The 1.8-meter-tall piñata featuring the Hindu mythological figure Ravana and his 10 heads, each symbolizing a vice to overcome. (Embassy of India in Mexico City)
Despite being more than 15,000 kilometers apart, Mexico and India share more than one might imagine, like family values, a love for unique flavors, an ancestral, vibrant culture and distinctive religious practices.
Recently, the two countries collaborated on a piñata in the shape of the Hindu mythological character Ravana, highlighting Indian culture at the hands of Mexican artists.
On Dec. 20, authorities in Acolman, México state — located right outside of the Teotihuacán pyramid complex — unveiled a piñata modeled after the Hindu demon king Ravana.
The piñata was created with the support of the Gurudev Tagore Indian Cultural Center in Mexico City, and the Municipality of Acolman, Mexico. Made by local papier-mâché artisan Alberto Alejandro de la Cruz Morales, the piñata participated in Acolman’s annual International Piñata Festival, which ran from Dec. 19 through Dec. 22.
According to the project’s collaborators, the piñata merges the worldviews of both cultures. In Mexico, breaking the piñata symbolizes overcoming obstacles to earn a reward. Traditionally, the piñata has seven spokes, representing the seven deadly sins, and breaking it symbolizes defeating temptations and the struggle between good and evil.
In contrast, Ravana is a central figure in Hindu mythology, primarily known as the antagonist in the epic Ramayana. This complex character plays a crucial role in Indian culture, representing various aspects of tradition and folklore. Ravana is depicted with 10 heads and 20 arms, demonstrating his power and wisdom.
Taking these characteristics into account, Alejandro de la Cruz Morales created the 1.8-meter-tall piñata featuring Ravana and his 10 heads, each symbolizing a vice to overcome.
Indian Ambassador to Mexico Pankaj Sharma participated in the piñata’s reveal ceremony, along with Abhinaw Raj, director of the Gurudev Tagore Indian Cultural Center, and the artists behind the piñata’s creation.
According to Raj, the piñata project is the fruit of a larger effort by India to promote academic and cultural exchange with Mexico.
Educational programs and Mexico-India exchange opportunities
Raj told the newspaper Crónica that the Embassy of India in Mexico City has implemented several scholarship programs that cover airfare, accommodation and a monthly stipend, enabling Mexican students to pursue undergraduate, master’s or doctoral degrees in India.
In addition, through India’s bilateral assistance program ITEC (Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation), Mexican professionals and public officials can enroll in short-term courses in India in emerging fields like artificial intelligence, technology, education and culture.
Officially launched on Sept. 15, 1964, this India-led program extends to residents of 158 countries and has invested more than US $2 billion in training professionals worldwide.
In December 2024, viral videos emerged of a troubled U.S. expat embarking on a serious of aggressive and unprovoked attacks in the streets of Mexico City. Who was she? (Mariah Markus/LinkedIn)
I first encountered the woman on a spring morning in Hipódromo, a neighborhood in Mexico City inhabited largely by young professionals and expatriates. She might have been mistaken for a backpacker at first glance, with her giant battered rucksack and crew-cut hair. Upon closer look, however, there was something “off” about her presence — the aggressive stance, the torn and dirty clothing, the angry muttering and gesticulating wildly. Her freckles and red hair, cut military-short, implied she was a non-Mexican, though she moved through the streets as if she owned them.
As I passed her, I averted my eyes and crossed to the opposite sidewalk, joining other passersby in careful avoidance. Over the next several months, from time to time I would spot her again in Condesa or Roma Norte. Each time, I found myself wondering about her story — who she was, where she came from, how she had ended up here. She seemed dangerous, baring her teeth or laughing hysterically to herself, sometimes brandishing a glinting sharp object. As I moved on with my day, my curiosity would fade as her presence was relegated to the background of busy errands around town.
A viral video
Gracias a la denuncia que nos hicieron nuestras vecinas y vecinos, la policía del sector logró la detención de una persona que portaba un arma y que ponía en peligro la vida de quienes viven en Cuauhtémoc.
It wasn’t until several weeks later that Mariah Markus, as I later learned she was named, once again entered my radar: this time via a series of alarmed messages in various WhatsApp groups. Immersed in writing an article one afternoon in mid-December, I became irritated by the constant vibrations of my phone. My WhatsApp channels were blowing up with cautionary messages and a forwarded recent clip of the woman throwing a heavy rock at someone outside of the video frame and flashing a glinting knife while screaming. A message in Spanish accompanying the video read “Neighbors, be very careful with this crazy person. She has a knife, attacks people, throws stones, and is wandering around Vicente Suárez and Tula, the sidewalk on Mazatlán, and the area around Walmart. Be cautious!”
The digital grapevine quickly transformed into a forum for concerned residents sharing their personal experiences encountering the woman and theories about her origins. The messages, alternating between Spanish and English, painted a portrait of mounting concern in these typically peaceful neighborhoods. A woman named Ali, one of the group members, reported “Apparently the police have been called several times, [Mariah has] been detained and then released. [T]he US embassy has been notified.”
Taylor, another resident, added to the growing narrative: “She is outside my apartment building most mornings and throughout the day. Where the Green Corner is on the corner of Mazatlan/Fernando Montes de Oca. Very concerning, I see her almost every day.”
“We have to do something!” added a woman named Daniela, in another WhatsApp group.
An American woman named Sara chimed in with a recent sighting “I just saw her in the middle of the street probing a manhole cover while traffic whizzed past.”
Amidst the buzz of fear and speculation in the chats, several women expressed sympathy and concern for Mariah. Carla, a Mexican resident, wrote: “Is very very sad her situation, she must have been abused several times, I had seen her all beaten. I hope that soon she receives help, for her sake and others 😞” Carla’s words sparked new discussions about mental health support systems available for expats and the homeless in Mexico.
Despite some compassionate inputs, underneath the surface of several messages and comments on social media lurked an unmistakable strain of xenophobia, particularly among some Mexican participants who called for Mariah’s deportation. “Deport the American woman now!” demanded one particularly vocal member. Other posts on social media showing videos of Mariah sarcastically referred to her presence as “Gentrification.”
As the video of Mariah’s most recent activities continued its viral journey, appearing in nearly every WhatsApp channel, the community’s response crystallized into action. A dedicated WhatsApp group titled “Police Report” materialized, attracting 148 members within hours of its creation.
Crowdsourcing Mariah’s story
August 2015 Absolute No GI-Mariah Markus
Little by little as more facts and information were shared in the various chats, a clearer picture of Mariah Markus began to emerge. A woman connected with the U.S. Embassy revealed Mariah’s full name, while others dropped articles from Mexican publications reporting on her previous arrests. Videos surfaced showing her confrontational behavior, including footage of her standing in traffic, shouting at passing drivers.
But it was her LinkedIn profile, shared by another group member, that revealed the most startling contrast. The profile painted an unexpected portrait: Mariah was 33, a Colorado native, and a graphic designer with her own portfolio website. Her background included computer science studies and a four-year service in the Colorado Air National Guard. The profile listed an impressive thirty honors and awards, including professional fighting titles, though their authenticity remained unverified.
Most unsettling were the four articles she had written on LinkedIn, which revealed not only her past as a victim of abuse, but also a troubled history marked by multiple suicide attempts. The professional facade of her online presence stood in contrast to her current situation, serving as a haunting reminder of the precariousness of mental states — and how quickly circumstances can unravel without proper support.
The situation caught the attention of local politician Alessandra Rojo de la Vega, the mayor of Cuauhtémoc, who used her social media platforms to provide updates and call for firsthand accounts from affected residents, citing a need for concrete evidence in order to support deportation proceedings. It appeared that, on numerous occasions in the past, Mariah had been detained and released by authorities due to a lack of evidence needed for resolution.
Within less than two days of the initial buzz on community groups and social media, COPACO Hipódromo Condesa (a community-based organization) reported that Mariah had finally been successfully deported back to the United States.
Crossing borders, carrying burdens
Mariah’s story serves as a sobering reminder to many in Mexico City’s expat community. Her descent from a young professional to a person in crisis on the streets of a foreign city represents a dark inversion of the American Dream, played out against the backdrop of Mexico’s capital. It raises questions about mental health support, community responsibility, and xenophobia in a city that attracts foreigners seeking new beginnings.
In the end, Mariah Markus’s story serves as a reminder that the promise of a fresh start in a new country cannot mask deeper, unresolved troubles that no change of scenery can cure.
What's inside a traditional Mexican kitchen and what are all these things used for? (Canva)
My father just moved into a small, rent-controlled apartment. My uncle gave us a quick video tour of it, and though it’s inexpensive, I think it’s quite nice. The kitchen is what impressed me the most: storage cabinets lined the walls above and below. There was also a refrigerator, stove with an oven, a microwave, and a nice, deep double-basin sink.
I bet you can regulate hot and cold water, and that the pressure is great, too.
My dad probably isn’t doing this in his new kitchen — but Mexicans absolutely do in theirs. (Evie Martínez/Unsplash)
My dad, of course, will not occupy even a fourth of the kitchen storage space; like a sizable number of people in the US, he does not cook.
Pan the camera down a few hundred miles, and you’ll find some very different looking kitchens. Though they might be sparsely occupied by on the furniture and storage front — I’ve seen plenty with a single sink and nothing else — there’s a lot going on in them.
So, what will you find in a Mexican kitchen?
A blender (licuadora). The blender is used for pretty much everything around here. Want a creamy soup? Blender. Salsa? Blender. Chocolate milk? Blender. Pancake batter? You guessed it.
Break someone’s blender, and you might be facing an actual death sentence. Be careful: it’s a sacred item!
A pressure cooker (olla exprés). A pressure cooker is a pretty great little tool. In most of the homes I’ve been in, it’s used to make a really, really delicious pot of beans. Hearing this, I went out and bought one myself!
But then, I read the instructions: “To prevent the pot from exploding…” I’m sorry, what? Explosion, you say? My own olla exprés stayed in the box.
The molcajete might just be the most essential piece of the Mexican kitchen. (Agro-Cultura Mexicana)
Tortilla press (prensa de tortilla). This little contraption is great if you want to make your own fresh tortillas from masa (cornmeal dough). Can you get by without one? Sure. Plenty of people simply keep a couple of round cut-outs of plastic and use them to form the masa however they like. But the press is fun, and faster, and makes them pretty even. I’ve seen wooden ones, but the metal round ones are the real stars!
Mortar (molcajete). Ever notice those heavy stone bowls with the pestle in them? They look cool, yes, but they’re not just for show: they’re a popular choice for making salsa and guacamole. And really, anything that needs crushed up or pulverized, I guess.
The tough part of the molcajete comes later: I’ve never figured out a really good way to clean them without them still smelling like whatever was last crushed!
An oven (horno) not used as an oven. Among my friends, I am one of the only people I know who actually uses her oven. I hate to cook, but love to bake sweet treats. My waist is sad, but my guests are happy!
So what will you find when you open the average person’s oven around here? Mostly pots and pans, given the general lack of storage in most simpler kitchens. Another friend of mine keeps her extra plastic bags there, and my host family actually kept books in there!
Yogurt and cream containers, washed out mayonnaise jars. Why buy expensive Tupperware when you can simply recycle the sturdy containers that your food comes in?
Look in the average person’s yogurt containers and you’ll find plenty of things besides yogurt! Beans and salsas if you’re lucky, old veggies if you’re not. What’s certain is that each one contains a surprise [Editors note: Sarah, are you advocating going to people’s houses and robbing their kitchens?].
All of the above are givens, but there’s plenty more! Lots of houses are built without a “cocina integral” (kitchen cabinets and drawers), so some people get creative. You might find a hodgepodge of tables and shelving, depending on the need. And since appliances don’t typically come with rentals, fridges, stoves, and microwaves are pretty much always resident-owned.
The best thing about a Mexican kitchen, of course, is the food. There may not be a bunch of fancy storage or matching plates, but man. You can sure get a good meal.
Former Presidents Vicente Fox and Felipe Calderón have both made supportive comments about Maduro's political opposition in interviews and on social media — which, apparently, is enough to get them effectively banned from Venezuela. (Wikimedia Commons)
Venezuela’s National Assembly has declared former Mexican presidents Vicente Fox and Felipe Calderón as personae non gratae, intensifying tensions as the country’s political crisis deepens.
The move by Venezuela’s ruling party majority also targets seven other former Latin American leaders who expressed support for opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia in his bid to be sworn in as president.
Venezuela Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello ordered these wanted posters of former Mexican presidents to be distributed across his country. (Prensa CICPC/Instagram)
González claims victory in Venezuela’s disputed 2024 elections, which the government declared were won by incumbent Nicolás Maduro. On Friday in Caracas, Maduro was sworn in for his third six-year term.
Dominated by pro-Maduro lawmakers, the Assembly labeled the former presidents as unwelcome and said they will be prosecuted as a “foreign force attempting to invade” if they try to enter Venezuela.
Minister of the Interior Diosdado Cabello escalated the rhetoric by unveiling wanted posters of the leaders, accusing them of “conspiracy” and “threatening the peace of Venezuela.” Cabello ordered their dissemination nationwide, including in ports and airports.
Fox and Calderón are both members of Mexico’s National Action Party (PAN).
Venezuela Interior Minister Cabello is no stranger to wanted posters, as he himself is wanted by the U.S. DEA for his connections to the drug-trafficking organization Cartel of the Suns. (U.S. DEA)
Calderón, who recently distanced himself from one of his top officials, was president from 2006 to 2012. His security minister, Genaro García Luna, was recently sentenced to nearly 40 years in jail in the U.S. for colluding with the Sinaloa Cartel.
Although neither Fox nor Calderón have made an explicit statement on the Venezuela election, both have expressed support for the Venezuelan opposition leader on social media and/or in interviews.
Calderón stated he would accompany González during a tour of Latin America leading up to an anticipated swearing-in attempt.
The other presidents on the banned list are Mario Abdo (Paraguay 2018-2023), Mireya Moscoso (Panama 1999-2004), Ernesto Pérez Balladares (Panama 1994-1999), Jorge Quiroga (Bolivia 2001-2002), Jamil Mahuad (Ecuador 1998-2000) and Laura Chinchilla (Costa Rica 2010-2014).
After Venezuela’s National Electoral Council declared Maduro the winner of elections in July, Mexico’s then-President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said Mexico would respect the announced result “because that’s democracy.”
Maduro and former President López Obrador maintained friendly relations during AMLO’s time in office. (File photo)
González is recognized as the rightful victor by the United States, Canada, Spain and other European Union countries, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Chile. Those supporting Maduro include Russia, China, Iran, Cuba and Turkey.
Meanwhile, government officials in Mexico, Brazil and Colombia have called for an independent, impartial verification of the election tally.
Credible reports from election observers suggest that González won by a more than 2-to-1 margin.
Maduro’s inauguration last week was attended by 10 heads of state, according to Venezuela state media. Those present included Nicaragua’s Daniel Ortega and Cuba’s Miguel Diaz-Canel. Several Maduro allies stayed home, including Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who cited the arrest of a Venezuelan human rights defender as his reason for missing the event.
“A representative will attend the inauguration, and we see no reason why this should be an issue,” said Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, stating that it is the responsibility of the Venezuelan people to determine their internal affairs.
The currency's weakest position on Monday was 20.87 to the dollar, according to the newspaper El Economista.(Shutterstock)
The Mexican peso depreciated against the US dollar for a fourth consecutive trading day on Monday, according to end-of-day exchange rate data from the Bank of Mexico (Banxico).
The peso closed at 20.72 to the greenback after ending Friday at 20.70 to the dollar, Banxico data shows.
The Bank of Mexico shows the peso trading at 20.80 to the dollar after closing time (2:10 p.m.) on Monday. (Banxico)
The peso also weakened on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of last week.
Based on Banxico’s end-of-day data, the peso depreciated just over 2% against the dollar between last Tuesday and today.
The currency’s weakest position on Monday was 20.87 to the dollar, according to the newspaper El Economista.
A general strengthening of the dollar during North American trading hours on Monday contributed to the peso’s weaker position at the end of the trading day in Mexico.
However, the DXY index, which measures the value of the greenback against a basket of foreign currencies, was in negative territory shortly after 5 p.m. Mexico City time. At the same time, the peso was trading at the stronger position of 20.60 to the dollar, according to Yahoo Finance!
Labor market data out of the United States last week raised expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve will adopt a cautious approach toward monetary policy decisions this year, contributing to the weakening of the peso.
Trump’s impending return to the presidency has had a negative impact on the Mexican peso, and may cause the currency to depreciate even further in 2025. (Facebook)
“U.S. job growth unexpectedly accelerated in December while the unemployment rate fell to 4.1% as the labor market ended the year on a solid footing, reinforcing views that the Federal Reserve would keep interest rates unchanged this month,” Reuters reported on Friday.
In contrast, many analysts are forecasting that Banxico will cut its benchmark rate by at least 25 basis points in early February. Such a move would reduce the gap between the official interest rate in Mexico (currently 10%) and that of the Fed (4.25-4.50%), and likely cause the peso to further weaken against the dollar.
According to financial consultant and trader Juan Carlos Cruz Tapia, a USD:MXN exchange rate above 21 is a likely scenario in the near term due to Trump’s impending return to the presidency.
Speaking at an event on Friday in Mexico City, Mexico's economy minister said, "I guarantee you we're going to find [a way out]" from Trump's threatened tariffs. (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro)
Speaking Friday at a conference in Mexico City, Ebrard expressed optimism regarding the upcoming review of the USMCA — which maintained zero tariffs on products that had zero tariffs under NAFTA — because of Mexico’s positive results on security and migration issues.
With one week left before his inauguration, incoming U.S. President Donald Trump remains firm on his plans to slap punishing tariffs on Mexico once in office. (Ron Sachs/Consolidated News via Shutterstock)
The economy minister also asserted that Trump’s proposed protectionist policies would backfire on the United States.
“You can’t have low inflation and sustained economic growth in the U.S. if, at the same time, you’re rolling out strong protectionist policies against Mexico and China,” he said, according to the news agency Reuters. “That’s a key advantage for Mexico.”
Ebrard also recalled the success he had negotiating tense trade talks eight years ago during Trump’s first term as president, during which the North American Free Trade Agreement was updated and renewed as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) for an additional six years. As Mexico’s foreign minister at the time, Ebrard helped prevent the imposition of big tariffs linked to the migration issue.
“In the end, there were no tariffs or treaties, because we found a way out,” Ebrard said, according to Reuters. “I guarantee you we’re going to find [a way out].”
Set to take office in one week, Trump has again promised to apply broad tariffs on Mexico if it does not crack down on migrant arrivals at the Mexico-U.S. border and do more to halt the smuggling of illegal drugs, particularly fentanyl.
He also pointed out that U.S. officials recognize that part of the problem is the unrestrained weapons trafficking from the United States that benefits the drug cartels in Mexico. Expansión reported that the Sinaloa Cartel acquires roughly 85% of its weapons from the United States. Additionally, from 2018 to 2024, more than 3,600 weapons were seized at the Mexican border, and another 3,600 weapons have been seized since President Claudia Sheinbaum took office on Oct. 1, 2024.
A day after her 100-day address, President Sheinbaum was back in the National Palace for her regular Monday press conference. (Moisés Pablo/Cuartoscuro)
A day after speaking to hundreds of thousands of people in Mexico City’s central square, President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed reporters at the National Palace on Monday.
Here is a recap of her morning press conference, or mañanera.
Sheinbaum reflects on her first 100 days: A ‘peaceful revolution’ is taking place in Mexico
There is “enthusiasm” and “happiness” with regard to “what is happening in Mexico,” Sheinbaum said.
“There cannot be a divorce between the people and the government. That is the standard that was set in December 2018 [when Andrés Manuel López Obrador became president] and that’s the way it will continue to be,” she said.
President Sheinbaum reported on her first 100 days to a full crowd at the Mexico City Zócalo on Sunday. (Presidencia)
“That is what annoys our political adversaries, but what there is in Mexico is a peaceful revolution that began in December 2018, and it mainly has to do with a change in [people’s political] awareness,” she said.
“… We have to serve the people and always provide results that improve their quality of life, education and healthcare. And we have to broaden people’s rights,” Sheinbaum added.
“…That’s what we’re doing and that’s what we’re going to continue doing,” she said.
Search for miners killed in 2006 disaster continues, president says
Sheinbaum said that the search is ongoing for the remains of more than 60 miners killed when a methane explosion occurred at the Pasta de Conchos coal mine in Coahuila in 2006.
Friction between Gov. Samuel García’s administration and state attorney general’s office has hindered security operations in Nuevo León, Sheinbaum said. (Secretaría de Seguridad Nuevo León/X)
Sheinbaum said that Nuevo León has had a security coordination “problem” in recent years.
“The conflict, let’s say political, between the [state] Attorney General’s Office and the government of Nuevo León itself … prevents there being [positive security] results or decreases the possibility of having results,” she said.
“… Regardless of political issues, the security of Nuevo León must be placed above all else. And there must be coordination,” she said.
There has been significant friction in recent years between the Nuevo León government led by Governor Samuel García and the state Congress and state Attorney General’s Office.
Sheinbaum stressed that the federal government will “always” collaborate with state and municipal governments on security issues.
“This coordination is essential and it has to go beyond political issues,” she said.
By Mexico News Daily chief staff writer Peter Davies (peter.davies@mexiconewsdaily.com)
Major pubic infrastructure projects like the Maya Train have boosted the Mexican economy in recent years. (Presidencia/Cuartoscuro)
Prime Minister of Belize Johnny Briceño wants a Maya Train for his Caribbean nation and has asked President Claudia Sheinbaum to consider extending the train’s tracks beyond Mexico’s southeastern border.
“It could open a new market for tourists since many who visit Cancún are from Europe and we don’t get many visitors from Europe,” Briceño said of the Maya Train. (@JohnBricenoBZE/X)
Briceño told reporters last week that he has formally requested that Mexico expand its Maya Train just seven miles, from Chetumal, Quintana Roo, across the Hondo River and to the Belize border.
“I sent a letter to [President Sheinbaum] last year. When I met her in October [at her inauguration in October 2024], we talked about the Maya Train,” Briceño said, insisting that Mexico’s president initially expressed support for his idea. “She assured me that she wants to continue the work that President López Obrador started.”
In the letter, Briceño said, he also proposed that the Maya Train cross Belize and connect to the iconic Maya ruins of Tikal in northern Guatemala.
“It could open a new market for tourists since many who visit Cancún are from Europe and we don’t get many visitors from Europe,” he said, according to the online news blog Riviera Maya News. “With the Maya Train, it would be much easier for them to travel to Belize.”
Although Sheinbaum has not provided an official response, Briceño is campaigning for support, even promoting the proposed tracks for cargo use. “[M]oving products from Mexico to Belize would be easier as would moving our products … to the United States and Canada [through Mexico], so it is an opportunity for everyone to win.”
Belizeans embrace regional potential of the Maya Train
With or without the track extension, residents of a Belizean city just 25 kilometers south of Chetumal, Quintana Roo, are seeking to benefit from the Maya Train, according to the newspaper Novedades Quintana Roo.
Corozal, Belize, located just 25 kilometers south of Chetumal, is hoping to attract tourism from Maya Train passengers. (@gobpressoffice/X)
The city of Corozal boasts several Maya ruins and is also Belize’s top duty-free zone. It is Belize’s northernmost town — about 140 kilometers north of the capital Belize City — and is the economic lifeblood of the country’s north.
Daniel Alberto Torres, director of the duty-free zone, said Corozal is already working with officials from Othón P. Blanco, the Mexican municipality that borders Belize and of which Chetumal is the county seat.
“We believe that as the Maya Train approaches 100%, it can produce an influx of visitors [from Chetumal] if we successfully promote our attractions,” Torres said, pointing out that Corozal takes part in Chetumal cultural and economic events such as Carnaval and Expofer.
Torres believes that the development being driven by the Maya Train in southeastern Mexico will boost the entire region by encouraging infrastructure investment, especially along borders.
Corozal — which was founded in 1848 by Maya refugees fleeing the Caste War in Yucatán — received 100,000 visitors in December 2024, and reached nearly one million tourists for the entire year. Torres says the goal is to top one million visitors in 2025.
Chinese car brands like BYD have become increasingly well-known in Mexico in recent years. (Joshua Fernández/Unsplash)
The boom of Chinese car sales in Mexico appears to be slowing down, after failing to grow by double digits for the first time in four years, the newspaper El Economista reported Monday. However, the data is preliminary, as some Chinese vehicle brands have not yet shared sales figures with the National Institute of Geography and Statistics (INEGI).
China positioned itself as the main supplier of imported light vehicles in Mexico between 2022 and 2024. However, its growth rate has fallen in recent months owing to lower customer satisfaction and uncertainty around the future of Chinese imports due to growing trade tensions between China and the U.S. under President-elect Donald Trump.
A Chirey SUV in the streets of Condesa, Mexico City. (RiveraNotorio/Flickr)
Chinese car sales increased by 9.8% in 2024, to 302,837 units, contributing 20.2% of the total light vehicle sales in Mexico, INEGI data shows.
By contrast, Chinese car sales rose by 103% in 2021, 128.4% in 2022 and 51.4% in 2023, as China rapidly expanded its share of the Mexican market from just 0.3% in 2017.
In the major vehicle-producing state of Guanajuato in Mexico’s Bajío region, Chinese automakers contributed 7.7% of total car sales in 2024, according to a Mexican Association of Automobile Distributors (AMDA) report. Guanajuato had the seventh-most car sales of any Mexican state last year.
One reason for China’s rapid sales growth was General Motors’s shift from using Mexican car components to Chinese, as well as Chevrolet’s decision to move manufacturing operations for its Aveo and Sonic vehicles from Mexico to China. The Chinese brand SAIC Motors, the parent company of MG Motor, took over the manufacturing business for the new Aveo, the Onyx, the Groove and the Captiva.
GM has been the biggest seller of Chinese-assembled vehicles in Mexico since 2018.
The rise in the popularity of cars from Chinese automakers also contributed to the rapid rise in growth. Brands such as MG Motor, Chirey, Omoda, Changan, Great Wall Motor and Jetour have become more widely known, together registering imports of 116,000 units to Mexico in 2024, according to INEGI.
General Motors’ decision to manufacture some models in China — including the Chevrolet Aveo, pictured — boosted the market share of Chinese-made cars in Mexico. (Chevrolet)
Some major Chinese automakers have not reported their sales to INEGI, including BYD, Geely, Zeekr, GAC and Bestune.
Recent customer satisfaction studies from the consumer insights company J.D. Power showed that overall satisfaction with Chinese-branded cars was among the lowest in Mexico, which likely contributed to lower sales growth.
Chinese brands scored 812 points out of 1,000 on the APEAL (Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout) scale, compared to Japanese brands, at 899, and South Korean brands, with 896. Mercedes-Benz came out on top with a score of 932.
Sales are also lagging due to poor consumer confidence in the lead-up to Trump’s presidential inauguration on Jan. 20. Trump has threatened to increase tariffs on Chinese imports by an additional 10%. This follows the introduction of 100% tariffs on Chinese imports by the Biden administration in 2024.
Of the nearly 8 million visitors who entered the country in November, 3.94 million were international tourists. (Elizabeth Ruiz/Cuartoscuro)
In November 2024, Mexico saw 13.2% more international tourists than in the same month of 2023, along with a 11% increase in tourism revenue, according to a report published Monday by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI).
According to INEGI, 7.6 million visitors entered the country in November, an increase of 20.3% compared to 2023. Of these, 3.94 million were international tourists (travelers who spent at least one night in Mexico), up from 3.48 million in the same month of the previous year.
The primary annual increase observed was in border tourism, which saw 33.3% year-on-year growth in November, totaling 1.65 million tourists.
The number of tourists arriving by air increased by 0.9% to 1.93 million, while the remaining visitors to Mexico arrived by land or cruise ship.
Total spending by international tourists soared by 9.8% year-on-year in November, reaching US $2.52 billion. Of this total, 93.3% came from inbound tourists — those residing abroad who visit Mexico and stay overnight — while 6.7% came from tourists who visited Mexico via the border.
Average spending per tourist (including international, cruise and border tourists), however, fell by 7% year-on-year from US $392.42 to $362.13.
The most recent INEGI data reveals a continued upward trend in tourism to Mexico, which received 42.15 million international tourists during 2023, 10% more than in 2022. Mexico was the sixth most visited country in the world in 2023 — after Italy (No. 5) — with 38.3 million visitors, according to data from the World Tourism Organization. It surpassed countries like Austria (10), the United Kingdom (7) and the United Arab Emirates (12).
Final tourism figures for 2024 have yet to be announced.
Mexicans are also traveling and spending more abroad
Mexico saw more people leave the country than tourists entering Mexico in 2024.
According to INEGI, 6.8 million residents in Mexico traveled abroad in November 2024 – a figure 43.8% higher than that of November 2023. Of these, 1.8 million were international tourists who spent at least one night abroad.
Mexican tourists’ average spending abroad also shot up 31.9% in November 2024, from $856.9 to $1,129.9.
![Speaking at an event on Friday in Mexico City, Mexico's economy minister said, "I guarantee you we're going to find [a way around]" Trump's tariffs.](https://mexiconewsdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1013970_Seminario-Perspectivas-Economicas-ITAM-4_impreso-696x464.jpg "1013970_Seminario Perspectivas Económicas ITAM-4_impreso")
