“I am very pleased that, beginning today Guadalajara will be receiving [an additional] 1,000 liters of water per second,” the president said during the event. “This will be a significant help … especially to the marginalized sectors who will now have freer access to water, which is a fundamental right.”
The El Salto aqueduct will link El Zapotillo dam and the nearby El Salto dam with the El Purgatorio dam on the outskirts of Guadalajara. (Presidencia/Cuartoscuro)
President López Obrador and Governor Enrique Alfaro of Jalisco presided over the ceremony in Valle de Guadalupe, northeast of Guadalajara, during which the El Salto aqueduct and its pumping station were activated.
The El Salto aqueduct connects the controversial El Zapotillo dam in the Los Altos region of Jalisco and the nearby El Salto dam with the El Purgatorio dam on the outskirts of Guadalajara, the Jalisco state capital and home to 5.26 million people in the greater metropolitan area. The water will be stored en route at the La Red and Calderón reservoirs, which together have been supplying 25% of Guadalajara’s water.
“If this project had not been completed, roughly 1 million Guadalajara area residents would have been without water by April,” said Alfaro, who praised the efforts of this administration… “Three presidents and three governors had failed to address our water crisis …but the [new government] came to us and said ‘let’s look for alternatives’.”
The El Zaptillo dam project had been delayed for nearly 20 years as residents of three villages in the Los Altos region fought against the plan that would have inundated their homes to create a reservoir.
President López Obrador called the new system “a significant help” in providing access to water for some of Guadalajara’s most vulnerable populations. (Presidencia/Cuartoscuro)
The El Salto-La Red-Calderón system avoids this scenario by linking El Zapotillo to the downstream dams and reservoirs via aqueducts. Both the La Red and Calderón reservoirs are capable of additional storage, witheach at less than 30% capacity this month.
The project cost 8.5 billion pesos (US $496 million) and first aims to gradually build up storage at the reservoirs before additional dam gates are opened. The governor anticipates that by May the pumps at El Zapotillo will increase their production to 2,000 liters per second.
The president said he plans to visit El Zapotillo in June.
Amazon Web Services will invest more than US $5 billion in the construction of new data centers in Querétaro, the company has announced. (Imgix/Unsplash)
Amazon Web Services (AWS) intends to invest more than US $5 billion in a cluster of data centers in Querétaro, the company announced Monday.
Amazon’s AWS cloud services underpin many modern websites and functions. (Amazon AWS)
“The new AWS Mexico (Central) Region will give developers, startups, entrepreneurs, and enterprises, as well as government, education, and nonprofit organizations, greater choice for running their applications and serving end users from data centers located in Mexico, ensuring that customers who want to store their content in Mexico can do so,” AWS said.
“As part of its long-term commitment to Latin America, AWS is planning to invest more than $5 billion (approx. MXN $85 billion) in Mexico over 15 years. The upcoming AWS Mexico Region is the latest in AWS’s ongoing investments in Mexico to provide customers with advanced and secure cloud technologies.”
Rubén Mugártegui, head of AWS in Mexico, also announced the investment at a press conference on Monday. In an interview with Reuters, he said that the company has been working on the project for over five years.
“Cloud computing helps companies access technology services such as storage and databases through the internet, ending the need to own and maintain physical data centers and servers,” the news agency reported.
Citing a study, Mugártegui told Reuters that companies can reduce their technology costs by about 20% when they use AWS.
Among the companies in Mexico that already use the company’s services are Aeroméxico, Banco Santander Mexico, BBVA and Cinépolis. Another customer is the government of Michoacán.
At Monday’s press conference announcement, Economy Minister Raquel Buenrostro said that the federal government has been working with AWS on its planned project in Querétaro. In his interview with Reuters, Mugártegui declined to say whether the company had been offered any tax incentives to set up in Mexico.
The federal government announced tax incentives aimed at boosting foreign investment in Mexico in late 2023, but they weren’t directed at companies operating data centers.
Querétaro and the surrounding Bajío region have already seen the arrival of several major cloud storage and data server companies. (Shutterstock)
Buenrostro acknowledged that “cloud services are an essential part of everyday life” and said they are “helping us to digitally and economically transform Mexico.”
“We welcome AWS’s investment and expansion in Mexico because it is a sign of trust and demonstrates conditions are right to support the nearshoring trend across many sectors of our economy. We also welcome AWS’s investment in training students, micro, small and medium-sized companies, and digital entrepreneurs in Mexico at scale,” she added.
Querétaro Governor Mauricio Kuri said that “AWS’s infrastructure expansion in Querétaro is a testament to our state’s commitment to advanced technology and innovation, and to the work we’ve done to create an environment where technology companies can thrive.”
Mugártegui said that foreign companies that relocate to Mexico are among AWS’s potential customers here.
The company’s press release highlighted that it “offers the broadest and deepest portfolio of services, including analytics, artificial intelligence, compute, database, Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning, mobile services, storage, and other cloud technologies.”
“As part of a continued commitment to contribute to the development of digital skills, AWS will hire and develop additional local personnel to operate and support the new AWS Region in Mexico,” it added.
The Amazon subsidiary already has seven “CloudFront edge” locations in Mexico as well as “AWS local zones” in Querétaro. Amazon – owned by billionaire New Mexico native Jeff Bezos – has invested more than $3 billion in Mexico since its arrival here in 2015, Reuters said.
President López Obrador is facing an INAI investigation and criticism from press freedom organizations after publicly sharing a journalist's phone number. (Galo Cañas/Cuartoscuro.com)
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s disclosure of a journalist’s telephone number last Thursday triggered a range of repercussions, including an investigation by the national transparency agency INAI and the leaking of the telephone numbers of the two women vying to become Mexico’s first female president.
At his widely-watched morning press conference, López Obrador displayed and read aloud the telephone number of the New York Times’ bureau chief in Mexico, Natalie Kitroeff, when responding to questions put to him by the newspaper about an inquiry in the United States into allegations that people close to him, including his sons, received drug money during his presidency.
The Times’ report noted that the “the United States never opened a formal investigation into Mr. López Obrador, and the officials involved ultimately shelved the inquiry.”
Nevertheless, it gave further ammunition to critics of AMLO, who were quick to label him a #narcopresidente after three media outlets last month published allegations that his 2006 presidential campaign received millions of dollars in drug money. The president’s disclosure of Kitroeff’s telephone number was widely criticized in a country where violence against journalists — and women — is a major problem.
Here is an overview of the key events following López Obrador’s doxing of the NYT’s Mexico bureau chief at his morning presser.
Mexico bureau chief for The New York Times, Natalie Kitroeff. (The New York Times)
The NYT denounces the president
The Times — which the president had slammed as a “filthy rag” — responded to López Obrador in a post to its public relations account on the X social media platform.
“This is a troubling and unacceptable tactic from a world leader at a time when threats against journalists are on the rise. We have since published the findings from this investigation and stand by our reporting and the journalists who pursue the facts where they lead,” said the statement posted to the @NYTimesPR account.
INAI announces a probe
The National Institute for Transparency, Access to Information and the Protection of Personal Data (INAI) announced in a statement on Thursday that it would commence an investigation into López Obrador’s disclosure of Kitroeff’s telephone number in order to determine whether he had violated Mexico’s personal data privacy laws.
AMLO stands by his actions and responds to INAI
At his Friday morning presser, López Obrador doubled down on his decision to divulge Kitroeff’s phone number, denying the suggestion that he had made a mistake in doing so and declaring that he would do it again.
When a reporter noted that “anyone” could call the journalist and “anyone” could threaten her, AMLO asserted that “absolutely nothing” would happen, even though aggression toward members of the press is a major problem in Mexico.
Probed about his alleged violation of the law, López Obrador claimed that his “moral authority” and “political authority” are “above that law.”
“We’re not criminals, we have moral authority,” he said, adding that neither The New York Times nor anyone else had the right to “put us in the dock.”
In a post to X, Adrián Alcalá also underscored “the seriousness” of the president disclosing the personal details of any person, “especially” those of a journalist.
Press groups denounce the president
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Article 19 both denounced the president for disclosing Kitroeff’s phone number.
“It is unacceptable and dangerous that Mexican president Andrés Manuel López Obrador reveals the contact information of a reporter in response to critical questions asked of his administration by her outlet,” said Jan-Albert Hootsen, CPJ’s Mexico representative.
Article 19 called the president’s actions “a serious attack on freedom of expression rights and on the privacy of the journalist,” adding that he was seeking to “intimidate” The New York Times.
White House spokesperson: “Obviously not something we support”
White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre was asked about López Obrador’s doxing of Kitroeff at a press conference on Friday.
“I’ve not seen that. Obviously, that’s not something we support. We believe in the freedom of the press, obviously, which is why we do this on [an] almost on a daily basis,” she said.
Activists demonstrate in support of Mexican journalists facing violence, in a 2022 protest. (Daniel Augusto/Cuartoscuro)
Telephone numbers of Sheinbaum, Gálvez and AMLO’s son all leaked
The telephone number of José Ramón López Beltrán, the president’s oldest son, was leaked on social media in the wake of his father’s widely-criticized disclosure last Thursday. The online publication of the numbers of ruling Morena party president candidate Claudia Sheinbaum and opposition candidate Xóchitl Gálvez followed.
“Today I have been receiving non-stop calls and messages of hate … because someone published my cell phone number on social media,” Sheinbaum said on X on Saturday.
“It’s clear what they want to do [but] again their attacks are as crude as they are inoffensive. The numbers they should worry about are those from the polls,” she wrote, acknowledging that she is the clear frontrunner in the contest to become Mexico’s next president.
Sheinbaum published one of the messages she had received and indicated she would change her telephone number.
Gálvez said in a video message that her number was also leaked as a “result of the terrible example set by López Obrador.”
She said that she too had received many messages, but highlighted that many of them were to express support. Gálvez, who will represent a three-party opposition alliance in the presidential election, said she wouldn’t change her number and even read it aloud in her video message.
For his part, López Beltrán asserted that the leaking of his number was “a form of revenge and an attempt to do harm,” adding that it put his family in danger.
“This situation began with a letter that contained threats and lies directed at the president of Mexico and his sons. What happened afterwards was a consequence [provoked] by the journalist herself, who exposed her telephone number thinking that the president would respond to her libel by calling her,” he wrote on X. “… What do I have to do with all this?”
The phone numbers of two presidential candidates, Xóchitl Gálvez and Claudia Sheinbaum, were leaked shortly after AMLO publicized the New York Times journalist’s number. (Cuartoscuro/MND)
López Obrador described the leaking of his son’s telephone number as “shameful.”
AMLO: Mexico doesn’t allow “the interference of any foreign government”
In a video posted to social media on Saturday, López Obrador declared that, “we don’t allow the interference of any foreign government in our country.”
He said last week that the allegations published by the NYT wouldn’t affect Mexico’s relations with the United States, although he indicated last month that the previous drug money allegations could have an impact on bilateral ties. He also accused the United States government of involvement in their publication.
Speaking from Mazatlán, Sinaloa, on Saturday, López Obrador said that “Mexico is an independent, free, sovereign country” and “the president of Mexico cannot be slandered.”
“… It must never be allowed. … I’m not going to accept anyone’s calumny. … I don’t accept calumny without proof [from] foreign governments and their agencies, nor do I accept it from newspapers no matter how famous they are,” he said.
YouTube removes videos of president’s press conference, AMLO accuses it of “censorship”
YouTube took down videos of last Thursday’s press conference that had been posted to government channels and López Obrador’s personal channel, which has over 4.2 million subscribers. The video sharing platform said the footage was removed because it violated its policy on harassment and bullying. The footage was later reposted to YouTube after the president’s disclosure of Kitroeff’s number had been edited out.
On social media, López Obrador accused YouTube of “censorship” and declared that it had demonstrated “an arrogant and authoritarian attitude.”
“… The Statue of Liberty has become an empty symbol,” he added.
History repeats itself
At his Monday morning press conference, López Obrador once again presented the letter in which Kitroeff sought responses about the allegations people close to him received drug money. The journalist’s telephone number was once again displayed, albeit just for a brief period before the president asked for it to be removed.
López Obrador subsequently described Kitroeff’s telephone number as “institutional” and “public,” effectively asserting once again that he had done nothing wrong by disclosing it to his large online audience.
San Miguel de Allende is famously one of Mexico's most beautiful cities. Here are five of the best. (Ciudades Mexicano Patrimonio Mundial)
San Miguel de Allende — the five time winner of the world’s “Best Small City” award by Condé Nast Traveler and a UNESCO World Heritage Site— has a rich history dating back to its founding in 1542 atop the indigenous Chichimeca village of Itzcuinapan. Franciscan friar Fray Juan de San Miguel named the settlement San Miguel el Grande, in honor of the Archangel Michael.
In the 16th century, the discovery of silver in Guanajuato, San Luis Potosí, and Zacatecas elevated San Miguel el Grande’s importance as a vital link between these prosperous mining regions and Mexico City, the capital of what was then New Spain. The town flourished economically and by the 18th century, it had become one of New Spain’s wealthiest settlements, creating much of the impressive architecture that can still be seen today.
Ignacio Allende, a great hero of the War of Independence, was born in 1769 to wealthy Spanish parents in San Miguel el Grande. Originally a Captain in the Spanish Army, he later sought to challenge the oppressive rule of the Spanish crown. Joining priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, they called the people to revolt on the 16th of September, 1810. He was eventually captured in 1811, and accused of high treason to the Spanish crown. He was executed and his head was hung on display in nearby Guanajuato.
In 1826, the town was elevated to city status and changed its name to San Miguel de Allende in honor of its native hero. In 2008, the city’s historic center was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its remarkable religious and civic structures in the Mexican Baroque style.
La Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel
La Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel is perhaps the most iconic building in the city and was built in the early 18th century. (Bill Perry/Shutterstock)
The original parish was built in a modest Baroque style in 1709. This changed significantly in 1880 when the Bishop commissioned Zeferino Gutiérrez to create a new façade. Despite being a self-taught architect, Gutiérrez drew inspiration from postcards of medieval European cathedrals. The resulting neo-Gothic masterpiece, characterized by its towering spires made from locally sourced pink quarry stone, are visible from almost anywhere in the city and have made this iconic landmark one of the most famous churches in Mexico.
Templo de San Francisco de Asís
The Templo de San Francisco de Asís showcases a range of different architectural styles from the 18th and 19th centuries. (Ciudades Mexicano Patrimonio Mundial)
Its construction began in 1778 and took over 20 years to complete, during which time architectural styles were changing. The facade features intricate Churrigueresque design with carved stone figures, while the bell tower added in 1799 showcases Neoclassical elements. Considered a prime example of 18th-century Baroque architecture in Mexico, the church’s ornate exterior and beautiful interior attract tourists and worshippers alike. It is an active place of worship, hosting celebrations like the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi on October 4, honoring the patron saint of animals and the environment.
Museo Histórico Casa de Allende
The Museo Casa Allende celebrates the birthplace of one of Mexico’s founding heroes. (Ciudades Mexicano Patrimonio Mundial)
Ignacio Allende’s former residence is now a museum that provides a comprehensive view of the hero’s life and the War of Independence. Through original artifacts, it showcases the history of San Miguel el Grande, spanning the 16th to 18th centuries. Recreating the living spaces of the Allende family, the museum offers a vivid portrayal of daily life for prosperous Creole residents of the era. Detailed accounts of Ignacio Allende’s background, family ties, pivotal role in the fight for independence, ideological differences with Miguel Hidalgo, and subsequent capture, trial, and execution further enhance visitors’ understanding of this tumultuous period in Mexican history.
Domingo Narciso de Allende, Ignacio’s father, commissioned the construction of the house in 1769 as a gift for his wife, María Ana Unzaga. Seized by the viceregal government during the War of Independence, the house was eventually returned to the Allende family after the conflict’s conclusion. The mansion was acquired by the government of Guanajuato in 1976 and later entrusted to the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) to open as a museum in 1990.
Casa del Mayorazgo de la Canal
The grand Casa Mayorazgo de la Canal was almost destroyed after the owners stood against the Spanish crown. (Casa Cultural de Citibanamex)
Built in the late 18th century as a home for the De la Canal family, this mansion is one of the most opulent buildings in the city. Don Narciso María Loreto de la Canal, a colonel in the Spanish army, supported the liberation cause and gathered over sixty Creole conspirators at his house to plan their fight against Spanish domination. In return, royalist forces looted and nearly destroyed his mansion. The grand wooden gate survived the attack and is now famous for its intricately carved high reliefs displaying the family’s coat of arms. In 1981, Banco Nacional de Mexico purchased and restored this building and it is now open to the public as the Casa de Cultura Citibanamex museum.
Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepción, Las Monjas
The convent of “Las Monjas” was built after the bequest of an enormous fortune by one of its nuns. (Ciudades Mexicano Patrimonio Mundial)
Upon the death of her parents, María Josefa Lina de la Canal confided in Father Luís Felipe Neri de Alfaro of her desire to become a nun. At only 15 years of age in 1751, he asked her to meditate at the sanctuary of Atotonilco to clarify her thoughts. After eight days, she reaffirmed not only her decision to become a nun, but her intention to establish a convent devoted to the Immaculate Conception, using the 70,000 pesos she had inherited.
Inaugurated in 1765, the Church of the Immaculate Conception is locally known as Las Monjas (The Nuns). Sor María Josefa financially and spiritually supported the project until her death in 1770. An elegant cupola was added by Zeferino Gutierrez in 1891, inspired by Les Invalides in Paris.
The heroes that continue to inspire the city and its UNESCO World Heritage Site status attract visitors from around the world. As visitors explore the landmarks which dot the city, they not only admire their architectural splendor but also pay homage to the enduring spirit of the people who have shaped this vibrant city. Each site tells a story of the pursuit of freedom and expression and safeguards the enduring legacy of San Miguel de Allende.
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]
Jake Knapp took home the Mexico Open trophy and nearly US $1.5 million in winnings. (Mexico Open/Instagram)
Puerto Vallarta will always hold a special place in the heart of little-known golfer Jake Knapp. It’s where the 29-year-old won the Mexico Open on Sunday for his first PGA Tour victory.
The native of Costa Mesa, California, put himself in strong position with a 7-under-par 63 on Saturday that included a Vidanta Vallarta Course record 28 on the front nine.
Spectators filled the stands at the Mexico Open on Sunday. (Mexico Open/Instagram)
He took a fairly comfortable 4-shot lead into Sunday, and despite shooting an even-par 71 — his worst score in four rounds — he won by two strokes over another PGA Tour rookie, Sami Valimaki of Finland.
The third annual Mexico Open was played on the grounds of Vidanta Nuevo Nayarit-Vallarta, a sprawling resort on the Pacific Ocean. Designed by all-time PGA great Greg Norman, the course was awarded “Renovation of the Year” by Golf Inc. magazine in 2022. Its layout winds along the Ameca River and provides limitless views of the Sierra Madre mountains.
Knapp earned a US $1.46 million paycheck for his 19-under 265 in what was only his ninth PGA Tour start since his days at UCLA. The win also earned him invitations to the upcoming Masters and PGA Championship, and moved him from 53rd place into the top 10 in the FedEx Cup standings for 2024.
Knapp, who was working as a nightclub bouncer only a few years ago, dedicated the win to his grandfather, who died from colon cancer last year. “Papa, thank you,” Knapp said, pointing to the sky as he walked off the 18th green.
Álvaro Ortiz, the tournament’s top-finishing Mexican golfer, was tied for the lead until he shot an over-par third round. (PGA Tour)
The top Mexican finisher was Alvaro Ortiz, whose 7-under 64 in the second round left him in a four-way tie for the lead. However, thoughts of his first PGA Tour victory faded away when he shot a 2-over-par 73 in the third round Saturday.
The 28-year-old who grew up in Guadalajara and played collegiately at the University of Arkansas finished the tournament in a six-way tie for 13th place, eight strokes behind Knapp. He earned US $145,000.
In Puerto Vallarta, one of the players tied for 13th was American Tony Finau, the defending champion. Last year, he shot 66 or less in each round to take the $1.39 million winner’s check.
This year, Finau was the only player in the tourney ranked in the top 30 of the official World Golf Rankings. He remained in the No. 24 spot, while Knapp moved up from 101 to 52. Alvaro Ortiz, meanwhile, improved from 669 to 545 (his older brother skyrocketed from 1,286 to 237).
Until the announcement, Tampa Bay was Aeroméxico's largest unserved market in the U.S. (Unsplash)
Aeroméxico has announced a non-stop flight connecting Mexico City and Tampa, Florida, starting this summer.
Flights will commence on July 1, with a daily route served by Aeroméxico Connect, the regional airline of Aeroméxico.
The flights announcement was celebrated with a mariachi serenade at the Florida airpot. (Tampaairport.com)
“It’s a big day when we get to announce both a new airline and a new route that connects Tampa Bay with the largest metropolitan area in North America,” Tampa International Airport (TPA) CEO Joe Lopano said during the announcement.
The flight will be served by an Embraer 190 aircraft, with capacity for 99 passengers.
Flights will depart from Mexico City at 10 a.m. and arrive in Tampa at 3:20 p.m. (local time). The flight from Florida will take off at 4:35 p.m., and land at Benito Juarez International Airport at 6:14 p.m. (local time).
According to a report from TPA, Mexico City ranked as the airport’s eighth-largest unserved market last year, while Tampa Bay was the airline’s largest unserved market in the U.S.
“The route is a major win for TPA, which has listed the Mexican capital as one of its top-targeted international destinations for years,” the airport celebrated in a statement.
According to TPA, the new route will generate around US $70 million in annual economic revenue for the region.
“This new service to the Tampa Bay area demonstrates our commitment to offer the best connectivity between Mexico and the United States, hand in hand with our partner Delta Air Lines,” said Jose Zapata, Vice President of Sales for U.S., Canada and Latin America.
According to preliminary reports from Ishrion Aviation, Aeroméxico plans to operate this route through the beginning of next year, using a larger aircraft during the holiday season.
Michoacán's Lake Cuitzeo has lost 70% of its water in just two and a half decades. (Juan José Estrada Serafín/Cuartoscuro)
Lake Cuitzeo, the second largest freshwater lake in Mexico, is facing a dire situation after reportedly having lost a staggering 70% of its water over the past two and a half decades.
The alarming decrease is attributed to a combination of factors, primarily three consecutive years of low rainfall, 2023 having been particularly critical. Deforestation in the surrounding area of Michoacán, largely to make way for avocado groves and strawberry fields, has disrupted the natural water cycle, exacerbating the problem.
Local fishermen have been forced to search for work outside the Cuitzeo area as the lake dries up. (Juan José Estrada Serafín/Cuartoscuro)
Octavio Muñoz Torres, deputy operational director of the National Water Authority (Conagua) in the state of Michoacán, emphasized that deforestation for agriculture has altered rainfall patterns.
Being a closed basin, the 306-square-kilometer lake reflects the ecological imbalance in the hills, where aquifer layers should recharge. Additionally, intentional burning of tule, an aquatic plant, has affected the lake’s center, reducing its capacity.
The impact is profound, affecting upwards of 1,000 fishermen who represent 75% of the area’s population. The lake’s drying has forced hundreds of them to seek alternative livelihoods, such as masonry in the state capital of Morelia or the neighboring state of Guanajuato.
The loss of depth in the lake has reduced the population of fish (and other ecosystem-significant organisms) such as charales — tiny fish that are fried and eaten like french fries — leading to a significant economic downturn for those who catch it and sell it.
Local authorities and environmentalists are warning that urgent action is required. If the extraction of water and the often illegal expansion of avocado crops are not curtailed, Lake Cuitzeo faces a grim future, officials have said. Municipal and state representatives agree that without intervention, the lake is headed toward extinction.
Meanwhile, in nearby Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, residents are resorting to unusual protest methods due to a year-long water shortage.
On Sunday, residents of several neighborhoods gathered in the expansive Plaza Vasco de Quiroga and washed clothing in the fountain to draw attention to the crisis.
According to figures from Mexico’s Drought Monitor, published every two weeks by the National Meteorological Service (SMN), 46.1% of Michoacán is experiencing drought conditions rated as “extreme,” 22% as “severe,” 6.5% as “moderate” and 24.3% as “abnormally dry.” Only 1.1% of the state is considered to be “not affected” by the lack of rain.
Recent protests by residents of water-stressed Patzcuaro include washing their clothing in the town’s fountain. (@Moreliactiva/X)
This is also affecting nearby Lake Pátzcuaro, where those who work in the fishing sector have begun migrating out of the area to seek employment in neighboring Jalisco or even as far away as Baja California.
Mayor Julio Alberto Arreola Vázquez noted that “fishing activity has decreased by up to 50% in the last 10 years” and that the lake has lost “at least 30% of its water level” in recent years.
Mexico’s largest freshwater lake, and one of the largest in North America, is Lake Chapala in Jalisco. Covering an area of approximately 1,100 square kilometers, it was featured in a 2023 report about 20 famous lakes that are going dry.
“This grand enterprise being carried out by the federal government will contribute to the growth and development of Quintana Roo, and will boost the prosperity of all quintanarroenses,” she said of the Jaguar Park.
Tulum’s new Jaguar Park, which includes the world famous ruins, is expected to be completed in the next few weeks. (INAH)
The 2,900-hectare nature reserve and recreational area comprises the Tulum National Park and the new Jaguar Flora and Fauna Protected Area, which is expected to be completed in April, according to Agrarian, Territorial and Urban Development Minister Román Meyer Falcón.
The project was originally supposed to be finished in February but construction setbacks and the decision to add several hundred additional hectares to the park have delayed the opening.
The Jaguar Park features an archaeological museum, Maya archaeological sites, a hotel, two kilometers of trails with multiple scenic overlooks and extensive bicycle paths. The park will also be serviced by a Maya Train station.
The main objective for Jaguar Park is to preserve the natural wealth of the area through the restoration of deteriorated areas and the implementation of activities and strategies to preserve the unique flora and fauna of the area.
The Jaguar Park will connect with the Tulum station of the Maya Train when it opens in April. (@MeyerFalcon/X)
The federal government recently released its environmental management plan for Jaguar Park, which emphasizes the preservation of the park’s habitats. The plan outlines actions to protect the 966 species of flora and fauna within the park, sixty of which are endemic to the area; 92 have been categorized as “at risk.”
The jaguar — a sacred symbol of Mesoamerican cultures — is emblematic of the region and the plan specifically underscores the importance of maintaining the connectivity of the jaguars’ habitat as well as promoting its protection and reproduction.
The park is also located above one of the most important karst aquifers in the world, with 2,000 kilometers of underground passages and including the Sac Actun cenote and the Ox Bel Ha cave system.
The plant is the largest producer of sea salt in the world. (Presidencia/Cuartoscuro)
The federal government has purchased Mitsubishi Corporation’s 49% stake in a salt-producing plant in Baja California Sur (BCS), taking full ownership of the facility it has operated with the Japanese company for 50 years.
Economy Minister Raquel Buenrostro said Saturday that the government paid 1.5 billion pesos (US $88 million) for Mitsubishi’s stake in Exportadora de Sal (ESSA), the world’s largest sea salt producer.
The plant produces 84% of Mexico’s total salt output. (Presidencia/Cuartoscuro)
“Today is a day to celebrate in Mexico, … the day of our flag, symbol of our homeland. And today, on this emblematic day, the President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, after 70 years, nationalizes Exportadora de Sal as part of the project of transformation for Mexico of the 21st century,” Buenrostro said at a “nationalization” event in Guerrero Negro, the BCS town where the plant is located.
Three-quarters of the money comes from the government’s Mining Development Trust while the remaining 25% of the purchase of the minority stake is funded by the Mexican Geological Service.
Speaking at the Guerrero Negro event, López Obrador expressed his satisfaction with the nationalization of ESSA and declared it was a “miracle” that the company wasn’t privatized in the “neoliberal period,” which is how he refers to the 36 years before he took office in late 2018.
Buenrostro said that the nationalization complies with the president’s “precept” of keeping “the profits generated with our natural resources” in Mexico.
The economy minister said that ESSA produces 84% of Mexico’s total salt output and noted that its production is mainly for export. She also said that Mexico is the world’s seventh-largest salt producer and one of the two biggest in Latin America, ranking behind Chile.
“We mustn’t forget that salt is an important input in industries like pharmaceuticals, textiles, chemicals, construction and petrochemicals, so it’s a very important resource,” Buenrostro said.
Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) acknowledged in a statement that it had agreed to sell its 49% stake in ESSA.
“MC has operated ESSA together with the Ministry of Economy of Mexico since 1973, and with this share transfer, ESSA will aim to achieve further growth under the leadership by the public sector of Mexico,” the company said, adding that it will continue to purchase salt produced by ESSA and “provide a stable supply to our customers.”
According to Mitsubishi’s statement, ESSA employs approximately 1,100 people and has an annual production capacity of 8 million tonnes of industrial salt.
Buenrostro said that workers’ rights and positions are “guaranteed,” adding that the government will continue working “hand in hand” with them “for the future of Mexico.”
Mexico has emerged as a leading destination for the alternative wellness industry - but what's on offer in the country? (Shutterstock)
When it comes to alternative wellness, Mexico has everything covered. From folk remedies to luxury retreats to the rare honey of a stingless bee (and much more), this is a country that has mastered the art of getting well without the need for pharmaceuticals.
Here are Mexico News Daily’s picks for some of our best alternative wellness articles in the last 12 months, from five of our best writers.
An experimental dolphin treatment center in Jalisco is pioneering a new type of therapy. DAT, or Dolphin Assisted Therapy, is designed to provide a holistic pathway for children with disabilities and mental health needs to experience support. John Pint visits the Maya Kay DAT center to see if there’s any truth to the rumors that dolphins can help to treat a range of complex developmental needs.
When it comes to getting well again, abuelas have been helping for centuries. If you want to avoid a trip to the pharmacy, check out Bethany Platanella’s collected Mexican folk remedies. Herbs and spices kept the indigenous people of the Americas well for centuries – and they can work for you too!
Mexico offers some of the best wellness retreats in the world. From the beach to the mountains, the burgeoning wellness industry gives you the chance to unwind, destress and enjoy life to the fullest, whatever your needs. Join Henrietta Weekes as she reviews three of Mexico’s top retreats, and everything they have to offer.
The melipona bee, found only in Mexico’s Yucatán peninsula, produces a very special type of honey. Melipona honey has a range of beneficial properties, from promoting dental care, to remedying a sore throat, to even reducing the symptoms of IBS. While the melipona bee is under threat from modern pesticides, its honey is increasingly sought after. Mark Viales has the down low on this miracle honey, and how it can help you to feel better.
Sandra Gancz Kahan takes a closer look at the world’s favorite sweet treat, and how it has been known to open the heart, help heal emotional wounds, and tap into your intuition. The science behind cacao and the serotonin it contains has long been known, but did you also know natural cacao contains some of the same active ingredients as cannabis?
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or medical advice. The writer and Mexico News Daily assume no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content on this site. Individuals should always consult with qualified professionals regarding the use of ibogaine or any other substance for medical purposes, as well as consider their jurisdiction’s applicable laws and regulations.
