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Mexico’s week in review: Trade ties, earthquake remembrance and a historic ‘Grito’

By
MND Staff
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A man wearing a "Viva Mexico" sombrero wavves a giant Mexican flag in a packed crowd
Spectators packed the Mexico City Zócalo to see President Claudia Sheinbaum give annual Cry of Independence — the first time the national tradition has been led by a woman. (Andrea Murcia/Cuartoscuro)

The week of Sept. 15-19, 2025, Mexico witnessed milestone moments and mounting pressures that highlighted the opportunities and challenges facing the country. The week began with historic Independence Day celebrations and concluded with strengthened ties to Canada, while major infrastructure launches, economic reforms and environmental disputes illustrated the complex balancing act facing Latin America’s second-largest economy.

Didn’t have time to read every story this week? Here’s what you missed.

President Sheinbaum becomes the first woman to lead the national Cry of Independence

President Sheinbaum made history on Sept. 15 as the first female president to deliver Mexico’s Cry of Independence, using the moment to honor the nation’s female heroes. Her Grito de Independencia began with “Mexicanas, mexicanos,” giving presidence to women, and celebrating four female independence heroes: Josefa Ortiz Téllez Girón, Leona Vicario, Gertrudis Bocanegra and Manuela Molina. The ceremony, witnessed by an estimated 280,000 people in Mexico City’s Zócalo, emphasized themes of sovereignty and dignity amid ongoing tensions with the United States.

However, not all communities could celebrate freely. Threats of violence canceled Grito celebrations in several locations, highlighting persistent security challenges across the country.

The week also featured Mexico’s nationwide disaster drill on Sept. 19, marking the 40th anniversary of the devastating 1985 earthquake. The exercise, reaching over 80 million cell phone users, tested emergency response systems across all 32 federal entities, with different disaster scenarios based on regional vulnerabilities.

Infrastructure and economic development

Sheinbaum’s administration launched construction on the ambitious Querétaro-Irapuato rail line, a US $5.3 billion project designed to connect the thriving Bajío region with Mexico City. The 108.2-kilometer track represents part of Sheinbaum’s ambitious plan to build 3,000 kilometers of rail during her six-year term, potentially benefiting 2 million people and generating nearly 10,000 jobs.

The government also announced Mexico’s biggest customs reform in decades, aimed at reducing smuggling and increasing tax collection. The modernization initiative, incorporating artificial intelligence and biometric devices, is projected to generate an additional US $190.2 million in revenue by 2026. However, experts questioned whether technology alone can address deep-rooted corruption issues within the system.

The ‘super peso’ returns?

Mexico’s peso reached its strongest position against the US dollar in more than a year, following the Federal Reserve’s quarter-point interest rate cut. The currency appreciated to 18.20 per dollar, benefiting from Mexico’s higher interest rates and what analysts described as a narrative of macroeconomic stability amid nearshoring investments.

In manufacturing, production volume declined 2.7% in July despite growing export values, reflecting mixed signals in Mexico’s industrial sector. While manufacturing exports contributed over 90% of total export value at $52.3 billion, the sector shed 19,000 jobs in July alone.

Mexico-US tension and security issues

The complex relationship with the United States dominated headlines as the US named Mexico among 23 principal drug-producing countries while simultaneously praising Sheinbaum’s anti-cartel efforts. U.S. President Trump acknowledged increased cooperation, including Mexican troops at the border and CIA drone operations, but warned of “serious consequences” if drug supplies aren’t curtailed.

US names Mexico among 23 principal drug-producing countries while praising its anti-cartel crackdown

The week also saw Mexico freeze funds of a Morena lawmaker and others targeted by US sanctions related to the Sinaloa Cartel’s “Los Mayos” faction. The Financial Intelligence Unit blocked 22 accounts following the new U.S. Treasury Department designations.

Adding to migration concerns, a new survey suggested that a high ratio of recent Mexican deportees had lived in the US for more than a decade, with many experiencing family separations and unsafe detention conditions. The findings underscore the human impact of current U.S. immigration policies on communities that include Mexican emigrants.

International partnerships and trade

Canada and Mexico strengthened ties as Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit resulted in agreements for deeper cooperation ahead of the USMCA review. The nations pledged enhanced collaboration on economic issues and security while preparing for challenging trade negotiations with the Trump administration.

Despite proposed tariff increases, Chinese automaker Great Wall Motors reaffirmed its commitment to Mexico, with officials stating the company “is here to stay” even as tariffs on Chinese car imports could rise from 20% to 50%.

Environmental and social challenges

Environmental concerns emerged prominently as residents of an Oaxaca coastal town sought relocation due to rising sea levels. The flooding in San Mateo del Mar, affecting nearly 800 families, has been linked to infrastructure projects including the Interoceanic Corridor, raising questions about development priorities versus environmental protection.

Similarly, Veracruz residents protested port expansion threatening the Gulf of Mexico’s coral reefs, demanding comprehensive environmental impact studies as ordered by Mexico’s Supreme Court.

However, in a bright spot for conservation, Mexico celebrated its first captive hatching of a Vallarta mud turtle — the smallest turtle in the world and a critically endangered species only found in the Puerto Vallarta metropolitan area.

Guadalajara Zoo celebrates its first hatching of world’s tiniest turtle

Looking forward

As Sheinbaum’s wraps up her first year in office, several key challenges and opportunities are emerging for the country. Major infrastructure projects like the passenger rail system are set to test the administration’s execution capabilities and fiscal management. The upcoming USMCA review presents both risks and opportunities for Mexico’s trade relationships, particularly with an increasingly protectionist United States. Meanwhile, ongoing security challenges and the planned customs reform highlight Mexico’s persistent struggle against organized crime and corruption.

Sheinbaum’s presidency is already demonstrating a distinct approach to governance, from her historic Independence Day address to her ambitious infrastructure agenda. However, the true test will be whether her administration can deliver on its promises while navigating an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape. With the peso showing strength, major construction projects underway and new trade partnerships forming, Mexico appears positioned for growth — yet persistent challenges around security, environmental protection, and U.S. relations will require careful diplomatic and policy management in the months ahead.

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.

Is Mexico still attracting foreign residents? MND’s CEO interviews a leading relocation expert

By
Travis Bembenek
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map of mexico with a magnifying glass
How has the changing political and economic climate affected the flow of foreigner into Mexico? (Shutterstock)

Given the constant flow of news on both sides of the border, I wanted to get an update on people’s interest in moving to Mexico and if it is changing. Are gentrification protests and a strong peso scaring people from coming? Are political and social tensions pushing more people to consider moving? I sat down with Mariana Lange of Mexico Relocation Guide to learn first hand what her team is seeing. The following is my recent interview with her.

Travis Bembenek: Tell us about what you do. How long you have been doing it?

Mariana Lange: Hola! My name is Mariana Lange, and I run Mexico Relocation Guide, a website and service dedicated to helping people move to Mexico the right way. I’ve been doing this since 2019, and have since then helped thousands of people move to Mexico with less stress. We provide a comprehensive online guide. Think of it like an “everything moving to Mexico course” that walks you through the most important steps. I cover everything from visa requirements and healthcare to finding rentals, buying a car, bringing pets and a lot more.

A woman smiles at the camera
Mariana Lange is the owner of Mexico Relocation Guide. (Mexico Relocation Guide/Facebook)
Of course there was a huge wave of people looking to live in Mexico during the pandemic. What have you seen since then?

During the pandemic, many people had a reality check, and their priorities changed. They wanted a better quality of life, more freedom, a lower cost of living, and less of the constant doom and gloom they are exposed to in the U.S. and Canada. So, yes, Mexico became a very attractive option.

Since then, the demand hasn’t slowed down. In fact, every year we get more and more people emailing us, contacting me, and commenting on my videos. They all have one thing in common: They are very interested in learning more about the possibility of moving to Mexico. Now, people are doing deeper research, spending more time visiting first, and often working remotely while they test out different cities. It’s no longer just a temporary escape, it’s a long-term plan.

Tell us about the people you are seeing looking to relocate. Where are they from? Are they retired? Still working? How are they different from in the past?

I still work with a lot of retirees especially from the U.S. and Canada, but there’s been a huge increase in younger, remote-working professionals and early retirees. I have clients in their 40s and 50s who want to enjoy life now instead of waiting until 65.

I’ve also received a considerable number of clients who have roots in Mexico that they want to reconnect with, but they just don’t know how the process works.

What’s changed is their mindset. They’re not just looking for beaches and margaritas. They want community, a beautiful city, walkability, good healthcare, safety, friendly people and/or financial freedom. They’re also more conscious about respecting the local culture and integrating into their new environment. Most of my clients are taking Spanish lessons, reading books on Mexican history and culture, volunteering with local charities, and genuinely wanting to integrate into society.

Let’s talk about where people are looking to retire in Mexico. Is it still beaches? Or do you see a trend to cities? What are the hot spots now?

Definitely, beaches are still popular — Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, Playa del Carmen, Cabo — but we’re definitely seeing more interest in interior cities like Mérida, San Miguel de Allende, Puebla, Querétaro, and even smaller towns like Chapala, Cuernavaca, Atlixco or Valle de Bravo.

Many are looking for better infrastructure, a lower risk of hurricanes and more authentic Mexican culture. Big cities like Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey are attracting people who want to live in a modern city that has a bit of everything, like excellent medical care and international airports. But honestly, I have clients living everywhere in Mexico — even smaller towns I had never heard of. People are learning that Mexico is huge, and that there are hundreds of cities and towns that they are interested in scouting.

That’s why our directory of contacts is so popular. Because I have clients who, for example, thought they wanted to live on the beach, but then realized they can’t handle the heat. And maybe Guanajuato has caught their eye because it has cooler weather year-round, but isn’t a huge city. With our directory of vetted contacts, they can easily find the right people to help them with a local relocation tour, or find a rental, move their things, move their pets, open a bank account, etc. I also have clients who thought they really wanted to live in Lake Chapala. But after a year, they decided another town would be a better fit for their lifestyle.

A shot of colonial downtown Mérida in Yucatán
Though Mexico is famous for its beaches, interest in interior cities like Mérida (pictured), San Miguel de Allende and Puebla is growing, Lange says. (Shutterstock)
Do you find that the questions people are asking are different than before? Do they care more about culture, integration with Mexicans, etc.?

Absolutely! In the past, the first questions were usually about the cost of living and visas. Now, I hear more people asking:

  • How can I volunteer? Where can I volunteer?
  • What are some things I shouldn’t do to avoid upsetting the locals?
  • Is it easy to make Mexican friends?
  • What’s the etiquette I should know before I move?

That’s a great sign. People want to be good neighbors, not just tourists with long-term visas. They care more about learning Spanish, getting involved locally, not only making friends with other foreigners, but also being respectful of Mexican customs and values.

Have you heard from anyone that they are afraid of the way they will be treated in Mexico given the way that the Trump administration is treating some Mexican immigrants in the U.S.?

Yeah, it does come up. Some Americans feel embarrassed or nervous about how they’ll be received in Mexico because of the political climate in the U.S., especially after seeing the news that a group of people were marching against foreigners living in Mexico.

But what I always tell them is: Mexicans are incredibly welcoming, especially when you come with humility, curiosity and respect. Most people here can separate politics from individuals as long as you’re not showing up entitled or expecting everything to be “like back home,” you’ll be treated kindly and with warmth.

There have been anti-gentrification protests in CDMX recently in the news. Do people ask you about that? How do you respond?

Yes, people ask for my opinion about the protest all the time. And here’s what I have said in the past. The key thing I explain is this: gentrification is real, and we need to be aware of our impact. CDMX, especially neighborhoods like Roma and Condesa, have seen major price hikes recently. But also, these neighborhoods have ALWAYS been expensive, and Mexico City is a lot more than just three trendy neighborhoods. Now, at the same time, I always give people realistic cost of living examples across Mexico in our free newsletter, so they know what the real cost of things is. That way, a few greedy landlords don’t end up overcharging them, just because they are seen as having more money, because they come with dollars. We can’t solve gentrification overnight, but we can move responsibly and mindfully.

Another side of the story: A Mexican perspective on gentrification

I have read that the residency requirements for immigrants here are changing. Is that true? What can you tell us?

Yes, the overall formulas used to calculate economic solvency are changing. The actual amounts aren’t going to change drastically from 2025 to 2026, but there are some good changes coming down the pipeline. Even though the solvency requirements from 2025 to 2026 won’t change that much, the new formulas will prevent economic solvency requirements from increasing as much from one year to another as they have in the past. I wrote an entire blog post explaining what the changes are and when people can expect to see them roll out.

What are the biggest reasons you hear from people when they tell you they are considering relocating to Mexico?

Most of my clients’ main reason for moving to Mexico is the lower cost of living. But they could also easily lower their cost of living by moving to other countries. They choose Mexico because of its diversity: They can easily visit beaches, mountain towns, big cities or small pueblos mágicos. They also like its proximity to friends and family, if they come from Canada and the U.S. Many are tired of expensive or limited healthcare back home. I also have a lot of clients who are excited about a slower pace and a more meaningful lifestyle. They have heard that Mexico’s culture is family-oriented, and they miss that kind of connection in the U.S. or Canada. They feel lonely, and they are excited about the idea of making new friends and reinventing themselves!

There’s also a fair number of clients who love the freedom now that they can work from anywhere, and they choose Mexico because of a combination of all of the above.

Ultimately, it’s about quality of life. People are realizing they can have a better, richer life here, often for a fraction of the cost, which gives them either the ability to retire sooner or have a bit more peace of mind to not run out of money.

I recently wrote that I think there is a strong argument that Mexico needs more Americans and Canadians, not less. Currently, there are an estimated 1.6 million Americans and 400,000 Canadians living in the country. If you had to predict where the numbers could be in 5 and 10 years, what would you predict?

That’s a hard one, because I am not an expert in migration or socio-economics to give you an educated answer. But if I’m just spitballing, in the next 5 years, I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw 2.5 to 3 million combined American and Canadian residents living in Mexico, especially as more baby boomers retire and the cost of living continues to increase as much as it has north of the border.

In 10 years? I could easily see 4 million or way more, especially if remote work continues to normalize, the residency visa requirements are pretty stable, and if more people realize they don’t need to wait for retirement to move abroad.

But again, I’ll always emphasize: numbers are one thing, how we integrate and contribute is what really matters.

What separates you from other companies providing similar services in this space?

What sets us apart is that I am consistently updating our online guide to reflect current laws and practices. And also, that we have the only directory of vetted, trusted contacts across Mexico. I have a complete directory of the best immigration facilitators, realtors, healthcare advisors, moving companies, local concierges and more. We also have private relocation tours in over 50 cities across Mexico — with NO agenda to sell you any real estate. If you would like us to help you, you can find us here: https://mexicorelocationguide.com/.

Travis Bembenek is the CEO of Mexico News Daily and has been living, working or playing in Mexico for nearly 30 years.

How safe is Los Cabos? Plus other FAQs answered

By
Chris Sands
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Los Cabos coastline
The gorgeous coastlines of Los Cabos attract millions of visitors annually. Here are some of their questions. (Unsplash/Victor Hughes)

Every time I’ve checked my search engine over the years to find out what the most frequently asked questions are about Los Cabos, one of the top queries has to do with safety. Is it safe in Los Cabos? This is amazing to me. As a 15-year resident, I’ve always felt safer in Los Cabos than I did at any time living in the U.S., from the small town where I grew up to the cities I lived in later. 

I think this anxiety, or at least concern, on the part of potential tourists has something to do with the fact that only negative images of Mexico are shown on U.S. newscasts. I get it. If you’ve never visited Los Cabos and that kind of negativity is all you see, it can make you fearful. So let’s take away the distorted lens and just look at the facts. 

Los Cabos is one of the world’s safest travel destinations

Los Cabos safety graph
How safe is Los Cabos? Based on the data, probably a lot safer than the U.S. city you just flew in from. I might add that Los Cabos includes two cities, so this rate would be even lower if they were listed separately.

Los Cabos has welcomed 80 million tourists during the 21st century. Two have died under questionable circumstances. That rate (0.000000025%) is astronomically small, and it bears noting that in one of the resulting investigations, a fellow American traveling with the victim was the chief suspect based on video evidence.

Tourists are incredibly safe in Los Cabos, and the municipality works very hard to keep it that way. How safe? That statistic I just quoted makes visiting Los Cabos safer than traveling to London, Paris, Venice and Madrid. It’s certainly safer than vacationing in any city in the U.S.

Even if you factor in crime in the municipality at large — including in the worst neighborhoods and among the poorest residents — Los Cabos remains very safe and compares very favorably (see the graph above).

The danger I warn family and friends about

Of course, you should pay attention to your surroundings and exercise normal precautions, as you would anywhere. But when I have friends or relatives visit, the only danger I warn them about is swimming at the wrong beach. There have been 15 documented drowning deaths since 2010 (seven of them U.S. tourists), or about one per year on average. Some local beaches – specifically, Divorce Beach and Solmar Beach – have very strong rip currents and are not safe for swimmers. 

So I would caution tourists to pay attention to the flags posted on virtually every local beach. Green flags indicate calm waters and safe swimming conditions. Yellow and red, like colors on a traffic light, advise caution or avoiding swimming due to unsafe conditions, respectively. Black flags mean the beach is closed.  

Other than that, have fun. Los Cabos is not only one of the most beautiful places on Earth, but one of the safest. 

What’s the difference between Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabos, and Los Cabos? 

Land's End in Cabo San Lucas
The Land’s End headland is in Cabo San Lucas, a city within the municipality of Los Cabos, and the state of Baja California Sur. (Unsplash / Carlos Gilbert)

This is another question frequently asked by those who’ve never visited, and I can easily understand why it would be confusing. Especially since the destination is also known simply as “Cabo.”

Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo are coastal cities 20 miles apart along the southern rim of the state of Baja California Sur (BCS) at the very bottom of the 760-mile-long Baja California peninsula. BCS has five municipalities, the southernmost of which is Los Cabos. 

So Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo are cities within the larger Los Cabos municipality, and the “Cabo” descriptor, which both cities share, means “Cape” in Spanish. Thus, when Los Cabos became a municipality in 1981, it took its name, which translates as “The Capes,” from its two largest communities. 

Which city should I stay in? Cabo San Lucas or San José del Cabo?

First, let me point out that these aren’t the only two options. There’s also La Ruta Escénica, the 20-mile coastal corridor that connects the cape cities, and the East Cape, the 70-mile coastal stretch northeast of San José de Cabo that features small communities like Cabo Pulmo, La Ribera, Buena Vista and Los Barriles (the latter is actually in La Paz municipality).

Staying in any of these areas doesn’t preclude visiting the others. But there is a difference in terms of cost, and in the attractions which are most conveniently close. For example, the average cost of a hotel room is far higher in La Ruta Escénica (US $592, as of July 2025) than it is in Cabo San Lucas (US $269) or San José del Cabo (US $294). Why? Because La Ruta Escénica has the highest percentage of ultra-luxury resorts. 

So, based on your budget, choosing Cabo San Lucas or San José del Cabo might be the better choice. The former, it should be noted, is famed for its fishing and its nightlife, while the latter is considered more sophisticated, with better dining, arts and culture. Thus, you may want to choose one or the other based on these factors, too.

Beachfront resorts in Cabo San Lucas
Average hotel room rates vary depending on where you stay in Los Cabos. (Unsplash / Josh Withers)

Is it preferable to pay in dollars or pesos?

The answer is always pesos. That’s not to say you can’t pay with dollars. U.S. dollars are accepted everywhere in Los Cabos. But because businesses here establish their own exchange rates, those rates are always going to be favorable to them. Meaning, every time you pay for a transaction in dollars – be it a restaurant bill, a souvenir purchase, etc. – you’re losing several dollars worth of value against the exchange rate. 

For example, let’s say an entrée on a restaurant menu in Los Cabos is 400 pesos. You want to pay in dollars, and the restaurant states that its exchange rate is US $1 to 17 pesos. According to the actual exchange rate, this entree should cost you $21.44. But instead, you’re paying $23.52. It may not sound like much. But multiply the difference by every transaction during the length of your stay, and the money you’re losing adds up fast. I can tell you, as someone who lives here, that I never pay in dollars for anything.

Have any questions about Los Cabos you’d like answered? Leave them in the comments below, and I’ll answer them in the next edition of this column.

Chris Sands is the Cabo San Lucas local expert for the USA Today travel website 10 Best, writer of Fodor’s Los Cabos travel guidebook and a contributor to numerous websites and publications, including Tasting Table, Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, Forbes Travel Guide, Porthole Cruise, Cabo Living and Mexico News Daily. His specialty is travel-related content and lifestyle features focused on food, wine and golf.

One of the reasons you’re not learning Spanish in Mexico? You have too many rich friends.

By
Sarah DeVries
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A woman with red hair is showing her phone to a woman with dark hair.
Your whitexican friends aren't just stunting your Spanish, they're also warping your view of Mexico, writes Sarah DeVries. (Vitaly Gariev/Unsplash)

A good friend of mine in Xalapa, a fellow paisano, has been frustrated with how long it’s taking her to learn Spanish.

“Well, you’ve got to make friends with Mexicans who don’t speak English!” I say. I’m mostly teasing, but it’s also true. If people are excited about speaking English with you, you’re just not going to learn Spanish too fast. The point is to talk to people who don’t speak your language so that you have no choice but to put yourself through the long and necessary humiliation of learning the new one.

An old lady speaking to her daughter-in-law
Getting along with your in-laws in Mexico is an ancient art to be mastered by foreigners. (Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels)

Now, I don’t blame my friend for being friends with English speakers. She is lovely and worth getting to know. People sense this, so they are willing to use their second language in order to accomplish it, and I’m sure they’re glad they did.

But when most of your Mexican friends are pretty good English speakers, it limits your ability and your will to practice Spanish.

Something less discussed? It limits your ability to get to know large swaths of the culture, and public sentiment, too. Sure, your Mexican friends might tell you — in perfect English — all about “typical Mexican life.” I see evidence of this in the comments section often. “Well, my neighbor who is Mexican says that everyone in Mexico knows [former president] AMLO is just as bad as the rest!”

Not to insult anyone’s neighbor, but unless they happen to be a statistician, that is actually not knowledge that can be reliably trusted. I’m not saying their opinions are wrong. I’m just saying that their opinions are opinions and not necessarily indicative of a homogenous Mexican belief about something. This is a diverse place, and Mexicans who speak perfect English are the outliers, not the norm.

Most Mexicans who speak English are, at least by Mexican standards, fairly well off. Though I can’t speak for major tourist destinations, I know that in much of Mexico, one’s ability to learn to speak English fluently in public schools is pretty close to nil. This isn’t an insult to Mexican public schools. U.S. students mostly don’t learn other languages in their schools fluently,either.

That’s because it takes a lot to learn to get by in a language, and so much more to get fluent in a language. I myself was incredibly motivated studying Spanish in college, and took two years of steady classes, determined to master Spanish.

Teacher and student explaining new language on a whiteboard in class.
Spanish classes sometimes aren’t the answer. (walls.io/Unsplash)

Was I able to utter a single coherent sentence once I got to Mexico? Ha. Ha ha. No. The answer is a resounding no. The only reason my Spanish is as good as it is is because I had the level of privilege necessary to study abroad. I didn’t have to work or earn money; my only “job” was to participate in the program that had been set up specifically for that purpose. I lived with host families who didn’t speak English. I went to school with people who didn’t speak English. I had to get all the things done I wanted to do — you guessed it — with people who didn’t speak English.

So now let’s think about this going the other way. Most English teachers in public schools in Mexico are not native English speakers. That doesn’t mean they can’t be good teachers, of course, but Mexican public schools are by no means bilingual schools.

Bilingual schools are invariably private, and only about 10-15% of students can afford to attend private school, which, importantly, are not necessarily schools in which students learn English. The kids in my daughter’s private school, for example, take English every year. Even so, most of them are in even worse shape linguistically than I was when I first arrived in Mexico. This is fine, honestly. None of us are sending our kids to this school because we want them to become fluent in English. If that were the goal, they’d be at the truly bilingual American school.

And if a private school is bilingual, it’s more expensive. If it’s bilingual and kids graduate from it actually being able to functionally speak English, it’s likely that it’s the most expensive school in town.

Conclusion? The Mexicans you know who speak perfect English — again, I’m exempting tourist areas in which I’ve never lived because I simply don’t know — are mostly from elite families. As a former English teacher for many years to students of all ages, I feel pretty confident in this assertion.

Why? Well, firstly, Learning to speak another language naturally is easiest when we’re children because of how our brains develop. And even so, it takes work. If someone is speaking their second language fluently, they almost certainly learned it as a child. Secondly, It is hard, hard, hard to learn a second language as an adult. Even when adults are extremely motivated, it’s more work once our brains are “set.” Most adults also have things they need to do besides learn a new language.

Without full focused immersion, even getting to a functional level in which you can both understand others and be understood is an uphill battle. I say “focused” because it’s possible to be immersed and still not learn a whole lot because you’re, say, working two jobs to send money back home to your family.

And look: I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with elite families. We all do everything we can for our children, and if we can give them the gift of learning a very useful language, of course we will. It would be ridiculous not to!

Still, I’d take it with a grain of salt when they assure you what “all Mexicans” are like or believe. If you’re richer than 90% of the population and have been afforded all the privileges that come with it, then by definition, you do not live like an “average Mexican.”

The conclusion I want people to draw from this is not that they shouldn’t make friends with people who are well off or who speak fluent English. Lots and lots of people are worth making friends with, and the language you do it in is not the most relevant thing.

But if you really want to learn Spanish, try seeking out people who don’t speak your language. You might even meet someone in the 70% of citizens who think Claudia’s doing a good job.

Sarah DeVries is a writer and translator based in Xalapa, Veracruz. She can be reached through her website, sarahedevries.substack.com.

MND Tutor | El grito

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MND Plus
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0

Welcome to MND Tutor! This interactive learning tool is designed to help you improve your Spanish by exploring real news articles from Mexico News Daily. Instead of just memorizing vocabulary lists or grammar rules, you’ll dive into authentic stories about Mexican culture, current events, and daily life… What better way to learn Spanish?

The United States has fireworks, France has Bastille Day celebrations and Mexico has the grito. Yelling the names of independence heroes and commemorating those who fought for a free and sovereign Mexico, homes, town and cities across Mexico take part in a renactment of Mexico’s first celebrations of liberty. It’s no different in the capital, where the President themselves takes charge of celebrations.

Discover who to thank, what to do and how Mexico shook off the yoke of colonialism. You might even learn some Spanish along the way!



Let us know how you did!

The MND News Quiz of the Week: September 20th

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MND Plus
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0
News quiz
(Mexico News Daily)

What's been going on in the news this week? Our weekly quiz is here to keep you on top of what’s happening in Mexico.

Get informed, stay smart.

Are you ready?  Let’s see where you rank vs. our expert community!

Frenchman Anthony Martial became the latest high profile European soccer player to move to Liga MX this week. Who did he sign for?
Anthony Martial

The U.S. Department of Transportation has this week ordered Delta Airlines to end its codeshare agreement with which Mexican airline?
Delta's Joint Operation Agreement (JCA) with Aeroméxico facilitates seasonal routes between the U.S. and Mexico.

Which world leader is visiting Mexico for bilateral trade talks this week?
Sheinbaum and Brazil Vice President Geraldo Alckmin sit at a long table with bureaucrats in front of Mexican and Brazilian flags

The new Netflix series "Las Muertas" dropped on the streaming service last week. What is it about?
Cast of Netflix series Las Muertas

The town of San Mateo del Mar on the Oaxaca coast is set to relocate further inland. Why?

Which branch of the Mexican military was highlighted for their positive handling of corruption cases this week?
Sheinbaum at her morning press conference

German aerospace firm Diehl Aviation has opened a new US $50 million facility in which state?
Diehl Aviation building

Boxing star Saúl "Canelo" Álvarez fell to an unexpected defeat last weekend. Against who was he fighting?

Mexico's traditional Day of the Dead celebrations have been immortalized in a new toy range. Which one?
A seller in the Xochimilco plant market is already beginning to offer the cempasuchil flower for the day of the dead.

Guadalajara Zoo has successfully hatched the world's tiniest turtle. Where is this critically endangered species found in the wild?
a vallarta mud turtle

Mexicans facing abuse at Alligator Alcatraz: Friday’s mañanera recapped

By
MND Staff
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Sheinbaum pointing
President Sheinbaum recognizes a reporter during her Friday mañanera, in which she heard a report from her Foreign Relations Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente on abuse of Mexicans in the U.S. detention facility for migrants known as Älligator Alcatraz. (PresidenciaCuartoscuro.com)

At the start of her Friday morning press conference, President Claudia Sheinbaum noted that the day she was speaking, Sept. 19, was the 40th anniversary of the 1985 earthquake that devastated Mexico City and the eighth anniversary of the 2017 Puebla earthquake  that claimed hundreds of lives in the capital and other parts of central Mexico

“Our affection, a hug, to all those who lost a family member in the earthquakes of ’85 and ’17,” she said.

fla raising ceremony with president
The president began her mañanera by commemorating the victims of the earthquakes on this date in 1985 and 2017, and later led a flag-raising ceremony in their honor. (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro.com)

Sheinbaum also noted that an earthquake drill would take place at midday Friday.

Foreign minister: Mexicans detained at Alligator Alcatraz have reported mistreatment  

Foreign Affairs Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente told reporters that Mexican consular officials have met with a total of 198 Mexicans who have been detained at Alligator Alcatraz, an immigration detention facility in south Florida.

“That doesn’t mean that they’re still there,” he said, explaining that detainees usually only spend a “brief” time at the recently opened but already notorious facility.

“The numbers change every day, a lot of people come and go,” De la Fuente said.

Foreign Relations Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente, reported that Mexican officials had talked to 198 Mexicans interned in Alligator Alcatraz, with many reporting abusive treatment. (Presidencia/Cuartoscuro.com)

The foreign minister said that a “good number” of Mexicans who were detained at Alligator Alcatraz decided to return to Mexico, while others were transferred to other detention centers in the United States.

Asked whether any of the 198 Mexicans detained at the facility had reported violations of their human rights, De la Fuente said that Mexican officials have registered cases of “malos tratos” — mistreatment or abuse.

“All that is being recorded, and that’s where legal advice comes in,” he said.

De la Fuente didn’t specify the kind of mistreatment Mexicans have reported suffering at Alligator Alcatraz.

In July, the Associated Press reported that “at the brand new Everglades immigration detention center that officials have dubbed ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ people held there say worms turn up in the food.”

“Toilets don’t flush, flooding floors with fecal waste, and mosquitoes and other insects are everywhere,” the news agency reported.

Abandonment of babies, a growing problem in Mexico 

A reporter noted that “various cases” of abandoned babies have been reported in states across Mexico in recent months.

“Are you analyzing this situation?” asked the reporter. “… Have you detected anything [that explains] … why this phenomenon is occurring more and more frequently?”

Sheinbaum pointed out that state authorities are responsible for responding to and investigating such cases.

“That doesn’t mean that we’re not concerned or dealing with the situation,” she said.

UNAM recotr leading drill
Sheinbaum also mentioned Friday morning that later in the day a nationwide disaster simulation would take place. Here, UNAM Rector Leonardo Lomelí Vanegas oversees an evacuation on campus during the earthquake drill. (UNAM/Cuartoscuro)

“But who has the legal responsibility to attend to the baby, the infant, who has been abandoned are the state Attorney General’s Offices and also the state DIF family service agencies,” Sheinbaum said.

“The national DIF organizes and coordinates all the work of the DIF agencies in each of the federal entities,” she added.

Asked whether anything would be done to “prevent these kinds of situations,” Sheinbaum said that the Ministry of Women, in collaboration with the IMSS Bienestar health care agency, has a program designed to assist teenage girls and young women who are pregnant and who may be at risk of abandoning their baby.

In some cases, young mothers and fathers “don’t have the possibility of looking after the baby and unfortunately choose a situation of this type,” she said.

Sheinbaum defends Morena’s top senator 

A reporter asked the president whether Senator Adán Augusto López Hernández’s leadership of the Morena party in the Senate is “sustainable” given the accusations faced by the man who served as his security minister when he was governor of Tabasco.

That man, Hernán Bermúdez Requena, was arrested in Paraguay last Friday and is now in a federal prison in México state. Bermúdez is accused of leading a crime organization called La Barredora and faces charges of criminal association, extortion and express kidnapping.

Sheinbaum pointed out that López Hernández, who relinquished his position as governor to serve as federal interior minister between 2021 and 2023, doesn’t currently face any criminal charges.

“There is nothing, at this time, that incriminates him,” she said.

López Hernández has said that he is willing to speak to authorities about the case against his former security minister.

In July, the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) formally requested that the Federal Attorney General’s Office investigate the senator for criminal association. The PRI also demanded, unsuccessfully, that he resign.

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

Lego turns to Mexican tradition for its new Day of the Dead set

By
MND Staff
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lego day of the dead sets
The new Lego collection features two models with Day of the Dead themes — the Lego Skull and the Lego Altar. (@Michoacán/X)

Lego has launched a new edition based on one of Mexico’s most important celebrations, the Day of the Dead. 

The famous toy brand unveiled the new set this week in advance of the famous Nov. 1 and Nov. 2 holidays that commemorate the departed, a tradition that dates back to pre-Hispanic times in Mexico and has spread to various parts of the world.

Lego mask skull
Last year, the Nuevo León state Culture Ministry got a jump on Lego’s idea by having a Day of the Dead-style skull assembled from 108,000 Lego pieces. (Nuevo León Culture Ministry)

The new Lego collection features two models — the Lego Skull and the Lego Altar — contained in a single piece. The set includes several elements that are representative of the Mexican observances, including marigolds (cempasúchil), papel picado (cut paper banners) and candles.

The buildable set — comprising 231 pieces — measures approximately 9 cm in height, 8 cm in width and 10 cm in depth. Its two sides feature the form of a sugar skull on one side and an altar to the dead on the other, using a range of seasonal colors.

The Bricks Up website (an online community for Lego enthusiasts) describes the set as having “a plain white skull … with large open eyes, a small triangular nose and more white around its teeth.” 

The color is introduced with a variety of flowers that can be placed on showing studs located on the brick-built skull. On the other side, the color is provided by a floral arch display and flowers in mini-Lego vases. 

The set also features tiles resembling items traditionally placed on a Day of the Dead altar such as papel picado, photographs of pets, candles and flowers. There are also models of food and drink, including a chicken leg, and something akin to pan de muerto.

The newspaper Informador describes the set as “an amazing and affordable ornament for all individuals and families who regularly collect and build Lego pieces.”

The official price of the Day of the Dead collection is listed on the Lego website as 349 pesos in Mexico and US $19.99 in the United States and is available for purchase online.

With reports from El Universal, Bricks Up and La Prensa

Guadalajara Zoo celebrates its first hatching of world’s tiniest turtle

By
MND Staff
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a vallarta mud turtle
The birth was a milestone for the Guadalajara biologists who are struggling to save the casquito de Vallarta, of which there are only 300-500 left. (University of Guadalajara)

The Guadalajara Zoo has scored a conservation victory by breeding the world’s smallest turtle in captivity for the first time.

In late August, the zoo announced the birth of a baby Vallarta mud turtle, a recently discovered species popularly known as casquito de Vallarta. The birth had occurred nearly two months earlier, on June 30.

The hatchling weighed just 2.8 grams and was only 2 centimeters long, about the width of an adult human thumb.

This species of endangered turtle, Kinosternon vogti, was discovered in 2018 and is found near Puerto Vallarta along the wetlands of the Ameca River, a tributary that divides the western Mexican states of Nayarit and Jalisco.

Only about 300 to 500 remain, according to scientists’ estimates, making it critically endangered.

The casquito turtle is distinguished by its small size, with adults reaching just 10.2 centimeters (4 inches) in length. Males have a characteristic yellow spot on their noses.

tiny turtle being measure
The casquito hatchling was 2 cm long at birth, while adults grow only to 10.2 centimeters (4 inches) in length. Their tiny size makes them attractive to animal smugglers. (University of Guadalajara)

As the world’s smallest turtle, the species has become a target for illegal trafficking, increasing its risk of extinction.

Within the last year, two men reportedly disguised as Federal Environmental Protection Agency (Profepa) inspectors stole 55 of the tiny turtles from a university laboratory in Puerto Vallarta.

Moreover, a significant number of Vallarta mud turtles  have died off due to urban expansion around Puerto Vallarta, said biologist Ricardo Dávalos, head of the Guadalajara Zoo’s reptile-amphibian house.

“If we add to that the fact that it’s a rare species, it becomes even more attractive to traffickers,” he added. “We know that these animals are already being trafficked in Japan, China and Korea.”

Two years ago, the Guadalajara Zoo received 37 turtles confiscated by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat), an allotment that included nine fertile females.

Dávalos said that he and his team managed to mate some casquito pairs that live in a part of the herpetarium that has conditions similar to their natural habitat. The female turtles laid some eggs, which were incubated under strict temperature and humidity controls.

One baby — nicknamed “Crumb” for his diminutive size — hatched. Not all eggs have survived during this process, but six more are currently developing in the incubator; the incubation period is 120 days.

The Guadalajara Zoo’s breeding program hopes to one day increase the wild population of these tiny reptiles. This summer’s birth marked the first milestone in that process.

“In the future, we can consider releasing some of these specimens [into the wild] once we have a safe place in Puerto Vallarta, a place where they’re not in danger,” Dávalos said.

With reports from Associated Press, Forbes México, El Economista and Telesurvtv.net

Government breaks ground on new rail line from Querétaro to Irapuato

By
MND Staff
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rail construction on the querétaro-irapuato train
The new line will connect Querétaro, the capital city of the state of the same name, with the Bajío cities of Apaseo el Grande, Celaya, Villagrán/Cortázar, Salamanca and Irapuato, all in the state of Guanajuato. (SICT)

Construction on the Querétaro-Irapuato trunk line formally began on Thursday, with officials waving starter’s flags at a ceremony in Apaseo el Grande, Guanajuato.

President Claudia Sheinbaum joined the dignitaries via video link from the National Palace, noting that “passenger train service is being revived and reborn” in Mexico.

dignitaries with white flags
Among those present at the groundbreaking ceremony were Transportation Minister Jesús Antonio Esteva, Guanajuato Governor Libia García Muñoz Ledo, Querétaro Governor Mauricio Kuri González and Andrés Lajous, director of Mexico’s Rail Transport Regulatory Agency. (SICT/X)

The US $5.3 billion project will build a 108.2-km (67.2-mile) track between Querétaro and other cities located in the Bajío region, which boasts thriving manufacturing, agribusiness and technology sectors. 

The Querétaro-Irapuato line is part of Sheinbaum’s ambitious project that would build 3,000 km of track during her six-year term. This section is not only designed to boost connectivity and development in the Bajío, but will eventually link the region to Guadalajara and western Mexico.

The line will also strengthen the Bajío’s connection with the nation’s capital as it extends from the Mexico City-Querétaro line, which is nearing completion. 

 Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation Minister Jesús Antonio Esteva was joined on site in Apaseo el Grande by Guanajuato Governor Libia García Muñoz Ledo, Querétaro Governor Mauricio Kuri González and Andrés Lajous, director of Mexico’s Rail Transport Regulatory Agency (ARTF).

Lajous said the new line will feature a non-electrified twin-track section designed to support a maximum speed of 200 km/hr (124 mph). It will also feature two viaducts allowing for interaction with industry and rail freight services, as well as nine vehicle overpasses.

The rail line’s six stations will be located in Querétaro, Apaseo el Grande, Celaya, Villagrán/Cortázar, Salamanca and Irapuato, the latter five all being in the state of Guanajuato.

The government estimates the project will generate 1,518 direct jobs and 8,255 indirect jobs. 

Lajous said 2 million people will benefit from the construction of this trunk line. “We estimate a demand of roughly 30,000 people per day between the Apaseo El Grande stations and Mexico City.”

Both governors praised the cooperation between their governments and the federal government, expressing certainty that the new line will enhance mobility in their states.

“The Querétaro-Mexico City train has been a dream of Queretanos for more than 46 years, and this new connectivity with the west … will contribute to the competitiveness of my state,” Kuri said.

“Guanajuato has a long railway tradition dating to 1877, and we know what trains bring to our communities and municipalities: development, progress, well-being, and, above all, connection between families that fills us with emotion,” García said.

With reports from La Jornada, Informador and Chilango

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