartels come from the U.S. and enter the country through the northern border with Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas.
Does the program work?
Back to the original question, is the Sí al Desarme, Sí a la Paz program efficient in eradicating gun violence in Mexico?
It is too soon to answer this question. But given that the vast majority of guns circulating in Mexico are not in the hands of civilians, perhaps this initiative should be combined with other security strategies to achieve a meaningful decline in firearm violence.
Big changes usually begin with education. Educating citizens about the harm of gun violence is definitely a step in the right direction, even if there is still a long way to go.
Gabriela Solis is a Mexican lawyer turned full-time writer. She was born and raised in Guadalajara and covers business, culture, lifestyle and travel for Mexico News Daily. You can follow her lifestyle blog Dunas y Palmeras.
Redonda is an all-female Mexican design collective, whose universe is full of colors, objects and design. (Redonda)
At the beginning of 2025, five established Mexican women designers gathered around a circular table. For years, they had dreamed of creating a “street-level” showroom to display their unique creations. However, they faced doubts due to the logistical and financial challenges that such a venture would entail. Suddenly, the idea of launching a showroom seemed much more attainable.
These five designers shared similar philosophies regarding handmade items, fair trade, local production, local design and female collaboration. Thus, Redonda was born. In Spanish, redonda is the feminine form of “round,” alluding to a circular shape. According to its founders, this term serves as a metaphor for various feminine issues, including the womb, the menstrual cycle and the Earth, which is often viewed as feminine in many indigenous cultures.
For its creators, Redonda is an autobiographical space where the team produces work representative of who they are. (Redonda)
“In Redonda, you’ll find only projects with ethical practices and unique designs. You’re not just buying crafts to resell. You’re investing in original designs. There’s a comprehensive process involving the communities that is more thoughtful and elaborate. It encompasses design, work, collaboration, communication and connection. This is a circular project — another nod to the essence of Redonda,” explains Melissa Ávila, one of the Mexican designers involved in this initiative.
The design in Redonda
“Redonda is an autobiographical space for clothing and objects. We are five women with five distinct visions. Each of us has our own studio and a solid, well-established brand,” shares Ávila, who also runs M.A Studio.
The group includes Karim Molina of Ayres, a studio that creates utilitarian objects using natural materials such as volcanic stone, marble and natural leather, all crafted entirely by hand. There’s also Andrea García-Cano Turner from Casa Norte, who specializes in interior design and curates unique objects. Ávila is known for bringing art objects like sculptures and carpets to life in “a celebration of modernism, tradition and design.” Carla Qua of Agnes Workshop creates embroidered clothing using natural dyes. Lastly, Cristina Domínguez of Mina Studio is an artisanal leather designer from Guadalajara, Jalisco. All of them collaborate with artisans under a fair trade model, presenting a unique aesthetic.
“We clicked immediately. Our values align closely, and we place a high value on teamwork. While conflicts inevitably arise, we listen, decide and act as a group,” Ávila notes.
Redonda has unintentionally crafted a new aesthetic identity. The recently opened showroom, located in the heart of Mexico City’s Roma neighborhood, is an interior design proposal that honors Mexico’s historical, natural and artisanal roots while showcasing the beauty of the materials, design and craftsmanship.
The future is collaboration
One of the core tenets of this project is the belief that women should unite to support one another. “The future is collaborative,” says Ávila. “All the women in Redonda have created incredibly sensitive proposals. We all work with artisans and are deeply committed to new practices and collaborations.” It’s a circular dynamic, as the name Redonda suggests.
Pieces created by Redonda feature diverse materials, textures and artisanal processes. (Redonda)
Redonda also exemplifies collaboration in the Mexican design scene, demonstrating how it can be harnessed to realize a common dream in the business world, which is often associated with competition. “In Redonda, the private and public spheres intertwine to build an authentic, autobiographical and pluralistic material culture,” per the project’s mission statement.
Ana Paula de la Torre is a Mexican journalist and collaborator for various outlets, including Milenio, Animal Político, Vice, Newsweek en Español, Televisa and Mexico News Daily.
The development of the new luxury Tezcalame resort shines a spotlight squarely on Costalegre, Mexico's as-yet-undeveloped Pacific coastline that looks set to play host to a number of ultra luxury resorts in coming years. (AMPI)
A new master-planned community is taking root on Jalisco’s Costalegre, one of Mexico’s last remaining stretches of undeveloped Pacific coastline. El Tezcalame, developed by Grupo Favier with GND Properties and anchored by a Chablé hotel, promises a blend of ultra-luxury living and large-scale conservation. It is also the latest in a string of high-profile projects that are transforming the coast surrounding Puerto Vallarta into one of the country’s most concentrated corridors of master-planned communities (MPCs).
New development in Tomatlán
El Tezcalame - Costa Alegre
Located near Tomatlán, Tezcalame spans 430 hectares, nearly half of which — 211 hectares — will be designated as a protected reserve. The project includes a Chablé resort scheduled to open in 2027, alongside private residences launching sales later this year.
Beyond traditional amenities, the community will feature a butterfly sanctuary, a raicilla distillery, an eco-nautical club, farm-to-table dining, and environmental education camps. According to Diego Gutierrez, CEO of GND Properties, the project is intended to “redefine luxury as harmony, balancing hospitality, ecological stewardship, and cultural immersion.”
A region for MPCs
While El Tezcalame carries its own vision, it is part of a broader trend along the Puerto Vallarta–Costalegre corridor. In Nayarit, Punta Mita, Mandarina, and the upcoming Nauka community have reshaped Riviera Nayarit into an international luxury hub. South of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco’s coastline has Careyes and Xala, both emphasizing art, conservation, and low-density tourism.
Together, these projects make the Vallarta–Costalegre region one of the most concentrated clusters of luxury MPCs in Mexico. Yet paradoxically, their shared selling point is seclusion: low-density, high-value communities promising immersion in untouched landscapes.
Infrastructure and access
The new airport in Chalacatepec is still some distance from completion. (AMPI)
Historically, Costalegre’s remoteness has limited development. Reaching the coastline requires a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Puerto Vallarta. Meanwhile, a new airport near Chalacatepec is under construction, but it is currently designed to handle only private planes.
For developers, infrastructure improvements are crucial to unlocking the region’s potential. Highway expansions into and around Puerto Vallarta have already reduced travel times, and the airport promises greater connectivity in the years ahead. But officials say that growth must be managed carefully.
“We are aware that the airport needs to be managed with a lot of care,” said Michelle Fridman, tourism secretary of Jalisco. “After all, you’re just opening another door for people to arrive, and that is a risky balance between developing and not developing.”
Keeping Costalegre an oasis
Fridman acknowledges the hope that Costalegre will remain a model for sustainable luxury. “Costalegre has remained this oasis of luxury in a sustainable move,” she said. “The real luxury of Costalegre is within the nature of Costalegre, barely touched by humans. We want it to remain like that.”
She added that few places along the Pacific, from Alaska to Chile, still offer well-preserved coastlines. “As long as we can succeed in developing responsibly, not massive projects, but those that blend luxury with preservation, Costalegre will remain unique.”
Jalisco’s Costalegre is one of Mexico’s sleepier, less-developed beach destinations. (Wikivoyage CC BY-SA 4.0)
Why Jalisco, why now?
Developers and officials say Jalisco is especially well-positioned for this new wave of investment. The state has some of the best connectivity in Mexico, with Puerto Vallarta International Airport among the country’s busiest and Guadalajara, a hub for both domestic and international flights.
Fridman noted that Jalisco “has everything investors look for: qualified people with decades of tourism experience, natural landscapes that remain unspoiled, and an identity that embodies Mexico’s culture and flavors.” She emphasized that the government’s immediate goal is to create a 20-year master plan for Costalegre, ensuring growth is guided by sustainability, inclusivity, and collaboration between investors and local communities.
Concerns over growth
Still, questions loom about whether the region’s infrastructure can keep pace. Puerto Vallarta, a city of nearly half a million people, has already seen water shortages tied to rapid growth. Repairs have left more than 100 neighborhoods without service at times, prompting protests over shortages and concerns that resources may be redirected to tourist zones during peak holidays.
While Costalegre and Riviera Nayarit remain far less densely populated, their growth trajectory mirrors the same patterns: large-scale developments dependent on delicate ecosystems. As more MPCs take shape, the question is whether the low-density promise can hold in practice, or whether pressures on water, electricity, and waste systems will mount as they have in Vallarta.
Puerto Vallarta’s rapid development has left infrastructure needing to catch up with construction. Communities in Costalegre hope that the same issues do not await their stretch of the Jalisco coastline. (Hello Cinthia/Shutterstock)
Community integration
One of the challenges for new MPCs is ensuring they integrate with surrounding towns. El Tezcalame’s developers have pledged to create jobs, provide housing for workers, and support local infrastructure, while also protecting estuaries and wetlands bordering the property.
For the state, the priority is training local communities to participate in tourism. “We cannot afford to have these luxury developments separate from the locals,” Fridman said. “We are starting to research what experiences the communities offer now, increasing programs for training, certification of locals so we can have more guides, more entrepreneurs who see tourism as a source of development for their families.”
According to Fridman, Jalisco has begun working with universities and municipalities to ensure fishermen, guides, and other residents are prepared to benefit directly from the new wave of investment.
The road ahead
As El Tezcalame moves forward, it becomes another test case for the Costalegre. Can large-scale luxury developments truly preserve the sense of untouched wilderness they market? Will infrastructure improvements inevitably bring more visitors than the region can support?
For now, optimism runs high among developers and officials. With projects like El Tezcalame, Xala, Careyes, Mandarina, Punta Mita, and Nauka all reshaping the coast, the Vallarta–Costalegre corridor has emerged as one of Mexico’s most high-profile luxury sectors.
But its future will depend on the balance between growth and conservation, investors and locals, accessibility and remoteness. As Fridman put it: “We want development, but if it is built the right way, it brings great things for the community. We have an opportunity to do it right.”
Meagan Drillinger is a New York native who has spent the past 15 years traveling around and writing about Mexico. While she’s on the road for assignments most of the time, Puerto Vallarta is her home base. Follow her travels on Instagram at @drillinjourneys or through her blog at drillinjourneys.com.
SPARK, a new arts festival in San Miguel de Allende, is designed for those who “are excited to step outside their usual boundaries and try something new, or to explore familiar things in new ways.” (Art of the Story)
On November 11-13, San Miguel de Allende will host an exciting new festival encouraging artistic experimentation. Its founders call SPARK “an inclusive, interactive, energizing and participatory three-day event blurring the lines between gallery, play room, carnival and art fair. Our goal is to build community through experiences that are bold, fun, and immersive. The future of art is participatory and celebrates creatives working across disciplines, mediums and genres.” SPARK is produced by Art of the Story, a nonprofit organization that also sponsors an annual children’s art festival called CHISPA.
SPARK: a celebration of artistic experimentation in San Miguel de Allende
Art Of The Story - Transformative Experiences
“People like to try new things; our role is to make it easy, safe, and fun for that to happen,” explained Tina Bueche, SPARK director. “Rather than formal, sit-down-and-listen-to-the-speaker-style classes, when you walk into our festival, a variety of experiences will be happening at any given time, with artists creating art right in front of you. You get to choose which artists and performers to simply watch—and which experiences to dive into yourself.”
Festivalgoers can try their hand at a variety of artforms, from weaving, drawing, photography, collage and watercolor to chicken-wire sculpture and finger painting, from poetry to improv, with coaching from professional artists and performers. All art supplies are included.
“When you want to take a break from working on a piece,” noted Bueche, “you can safely leave it in our ‘art parking lot’ and go off to observe or participate in something else, and then come back to your project later that day or the next. Feel free to work individually or collaboratively as you create with words, fabric, paint, wire, or movement.”
The festival will feature installations, makers’ tables, live music, a (temporary) tattoo parlor and a graffiti wall, as well as spoken word events, open mic, and a screening area for short films. One intriguing example of the many experiences on offer is a project in which six Spanish-language writers will each perform their own version of the same story from six different perspectives.
At the festival’s pop-up lounge, known as Smokey Joe’s Cafe, two acts will perform each evening.
Perform or Volunteer at SPARK 2025
Bueche continued: “SPARK introduces the unexpected and the familiar in ways which provide festivalgoers with the chance to break through their comfort zones, fan the flames of their creative spark, and gain confidence in embracing new possibilities as well as in expanding existing perceptions.”
Or as poet Judyth Hill put it, “SPARK! What a much-needed, innovative, and vibrant addition to our always-exciting arts scene in San Miguel! Spark lays out a delectable feast, a wise, curated buffet of opportunities to explore many mediums of creative expression. This unique event grants everyone attending an all-access pass to explore, discover — play! As a professional writer, I adore being offered the chance to experiment in other art forms.”
There are a few slots remaining for volunteer facilitators, and Bueche noted that it is even still possible to integrate a few more artists and performers into the program. Interested applicants should contact theteam@theartofthestory.org at their earliest convenience.
Purchase Festival Passes for SPARK 2025
Tickets are available at the following rates: one-day pass US $45 (800 pesos), two-day pass US $80 (1500 pesos), three-day pass US $110 (2000 pesos). The Smokey Joe’s cover charge for the evening performances is included in any daypass; it can also be purchased separately at the door for 200 pesos, cash only. For more information, visit artofthestorysanmiguel.org.
Based in San Miguel de Allende, Ann Marie Jackson is a writer and NGO leader who previously worked for the U.S. Department of State. Her award-winning novel “The Broken Hummingbird,” which is set in San Miguel de Allende, came out in October 2023. Ann Marie can be reached through her website, annmariejacksonauthor.com.
The spectacular Las Golondrinas waterfall in the Lacandón Jungle, Mexico's very own Amazon. (Facebook)
A symphony hums beneath the emerald canopy, where the air hangs thick with the tropical heat and the scent of damp earth. Sunlight, fractured into shimmering emerald and gold, pierces the dense foliage, illuminating a world teeming with untamed beauty.The Amazon — the world’s biggest rainforest — is home to over 10% of the world’s known species and hundreds of indigenous communities.
As an adventure-seeking travel writer who’s spent the past 15 years scouring the world for secret corners, I’ve had the fortune of exploring a small part of the Amazon and can safely say the Amazon delivers on a scale unlike anywhere else. It’s a true bucket list destination for any intrepid spirit – whether you see it from an Amazon River cruise or a hard-earned trek through the thick jungle.
The Amazon Rainforest (pictured here) is amazing. But there’s a jungle just as wild in Mexico. (Unsplash/Ivars Utināns)
But what if I told you there’s a place just as wild, with that same feeling of being deep in the wilderness, right here in Mexico?For the latest installment of our series, where we highlight amazing Mexican spots that rival world wonders, we’re going deep into the luscious green heart of Chiapas: the Lacandón Jungle.
Amazon vs Lacandón
Spanning nine South American countries, the Amazon’s dynamic terrain covers an area larger than Western Europe. In comparison, the Lacandón is much smaller, blanketing Mexico’s poorest and southeasternmost state of Chiapas, spilling across the Usumacinta Riverinto Guatemala.
But it’s nearing the Amazon in abundance, boasting 25% of Mexico’s total living species, from tapirs to spider monkeys and even endangered jaguars. The 1,500 tree species that live here provide a home for a third of the country’s bird species.
From the moment you step into the Lacandón, you feel as though you’re in the Amazon. The air hangs thick with the tropical heat and the scent of damp earth. The very atmosphere is alive with sound – the booming calls of howler monkeys and the ceaseless hum of insects. The Lacandón may not have the mighty Amazon River, but it’s also sprinkled with natural swimming holes and misty cascades where you can easily splash around and cool off.
The accessibility of the Lacandón
The Amazon’s legendary status is undeniable, but its sheer scale means reaching its deepest, most untouched corners requires extensive travel, often involving multiple flights, lengthy boat journeys and navigating challenging territories. Tours into the Amazon are notoriously expensive, with costs quickly escalating for transportation, specialized guides and accommodations.
In comparison, the Lacandón is relatively easy to explore and access. You’ll start by flying into Tuxtla Gutiérrez or Villahermosa – both airports serve most major cities in Mexico. From there, take an ADO bus to Palenque or San Cristóbal de las Casas, where plenty of tour operators offer overnight trips into the Lacandón Jungle. The intrepid backpacker can also continue onto the Lacandón villages of Frontera Corozal or Lacanjá Chansayab via colectivo.
Laguna Miramar in the Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve, part of the Lacandón Jungle. (Public Domain)
For a real and responsible experience in the Lacandón, choose operators who work with the local communities. One group that truly stands out for helping the community and protecting nature is LacanTours. They organize multi-day tours in the Lacandón that include trips to the ancient Maya ruins and waterfalls within the jungle.
Highlights of Lacandón Jungle
Like the Amazon, the Lacandón also has its own protectors. For hundreds of years, the Lacandón Maya people have looked over this ecosystem and until today, they continue to stay deeply connected with their land. In fact, when the Spanish first appeared, the Lacandón people disappeared into the jungle and only reconnected with the outside world in the 19th and 20th centuries. Their way of life today is about living in balance with nature and respecting the forest.
To take a deep dive into the Lacandón culture, I recommend staying in a cabaña with a Lacandón host and going on treks. Campamento Lacadones, with its rustic bungalows and cabañas located by a river, is owned and run by Lacandón guides who will share insights you simply can’t get from anyone else.Join a cultural workshop, learn to weave with palm leaves, go trekking or even whitewater rafting – these direct interactions are incredibly rewarding.
Top Che Ecolodge is another worthwhile base from which to explore the Lacandón. On one particularly memorable walk, my Lacandón guide, Chan K’in, pointed out a rare quetzal bird and shared a centuries-old Lacandon myth about its significance, then quietly showed me how to identify medicinal plants his ancestors used. It was a deeply personal sharing of knowledge, of a life intrinsically woven with the forest itself.
Tracing ancient roots
And then there are the ancient secrets! While there are hundreds of impressive ancient Maya sites across Mexico (in the likes of Chichen Itza and Palenque), the Lacandón hides two Maya sites that deliver an unparalleled sense of discovery: Yaxchilán and Bonampak.
Reaching Yaxchilán is an adventure on its own. It involves a journey downriver in a lancha (long, narrow boat), through a landscape shrouded in mist and primordial silence. When you finally step ashore and see those monumental, moss-covered temples rising from the jungle canopy, with howler monkeys roaring overhead, you’ll feel that visceral thrill of exploring a place that not many people have visited.
The Lacandón Jungle is home to 24% of Mexico’s terrestrial mammal species, 44% of its birds, 13% of its fish, 10% of its reptiles and 40% of its diurnal butterflies. (Canto de la Selva)
Nearby is Bonampak, famous for some of the best-preserved, most vivid Mayan murals anywhere in the world. These are breathtaking, full-color narratives depicting battles, ceremonies, and the daily lives of an ancient civilization. Standing before them, I felt like I was witnessing history come alive right before my eyes.
Saving the jungle
Sadly, the Lacandón, like the Amazon, is facing threats of deforestation. Thus, the Lacandón risk losing their natural habitat. Only about 10 percent of its original, untouched forest remains. Local groups, particularly in Lacanjá Chansayab, are working hard to stop this deforestation. By choosing responsible tourism here, you directly help these vital conservation efforts.
The Amazon will forever be a titan, a monumental force of nature. But Lacandón makes a good alternative for those who crave a jungle experience that’s more accessible and affordable. I urge you to go now, rather than later, before the Lacandón jungle sadly becomes a thing of the past.
Nellie Huang is a self-proclaimed Mexico-holic who’s lived in San Miguel de Allende and Playa del Carmen. She’s the author of Lonely Planet’s Mexico guidebook and has written hundreds of articles on Mexico for various publications. Read about her adventures worldwide on wildjunket.com and follow her updates on Instagram @wildjunket.
Hibiscus took a roundabout journey to reach Mexico, but once there and renamed jamaica, it became a culinary staple. (Gobierno de Mexico)
Last week, we talked about how tamarind reached Mexican shores, and I admit I tried to squeeze hibiscus — jamaica in Spanish — into that story. It wouldn’t fit. It deserves its own chapter. The hibiscus we steep in jars and fold into salsas in Mexico has a more complicated passport than the Manila Galleon that finally brought it to our Pacific coast.
In the beginning
The roots of jamaica trace back to Sudan, where archaeologists say it was domesticated roughly 6,000 years ago. It was one of the first plants people deliberately cultivated.
Hibiscus was domesticated in Sudan more than 6,000 years ago, making it one of the first cultivated plants. (PATIS)
In Sudan, people roasted hibiscus seeds the way you’d roast other staples. Not glamorous, but practical. Those seeds turned out to be packed with protein and a sensible source of sustenance. The plant’s showy flower ensured it wouldn’t stay hidden in pantry shelves for long. Hibiscus was quickly noticed as an ornament, a medicine and a food, turning up in the records of major civilizations across continents.
In Egypt, a long medical papyrus mentions karkadeh (hibiscus) for coughs, colds and sore throats. Some translate the name as “the Pharaoh’s drink,” and it still keeps a place at weddings and ceremonies in parts of Egypt today. That blend of everyday refreshment and ritual is a neat reminder of how a plant can be domestic and ceremonial at once.
When hibiscus reached the Mediterranean, the Greeks and Romans put it to work. Because certain species are mucilaginous and softening, classical physicians used hibiscus and related mallows as emollients and digestive aids, even for wounds and respiratory complaints. The genus name hibiscus comes from the Greek hibiskos (marshmallow), which tells you how embedded those uses were in antiquity. Those traditions fed into European herbal practice for centuries.
Across Asia, hibiscus collected new jobs and meanings. In China, it was a dye, a brightener and a hair darkener. It also became a symbol of prosperity and femininity. In India, Ayurvedic medicine embraced hibiscus for digestion, hair health, urinary support and, importantly, balancing Pitta and Kapha doshas; the energies tied to metabolism, temperature, structure and immunity.
From hibiscus to jamaica
Its trip to Mexico followed the Manila Galleon’s route. The ships that crossed from Manila to Acapulco were floating markets of plants, people and recipes. Hibiscus likely arrived bundled among that trade and found the Pacific coast agreeable. If you like romantic images, picture the flower landing in Acapulco, liking the weather and slowly spreading through Guerrero, which today is responsible for just over 70% of Mexico’s production. In 2019, Mexico produced 5,810 tons of hibiscus.
Why do we call it jamaica? That’s a messy little mystery. I haven’t found a definitive origin (stories tangle around trade names and folk etymologies), and I’m still digging.
Taste of Mexico: Jamaica
What matters more than the name is how completely hibiscus has been absorbed into Mexican food. Every fonda, restaurant and taquería offers a glass of hibiscus agua alongside sodas. Beyond aguas frescas, jamaica turns up in jams, jellies, liqueurs, sauces, marinades, tacos and dressings. It’s tart, floral and stubbornly versatile.
The health benefits of jamaica
Modern science has proven that hibiscus is rich in antioxidants. Research suggests it can help lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol profiles, slow aging processes and reduce risk factors for chronic disease. It also aids digestion, acts as a mild diuretic and helps the body eliminate toxins. In addition, preliminary studies indicate potential benefits for managing type 2 diabetes.
Healthy jamaica gelatin with chia seeds
As a culmination of this anthropological culinary journey, we present a recipe that combines tradition with modern nutritional innovation. This dessert pairs hibiscus’s antioxidant profile with gelatin (which supports collagen) and chia seeds (omega-3s, fiber, protein) to make a functional treat that benefits skin, joints, digestion and cardiovascular health.
Ingredients (for 6 servings):
1/2 cup (50 grams) of dried hibiscus flowers
4 cups (1000 milliliters) of water
2 sachets (28 grams) of unflavored gelatin
1/2 cup (125 milliliters) of cold water to hydrate gelatin
Stevia or natural sweetener to taste (equivalent to 3-4 tablespoons of sugar)
2 tablespoons (20 grams) of hydrated chia seeds
2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of fresh lemon juice
Preparation:
Rinse the hibiscus flowers under cold water.
Boil 3 cups of water, add the hibiscus, and simmer 5–8 minutes until the liquid is deep red. Remove from heat and steep 15 minutes.
Hydrate the gelatin in 1/2 cup of cold water for 10 minutes.
Strain the infusion, reserving the flowers for savory uses. Add the remaining cup of cold water to cool the tea.
Briefly warm the hydrated gelatin (10–15 seconds in the microwave) until dissolved. Whisk into the warm tea to avoid lumps.
Sweeten to taste, stir in lemon juice and fold in the hydrated chia seeds.
Pour into molds or a single dish and refrigerate 4–6 hours until set.
Pro tips on storage
Keep refrigerated up to five days. Use the strained flowers for vegetarian tacos or fold in fresh berries before chilling.
Amigos, hibiscus in Mexico is not just an ingredient. It’s proof of how trade, migration and culinary curiosity turn foreign plants into national staples. From Sudanese fields to Filipino ships to Guerrero’s farms and our neighborhood fondas, jamaica’s journey maps a small, delicious history of Mexican gastronomy.
María Meléndez is a Mexico City food blogger and influencer.
Two cadets from the Heroic Military College pose alongside two golden eagles, which are cared for by Mexico's military. (Daniel Augusto/Cuartoscuro)
The week of September 22-26, 2025, offered a window into President Claudia Sheinbaum’s management of criticism and praise.
On Monday, the brutal murders of two Colombian artists in México state sparked a diplomatic crisis, prompting Colombian President Gustavo Petro to personally intervene and criticize Mexico’s anti-cartel policies. The last five days also brought significant trade pressures from two major partners, with President Trump announcing a 25% tariff on heavy trucks and China simultaneously launching its own trade investigation into Mexico. Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador Ronald Johnson was reported praising Sheinbaum’s “bold change” in security strategy, which she firmly rejected, stating she is “simply strengthening certain areas” rather than implementing a new approach.
Didn’t have time to read every story this week? Here’s what you missed.
The construction sector’s 4.1% annual decline and manufacturing’s 1.8% drop reflected reduced government infrastructure spending and ongoing economic uncertainties. Analysts from Banamex and Vector maintained cautious optimism, forecasting 0.4% growth for 2025, while Mexico’s Finance Ministry projects growth between 0.5% and 1.5% for the year.
Colombian artists’ deaths draw international scorn
The case gained international attention when Colombian President Gustavo Petro personally requested assistance from President Sheinbaum in their search. A day later, Petro’s reaction to the news of their death was strongly political: “They murdered our youth in [Mexico]. More young people murdered by an anti-drug policy that isn’t an anti-drug-trafficker policy,” he wrote on X.
Sheinbaum characterized the murders as “an unfortunate episode” that wouldn’t affect bilateral relations, emphasizing that Mexico’s Foreign Ministry remained in close contact with Colombian authorities.
The president announced during her Monday mañanera that the Cutzamala water supply system reached 84% of capacity, up from 70% in late August. This significant improvement came thanks to Mexico City’s particularly productive rainy season in 2025, which helped replenish the seven-reservoir system that serves the capital and surrounding metropolitan area.
Sheinbaum noted, however, that while most of Mexico benefited from above-average rainfall, four states — Baja California Sur, Baja California, Sonora and Sinaloa — hadn’t received the rains they needed this summer, underscoring regional disparities in water security.
This week, Conagua also revealed its plans to crack down on water theft, a problem that authorities say is “more pronounced” in certain states, including Chihuahua, Guanajuato, México state and Michoacán.
Mexico in Madrid: Tourism Ministry sets sights on new markets in 2026
Mexico’s tourism sector showcased ambitious plans to expand its international appeal while defending its safety record. Tourism Minister Josefina Rodríguez made a bold declaration that “there is no insecurity for tourists in Mexico”, emphasizing that “a tourist who goes to Mexico is protected, is loved.” Her comments came as Mexico prepares for its starring role as partner country at Madrid’s 2026 International Tourism Fair (FITUR).
Despite recent security incidents, including the tragic deaths of two Colombian artists, tourism statistics supported the minister’s optimism. Mexico welcomed 47.4 million international visitors between January and June 2025, marking a 13.8% increase over the same period in 2024, with 7.36 million tourists arriving by air from the United States alone.
The country’s upcoming cultural diplomacy efforts promise to be spectacular. Mexico announced a “Taco Challenge” as part of its record-breaking showcase at FITUR 2026, where a massive 1,780-square-meter pavilion — the largest ever presented by any country of the Americas — will represent all 31 states and Mexico City. The challenge will fuse Spanish and Mexican ingredients, judged by chefs who helped Michoacán cuisine earn UNESCO’s Intangible Heritage recognition.
Tourism Minister Josefina Rodríguez stressed that in addition to a valuable cultural exchange, Mexico’s partnership in the 2026 FITUR is a chance “to consolidate strategic markets and reinforce our international presence.” (Fitur/X)
Beyond the exhibition floor, Mexico plans to transform Madrid with elements of its national culture, including lucha libre wrestling, massive alebrije sculptures, and catrina processions. The presentation will spotlight the Maya Train and Mexico’s role as co-host of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking of the World Cup, excitement built as FIFA revealed Zayu the Jaguar as Mexico’s official mascot for the 2026 tournament, joining Clutch the Bald Eagle (United States) and Maple the Moose (Canada). The stocky, smiling jaguar wearing Mexico’s green jersey embodies “the rich heritage and vibrant spirit of the country,” with matches scheduled for Mexico City’s Aztec Stadium (now Estadio Banorte), Monterrey and Guadalajara.
Technology and investment
Mexico’s technology sector received historic validation with CloudHQ’s announcement of a $4.8 billion investment to build six data centers in Querétaro. The massive project will create 7,200 construction jobs and 900 permanent positions while establishing the largest data center campus in Mexico, designed to accommodate cloud computing and artificial intelligence infrastructure.
September 22-26 captured Mexico at a pivotal juncture. Major investments like CloudHQ’s data center project demonstrate international confidence in the country’s economic fundamentals, yet ongoing security concerns, from cartel violence affecting international visitors to attacks on political families, underscore the urgent need for security improvements as Mexico positions itself for greater global prominence.
Mexico’s tourism ambitions for 2030 — aiming to become the world’s fifth most-visited country — depend on successfully addressing security perceptions while showcasing the nation’s incredible cultural diversity.
Mexico News Daily
This story contains summaries of original Mexico News Daily articles. The summaries were generated by Claude, then revised and fact-checked by a Mexico News Daily staff editor.
