Puerto Vallarta council members have voted to borrow 181 million pesos to fund infrastructure improvements throughout the city. (Gobierno Municipal de Puerto Vallarta/Facebook)
The Puerto Vallarta Municipal Council last week approved the terms of a 181 million-peso loan (US $9 million) for infrastructure improvements, while also voting to refinance three long-term loans that amount to 312 million pesos (US $15.6 million).
The new loan — sponsored by Alderman Víctor Manuel Bernal — was approved on a 12-0 vote with four abstentions. Bernal identified 21 priority infrastructure projects and said the bulk of the loan will go toward improving and repairing roads in the popular Pacific coast resort in the state of Jalisco.
The council members also voted to unify the new loan with PV’s existing debt, bringing the total owed to 494 million pesos. (Víctor Bernal/Facebook)
Among the roads to be repaved are Avenida México (a main north-south avenue), Avenida Federacíon (a major north-south road further inland) and the access road along Highway 544.
Additionally, bicycle lanes on all the principal roads will be repaired, the iconic waterfront promenade will be refurbished, two linear parks will be built, the Lázaro Cárdenas Park in the city’s Zona Romántica will be remodeled and the Cuale Island park will be rescued. Also, underground cable will be installed in the Colonia Emiliano Zapata which is adjacent to the Zona Romántica.
As for refinancing the three previous loans — contracted between 2017 and 2020 — Bernal said the idea is to unify them into one amortized loan which would lower the interest payments.
If the new loan is authorized by the Jalisco state Congress (as required by law), Puerto Vallarta will have an overall debt of nearly 494 million pesos (US $24.7 million).
The Municipal Council also adopted an Ethics Code for all public officials and created a Diversity Council in formal recognition of the contributions of the LGBTIQ+ community and to promote gender equality. Bernal claimed in a Facebook post that these actions will make Puerto Vallarta “a more just and equitable city.”
The council also tabled a proposal to set aside 100,000 pesos (US $5,000) to establish a gun-buyback program.
Foreign Affairs Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente and Tatiana Clouthier, director of the Institute for Mexicans Abroad (IME) launched the initiative last week. (Gobierno de México)
Mexicans living abroad will be able to access Mexican government information in 15 Indigenous languages thanks to a consular initiative launched last week.
Foreign Affairs Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente and the director of the Institute for Mexicans Abroad (IME), Tatiana Clouthier, launched the Indigenous Languages Consular Protection Initiative last Wednesday.
At the launch event, de la Fuente “confirmed ongoing efforts to enhance protection for Mexican nationals in the United States by using Indigenous languages,” according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE).
The commencement of the Indigenous Languages Consular Protection Initiative comes at a time when undocumented Mexicans in the United States face a potentially higher risk of expulsion due to U.S. President Donald Trump’s pledge to carry out “the largest deportation operation in American history.”
The SRE said that the Indigenous languages initiative “will reach Mexican communities worldwide, particularly in the United States, because safeguarding Indigenous languages directly protects their speakers.”
Increasing the use of Indigenous languages will help the Foreign Ministry better protect Mexicans abroad, de la Fuente said. (Gobierno de México)
“… Foreign Secretary de la Fuente emphasized the ministry’s commitment to both preserving Indigenous languages and using them to advance justice,” the statement said.
“Messages in 15 Indigenous languages will be shown in Mexican consulates, embassies, and representative offices abroad,” the SRE said.
During remarks at the launch event in Mexico City, de la Fuente said that through the Indigenous Languages Consular Protection Initiative the federal government seeks to “better protect our compatriots” abroad and to “make Indigenous languages an instrument” that “helps us to be more effective in this task.”
The foreign minister also said it is “clear” that “there is still a lot to do so that in all spaces of the Mexican Foreign Affairs Ministry, both inside and outside the country, it is fully recognized that Indigenous languages are full of life.”
▶️Hoy, en la @SRE_mx, se presentó la campaña “Protección consular en lenguas indígenas” del @IME_SRE, cuyo propósito es fortalecer la atención a las y los mexicanos de pueblos originarios que residen en el exterior y promover la diversidad en las representaciones de México… pic.twitter.com/EP42i1G5oJ
“… They carry knowledge accumulated from centuries of existence,” de la Fuente said.
He also said that “the government of President Claudia Sheinbaum is absolutely committed to the inclusion of Indigenous and Afro-Mexican people and communities in the transformation of the country.”
For her part, Clouthier said she was delighted with the commencement of an initiative that protects the rights of Mexicans abroad who speak an Indigenous language.
“I believe that something we should always feel very proud about is having the capacity to speak more than one language,” she said.
According to the SRE, Clouthier — a former federal economy minister who assumed the top job at the IME earlier this month — highlighted that “while 23.2 million people in Mexico identify as Indigenous, only 7.4 million speak their [Indigenous] language.”
“She emphasized that multilingualism deserves pride and noted the significance of ongoing work to preserve Indigenous languages,” the SRE said.
Tatiana Clouthier, director of the Institute for Mexicans Abroad (IME), emphasized the importance of ongoing work to preserve Mexico’s Indigenous languages. (Gobierno de México)
The ministry also summarized remarks made at the launch event by Alma Rosa Espíndola Galicia, acting director of the National Institute of Indigenous Languages.
She “congratulated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the IME for establishing communication channels with Indigenous migrants that acknowledge their linguistic and cultural characteristics,” the SRE said.
Espíndola “praised the Foreign Ministry for developing public policies promoting inclusion, linguistic justice, and protection for Indigenous migrant communities in the United States,” the ministry said.
A significant number of Indigenous Mexicans have migrated to the United States from states across Mexico.
Citing an Indigenous farmworker study, ABC7 reported in 2021 that “California is home to an estimated 120,000 Indigenous Mexican farmworkers from the states of Oaxaca, Guerrero and Michoacán.”
“We conclude that the concentration of Indigenous peoples in communities likely indicates economic and social disadvantage, which limits the residents’ possibilities for international movement,” the study said.
The Estadio Azteca sign was partially covered last week, before being taken down to make way for the rebrand. (Rogelio Morales/Cuartoscuro)
Mexico City’s iconic Estadio Azteca, a historic venue for global soccer, has officially been renamed Estadio Banorte as part of a financial agreement to fund its renovation ahead of the men’s 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The stadium, which has hosted two men’s World Cup finals and is set to become the first venue to host three tournaments, will receive a 2.1 billion peso (US $105.6 million) loan from Banorte, one of Mexico’s leading banks.
Renovations are already underway at the stadium, which will host the opening match of the FIFA World Cup in June 2026. (Rogelio Morales/Cuartoscuro)
The loan will be repaid over 12 years and supplements the 1.5 billion pesos (US $75.4 million) already invested by Ollamani, the stadium’s owners.
The renaming marks only the second time in the stadium’s 58-year history that its name has changed. In 1997, it was briefly called Guillermo Cañedo Stadium in honor of a prominent Mexican soccer executive who had just died.
Though fans never fully embraced the change, there are reportedly some traffic signs around Mexico City still pointing the way to Estadio Guillermo Cañedo.
Mexico, the United States and Canada will host the next World Cup, marking the first time it will be hosted by three countries. Teams and matchups in the expanded 48-team tournament won’t be determined until the qualifying process is completed in coming months.
However, FIFA regulations prohibit sponsor names during tournaments, meaning Estadio Banorte will revert to Estadio Azteca for official World Cup branding, and the July 19 final will be played at what FIFA is listing as New York New Jersey Stadium (rather than MetLife Stadium) in East Rutherford, N.J.
The decision to rename Mexico’s most famous stadium has sparked significant discontent among fans.
A survey by the digital news source Aristegui Noticias found that only 15.4% of respondents supported the change, while 84.6% disapproved. The backlash has been evident on social media and reflects the deep cultural significance of the original name.
Known affectionately as “the Colossus of Santa Ursula” — for it location in an area of southern CDMX previously known as Santa Úrsula — Estadio Azteca holds memories of legendary World Cup moments, such as Pelé’s triumph in 1970 and Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal in 1986.
The stadium now seats about 83,000 after being scaled back from 105,000.
Renovation work began in late 2024 — meaning the Club América teams in Liga MX (men) and Liga MX Femenil (women) have been playing at other stadiums in the capital city for the time being.
Members of the National Guard's highway security division came under direct attack on Sunday night near the border of Jalisco with Michoacán. (@HRS4NTOS/X)
Two members of the National Guard (GN) and three Mexican soldiers were killed on Sunday in two separate attacks allegedly perpetrated by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) in Jalisco and Michoacán.
Alleged CJNG gunmen killed two National Guard members in the town of Guadalupe del Lerma in the Jalisco municipality of La Barca, the GN told the EFE news agency.
Michoacán | Emboscan a militares en Chilchota; hay tres soldados fallecidos y dos heridos
Un camión de la Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional (SEDENA) fue atacado por un grupo armado la noche de este domingo en la carretera Morelia-Zamora, a e la Guardia Nacional muertos y dos pic.twitter.com/DzGWPgGgRm
— Es Michoacán Noticia (@EsMichoacanNews) March 17, 2025
The victims belonged to the National Guard’s highway security division and were in a GN vehicle when they came under fire.
Alleged CJNG henchman also shot dead three soldiers in the Michoacán municipality of Chilchota. The troops came under attack at approximately 7:30 p.m. when they were changing the tires on an army vehicle that had driven over road spikes laid by cartel operatives on the highway between Chilchota and Zamora, according to EFE.
At least two other soldiers were wounded in the attack.
The Michoacán Security Ministry said in a social media post late on Sunday night that the state Civil Guard had begun an “inter-institutional operation” aimed at detaining the perpetrators of the attacks in Michoacán and Jalisco. It said the operation spanned the municipalities of Zamora, La Piedad and Jiquilpan.
No arrests had been reported as of Monday morning.
Aristegui Noticias and other media outlets reported that three presumed criminals were killed in clashes on Sunday evening between federal security forces and members of the CJNG, one of six Mexican cartels recently designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the United States government. As of Monday morning, the deaths of the alleged cartel members had not been confirmed by authorities.
Tras la agresión a elementos del #EjércitoMexicano y la @GN_MEXICO_ en Chilchota y Jalisco, con un saldo de cinco oficiales fallecidos y dos heridos, la #GuardiaCivil desplegó un operativo interinstitucional en Zamora, La Piedad y Jiquilpan para localizar a los responsables. pic.twitter.com/E2oJ4YyWZh
Early on Monday, the state security ministry said that the Civil Guard had begun an “inter-institutional operation” in Zamora aimed at detaining the perpetrators of the attacks in Michoacán and Jalisco.
The attacks in Jalisco and Michoacán came less than two weeks after the discovery of clandestine crematoriums on a Jalisco ranch linked to the CJNG. The property in the municipality of Teuchitlán has been variously described as an “extermination camp,” an “apparent mass killing site” and even “Mexico’s Auschwitz.”
A violent evening
According to EFE, the first attack in a series of assaults carried out by the CJNG on Sunday occurred at around 6 p.m. in the town of San Antonio de Rivas in the Jalisco municipality of La Barca.
In San Antonio de Rivas, gunmen opened fire on GN personnel carrying out patrols in the area, EFE said. No deaths or injuries were reported as a result of that attack.
San Antonio de Rivas is located around seven kilometers from Guadalupe del Lerma, where the two GN members were killed. La Barca is located in eastern Jalisco on the border with Michoacán.
EFE reported that security forces also came under fire on Sunday evening in the Michoacán municipalities of Vista Hermosa, Tanhuato and Yurécuaro. All three municipalities are located on the border with Jalisco. Two state police officers were wounded in those attacks, the Milenio newspaper reported.
Alleged CJNG members also hijacked a number of vehicles on Sunday which they subsequently set alight to create fiery roadblocks on highways that link Michoacán to Jalisco and on other several other roads in various Michoacán municipalities.
Criminal groups in Mexico often use so-called “narco-blockades” to prevent additional security forces from reaching areas where they are engaged in confrontations with authorities or other illicit activities.
Attacks attributed to close associate of CJNG leader ‘El Mencho’
Citing preliminary National Guard investigations, EFE reported that CJNG “deputy” Heraclio Guerrero Martínez is responsible for orchestrating the attacks in Jalisco and Michoacán.
The U.S. State Department is currently offering US $15 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of “El Mencho,” who is the author attributed to yesterday’s attack on Mexico’s National Guard. (state.gov)
EFE said that Guerrero, known as “El Tio Laco,” has been identified as “a man close to” Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, the leader of the powerful CJNG.
The U.S. State Department is offering a reward of up to US $15 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Oseguera.
On its “wanted” page for El Mencho, the State Department says that the CJNG “was formed in 2009 and has grown into one of the most violent drug cartels in Mexico.”
It says that the cartel “has been assessed to have the highest cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine trafficking capacity in Mexico, and over the past few years, [that capacity] includes the trafficking of fentanyl into the United States.”
Former DEA administrator Anne Milgram said that the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel pose “the greatest criminal threat the United States has ever faced” given the large quantity of fentanyl they illegally ship to the United States.
Protesters placed shoes to symbolize the more than 150 pairs of shoes discovered at a mass grave in Teuchitlán, Jalisco. (Galo Cañas/Cuartoscuro)
Thousands of Mexicans staged vigils across the nation on Friday and Saturday, condemning the circumstances surrounding the recent discovery of an “extermination camp” in the western state of Jalisco.
In Mexico City, protesters painted an outline of the grave site at Izaguirre Ranch in front of the National Palace in the historic center. Additionally, roughly 400 pairs of shoes were scattered on the ground near the outline as those in attendance lit candles and chanted slogans demanding justice.
Families of Mexico’s disappeared convened a mass vigil and protest across the country on Saturday, inviting participants to place shoes in memoriam. (Galo Cañas/Cuartoscuro)
The Warrior Searchers of Jalisco, the collective of family members of the missing that is responsible for “discovering” the site, were met with enthusiastic applause when they addressed the crowd in Mexico City.
Joined by other search groups and mothers of the disappeared, the Warrior Searchers called on President Claudia Sheinbaum to meet with them to discuss the crisis of the missing.
The disappearance of persons is a crime that “has become a national nightmare,” one speaker said, adding that the extermination camp in Teuchitlán “is not an isolated event.”
There was a brief scuffle with police when several masked protesters tried to knock over the barricades surrounding the National Palace.
According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), as of September 2024, more than 115,000 people have been disappeared in Mexico. Calling the situation in Mexico a “human rights crisis,” HRW said that while murders fell slightly for the third year in a row in 2023, reported disappearances have increased significantly.
In addition to Mexico City, Saturday’s Day of National Mourning was observed in several cities that have seen mass disappearances, including Fresnillo, Ciudad Juárez and Tuxtla Gutiérrez. (Adolfo Vladimir/Cuartoscuro)
The Izaguirre Ranch findings were particularly disturbing because federal and state authorities had seized the site last September, but it was not until the search collective walked into the unsecured ranch on March 5 that the grisly findings were made public.
Saturday’s Day of National Mourning was convened by activists led by the “Huellas de Memoria” (Traces of Memory) group.
In addition to the protest in Mexico City, crowds gathered and placed shoes in the central squares of Chilpancingo, Guerrero; Cuernavaca, Morelos; Fresnillo, Zacatecas; Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua; Tijuana, Baja California; Oaxaca, Oaxaca; Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas; Toluca, México state; Guadalajara and Teuchitlán, Jalisco.
In Guadalajara, hundreds filled the plaza in front of the governor’s mansion, leaving a red net filled with shoes in front of the main door. Shouts decrying the failure of the state government to fully investigate the site at Teuchitlán or to make public the investigation they carried out echoed off the buildings surrounding the square. In the evening, the group held a candlelight march to the Plaza de Armas.
A vigil for the disappeared in Teuchitlán, Jalisco, where a clandestine extermination camp was discovered in early March. (Fernando Carranzo García/Cuartoscuro)
On Sunday, about 1,500 members of various search collectives staged a March for Peace in the streets of Teuchitlán, concluding the protest with a Mass concelebrated by eight priests from the region. The Mexican Episcopal Conference called the findings at the ranch “one of the darkest and most heart-breaking events in Mexico’s recent history.”
Grab a slice of pecan pie, now with 100% more added Mexican. (Pilsbury)
“Pie” is trending in the U.S., sparking a renewed interest in a very classic dessert that runs the gamut from fruit to cream to nuts. I mean, who doesn’t have their favorite variety of pie, whether it be apple, coconut cream, or pecan? There’s only one problem: the crust.
I don’t know about you, but pie crust and I don’t see eye-to-eye. I’ve never been able to make that melt-in-your-mouth, flaky bit of heaven that my grandmother whipped up with no recipe and no effort (it seemed). So, because of this daunting culinary expertise, I’ve been unable to master, I rely on a graham cracker or pecan crusts, the type you grind up, mix with a little butter and press into a pie plate. It’s easy to do and to top-it-off, it tastes good!
Pies in Mexico date back to the Mexica period. Well, sort of. (Nikohoshi/Unsplash)
It was the Pilgrims who brought pie to the American colonies in the early 1600s, but it was the Mexica who introduced pie to Mexico, not the sophisticated version of pie as we know it, but dough-filled concoctions, stuffed with various ingredients, which they made into dishes like tamales. It’s the concept that counts.
So, let’s combine multiple cultures to make a succulent pecan pie cobbler (easier to make than pie but with the same taste and succulent flavor) with a Mexican twist. We have France to thank for pastry making, the U.S. to credit with pecan pie, and the Mexicans for their wonderful spices, chocolate and agave… what a combo!
Disfruta!
Pecan pie cobbler, Mexican style, with tequila (or cinnamon) whipped cream:
Recipe adapted from crazyforcrust.com (Rodrigo Flores/Unsplash)
Ingredients:
For the Crust:
1 ¼ Cups (155 g) all-purpose flour
Mexican brands closest to American all-purpose: Espuma de Chapala; Selecta All-Purpose Flour
¾ Cup (150 g) granulated sugar (azúcar estándar)
2 tsp. (10 g) baking powder (polvo de hornear)
½ tsp. (3 g) salt (sal)
⅔ Cup (158 ml) milk (leche entera)
1 tsp. (4.2 g) vanilla extract* (extracto de vainilla)
Mexican brands noted for their intense flavor: Villa Vainilla; Vainilla Totonac’s; Molina Vainilla
For the Filling:
2 Cups (228 g) chopped pecans (nueces pecanas)
1 disk of Mexican chocolate (Ibarra), finely chopped, about 3 oz. (chocolate)
2 TBS. (44 g) agave syrup (jarabe de agave)
1 tsp. (2.6 g) ground cinnamon (canela molida)
¼ tsp. (0.7 g) cayenne pepper (pimienta de cayena)
1 Cup (200 g) packed brown sugar (azúcar moreno)
1 ½ Cups (355 ml) boiling water (agua)
For the Baking Dish:
6 TBS. (91 g) unsalted butter (sliced into pieces) (mantequilla sin sal)
Instructions:
(Nathan Dumlao/Unsplash)
First: Make Flour Mixture:
In a medium-size bowl, whisk flour, granulated sugar, baking powder and salt.
Whisk in milk and vanilla extract, making a batter.
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Next:
Place butter in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Place the dish in the oven so the butter melts while the oven is heating.
Once butter is melted, carefully remove the pan from the oven.
Drop spoonfuls of the batter (cobbler) evenly over the melted butter.
Next:
To the boiling water add brown sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
Add chopped Mexican chocolate, agave syrup, cinnamon and cayenne pepper.
Stir until the chocolate melts and the mixture is well combined.
Sprinkle chopped pecans over the top of the cobbler.
Carefully pour boiling water mixture evenly over the top of the cobbler.
Next:
Put the cobbler in the oven and bake until it’s golden brown all over, about 25-35 minutes.
Before Serving:
Cool slightly.
Then: Serve hot, warm, or room temperature, with cinnamon- or tequila- whipped cream, or ice cream.
Tequila whipped cream:
Add a Mexican splash to your whipped cream with some tequila. Recipe adapted from catfishoutofwater.com. (Shore Craft Beer)
Ingredients:
1 Cup (240 ml) heavy whipping cream (crema para batir)
¼ Cup (60 ml) powdered sugar (azúcar glasé)
1 ½ TBS. (22 ml) tequila (don’t use more!)
Instructions:
Place all ingredients in a bowl and whip with an electric hand-mixer until stiff peaks form. Refrigerate until ready to serve!
Cinnamon Whipped Cream: Substitute 1 tsp. of ground cinnamon for tequila.
Deborah McCoy is the one-time author of mainstream, bridal-reference books who has turned her attention to food, particularly sweets, desserts and fruits. She is the founder of CakeChatter on Facebook and X (Twitter), and the author of four baking books for “Dough Punchers” via CakeChatter (available @amazon.com). She is also the president of The American Academy of Wedding Professionals.
Iranian artist Shadi Yousefian’s solo exhibition “Memory in Layers” is up at the Museo de Arte de Querétaro March 7 – June 8. (All photos by Shadi Yousefian)
In a stunning new solo show at the Museo de Arte de Querétaro, Iranian artist Shadi Yousefian combines photography and other media in fascinating explorations of the themes of memory, identity and migration. This expansive exhibition, entitled “Memory in Layers,” includes over 100 works of art and is on display now through June 8. It showcases selected pieces spanning 23 years of Yousefian’s career.
Yousefian’s work beautifully reflects the dislocation in her life
Museo de Arte de Querétaro director Antonio Arelle Barquet describes Yousefian’s work: She evocatively reflects “on cultural identity, loss, and the arduous process of adaptation… we are delighted to present the work of this exceptional artist.”
Born in Tehran, Iran, in 1978, Yousefian immigrated to the United States at the age of 16. Her work, as highlighted in the eight series represented in “Memory in Layers,” illuminates challenging aspects of contemporary life and universal themes such as dislocation, loss, alienation and reinvention, with a particular focus on cultural identity, socio-political repression, and the immigrant experience.
These themes clearly resonated with guests at the March 7 “Memory in Layers” exhibition opening, where many of the attendees appeared awed by Yousefian’s work.
“Today we’re so used to viewing countless faces photographed flawlessly — and carefully filtered — that seeing the artist’s series of violently, asymmetrically altered self-portraits for me provided a powerful reminder that beauty doesn’t lie in perfection,” said M. Vega, a museum guest. “Shadi’s work is rich in technique, creativity, and emotion — knowing that these artworks are made from small fragments of real photos, letters and diary entries from the artist’s own life is very moving.”
“A tour de force,” agreed another attendee. “Daring, evocative, and simply stunning.”
Yousefian’s “Fading “Memories” series, one of eight series currently on display at the Museo de Arte de Querétaro, witnesses the passage of time and the inevitable fragmentation and fading of memories.
Antonio Arelle Barquet, the museum’s director, also agrees. “With mastery and a resolute spirit, Yousefian… has achieved a body of work that is intimate and profoundly personal. Now she transforms these expressions into universal declarations of the experiences and memories of human migrations across our planet.”
Connecting her personal experience of migration to the universal
As Yousefian explained, “Much of my work to date reflects my desire to capture and distill some essence of my life as an immigrant and connect it to a more universal experience. My art suggests and builds upon a kind of fragmentation and dissolution but also celebrates the endeavor to reinvent and reconstruct a self in a new social and cultural context.”
In addition, she noted that she sometimes feels unable to adequately express herself through language and therefore uses her art as a vehicle to convey meaning. She sees this as an analogy “to the inability of people to express their true identity due to restrictions and moral codes imposed on them by governments or society.”
Self Portrait 25 by Shadi Yousefian
Yousefian has exhibited her work throughout the United States and internationally in Mexico, Spain, the United Kingdom and Austria. Her works have been acquired for the permanent collections of the Los Angeles County Museum of Arts (LACMA) and the San Diego Museum of Art.
Finding an abundance of inspiration in Mexico
Yousefian embraced the opportunity to exhibit her work at the Museo de Arte de Querétaro because of her love for Mexico. “I admire this country so much for its culture, from its rich and vibrant pre-Hispanic traditions to its progressive and forward-thinking contemporary art scene — and of course for its kind and welcoming people.”
“As an artist, Mexico inspires me in so many ways, one of which is the daring attitude towards color. Another aspect which more directly inspires me,” she continued, “is the modern art and architecture. I’m highly impressed by the variety of modern architectural styles, especially the residential apartments and homes in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Merida.”
Yousefian’s “Diaries” series, seen at left, utilize—and transform—her memories and stories from the two years before she emigrated from Iran to the United States. Her “Obscured by Colors” series, at right, is a collaboration with Argentinian artist Lucas Rise, created in San Miguel de Allende.
“And of course, the variety and number of museums and galleries consistently offering fantastic exhibitions by renowned Mexican and international artists, as well as avant-garde works and art installations by lesser-known contemporary artists, helps me stay connected and up-to-date with the art world.”
“Mexico not only inspires me as an artist but helps me grow and have a more optimistic view on life as a human being. Family is highly valued, even by the younger generation. In Mexico one can still witness a teenager walking hand-in-hand with her grandmother. I also appreciate the supportive attitude of artists here. Instead of the hostile rivalry common in many other places, artists in Mexico are often inspired by each other and enjoy seeing their peers grow and be successful.”
“Memory in Layers” will be on display at the Museo de Arte de Querétaro through June 8. To learn more about Yousefian’s work, visitwww.shadiyousefian.com.
Based in San Miguel de Allende, Ann Marie Jackson is a writer and NGO leader who previously worked for the U.S. Department of State. Her award-winning novel “The Broken Hummingbird,” which is set in San Miguel de Allende, came out in October 2023. Ann Marie can be reached through her website, annmariejacksonauthor.com.
Raúl Jiménez was at the top of his game when he suffered a horror smash during a regular match. Now the Mexican footballer is back and more successful than ever. (Inspired Pencil)
Fulham FC, are a soccer club based in West London. With their ground overlooking the River Thames, Fulham have a history that dates to 1879. That makes 146 years of competitive football that has seen them win exactly no major trophies. Indeed, for many years their annual fight against relegation from the top level of English football was an exciting feature of every season.
As the 2024-25 season moves into its final weeks Fulham are in 10th position, just five points away from securing European football next season and are one of the last eight clubs left in the FA Cup. One player enjoying this season is Mexico’s Raúl Alonso Jiménez who is now, at thirty-three, in the veteran stage of his career.
Fulham’s historic Craven Cottage ground. (La vida amorosa de Goku y Milk)
It was almost 14 years ago when a young Jiménez made his first team debut at Mexico City’s Club America in 2011. Numerous honors quickly followed, including a gold medal at the London Olympics in 2012 and a domestic title with America in 2013. In October that year, with their World Cup bid faltering, Mexico desperately needed to beat Panama when the two met in their qualifying group.
With less than ten minutes still to play the score stood at 1-1. Jiménez collected the ball in midfield, swept it to the right wing and raced forward. There he was, in the center of the penalty area, to collect the return pass. The ball found him with his back to the goal, which seemed to leave him few options. Jiménez flicked the ball up and produced an acrobatic bicycle kick to score. Mexico were headed for the World Cup and Jiménez’s little piece of magic went viral on the internet.
Having played at the 2014 World Cup, Jiménez was rapidly outgrowing the Mexican league and by the following season was with Spanish side Atlético Madrid. It seemed a great move. Atlético were buzzing under manager Diego Simeone and had just won the Spanish league, while their counter-attacking style should have suited Jiménez. Madrid, however, didn’t work out. There was too much competition for a player just 23 years of age and not yet with the experience of playing in a top-class European league. One goal in 28 games was a poor return for ten million euros and it was time to move on.
In August 2015 Jiménez seemed set to join Premier League side West Ham United but he failed to show up for his medical exam. The official account is that he had missed his flight to London after oversleeping. More likely he was persuaded by his manager, Jorge Mendes, that a move to Benfica would be better for him. So Portugal it was and that proved a good call. Benfica enjoyed a successful spell, with titles, European football and Jiménez got to play virtually every game.
Jiménez celebrates winning the Portuguese Primera Liga with Benfica. (W Radio)
Jiménez was maturing as a player. He was no longer the young frontman who lived just to score. He was now putting in touches all over the field, often starting attacks from the center of the pitch and being at the other end to finish them. At 6’3″ he could impose his presence in the penalty area, but he was not an old-fashioned thug type. He combined his size with agility and timing, often racing between defenders to guide the ball into the net. After playing 120 games, and scoring 31 goals during his three years with Benfica, Raúl Jiménez was ready to test himself on a bigger stage. It had been delayed, but he was finally coming to England.
The club he joined was Wolverhampton Wanderers. After decades of mediocrity they were back in the top flight and had found an outstanding young manager in Nuno Espírito Santo. Nuno understood that to achieve success in the Premier League, Raúl would need regular playing time, something he had not been given at Atlético. Nuno also knew how hard the Mexican worked in training and how he would be a positive influence in the dressing room. It was a perfect match.
In his first season, Jiménez was Wolverhampton’s top scorer with 17 goals. A loan deal became a permanent transfer and the following year proved even better, bringing 55 games, 27 goals and two of the club’s Player of the Season Awards. This season was heavily impacted by Covid-19, with the league being suspended in March and then resuming in front of empty stadiums. For the Jiménez family, there was the distraction and excitement of a first child and Raúl raced from the changing room to the hospital to be there for the birth of his daughter, Arya.
Covid-19 would eventually pass and the newly expanded family were happy in their English lives, becoming as settled as any professional football player can ever be. His popularity with fans helped to forge a link between his Mexican home and his new home of Wolverhampton, with Jiménez putting on a golden wrestling mask to celebrate a goal, while fans composed an iconic song for him:
“Here’s something that the Wolves want you to know, the best in the world and he comes from Mexico, our number nine, give him the ball and he’ll score every time, Si señor, Give the ball to Raúl and he will score…”
Sí Señor! Celebrating Raúl Jiménez goal. Torino 2-3 Wolves
Unfortuantely, on 29th November 2020, during his third season with the club, Jiménez’s career took an unforeseeable and frightening course.
Wolves were playing Arsenal and Jiménez had taken up his usual position at the front of the 6-yard box for a corner when Arsenal defender David Luiz came crushing into him. As the player’s skulls collided, the crack vibrated through the empty stadium — a moment that still haunts people who were there. Jiménez lay on the ground, the lack of movement, his closed eyes, the blood trickling from his nose, all signs that this was serious. That night Jiménez underwent a series of operations for a fractured skull, and bleeding on the brain.
By the next day the initial crisis was over and he was awake and able to have a phone call with his family. However, he faced a long and uncertain road to full recovery.
The fear of any lasting damage faded, but there is a difference between leading a normal life and being able to stand up to the mental and physical challenges of a professional sportsman. At this stage, Jiménez himself was perhaps the only person who thought that he would play again. There was a long layoff, a long spell of training on his own and then a touch of comedy. There came a point when he could start to take part in five-a-side in training matches, but the other players were under strict instructions that there was to be no physical contact, so the team that Jiménez was on always won these surprisingly competitive training games.
Raul Jimenez horror injury
Jiménez recovered and returned to the team, but things had changed at the club. The beloved Nuno had moved on and there was a different atmosphere around the stadium. With a year left on his contract, and Jiménez not in the plans of new manager Julen Lopetegui, there came a surprise offer from London.
Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrović was keen to go to the new, high-spending Saudi Arabian league and the club now needed a replacement striker. It was unlikely that Fulham saw a 33-year-old who had yet to show he was back to his pre-injury best as a permanent solution to their problem, but he might provide some temporary cover. Jiménez, always noted for his commitment to training, was as fit as any of the youngsters in the squad and as enthusiastic as ever.
In his first season, a team that had looked like relegation candidates finished a comfortable 13th and Jiménez was getting a regular starting place in the side. This year Fulham are once again comfortably mid-table and better still, have reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, England’s premier footballing trophy, with Jiménez calmly scoring the first penalty of the tie-breaking shootout.
What legacy will he leave? While he would not make a list of the World’s Greatest 100 players, we would expect him to be included in a volume of Mexico’s Best 100 players. And sometimes a player has to be measured by the unmeasurable. His contribution in the changing room, his work on the training pitch, his popularity with the fans, his bravery at coming back from injury, are all things that do not show in the statistics but that the people who knew him will remember.
The remarkable story of Raúl Jiménez is far from over. If Fulham qualifies for European football next season that will be the next exciting chapter.
Bob Pateman is a Mexico-based historian, librarian and a life term hasher. He is editor of On On Magazine, the international history magazine of hashing.
Get well, stay young, unwind and take advantage of world-class services in Puerto Vallarta. (Artepil Spa/Facebook)
Medical tourism in Mexico is booming, and for good reason. According to Patients Beyond Borders, Mexico is one of the world’s top destinations for medical tourism, along with Southeast Asia. Patients can save anywhere from 40 to 60% on medical services compared to the U.S.
As a New Yorker, I know firsthand how expensive aesthetic treatments can be. Routine upkeep — Botox, hydrafacials, microneedling — can cost the equivalent of several months’ rent (and in NYC, that’s saying something). But in Puerto Vallarta? The treatments are not only significantly more affordable, but they’re also performed in clean, professional, high-quality settings. I’ve been dabbling in the Puerto Vallarta med spa scene for years and it’s one of my favorite little secrets to share with my friends and family who visit.
(Metamorfosis Day Spa)
Before we dive into the best med spas in Puerto Vallarta, a quick disclaimer: I am not a medical provider. Any cosmetic or medical treatment should always be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional to determine what’s right for you. It also should be said that feeling good in your own skin is an individual experience and no one should ever feel pressured to do anything they don’t feel comfortable with. But if med spas are something you’re interested in, these are the ones I recommend in Puerto Vallarta.
When it’s time for a little injectable magic, Rejuvenate PV is my go-to. Here, Botox is just 100 pesos per unit — about US $5, compared to the $20 per unit I’d pay back home. That means I can smooth out my forehead lines without stressing about my bank account.
Beyond Botox, Rejuvenate PV offers hydrafacials, collagen-boosting treatments, laser hair removal, fillers — you name it. Their approach is about enhancing natural beauty with safe, effective treatments that the doctors match to your individual needs. The clinic is small and sleek, the staff experienced and fluent in English, and the results are exactly what you’d expect from a high-end med spa — just without the high-end price tag.
Another fantastic option for aesthetic treatments is Pro Medica. If you’re looking to refresh and rejuvenate, this clinic specializes in Botox, hydrafacials, microneedling, and lasers — powerhouse treatments for maintaining glowy, healthy skin.
Microneedling is especially popular here, helping to stimulate natural collagen production and reduce fine lines, acne scars, and sun damage (which, let’s be honest, is a real concern in sunny Vallarta). The clinic usually recommends three treatments, each a month apart, for about US $120 per treatment.
For those who want to go beyond beauty treatments and focus on full-body wellness, Holistic BioSpa in the Marina is the place to be. This isn’t just a med spa — it’s a health and longevity center offering everything from anti-aging and beauty treatments to IV therapy drips, cryotherapy, sleep therapy, detox programs, and immune-boosting treatments.
Imagine getting your Botox touch-up and then indulging in an oxygen therapy session or a revitalizing IV drip designed to boost energy and hydration. Or, if you’ve had one too many margaritas the night before, a quick hangover IV might be just what the doctor ordered. Their blend of aesthetic treatments and holistic wellness services makes this spot a favorite among locals, expats, and visitors.
Beyond med spas: Low-risk procedures for a full refresh
(Terra Noble)
While med spas are a fantastic option for beauty treatments, Puerto Vallarta also excels in other minimally invasive procedures that won’t break the bank.
Teeth Whitening & Dental Cleanings — Many visitors take advantage of high-quality, affordable dental care in PV. Professional teeth whitening costs a fraction of what you’d pay in the U.S., and a full dental cleaning often costs less than a fancy dinner back home. PV Smile has been my Mexico dentist for years. I had a full whitening treatment, complete with a set of custom molds for my teeth, for just over US $200
Non-Surgical Skin Treatments — In addition to Botox and microneedling, many clinics offer radiofrequency skin tightening, chemical peels, and PRP (platelet-rich plasma) facials to rejuvenate the skin. You can get these treatments done at Holistic Bio Spa, ThrIVe IV & MedSpa, or Rejuvenate Clinic.
Massage & Lymphatic Drainage Therapy – For those looking to de-stress and detoxify, Puerto Vallarta has a range of professional wellness centers offering deep tissue massages, lymphatic drainage, and body sculpting treatments. MEDSPA Vallarta is one of the best-regarded spas for everything from manicures and pedicures to full body sculpting treatments.
Puerto Vallarta is also home to world-class day spas that cater to those looking for classic relaxation treatments. Whether you want a traditional deep-cleansing facial, a hydrating mask, or a luxurious aromatherapy massage, there are plenty of options that will leave you feeling pampered and refreshed.
Some standout spots include:
Metamorfosis Day Spa — Known for its deeply relaxing massages and classic facials, this intimate spa is a local favorite.
Artepil Spa — Located various spots around the city, Artepil Spa is a clean, relaxing, affordable day spa that offers facials, massages, and body treatments. The Detox facial is my favorite with its activated charcoal mask.
Terra Noble Art & Healing Center: If you want to make a full day of holistic wellness, including massages, thermal pools, and even a temazcal experience, book a treatment at the Terra Noble Art & Healing Center.
Beyond individual treatments, Puerto Vallarta embraces a wellness lifestyle. Yoga studios, beachfront meditation sessions, and holistic wellness retreats are easy to find, making it a fantastic destination for those looking to reset and recharge both body and mind.
Meagan Drillinger is a New York native who has spent the past 15 years traveling around and writing about Mexico. While she’s on the road for assignments most of the time, Puerto Vallarta is her home base. Follow her travels on Instagram at @drillinjourneys or through her blog at drillinjourneys.com
A taquero making tacos al pastor at El Tizoncito. (El Tizoncito)
Okay, so Mexico City, or CDMX as it is more commonly styled now, is not a state. However, despite dropping the Distrito Federal title a few years back, it still has federal status as the country’s capital. More to the point, it’s also the nation’s culinary capital, so I’m including it in this series.
Of course, its signature dish is tacos al pastor. Well, perhaps the “of course” is no longer warranted. Mexico City is a paradise of taco styles and new ones are always evolving. One of the most interesting developments in recent years is the repurposing of the trompo, the vertical spit on which tacos al pastor are traditionally roasted, for Brazilian-style picanha or other steak cuts such as sirloin and ribeye. La Once Mil and El Remolkito del Sirloin are at the forefront of this trend.
Of all the styles of taco in Mexico, can the humble pastor really be beaten? (Cocina Mexicana)
However, if the capital is synonymous with one taco style, it’s undoubtedly still tacos al pastor.
The birth of tacos al pastor
Mexico is a melting pot of cultures, with amazing results for its cuisine. Tacos al pastor famously evolved from the shawarma style of cooking that originated during the latter period of the Ottoman Empire and features marinated lamb slow-cooked on a vertical spit and served in pita bread. When the Ottoman Empire crumbled, part of it became Lebanon. But before this happened, an influx of Lebanese immigrated to Mexico during the late 19th and early 20th century. Most settled in Puebla and CDMX, with shawarma transforming into tacos árabes in Puebla during the 1930s.
How did tacos árabes — delicious in their own right — transform again into tacos al pastor? This happened in the late 1950s or early 1960s when a culinary boom in CDMX inspired a vibrant taco scene. The taco al pastor developed around then, with lamb changing into marinated pork on the trompo, and acquiring all the fixings we now take for granted.
How tacos al pastor are made
The secret to good pastor is in the marinade, which many taquerías keep a closely guarded secret. (Francisco de Legaretta/Unsplash)
One of the most important elements of slow-roasted pork on the trompo is the marinade it has been given. Most restaurants have their respective secret recipes, but one ingredient never changes: achiote. That’s what gives al pastor tacos their distinctive orange-red color. The other distinguishing ingredient, at least during the trompo phase, is the pineapple affixed above the pork.
This isn’t for show. Pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that breaks down protein, causing meat to tenderize. I have friends who refuse to have pineapple pieces added to their tacos al pastor after the taquero has artfully sliced the pork right onto a corn tortilla. It seems weird to me since tacos al pastor would not taste the way it does without pineapple dripping onto the meat during the slow-cooking process. Also, sweet and acidic pineapple pieces are the perfect complement to rich pork. But to each their own!
Onions and cilantro are also critical pieces of the culinary art form known as tacos al pastor, as are the already mentioned corn tortillas. Additionally, the corn tortillas should be smaller than a normal-sized tortilla, a key element, as confirmed by Carlos Ceja of CDMX landmark El Califa (not to be confused with El Califa de León, the only taquería to be awarded a Michelin Star) to the BBC in 2015.
His advice is as true now as it was then. That’s why I adjudge the proper number of tacos al pastor to eat in one sitting as five. But perhaps I’m a tad more gluttonous than most. As to the correct time, the later the better. I used the word “sitting”, but these are tacos meant to be eaten standing up late at night.
The pioneering taquerias serving tacos al pastor in Mexico City
El Huequito is amongst those claiming to be the originator of pastor. (Portico.travel)
What was the first taqueria in CDMX to serve tacos al pastor? Why is it called a “shepherd” taco in the first place? These are good questions. As to the latter, it’s unclear, but it may have something to do with the taco style’s Middle Eastern origins. As to the former, this is a controversial issue. However, most agree that it was either El Tizoncito or El Huequito.
According to El Tizoncito, which, like El Califa, was born in CDMX’s trendy La Condesa neighborhood, the taco’s origins lay with founder Concepción Cervantes y Eguiluz (AKA Doña Conchita), who was inspired by the shawarma method of cooking and invented tacos al pastor in 1966.
However, it must be pointed out that El Huequito opened in 1959 and predates El Tizoncito. During that year, so the story goes, Guillermo Buendía and Amelia González began selling tacos al pastor in a tiny taquería in what is now the city’s Centro Histórico.
Which story is true? Local lore credits the creation of the taco al pastor to El Huequito and the first use of the pineapple to El Tizoncito. But regardless of who made these tacos first, both businesses have parlayed their pioneering efforts into ongoing popularity and continuing excellence for 60 years, more or less.
Where to get the best tacos al pastor in Mexico City
There are tons of taquerías in CDMX famed locally for their tacos al pastor, starting with El Tizoncito and El Huequito. Each is still open and El Tizoncito now has multiple locations from which to choose.
Several other specialists merit inclusion in this discussion, including El Califa, El Fogoncito, La Onda, Los Güeros, and Taco Inn. Each is a master of the art of the taco al pastor and has its signature touches. For instance, Los Güeros, memorably profiled on the enjoyable Netflix show Las Crónicas del Taco, boasts a marinade featuring orange juice and cinnamon along with the inevitable achiote; while El Huequito’s marinade is known to include achiote and guajillo chile; and El Tizoncito is noted for its salsa verde (yes, salsa and a squeeze of lime are also de rigueur).
El Charco de las Ranas (“the puddle of the frogs”) is a restaurant, not a taquería, but its tacos al pastor are also spot on and to CDMX connoisseurs, that’s all that matters.
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.
