Learning to connect with the world and people around us was a mainstay of Toltec wisdom. Author Miguel Ruiz has laid out the way to find happiness in our every day lives with his four simple rules. (Everton Vila/Unsplash)
The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz is one of my favorite books. Each chapter has a relatable situation, followed by a fresh perspective on how to see the world. These powerful guidelines reduce everyday stress by encouraging a shift in focus, giving clear and practical advice that helps us navigate our lives with more calm and clarity.
Written by Miguel Ruiz in 1997, quickly became a best-seller available in 52 languages. Tijuana born Ruiz grew up in rural Mexico and worked as a neurosurgeon until 1986, when a near-fatal car crash made him question his path. He quit his medical practice and moved to San Diego, California.
Author Miguel Ruiz was inspired to write the book after a near-death experience. (miguelruiz.com)
His family of Toltec healers helped him heal from the accident and inspired him to share their philosophy. In The Four Agreements, and many of his later books, Ruiz combines old wisdom with new insights to create a code that is easy to understand and use in everyday life.
The Toltecs were an ancient civilization that flourished in central Mexico around the 10th century. Their teachings emphasize personal freedom and living in harmony. The Spanish conquest and misuse led to the need to protect this knowledge and so various lineages of naguals preserved and transmitted this wisdom. Ruiz himself is a nagual from the Eagle Knight lineage. He has brought these powerful teachings to the modern world, brining guidance to those seeking a better life in the modern era.
The Four Agreements teaches us that we shape our lives through a series of agreements we make with others, with God, and with life itself. However, the most crucial agreements are those we make with ourselves. Our agreements can limit our potential and create unnecessary suffering or lead us to joy and fulfillment.
In this book, we learn about the “domestication” of humans. We adopted our family’s rules and values through a punishment and reward system and as a result, learned to judge everything, including ourselves. We reward or punish in return. True freedom is in the human spirit, where you are free to trust yourself instead of external opinions. When you see that your struggles come from your beliefs, you are free to choose differently.
The book is also available in English for non-Spanish speaking audiences. (Audible)
I (of course) recommend you read the whole book, but here’s a summary:
The First Agreement
Be impeccable with your words. Words are your power to communicate, to think, and to create your life. Words are the most powerful tool you have as a human being. Words are your magic wand. Words are a double-edged sword used to create the most beautiful dream or destroy everything around you. Depending on how you use them, words can either free or enslave you. All your magic is based on your words. Use your words appropriately. Use them to share love, starting with yourself.
The Second Agreement
Do not take anything personally. You expose yourself to needless suffering when you think everything is about you. Nothing others do is because of you. They do it because of themselves. We all live in our own mind. Even when a situation seems very personal, as when someone insults you, it’s unrelated to you. What they say, what they do, and their opinions are based on the agreements in their mind. Their point of view comes from all the programming they received during their domestication.
The Third Agreement
Do not make assumptions. The problem comes when we believe that what we assume is true. We make assumptions about what others do or think, take it personally, blame them, react, and create a drama over nothing. This agreement calls us to break away from our imagination and get in touch with reality.
By following these four agreements, the Toltecs believed it would be easier to achieve inner peace. (Jared Rice/Unsplash)
The Fourth Agreement
Always do your best, no more and no less. Your best will vary depending on your daily moods and from one day to another. Regardless of the outcome, always do your best, no more and no less. If you try too hard to do more than you can, your performance will be insufficient. If you do less than you can, you subject yourself to guilt and regrets. The best way to appreciate life is to let go of the past and not worry about the future; keep your attention on today and stay in the present moment. When you allow yourself to be fully present, you don’t miss anything because you are truly alive.
When we’ve realized that social programming controls our minds, we can declare our war of independence. Choosing this path gives us, at the least, the dignity of rebellion. It also ensures we will not be helpless victims of toxic emotions. “The Four Agreements” teaches us a way to transform our perspective on life, guiding us to create a more heavenly existence. By adopting these principles, we can break free from limiting beliefs and live with greater freedom, joy, and authenticity.
Sandra Gancz Kahan 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]
It's a breakfast so iconic, they've even nicknamed Mexico City residents after it. But what if we tried something daring? (Fernando Andrade/Unsplash)
Normally, I’d preface the recipe with a long story about the history of the dish we’re about to make, but I was inspired by Google’s daily doodle to write this particular piece. So, instead of a history lesson, I just want to share my favorite, alternative recipe for the powerhouse of a dish that is chilaquiles.
Chilaquiles is a top tier breakfast/brunch dish in which you, on purpose, make your tortilla chips soggy with salsa in the pan before adding the finishing touches. Chilaquiles are such a ubiquitous dish in Mexico yet often misunderstood in other parts of the world. I’m very happy to see this dish finally gaining some steam. Let’s get soggy!
Sometimes, you just need a bowl soggy chips for breakfast. Here’s how you make them delicious soggy chips. (Roberto Carlos Roman/Unsplash)
Bonus recipe for my favorite plate-finisher, candied jalapenos, otherwise known as cowboy candy. Trust me, you’re going to want this in your cooking arsenal.
Alternative chilaquiles recipes:
1: Jamón Serrano and Cowboy Candy
Ingredients:
Tortilla Chips:
6 cups store-bought tortilla chips
Sauce:
6-7 Roma tomatoes, roughly chopped
1/2 white onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 jalapeño, chopped
1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
Juice of one lime
1 tbsp vegetable oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Toppings:
100g Jamón Serrano, thinly sliced and rolled up tightly to make this dish seem less sloppy
1/2 cup candied jalapeños (recipe below)
1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco or feta cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
1 avocado, sliced
1/2 cup lime crema (2 parts sour cream, 1 part lime juice)
One of two fried eggs (optional)
Fuse Mexico and Spain by adding a little Jamón Serrano as a topping to your chilaquiles. (Wiley Shaw/Unsplash)
Instructions:
Make the Sauce:
In a blender, combine the tomatoes, onion, lime juice, garlic, jalapeño, and chicken broth. Blend until smooth.
Heat 1 tbsp of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Pour the blended sauce into the skillet and cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and deepens in color. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Assemble the Chilaquiles:
Add the tortilla chips to the skillet with the sauce. Toss gently to coat the chips evenly with the sauce. Depending on how soggy you prefer chilaquiles, cook for an additional 1-3 minutes to let your chips become the saucy mess they were destined to be.
Transfer the sauced chips to a serving platter or individual plates.
Add Toppings:
Top the chilaquiles with rolled up slices of Jamón Serrano, candied jalapeños, crumbled queso fresco, chopped cilantro, and thinly sliced red onion.
Add slices of avocado circling the edge of the plate and drizzle with lime crema. Add the fried egg if using on the very top.
2. Candied Jalapeños (Cowboy Candy)
Ingredients:
1-pound fresh jalapeños, sliced into rings
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1 tablespoon mustard seed
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
Xalapeño pro tip: The secret is to get fresh jalapeños, for flavor and spice. (Philip Larking/Unsplash)
Instructions:
Prepare the Jalapeños:
Wear gloves to protect your hands from the jalapeño heat.
Slice the jalapeños into 1/4-inch thick rings. Set aside.
Make the Syrup:
In a large pot, combine the granulated sugar, apple cider vinegar, cumin, mustard seed, and ground ginger.
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently to dissolve the sugar.
Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Candy the Jalapeños:
Add the sliced jalapeños to the pot, then stir to coat them in the syrup.
Bring the mixture back to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes, or until the jalapeños have just begun to soften and turn a darker green.
Jar the Candied Jalapeños:
Using a slotted spoon, transfer the jalapeño rings to clean, sterilized jars, packing them in tightly.
Pour the hot syrup over the jalapeños, ensuring they are fully submerged and leaving about 1/4-inch headspace at the top of the jar.
Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean, damp cloth and seal with sterilized lids and bands.
Candied jalapeños are not just perfect for these chilaquiles but add a sweet and spicy kick to burgers, sandwiches, nachos, or even as a topping for spicy tuna crispy rice (my version of spicy tuna crispy rice coming soon!).
Did you enjoy these alternative chilaquiles recipes? Did you try changing the recipe? Feel free to let me know in the comments!
Stephen Randall has lived in Mexico since 2018 by way of Kentucky, and before that, Germany. He’s an enthusiastic amateur chef who takes inspiration from many different cuisines, with favorites including Mexican and Mediterranean.
A relatively strong dollar in June likely helped make for a record-setting month.(Cuartoscuro)
The Mexican peso remains significantly weaker than it was before the June 2 elections, but it improved slightly against the US dollar on Thursday after President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum announced her first cabinet picks.
The El País newspaper reported that the peso gained 0.3% against the greenback moments after Sheinbaum announced that former foreign affairs minister Marcelo Ebrard will be her economy minister once she is sworn in as president on Oct. 1.
Ex-foreign affairs minister Marcelo Ebrard, who ran against Sheinbaum for the Morena 2024 nomination, is perceived by many as having close ties to business, and his pick as Sheinbaum’s Economy Minister seems to have reassured foreign investors. (Galo Cañas/Cuartoscuro)
The peso was trading at 18.31 to the dollar at around midday Mexico City time, not long after the president-elect named Ebrard and other members of her cabinet:
Alicia Bárcena (environment)
Juan Ramón de la Fuente (foreign affairs)
Rosaura Ruiz (science)
Julio Berdegué (agriculture)
Ernestina Godoy (legal advisor)
CI Banco said in a note that “the market’s interpretation seems to be that Sheinbaum’s cabinet are officials who have extensive technical and political capabilities.”
The USD:MXN rate was 18.36 at 4:30 p.m., according to Bloomberg. The closing rate on Wednesday was 18.42.
Based on the 18.36 rate, the peso has depreciated more than 7% against the U.S. dollar since Sheinbaum and the ruling Morena party’s comprehensive victory in the federal elections on June 2.
Morena and its allies won a two-thirds majority in the Chamber of Deputies and a strong majority in the Senate. That places the Morena-led coalition in a strong position to approve a raft of constitutional reform proposals submitted to Congress by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador earlier this year.
The peso’s tumble downward has been partly credited to foreign markets’ nervousness about how friendly Sheinbaum’s administration will be to foreign business interests, given her close political ties with current President López Obrador, who’s frequently been seen as hostile to foreign investment and unfairly favoring government-owned entities. (Claudia Sheinbaum/X)
The likelihood of the proposed reforms being approved — particularly ones that seek to overhaul the judiciary, make changes to Mexico’s electoral system and eliminate various autonomous government agencies — has caused major concern in markets and led the peso to depreciate.
Shortly after the elections, Sheinbaum sought to calm markets by announcing that current Finance Minister Rogelio Ramírez de la O would remain in his position when she takes office, and endorsing a set of economic commitments he outlined.
The peso had recovered somewhat from that position when it got an apparent boost by the announcement that Ebrard will be Mexico’s next economy minister.
Reuters reported that the former foreign minister — who was an initial competitor with Sheinbaum for the Morena presidential candidate nomination — is “widely considered a business-friendly [cabinet] pick,” adding that he “successfully managed relations with the United States” during his almost five-year tenure as the nation’s top diplomat.
El País reported that Ebrard is “perceived by markets as a politician with better ties to the private sector” than current Economy Minister Raquel Buenrostro.
As economy minister, he will be in charge of Mexico’s future trade negotiations.
In a short speech after his appointment, Ebrard said that the world today has become “more protectionist” and “to some extent more unstable” than it was previously.
“The assignment [we have] is to navigate those stormy waters with everything we’ve learned in our lives,” he said.
Ebrard later told reporters that the 2026 scheduled review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, will be a top priority for him, along with the pending ratification of a new trade pact between Mexico and the European Union.
He also noted that the Economy Ministry has been tasked with attracting more foreign investment to Mexico, including investment related to the growing nearshoring trend.
Another responsibility for Sheinbaum’s economy minister pick will be the development of a chain of industrial parks in the Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, located between Salina Cruz, Oaxaca, on Mexico’s Pacific coast and Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, on the Gulf coast.
Wine sampling at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2024 red and white wines competition in León, Guanajuato. The León event, held earlier this month, was the first time that the prestigious wine competition has ever been held in the Americas. (Concours Mondial de Bruxelles)
Mexican wines sparkled at the 31st Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, one of the world’s most prestigious wine competitions, held in León, Guanajuato, earlier this month.
A special Mexican edition of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles competition called the Mexico Selection has taken place before in various Mexican states, but this was the first time that the main competition was ever held in the Americas.
Guanajuato state Governor Diego Sinhue Rodríguez spoke at the event, a testament to how important the Guanajuato government viewed Concours Mondial de Bruxelles’ decision to bring its competition to their state. (Concours Mondial de Bruxelles)
The León event, which took place June 7–9, was a competition for red and white wines. The 2024 event’s three other competitions — one for rosé, one for sparkling wine and one for sweet and fortified wines — are taking place in European locations.
Nearly 7,500 red and white wines from 42 countries took part in the blind-tasting contest judged by experts from around the world.
Of the 663 wines presented by Mexican producers, 152 won medals (including nine Grand Gold Medals), a record, according to the newspaper El Economista.
That outcome allowed Mexico to break into the list of top five countries in terms of numbers of medals won, according to journalist Liz Palmer. Only 30% of all the wines presented in the competition took home medals.
The top-performing Mexican entrant at this year’s event was Zeus Tinto 2020, an oaked red wine from the Valle de Guadalupe wine region of Baja California by the Baja winemaker El Cielo. Made from zinfandel grapes, Zeus Tinto was recognized with the Mexico Revelation distinction and earned a Grand Gold Medal.
Less than 1% of competing wines at the event earn Grand Gold Medal recognition, the top award at the Concours Mondiale de Bruxelles.
A Grand Gold Medal winner, Zeus Tinto 2020 is a red from the Valle de Guadalupe region of Baja California. It’s produced by El Cielo winery. (El Cielo)
The Mexican Grand Gold Medal Winners
The other Mexican wines that earned Grand Gold Medals were:
a López Rosso Cavas Viognier 2023 from Zacatecas
two winners from Guanajuato wineries: Dos Buhos’ Grenache Gran Reserva 2019 and a 2020 red blend from Pájaro Azul
G&G by Ginasommelier Gran Reserva Malbec 2019, from Baja California
Another Gran Reserva Malbec, this one a 2020 from Coahuila’s Casa Madero
a Nebbiolo-Merlot-Syrah 2017 from Inspiración winery in Baja California
a Merlot Reserva 2020 from Baja California’s Bajalupano winery
A 2022 Syrah from Solar Fortun winery in Baja California.
Sixty-nine Mexican wines won a Gold Medal while 75 won Silver Medals.
Spain was recognized as the top producer in the competition, collecting 31% of the awards, while Uruguay and Romania swept the top two medals.
Uruguay’s Balasto 2017 (produced by Bodega Garzón) won the International Red Wine Revelation award while Romania’s Issa Chardonnay Barrique 2022 (produced by Crama La Salina) was awarded the International White Wine Revelation.
Guanajuato was selected as host in recognition of its growth as one of the top players in the Mexican wine industry, in part because of the state’s ideal climate for grape cultivation. The state is in fifth place among Mexico’s states in the building of vineyards, with 485 planted hectares and more than 100 planned hectares, representing 4.5% of land in Mexico used for the production of quality wines, according to Concours Mondial de Bruxelles.
In 2021, the state’s Tourism Ministry launched Guanajuato, Tierra de Vinos, (Guanajuato, Land of Wines), a new initiative to create tourism opportunities using the state’s vineyards.
The state is also the fifth-largest grape producer in Mexico and ranks fourth in overall wine production (more than 1,240,000 liters of wine annually).
Guanajuato boasts 46 wine businesses and 25 wine tourism businesses, while the Guanajuato Grape and Wine Association is comprised of 34 wineries. It is also home to one of only two wine museums in Mexico.
Thanks to Wayback Machine, we can see a snapshot from Mexico News Daily on June 20, 2014. (Wayback Machine screen capture)
To mark the occasion, we thought it would be interesting to take a look at 10 ways in which Mexico has changed since MND published its first article in June 2014. I’ll do that in this listicle.
This Saturday, look out for Mexico News Daily CEO and publisher Travis Bembenek’s column, in which he will continue the 10-year anniversary celebrations and look ahead at what’s in store for MND in the next decade.
MEXICO: THEN VS NOW
Political power
In 2014, Enrique Peña Nieto of the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, was Mexico’s president, while the current president is Andrés Manuel López Obrador of the National Regeneration Movement, or Morena.
A remarkable transformation in Mexico’s political landscape has occurred over the past decade. It can be summarized in just 10 words: the rise of Morena and the fall of the PRI.
Enrique Peña Nieto (PRI) was president in 2014 (left), while Andrés Manuel López Obrador (Morena) is president today in 2024. (Gob MX/MND)
In 2014, the PRI was in office in 20 of the country’s 32 federal entities, while the National Action Party (PAN) governed six and the Democratic Revolution Party (PRD) held power in four, including Mexico City.
The Citizens Movement (MC) party and the Ecological Green Party of Mexico (PVEM) governed one state each, while Morena — which was registered as a political party in 2014 — was not in power anywhere.
Fast forward a decade and Morena is Mexico’s most dominant political force by far. The party governs 22 federal entities, including Mexico City, while the PRI is now in office in just two states.
The number of states with PAN governments has declined to five, while MC now rules two states. The PVEM — now a Morena ally — is in office in one state.
After new governors are sworn in later this year, the number of Morena state governments will increase to 23, as the party triumphed in Yucatán in the June 2 elections and will take power there for the first time ever.
Women governors and members of President López Obrador’s cabinet are seen here celebrating International Women’s Day in March 2023. Gender quotas have brought women into all levels of Mexican politics. (ANDREA MURCIA/ CUARTOSCURO.COM)
Mexico now has gender parity in Congress, while there are higher numbers of female governors and federal ministers compared to 2014.
Peña Nieto had just three women in his cabinet in 2014, while López Obrador currently has nine women in his cabinet.
There are currently nine female governors, while in 2014 there were none.
And on Oct. 1, Claudia Sheinbaum will be sworn in as Mexico’s first female president.
The Mexican peso
There has been a lot of talk about the “super peso” lately (well, before its very recent depreciation), especially when it reached an almost nine-year high of 16.30 to the US dollar in April.
However, a decade ago, the peso was significantly stronger against the greenback. In 2014, the average USD:MXN exchange rate was 13.31.
Compared to its current position — 18.40 to the dollar on Thursday morning — the peso has depreciated almost 28% against the greenback over the past 10 years. In turn, the US dollar has appreciated 38% against the peso.
The minimum wage
There has also been a significant change in Mexico’s minimum wage over the past 10 years.
In 2014, the daily minimum wage was 63.77 to 67.29 pesos, with the higher rate applying in Mexico City, Baja California, Baja California Sur, and a number of large Mexican cities including Guadalajara and Monterrey.
Based on the average exchange rate in 2014, the higher minimum wage rate was equivalent to US $5.05 per day.
Adjusted for cost of living, the minimum wage decreased over the course of the 1990s then plateaued in the early 2000s. (LopezObrador.org.mx)
Compared to the higher minimum wage rate in 2014, Mexico’s sueldo mínimo has increased 270% in most of the country in peso terms and 457% in the north.
In dollar terms, the minimum wage has increased 167% in most of the country and 304% in the north.
Prices, of course, have also risen over the past 10 years, but the minimum wage has increased more.
Another metric indicating that Mexico has become less conservative over the past decade is the number of federal entities where abortion has been decriminalized.
In 2014, Mexico City was the only entity where first-trimester abortion was legal regardless of the circumstances, whereas the termination of an early pregnancy is now permitted in 12 entities. Jalisco looks set to become the 13th state to allow first-trimester abortion.
The first phase of the Maya Train was inaugurated on Dec. 15, 2023. (Lopezobrador.org.mx)
One project that was announced in 2014 but never completed is the previous government’s international airport project in Texcoco, México state, which López Obrador canceled in 2018.
* Of course, the list above is not an exhaustive one. Mexico has changed in many other ways over the past 10 years.
What would you add to the list? And what hasn’t changed in Mexico since 2014 that you would like to see change, or which you hope never changes.
On Thursday morning, President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum presented her first six cabinet appointments, three women and three men. (Cuartoscuro)
President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum has made her first cabinet appointments, announcing on Thursday a selection of three men and three women who will serve in her administration.
Sheinbaum, who will take office on Oct. 1, announced that former foreign affairs minister Marcelo Ebrard will be her economy minister, while current Foreign Affairs Minister Alicia Bárcena will be her environment and natural resources minister.
Sheinbaum held a press conference on Thursday morning to present six members of her cabinet. (Claudia Sheinbaum/X)
Juan Ramón de la Fuente, Mexico’s former permanent representative to the United Nations and head of Sheinbaum’s transition team, will succeed Bárcena as foreign affairs minister.
The other three appointments to Sheinbaum’s cabinet include Rosaura Ruiz as minister for science, humanities, technology and innovation; Julio Berdegué as agriculture and rural development minister; and Ernestina Godoy as legal counsel to the president.
Ruiz will lead a new ministry that will incorporate the National Council of Humanities, Science and Technology.
Rogelio Ramírez de la O will stay on as Finance Minister “indefinitely” and has laid out a list of economic commitments endorsed by President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum. (Claudia Sheinbaum/X)
She said Thursday that the six additional cabinet members who will be sworn in with her on Oct. 1 are “first-class men and women with experience” who will “help us a lot to achieve our objectives in the next six years.”
Two of the appointees, Ruiz and Godoy, were members of Sheinbaum’s government when she was mayor of Mexico City between 2018 and 2023.
Among the key appointments still to be announced are the interior minister, security minister, defense minister and energy minister roles.
What are the backgrounds of the cabinet appointees?
Marcelo Ebrard
The soon-to-be economy minister served as foreign affairs minister in the current federal government between December 2018 and June 2023, when he stepped down to pursue the ruling Morena party’s nomination for the 2024 presidential election.
Former Foreign Affairs Minister Marcelo Ebrard thanked President-elect Sheinbaum for her “trust” in appointing him as economy minister. (Cuartoscuro)
Ebrard was mayor of Mexico City between 2006 and 2012 and served as a minister in the capital during President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s 2000-05 mayorship. He has also served as a federal deputy.
Ebrard will succeed Raquel Buenrostro as economy minister.
Alicia Bárcena
Mexico’s next environment minister has been foreign affairs minister for almost a year, succeeding Ebrard last July.
Foreign Affairs Minister Alicia Bárcena will become the environment minister in Sheinbaum’s administration. (SRE/X)
She was Mexico’s ambassador to Chile between September 2022 and June 2023 after serving almost 14 years as executive secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean.
Bárcena will succeed María Luisa Albores as environment minister.
Juan Ramón de la Fuente
The soon-to-be foreign affairs minster was Mexico’s permanent representative to the UN between 2018 and 2023.
Juan Ramón de la Fuente will take over from Alicia Bárcena when Sheinbaum takes office in October as foreign affairs minister. (Cuartoscuro)
A psychiatrist by profession, de la Fuente was rector of the National Autonomous University (UNAM) between 1999 and 2007 and federal health minister during the presidency of Ernesto Zedillo (1994-2000).
He will replace Bárcena as foreign affairs minister.
Rosaura Ruiz
The future science minister headed up the Mexico City Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation for four years during Sheinbaum’s 2018-23 mayorship in the capital.
Rosaura Ruiz will be the minister for science, humanities, technology and innovation, a new cabinet-level position.(Cuartoscuro)
Ruiz, who has a PhD in biology, was head of UNAM’s Faculty of Science between 2010 and 2018.
When she becomes minister for science, humanities, technology and innovation she will effectively succeed María Elena Álvarez-Buylla, the current director of the National Council of Humanities, Science and Technology.
Julio Berdegué
Mexico’s next agriculture minister was assistant director-general for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations between 2017 and 2022. He also served as the organization’s regional representative for Latin America and the Caribbean.
Julio Berdegué will succeed Victor Villalobos as the Mexico’s next agriculture minister. (Cuartoscuro)
Originally from Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Berdegué has worked for and with a number of other international organizations, including the International Institute for Environment and Development.
The agronomist will succeed Víctor Villalobos as agriculture minister.
Ernestina Godoy
The woman set to be Sheinbaum’s chief legal advisor was Mexico City attorney general between 2018 and 2024. She previously served as a federal and Mexico City lawmaker.
Ernestina Godoy was most recently the attorney general of Mexico City, and will next be the chief legal advisor to the president. (Cuartoscuro)
Godoy, who completed her law degree at UNAM in 1979, has held a range of other government positions in Mexico City.
She will succeed María Estela Ríos as legal counsel of the federal executive.
Satellite imagery showing Tropical Storm Alberto as it made landfall near Tampico, Tamaulipas on Thursday morning. (NOAA)
Tropical Storm Alberto, the first named storm of what is expected to be a busy Atlantic hurricane season, made landfall in the state of Tamaulipas and quickly weakened into a tropical depression Thursday morning.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) noted that heavy rains and flash flooding were expected to continue as Alberto moved west at 30 km/h. Storm warnings and coastal watches were discontinued, however, even though wind and rain extend far from the storm’s center.
#Entérate | En Ramos Arizpe, #Coahuila pasajeros que viajaban en un autobús tuvieron que ser rescatados al quedarse en medio de una inundación. La tormenta tropical #Alberto los dejó atrapados en el Parque Industrial Santa María. pic.twitter.com/pSyUNSo6C4
Stranded passengers being rescued from a bus in Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila, Thursday morning after flash flooding caused by Tropical Storm Alberto filled the Santa María Industrial Park.
On Thursday morning, the most intense rains were occurring in the states of Tamaulipas, Coahuila, Nuevo León and San Luis Potosí, according to Mexico’s National Meteorological Service (SMN). Rain totals of 13 to 25 centimeters were expected at higher elevations, which could lead to reduced visibility, landslides, flooding and rising rivers and streams.
Very heavy rains (75 to 150 millimeters) are expected in Durango, Zacatecas, Guanajuato, Querétaro, Hidalgo, Puebla, Veracruz, Oaxaca and Chiapas.
In Chiapas, four portions of roadway were rendered impassable Thursday due to landslides and flooding, with emergency services unable to immediately reach the affected areas due to heavy rains. In Veracruz, a landslide dropped huge boulders onto one stretch of roadway, and a sinkhole developed in the capital city of Xalapa.
Many other states across Mexico will experience some amount of Alberto-related rain on Thursday, ranging from heavy rains to occasional showers.
Alberto was named a tropical storm on Wednesday, leading to the suspension of classes in several regions and the implementation of other safety preparations.
🚨 #RíoSantaCatarina, #NuevoLeón, al momento. Recuerda ☝️⛑ evita cruzar vados, arroyos y ríos.
No expongas tu vida.
— Webcams de México (@webcamsdemexico) June 20, 2024
Footage of the Santa Catarina river in Monterrey, Nuevo León, around 1 p.m. Thursday, being lashed by heavy rains from Alberto. (Webcams de México)
But it weakened rapidly after making landfall early Thursday morning. By 9 a.m., it was downgraded to a tropical depression when it was located 155 kilometers west of Tampico, Tamaulipas.
Maximum sustained winds were 75 km/h when Alberto made landfall, but then they slowed to 55 km/h.
Initially, there was some chagrin in Tampico that the amount of rainfall was low and wouldn’t put much of a dent in Mexico’s ongoing drought, reported the Associated Press (AP).
“We had hoped that it would come because water is so needed here, but at far as I can tell, it went somewhere else,” Tampico resident Marta Alicia Hernández told AP.
However, the outer bands of the system will likely bring the heavier rains that other areas experienced Thursday morning.
In Nuevo León, civil protection authorities have linked three deaths to Alberto’s heavy rains. A 16-year-old in Monterrey died in a river, trapped by the currents when he attempted to retrieve a soccer ball, and two 12-year-olds in the state were electrocuted in the municipality of Allende when they rode their bikes through a large puddle that was in contact with a live wire.
Nuevo León Governor Samuel García wrote on the social media platform X that metro and public transportation services would be suspended in Monterrey from Wednesday night until midday Thursday.
In Tamaulipas and Veracruz, officials closed all schools on Thursday (and some on Friday), and shelters were prepared in case residents would need to flee high waters.
Areas at higher elevations could see as much as 50 cm of rain, which could result in mudslides and flash flooding, especially Tamaulipas, Coahuila and Nuevo León.
Raúl Quiroga Álvarez, the Tamaulipas state minister of hydrological resources, said at a press conference Wednesday night that because the wind speeds were not “a risk,” his drought-ravaged state was actually looking forward to all the rain.
“This is what we’ve been waiting for for eight years in all of Tamaulipas,” he said. “This is a win-win event.”
In Veracruz, Alberto brought winds and heavy rains that took down trees, power lines and even created a sinkhole in the city of Xalapa. (Escuadrón Nacional de Rescate)
In his Thursday morning press conference, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said that members of the armed forces had been deployed in the storm areas to address possible damage.
Forecasters have predicted that the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season could be much more active than usual, with 17 to 25 predicted named storms this year. On average, there are 14 named storms per season.
The U.S. Hurricane Center currently is monitoring a broad area of low pressure that’s forming in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico.
As it moves over southeastern Mexico on Friday and over the Bay of Campeche on Saturday, it could develop into a tropical depression that will likely move slowly to the north and west.
Cilantro is the best accompaniment for tacos and other Mexican dishes. (Unsplash)
First introduced by the Spanish in the 16th century, cilantro is a quintessential part of traditional Mexican dishes, from salsas to tacos to chilaquiles and soups.
As the price of cilantro in Mexico has risen steeply in the past month, some restaurants and vendors are having to cut back on using it, to the disappointment of their customers.
In a report by El País newspaper, a taco vendor in Mexico City told a customer who asked for cilantro on her tacos that he could only serve it mixed with onion, since it’s so expensive right now.
The newspaper reported that in the wholesale market in Iztapalapa borough, the price for a five-kilogram bushel of cilantro went from 130 pesos to 450 pesos in the last 30 days, according to data from the Economy Ministry.
According to the most recent inflation data from the national statistics agency INEGI — the annual headline inflation rate in May rose for a third consecutive month to 4.69%, driven by rising food costs — the price of cilantro in Mexico quadrupled between early May and early June.
Why is cilantro getting so expensive?
Multiple climate factors are impacting cilantro harvests, including drought, hail storms and extreme heat. Another factor is the presence of pests, particularly aphids.
Drought, extreme heat and hail storms all contributed to crop failures in major cilantro-producing states, including Puebla and Hidalgo. (Senasica)
The state of Puebla leads Mexico in cilantro production, with more than 40% of the market. In explaining the price increase, Puebla’s Rural Development Ministry (SDR) pointed to a series of hail storms in April and May that affected up to 60% of all crops in the region, including cilantro, corn, chili, green beans and broccoli.
The presence of aphids — a problem that began three years ago — has also contributed to shortages of the popular herb. The SDR said that aphid infestations led to the loss of 1,000 hectares of cilantro over the past two months.
The pests stunt the growth of cilantro, leading to total crop loss and lower yields, explained Agustín Navarro, a Puebla producer who spoke to the news magazine Forbes México.
Navarro also said that “all the best quality cilantro goes for export” and that up to 80% of the cilantro produced in Puebla is exported to the United States.
Another factor prompting the price increase is that producers are having to spend more on fertilizers and agrochemicals, and hire extra labor to protect the cilantro from pests. These conditions have led some Puebla producers to opt not to plant the herb this summer.
In the state of Hidalgo, another top cilantro producer, extended drought has stunted production. Extreme heat has also made the crop less robust, and unable to withstand transportation to supply centers.
Mexico is fast developing good working rights for transgender people. What is being done to uphold dignity in the workplace? (Andrea Murcia/Cuartoscuro)
The first major protections for LGBTQ+ people in the workplace in Mexico came in 2016, thanks to a program called Mejores Lugares para Trabajar LGBTQ+ (Better Workplaces for LGBTQ+). This initiative was founded by the Washington D.C. based Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC). But what rights are available to transgender employees in the workplace today?
To determine whether a company is LGBTQ+ friendly, HRC evaluates three aspects. The first is the adoption of non-discrimination policies. The second is the creation of employee groups or councils that work internally on diversity and inclusion. Thirdly, companies are required to participate in public activities to support LGBTQ+ inclusion.
Trans rights are developing in Mexico, but there is still some way to go to ensure equality in the country. (Mari Vlassi/Unsplash)
The 2023 edition introduced a requirement for training and skills development strategies for LGBTQ+ inclusion with an LGBTQ+ perspective for entry-level personnel, programs for leadership personnel and on an ongoing awareness training for all personnel.
After seven years of the program, the results of the 2024 index show overwhelming improvement. Three hundred and five employers are already participating, with a workforce of more than 1.5 million people across the country.
Since 2022, non-binary gender identities have become legal for ID cards and passports. These are now administrative processes before the civil registry in some states, although these are not yet available at a federal level. This recognition has meant that companies are now making efforts to accommodate the gender identities of their workers.
Workplace issues facing transgender people
According to the National Survey on Sexual and Gender Diversity (Endiseg), more than 908,000 Mexicans identified as transgender. Of these, around 520,000 are trans men, with the remainder trans women.
“The likelihood of suffering some type of violence in the workplace is higher if people self-identify with an orientation or are higher if people self-identify as having a non-normative orientation or identity,” according to the Monthly Report on the Behavior of the Economy, June 2023, from National Commission on Minimum Wages (Conasami). Those who belong to the LGBT+ population are between 5 and 19% more likely to be denied a job. Trans women are the most affected, “with a probability of 18.8%,” the report states.
The questions asked by the “Best Places to Work LGBTQ+”program
The 2025 edition includes in its questions key issues to accompany trans, queer and non-binary talent in workspaces. Businesses will be asked to demonstrate progress within the company in several ways:
To show that their human resources systems have at least three sex or gender options.
Whether there are internal surveys, questionnaires or internal measurement systems allowing employees to self identify and accurately express their sexual orientation and gender identity.
Morganna Love is a Mexican trans woman, actress and singer. Trans visibility is increasing in Mexico, with accommodations being made for those who identify outside the traditional gender binary. (Facebook)
To provide a legal protocol for the recognition of a change of name or gender of a person and to ensure that they do not lose any benefits accrued under their previous name and contract.
Provide policies to promote the use of preferred names and pronouns. Companies must also accommodate bathroom and dressing room choices and dress codes that accommodate all workers.
If you want to learn more about the HRC Equidad MX 2024 Report, you can find it here.
What do you think of the employment challenges experienced by trans people in Mexico?
Camila Sánchez Bolaño is a journalist, feminist, bookseller, lecturer, and cultural promoter and is Editor in Chief of Newsweek en Español magazine.
Ecotourism in Mexico is an experience unlike any other, thanks to the stunning natural beauty and diversity of the country. (Linda Meisinger/Unsplash)
Ecotourism is a form of travel that focuses on minimizing environmental impact and maximizing benefits for local communities and nature conservation. This approach seeks to reduce the ecological footprint of travel by choosing sustainable options, such as low-impact transportation, eco-friendly accommodations, activities that respect the natural environment, and support for local initiatives that promote conservation and sustainable development. Mexico has many destinations ideal for ecotourism thanks to its bountiful nature.
Here are some of the best places in Mexico if you want to travel sustainably:
Chiapas
Cascadas de Agua Azul, Chiapas. (Lorraine Mojica/Unsplash)
Located in southeastern Mexico, Chiapas is a treasure trove of biodiversity, culture, and breathtaking landscapes. With its lush tropical jungle, majestic waterfalls, ancient Mayan ruins, and vibrant indigenous culture.
Nature: Chiapas is home to one of Mexico’s most biodiverse tropical forests. Travelers can immerse themselves in pristine nature while exploring national parks and biosphere reserves. One of the highlights is the Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve, which hosts an impressive variety of flora and fauna, including jaguars, tapirs, howler monkeys, and many birds. Waterfalls like Agua Azul, Misol-Ha, and Cascadas de Roberto Barrios offer spectacular waterfalls surrounded by vegetation, ideal for swimming, hiking, and enjoying the natural beauty.
Culture: Chiapas is home to vibrant indigenous cultures, where ancestral traditions intertwine with daily life. Travelers can visit the villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán, where they will witness ancient religious practices and traditional crafts. Palenque, with its huge temples and palaces surrounded by jungle, is one of Mexico’s most impressive archaeological sites. Other sites like Bonampak and Yaxchilán offer the opportunity to explore remote ruins amidst nature.
Eco-friendly Accommodation:
Hotel Chan-Kah Resort Village: Located in Palenque, near the famous Mayan ruins. It combines luxury with sustainability, offering comfortable and environmentally friendly rooms. They also offer jungle excursions to explore the local flora and fauna.
Hotel Maya Tulipanes, Montes Azules biosphere. (Facebook)
Eco Hotel Maya Tulipanes: Located in the Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve, the rooms are built in harmony with the environment and offer stunning jungle views. The hotel organizes bird-watching, kayaking, and guided hikes.
EcolodgeLas Nubes: In the community of Tziscao, near the Guatemalan border. Its rustic cabins overlook the lake and the surrounding mountains. The hotel is committed to conserving the natural environment and offers activities such as boat rides, hiking, and visits to local communities.
Oaxaca
Located on the Pacific coast, Oaxaca is one of Mexico’s most iconic states. With its varied geography, pristine beaches, mountains, valleys, and forests, it offers a unique experience for travelers seeking to explore eco-consciously.
Nature: On the coast, places like Puerto Escondido and Mazunte offer pristine beaches and opportunities for surfing, diving, and whale watching. In the state’s interior, the Sierra Norte de Oaxaca is a paradise for travelers interested in exploring fog forests, spectacular waterfalls, and indigenous communities that preserve ancestral traditions. Destinations such as Hierve el Agua, Sierra Juárez, and the ecological community of Benito Juárez offer unique natural experiences.
Mazunte, Oaxaca. (Amauri Mejia/Unsplash)
Culture: In cities like Oaxaca de Juárez and Ocotlán de Morelos, travelers can explore colorful markets where local products such as textiles, ceramics, mezcal, and traditional food are sold. Ancient Zapotec and Mixtec ruins are another major attraction; sites like Monte Albán, Mitla, and Yagul offer the opportunity to explore the region’s archaeological legacy and learn about the indigenous cultures that flourished here centuries ago.
Eco-friendly Accommodation:
Celeste del Mar: Located in Mazunte, this eco-hotel offers peace and relaxation experience by the sea. The rooms are built with local and environmentally friendly materials, and the hotel has a restaurant serving organic and seasonal food.
Mixtli Ecohouse Zipolite: Located on Zipolite beach, these eco-friendly cabins offer simple and comfortable accommodation in harmony with nature. The hotel also promotes sustainable practices, such as using renewable energy and water conservation.
Santa Catarina Lachatao: Located in the Sierra Norte de Oaxaca, this eco-lodge offers a unique chance to commune with nature. The cabins are built with panoramic views of the mountains. They also offers hiking, bird-watching, and craft workshops with the local community.
Quintana Roo
Sian Ka’an biosphere reserve. (Tom Robak/Unsplash)
Located on the Yucatán Peninsula, it is known for its stunning white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and coral reefs. However, beyond its popular tourist destinations like Cancun and Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo also offers a variety of opportunities for eco-conscious tourism, where travelers can enjoy the natural beauty of the region responsibly and sustainably.
Nature: Quintana Roo is home to a great marine biodiversity, with coral reefs, mangroves, and protected areas that are home to a variety of marine species. One of the main destinations for eco-conscious tourism is the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, a vast and pristine ecosystem that includes jungles, mangroves, lagoons, and coral reefs. Here, visitors can participate in guided tours to observe birds and manatees, kayak in the mangroves, and snorkel in protected reefs.
The beaches of Quintana Roo are an important nesting site for sea turtles, including species such as the green turtle and the loggerhead turtle. Several local organizations work on conserving these species, protecting nests, educating the community, and offering volunteer programs for travelers interested in contributing.
Eco-tourism in Marine Reserves: Places like the Banco Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve and the Xcalak Reef National Park are popular destinations for diving and snorkeling, where visitors can explore coral reefs and observe an incredible variety of marine life.
Reserva de la Biosfera Banco Chinchorro. (Gobierno de México)
Eco-friendly Accommodation:
Azulik: Located in Tulum, this eco-luxury wellness retreat combines unique architecture with a focus on sustainability and well-being. The resort is built in harmony with nature and offers villas and cabins with stunning views of the Caribbean Sea. They promote environmental conservation and offer unique experiences, such as dinners under the stars and natural spa treatments.
Hotel Esencia: This boutique hotel is located in Xpu-Ha, between Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Esencia offers a luxury experience alongside a respect for nature. The hotel is surrounded by tropical gardens and pristine beaches and offers comfortable rooms with sea or garden views. They also promote sustainable practices, such as water and energy conservation.
Hotel Cielo y Selva: Located in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, this glamping offers a unique chance to get up close with the wild side of Mexico. Their tents are built with natural materials and equipped with modern amenities. The camp promotes environmental conservation and offers hiking, kayaking, and bird-watching activities.
Baja California Sur
Todos Santos, Baja California Sur. (Nick Dunlap/Unsplash)
Located at the southern end of the Baja California Peninsula, it is an iconic destination offering a unique combination of natural beauty, marine biodiversity, and local culture. Its stunning desert landscapes, pristine beaches, and crystal-clear waters make it an ideal destination for eco-conscious tourism, where travelers can enjoy nature responsibly and contribute to its conservation.
Nature: This is one of the world’s best destinations for marine life. Places like the Upper Gulf of California, Colorado River Delta Biosphere Reserve, and the Revillagigedo Archipelago Biosphere Reserve offer unique opportunities to observe whales, dolphins, manta rays, whale sharks, and other marine species in their natural habitat. Regional tour operators are committed to sustainable wildlife-watching practices that protect animals and their environments.
Baja California Sur boasts a wealth of pristine beaches and protected areas that offer opportunities for eco-conscious tourism. Places like Cabo Pulmo, a marine reserve that hosts the oldest coral reef in North America, and Espíritu Santo Island, a paradise of deserted beaches and crystal-clear waters, are popular destinations for ecotourism. Here, visitors can enjoy activities such as diving, snorkeling, kayaking, and hiking while contributing to environmental conservation.
Culture: Towns like Loreto, Todos Santos, and La Paz offer the opportunity to explore local culture, gastronomy, and traditions. Many local communities are involved in tourism initiatives promoting sustainable development and preserving local culture and heritage.
Eco-friendly Accommodation:
White Lodge Baja: Located in Los Cabos, this eco-luxury wellness retreat features an on-site spa and 10 private cottages built in total harmony with nature. It’s 45 minutes from the Historic Center of San Jose del Cabo.
Hotel Baja Club: This historic mansion-turned-hotel in La Paz is now one of the most luxurious properties in La Paz. Its architect, Max von Werz, is a fervent advocate of sustainable architecture. In fact, his team rescued original timber beams and restored as much of the original materials as possible to create this beautiful hotel. The property’s onsite Greek restaurant also serves sustainable seafood.
Camp Cecil de la Sierra: In the quiet town of Todos Santos, this luxury tent camp offers glamping on a local ranch in the Sierra Laguna Mountains. In addition to gorgeous views, guests can enjoy homemade food, cultural immersion, and organized tours around the local reserve.
Traveling responsibly in Mexico is possible in protected areas where eco-tourism is ingrained in local policy and culture and everywhere we go. As travelers, we have the opportunity — and obligation — to ensure our impact is positive in our destinations. This is especially important when visiting places not officially designated as protected.
Camila Sánchez Bolaño is a journalist, feminist, bookseller, lecturer, and cultural promoter and is Editor in Chief of Newsweek en Español magazine.
