Why Holbox is Mexico’s perfect island paradise

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July 5, 2024

Isla Holbox — The quiet island of Holbox offers tranquility, nature and comfort to visitors. The sleepy sandbar has garnered a reputation for sustainable tourism and is untouched by the commercial development that has plagued the rest of Quintana Roo. (Rosie Buller)

A thin strip of sand on the northern tip of the Yucatán peninsula, Holbox is an attractive draw for the traveler looking for a Caribbean paradise free of the tourist hordes of Cancún and Tulúm. While the island is certainly geared toward tourism, the scale of the operation here is such that you feel like you are a somewhat discreet traveler, someone in-the-know and perhaps more enlightened than those masses lined up in front of Señor Frogs in Cancún. Travel guides to Holbox are still quite rare, and the island still has the feel of the Mexico of 30 years ago.

This is an island with outstanding natural beauty, a marrow-deep chill, superlative dining options, and a range of accommodations for the eco-minded traveler. The following is an account of some of the best places I stayed and ate over the course of a recent trip with my fiancé.

The underdeveloped island – which has no proper roads – is a paradise for those looking to get back to basics. (Rosie Buller)

Getting to Holbox

Should you decide to come via bus, ADO has comfortable daily service from Cancún and Mérida to Chiquilá. If you want to get to Holbox as quickly as possible and in style, there is a small airport on the island, and Holbox Air offers private charters on small Cessna and Piper planes to destinations around the Yucatán peninsula.

If you choose to drive, Highway 180D from Cancún or Mérida is a smooth trip, though one that perhaps feels longer for its flat terrain and utter lack of landmarks or scenery. Once you turn off towards the port town of Chiquilá, beware the final stretch of Highway 5, as it is littered with bathtub-sized potholes capable of doing serious damage to your car (or, worse, your relationship). I can still hear my fiancé’s “Cuidado! Watch the road!” reverberating in my ears.

Any travel-related discord is soon forgotten, however, once you arrive in Chiquilá and board a ferry. Two ferry services leave every 30 minutes, both fast and cheap, offering outdoor seating that gives that tingling anticipation feeling as the island comes closer into view.

Once you arrive on the island, a line of golf cart taxis will be waiting to take you to your destination, with fixed rates depending on where you’re headed. Not only are the golf carts a fun reminder you are no longer on the mainland, but taxis on Holbox have virtually none of the pushy salesmanship you see in other, more commercialized areas of the Yucatán region.

Where to stay on Holbox

Casa Cat Ba hotel in Holbox — Don’t let the lack of commercialization fool you, though; Holbox has plenty of luxurious hotels for travellers who want some comfort. (Casa Cat Ba/Tripadvisor)

That fact is reflective of a larger reality: for an island whose main source of revenue is tourism, Holbox is mercifully free of the commercial, one-size-fits-all mass tourism found in other popular resort areas. Instead of giant high-rise hotels, the traveler has options that run from funky hostels to chic boutiques to small, five-star beachside resorts. In order to get a feel for the range of accommodation on offer, we decided to try a sample of all three.

There are many reasons why staying in a hostel is a great travel option affordability, ease of making friends, the communal vibe. Hostel Tribu checks every box. The hostel sits one block off the beach and features a charmingly funky design, group activities ranging from full moon kayak excursions to twerk classes, open mics on the second-floor bar, and a restaurant serving inspired fusion cuisine. Owner Davide Coggi creates a welcoming atmosphere and — importantly for an island business — has committed to reducing the hostel’s waste with an innovative composting program.

Perched on the sand, Casa Cat Ba is a small boutique hotel with a familial atmosphere and gorgeously decorated rooms and common spaces. Each of the six rooms has a balcony with a view west over the sea, perfect for watching the sunset turn the clouds from popcorn puffs to a color closer to the pink of Holbox’s flamingos. Take it in with a passion fruit mezcalita in your hand.

Beyond the gorgeous setting and the comfort of the rooms what stands out about Casa Cat Ba is the easy-going, charismatic hospitality of the staff. Hotel manager Ivette told me she hopes guests “feel like family from the moment they arrive” and leave feeling like the place is a “home away from home” — true on both counts in our case. For the eco-minded traveler, Casa Cat Ba is a smart option as well, as they display a commitment to mitigating their impact on the island’s fragile ecosystem, with as close to zero waste operation as can be imagined. Oh, and the breakfasts were fresh and varied every morning. Eating the best avocado toast of your life as the sun rises over the Caribbean is a moment you won’t soon forget.

Holbox sunrise — Sunrise and sunsets on Holbox are a dream. (Rosie Buller)

We stayed three nights in Casa Cat Ba and were sad to leave, but our next stop proved to be a delight: Las Hamacas Club de Playa on the eastern edge of the main beach. This is the spot to go if you want a bit more privacy from the bustle of downtown Holbox. The small resort is everything you could want in a dreamy escape, with an attentive smiling staff, spacious rooms with modern amenities and private balconies with a view of the sea. There is a large pool for guests only, with a swim up bar serving some of the finest cocktails on the island. The restaurant has both spectacular views and serves contemporary seafood and grill cuisine. A sand bar just off the shoreline makes for a picturesque spot to catch the sunset, as the numerous selfie stick wielding influencers can attest.

On our last night on the island, we thought we’d try something romantic for dinner. We asked around town for a good date night spot, and the locals told us to go to Parador 33, a cozy, open-air spot tucked away from the bustle of the main street.

Dinner on Holbox is also as good as you might expect, with restaurants like Parada 33 offering delicious food and wine options. (Holbox Travel)

Here, the mood was familial, with barefoot kids mingling with the stray cats underfoot, and yet it remained intimate with low lighting, the best wine list we saw on the island, and an innovative menu. A highlight was the steak, cooked in an outer shell of rosemary-tinged dough which, cracked open tableside, revealed a tender cut of meat. A glass of malbec was the perfect pairing here.

For some, lying on the beach all day and watching the sunset is what vacation is all about. For the more active-minded traveler, the island has a range of activities. A dominant westerly wind means kiteboarding is an option, and there are a plethora of schools for lessons and rental gear. The yearly whale shark season attracts visitors who wish to see these giant fish up close. Personally, we swam great distances every morning, following the current east to west along a string of buoys a half kilometer offshore.

The end of a trip can be a jarring experience. For us, it was an alarm clock blasting us into get-away-day reality at 6 a.m., the somber shuffle out of our room at Las Hamacas, the waiting golf cart cab. As we bounced through the sand streets on the way to the ferry we watched the sunrise over the sea, not a trace of wind over the glassy surface. As we were dragged into the nagging concerns of the mainland — getting the car out of the parking, the coming highway tolls, the potholes — the mind couldn’t help but try to stay in the moment, enjoying the last view of the island’s beauty.

Stewart Merritt is a professor and freelance writer based in Mérida. A native of California, he has been visiting Mexico his entire life, especially the Pacific coast, where he likes to surf. This summer he will marry his Yucatecan fiancé.

Mexican Slang 101: Sport

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Alasdair Baverstock

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July 5, 2024

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A Monterrey FC player celebrates — Is this man the "potato"? Alisdair Baverstock has the answers. (Gabriela Pérez Montiel/Cuartoscuro)

Mexican sports slang is a wonderful thing: “Que pelmazo el portero, fue una vergeada! Cruzazuleamos de nuevo!”

Mexicans love their sport, and with the Euros and Copa America reaching their knockout stages, and the Olympics starting at the end of the month, there’s no better time to brush up on your vocabulary if you’re going to be watching with amigos.

Journalist Alasdair Blaverstock — Author Alasdair Baverstock. (Alasdair Baverstock)

The author of The Mexican Slang Dictionary, Alasdair Baverstock, gives us ten lesser-known Mexican expressions and phrases to take your sports knowledge to the next level.

A word of warning: While some of these expressions are perfect for the football stadium, they might be frowned upon if you use them in an everyday context, so consider who you are speaking to before using them.

Allí esta la papa – expression Signifying the weakest link in any system. Literally: There’s the potato. E.g. In sports, if one of the players on the side is clearly inferior to his teammates, then he is the “potato” and should be tactically targeted with additional pressure in order to increase the chances of victory.

Crack – noun Someone who is the best at what they do, and in the context of sport, the best player on the team.

e.g. Viste el gol de Ronaldo? Que crack es ese güey.

Did you see Ronaldo’s goal? What an amazing player he is.

Cruzazulear – verb To perform extremely well in any given activity, only to fall short at the final hurdle. To “bottle it,” to “snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.” Stems from the Mexico City football club Cruz Azul, which reached numerous finals over decades, but never managed to win.

Me carga la chingada! – exclam Expressive of frustration, Equivalent of “Godammit!” (except stronger). Extremely useful expression when your team concedes.

Me mama – expression Descriptive of something which a person greatly enjoys. Also used reflexively for any subject, i.e. Me mama, Te mama, Le mama, Nos mama, etc.

e.g. Me mama jugar futbol.

I love playing football.

Palero – noun An individual who is quick, or easily convinced, to change their allegiances. A “fairweather fan,” in the context of sport, but can also be used in any other context; i.e. politics, socially, etc. Also Piquetero.

Pelmazo – noun An incorrigable idiot.

e.g. Que pelmazo ese portero!

What an idiot that goalkeeper is!

Porra – noun A chant, or cheer.

Different sporting institutions often have their own specific chants, sung by the crowd at their events, but the most common Mexican porra goes:

Chi-qui-ti-bom, a la bim-bom ba!

A la bio, a la bao, a la bim-bom-ba!

Person’s name! Person’s name!

Ra! Ra! Ra!

Tener la Estafeta – expression To be in charge. Literally, to be “holding the baton.” A team captain does so for his team.

Vergeada – noun A decisive victory, or pummeling. Literally, a “dicking.”

e.g. Nos metieron siete goles, fue una vergeada!

They scored seven goals, it was a thrashing!

If you want to brush up on more than your sports, you can buy The Mexican Slang Dictionary on Amazon in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Alisdair Baverstock is the Mexico City based author of The Mexican Slang Dictionary.

Cancún officials save sea turtle eggs from approaching Hurricane Beryl

By

MND Staff

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July 4, 2024

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Cancun officials on Playa Delfines putting dug up sea turtle eggs into Styrofoam coolers ahead of Hurricane Beryl — Cancún officials on Delfines Beach, digging up sea turtle nests ahead of Hurricane Beryl to move the eggs to a safe location. (Benito Juárez City Council/X)

With Hurricane Beryl bearing down on the Yucatán Peninsula, Cancún officials are moving to protect residents from the oncoming hurricane — even Cancun’s resident sea turtle eggs.

Municipal workers canvassed Playa Delfines — a beach in Cancún that is a protected area for sea turtles, who lay their eggs there — and dug up 93 nests, collecting approximately 10,400 eggs, according to a statement posted on social media.

A Styrofoam cooler filled with sea turtle eggs with a Cancun official's hands inside the cooler — Cancún officials carefully placed the sea turtle eggs in coolers for transport. (Benito Juárez City Council/X)

In late spring/early summer, several protected species of sea turtles come ashore in the Cancún area to lay their eggs in the sand. People are warned not to disturb the sea turtle nests, as the sand keeps the eggs at ideal hatching temperature.

The eggs collected Wednesday were placed in dozens of coolers and covered with sand before being moved to safer spots. Municipal officials did not say where the eggs would be stored during the storm, which is expected to arrive on Thursday night or early Friday.

Biologist Graciela Tiburcio, one of Mexico’s foremost sea turtle experts, told the Associated Press that the removal operation was risky. However, she recognized that the situation is an extraordinary one.

“In a normal situation, this would not be right, because [Hurricane Beryl] will surely cause mortality,” Tiburcio said. “There will be a lower rate of hatched eggs; that is the reality. But it’s also a reality that if the nests are left there, they’ll all be lost.”

In other areas of the beach, teams were using sandbags to build corrals around the nesting sites to protect them against the expected strong waves and the storm surge.

Cancún officials being extra cautious

After facing criticism for failing to prepare adequately for previous hurricanes — Mexico was faulted for doing very little to warn or evacuate residents of the Pacific coast resort of Acapulco ahead of Hurricane Otis last October — the federal government is being more proactive.

Three young men standing in the water on the shore of a Cancun beach as the waves crash on them. — Although government officials in beach destinations along Mexico’s Caribbean have issued warnings for people to evacuate to shelters ahead of Hurricane Beryl, those warnings are not always being heeded, as this photo taken on Thursday on a beach in Cancún attests. (Elizabeth Ruiz/Cuartoscuro)

Soldiers, police and marines were actively encouraging residents along the Caribbean coast to evacuate their homes and head to government shelters.

Not everyone was heeding the advice, however. The Associated Press reported that half of the population of Punta Allen, south of the resort of Tulum, were ignoring the suggestion to evacuate.

“They’re asking everyone to get out of Punta Allen … but people don’t want to leave,” said a resident who asked to remain anonymous. “They don’t have any money, and they don’t want to leave their possessions.”

One reason for resisting the advice, the same resident said, is that the government allegedly offers transportation to the shelters further inland but does not provide transportation back home.

With reports from Record and The Associated Press

With boost from US economic data, peso appreciates for third day in a row

By

MND Staff

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July 4, 2024

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Two hands count Mexican pesos, a currency that is recovering from a recent depreciation — The Mexican peso fell after June's federal elections, but has appreciated in recent days. (Cuartoscuro)

The Mexican peso appreciated against the US dollar for a third consecutive day on Thursday, but the currency remains above 18 to the greenback.

Bloomberg data shows that the peso was trading at 18.10 to the dollar at 3:30 p.m. Mexico City time.

It was slightly stronger earlier in the day, reaching 18.06 peso to the dollar.

The peso closed at 18.37 to the dollar on Monday before appreciating on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The currency has gained around 1.5% since its closing position on Monday and 0.4% since its closing position on Wednesday.

There was little change in the USD:MXN exchange rate after President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum announced four additional cabinet appointments on Thursday.

The Monex financial group said Thursday morning that the peso had strengthened on the back of economic data out of the United States and the impact of that data on expectations about a future interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve.

The seal of the U.S. Federal Reserve — Monex attributed the peso’s appreciation to the expectation that the U.S. Federal Reserve will soon cut interest rates for Mexico’s northern neighbor. (Kurtis Garbutt/Flickr)

U.S. company Automatic Data Processing released a National Employment Report on Wednesday showing that private sector employment in the U.S. increased by 150,000 jobs in June. That provided a sign that the U.S. economy is slowing and increased expectations that the Fed could cut its federal funds rate in the not-too-distant future.

In addition, minutes released on Wednesday from the Fed’s June 11-12 monetary policy session showed that Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) members acknowledged the U.S. economy appeared to be slowing and that “price pressures were diminishing.”

Mexico’s Banco Base said that it expects the Fed to announce an interest rate cut on Sept. 18, although Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Tuesday that more data showing the U.S. is on a “disinflationary path” is needed before a cut can occur.

The FOMC members will meet on July 30 and 31, and again on Sept. 17 and 18.

The peso has benefited for an extended period from the significant difference between the Bank of Mexico’s benchmark interest rate, currently set at 11%, and the Fed’s federal funds rate, set at a 5.25%–5.5% range.

According to foreign exchange news website FX Street, the peso also got a boost on Thursday from a post to X by Bank of Mexico board member Jonathan Heath.

He wrote that he “completely agreed” with Powell’s assessment that “more benign inflation data is needed” before rates can be cut.

“He said it for the Federal Reserve, but it applies equally to the case of Mexico,” Heath said.

Inflation in Mexico has been on the rise since March, with an annual headline rate of 4.78% reported for the first half of June.

The peso appreciated to an almost nine-year high of 16.30 to the dollar in April, but it depreciated sharply after Claudia Sheinbaum’s victory in the June 2 presidential election and the ruling Morena party’s comprehensive win in the congressional elections the same day.

The peso has recovered somewhat after depreciating to 18.99 to the dollar last month, but at 18.10 to the greenback it remains about 6% weaker than it was just before the elections.

With reports from Expansión and Milenio

Sheinbaum names interior minister, security minister and other top cabinet appointments

By

MND Staff

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July 4, 2024

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Sheinbaum stands on a white stage with her newly announced cabinet appointees. — This week, President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum, center, named — from left to right — Omar García Harfuch, Rosa Icela Rodríguez, Ariadna Montiel and Mario Delgado for some of the most powerful positions in the federal government. (Galo Cañas Rodríguez/Cuartoscuro)

President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo has announced cabinet appointments for some of the top posts in Mexico. Among the names is current Security Minister Rosa Icela Rodríguez Velázquez for Interior Minister, a position usually considered the second most powerful in the Mexican government.

Sheinbaum, who won Mexico’s presidential election on June 2 for the Morena Party, will take office on Oct. 2.

Sheinbaum also announced Thursday that Omar García Harfuch will be her security minister, Ariadna Montiel Reyes will remain in her current position as welfare minister and Mario Delgado Carillo will be Mexico’s education minister.

García served as security minister in Mexico City between 2019 and 2023 while Sheinbaum was mayor. Delgado has been the national president of the Morena party since 2020.

With the four new appointees seated behind her at the Interactive Museum of the Economy in Mexico City, Sheinbaum said that Rodríguez, García, Montiel and Delgado are “honest and professional women and men who are part of the fourth transformation.”

The fourth transformation, or 4T, is the name of the political project initiated by current President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and the ruling Morena party.

In remarks after her announced appointment to Sheinbaum’s cabinet, Rodríguez said that the incoming government “will build the second story of the transformation of Mexico.”

A portrait of Rosa Icela Rodríguez with Mexican flags. — Current Security Minister Rosa Icela Rodríguez will take the helm of the powerful Interior Ministry in Sheinbaum’s incoming administration. (CC BY-SA 4.0)

She also said it’s a “privilege” to “walk side by side” with Sheinbaum, who will be the first female president of Mexico.

“With you, all women arrive — grandmothers, mothers and daughters,” Rodríguez said.

As interior minister, she pledged to work “with efficacy and sensibility” in responding to “citizens’ demands.”

García, appointed as security minister at a time when Mexico continues to record very high homicide numbers, pledged to “work tirelessly” to build “a stronger, safer, fairer and more prosperous Mexico for everyone.”

Omar Harfuch, an appointee for Sheinbaum's governing cabinet, stands in front of a red stage curtain wearing a suit — Omar García started his career as a federal police officer but quickly rose through the ranks into leadership roles. (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro)

He said that his Security Ministry will work in “absolute coordination” with the Mexican military — which is heavily involved in public security operations — and the governments of Mexico’s 32 federal entities.

García also said that Sheinbaum has given clear instructions for the National Guard (GN) to be strengthened under the responsibility of Mexico’s Ministry of National Defense, or army. A constitutional reform will be required to once again place the GN under army control.

For her part, Montiel said that the incoming government will have the “great challenge of continuing to combat poverty” but asserted that the current government has “found” the way to do it.

The current government’s welfare and social programs, including employment schemes, “will have a long life,” she said.

“… For the good of all, the poor come first,” Montiel concluded, quoting President López Obrador, who uttered the phrase at his presidential inauguration in 2018.

In his brief address, Delgado said, “There is nothing more exciting than working in education because there is the possibility to change destinies, to change lives.”

With his appointment and those of Rodríguez, García and Montiel, Sheinbaum has now named 16 members of her cabinet.

The day after her landslide victory in the June 2 presidential election, Sheinbaum announced that current Finance Minister Rogelio Ramírez de la O would remain in his role after Oct.1, while on June 20, she named five additional ministers and the executive legal counsel.

Last Thursday, the president-elect announced five more appointments to her cabinet.

Claudia Sheinbaum at a press event with five newly announced cabinet members — Sheinbaum also announced a batch of new cabinet appointments last Thursday, including health minister, public administration minister and energy minister. (Cuartoscuro)

She has not yet announced who her labor, tourism, culture, national defense and navy ministers will be.

Based on the announcements made to date, Sheinabum’s cabinet — made up of eight men and eight women — is as follows:

Interior Minister: Rosa Icela Rodríguez
Security Minister: Omar García Harfuch
Education Minister: Mario Delgado
Welfare Minister: Ariadna Montiel Reyes
Economy Minister: Marcelo Ebrard
Environment and Natural Resources Minister: Alicia Bárcena
Finance Minister: Rogelio Ramírez de la O
Minister for Science, Humanities, Technology and Innovation: Rosaura Ruiz
Foreign Affairs Minister: Juan Ramón de la Fuente
Legal Counsel to the President: Ernestina Godoy
Agriculture and Rural Development Minister: Julio Berdegué
Energy Minister: Luz Elena González Escobar
Health Minister: David Kershenobich Stalnikowitz
Public Administration Minister: Raquel Buenrostro
Infrastructure, Communications and Transport Minister: Jesús Antonio Esteva Medina
Agrarian, Land and Urban Development Minister: Edna Elena Vega Rangel

What are the backgrounds of Sheinbaum’s new cabinet appointees?

Rosa Icela Rodríguez Velázquez

The soon-to-be interior minister has served as federal security minister since late 2020.

She is Mexico’s first female security minister, and will remain in the role until the end of López Obrador’s presidency.

Homicides have decreased during her time as security minister, reaching their lowest level since 2016 last year. However, insecurity remains a significant problem in various parts of the country.

Before becoming security minister, Rodríguez was general coordinator of ports, a position within the federal Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation. Before that, she was government secretary in Sheinbaum’s Mexico City administration.

Security Minister Rosa Icela Rodríguez accompanies President López Obrador at a military event. — As security minister for the current administration, Rosa Icela Rodríguez is often seen at President López Obrador’s side. (lopezobrador.org.mx)

Rodríguez has a journalism degree and is currently studying for a master’s in crime science. She will succeed Luisa María Alcalde as interior minister.

Omar García Harfuch

Mexico’s next security minister was Mexico City security minister between late 2019 and last September.

Sheinbaum said Thursday that homicides in the capital declined 50% during the period García was security minister and she was mayor. While he was in that position, García survived an armed attack allegedly perpetrated by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

Before serving as Mexico City security minister, the 42-year-old Cuernavaca native was head of the federal Criminal Investigation Agency for two years. He has degrees in law and public security.

García will succeed Rosa Icela Rodríguez as security minister.

Ariadna Montiel Reyes

Montiel has been welfare minister since January 2022 and will remain in the position after Oct. 1. She previously served as a deputy minister for social and human development in the current federal government.

Montiel has also been a federal and Mexico City lawmaker and was public transport chief during the 2006–2012 Mexico City mayorship of Marcelo Ebrard, who will be Mexico’s next economy minister.

Mario Delgado

The future education minister gave up his position as a lawmaker and leader of the Morena party in the lower house of Congress in November 2020 to become the ruling party’s national president. This year, he also worked as the general coordinator of Sheinbaum’s successful presidential campaign.

Earlier in his political career, Delgado was a federal senator and served as finance minister and education minister during Ebrard’s Mexico City mayorship. He has undergraduate and master’s degrees in economics.

Delgado will succeed Leticia Ramírez Amaya as education minister.

Mexico News Daily

Storms leave Guadalajara with flooding, outages and 183 downed trees

By

MND Staff

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July 4, 2024

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A man and woman in single file walking through debris and ducking under a downed power line on a sidewalk next to a residence on a city street. The man at the back is carrying a plastic shopping bag of bananas. — Residents in Zapopan, part of the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area, duck under downed power lines and skirt debris. A storm on Tuesday left thousands in the Metro area without power. About 15,000 still remain without electricity as of Thursday. (Fernando Carranza García/Cuartoscuro)

Guadalajara is digging itself out after intense storms that battered the city’s metropolitan area (ZMG) on Tuesday and Wednesday caused flooding in city streets, outages that continue to leave thousands without electricity, and the downing of over 180 trees.

More heavy rains appear on the way as Jalisco residents awoke Thursday to the news that a small disturbance near the Jalisco and Colima coastlines “began to undergo tropical cyclogenesis, with models showing a potential tropical depression.”

A worker in a helmet and yellow emergency personnel vest front of several downed trees on a urban street at night. — Authorities were busy through Wednesday night and Thursday morning working to remove over 180 downed trees in the city. (Civil Protection Jalisco/X)

Although Mexico’s attention is currently focused on its Caribbean and Gulf coasts to the east — where Hurricane Beryl is expected to make landfall as early as Friday — the nation’s western coast is now preparing for the season’s first tropical cyclone of the Pacific season.

The oncoming storm has been dubbed “Tropical Depression One-E” by the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC).

Tuesday’s storm brought winds as strong as 100 km/h (61 mph) and caused flooding in Guadalajara’s tunnels and streets. Several vehicles were carried away by the roiling waters.

Emergency personnel were out in force to rescue stranded motorists and to assist residents whose houses flooded as the rain continued through Wednesday afternoon. At least 50 homes in Guadalajara’s Villa Fontana neighborhood were reportedly filled with mud and water on Wednesday morning after the El Seco stormwater canal overflowed.

About 15,000 ZMG residents have also been without power since Tuesday’s storm, El Informador reported.

In other storm-related news, Civil Protection agents in Tlajomulco — about 34 kilometers south of Guadalajara and part of the ZMG — found the body of a man reported missing on June 27.

Esta ciudadana no la pensó dos veces para drigir el tráfico en Avenida Tepeyac y Mateo del Regil. #Lluvia #Guadalajara pic.twitter.com/H9p8RNVWdj

— mural.com (@muralcom) July 3, 2024

In the face of widespread power outages in the city on Tuesday, a woman in Zapopan took it upon herself to direct traffic at the intersection of Tepayac and Dr. Mateo del Regil avenues. Zapopan is part of the Guadalajara Metro Area.

The first fatality of the summer storm season, the 62-year-old man had fallen into a stormwater canal. Initial rescue efforts were unsuccessful. Emergency personnel recovered his body 133 hours after the fact.

On Wednesday, state authorities also confirmed reports of another storm-related death — not in Guadalajara but about 55 km north of the capital, in San Cristobal de la Barranca. The newspaper La Jornada reported a 15-year-old boy had been swept into a gully during a rainstorm on Sunday.

Civil Protection personnel reminded the public to avoid trying to walk through rushing water and to avoid crossing canals, gullies and dams.

Tropical Depression One-E approaching Mexico’s Pacific states

According to the NHC, the Pacific cyclone will remain a tropical depression until Friday afternoon, continuing to produce rain and thunderstorms through Saturday.

Tropical Depression One-E is moving northeast toward the Colima coast at 15 km/hour with sustained winds of 55 km/h (34 mph) and gusts reaching 75 km/h (47 mph). The storm is producing waves of 1 to 3 meters in the Pacific and could produce waterspouts, said the NHC.

Its cloud bands are expected to produce severe storms in Jalisco, Colima and Michoacán, dumping 25 to 50 mm of rainwater. The NHC warned of lightning and thunderstorms and, potentially, hailstorms.

Authorities have warned residents to be on the lookout for landslides and additional flooding.

With reports from La Jornada and El Informador

Mexico’s exports to the US hit an all-time high in May

By

MND Staff

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July 4, 2024

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Shipping containers at the Lázaro Cárdenas port — Mexico's exports to the U.S. hit another record in May. (Cuartoscuro)

Mexico’s revenue from exports to the United States hit an all-time high in May, increasing 6.1% in annual terms to almost US $44 billion.

United States government data also shows that Mexico has consolidated its position as the world’s top exporter to the U.S.

The value of Mexican exports to the United States increased 6.2% in the first five months of the year, while China — which Mexico surpassed last year to become the No. 1 exporter to the U.S. — lost ground.

A record-breaking May

Data published by the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis on Wednesday shows that Mexican exports to the U.S. were worth $43.88 billion in May, the highest monthly amount on record.

Mexico’s export revenue increased 1.9% compared to April, breaking the previous $43.06 billion record set that month.

While the value of Mexico’s exports to the U.S. increased 6.1% annually in May, the second and third largest exporters to the world’s largest economy both saw their revenue decline.

Exports at the Manzanillo port — Mexico’s exports to the U.S. were worth over US $200 billion in the first five months of the year. (Lloyds)

Canada shipped goods worth $35.66 billion to its southern neighbor in May, a 2.5% decline compared to the same month last year.

China’s exports to the U.S. were worth $35.03 billion in May, a 2.3% decline compared to a year earlier.

Mexico had a 15.9% share of the United States’ market for imports in May, ahead of Canada on 13% and China on 12.7%.

Mexican exports to the U.S. exceeded $200 billion between January and May

Mexico shipped products worth $206.79 billion to the United States in the first five months of the year, a record for the period.

Agricultural produce is among Mexico’s largest exports – including avocados. (Cuartoscuro)

The value of Mexico’s exports to its neighbor increased every month this year compared to the previous month. Vehicles, electronic goods including computers and crude oil were among Mexico’s biggest export revenue earners. Exports generate around 40% of Mexico’s total GDP.

The value of Canadian and Chinese exports to the U.S. declined on an annual basis in the first five months of the year.

Canadian exports were worth $171.45 billion between January and May, a 1.2% decline compared to the same period last year. Chinese exports to the U.S. fell 2.5% to $164.29 billion.

Mexico had a 15.9% share of the United States’ $1.3 trillion import market in the first five months of the year, ahead of Canada on 13.2% and China on 12.6%.

In 2023, Mexico’s share of the U.S. import market was 15.4%, ahead of China on 13.9% and Canada on 13.7%.

Mexico has thus increased its share of the market by 0.5 points this year, while Canada’s share has decreased by 0.5 points and China’s share has declined 1.3 points.

One of Mexico’s top sources of export revenue is cars and car parts. (File photo)

Mexico’s “lead” over Canada in terms of market share has increased from 1.7 points in 2023 to 2.7 points this year, while its advantage over China has increased to 3.3 points from 1.5 points in 2023.

Mexico has benefited from a “decoupling” of the world’s two largest economies amid the ongoing China-United States trade war, as well as the relocation of foreign companies here as part of the nearshoring trend.

It also benefits from the USMCA free trade pact, which superseded NAFTA in 2020. Mexico, the United States and Canada are scheduled to review the agreement in 2026.

Mexico remains the United States’ top trade partner

Trade between Mexico and the United States totaled $345.45 billion in the first five months of the year, according to the U.S. government data.

That amount is 8.6% higher than the $317.96 billion in trade between the United States and Canada, which was the No. 2 trade partner of the U.S. between January and May.

In 2023, Mexico dislodged Canada as the United States’ largest trade partner after Canada claimed the top spot in 2022.

Mexico became the top trade partner of the U.S. in 2023, and has continued the trend in 2024. (Infographic by Statista)

Mexican exports to the United States — worth $206.79 billion between January and May — accounted for just under 60% of trade Mexico-U.S. trade in the first five months of the year.

U.S. exports to Mexico — worth $138.65 billion between January and May — accounted for just over 40% of two-way trade. U.S. exports to Mexico include refined fuel, auto parts and consumer goods.

Mexico had a trade surplus of $68.14 billion with the United States in the first five months of 2024.

NAFTA altered the trade balance between Mexico and the U.S.

The El Economista newspaper reported Wednesday that the United States had a US $1.7 billion trade surplus with Mexico in 1993, the year before NAFTA took effect.

In the period after the free trade came into force, the growth of Mexico’s exports to the United States outpaced the growth of U.S. exports to Mexico.

In 2023, the United States had a trade deficit of more than $152 billion with Mexico, and it is on track to record another sizable deficit this year.

Replaced by the USMCA on July 1, 2020, NAFTA had a profound impact on the Mexican economy during its 26-year lifespan — both good and bad, depending on who you ask.

The value of Mexico’s exports to the U.S. has increased exponentially since NAFTA took effect, and reached $475.6 billion in 2023.

The economies of the three North American trade partners have become highly integrated over the past 30 years. One of the most integrated sectors is the automotive industry, with automakers in the three countries frequently using auto parts made in one of the other USMCA nations.

With reports from El Economista and El Financiero

5 Mexican companies on a mission to save the environment

By

Camila Sánchez Bolaño

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July 4, 2024

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A woman holding a sustainabily made jumper — Help the planet, impoverished communities and each other by supporting these up and coming sustainable Mexican businesses. (Someone Somewhere)

The red alert for climate change has sounded. If corrective actions aren’t taken, the damage to the planet will be irreversible. By choosing to purchase environmentally responsible products, we can all help contribute to a better future. That’s why we’re introducing you to five sustainable Mexican companies that are working to make a difference in the fight against climate change.

Buen Rollo

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A post shared by Buen Rollo (@buenrollo_mx)

Buen Rollo is committed to environmental conservation with its 100 percent bamboo toilet paper. Every year, millions of healthy trees are cut down to produce toilet paper. Bamboo, in contrast, is a grass and one of the fastest-growing plants on the planet, making it a renewable and easily replenished resource.

Although not trained biologists, Buen Rollo founders Jerónimo Sánchez and Emiliano Rosell researched bamboo until they had become masters in the subject. Their commitment to the planet runs so deep that their packaging uses soy ink and has a Forest Stewardship Council certification, which indicates that the packaging of the product that carries it was made with resources from forests managed in an environmentally responsible way.

Today, Buen Rollo’s business model is e-commerce through its website. Compared to other bamboo-based toilet paper companies, one of its major distinguishing features is its subscription program. To tackle the common problem of running out of toilet paper in homes or offices, this tool allows customers to receive their products every four, six or eight weeks.

Gebak

This family brand is committed to sustainable and ecological cleaning products in the form of effervescent tablets that significantly reduce the environmental impact and carbon footprint of the usual liquid products thanks to efficient transport and storage. Gebak’s product range includes laundry detergents, hand and dish soaps and all-purpose cleaners.

All of their products are designed to dissolve in water, ensuring effective and environmentally friendly cleaning. Ingredients are selected using strict biodegradability criteria. Gebak favors locally sourced ingredients and ensures that each product is not only effective but does not harm the environment.

Commons

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Adaptogens are plants used in herbal medicine to help the body maintain balance. Commons creates Mexico’s most potent and concentrated adaptogen products to prevent and cope with physical, mental, and emotional stress. All of their extracts are 100 percent organic, plant-based, non-GMO, dairy-free, gluten-free, and free of harmful artificial substances such as dyes or preservatives.

Their glass packaging is earth-friendly and reusable. On their website, you can find a glossary of products and their function and a list of health professionals who work with adaptogens.

Someone Somewhere

This brand integrates craftsmanship with innovative materials to create functional and sustainable products. The brand’s mission is to provide fair and consistent work to artisan communities in Mexico while protecting the planet by ensuring a responsible supply chain. Each product carries a label signed by the artisan and a QR code that allows you to learn their story and send them a message, creating a meaningful interaction between artisan and consumer.

Someone Somewhere offers a wide range of products that combine functionality, design and impact. Their clothes use sustainable materials such as recycled cotton and polyester and artisanal techniques like pedal loom weaving and hand embroidery. They have implemented innovations in their design process, using AI technologies to create concepts and validate designs, as well as incorporated textile waste to close the loop and reduce their environmental impact. Their focus on circularity and sustainability has been recognized with B Corp and Climate Neutral certifications.

Muyme

Muyme focuses on the personal care market, developing solid products such as shampoos, conditioners, creams and, notably, its innovative toothpaste in tablets. Its products are certified by Cofepris and the FDA, complying with quality and safety standards and promoting responsible and conscious consumption. None of its products are tested on animals and all are designed to minimize environmental impact, from raw materials selection to packaging. In addition, the company has recently adopted an effective online marketplace model that allows other Mexican brands with a sustainable philosophy to join its platform and reach a larger number of potential customers.

Sustainability has become a fundamental pillar for modern companies, not only as a means of social responsibility but also as a key strategy for long-term growth.

Organic production processes improve the care of our natural environment, thus avoiding contamination of land, water and soil. Investing in organic food ultimately improves the well-being of our planet, in addition to the numerous short and long term benefits of organic products for you.

Camila Sánchez Bolaño is a journalist, feminist, bookseller, lecturer, and cultural promoter and is Editor in Chief of Newsweek en Español magazine.

Molten cheese, please: Why Mexican ‘fondue’ is far superior

By

Stephen Randall

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July 4, 2024

4

In the Mexican restaurants of my native small town Kentucky, the Tex-Mex version of melted cheese reigns supreme among dips. Deeply flavorful and rich, it’s also quite thin, like a cheesy soup for your unlimited free tortilla chips. After moving to Mexico, I realized this dip still had its training wheels on. There was a much better recipe for this satisfying appetizer right where I was: queso fundido.

The origins of queso fundido go back to the northern regions of Mexico, particularly the states of Chihuahua and Coahuila, where dairy farming and cheese production have long been prevalent. The introduction of cattle and cheese making techniques by Spanish settlers in the 16th century played a significant role in shaping the dish. Over time, Mexican cooks adapted these techniques, incorporating local ingredients to create what we now know as queso fundido. Cheese and Mexican food are by now almost impossible to imagine without the other, especially in the recipe I want to share today, where dairy takes a front row seat.

A ball of delicious, fresh Oaxaca cheese is the secret to an outstanding queso fundido. (Ingredienta)

Queso fundido gained popularity in Mexican households and restaurants, eventually becoming a staple at celebrations and gatherings. Today, queso fundido continues to be a beloved part of Mexican cuisine, symbolizing the fusion of cultural influences and the enduring appeal of simple comfort food.

I’d like to share a recipe that packs a punch in terms of flavor, using caramelized onions and chorizo to scale up the savory meter even further on this already delicious dish.

Here’s a delicious recipe for queso fundido with caramelized onions:

Ingredients:

1 tbsp olive oil
2 large onions, thinly sliced
1 tbsp butter
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 pound Mexican chorizo, casing removed
2 cups shredded Oaxaca or mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
Warm tortillas or tortilla chips for serving

Instructions:

Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions, salt, and sugar. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are golden brown and caramelized, about 25-30 minutes. If the onions start to stick, add a splash of water.
In a separate skillet, cook the chorizo over medium heat, breaking it up with a spatula, until fully cooked and browned, about 7-10 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a large cast iron skillet, spread an even layer of the cooked chorizo. Top with the caramelized onions and sprinkle the shredded cheeses evenly over the top. Pro tip: Shred your own cheese to make sure it melts properly!
Place the skillet or baking dish in the preheated oven and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 10-15 minutes.
Remove from the oven and sprinkle with chopped cilantro if desired. Serve immediately with warm tortillas or tortilla chips for dipping.

Enjoy this queso fundido recipe with caramelized onions as an appetizer at your next dinner party or eat it all by yourself shamefully with all the lights turned off, binge watching “Baby Reindeer”!

Stephen Randall has lived in Mexico since 2018 by way of Kentucky, and before that, Germany. He’s an enthusiastic amateur chef who takes inspiration from many different cuisines, with favorites including Mexican and Mediterranean.

Michoacán investigates 8 male political candidates who posed as trans women

By

MND Staff

-

July 3, 2024

1

Mugshots of eight people who won in Michoacan's 2024 local elections. as trans women. They all appear conventionally male. — Eight winners in Michoacán's local elections last month who all registered as trans women.

Eight male political candidates who won local elections in Michoacán last month registered as trans women have prompted state electoral officials to launch an investigation.

The Electoral Institute of Michoacán (IEM) says it’s investigating the cases of eight municipal positions intended for women under gender parity laws that were won by male candidates posing as transgender women.

Claudia Zavala Pérez, advisor to the National Electoral Institute (INE), called the male candidates’ actions “unacceptable and unworthy” while speaking in front of the INE’s Gender Equality and Non-Discrimination Commission in June. (@INEMexico/X)

Despite their fraudulent actions, the winning male candidates could take office unless their cases are pursued in court, said Claudia Zavala Pérez, an advisor to the National Electoral Institute (INE). They were elected on June 2.

Zavala Pérez condemned the acts of “identity theft” and called the men’s actions “unacceptable and unworthy” while speaking in front of the INE’s Gender Equality and Non-Discrimination Commission.

“Society must be outraged,” she declared. “We must raise our voices because what happened cannot be allowed.”

She highlighted that these men dishonestly took positions meant for individuals who have historically faced discrimination. In at least one case, the cisgender man who registered as a trans woman candidate never even stopped referring to himself with male pronouns.

The controversy brings to light the misuse of affirmative action policies designed to provide marginalized groups with political representation.

In Mexico, parity laws have been in place since 2021 to ensure diverse representation in elected positions, including candidates from sexually diverse groups, people with disabilities, Afro-Mexicans and Indigenous people.

Zavala Pérez pointed out that requiring proof of sexual identity was considered discriminatory, a stance upheld by the Electoral Tribunal of the Judicial Branch of the Federation (TEPJF). Thus, the cisgender men did not have to certify their transgender status in any way when registering as candidates.

The fraudulent activities were first flagged by LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, which accused multiple political parties of manipulating the system.

Octavio Chávez Aguirre, who dishonestly registered as a trans woman, was confirmed the winning candidate for mayor in Lagunillas, Michoacán on Tuesday by the state's electoral court. — Octavio Chávez Aguirre, who registered as a trans woman, was confirmed the winning candidate for mayor in Lagunillas, Michoacán on Tuesday by the state’s electoral court. (Octavio Chávez Aguirre/Facebook)

Despite the complaints, Ignacio Hurtado, president of the IEM, noted that the annulment of the elections requires appeals to the electoral courts, a process that has seen limited action.

According to a report from the digital news outlet Infobae, the elected men who are accused are:

Alberto Orobio Arriaga, elected mayor of Charapan
Martín Alexander Escalera Bautista, elected mayor of Peribán
Daniel Herrera Martín del Campo, elected mayor of Tanhuato
José Enrique Mora Cárdenas, elected mayor of Purépero
Octavio Chávez Aguirre, elected mayor of Lagunillas,
Rubén Torres García, elected to the city council of Charapan
Apolonio Ureña Martínez, elected to the city council of Tumbiscatío
Jorge Luis Estrada Garibary, elected to the city council of Ecuandureo

The Electoral Court of Michoacán (TEEM) validated Chávez Aguirre’s win in Lagunillas, though the remaining mayors and council members-elect have yet to be confirmed.

Their political parties include the National Action Party (PAN), the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), the National Regeneration Movement (Morena), the Labor Party (PT), the Green Ecologist Party of Mexico (PVEM), the Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD) and the Solidarity Encounter Party (PES), along with various coalitions.

The use of gender quotas — which require parties to choose a certain number of women as candidates in various races — has been responsible for bringing more women than ever into Mexican politics since the electoral reform of 2014.

But Zavala Pérez underscored the importance of the Michoacán electoral commission taking action in order to prevent future fraudulent cases.

There have been other notable cases of fraud, such as when eight elected female federal deputies resigned in 2009 and were replaced by their designated substitutes, all men; and in 2018, when the Oaxaca state electoral institute blocked the candidacies of 17 men masquerading as transgender women.

The abuses of 2024 have led to calls for legislative reform.

Councilor Rita Bell López Vences criticized the fraudulent actions, stating, “There is fraud against the law when in fact there are [diverse] people who want to have a political career … It is important to [penalize] all the people involved in these cases, including the parties themselves.”

With reports from Sin Embargo, Infobae, El Economista and Quadratin