Do new tariffs mean Mexico is bending to US pressure on China?

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April 24, 2024

A cargo ship docked in Mexico with a crane preparing to remove containers containing trade goods from China. — A Hong Kong ship waits to unload Asian goods in Mexico. (SSA México)

The federal government has implemented new tariffs on hundreds of imports from countries with which it doesn’t have trade agreements, a move that appears mainly directed at China.

In a decree published on Monday, the government said that 5-50% tariffs would apply to 544 products across a range of categories including steel, aluminum, textiles, wood, footwear, plastics, chemicals, paper and cardboard, ceramics, glass, electrical material, transport material, musical instruments and furniture.

Mexico's president and two representatives of China's government sitting at a conference table — President López Obrador, right, met as recently with April 15 with representatives of the Chinese government. (Economy Ministry)

The tariffs — which took effect on Tuesday — will apply for two years, according to the decree, which was issued by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Finance Minister Rogelio Ramírez de la O and Economy Minister Raquel Buenrostro.

Products from countries with which Mexico has trade agreements — including the United States, Canada, European Union nations and CTPPP signatories such as Australia, Chile, Japan and Vietnam — will not be affected by the new tariffs.

Buenrostro said Tuesday that the government’s aim is to “prevent unfair competition.”

“We have seen a lot of products coming [into the country] … at a very low price and displacing our national producers,” she said at a Council of the Americas event in Mexico City.

“… The prices for the public don’t go down, but [cheap imports] are displacing textile makers, footwear makers [and other manufacturers],” Buenrostro said.

The economy minister said that the imports of concern come from countries with which Mexico doesn’t have trade agreements. She didn’t specifically mention China but did say that the “undervalued” imports mainly come from Asia.

Mexico's Economy Minister Raquel Buenrostro being interviewed onstage by a man holding a microphone — Economy Minister Raquel Buenrostro, seen here Tuesday at an event organized by the Americas Society/Council of the Americas, said Wednesday that Mexico imposed the tariffs to “prevent unfair competition.” She did not specifically mention China. (Economy Ministry/X)

The government’s decree said that the decision to implement the tariffs — most of which were set between 25% and 35% — was made in consideration of a range of things, including the need to “provide certainty and fair-market conditions to all sectors that face situations of vulnerability, in order to allow the recovery of national industry, promote its development and support the internal market.”

It also said that the federal government has an “obligation to implement the necessary mechanisms that generate stability in national industry sectors and that allow trade distortions to be eliminated.”

In addition, the decree said that “due to the growing implementation of new trade models at the global level, such as the case of relocation (nearshoring), … it is necessary to implement concrete actions that allow a balanced interaction in the market, to avoid economic distortions that could affect the relocation of productive sectors that are considered strategic for the country.”

The government also said that the tariffs were aimed at “maintaining the competitiveness of the most sensitive industrial sectors, such as the electric, electronics, automotive and auto parts” industries.

The tariffs’ implementation comes after the Economy Ministry last month imposed tariffs on steel nails and steel balls from China.

López Obrador said in late March that steel-related issues were not weighing on Mexico’s trade relationships with the United States and China, and asserted that the government didn’t want to get involved in any kind of “war, not even a trade one.”

He also said that Chinese investment in Mexico — which has been on the rise — “will continue.”

‘For China, with dislike’

In an opinion piece headlined “For China, with dislike: 544 tariffs,” the newspaper El Economista’s editorial director Luis Miguel González argued that Mexico’s implementation of the 5% to 50% duties was motivated by its desire to not upset the United States.

“In the marriage between Mexico and the United States, there is no place for a Chinese lover,” the economist and journalist began his column, published Wednesday.

“With a magnifying glass, Uncle Sam is reviewing Mexico’s relationship with the dragon. Our main trade partner has become increasingly possessive. It asks us for ‘proof of love’ over and over again. It offers us nearshoring as a prize,” González wrote.

US Trade Secretary Janet Yellen sits at a conference table with Mexican Finance Minister Rogelio de la O — In December, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, left, seen here with Mexico’s Finance Minister Rogelio Ramírez de la O, hammered out a deal with Mexico that the two countries would collaboratively review foreign investment in Mexico. (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro)

He wrote that the United States has become “very demanding,” noting that U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen earlier this year “asked Mexico to create an authority to review foreign investment that arrives to Mexico.”

González also pointed out that U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai raised concerns about the possible entry to the United States of Chinese steel “disguised” as Mexican steel, and that Donald Trump “threatened to impede the entry of Chinese cars [to the U.S.] if they’re made in Mexico.”

“The demands don’t stop, and the Mexican government doesn’t want to place its marriage at risk. It’s doing the right thing. In that sense, we can understand the Economy Ministry’s recent decision to impose tariffs on 544 products, among which are footwear, plastic, electric material, musical instruments, furniture … and steel,” he wrote.

González noted that the Economy Ministry has been “careful” in its use of language by not specifically mentioning China, saying only that the tariffs would apply to imports from countries with which Mexico doesn’t have trade agreements.

“Why do we know that the measure refers to China? A clue … is that the majority of affected products … [are] considerable imports from China. … The highest tariff, of 50%, corresponds to products made with steel,” he wrote.

The El Economista managing editor noted that the new tariffs’ implementation was applauded by Mexico’s Confederation of Industrial Chambers, which said in a statement that the move “doesn’t constitute a protectionist measure but rather a necessary action to create a ‘level playing field'” by combating “unfair practices like dumping and subsidies.”

Shipping containers sitting in a port deck — Imports waiting in shipping containers at the Port of Manzanillo in Colima.

In closing, González questioned whether the U.S. will be satisfied with the “proof of love” Mexico is offering.

A partial answer will arrive “in the coming weeks,” he wrote without elaborating on that prediction.

“It’s not a matter of Republicans or Democrats. Biden and Trump can be like water and oil on many issues, but on trade, they’re both protectionists, and on … China they share the diagnosis [that] it is Uncle Sam’s main competitor for global economic hegemony,” González said.

He noted that former Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo, now a member of presidential candidate Xóchitl Gálvez’s campaign team, has predicted that China will be “the main issue” when Mexico, the United States and Canada review their free trade agreement, the USMCA, in 2026.

“Continuing the amasiato [concubinage or partnership] with the dragon appears difficult,” González wrote. “Are we prepared to uncouple ourselves from China, even just a little bit?”

With reports from El Economista and Reforma

‘You can’t get bored in Mexico’: A food tour of Mexico City with a British diplomat

By

Bethany Platanella

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April 24, 2024

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WhatsApp Image 2024-04-24 at 08.29.50 — Few things in life are greater than Mexican food, a fact which the U.K. is currently discovering. (All photos by Bethany Platanella)

Leaving Mexico, whether for one day or ten, is always hard for me. It doesn’t matter what my destination is, I always want to return before I’ve even left.

So when the assistant to Rachel Brazier, the Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Mexico City, asked me to join their team on a food tour of Mexico City the day before I had to spend a long weekend in the U.S., I scrambled at the chance. No better way to say hasta luego to my favorite country than with curated bites of the capital’s secret culinary gems, am I right?

Rachel Brazier (left) sat down with Bethany Platanella, to eat tacos and talk about the U.K.

(For the record: I was right.)

Everything about the tour was superb, from the scheduling to the company to the smart selection of dishes. I now know where the best torta stand is located, where to get veggie tacos in my neighborhood, and my preferred flavors at Nevería La Michoacana.

What’s more, a burgeoning culinary relationship between Mexico and Britain was unveiled right before my very eyes.

I know what you’re thinking. There is no way I can possibly compare the cuisines of these two drastically different countries. But I’m here to tell you I can, and I will. Not by unsuccessfully attempting to link the flavor of fish and chips to tacos al pastor, but rather through the experience of a select few foodies who fell in love with Mexican food and are working to bring it to Good Old Blighty.

Let’s start our journey in London, where Mexican cuisine finally started making a significant splash with MasterChef winner Thomasina Miers’ first installment of her ever-growing chain Wahaca. This might come as a surprise, but the coveted menu was inspired by the year she spent cooking and living in Oaxaca. Forbes described the sustainably-focused creative cook’s eateries as the first “mainstream, authentic Mexican restaurants on the London scene.”

Around the same time, Mexico saw a spike in British tourism and a rise in demand for all things Mexican followed close behind. In 2017, Mexican celebrity chef Martha Ortíz opened her high-end Ella Canta in the buzzing British capital. English cook Fergus Chamberlain started a line of “real Mexican products” called Gran Luchito after an inspiring trip to Oaxaca. When I asked Wahaca’s Head of Food Jenny Idle if she thought the demand for Mexican food was still growing in the UK, her response was enthusiastic. “Completely! When Wahaca first started 15 years ago there was a big educational piece to do as customers had a very “Tex Mex” skewed view of Mexican food, thinking all tacos were hard shells (if they even knew what a taco was)! We see a lot more customers now who know, understand and love Mexican food, and its popularity continues to grow with the British population.”

She’s not wrong. At the time of writing, London’s biggest food and drink magazine Foodism had a feature article about dining in Los Cabos. Deputy editor Molly Codyre highlighted London’s “modern-Mexican” Zapote in a 2023 list of her favorite meals — in the world. In February of this year, Mexican-American actor Danny Trejo opened his vibey, casual taco shop Trejo’s Tacos in Notting Hill.

Needless to say, Mexico’s moment in the U.K. doesn’t seem to be losing steam.

But where did it start to sizzle?

Some say it was in the kitchen of English cookbook author Diana Kennedy.

Diana Kennedy is often touted as the English-language authority on Mexican cuisine. In order to complete her 9 books about the craft, she hopped in an old, white pickup truck and conquered dirt roads, potholes, hail storms and oppressive heat waves to discover the best dishes in Mexico’s most remote villages. She worked as an apprentice in local bakeries, scoured street markets, and even wrangled invitations to family dinners with strangers, all in the name of food.

It was through these intimate experiences that Kennedy learned the intricacies of Mexican cooking, along with her self-described tenacity and love of eating. She believed in tradition and immersion, which is why she moved to Michoacán from New York City after the death of her husband in 1967. She lived here in an adobe house, growing her own vegetables and grinding her own corn. She continued cooking and learning and teaching others how to master the art of Mexican cuisine until she passed at the ripe old age of 99.

“I would have loved to meet her,” says Rachel as we sink our teeth into our very first torta. The soft, chewy bread and lightly battered Oaxacan cheese stuffed poblano pepper fire up my taste buds. I immediately dive in for another bite before I’ve even swallowed the first. It’s nothing short of heaven. Rachel has been living in Mexico City with her family for just over a year after multiple postings in Latin America, the UK and the USA.

“It’s an amazing place for teens, my kids love it,” she informs me in between chews. Rachel’s experience as an expat in Mexico feels similar to mine, despite our vastly different professions. It’s happy, it’s easy, and it’s full of things to do. “I can get a coffee, go shopping, or see a movie within a few blocks of my place,” she beams. Like me, the lush greenery and expansive parks often cause her to forget that she’s in one of the world’s biggest cities.

This is a big statement from a woman with such an interesting life. Her father is a retired mapmaker and her mother a school teacher, meaning Rachel has been traveling extensively since she could walk. While her father measured his way around countries like Kenya and Botswana, the family got up close and personal with the wildlife. “I remember (in my young mind) living in the bush. Dad and all the guys jumped out of their tents in the middle of night and into Land Rovers to flash the lights and beep the horns to get rid of a pack of lions!”

With a childhood as exciting as Rachel’s, it comes as no surprise that her professional life would follow suit. In 2001 she landed a job with the British Embassy and her life in Latin America began. “My first gig was in Ecuador. I couldn’t believe how beautiful the landscape was. I loved the adventure of it — riding, mountain climbing, diving, white water rafting. And I loved the friendliness of the people.”

Her expertise in Latin America grew along with her command of Spanish, and she continued on to posts in Uruguay, New York, Colombia, and the UK, respectively. In 2023, Rachel and her family moved to Mexico.

As I try to enjoy the final chunk of my torta, comforted only by the fact that there is another stop for tacos after this, I wonder out loud “So, having lived in all these places and now in Mexico, what do you think of the food?” Her eclectic upbringing no doubt has introduced her to a variety of tastes and dishes and I’ve just got to know how Mexico ranks on her palette scale. Her facial expression says it all. “With the flavors, the spices, the creativity, you can’t get bored in Mexico.”

I lingered on that statement for a while before I decided not to clarify it. Maybe she’s talking about the food, or maybe she’s talking about life here. It doesn’t actually matter. However you dice it, Rachel is right. You simply can’t get bored in Mexico.

This article is part of Mexico News Daily’s “UK in Focus” series. Read the other articles from the series here.

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.

Meet Susan Chapman: A cultural connector between Mexico and the UK

By

Sasha Frost

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April 24, 2024

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Susan Chapman MBE has spent her career championing British culture in Mexico. (Photos by Susan Chapman)

Susan Chapman arrived in Mexico City in late 1977 as a young mother of two small children and with a plan to stay for three years. She ended up staying for four decades, building bridges in the arts between Mexico and the English-speaking world and impacting countless people’s lives — culminating in the great accolade of becoming an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire), bestowed upon Chapman by Her Majesty the Queen in 2005 for services towards the strengthening of cultural relations between Mexico and the United Kingdom.

Having now returned to live in the U.K., I ask Susan what she misses about Mexico, knowing the question is too large to answer. She starts small: the sound of the Mexican street callers, such as the knife sharpeners and ice cream vendors, widening out to the warmth and welcome she received when she arrived, and how it gradually thawed that classic British reserve and allowed her to create a life of meaning. Simply put, she says Mexico completed her and that she misses it tremendously.

From left to right: Mario Espinosa (theatre director), with Susan Chapman and actor Diego Luna.

Susan, the daughter of an academic clergyman of the Anglican Church and a ballet dancer, grew up immersed in music and performance from a young age. Once in Mexico City, she found community in musical groups, singing a classical oratorio repertoire in halls such as the UNAM’s Sala Nezahualcóyotl and the Palacio de Bellas Artes. In 1983, she founded a group of singers, instrumentalists and Renaissance dancers, Il Piacere, which was talent spotted by a French impresario who invited them to tour in France in the summer of 1989.

The catch was that he wanted them to perform Latin American 16th and 17th-century music, which no one had any experience with. Their director bowed out and they scrambled around for someone to take his place before clicking with a Peruvian musicologist. This was just a preview of what would become a lifelong theme of service to the arts and to the countries Susan called home.

Over the years, often on a shoestring budget and by pure force of will, Susan has arranged for artists to travel and perform, created scholarships for promising musicians and writers to gain access to the best training and brought performing artists together from different countries to play and learn from each other. She brought poet laureates, musicians, actors, dancers and prestigious choral groups to Mexico and assisted with education projects between visiting musicians and underprivileged children. Susan refused to ask artists to work for nothing, so, like so many other producers, would frequently have to brave the white-knuckle financial risk of filling a theater.

One of the organizations that enabled Susan to create such bilateral cultural projects, and for which she is deeply grateful, was the Anglo Mexican Cultural Institute (now the Anglo Mexican Foundation), founded in 1943 by the British government to provide English language teaching in Mexico. In the mid-1990s, Susan was asked by the board of the institute to design a cultural activities program, and when it turned out there was no one to run the program, she took over as a one-person department, which later became Anglo Arts.

Susan (right) has brought a wealth of British artistic talent to Mexico, including musician Brian Eno. (Misael Valtierra/Cuartoscuro)

Susan worked out of the Anglo’s headquarters in the Colonia San Rafael, which had a small theater designed by actor Diego Luna’s father, Alejandro Luna. In the beginning, it was just Susan, her old typewriter and a desk, sitting in a corner of the library there. Twenty years later, they were a team of five people running a bilateral cultural program that saw constant activity and high-caliber talent.

As with so much of Susan’s story, her next steps could be described as surprising and in hindsight, self-evident. She began to bring actors and directors from the U.K. to perform in Mexico and in 2002, in collaboration with the British actor Stuart Cox, founded a Shakespeare Competition for English language schools. Students performed Shakespeare’s plays for a chance to visit and perform on the stage at Shakespeare’s original theater, The Globe, in London.

I mention to Susan that I remember attending the season of plays at The Globe to celebrate Shakespeare’s 400th anniversary and watching a brilliant Mexican troupe perform through a freak May hailstorm. Not only did she tell me which play it was — Henry the IV Part I — but also that she helped bring the troupe over in collaboration with Mexico’s National Theater Company and that she was also there in the audience. It seemed a fantastic coincidence that we were both standing there watching a Mexican Falstaff prance around the stage while the brass band played and the heavens opened up.

Such was its success that when the troupe returned to Mexico, with the support of the National Institute of Fine Arts (INBA), Susan helped organize the construction of a replica Globe theater to be built in the Zócalo, so those in Mexico City could enjoy the performance. In collaboration with the international program of the Royal Court Theater in London, Susan also paved the way for a Mexican play, “A Soldier in Every Son,” by the actor and dramaturge Luis Mario Moncada, to be translated, directed and produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford.

Winner and runners up of the Anglo Shakespeare Competition.

It seems like wherever there was an opportunity to provide a platform for the arts, Susan was right there, getting it built by whatever means necessary. When the room in Frida Kahlo’s Blue House was unlocked to reveal her fantastical wardrobe, Susan was part of the team that ensured the world would see it.

Diego Rivera had decreed that Frida’s wardrobe stay locked up for 20 years, though it ended up being far longer than that because the room was simply forgotten about. Inside were delicate dresses, accessories and corsets that were unique to Frida Kahlo, and Susan became deeply involved with the dream that the collection might one day be loaned to the V&A Museum in London. What seemed like a straightforward plan ended up taking years of negotiating and countless diplomatic dinner parties, but her love of the arts eventually prevailed and the exhibition continues to tour the world.

As I speak to Susan from her study in England, she looks down at her extensive list of collaborations and accomplishments, of which we’ve only touched on here, with a sense of bafflement at how it all came together. It seems clear that her love of artistic expression opened the doors for her and so many others, and she is full of gratitude for having had the chance to work with such amazing artists.

Susan is currently in the process of arranging for a young group of musicians by the name of The Paddington Trio to perform in Mexico in October 2024. Where they will play has yet to be confirmed, but no doubt Susan will make it happen.

This article is part of Mexico News Daily’s “UK in Focus” series. Read the other articles from the series here.

Sasha Frost is a writer, illustrator, and animator. He can currently be found exploring the art and food scenes of Mexico City. When not out in the world, he’s telling stories online at www.sashafrost.com and on IG @sashafrost_art.

Mexico’s headline inflation rate higher than expected in first half of April

By

MND Staff

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April 24, 2024

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A vendor weighs vegetables at a market — Fruit and vegetable prices are up 18.22% compared to the same period of April 2023. (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro)

The headline inflation rate in Mexico was higher than expected in the first half of April, rising to an annual rate of 4.63% from 4.42% in March, official data showed.

However, the closely watched core rate, which strips out volatile food and energy prices, continued its downward trend, falling to 4.39% from 4.55% in March. The core rate of inflation has declined for 14 consecutive months and is now at its lowest level since May 2021.

Close up of the Bank of Mexico building showing its name in gold lettering — The higher-than-expected headline inflation reading increases the probability that the Bank of Mexico board will vote to maintain the bank’s benchmark interest rate at 11%. (Cuartoscuro)

As reported by the national statistics agency INEGI on Wednesday morning, the annual headline inflation rate in the first half of the month was 0.16 percentage points above the consensus forecast of analysts polled by Citibanamex. The 4.63% reading is the highest since January when the headline inflation rate rose for a third consecutive month to reach 4.88%.

Inflation increased 0.09% in the first 15 days of April compared to the second half of March. Analysts had predicted that the rate would decline 0.06%.

The higher-than-expected headline inflation reading increases the probability that the Bank of Mexico board will vote to maintain the bank’s benchmark interest rate at 11% at its next monetary policy meeting on May 9. Last month, the board voted to cut the key interest rate by 25 basis points, making the first reduction to borrowing costs in over three years.

Bank of Mexico Deputy Governor Jonathan Health told Reuters last week that the benchmark rate would likely remain unchanged at 11% for longer than expected by markets.

The central bank targets an annual headline inflation rate of 3% with tolerance for one percentage point in either direction.

What categories have the highest rates of inflation in Mexico?

INEGI data showed that services were 5.21% more expensive in the first half of April as compared to a year earlier. Within that category, housing costs rose 3.73% annually, tuition jumped 6.36% and “other services,” including restaurants, doctors’ fees and mobile phone costs, were 6.18% more expensive.

Meanwhile, prices for agricultural products rose 6.98% compared to the first half of April 2023. Higher prices for fruits and vegetables were responsible for the increase. They cost 18.22% more than a year earlier and almost 3.4% more than in the second half of March.

An annual 1.5% decline in meat prices kept inflation in the agricultural products category below 7%.

INEGI also reported that goods in general were 3.72% more expensive in the first half of the month compared to 12 months ago. Prices for processed food, beverages and tobacco rose 4.85% while the cost of non-food goods increased 2.38%.

Energy prices, including those for gasoline and electricity, increased 4.01% annually.

With reports from El Economista and El Financiero

How can I make my Mexican pool eco friendly?

By

Ana Paula De la Torre

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April 24, 2024

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When picturing eco-friendly pools, you may envision a natural or “bio” pool, free from chemicals and beneficial to the environment. These stylish and beautiful water features are undeniably one of the most popular emerging trends in sustainable architecture today. However, eco-friendly pools can take various forms and aren’t always as easy to install and operate as we might like.

A truly eco-friendly pool should be efficient in terms of water efficiency, energy usage, water recycling, materials, and reducing carbon footprint. Managing to do all this can be quite the challenge, however.

Keeping your pool eco friendly is more than a matter of which chemicals are used in cleaning. (CC)

But what are the factors that truly make a pool green?

Water efficiency: An eco-friendly pool will significantly reduce water consumption through the use of filtration and recirculation technologies, water treatment, and disinfection systems. One of the most notable benefits of eco-friendly pools in terms of water efficiency is their ability to conserve water, reducing the need for frequent water changes, which is vital in a drought stricken country like Mexico. Additionally, these pools minimize water loss through techniques such as covering the pool when not in use to reduce evaporation, utilizing rainwater harvesting systems for filling or topping off the pool, and implementing advanced filtration systems that require less maintenance.

Electricity: Lighting, filtration, water recirculation, water treatment, disinfection and heating and cooling a pool require energy. When it comes to lighting, LED lamps are a great option as they can reduce energy consumption by up to 97% compared to halogen bulbs. Using variable speed pumps for water recirculation can save up to 65% of electricity usage by adjusting the pump speed based on the pool’s actual needs. For water treatment, methods like neolysis, which combines salt electrolysis with ultraviolet radiation for efficient and sustainable water treatment, are effective ways to reduce chemical usage. Additionally, using sand or glass as filter media can provide greater efficiency and savings.

Recycling and materials: Options such as container pools, made from large rectangular transport containers, are a trending choice for functional pools. Prefabricated modular panels and stainless steel pools are also good choices due to their reusability and recyclability.

Modern technology has made it easier than ever to clean your pool. (Piscinas ecológicas México).

Green Carbon: Opt for using local companies and materials and inquire about the carbon footprint of the supply chain behind the construction of your pool.

Ways to ensure an eco-friendly pool in Mexico

Before sharing some options for creating your eco-friendly pool in Mexico, we want to introduce the main types of green pools available in the market so that you can choose the best one for your space.

Type 1

High-tech water treatment pools:

These pools utilize advanced technology in various aspects, particularly for water treatment. They often incorporate UV technology processes, nanocrystals and free radicals, according to sustainable construction company Arquitectura Verde. Additionally, modern technology is much more energy efficient, meaning that less power is needed to operate.

Type 2

Bio pools:

Bio pools are essentially natural pools that utilize plants to purify the water. This option is extremely environmentally friendly as it requires minimal cleaning, typically a few times a year, and has almost zero maintenance; you will only need to remove leaves, which can be done once a week. The need for separate areas for swimming and the natural cleaning system does necessitate a space of at least 40 square meters, making it unsuitable for smaller spaces.

No matter where you are in Mexico, there are plenty of businesses that can help you get the perfect eco pool. (CP Hoffman)

If an eco friendly pool interests you, there are a number of Mexican companies who can help make your dreams a reality:

Alsec

With distributors in places like Mexico City (CDMX), Nuevo León, Oaxaca, San Luis Potosí, and Quintana Roo, Alsec has over 45 years of experience and has been creating eco pools for decades.

Arq Cast Construcciones

Based in Mérida, Yucatán, Arq Cast offers construction services for conventional pools, with a focus on resource efficiency, as well as natural pools with beautiful designs.

Piscinas Ecológicas Cancún

This Cancún based firm offers both types of pools: eco friendly pools and bio pools. They have the expertise to design the best solution for your spaces with maximum efficiency. Run by an architect, Piscinas Ecológicas Cancún put a lot of focus on landscaping.

Biopiscinas Ameyalli

Biopiscinas Ameyalli are built under the Austrian patent registered in 1987, and applied in thousands of bio pools in Europe. Founded as Biopiscinas Tepoztlán, they now offer their products all over Mexico, thanks to a dedicated team of professionals.

Considering the environment and your budget, eco-friendly pools are a great option that offers comfort and beauty. They provide various benefits, such as regulating the temperature in your space and enhancing your daily life.

Which type of pool do you prefer?

Ana Paula de la Torre is a Mexican journalist and collaborator for various outlets including Milenio, Animal Político, Vice, Newsweek en Español, Televisa and Mexico News Daily.

Mexico City mayor reports on status of wells supplying Benito Juárez borough

By

MND Staff

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April 24, 2024

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Mexico City water authority workers clean out cisterns atop an apartment building. — The water authority is sterilizing residential cisterns to make sure that no contaminant residue remains. (@martibatres/X)

The Mexico City government reported on Monday that all wells supplying water to the central borough of Benito Juárez are free of contamination, after residents began complaints back on March 31.

Mayor Martí Batres said that “there is now nothing harmful in the 13 wells that supply Benito Juárez,” adding that the next task is to sterilize the residential cisterns to make sure that no contaminant residue remains.

Water pipes lined up on a Mexico City street — The borough has deployed a total of 150 water pipes to provide neighbors with free potable water while the contamination is cleared from the water system. (@SacmexCDMX/X)

Batres explained that the Mexico City water authority (Sacmex) had issued the all-clear after finding no impurities in the eight water monitoring stations it had set up in northwestern Benito Juárez.

The stations monitored water from 13 wells in Benito Juárez and the adjacent borough of Álvaro Obregón, the newspaper El Universal reported. Sacmex head Rafael Carmona said his agents were conducting daily tests of the water at each of the wells.

Authorities had previously reported that the Alfonso XIII well, located in Álvaro Obregón borough, was the source of at least some of the contamination. The Alfonso XIII well was not among the 13 wells being monitored after it was shut down by the National Guard on April 9 and scrubbed clean.

No trace elements of contaminants were found after the Alfonso XIII well and adjoining pipes and hydraulic systems were sanitized by the water authority, Batres said.

Two people check tap water for contamination — A group of neighborhood residents conducted an independent study of borough water that revealed trace evidence of contaminants including chloroform, difluorobenzene, trichloroethylene, bromodichloromethane, toluene and chlorobenzene.(@SacmexCDMX/X)

City officials will now focus on sterilizing the individual cisterns that were polluted by water sourced from the Alfonso XIII well at the beginning of the month, although Benito Juárez residents still want answers about how this contamination happened.

A group of neighborhood residents published on Sunday the results of what they say was an independent study of borough water that revealed trace evidence of contaminants including chloroform, difluorobenzene, trichloroethylene, bromodichloromethane, toluene and chlorobenzene.

The city authorities did not address the results and have yet to officially determine what caused the contamination. According to Sacmex, the water was contaminated with industrial oils and/or lubricants. Sacmex filed a criminal complaint last week, alleging that sabotage may have been to blame for the contamination.

“We have not disregarded any hypothesis,” Batres said in response to questions about the investigation. “The district attorney is looking into this with the assistance of Sacmex and Pemex [the national oil company],” he continued. “Pemex detected a mixture of elements, several diverse composites [in the water]. We’ll share details when we have more information.”

In addition, the Mexico City Urban Development and Housing Ministry (Seduvi) revealed it has conducted a survey of 108 construction projects currently underway within the 10 affected neighborhoods of Benito Juárez.

Seduvi director Inti Muñoz told El Universal that it was unusual and excessive to have that many projects within such a small radius. Muñoz also said only one of the 108 construction sites had carried out the necessary urban impact study, and at least three exceeded the local height restrictions.

Muñoz said Seduvi also filed a complaint with the district attorney as most of the construction sites were sitting above the contaminated water pipelines.

With reports from Proceso and El Universal

The best budget-friendly hotels in Los Cabos

By

Chris Sands

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April 24, 2024

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Siesta Suites best budget hotel los cabos — A trip to Los Cabos doesn't need to break the bank, with a wealth of great, yet affordable hotel options for the budget visitor. (Siesta Suites)

Los Cabos has been consciously rebranded as a luxury destination in recent years. It’s a process that dates back to hurricane recovery a decade ago, following the devastating category-4 storm Odile in 2014. But despite the luxury renovations and influx of high-end hospitality brands in the years since, from Nobu and Four Seasons to Ritz-Carlton and Waldorf Astoria, it is still possible to find budget-friendly hotel rooms in Los Cabos.

The price of the average hotel room has indeed been steadily rising. By the end of 2016, it was still just $206. But that figure has increased by over 150% in the eight years since. After 2022 it had more than doubled to $417. That trend has only continued through the start of 2024. The average daily rate has now climbed to a whopping $517, indicating an uptick of 23% in the last year alone.

Of course, it bears noting that these numbers are skewed by the swankiest of the high-end luxury resorts, where room rates are upwards of $1000 a night. However, only 3,000 of the 18,000 rooms currently in inventory for the municipality are categorized as luxury level—the rest range from intermediate levels of pampering comfort to refreshingly affordable, if not downright cheap. For our purposes, we’ll define the latter category as under $100 a night.

Fortunately, rooms are still available in this low price range, although less than there used to be.

The Best Budget-Friendly Hotels in 2024

An example of this dwindling inventory would be the Hotel Mar de Cortez, for nearly 50 years the cynosure of budget-friendly accommodations in Cabo San Lucas. Sadly, this downtown landmark closed in 2021 amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Land’s End city remains the best place to find affordable hotel rooms, however, with most conveniently located near the Marina – amid downtown shopping and dining – but within walking distance of Playa El Médano, the most popular beach in the area. Boutique hotel Siesta Suites, for example, is only a stone’s throw from the Marina, on the one-block-long street Calle Zapata, and its most affordable rooms start at US $75 per night. Suites with kitchenettes are US $85 and its penthouse, with wraparound city views from its enormous terrace, is only US $105.

Luxury can still be found at great prices, with Cabo Cush offering rooms for less than US $50 per night. (Cabo Cush)

That’s not the cheapest hotel in Los Cabos by any means. That title likely belongs to Cabo Cush, where rates start at 800 pesos (US $48 at the current exchange rate) for a standard room with a king-sized bed and twin, as well as basic amenities like air-conditioning, cable television, and even free phone calls to the U.S. and Canada. Yes, weekly rates are available, too, and as a bonus, beloved comfort food favorite El Pollo de Oro is only two blocks away.

But there are several other good US $100 or less options, including Cabo Inn Hotel, and the boutique gem Los Milagros. Affordable accommodations of this type are much rarer in San José del Cabo. and along the Los Cabos municipality’s scenic East Cape. Baja California Sur’s capital city of La Paz, a two-hour drive from Los Cabos, has more – the most notable being Hotel Pekin, a lodging above a Chinese restaurant that overlooks the malecón.

For lovers of boutique hotels, why not try Los Milagros? (Los Milagros)

What Amenities Can You Reasonably Expect?

Luxury hotels in Los Cabos typically provide onsite restaurants, wellness spas, fitness facilities, and often private roped-off beach areas. Many mid-range properties, meanwhile, may also offer all-inclusive plans that roll many food and beverage costs into the room rate. None of these options, notably, are common with budget-friendly hotels.

What guests can expect, however, is clean rooms and baths – usually with Mexican-themed decor. There is usually also a central location, air-conditioning, and Wi-Fi service. Swimming pools may be a feature of some properties but they’re not standard. Nor are beachfront vantages and ocean views. Some have attached restaurants and bars, although charges for eating or drinking at these establishments won’t be included in room rates. Siesta Suites, for example, hosts a terrace bar (called The Terrace Bar) and a popular Italian restaurant, Salvatore G’s, in its courtyard area.

Mexican themed bathrooms are a must when enjoying the budget hotel lifestyle. (Cabo Cush)

What to Know Before Booking

If you want the best rates, book directly through the hotel. Yes, it’s fun to shop for the cheapest available rooms on third-party booking websites but these sites tack on commission charges so that they too can profit. And they often don’t show all relevant taxes and fees. As a local hotel owner noted, the real price invariably isn’t lower than the one the hotels themselves can and do provide.

All of the lodgings mentioned in this article have websites to facilitate reservations. All, too, have a cadre of loyal guests that return regularly. These aren’t corporate operations. They’re privately owned – by couples and families mostly – and it’s in their best interest to ensure guest expectations regarding price and the quality of accommodations are met. That’s what keeps people coming back.

Dealing directly with the hotel also makes it easier to get answers to any questions about dates, rooms, potential discounts, or additional fees (if taxes aren’t already included in the posted room rates).

Why Cheap Hotels Are Better Than Cheap Vacation Rentals

Airbnb rentals have expanded the inventory of affordable properties for those who are attracted to Los Cabos and want to visit but are constrained by budgetary factors. However, there is a dark side. In Los Cabos, as in many popular vacation destinations, what has been termed the “Airbnb effect” has resulted in artificially inflated rent prices for locals, and dwindling inventory due to the decision of landlords to prioritize these rooms for tourist traffic. That means many hospitality workers and colorful characters who make vacations so memorable for visitors are being squeezed out and forced to move.

There may eventually be stricter regulations like the ones recently passed in Mexico City that require property owners to report occupation numbers and pay the resulting taxes, perhaps ameliorating issues for locals. But in the meantime, enjoying comparably low-priced accommodations at Los Cabos hotels is the most sustainable tourism option, with much better service and amenities than are common to all but the most luxurious vacation rentals. And just to be clear: those aren’t cheap.

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.

Canadian tourist attacked in downtown Mérida

By

MND Staff

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April 23, 2024

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Photo of suspect seated handcuffed in police truck bed with a blurred out head — The young man who attacked the Canadian woman near Mérida's main plaza reportedly told police he was from Tabasco and had been brought to Mérida by the CIA. (X)

A Canadian woman was attacked by a man with an ax in downtown Mérida on Tuesday. She received a wound to the head and was taken to hospital for treatment, but her life did not appear to be in danger.

Local media reported that a 25-year-old Canadian tourist was attacked while walking near the main cathedral in the historic center of the Yucatán capital with friends.

#Yucatán I Así atacó un hombre con un hacha a una mujer en el Centro de Mérida 👉 https://t.co/qcNO4bt522 pic.twitter.com/BgV63fEg0N

— Por Esto! Online (@PorEstoOnline) April 23, 2024

A surveillance camera caught nongraphic footage of the attack, which can be seen at a distace in the right bottom corner of the video.

The aggressor reportedly grabbed an ax from workers carrying out remodeling work around Mérida’s main square and proceeded to attack the woman for no apparent reason. Reports said that the man — who was detained — appeared to be suffering from mental problems and was speaking incoherently.

The website Novedades Yucatán reported that the Canadian woman began to bleed profusely from the head after she was struck with the ax. Municipal police responded to the attack and called paramedics, who bandaged the woman’s head before taking her to hospital.

A photograph showed that the woman was conscious as paramedics checked her oxygen levels. Her head was bandaged, but her hand and leg were stained with blood.

El Diario de Yucatán said that her wound was “at the height of her eyebrow.”

The victim wasn’t immediately identified, but the aggressor identified himself as Eliazer and said he was from the state of Tabasco, according to reports. He reportedly said that the CIA had taken him to Mérida.

The man, who appeared to be relatively young, was taken away in a police vehicle.

Statistics show the tourist destination of Mérida to be one of the safest cities in Mexico. (Unsplash)

Mérida is known as one of the safest cities in Mexico, and violent attacks are very rare.

The city is a popular tourism destination but receives far fewer visitors than Cancún, located 300 kilometers east on the Caribbean coast of Quintana Roo.

With reports from Diario de Yucatán, Novedades Yucatán, Debate and Quadratín

Spencer Mahony, UK deputy trade commissioner for Latin America, talks to Mexico News Daily

By

MND Staff

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April 23, 2024

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With trade links between Mexico and the United Kingdom booming, Mexico News Daily spoke with Spencer Mahony, His Majesty’s Deputy Trade Commissioner for Latin America and the Caribbean, about the future of business between the two nations.

How do you perceive Mexico’s role and significance in the global economy, especially concerning its trade relationships?

Mexico matters now and will matter even more in the future. As a rapidly growing member of the top 15 global economies, Mexico is a key player, particularly because of its extensive network of trade agreements and strategic geographic location.

Spencer Mahoney at an event in Mexico City — Spencer Mahony (third from left) at a meeting of the British Chamber of Commerce in Mexico in 2022. (Spencer Mahony/LinkedIn)

Mexico has 13 Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with over 50 countries — including the USMCA, CPTPP (which the U.K. is joining), and Pacific Alliance — which provides the country with access to global trade and supply chains across Latin America, Europe, and Asia. Mexico has also emerged as a major manufacturing hub, particularly in the automotive, aerospace, electronics, and medical device industries. Its location and skilled workforce continue to attract huge foreign investment interest. It is no wonder that multinational companies, including many British ones, have established production facilities in Mexico to take advantage of these factors.

Thus, it is no surprise that the world is looking at Mexico, and for us, it is and will continue to be an attractive and dynamic country for U.K. companies to explore, invest and partner with.

Can you provide an overview of the current presence of U.K. businesses in Mexico, including the sectors they are operating in and the scale of their operations?

Trade between the U.K. and Mexico has increased to record levels. In 2023, bilateral trade reached a value of US $8.2 billion, an increase of 22.3% compared to 2022. As for investment, the U.K. is also improving its performance in Mexico as we are now a leading source of foreign direct investment (FDI).

Currently, U.K. companies are operating in Mexico in sectors including tech, infrastructure, automotive, advanced manufacturing, financial and professional services, retail, food and drink, energy, creative and education, life sciences and security, defense and aerospace. In the last five years, British investments have amounted to more than US $5.11 billion and support nearly 50,000 jobs in the country.

Astra Zeneca in Mexico — AstraZeneca is one of the British companies with extensive investment in Mexico. (Jose Eduardo Rubio/Shutterstock)

From Sonora to Chiapas, British companies are considering how they can grow their presence in Mexico, driven by nearshoring. At the British Embassy, we see many areas of shared opportunity between the U.K. and Mexico. Our role is to spot opportunities and connect companies and investors to explore partnerships. We run dozens of programs with hundreds of companies each year highlighting opportunities in Mexico and opportunities in the U.K. for Mexican companies.

One of our challenges is a lack of knowledge about the strengths the U.K. and Mexico have; ultimately trade and investment are about people connecting and having confidence to partner to do new things. Our people-to-people links are growing, and we find once we have got U.K. companies to visit Mexico, they want to come back and do business.

What are some success stories or notable examples of U.K. companies thriving in the Mexican market?

As the U.K. was the first country to go live with Open Banking, we have collaborated with Mexico’s financial services sector towards financial inclusion. It was brilliant to see that Revolut recently obtained its banking institution license from Mexico’s National Banking and Securities Commission, their first outside Europe.

Keeping consumers and companies safe is something the U.K. has invested in heavily for many years. I suspect not many readers will have heard of Darktrace, but they are a U.K. AI-powered cyber company that is doing some brilliant work keeping businesses safe. Similarly, Featurespace is helping financial organizations avoid fraud. British Telecom is providing global communication networks for some of Mexico’s most international companies who need safe and secure networks. We can all spot iconic U.K. brands such as Burberry boots, Mini Cooper cars or Phenhaligon’s fragrances, but many of our most successful businesses are more B2B than B2C.

Mini Cooper in Mexico — Mini Cooper is one of the U.K. brands you will spot frequently in Mexico. (Mini Cooper MX)

In Mexico, British pharmaceutical companies such as AstraZeneca, Haleon and Reckitt have a strong presence in the country through increased portfolios and manufacturing plants that allow them to not only provide innovative products in the Mexican market but also export for U.S. and Latin American consumers. It’s inspiring to see their efforts to employ more women, make manufacturing more resource efficient and create more employment and growth opportunities.

Within the food and drink sector, there are well-known successes with iconic spirits like whisky and gin from British companies such as Diageo, William Grant and Sons and Edrington. We also have U.K. beers from Samuel Smith Brewery, Brewdog and Shepheard Neame doing well in Mexico’s highly competitive drinks market. Finally, one of the sectors I care about most is education. Our team has supported U.K. companies such as Pearson, Cambridge English, and Oxford University Press, as well as other small-medium enterprises such as Little Bridge, Manga High and Twig, to expand their presence in Mexico’s educational system. We think bringing high-value-added education products and services is key to supporting Mexico’s talent and growth.

In the next three years, how do you view Mexico’s economic potential for British businesses, which sectors do you believe hold promise for collaboration and investment, and how do recent shifts in trade dynamics impact the U.K.’s trade relationship with Mexico?

The potential is huge, and we are fortunate to have complementary areas of expertise. The U.K. is a science and technology superpower, so we are identifying where we can bring innovation to support sustainable development and growth. There are many more technologies across many sectors that we want, and are bringing. U.K. cybersecurity companies will better keep consumers and businesses safe. Our Agri-Tech will enable Mexico to produce more food more sustainably, our EdTech can help raise education standards, and MedTechs improve health outcomes.

The U.K. is still one of the world’s largest manufacturers, but the next wave of U.K.-Mexico collaboration will be in technology-driven services or high-value niche products. These technologies will help Mexico’s largest companies grow more efficiently to consolidate their position on the world stage. Companies going truly global will use the U.K. to access its skills, science, finance and professional services.

It’s worth noting the potential for U.K. investment and support for Mexico’s infrastructure. We expect to see continued interest in the energy sector. In January, U.K.-headquartered Cubico announced additions to its pipeline of projects that bring its Mexico total pipeline to 2.2GWs. No doubt there will be interest from others to meet the increased need for power and transmission capacity as nearshoring increases.

The U.K. has made an industry of high-value-added consultancy that is delivering some of the world’s biggest infrastructure projects with partners. In Peru, for example, we are helping the government build schools and hospitals. As well as helping to design, project-manage and deliver infrastructure, we can also bring financing through U.K. Export Finance. We have US $4 billion available for Mexico and hope in the future we can support more projects in the country.

Double decker bus in Mexico City — Mexico City’s double-decker buses are an import from the U.K. (Shutterstock)

The advanced engineering sector and electric mobility are obviously a key opportunity. The red double-decker buses on Reforma Avenue in Mexico City are from Scotland, and we could see electric or hybrid buses designed in the U.K. in Mexico in the future. U.K. companies are actively considering investments in the auto sector in response to nearshoring. As mentioned earlier, U.K. pharmaceutical companies represent one of the U.K.’s strongest sectors in Mexico, and we have recently been through a wave of expansions.

I should mention again that we’ve been working on the ratification of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and think this will help stimulate further interest and investment in Mexico.

Dan Carden, the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Mexico, noted on his visit to Mexico in March how trade agreements and better business-to-business ties will grow our trading relationship. We also see potential growth for British companies across all sectors, and that includes sectors such as food and drink and the creative industries, where Mexico is a fast-growing market for content consumption and creation. We are the world’s sixth largest economy, so the opportunities do span across the whole economy.

Finally, I suspect behind your question is interest in whether Brexit is relevant to future trade prospects. In short, I think it is. Firstly as companies are being encouraged to think more globally and secondly because our CPTPP membership was enabled by us being free to negotiate our membership outside of the E.U., and the same applies to a future trade deal with Mexico. Both deals should make a difference, and companies I talk to are thinking more globally about where future growth will be, and that naturally includes Mexico.

Regarding the U.K.’s relationship with Mexico and the significance of historical ties and the need for a modern approach to bilateralism: how do you perceive the evolution of this relationship, and what do you believe are the key factors driving its current trajectory?

This year, the U.K. and Mexico are celebrating 200 years of diplomatic relations. We’ve worked together to address mutual challenges, and we share strong cultural ties in areas like music, gastronomy, film, sports and education. Our historical bond has led us to achieve incredible results across our partnerships and joint initiatives on climate, political, economic, social and educational issues.

One of the factors that is driving forward our collaboration and partnership is our interest and commitment to develop exciting new areas of cooperation. For us, it is important to find areas of cooperation with the public, private and nongovernmental sectors to tackle challenges like climate change and bolstering clean energies, eliminating gender pay gaps, protecting human rights, and pushing for a safe use of artificial intelligence.

Another element that we are sure will have a positive impact on the U.K.-Mexico relationship and drive it forward is our accession to the CPTPP and a future new trade agreement between Mexico and the U.K.

How do you envision the U.K.’s role in providing meaningful assistance with significant challenges such as insecurity and climate change? What steps do you plan on taking to advance this?

There are many areas where the U.K. and Mexico are already collaborating on important issues like climate change, gender equality, human rights and cybersecurity.

One way the U.K. has become a strategic partner for Mexico is through the U.K. Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions (UK PACT) program. We are working with state governments to support them with technical capacity and highly specialized expertise to develop and update their environmental laws and regulations. To date, 11 states have passed legislation to help Mexico’s communities protect their ecosystems and address environmental challenges. In addition, we supported Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey with technical assistance for the electrification and upgrading of their Metrobús, Trolleybus and Cablebús units.

Another example of our collaboration is our actions to protect and promote human rights. The first Multilateral and Human Rights Dialogue between Mexico and the United Kingdom was held in January, where we had fruitful and constructive conversations on strengthening efforts on a number of shared multilateral and human rights priorities, including gender equality and the protection of economic, social and cultural rights.

On cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, the British Embassy’s Science and Innovation Network in Mexico has collaborated with the National Alliance of Artificial Intelligence and the Mexican Academy of Cybersecurity and Digital Law to create a regulatory framework for the responsible use of AI. Part of this effort was the presentation of results from the Regulatory Sandbox Project and the current state of AI in Mexico, which was a joint initiative to foster responsible innovation in this field.

I am sure the strong partnership that Mexico and the U.K. have will only continue to get stronger.

To read more in the Global Mexico: UK in Focus series, click here.

When will the Maya Train be completed? Another delay announced

By

MND Staff

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April 23, 2024

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Conductor standing in doorway of Maya Train railroad car — Sections 1-4 of the Maya Train are already completely open. (Isabel Mateos Hinojosa/Cuartoscuro)

The federal government has once again pushed back the scheduled completion date for the Maya Train railroad: it will now be fully operational in September, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said Monday.

Sections 1–4 of the 1,554-kilometer-long railroad — which link Palenque, Chiapas, to Cancún, Quintana Roo, via Tabasco, Campeche and Yucatán — are already open, as is the northern part of Section 5, which connects Cancún to Playa del Carmen.

Mexico's President Lopez Obrador posing with a citizen inside a car of the Maya Train — The Maya Train, which is partially operational, is one of the legacy projects of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, left, but he may only just barely see it completed before he leaves office on October 1. (lopezobrador.org.mx)

However, trains have not yet started running on the southern part of Section 5 between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, or on Sections 6 and 7, which will link Tulum to Escárcega, Campeche, and include stations at Bacalar and Chetumal.

López Obrador said Monday that the construction of a cable-stayed bridge will delay the opening of Tramo 5 Sur, as the southern part of Section 5 is known.

“We already inaugurated [the section] from Cancún to Playa, … but we can’t connect to Tulum because of the cable-stayed bridge, which will take time. We think we’ll finish it at the end of August,” he told reporters at his morning press conference.

López Obrador acknowledged that steel and cement pilings pierced through the roof of a limestone cave during construction of a section of Tramo 5 Sur and said that authorities are “repairing everything and resolving the problem.”

As a result of the damage caused by the pilings, a decision was taken to build a cable-stayed bridge with a span of 200 meters in order to avoid damage to caves, cenotes (water-filled sinkholes) and subterranean rivers, the president said, although he previously announced such a bridge in January 2023.

“In other words, we’re not going to install columns, … it’s going to be a cable-stayed bridge, and this means a delay. … We could have drilled and installed piles, but we said, ‘No, we’re going to look after this area,’ and that’s why [we’re building] the bridge,” López Obrador said.

Maya Train piling pierces a cave — Photo shared by environmentalists in January showing the Maya Train’s pilings piercing the limestone ceiling of a cenote on Section 5 of the railway, which connects the international airports in Cancún and Tulum. (@gchristy65/X)

He said that the entire railroad — including “all the stations” and train sheds and workshops — will be completely finished by September, his final month in office before a new president is sworn in on Oct. 1.

Late last year, López Obrador said that the railroad, an approximately 500-billion-peso (US $29.5 billion) project, would be completed by the end of February. However, he conceded in January that that wouldn’t be the case, predicting at the time that the railroad would be 100% complete in “another two or three months,” or by the end of April.

López Obrador has said on repeated occasions that the construction and operation of the Maya Train railroad will help generate economic prosperity and well-being in the five states through which it runs. It connects cities and towns in Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán, Quintana Roo and Chiapas, giving passengers access to less-visited parts of Mexico’s southeast.

The president believes that many tourists who fly into Cancún will use the train to head to inland destinations on the Yucatán Peninsula — an area with numerous archaeological sites, pretty colonial cities such as Valladolid and Izamal in Yucatán and plentiful cenotes, among other attractions.

However, it remains to be seen how much long-term demand there will be for tourist services on the railroad, which is also set to be used by freight trains at some point in the future.

With reports from La Jornada and Reforma