Military-run low-cost airline Mexicana flew 200 flights over the holiday period, and expects to operate almost 450 in January. (Omar Martínez/Cuartoscuro)
Deputy Defense Minister General Leonardo Ávila Bojorquez has reported that the military-operated Mexicana de Aviación airline has successfully completed 220 flights in the 14 days since its inauguration on Dec. 26.
The average number of daily flights was 16, and Ávila estimates Mexicana will operate 448 flights in the month of January.
General Ávila Bojórquez told reporters that the airline projected major growth in 2024, having received almost 15,000 bookings so far. (Galo Cañas)
To give some context, Volaris had an average of 477 daily flights in November 2023, and Aeroméxico operated 548 per day during the same period.
Speaking at President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s morning press conference on Tuesday, Ávila said that Mexicana had transported 7,829 passengers since it was inaugurated.
Tulum was the most popular destination for Mexicana passengers during the first two weeks of service, followed by Tijuana and Mérida.
The airline is based out of the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) in Mexico City and the new Tulum International Airport.
Ávila reported that flights to Tulum have received the most bookings so far with 2,676 through June. The second most-popuar destination is Mazatlán with 1,673 reservations, followed by Mérida with 1,493.
“User response has been satisfactory, reflected in the 14,162 reservations made on the official mexicana.gob.mx website, through June of this year,” he said, adding that “82% of passengers surveyed who have flown with Mexicana would recommend traveling with the airline.”
But for one traveler, the experience with Mexicana was less than smooth: YouTuber Jorge de León reported that he was the only passenger on a recent Mexicana flight to Tamaulipas, after being given what appeared to be a handwritten boarding card.
His return flight was canceled, though a later replacement flight saw around a dozen passengers travel from Ciudad Victoria to Mexico City.
The airline is based at the new Felipe Ángeles International Airport, near Mexico City. (Gob MX)
The airline has promised to offer tickets at lower rates than competitors and launched several promotions to encourage sales last week.
Once the country’s flagship airline, the government acquired the Mexicana brand of the defunct company in August last year.
Jorge Álvarez Máynez (fourth from left) is the youngest candidate in the 2024 presidential race at age 38. (Dante Delgado/X)
Jorge Álvarez Máynez, a 38-year-old federal deputy, will enter the 2024 presidential race as the candidate for the Citizens Movement (MC) party.
Nuevo León Governor Samuel García — who took leave as governor to represent MC at the presidential election but pulled out of the race amid political turmoil in his home state — announced Tuesday that he was passing the “baton” to Álvarez, who he said was a “very good candidate” and “the most orange of all us.”
Jorge Álvarez Máynez (right) said it was a “great honor” to be selected. (Daniel Augusto/Cuartoscuro)
Orange is the political color of MC, a center-left party that is currently in power in Nuevo León and Jalisco.
Senator Dante Delgado, the party’s founder and national leader, said in a statement that a proposal to have Álvarez as the MC “pre-candidate” was presented at a party meeting on Tuesday.
He said that the official registration of the lawmaker as the MC “pre-candidate” — a designation presidential hopefuls are required to use until the official campaign period starts in March — would take place in Mexico City at midday on Wednesday.
It appears that Álvarez, MC’s leader in the Chamber of Deputies, will be the sole pre-candidate for the party, ensuring that his name will be on June 2 presidential election ballots along with those of ruling Morena party candidate Claudia Sheinbaum, the clear frontrunner, and Xóchitl Gálvez, who will represent the three-party opposition bloc Strength and Heart for Mexico.
Morena’s Claudia Sheinbaum and opposition coalition candidate Xóchitl Gálvez are the two women in the 2024 race. (MND)
Appearing alongside García and the governor’s wife Mariana Rodríguez in a video posted to social media, Álvarez said it was a “great honor” to receive the candidacy “baton” and declared that Mexico needs a “different option, a third alternative to the old politics.”
“… We can achieve this new Mexico that Samuel, in Nuevo León, has shown is possible, that has been shown is possible in Jalisco,” said the Zacatecas native who previously served as a deputy and municipal councilor in that state.
García said that the announcement of Álvarez as the MC candidate is “excellent news for Nuevo León, for Mexico and especially for young people who are the majority in this country.”
Referring to Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) and National Action Party (PAN) politicians, the governor asserted that “the dreamers from the old … [regime] believed we were going to be left without a candidate, … that millions of young people would be left without a fresh and forward-looking option.”
“Well, they’re wrong because Samuel was the pre-candidate but there are millions of us in this team, in this community that wants something new,” García said.
Álvarez asserted that the PRI — which was most recently in power between 2012 and 2018 when Enrique Peña Nieto was president, and which backed his candidacy at the 2010 state election in Zacatecas — and the PAN, which was in office between 2006 and 2012 with Felipe Calderón as president, are “more fried than the eggs with machaca we had for breakfast.”
That García announced Álvarez as the MC presidential hopeful is indicative of both the central role the governor plays in the party, and the reach he and his wife have on social media.
The 36-year-old Monterrey native and Rodríguez, who is aiming to become mayor of the Nuevo León capital, collectively have 5.5 million followers on Instagram — their favorite social media platform — alone.
Samuel García with his wife Mariana Rodríguez and daughter Mariel. The governor has ridden his wife’s online popularity to significant political success in the northern state. (Samuel García/X)
García’s victory in the 2021 gubernatorial election in Nuevo León was largely attributed to the online campaigning of his social media influencer wife. Rodríguez, who is significantly more popular on social media than her husband, and García are now set to use their social media clout in support of Álvarez’s bid to become Mexico’s next president.
However, his chances of becoming president currently appear to be very slim if not non-existent, with polls showing that Sheinbaum is the clear favorite.
The results of a poll published in December showed that the former Mexico City mayor had 61.4% support among respondents who nominated a preference among presidential candidates, well ahead of Gálvez on 30.9% and an at-the-time undecided MC candidate on 7.7%.
On Wednesday morning, President López Obrador said he was pleased that MC now has a candidate and stressed that Álvarez “has every right to participate” in the upcoming presidential election.
“It’s legal, all Mexicans have the right to participate [in elections],” he added.
Citlalli Hernández, Morena’s secretary general, also acknowledged the announcement that Álvarez would represent MC on June 2.
“No one denies that they’re good at social media marketing, but we also recognize that they’re a joke,” she wrote on the X social media platform, referring to García and Rodríguez.
“And I thought there wouldn’t be any presidential candidate from the @PRI_Nacional in this election,” added Hernández, who ended her post with a speak-no-evil monkey emoji.
The PRI — whose name is considered a byword for corruption by many Mexicans — ruled Mexico for most of the 20th century, but its influence in federal politics is now greatly diminished, and the party currently governs just two of Mexico’s 32 federal entities after Morena prevailed in the 2023 gubernatorial election in México state.
The beaches of Mazatlán got a special mention on this year's list. (Jacobo Tafoya/Unsplash)
Riding the Maya Train, observing monarch butterflies and viewing the upcoming total solar eclipse are three great reasons to visit Mexico in 2024, according to the New York Times.
“A new train makes remote sites more accessible,” the newspaper said, noting that the 1,554-kilometer-long railroad “will connect popular destinations on the Yucatán Peninsula – including beachy Cancún, historical Mérida and the Maya ruins of Chichén Itzá – to more distant sites, like Calakmul, a once powerful and still relatively intact Maya city near the Guatemalan border, and Palenque, gateway to the famous archaeological park in Chiapas state.”
The Times acknowledged criticism of the US $20 billion government-funded project on environmental grounds, but also noted that “it is hoped that the service will benefit less-touristy destinations like the gulf port town of Campeche, a UNESCO World Heritage site.”
“… Intended to bring jobs and investment and spread tourism beyond Mexico’s Caribbean beaches, the train will eventually ring the peninsula, traversing five states over nearly 1,000 miles of track and connecting directly with the new airport in Tulum.”
“As many as a billion monarch butterflies overwinter every year in this green forest of fir, juniper and pine trees in Central Mexico,” the newspaper said.
The best time to visit the monarch reserve in Michoacán is November through March, when the butterflies arrive. (Shiebi Al/Unsplash)
“After decades of falling population numbers, the beloved black, orange and white insect was classified as endangered in 2022 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.”
The Times noted that the 139,000-acre reserve (56,259 hectares) has six sites where visitors can “hike into the forest and see the clusters of butterflies perched high in the tree canopy.”
Among them is the well-known Rosario Sanctuary, “near the historic mining town of Angangueo, with quaint hotels.”
The Times recommended visiting one of the sanctuaries midweek, when they are “less crowded and less noisy, so you may be able to not only see the butterflies, but also hear their collective flutter.”
The overwintering season of the monarchs – which migrate to Mexico every year from the United States and Canada – runs from November to March.
Want more information about butterfly-watching in Mexico?
The next solar eclipse to reach totality over Mexico will be visible from the beaches of Mazatlán on April 8, 2024. (Rashide Frias/Cuartoscuro)
The beaches of Mazatlán
The beaches of the Sinaloa resort city were mentioned in the very first entry in the Times’ “52 places to go in 2024” list: “The path of totality, North America.”
“From the beaches of Mazatlán, Mexico, to the rugged coves of Maberly, Newfoundland, the sky will be the stage on April 8 as a total solar eclipse sweeps across North America. This year, the moon will be near its closest point to Earth, resulting in an unusually wide swath and long-lasting totality,” the newspaper said.
“Mexico, Canada and 13 U.S. states will greet the darkness with celebrations. The Portal Eclipse Festival in Mazatlán promises ‘spiritual growth’ through D.J.s, yoga and more.”
Read more about viewing the solar eclipse from Mazatlán in this MND article.
The number of Mexican destinations on this year’s New York Times (excluding the beaches of Mazatlán) list doubled this year. Guadalajara was the only Mexican inclusion in 2023.
Among the other destinations on the 2024 list are Paris, host of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games; Maui, the Hawaiian island that was devastated by wildfires last year; and El Salvador, where the “security situation has drastically improved.”
With a record number of U.S. CBP border encounters in December, the Biden administration is applying more pressure to the Mexican government. But what does AMLO want in return? (Cuartoscuro)
Are Mexico and the United States heading toward some kind of broad-based quid pro quo that will help reduce the number of migrants arriving at the Mexico-U.S. border?
Both sides want something from the other — that is clear — but it remains to be seen whether they can reach a substantive deal. An answer just might come before the end of the month.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection processed more than 300,000 migrants at the Mexican border in December. (CBP/X)
United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) processed a record high of over 300,000 migrants at the U.S. southern border in December, after encountering an all-time high of almost 2.5 million in fiscal year 2023, which concluded in September.
With the United States presidential election less than 10 months away, it’s not surprising that the Biden administration is pushing for the Mexican government to do more to slow the flow of migrants to the 3,145-kilometer-long Mexico-U.S. border.
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador — whose non-extendable six year term will end Oct. 1 — appears prepared to ramp up Mexico’s efforts to stem migration, but not without getting something in exchange from the United States, a country he believes is partially responsible for the exodus of people from other Western Hemisphere nations.
What does the United States want from Mexico?
President Biden needs migration numbers to go down as he seeks to be elected to another term this year. (López Obrador/X)
After speaking with three unnamed United States officials including one described as “a senior Biden administration official,” NBC News reported Monday that the U.S. government “needs Mexico to let it push more non-Mexican immigrants back across the U.S. southern border” in order to bring migrant numbers down.
Both the Trump and Biden administrations used the Title 42 public health order to return migrants to Mexico without an asylum screening. While that policy was in effect, Mexico accepted the return of over 1 million migrants per year during three consecutive years between 2020 and 2022.
The policy ended last May, and Mexico is now only officially willing to take back 30,000 migrants per month — just 10% of the number processed by CBP in December.
United States negotiators, NBC reported, “also want Mexico to step up enforcement on its southern border with Guatemala and deport more migrants who are apprehended within the country.”
With broad support from Republican Party lawmakers, the United States House of Representatives approved a bill last May that “would effectively end access to asylum at the border,” according to a Reuters support.
The bill — officially called the Secure the Border Act of 2023 — has not been voted on in the Democrat-led Senate, where it would almost certainly be rejected.
NBC reported Monday that “negotiations over border security measures between Republicans and Democrats continue into their second month with no clear breakthrough.”
What does Mexico want from the United States?
At his morning press conference last Friday, President López Obrador (AMLO) outlined four “measures” he would like the United States government to take.
The Mexican government outlined large-scale measures to reduce migration from Latin America and the Caribbean to the U.S. (Graciela López/Cuartoscuro)
Allocate US $20 billion in funding to countries in Latin America and the Caribbean over an unspecified period of time.
The United States Congress should “approve a plan of cooperation for development and well-being,” López Obrador said, adding that the aim of such an initiative would be to address the structural causes of migration — things such as poverty, violence and lack of opportunity.
He has previously urged Biden to champion “a new policy of economic and social integration on our continent,” like the Alliance for Progress development plan of the 1960s, an initiative of former U.S. president John F. Kennedy.
2. Regularize the migratory situation of “at least 10 million Hispanics” who have “worked honorably” in the United States for more than 10 years.
AMLO has praised the U.S. government for opening up new migration pathways for citizens of some Western Hemisphere countries, but believes the Biden administration should also issue visas to Mexicans who have lived and worked in the U.S. for extended periods.
In November, he emphasized the importance of regularizing the status of Mexican migrants in the U.S. — who he often describes as “heroes” in recognition of the large sums of money they send home — due to the “anti-immigrant attitudes” of some state governors, such as Greg Abbott of Texas and Ron DeSantis of Florida.
3. Suspend the embargo against Cuba and commence bilateral talks with the Cuban government.
“What danger can Cuba or any other country represent to the United States? How can the people [of a country] be sacrificed for political and ideological interests? Can’t there be dialogue? Can’t there be understanding? Can’t there be a relationship of respect?”
4. Remove all sanctions on Venezuela.
Venezuela is currently one of the largest source countries of migrants to the United States.
Venezuela’s economy is in shambles, and is one of the largest sources of migrants to the United States. (Damián Sánchez/Cuartoscuro)
Removing U.S. sanctions on the once-prosperous but currently poverty-stricken South American nation would “go to the heart” of addressing the cause of migration in Venezuela, he said.
The latter two proposed “measures” are reminiscent of one of 13 points agreed to by the countries in attendance at a regional migration summit hosted by López Obrador in Palenque, Chiapas, last October.
The governments of 10 countries, including those of Mexico, Venezuela, Cuba and Colombia, urged the removal of “unilateral coercive measures imposed on countries of the region” given that “they are contrary to international law and have serious repercussions beyond the target countries.”
How willing are Mexico and the United States to do what the other party wants?
López Obrador said Friday that Mexico and other countries in the region, including the United States, “can work together” on the migration issue and are already doing so.
He said in late December that Mexico and the United States reached “important agreements” at a migration-focused meeting in Mexico City, one of which was apparently to keep ports of entry on the Mexico-U.S. border open.
The repeated closure of border crossings has had a negative effect on commerce on both sides of the border. (Omar Martínez/Cuartoscuro)
According to Mexican and U.S. officials who spoke to NBC, the Mexico City talks — involving López Obrador, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and others — were “preliminary” and no hard promises were made. Another migration-focused bilateral meeting is expected to be held in Washington later this month.
An unidentified Mexican official told NBC that Mexico is willing to help the United States by increasing enforcement against migrants.
In 2019, the Mexican government deployed the National Guard to detain migrants as part of a deal with the U.S. government to stave off tariffs former president Trump threatened to impose on Mexican imports. It has continued to use the National Guard to arrest migrants, although enforcement has varied at different times during López Obrador’s presidency.
In exchange for increased cooperation with the United States — which would also include deporting more Venezuelans — officials told NBC that Mexico wants more financial aid from the U.S. to police its southern and northern borders.
There is some evidence that Mexico has already ramped up enforcement against migrants.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Monday that the number of migrant crossing into the U.S. at Eagle Pass, Texas, had recently declined, and declared that the U.S. government was “grateful for Mexico’s renewed enforcement commitments to address the movement of people north.”
He also said the U.S. “immigration system is outdated and broken and in need of reform.”
Mexican plans to overhaul migration policies in the region have been described as “very ambitious” by U.S. counterparts. (Cuartoscuro)
The senior Biden administration official who spoke to NBC said that the four measures outlined by AMLO constitute “a very ambitious agenda.”
“For some of these things, we would need Congress to act. We share the vision that we need to lift up the region,” the official said.
Both U.S. and Mexican officials said that “Mexico brings significant leverage to the negotiations” set to take place in Washington later in the month, according to NBC.
“López Obrador’s administration would prefer that President Joe Biden win re-election in November, given Donald Trump’s rhetoric and actions during his time in office. But Biden is quickly running out of options to fix a problem that is driving down his poll numbers without increased support from Mexico,” NBC reported, citing three U.S. officials.
Will a solution, or some semblance of one, be found in the U.S. capital later this month?
Immigration as a political issue in the United States
“Immigration has been a flashpoint of the U.S. political debate for decades,” the Council on Foreign Relations said in the lead-up to the 2020 presidential election in the United States.
There is no doubt that it will also be a major issue in the lead-up to the election on Nov. 5.
Immigration is at the forefront of the political conversation leading into the 2024 election, with firebrands such as Texas Governor Greg Abbott pursuing a hardline policy. (Greg Abbott/X)
“Immigration has become one of the cornerstone issues of the 2024 campaign as GOP presidential hopefuls try to stand out as the toughest” on the issue, NPR said in a recent report.
In one extreme example, Trump said last month that “undocumented immigrants were ‘poisoning the blood of our country,’ repeating language that has previously drawn criticism as xenophobic and echoing of Nazi rhetoric,” Reuters reported.
Democrats see immigration as an issue that poses a threat to Biden’s chances of winning a second term in the White House. Hence, the urgent need to get Mexico to ramp up enforcement against migrants.
“[President Biden] is definitely hoping that Mexico will do something that pushes the numbers down for a few months at least,” said Adam Isacson, director for defense oversight at the Washington Office on Latin America.
Quoted in a recent report by The Hill, Isacson said that addressing the root causes of migration — as López Obrador advocates — is “a long-term solution” and “not going to do anything really between now and, say, 2028 at the very earliest.”
U.S. Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio gave an interview to Fox News about López Obrador’s requests. (Screen capture)
Another Republican, Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio, responded to the four proposed U.S. measures outline by López Obrador last Friday.
“What is he now? The president of Mexico is a member of Congress? For goodness’ [sake],” Jordan said in an interview with Fox News.
“What a contrast. President Trump told Mexico you either help us with this Remain in Mexico policy … or we’ll put tariffs [on Mexican imports]. … So he was the one dictating how this was going to work, and now we have the president of Mexico telling the Biden administration [what to do]. I mean what a contrast,” he said.
“… We’re on pace in the Biden administration to go to 12 million migrants coming into the country,” Jordan said without saying where that figure came from.
“That’s the equivalent of the entire population of Ohio, … that’s how big this problem is and now we have the president of Mexico acting like he’s a member of the United States Congress for goodness’ sake,” he said.
The camera traps identified coyotes, foxes, lynxes and other wildlife in the Mexico City Desierto de Leones national park. (Sedema)
Since the Mexico City Environment Ministry (Sedema) installed camera traps in the Desierto de los Leones National Park in July 2021, several new species have been recorded that were not previously known to inhabit the area.
In total, there have been 2,501 sightings of different fauna species since the cameras were first installed, of 34 different mammal and bird species.
The Desierto de los Leones national park is located on the westernmost edge of Mexico City and is home to nature trails and a convent, which was abandoned in the 19th century. (Sedema)
Environment Minister Marina Robles told El Universal newspaper that the sightings indicate a “healthy environment” because the camera traps have spotted predators from the top of the food chain, which require “a … robust and abundant food chain to exist.” She added that “the fact we have an increased presence of these predators, such as the American lynx, the gray fox, the coyote … shows us that we have an increasingly healthy food chain.”
Camera traps are specialized and non-invasive tools that help determine the conservation status of species, and generate a diagnosis of the current fauna in the area of study.
From July 23, 2021 to Oct. 26, 2023, camera traps recorded 109 American lynxes, 44 coyotes, 129 white-tailed deer, one nine-banded armadillo and 69 gray foxes.
The gray fox was not previously known to be resident in the national park and has now been included in conservation plans.
A white-nosed coati, seen in this camera trap footage from the park.
The cameras also recorded a species never before reported in the Desierto de los Leones: the white-nosed coati, which usually lives in temperate and tropical forest habitats.
As part of the Biodiversity Monitoring Program in Mexico City, Sedema also installed five cameras in the Insurgente Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla National Park last summer.
This park, popularly known as La Marquesa, has since recorded sightings of wild rabbit, northern cacomixtle and red-bellied squirrel between July and October.
According to Sedema, the objective is to install 11 cameras, covering 525,048 hectares of the park. Installing specialized equipment in Mexico City’s Protected Natural Areas enables biodiversity monitoring used to implement conservation strategies.
Together with Dr. Roberto Galaso Trujillo (Freepik)
Interest in plastic surgery shows no signs of slowing down, and it’s fueling a boom in medical tourism. Many consider “is medical tourism safe in Mexico?” and “how much does plastic surgery cost in Mexico?” as they search for a cosmetic surgeon forthat “mommy makeover,” tummy tuck, or breast augmentation that is safe, affordable, and of the highest standard. We met Dr. Roberto Galaso Trujillo from the prestigious ABC Medical Center in Mexico City, who told us what you need to know to feel confident getting plastic surgery in Mexico.
A common concern is knowing what education, training, and experience you should look for to find the best plastic surgeon in Mexico for you.
“In Mexico, you have to train in general surgery for three years in order to become a plastic surgeon”, says Dr. Roberto Galaso, a smart, young, professional surgeon who runs his cosmetic and plastic surgery practice out ofABC Medical Center, CDMX, one of the most esteemed hospitals in the country. He furthered his studies in reconstructive and plastic surgery for 4 years at the Hospital Dr. Manuel Gea González, considered one of best in Latin America, under the mentorship of Dr. Fernando Ortiz Monasterio. Ortiz is himself a renowned surgeon and the first to perform cleft palate surgery and other craniofacial malformations successfully. “I also learned how to perform breast augmentation and aesthetic surgery with this doctor and witnessed the flood of international patients.” It is highly competitive to be accepted into.
After completing his 7-year training, Dr. Galaso traveled to the U.S., Turkey, Spain and Colombia to improve his expertise in breast surgery and liposculpture, which has become his specialty. In addition to training, Mexico requires a doctor’s thesis to be validated by top surgeons. Alongside this critical training – necessary for safe and successful outcomes – Dr. Galaso went on to receive his board certification from theAmerican Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery(ISAPS).
When exploring your options for medical tourism, researching a doctor’s training thoroughly is imperative. Double-check that a doctor is certified to practice in Mexico, like Dr. Galaso.
Renowned Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Galaso.
Is plastic surgery in Mexico safe?
Dr. Galaso tells us that attending the professional international conference circuit helps him keep abreast of the latest information and technology from other experts, as well as being able to contribute his own advancements.
Last year, at the gathering of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons, aka “The Meeting”, he presented on rhinoplasty. This year’s meeting will be held in Austin in late October. He already attended the International Society of Aesthetic Surgeons conference that took place in Athens, Greece.
“And the year before that, I gave a presentation in Seoul about reconstructive jaw surgery. It’s very common to have malformations [congenital birth defects] in Mexico”. Next year in February, he will attendIMCAS – “the congress” – the most important annual gathering of aesthetic and plastic surgeons and dermatologists, to be held in Paris. “The truth is, aestheticians in Mexico have been known to administer procedures that should be done by plastic surgeons, so it’s really important to work with a board-certified doctor that absolutely knows what they’re doing,” he tells me.
Plastic surgery in Mexico vs USA: Under the right care, as safe and effective, and easier on the wallet
A common question for prospective patients is “how much does plastic surgery cost in Mexico?” as you consider where the best place is for the procedure you’re looking for. “So many people were traveling to Colombia from the US and Mexico for body contouring. It was an overlooked niche that I felt qualified to offer in Mexico.” Now, about 20% of his patients are coming from America, and of course, it’s far less expensive than in the US. The cost for a liposuction procedure, and other procedures, in Mexico is typically 20% less than the same treatment in the US, depending on the patient and personal requirements for the procedure, according to data search on Treatment Abroad.
You can benefit from the exchange rate and cost of living, but Dr. Galaso recommends not searching for a deal when researching plastic surgery in Mexico. “We offer plastic surgery packages in Mexico for international patients,” he tells me. “You’re paying a bit more, but still a lot less than in the US, for the hospital environment and the additional services.”
Why choose a hospital for cosmetic or plastic surgery in Mexico City?
While considering where to get plastic surgery in Mexico, there are many factors to consider: “You need rigorous health checks, and I am careful to say yes to a patient, ” Dr. Galaso states. Naturally, peace of mind around your procedure is of utmost importance, and the environment you choose will be key. For the last four years, Dr. Galaso is proud to have been granted space for his surgery and office at ABC Medical Center, one of the most respected hospitals in Mexico. In order to practice there, a committee has to validate the doctor’s seven-year training results, and it’s a requirement to have five published peer-reviewed medical articles. Every two years, doctors will go through a further review process.
What are popular plastic surgery procedures?
Trending right now isDr. Galaso’s specialty surgery, “body contouring,” commonly known as the “Mommy makeover.” “It’s very popular,” he tells me. But not just for moms; women who feel unhappy about having loose or lax skin are investing in this procedure for impressive and delightful results. “Tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty (aka ‘the corset waist’) and breast lifts are really popular right now, as well as breast reduction and shaping.” The majority of his patients are Mexican, but he’s now seeing a rise in international clients, especially from the US.
“I’m finding men are currently looking for liposuction and facial reconstruction, like rhinoplasty. They want to look well-formed and strong, often with a six-pack!”
How does medical tourism work? What to expect before your plastic or cosmetic surgery in Mexico
Patients often don’t have a lot of time to spare when they travel to Mexico for a plastic surgery package, and often wonder when it is safe to fly after plastic surgery. “We have expert protocols around pre-operative care and post-operative recovery. We usually need 2 weeks maximum to feel confident sending patients home”, Dr. Galaso says. The International Plastic Surgery Program by Dr. Galaso offers a VIP package, where clients can stay at thenearby St Regis hotel, which includes chauffeur service from the airport to the hotel, a 24/7 butler, meals for all types of dietary requirements, nurses, therapists and follow-up appointments with Dr. Galaso. The regular package offers standard rooms at the Hyatt House hotel, which connects via a bridge to the ABC Medical Center. Transport, meals, and after are included. The only additional patient expense is the plane fare. Dr. Galaso’s team of therapists and nurses provide daily follow-up care and are mostly bilingual, and Dr. Galaso is on call and close by for any questions or needs.
He reiterates the importance of the preoperative process and much communication with the patient’s doctor, garnering a thorough preoperative analysis through examination of all medical reports. A patient typically arrives for surgery with Dr. Galaso two days prior.
Is plastic surgery in Mexico right for me?
If you’re serious about that surgery you’ve been thinking about and researching, a 2-week trip for plastic surgery in Mexico City will get you access to the cutting-edge techniques available to plastic surgeons today, as well as Dr. Galaso’s commitment to professional ethics. Far more cost-effective than the same procedure in the US, his work can change the way you see yourself.
This article is sponsored by Dr. Roberto Galaso Trujillo, an accomplished Board Certified Plastic, Aesthetic, and Reconstructive Surgeon practicing in Mexico.
Disclaimer: A previous version of this article was published on November 16, 2023. This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or medical advice. Individuals should always consult with qualified professionals regarding medical procedures, including plastic and/or cosmetic surgery, and medical aesthetic treatments, as well as consider their jurisdiction’s applicable laws and regulations.
Henrietta Weekes is a writer, editor, actor and narrator. She divides her time between San Miguel de Allende, New York and Oxford, UK.
The White Russian cocktail was popularized by the movie The Big Lebowski. (Flickr)
Kahlúa, the world’s favorite coffee liqueur, has been made in Mexico since 1936 with high-quality coffee beans grown in Veracruz. Produced by the folks behind Absolut Vodka and Malibu, Kahlúa has become a fixture in bars across the globe. But don’t let its ubiquity fool you; this is no one-trick pony. Sure, it’s divine on the rocks, but its full-bodied sweet caffeine kick has inspired some of the best classic cocktails sipped around the world.
Kahlúa’s White Russian cocktail is perhaps best associated with the Coen brothers cult-classic film The Big Lebowski, releasedin 1998. This movie portrays a wild, whimsical world where bowling is a spiritual journey, bathrobes are a fashion statement, and the White Russian is a way of life.
In this cinematic rollercoaster, Jeff “The Dude” Lebowski, a slacker of epic proportions played by Jeff Bridges, stumbles into a case of mistaken identity that propels him into a noir-inspired odyssey. In addition to the intricate plot twists, The Big Lebowski became an underground hit thanks to The Dude’s laid-back philosophy and his unwavering affection for White Russians, which he affectionately dubs “Caucasians.” As The Dude meanders through a labyrinth of absurdity and oddball characters, his consistent companion is this sweet and creamy elixir, elevating the White Russian from mere cocktail to a symbol of relaxed rebellion.
The film’s quirky charm turned sipping on a White Russian into a homage to the Dude himself. From the Lebowski Bar in Reykjavik to Le Dude in Paris, people around the world are raising a White Russian while toasting to the Dude’s nonchalant wisdom and questionable fashion choices.
Popular Kahlúa cocktails
Kahlúa has proven a popular cocktail ingredient ever since the creation of the iconic Black Russian. This classic cocktail was invented in 1949 in a hotel bar in Brussels for the American ambassador to Luxembourg — nothing Russian about that but it got its name from the vodka and the color of coffee liquor.
In 1955 the Black Russian got a run for its money when a bar in California added heavy cream to create its alter ego, the White Russian. This creamy concoction swirling with decadence enjoyed great popularity in the next couple of decades. However, nightclubs weren’t keen on making space for cartons of milk and the White Russian nearly disappeared from the cocktail scene during the 80’s — saved largely by The Dude himself a decade later.
Kahlúa has committed to sourcing 100% of its coffee from sustainable communities and paying a premium price for their beans. (Shutterstock)
The liqueur is versatile however. In 1983, when a patron asked a bartender in London for a drink to wake her up, he poured espresso, vodka and Kahlúa into a martini glass, garnished with three coffee beans and the classic Espresso Martini was born.
Not sure if you’re craving a chocolate milkshake or a piña colada? Go get yourself a Bushwacker! Invented in 1975 in the US Virgin Islands, this drink is perfect for sipping poolside at a beach resort. The frozen shake is made by combining aged rum, creme de cacao, cream of coconut, milk, Kahlúa and ice in a blender until smooth.
Can’t we just keep it simple? Of course, we can! Spike your regular cup of coffee with a shot of Kahlúa any time of the day or add some whipped cream on top for the perfect dessert drink. Then take it up a notch by adding tequila and Triple Sec and, bravo! You have a cup of what bartenders call Mexican Coffee.
Sustainable coffee and “Coffee for Good”
As well as being delicious, Kahlúa is also a force for sustainability in the coffee world. The global popularity of the bean has led to serious environmental concerns, with the rampant use of pesticides, and the poverty of growers a leading concern.
To resolve these issues, in 2016, Kahlúa took a bold step towards addressing environmental concerns and safeguarding the livelihoods of farming communities by launching its innovative “Coffee for Good” program. This initiative is providing training in sustainable agriculture techniques to achieve better forest management, improve soil fertility and restore and protect the biodiversity required for healthy crops to thrive.
“Coffee for Good” also promotes crop diversification, soil preservation and is creating a network of coffee nurseries to replace aged and diseased plants. To increase sustainability and reduce water usage, it has also provided access to clean water and sanitation by installing dry toilets and building tanks near homes to collect rainwater.
Kahlúa has committed to sourcing 100% of its coffee from sustainable communities and paying a premium price for their beans. The four benefited communities located in Veracruz are set to harvest and sell enough coffee to cover all Kahlúa’s production and will have the tools and knowledge they need to ensure a sustainable future.
So, next time you find yourself yearning for a taste of pop culture or sustainable coffee, grab a bottle of Kahlúa and channel your inner Dude. Cheers to Veracruz, The Big Lebowski, and the wild ride through cocktail history!
Sandra is a Mexican writer and translator based in San Miguel de Allende who specializes in mental health and humanitarian aid. She believes in the power of language to foster compassion and understanding across cultures. She can be reached at: [email protected]
Several communities in the southern state of Chiapas have been forced from their homes as cartel violence has spread across the region. (Frayba)
A clash last week between the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and the rival Sinaloa Cartel left at least 20 people dead in a municipality in the mountains of Chiapas, residents reported this week.
However, according to media reports, the number cannot be confirmed because neither the Army nor the National Guard have been able to enter the violence-torn area of Chicomuselo municipality.
The CJNG and bitter rivals the Sinaloa Cartel are battling for control of lucrative drug and human trafficking routes near the Guatemalan border. (Especial/Cuartoscuro)
What is known is that many residents, especially in ejidos (communal properties) like Nueva Morelia and El Limonar, have fled the region over the past few months, due to increased clashes between the two criminal groups.
The conflict is occurring in the Sierra Madre de Chiapas mountains, near the Mexico-Guatemala border, where the groups are fighting for control of human smuggling and drug trafficking routes.
The disputes have led to a wave of forced displacements, disappearances and murders. Several communities have already been taken by one group or the other, with roadblocks and checkpoints set up to restrict people’s movement.
In a letter signed “Civil Society of the People of Chicomuselo,” residents denounced the violence and lack of response from state and security officials. Chicomuselo is a municipal seat that both groups are vying to control.
Civilians are increasingly becoming caught in the crossfire. (Toño Aguilar/Cuartoscuro)
The letter said that around 11:30 a.m. on Jan. 4, members of the CJNG and the Sinaloa Cartel engaged in a confrontation that “lasted around seven hours, where the population remained in panic and anxiety, taking cover as best they could to protect their lives … Hundreds of families are frightened so much by the violence that they’ve been forced to leave.”
The letter noted that the confrontation in the mining community of Nueva Morelia left “more than 20 people dead,” including two local residents.
“Children and young people [are] trembling with fear and getting sick from living through these traumatic experiences,” the letter added, noting that most people are keeping quiet and families are not claiming their dead out of fear of reprisals.
In one community, El Limonar, “armed people from the CJNG entered to remove [people] from their homes. People fled, asking for shelter in neighboring communities, and others went toward the hills.”
The letter added: “The state has not managed to guarantee security to the people … the Army, the National Guard and the state are not fulfilling their function of guaranteeing peace and security for the people, who have demanded it so many times.”
One resident told La Jornada newspaper that there is a military presence in Frontera Comalapa, “but they don’t intervene at all.”
In some communities, people have marched in protest demanding their safety.
“The atmosphere is very tense,” said one resident, as quoted in the news magazine Proceso. “There is no longer a normal life. … There is no business, only a few stores are open and it’s all very expensive.”
Work on section 7 of the Maya Train uncovered another rare artifact dating to the Maya Classic period. (INAH/Cuartoscuro)
Archaeologists conducting salvage work along section 7 of the Maya Train discovered a funerary urn with a carved image of a corn god, as reported by the head of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) Diego Prieto Hernández.
The funerary urn “presents a very interesting image of the corn god emerging from the leaves of a cob,” Prieto said at President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s morning press conference on Monday.
A funerary urn depicting the Maya corn god. (INAH/Cuartoscuro)
According to Prieto Hernández, the urn was found near a similar vessel, which may indicate that the vessels were part of an ancient offering. Due to its typology, the clay pot has been identified as a Paaktzatz-style urn, and it contains the human remains.
On the front of the vessel is a small anthropomorphic figure made of pastillage (a decorative technique using pieces of ceramic paste) which alludes to the deity in his representation as an ear of corn in the growth stage.
Archaeologists who helped to recover the urn stated that similar images of the Maya deity have been found in figurines from the island of Jaina, in Campeche.
In addition to the depiction of the corn god, the urn has ornamentation resembling the Mayan symbol “ik,” which represents wind and divine breath. The lid of this urn features an owl, a symbol also found on the second vessel discovered in the area.
In the Classic period of Maya iconography, the owl was regarded as an ill omen and a symbol of war. This is evidenced in the Paaktzatz vessels crafted between 680 and 770 A.D. in the Río Bec region of Campeche.
In addition, Prieto noted various developments in Quintana Roo related to the Maya Train, like the upcoming opening of the archaeological site of the ancient city of Ichkabal, and the recovery of the ancient site of Oxtankah.
Mexico City's Zocaló square will be pedestrianized, Mayor Martí Batres announced on Monday. (Galo Cañas/Cuartoscuro)
Mexico City plans to restrict the roads surrounding the Zócalo central square to pedestrians only, to better “allow the appreciation” of the iconic plaza.
In anannouncement on Monday, Mexico City Mayor Martí Batres said that the four perimeter roads around the square and sections of three roads that give access to it — 20 de Noviembre, Pino Suárez and 16 de Septiembre — would all be closed to vehicles.
The Zocaló often plays host to mass public events and celebrations. (Gobierno de la CDMX)
He said the decision would permit unobstructed pedestrian access to, and enjoyment of, the plaza, encourage sustainable mobility around the city center, and “rescue, dignify and revitalize the use of public space.”
Jesús Esteva, head of the Capital Works and Services Ministry (Sobse), said that a bidding process for the conversion work would begin in February. The project has a budget of 50 million pesos (US $2.95 million).
Esteva said the works would include installing stone paving that could withstand public events. The Zocaló often hosts major parades and live music events.. He added that two lanes would still be usable by emergency vehicles and that the roads would also stay open to cyclists.
In total, the pedestrian-only area will be 12,366 square meters, while these mixed-used areas will cover 6,352 square meters.
“What the Zócalo requires for its operation, as well as the cathedral, which has some events that require the arrival of vehicles, all of that is going to be considered,” Esteva explained.
Mobility Minister Andrés Lajous added that the Mexico City government has also sought public opinion on the pedestrianization plan since Oct. 16 via a special website to gather proposals and comments.
The Zócalo, also known as the Plaza of the Constitution, is the ceremonial heart of Mexico City. Flanked by the National Palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the ruins of the Templo Mayor of the Mexica (Aztec) capital of Tenochtitlán, it is used for the capital’s most important public events, from presidential addresses to demonstrations, to national festivities.
