US President Biden refers to Egypt’s Sisi as ‘president of Mexico’

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February 9, 2024

Presidents AMLO, Biden and Sisi — Biden's flub comes just as the U.S. president is facing scrutiny over his age and alleged memory problems. (Wikimedia Commons/Presidencia de la República)

United States President Joe Biden referred to Egypt’s president as “the president of Mexico” on Thursday in a blunder that came shortly after he hit back at a special counsel’s claim that his memory is in decline.

Speaking about the Israel-Hamas war at a press conference, the octogenarian head of state said it was his view that “the conduct of the response” to Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7 “has been over the top.”

He then referred to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi as “the president of Mexico.”

“As you know, initially the president of Mexico Sisi did not want to open up the gate to allow humanitarian material to get in [to the Gaza Strip.] I talked to him, I convinced him to open the gate,” Biden said.

The U.S. president didn’t immediately acknowledge his mistake or appear to realize he had made one.

The focus on his flub was amplified because he called his press conference to respond to a report by Special Counsel Robert K. Hur, in which Hur presented his decision not to file criminal charges against the U.S. president for allegedly mishandling classified documents while describing him as a “well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.”

Asked about that assessment, Biden responded, “I’m well-meaning and I’m an elderly man and I know what the hell I’m doing and I’m president and I put this country back on its feet. … My memory is fine.”

Biden most recently spoke to President Andrés Manuel López Obrador in a call last Saturday, during which the two leaders discussed challenges at the Mexico-U.S. border, but presumably didn’t delve into the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Migration to the United States via Mexico is a key concern of the U.S. president, and perhaps for that reason — as the newspaper El Financiero said in a headline — he can’t get AMLO out of his mind.

Mexico News Daily

Retrospective: Australians in Mexico and Mexicans living Down Under

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MND Staff

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February 9, 2024

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A picture of the Sydney Opera House and another picture of the Angel of Independence in Mexico City. — Australia and Mexico are tied together not just by trade and politics, but also by the visitors and immigrants who connect the two countries. (Sophie Turner/Enrique Ortega Miranda/Unsplash)

This week is “Australia in Focus” week at Mexico News Daily so it’s an opportune time to look back at some of the previous stories we’ve published that feature both Australians in Mexico and Mexicans in Australia.

Here are seven such stories, presented here in chronological order.

A Mexican winemaker makes a mark far from home

In 2018, Susannah Rigg wrote about Mauricio Ruiz Cantú, an oenologist from Monterrey who moved to South Australia via Coahuila to develop his winemaking skills and start his own wine labels.

A Mexican winemaker down under makes Australian wine for Mexico

A “100% Mexican” filmmaker who just happens to be Australian

In 2022, Leigh Thelmadatter profiled filmmaker Michael Rowe, who shot to prominence with his debut film Año Bisiesto (Leap Year), set in Mexico City.

An aspiring Australian poet found his calling making films in Mexico

An Aussie artist in Oaxaca

In early 2023, Gordon Cole-Schmidt spent some time getting to know artist and gallery/cafe owner Jaime Levin in Oaxaca city.

Once in Oaxaca: meet Australian artist and gallerist Jaime Levin

The “Gringo Zapatista” who hailed from Down Under

Sheryl Losser researched and wrote this fascinating article about Roderick James Martson, an Australian who fought in the Mexican Revolution.

The mysterious ‘Gringo Zapatista’ who fought in Mexico’s Revolution

Mexico City native wows Sydney with authentic Mexican food

Rosa Cienfuegos spoke to Mexico News Daily last year about her culinary enterprises in Australia’s best-known city.

Inspiring a love for Mexico Down Under: meet Rosa Cienfuegos

Australian sailor rescued off the Mexican coast

Last year we covered the extraordinary story of Tim Shaddock and his dog Bella, who were rescued by fisherman off the coast of Colima after spending a difficult three months at sea.

Sailor and dog rescued by Mexican fishermen after 3 months at sea

Aussie potter finds inspiration in Oaxaca

Earlier this year, Laurel Tuohy profiled Australian curator and potter Stellah de Ville, who described the tradition of “making” in Oaxaca as “unparalleled.”

Stellah de Ville talks life, art and collaboration in Mexico

Mexico News Daily

As Mexico’s avocado woes grow, US senators urge action

By

MND Staff

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February 9, 2024

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A crate of avocados in the shade of an orchard — Municipal governments, ranchers and avocado growers are just a few of the CJNG's extortion targets. (Juan José Estrada Serfaín/Cuartoscuro.com)

Six United States senators sent a letter to top Biden administration officials this week to raise concerns about the sale in the U.S. of Mexican avocados grown on illegally deforested land.

“We write regarding reports of widespread illegal deforestation and unsustainable water use linked to avocados imported from Mexico,” the six Democratic Party senators said in the Feb. 7 letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Trade Representative Katherine Tai.

The senators, among whom are Tim Kaine of Virginia and Ben Cardin of Maryland, sought “additional information” regarding the Biden administration’s “efforts to address environmental degradation linked to these imports.”

They also requested that the U.S. government work with Mexico “to prevent the sale of avocados grown on illegally deforested lands to American consumers.”

The senators cited an article published in The New York Times in November (“Americans Love Avocados. It’s Killing Mexico’s Forests.”), noting that it says that avocado production in Michoacán and Jalisco — the only Mexican states certified to export the fruit to the U.S. — “has had a catastrophic impact on the environment and local communities.”

“A report by Climate Rights International further outlines the devastating toll of the U.S.-Mexico avocado trade: government officials in Michoacán and Jalisco identify avocado production as ‘a central cause of deforestation and environmental destruction in their states,’ including water theft,” the senators continued.

Workers in red shirts fill large carts with avocados next to a conveyor belt. — Workers in Peribán, Michoacán, prepare avocados for export. (Juan José Estrada Serafín/Cuartoscuro)

“The report also outlines how Indigenous leaders and others seeking to defend their forests and water have been threatened, attacked and killed.”

To help meet international environmental commitments made by the U.S., the Biden administration, “in cooperation with our Mexican partners, should work to prevent Mexican avocados produced on illegally deforested land from reaching U.S. markets,” stressed Kaine, Cardin, Peter Welch, Chris Van Hollen, Martin Heinrich and Jeff Merkley.

The senators advocated denying export certification “to orchards installed on recently illegally deforested land — a change that senior Mexican officials have reportedly expressed interest in making.”

“Because most Mexican avocado orchards are not on recently deforested land, the [Biden] administration could implement policy changes without significantly reducing American consumers’ access to avocados or harming the livelihood of law-abiding avocado farmers,” they said.

Climate Rights International (CRI), a California-based advocacy organization, said in a statement that the U.S. government “should act” on the senators’ advice.

“The environmental destruction and abuse fueled by Mexican avocado exports to the United States require urgent attention by both countries,” said Brad Adams, CRI’s executive director.

“Denying export authorization to avocado orchards installed on recently deforested lands would dramatically reduce the economic incentive to clear the forests or attack the people defending them,” he said.

Activist Homero Gómez González fought to protect monarch butterfly habitat against against illegal logging and avocado orchards, until he was found dead in a well in 2020. (Homero Gomez Gonzalez/Facebook)

CRI said that the opposition of Michoacán and Jalisco residents, including Indigenous leaders, environmentalists, journalists, and academics, to the destruction of forests due to avocado production is “no match for the profits to be made selling avocados to corporations that export the fruit.”

“Mexico supplies four out of five avocados eaten in the United States, in exports worth US$3 billion per year. The U.S. market — which has tripled in size since 2000 — is the main factor motivating avocado producers to destroy forests to establish orchards,” the organization said.

The senators’ airing of their concerns comes ahead of the Super Bowl this Sunday, a day on which avocado consumption in the U.S. reaches its annual peak, mainly due to the use of the so-called alligator pear to make guacamole.

The Michoacán Ministry of Agriculture said last week that Mexico would send 138,000 tonnes of avocado to the United States to meet Super Bowl demand.

Mexico — the world’s largest avocado producer — is easily the top exporter of avocados to the United States. In 2023, a record high of 1.14 million tonnes of Mexican avocados were shipped north of the border, according to agriculture consultancy Grupo Consultor de Mercados Agrícolas.

Mexico News Daily

The Acapulco chair: an iconic design from a golden age

By

Sandra Gancz Kahan

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February 9, 2024

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Acapulco chairs — Modern interpretations of the Acapulco chair cleverly retain its original charm, preserving the sturdy oval frame and signature woven radial design that guarantees ergonomic bliss. (Lacoo)

If you’re yearning for an item that screams “I love Mexico,” then the Acapulco chair is for you. This airy and summery retro chair has found its place in all sorts of homes and hotels for decades, yet somehow never falls out of style.

The Acapulco chair, a familiar sight across Mexico, has transcended its local roots to become a global design sensation. With no formal ownership or trademark, this iconic chair has birthed countless reinterpretations, available for budget-friendly pesos to extravagant dollars and ready to take home from roadside stalls or trendy global brands.

An authentic Acapulco chair has unique dimensions that guarantee specific aesthetics and a comfortable seat. (Silla Acapulco.com)

Acapulco has long been a favored vacation retreat for countless tourists and international stars who travel to this beach destination to relax on sunny terraces, drink tropical cocktails, enjoy a stunning view of the bay and dance all night. The time it basked in its glory as the hottest party destination for Hollywood’s A-listers is known as Acapulco’s Golden Age, spanning from the 1940s to the 1970s.

Celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra and Brigitte Bardot called this coastal paradise their playground, while John Wayne managed the Los Flamingos hotel as a private club. Acapulco became a symbol of glamour, hosting the likes of John and Jackie Kennedy on their honeymoon in 1953 and gaining global attention through Elvis Presley’s 1963 musical comedy film, “Fun in Acapulco.” No wonder even The Flintstones coveted trips to “Rockapulco.”

Despite a challenging time in recent years, the Acapulco chair is one item that still encapsulates the enduring allure of the once-glamorous beachside city. This timeless favorite, with its surprisingly simple design, embodies the “less is more” philosophy in style.

A familiar sight across Mexico, the Acapulco chair has transcended its local roots to become a global design sensation. With no formal ownership or trademark, this iconic chair has birthed countless reinterpretations, available for budget-friendly pesos to extravagant dollars and ready to take home from roadside stalls or trendy global brands.

The Acapulco chair is a timeless, versatile design. (Shutterstock)

Crafted with a solid steel skeleton finished in matte black, the chair’s frame provides a foundation for interwoven PVC threads. Manual weaving, inspired by Mayan techniques, crisscrosses the chair to provide a colorful, stylish seat. The manual weaving technique that relies on tension as an art form results in a radial design with a distinctive curvature, transforming two simple materials into cradling support.

Modern interpretations of the Acapulco chair cleverly retain its original charm, preserving the sturdy oval frame and signature woven radial design that guarantees ergonomic bliss. Contemporary designers transform this classic into a myriad of adaptations, from sleek metallic finishes to bold color palettes, proving that this chair can effortlessly keep up with the ever-evolving trends.

Its timeless and versatile design adds a dash of sophistication wherever it lands and integrates into any decor style, effortlessly transitioning from the bedroom to the kitchen, living room to the entryway, and porch to deck.

Beyond its stylish looks, the chair boasts notable resilience, maintaining its shape even with daily use. Suitable for both indoor elegance and outdoor practicality, these chairs are waterproof and easy to clean, offering a perfect blend of style and substance.

Whether gracing the interior of your home or braving the elements outdoors, they withstand the test of time without the need for special maintenance. The chairs are weatherproof and cleaning them is a breeze with just a quick wipe or gentle dusting.

If you are looking for a single piece (or two) to spruce up the vibe of your space, look to the Acapulco chair for a dash of retro charm, a pinch of modern flair and surprising level of comfort. Let this piece of furniture weave its narrative into the fabric of your home by buying from Mexican artisans to support their families.

Sandra is a Mexican writer and translator based in San Miguel de Allende who specializes in mental health and humanitarian aid. She believes in the power of language to foster compassion and understanding across cultures. She can be reached at: [email protected]

When will the new airport in Puerto Vallarta area open?

By

MND Staff

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February 9, 2024

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yate — Jalisco's ultra-luxury Costalegre resorts will soon be linked by a new international airport, scheduled to open later this year. (Costalegre)

Jalisco’s Governor Enrique Alfaro Ramírez has announced that the new Chalacatepec International Airport, in Costalegre, Jalisco will commence operations later this year.

Construction at the airport has already been completed and it is expected to enhance the connectivity of the Costalegre region, a 240-kilometer stretch of the Pacific Coast south of Puerto Vallarta. The area will soon be home to the US $1 billion-dollar ultra-luxury Xala resort.

The new airport, seen here under construction in 2023, will be able to accommodate large aircraft from destinations across the world, SICT hopes. (Radio Costa)

Alfaro said the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation (SICT) will publish a public tender for the concession to operate the airport this month.

“We have reached an agreement with the president to make a concession,” Alfaro said in a press conference. “The original plan was for the state government to operate it as a domestic airport, but we have decided that an airport group will operate it as an international airport instead.”

Alfaro said that some groups have already expressed their intention to participate in the tender, which will be overseen directly by SICT.

“Once [the airport] comes into operation with an airport group at the helm, we’ll work closely with airlines to define the flights on offer,” Alfaro explained.

The Costalegre coastline is comparatively underdeveloped compared to other luxury tourism destinations in Mexico. (Costalegre/X)

Chalacatepec will be Jalisco’s third international airport after Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. Both airports are managed by Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP), which operates a total of 12 airports across Mexico’s Pacific coast.

With an investment of 62 million pesos (US $3.2 million), Alfaro said Chalacatepec will be capable of accommodating “any airplane from around the world.”

In an interview with the newspaper El Economista, Guadalajara International Airport chief Martín Pablo Zazueta, said that although GAP is focused on the operation of its current airports, it “is open” to taking part in the concession process for Chalacatepec’s air terminal.

The Costalegre region is made up of several towns and beaches, stretching from Barra de Navidad to Playa Quemada, including Melaque, Tenacatita, Costa Careyes and Chemala — the last two home to the ultra-luxury developments of Careyes and Cuixmala.

The beaches in the region have been described as “a diamond in the rough” and tourism officials are predicting the area will be one of the most sought-after on the Pacific coast.

With reports from El Informador, El Economista and Players of Life

Think tank highlights lack of action on Mexico’s water crisis

By

MND Staff

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February 9, 2024

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Pipas desabasto agua Iztapalapa-6 — The Mexican Institute for Competitiveness (IMCO) has said that Mexico is experiencing a water crisis, with over 1,600 municipalities in the country experiencing severe to exceptional drought. (Graciela López/Cuartoscuro)

“Mexico is experiencing a water crisis,” says a recent report from the Mexican Institute for Competitiveness (IMCO), pointing out that “severe, extreme and exceptional droughts” were affecting more than 1,600 municipalities around the nation as of mid-January.

By example, 284 of Mexico City’s 1,837 neighborhoods — including affluent enclaves such as Polanco and Lomas de Chapultepec — were hit with water restrictions in response to shortages in January, Some households reportedly were without piped water for six days, instead relying on deliveries from tanker trucks.

Swathes of Mexico City were left without running water in January, and restrictions are in place due to low reserves. (Rogelio Morales/Cuartoscuro)

In the last two weeks of January, “below normal precipitation conditions were recorded in most of the [nation], mainly on the coasts of the Pacific slope and the central part of the country,” according to the latest data from Mexico’s Drought Monitor.

The monitor is updated every two weeks by the National Meteorological Service (SMN) and reported that 60.45% of the country suffered from moderate to exceptional drought conditions as of Jan. 31. That’s worse than the 55% at the end of December, but better than the 75% at the end of September.

IMCO wrote in its report titled “Water management is not a priority in Mexico” that “the increase in droughts is a reflection that climate change is already impacting the country.” It called the change in precipitation patterns “a reality [due to Mexico’s] average temperature increase of 1.6° Celsius in the last 40 years.”

In addition to the lack of rainfall, IMCO also said that Mexico lacks an “adequate institutional framework” to deal with more than 100 dams around the country that are below 50% capacity.

Many of Mexico’s reservoirs and lakes have dried up as precipitation levels dropped in 2023. (Crisanta Espinosa Aguilar/Cuartoscuro)

“Water infrastructure, from dams to pipes and sewage, is obsolete and deficient, detrimental to proper water management,” the report said.

IMCO called for better coordination between all of the different levels of government and agencies that have a hand in water management and investment and maintenance of water infrastructure.

Although there is a National Water Commission (Conagua), IMCO noted that there are 2,826 municipal water authorities nationwide.

“Decision-making in the water sector is fragmented between public actors — at the three levels of government — and private actors with different interests and responsibilities,” it noted. “The water crisis of recent weeks should be understood as a call to action to modernize the management of water resources in the country.”

The majority of water usage in Mexico (76%) goes towards agriculture, livestock and aquaculture, according to the report, which also noted that 15% goes to supply homes, companies, shops and other connected users with water; 5% goes to industries using water directly from aquifers; and the remaining 4% is used for electrical energy.

Although water might not yet be a top issue in the presidential campaign, “it is a more important issue than it had been in the past,” noted Óscar Ocampo, coordinator of energy and environment at IMCO. “What should [the candidates] include in the platforms? The modernization and maintenance of the existing infrastructure … especially [when] thinking about the alternative of running out of water.”

With reports from El Economista and Infobae

Gas pipeline leak near Guadalajara forces residents to evacuate

By

MND Staff

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February 9, 2024

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GF59qwkXcAAi0Np — Towns near Guadalajara were evacuated after a petroleum thieves ruptured a pipeline and shrouded the area in petroleum gas. (La Cascada/X)

A ruptured pipeline near Guadalajara caused a major gasoline leak on Friday morning, forcing a large number of residents to evacuate their homes.

The leak — reportedly caused by fuel thieves’ tapping, or puncturing, of Pemex’s Salamanca-Guadalajara pipeline — caused a large gasoline “cloud” to form in Tololotlán, a community in the municipality of Tonalá, which borders Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco.

Images from the town of Tololotlán showed a cloud of petroleum gas hanging over the town. (Screen capture)

An aerial photograph showed a gasoline “geyser” and a vast fog-like fuel cloud surrounding it.

Some 2,100 people in the municipalities of Tonalá, Juanacatlán and El Salto evacuated their homes at the request of police, according to reports.

Evacuations began at around 6 a.m., shortly after residents detected a strong gasoline odor.

The Jalisco Civil Protection agency said on the X social media platform that it was working with Pemex and Tonalá authorities to bring the situation under control.

The Reforma newspaper reported that authorities were waiting for the cloud of gasoline to dissipate in order to “close the valve that was put in place by huachicoleros,” as fuel thieves are colloquially known. The thieves reportedly fled the scene when Pemex personnel caught them in the act.

The flow of additional gasoline to the point at which the pipeline is punctured has been cut off. In addition, the Federal Electricity Commission cut power supply in the area as a precautionary measure.

Fuel pipeline leaks have previously caused fatal explosions in Mexico, including one in Hidalgo that claimed the lives of 137 people in 2019.

With reports from Reforma, Infobae and TV Azteca

Chat with the cool kids using 4 words that start with ‘CH‘ in Spanish

By

Paulina Gerez

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February 9, 2024

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WhatsApp Image 2024-02-09 at 12.50.19 — Learn how to use different words beginning with CH.

Pronouncing words with a Spanish “CH” sound might be a challenge for English speakers. However, if you have ever heard (or sang) “Bongo Cha Cha Cha” by Caterina Valente or El Bodeguero, or “Cha Cha Cha” by Orquesta Aragon, I’m sure you not only have great dance moves, but you already know how to pronounce this particular sound.

Ultimately, we learn best when we are having fun, and I can’t think of a better way to lift your mood than by listening to “El cha cha cha”! If you still haven’t heard these songs, take a minute to play them while you go through the article, and add a spark of rhythm to your reading.

Now that you have the rhythm of Cuban music in your head, let’s delve into four distinctive Mexican words that start with the letter CH – “chacharear,” “chin,” “chafa,” and “chido”.

*The pronunciation guide is in the video at the end of the article so be sure to push play 🙂

1. Chacharear

Definition: To wander through markets, especially thrift stores, bazaars and flea markets. Leisurely browsing through clothing and products.

In Mexican culture, we love going to flea markets and bazaars to explore the huge array of goods on offer. It’s a leisurely activity, often done with friends or family, appreciating the variety of products on display.

Examples:

(speaking on the phone) ¿Qué haces? What are you doing?

– Nada aquí chachareando. Hay un bazar en la esquina de mi casa, ¿no quieres venir?

Nothing just wandering around. There is a bazaar going on the corner of my street, wanna come?

¿Quieres venir conmigo al mercado? Do you wanna come with me to the market?

– ¿A qué vas? What for?

– Pues namas’ a chacharear Not much, just to wander around

(, ,)

2. Chin

Definition: An expression of mild disappointment or annoyance; akin to saying “darn” or “oh no.”

“Chin” is a versatile term used to convey a range of emotions, from slight inconvenience to a more significant letdown. It’s a succinct expression that captures the essence of a less-than-ideal situation without dwelling on negativity.

Examples:

–Hola, Pau, te estoy esperando Hi Pau, I’m waiting for you.

–¡Chin! Se me olvidó por completo nuestra cita, perdón! Oh no! I completely forgot about our appointment!

– No te preocupes, reagendamos Don’t worry, we’ll reschedule

¡Chin, ya lo rompí! Darn, I broke it

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3. Chafa

Definition: Something of poor quality, fake, or subpar; not up to standard.

“Chafa” is a term used to describe things that fall short of expectations, whether it be a counterfeit product or an unsatisfactory experience. It’s a straightforward way of expressing disappointment or disapproval.

Examples:

Me compré este reloj en una tienda de segunda mano, pero está bien chafa, ya dejó de funcionar.

I bought this watch in a second-hand store, but it is such poor quality, it has already stopped working

–Oye, Pau, se va a cancelar la fiesta. Hey Pau, the party’s gonna be canceled

– Nooo, qué chafa Oh nooo! That’s a bummer

(,)

4. Chido

Definition: Cool, awesome, or excellent; something impressive or pleasing.

On the positive end of the spectrum, “chido” is a term expressing admiration or approval. It’s a popular slang term that is widely used to describe something that is not just good but has that extra flair of coolness.

Examples:

–¿Qué te parece el cuadro? What do you think of the painting?

– Muy chido. Very cool

–¿Te gustó la película? Did you like the movie?

–No estuvo tan chida como pensaba, pero sí. It was not as cool as I thought it would be, but yeah

(,)

No estuvo chido eso que hiciste what you did was not nice

These four words — “chacharear,” “chin,” “chafa,” and “chido” — are words that we use in a casual informal way. But they will add a nice touch to your Spanish repertoire, making you feel “in the know” with what the cool kids are saying.

Paulina Gerez is a translator-interpreter, content creator, and founder of Crack The Code, a series of online courses focused on languages. Through her social media, she helps people see learning a language from another perspective through her fun experiences. Instagram: paulinagerezm / Tiktok: paugerez3 / YT: paulina gerez

What happened to AMLO’s eye?

By

MND Staff

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February 9, 2024

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Screen capture of AMLO at press conference — Appearing with one visibly swollen eye, President López Obrador told reporters he had a "tutupiche" or stye. (Still from video)

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has taught much of the nation a new word by revealing that the cause of the visible swelling of his right eye is a tutupiche or stye.

Asked about his eye at his Friday morning press conference, AMLO told reporters he had a tutupiche — a Yucatec Maya word for stye, or orzuelo in Spanish.

El presidente López Obrador presenta una infección en el ojo derecho, el cual estaba visiblemente hinchado.

“Es un tutupiche… Investiguen. Es una infección”, señaló, tras asegurar que se encuentra “bastante bien”.

Más, en: https://t.co/cyLtua4xUx pic.twitter.com/ANdZT06ufG

— Joaquín López-Dóriga (@lopezdoriga) February 9, 2024

“A tutupiche,” he repeated. “Look it up!”

According to the Association of Academies of the Spanish Language, tutupiche is a portmanteu of the Yucatec Maya words chuchup, meaning swollen or inflamed, and ich, meaning eye.

López Obrador clarified to befuddled reporters that he had “an infection” in his eye.

He attributed the problem to getting dust in his eyes during his trip last weekend to Oaxaca, where he inaugurated the new highway to the state’s Pacific coast.

“In my homeland it’s called a tutupiche,” AMLO said, referring to his native Tabasco.

“It’s not anything to be worried about, according to the doctor,” he added.

López Obrador — a heart attack survivor who has a range of health conditions — also said that his health in general is “quite good.”

AMLO, who took office in late 2018 after winning the presidency at his third attempt, has less than eight months left in the nation’s top job. Upon completing his six-year term, he plans to retire to his ranch in Palenque, Chiapas.

Mexico News Daily

Art Week in Mexico City: The hottest local galleries in CDMX

By

Bethany Platanella

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February 9, 2024

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Screenshot 2024-02-09 at 11.02.13 — From Mexico City's coolest colonias, here are seven Art Week recommendations for the best city center exhibitions. (RGR)

Art Week in Mexico City officially kicked off on Wednesday with Zona Maco, Salon ACME, and Material open to the public through Sunday, Feb. 11. And while big name artists like Mexico’s Romeo Gómez López and Brazil’s Gretta Sarfaty will be front and center at Latin America’s biggest art fair, boutique galleries are also showcasing incredible talent — both emerging and veteran — from all over the world.

For those who want to spend a sunny, leisurely day gallery-hopping under the leafy trees of Mexico City’s coolest colonias, like Juarez, Roma, and San Miguel Chapultepec, pin the following seven locations to your virtual map. Many are within walking distance or can be easily accessed by bike or Uber, and all are close to charming cafes to relax between visits over a cafe de olla and delicious pan dulce. When in Rome, right?

Arróniz

Tabasco 198, Roma Norte

Immerse yourself in the delightful confusion that is Dutch artist Matthias Schaareman’s Brick, Window, Paper series, exploring the tension between dimensions. His manipulation of lines and angles is easy to get lost in and his drawings are reminiscent of M.C. Escher, with colors akin to Kandinsky.

Showing through April 4.

Galerie Nordenhake

Monterrey 65, Roma Norte

Galerie Nodernhake is exhibiting Naufus Ramírez-Figueroa’s colorful spin on traditional Mesoamerican battles until Feb. 17. (Galerie Nordenhake)

Guatemalan artist Naufus Ramírez-Figueroa uses vivid colors and distinct lines to visualize the mysterious Mesoamerican battle murals of Cacaxtla. He contrasts his interpretations of the battle’s historical significance with pops of modern-day elements on giant slabs of carved wood.

Showing through Feb. 17.

Kurimanzutto

Gob. Rafael Rebollar 94, San Miguel Chapultepec

Jalapa-born Gabriel Orozco was part of a three-person team that brought to life one of Mexico City’s first contemporary galleries. It started as a traveling market, posting up to sell pieces in parking lots and shipping containers, and quickly became one of the most well-known galleries in the art world. The current exhibit showcases Orozco’s Tokyo-inspired leaf series and sculptures carved in volcanic stone.

Showing through March 23.

Le Laboratoire

Gral. Antonio León 56, San Miguel Chapultepec

In the gallery’s White Box situated inside the verdant courtyard of Hub G.56 is Horizon, an exhibition that brings together Georgina Bringas, Alois Kronschlaeger, and Luis Felipe Ortega. Horizon interprets linear stability through geometric expression and utilizes mediums such as acrylic, yarn, and aluminum.

Showing through March 3.

Galería RGR

Gral. Antonio León 48, San Miguel Chapultepec

RGR’s “Jugar con los ojos cerrados” is an eclectic riot of color and collaboration in heart of leafy San Miguel Chapultepec. (RGR)

Photography, humor, textiles, painting, and sculpture make up the eclectic exhibit, Jugar con los ojos cerrados (play with your eyes closed), displaying pieces from at least 25 international artists. It’s the only gallery that made me laugh out loud (Kati Horna’s photo series of an egg) and rethink my apartment decor (Vincente Forte’s Paloma tapestry).

Showing through April 6.

Patricia Conde Galería

Gral. Juan Cano 68, San Miguel Chapultepec

Patricia Conde’s gallery was at the top of my list because of all the artistic mediums, photography is my favorite. It did not disappoint. The salon’s exhibit features the black-and-white photos of 14 Mexican artists that examine life and society through tradition, interaction with nature, and the foundation of the daily habits we, as humans, all share.

Showing through March 2.

Fundación Casa Wabi

Sabino 336, Atlampa

Casa Wabi’s setting fuses with the exhibition itself, moving seamlessly between architecture, art and design. (Casa Wabi)

Emerging artist exhibitions are as carefully crafted as one would expect from Casa Wabi, playing on texture, color, light, and natural elements. The building itself is both fluid and stark, vacillating between stark, concrete walls and lush green gardens. The real star of the show, however, is the incredible view from its rooftop from which a smoky Popocatépetl is visible on a clear day.

This show is ongoing at the time of publication.

Bethany Platanella is a travel planner and lifestyle writer based in Mexico City. She lives for the dopamine hit that comes directly after booking a plane ticket, exploring local markets, practicing yoga and munching on fresh tortillas. Sign up to receive her Sunday Love Letters to your inbox, peruse her blog, or follow her on Instagram.