The vaccines will cost 845 pesos (US $50) at Walmart in Mexico. (CRISANTA ESPINOSA AGUILAR /CUARTOSCURO.COM)
The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will be available at some Walmart stores and Red Cross centers across Mexico starting Thursday, a week after it went on sale in some Mexican pharmacies.
In a statement,Walmart Mexico announced that Pfizer’s Comirnaty vaccine would be administered by trained medical personnel in more than 130 Walmart Express and Walmart Supercenter pharmacies in 19 Mexican states, at a cost of 845 pesos (US $50).
Currently, Pfizer, Abdala and Sputnik are the only Covid-19 vaccines available in Mexico. Moderna’s Spikevax vaccine has been authorized by Cofepris but has yet to be distributed to pharmacies. (Demián Sánchez/Cuartoscuro)
It will be available for people over 12 years old from Dec. 28, and for children aged 5-11 from Jan. 4. The supermarket chain urged interested customers to check availability and hours of operation on itsWalmart Pharmacy page.
The vaccine also became available at select Red Cross centers starting on Thursday in Mexico City and México state, at the lower price of 785 pesos (US $46.50). Jorge Alberto Forastieri, Red Cross representative in México state, explained that profits from initial vaccine sales would be used to deliver doses to marginalized communities.
“It’s a very small recovery fee,” he told the Ciro Gómez Leyva morning news program. “We have this recovery quota to reach vulnerable communities and be able to give [the vaccine] at a much better price.”
In the initial phase, Forastieri explained, around 100 doses per day of the vaccine will be available in Red Cross centers in Cuajimalpa and Polanco, in Mexico City, and Toluca, Naucalpan, Cuautitlán and Huixquilucan, in México state. It will be administered to both children and adults between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
The Red Cross’ charitable vaccine program will initially focus on vulnerable communities in the mountainous regions of México state, where winter conditions and high costs are preventing many people from accessing the vaccine. The program will later roll out to other areas of the country, as the Red Cross expands its cold-chain distribution network.
“From the moment we saw this – fortunately, the vaccines immediately sold out [only] in the pharmacies – we talked to the company [Pfizer] and they guaranteed to supply us with the vaccines that are necessary,” Forastieri said. “We are going to request them as they run out, to never stop delivering them and covering society’s needs.”
Mexico’s health regulatory agency Cofeprisapproved the sale of Pfizer’s Cominarty Omicron XBB 1.5 and Moderna’s Spikevax monovalent XBB 1.5 vaccines in early December. Both are effective against the newer Omicron variant XBB 1.5 of COVID-19.
Public hospitals around Mexico offer the Russian Sputnik vaccine and Cuban Abdala vaccine free of charge – but the latter does not protect against newer strains of the virus.
This year's results were stable compared to last year, with some areas doubling their recorded turtle eggs. (Elizabeth Ruiz/Cuartoscuro)
The 2023 turtle nesting season saw over 62,000 nests on the beaches of Quintana Roo according to Itzel Trujano, of the Quintana Roo Sea Turtle Committee.
How do the numbers compare to last year?
According to the data collected by researchers, this year’s results were stable compared to last year, when Quintana Roo registered over 3,000 loggerhead nests, 37,000 green turtle nests, 1,500 hawksbill nests and three rare leatherback nests. In total, 2022 recorded over 2 million sea turtle hatchlings released on more than 45 beaches in Quintana Roo.
Four leatherback sea turtle nests were reported in Quintana Roo in 2023, an increase of one nest. (Wikimedia Commons)
Which species lay eggs in Quintana Roo?
Biologist Itandé Ruiz Ramos and engineer Roberto Herrera reported that this season registered 1,518 clutches of hawksbill eggs, more than 58,000 of green white turtle eggs and more than 3,000 of loggerhead eggs.
Following this year’s nesting season, which takes place annually between May 1 and June 16, an extraordinary event occurred at the Xcacel-Xcacelito turtle sanctuary. The leatherback sea turtle, the largest sea turtle species in the world, was spotted in the sanctuary for the first time in 36 years – and gave birth to 57 leatherback turtle babies.
The leatherback sea turtle, once a prevalent species in almost all oceans except the Arctic and Antarctic, has sharply declined in many parts of the world. Due to its dwindling numbers, it is now listed under the Endangered Species Act. In Mexico, leatherbacks have been observed in both the Pacific and the Gulf of Mexico.
How are sea turtles doing in other areas of Mexico?
Mexico is one of the most important turtle nesting sites in the world: six of the world’s seven species of sea turtles nest on Mexico’s beaches. This year, two additional turtle sanctuaries were federally declared at the beaches of La Escobilla and Chacahua in Oaxaca, bringing the total number of turtle sanctuaries in Mexico to 17 in eight coastal states.
Sea turtle conservation in Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, saw a promising season this year, registering double the number of eggs recorded in 2022. Baja California’s coasts are home to five species of endangered sea turtles whose populations declined significantly towards the end of the last century. Signs of habitat recovery are expected to continue thanks to the efforts of monitoring, education and conservation programs across Mexico.
The study was conducted at an unspecified 2022 music festival near Mexico City. (Cuartoscuro)
The adulteration of drugs with fentanyl “is no longer a phenomenon confined to the northern border of Mexico,” the authors of a journal article concluded after a study detected the presence of the synthetic opioid in MDMA and cocaine carried by attendees at a musical festival near Mexico City.
Published in the Harm Reduction Journal this month, an article titled “First drug-checking study at an electronic festival and fentanyl detection in the central region of Mexico” notes that fentanyl was present in two out of four cocaine samples and in 14 of 22 MDMA samples tested at the 2022 event.
MDMA is a popular “party drug” and is increasingly adulterated with fentanyl. (DEA.gov)
Forty festival attendees, all but three of whom were men, made use of a drug-checking service and consented to their participation in the study. They handed over 51 samples of drugs for testing, including MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy), LSD, cocaine, ketamine, methamphetamine and DMT.
“Most samples contained what the users expected plus adulterants,” said the five Mexico City-based authors of the article.
“Main adulterants were methylene-dioxy-ethyl-amphetamine, methylene-dioxy-propyl-amphetamine, hydroxyamphetamine, and the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor venlafaxine. … Some of the adulterants found pose serious health risks, especially fentanyl, amphetamine-like substances, and venlafaxine,” the article said.
“Therefore, it is urgent to monitor these adulterants at electronic music festivals and to implement prevention, treatment, and harm reduction public policies.”
Tijuana has been one of the epicenters of fentanyl in Mexico to date, where paramedics are becoming accustomed to treating overdoses. (Cuartoscuro)
The article said that fentanyl and fentanyl derivatives had previously been detected “in the paraphernalia of heroin and crystal users in Tijuana,” but the synthetic opioid – which is up to 50 times stronger than heroin, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – hadn’t previously been detected in drugs in central Mexico.
The article said that the results of the drug testing at the unspecified music festival provides “evidence of fentanyl presence in a place close to Mexico City.”
“Present results show that fentanyl adulteration is no longer a phenomenon confined to the northern border of Mexico among vulnerable people who inject heroin or crystal meth, but has reached young people who use psychostimulants,” it said.
The article said that festival attendees who participated in the study “were reassured by confirming that their substance was what they were offered and bought but surprised by the presence of fentanyl and venlafaxine and uncertain of the risks associated with their consumption.”
Mexico has been under increasing pressure to reduce illegal fentanyl production and smuggling to the U.S. in recent years. (Cuaroscuro)
“… Although the young people who attended the festival had a high degree of education and some information about the effects of certain drugs, they did not have sufficient knowledge of fentanyl, and neither did they intentionally seek it out,” it said, adding that their “their high normalization and low perception of risk regarding drug use, places them in a vulnerable situation particularly in the face of fentanyl.”
Fentanyl – which criminal groups manufacture in Mexico with precursor chemicals imported from Asia – is the leading cause of overdose deaths in the United States, and many overdoses have occurred among people who were not aware that the substance they consumed contained the powerful synthetic opioid.
There is no official data on fentanyl overdoses in Mexico, where knowing use of the opioid is believed to be minimal, or at least nowhere near as common as in the United States.
President López Obrador has said that fentanyl use is low or non-existent in Mexico due to strong family values.
Most of the drugs tested at the music festival – 70% – were acquired in Mexico City, with the remaining 30% coming from states including México state, Morelos, Querétaro and Aguascalientes, the researchers said. Almost three-quarters of the participants in the study said they bought the drugs from dealers, with the remainder indicating they purchased the substances from friends or received them as gifts.
Silva Cruz, the lead author of the article, told the newspaper El País that the detection of fentanyl in MDMA and cocaine should serve as a “wake-up call.”
She also said that adulteration of drugs with fentanyl is “probably” more common today than it was “almost two years ago” when the testing at the music festival occurred.
Cruz – a pharmacologist who said in a 2022 interview that fentanyl is being sold “everywhere” in Mexico and that “the adulteration of traditional drugs” with the opioid is a “practice that is here to stay” – warned that people who take drugs such as MDMA at festivals would not be prepared if an overdose occurred due to fentanyl adulteration.
“[Musical festival attendees’] expectations aren’t of overdosing,” she said, adding that if an overdose does occur “they don’t recognize it as an opioid overdose.”
Naxolone (brand name Narcan) is widely distributed to law enforcement and others in the United States in the face of soaring synthetic opioid overdose rates. (Shutterstock)
Naxolone, an opioid antagonist, can be used to counter the effects of fentanyl, but access to the medication in Mexico “is very restricted and almost impossible to find,” El País reported.
If a fentanyl overdose occurred at a music festival, there would be “no way to help,” Cruz said, referring to the practical certainty that no naxolone would be at hand.
In Mexico, more testing of drugs is needed at music festivals or other events commonly attended by drug users, Cruz said.
As things stand, drug-checking services – which have the potential to save lives – “are scarce in Mexico,” the Harm Reduction Journal article said.
It also said that the people who agreed to have their drugs tested at the 2022 music festival near Mexico City “recommended the service, would use it again, and considered that … [testing] can prevent bad experiences and fatal outcomes.”
“… Early alert systems at festivals should exist to alert on the presence of fentanyl or other dangerous combinations …, as it occurs in other countries,” the article authors said.
“Fentanyl overdoses are life-threatening and serotonin toxicity is a medical emergency that requires specialized on-site treatment. Control of all variables in outdoor festivals can be challenging, but having access to the opioid antidote naloxone, and medical assistance to assist intoxicated people can prevent life losses,” they said.
There have been nine micro-quakes with epicenters in Mexico City this month. (UNAM/Cuartoscuro)
Mexico City experienced two micro-earthquakes in the early hours of Thursday after a month of higher-than-usual seismic activity in the capital.
According to the National Seismological Service (SSN), the first quake occurred at 3:33 a.m. in northeastern Magdalena Contreras, with a magnitude of 2.0. The second was felt at 3:49 a.m. in southern Álvaro Obregón, with a magnitude of 1.7. A brief 1.7-quake was also recorded at around the same hour on Tuesday, Dec. 26. The movements were perceptible but slight, and no damage has been reported.
Last night’s micro-quakes (marked with a green dot) originated in the same area of Mexico City where most of this year’s micro-quakes have occurred. (ssn.unam.mx)
Mexico City has experienced an unusual number of micro-earthquakes during this month. On Dec. 12, four micro-quakes were recorded in the west of the city, the strongest of which caused minor damage to buildings. Two days later,two micro-quakes of 3.2 and 2.4 magnitude hit Álvaro Obregón. The former was the strongest felt in Mexico City this year.
These minor seismic events are very common and not typically a cause for concern. The SSN has registered 81 micro-quakes in the capital this year, including a succession of small quakes in May and a 3-magnitude quake in San Antonio Tecómitl, one of the borough of Milpa Alta’s 12 towns, in July.
The increased seismic activity in Mexico City in December has sparked rumors that the quakes could be caused by human activity, such as water extraction. However, experts consider this unlikely, as these human activities are limited to a few hundred meters’ depth, whereas micro-quakes originate at a depth of 3 to 5 kilometers and large quakes start even deeper underground.
Rather, seismologist Víctor Manuel Cruz of the Institute of Geophysics of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) told the newspaper El Universal, the recent seismic activity is likely due to small ruptures in the tectonic plates below Mexico City caused by larger past events, such as the 2017 Puebla earthquake.
Although these small quakes are not considered cause for concern, residents should remember that, in the event of a larger earthquake, it is important to stay calm, keep away from windows or objects that may fall and follow recommendations from local authorities.
This iconic bread takes center stage during Día de los Reyes Magos on Jan 6. (Canva)
There’s no better way to understand a country than by biting into its holiday foods. In Mexico, that means sinking your teeth into the sweet, symbolic goodness of the Rosca de Reyes, Latin America’s answer to king cake in Louisiana and Quebec’s gâteau des rois. Its layers of tradition, candied fruits and hidden surprises make this pastry a wonderful reason to gather and celebrate with family and friends.
This iconic bread takes center stage during Día de los Reyes Magos on Jan 6, the Christian feast day known in English as the Epiphany or Three Kings’ Day, commemorating the Magi’s visit. According to the Gospel of Matthew, the three Wise Men known as Gaspar, Melchor and Balthasar traveled following a bright star to meet the baby Jesus in Bethlehem, bringing with them gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
The evening of Jan. 5 marks the twelfth night of Christmas and is when figures of the three Magi are added to the nativity scene. In Mexico, as in many other Latin American countries, it has traditionally been the Wise Men, not Santa Claus, who bring gifts on Christmas.
What are the origins of the Rosca de Reyes tradition?
The roots of the Rosca de Reyes tradition extend deep into history and are believed to originate with the Roman year-end agricultural festival of Saturnalia. That celebration included eating cake with a coin or other small token hidden inside that bestowed symbolic kingship for a day to the lucky person who bit into the treasure.
This custom evolved in medieval Europe when the Rosca became associated with Epiphany. Whoever found a hidden fava bean in their slice of cake was obligated to treat all the attendees to a round of drinks. The edible treasure was eventually replaced with porcelain to prevent the finder from hiding their responsibility in their belly.
What does the Rosca de Reyes symbolize?
In modern Mexico, the Rosca de Reyes is always oval, symbolizing the infinite circle of God’s love. Candied fruits, such as figs, quince, and cherries, are baked as toppings and symbolize the jewels in the crowns of the Three Wise Men. Hiding the baby Jesus in the bread represents the time when the Holy Family was fleeing from the Massacre of the Innocents – the execution of Bethlehem’s male infants ordered by Herod I.
The excitement on Jan. 6 is tangible as friends gather around a lively table with the Rosca de Reyes at its center. Hot cocoa, milk and coffee add to the delight. The anticipation in the room is palpable as the host slices into the bread. The air is thick with the sweet aroma and every slice is a roll of the dice. Who will be the fortunate guest to choose the slice with a hidden treasure? The room holds its breath while everyone takes a bite. When the figurine emerges, cheers erupt and the party begins.
If you are the one to find it, congratulations! In Mexican tradition, the person who finds the figurine of the baby Jesus becomes responsible for hosting a tamal feast on February 2, Día de la Candelaria or Candlemas Day, commemorating the infant Jesus’ presentation at the Temple in Jerusalem. This makes everyone look forward to gathering again and sharing another delicious meal one month later.
How is Rosca de Reyes made?
The traditional preparation of the Mexican Rosca de Reyes involves a blend of ingredients that contribute to the richness of this holiday bread. The dough is crafted from all-purpose flour, sugar and milk. Butter and eggs create a luscious spongy texture similar to brioche bread. The Rosca’s aroma is enhanced by adding vanilla extract and the zesty brightness of orange blossom water or orange peel.
Topping the Rosca is a combination of softened butter and sugar, creating a sweet and slightly crumbly crust that envelopes the golden bread. The vibrant candied fruits add to the visual feast and all ingredients combine to create a delightful and culturally significant treat.
It is estimated that more than 4 million Roscas de Reyes are sold nationwide every year. The National Chamber of the Baking Industry (Canainpa) indicates that Rosca de Reyes sales generate more than 2.25 billion pesos or 20% of this industry’s annual income.
For expats, embracing the Rosca de Reyes tradition is an invitation to celebrate with neighbors. So next Sunday, seek out the best bakery near you, gather amigos, bite into sugary tradition, and savor the taste of Mexico.
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]
While Mexico's president said the meeting led to "important agreements," the details have yet to be released. (lopezobrador.org.mx)
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said Wednesday that Mexico and the United States reached “important agreements” at a migration-focused meeting in Mexico City, but provided few details about the deals.
As large numbers of migrants continue to enter the United States via Mexico, López Obrador, Foreign Affairs Minister Alicia Bárcena and other Mexican officials met at the National Palace with a U.S. delegation that included Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas and Homeland Security Advisor Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall.
President López Obrador hosted the U.S. delegation on Wednesday at the National Palace. (Lopez Obrador/X)
“We asked President Biden to meet with the [U.S. officials] … to directly deal with matters of economic cooperation, security and migration,” López Obrador said in a social media post on Wednesday evening.
“Important agreements were reached for the benefit of our people and nations. Now more than ever the good neighbor policy is essential,” he wrote.
Asked about the agreements at his morning press conference on Thursday, López Obrador – who spoke to Biden about migration last week – said that Mexico has to be “attentive so that [border] crossings aren’t closed,” but didn’t specify what that meant.
“This agreement was reached. The railway crossings and the border bridges are being opened, to normalize the situation,” he said six days after the United States reopened two rail bridges between Mexico and Texas that were closed on Monday last week to allow U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to redeploy personnel to assist operations to detain migrants.
President López Obrador said that an agreement had been reached to reopen railway crossings to “normalize the situation” after closures last week. (Cuartoscuro)
“… We also spoke about attention to the causes of migration, support for countries where people have to abandon their towns out of necessity, to search for work,” López Obrador said, adding that Mexican officials outlined Mexico’s efforts to stem migration via the implementation of employment programs in other countries in the region.
“They’re also doing their thing, they told us about that,” he said before acknowledging that the U.S. has opened up more legal migration pathways.
López Obrador – who in 2019 deployed the National Guard to increase enforcement against migrants after then U.S. president Donald Trump threatened to impose blanket tariffs on Mexican imports – also acknowledged that the U.S. is “overwhelmed” with new arrivals “because there are a lot of needs in the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.”
“There is poverty, and the people look for better living and working conditions with migration,” he said.
An estimated 6,000 migrants departed Tapachula on Christmas Eve, as a new caravan took its first steps towards the U.S.-Mexico border. (Damián Sánchez/Cuartoscuro)
According to unnamed senior U.S. officials cited in a CNN report, Mexico shared plans in the talks to crack down on migrant smugglers.
“… That was really aligned with the things that we’ve been focused on as well. Things like the need to really crack down on the smugglers that are putting migrants on buses, putting migrants on trains. We’ve seen that really contribute to the increase that we’ve seen at the border … in recent weeks,” a Biden administration official said.
López Obrador, who continues to use the National Guard to detain migrants, said last week that the United States wants his government to do more to stop migrants moving through Mexico to the U.S. after entering the country via the southern border with Guatemala.
Bárcena said on the X social media platform on Wednesday that the aim of the meeting with U.S. officials was to “strengthen the economic and political relationship between Mexico and the United States with agreements to cooperate on the structural causes of migration.”
She told reporters outside the National Palace that officials spoke about “the importance of reopening border crossings.”
Foreign Affairs Minister Bárcena receives U.S. Secretary of State Blinken in Mexico City. (Alicia Bárcena/X)
In addition to suspending operations at railway bridges in Eagle Pass and El Paso, U.S. authorities have recently closed vehicle and pedestrian ports of entry in Texas, California and Arizona amid a surge of migrant arrivals at the border.
Bárcena said that the reopening of all border crossings “is a priority for us.”
Her counterpart, Secretary Blinken, said on X that “shared efforts to reduce irregular migration” were discussed at Wednesday’s meeting.
He said that the United States “made clear in Mexico City” that it is “committed to partnering with Mexico to address our shared challenges, including managing unprecedented irregular migration in the region, reopening key ports of entry, and combating illicit fentanyl and other synthetic drugs.”
For his part, Mayorkas said on X that the meeting was “very productive.”
“… The regional challenge of migration requires regional solutions, and we appreciate Mexico’s commitment to continue its efforts alongside us and with others,” he wrote.
Republican Party presidential candidates at a primary debate (from left): Chris Christie, Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy and Tim Scott. (Screen capture)
Migration is set to be a key issue in the United States presidential election in 2024.
Biden has come under sustained pressure this year from Republican Party politicians who assert that his administration isn’t doing enough to secure the the United States’ southern border.
President López Obrador with the leaders of Colombia, Cuba, Venezuela, Haiti and Honduras. (Presidencia de la República)
While the Mexican and United States governments have spoken about migration on several occasions this year, Mexico has also been speaking with other countries in the region.
In October, López Obrador hosted a regional migration summit in Palenque, Chiapas, at which the governments of 10 countries, including those of Mexico, Venezuela, Cuba and Colombia, agreed to 14 points to “jointly confront the migration reality” they face.
While the federal government sees the United States as an important part of the solution to the migration problem – with López Obrador repeatedly urging the U.S. Congress to approve additional funding aimed at addressing the root causes of migration – it also believes it has contributed to it.
At the conclusion of the Palenque summit, the governments in attendance sent a clear message to the U.S. in a joint statement: “lift unilateral coercive measures imposed on countries of the region,” such as the embargo against Cuba that has been in place for over six decades.
AdoptAxolotl is a university campaign to conserve the Mexican axolotl in the wild. (UNAM)
The axolotl (ambystoma mexicanum) is a fascinating and mysterious animal native to Mexico City’s once plentiful waterways. Today, this salamander still inhabits the canals of Xochimilco, and the residents of this area are actively involved in its conservation efforts.
One of them is Jesús Correa Rangel, who plays a crucial role in preserving axolotls. His house serves as a breeding center for these unique creatures and attracts numerous tourists who explore the canals of Xochimilco.
Jesús Correa Rangel at Ajolotario Apantli. (Ana Paula de la Torre)
Jesús follows a dedicated routine to ensure the well-being of the axolotls under his care. He starts his day early, around 7 a.m., and opens the doors of the axolotl center for any visiting tourists. He meticulously monitors the temperature, filtration, and lighting of the tanks where the axolotls reside.
Maintaining optimal water quality is of utmost importance, and Jesús regularly measures various parameters such as pH, hardness, nitrites, nitrates, ammonium, CO2, oxygen, and chlorine. Additionally, he conducts physical checks on the axolotls to ensure their health and wellness.
Jesús’s efforts are part of a larger conservation initiative aimed at preserving the axolotl population. Organizations like the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) classify these unique creatures as endangered species. Their decline can be attributed to various factors, including habitat degradation, pollution, overfishing, the introduction of non-native predators, and the pet trade.
Fortunately, the axolotls have thrived in captivity due to their incredible adaptability. This has allowed for successful conservation efforts in places like Xochimilco.
Living with axolotls, the story of Jesús Correa Rangel
Jesús Correa Rangel has dedicated his life to the care and conservation of axolotls. His family opened the Ajolotario Apantliin Xochimilco, a center dedicated to breeding, studying, and preserving the axolotl. Jesús plays a crucial role in the center and is actively involved in efforts to save the salamanders from extinction.
The Ajolotario Apantli has been working tirelessly for 36 years, helmed by Jesús during the last 18. The project was established to protect the endemic flora and fauna of Xochimilco and the Ajolotario Apantli can reproduce and grow up to 1,000 axolotls per year.
“This project was born to protect Xochimilco’s endemic flora and fauna. For our family, it was a way to preserve our ecosystem and keep our identity and way of life next to the canals of Xochimilco,” Jesús told Mexico News Daily.
This animal can regenerate its bones, muscles, internal organs, and brain. (BlogXcaret)
Just 20 years ago, the extent of the danger to the axolotl population of Xochimilco was unknown. However, today efforts to save this species come from both academic and civil initiatives. The Ajolotario Apantli and the “Adopt an Axolotl” campaign led by UNAM are examples of these conservation efforts.
“Part of the conservation process is that when the axolotls are big enough, we take them to a secret canal in Xochimilco where they are released away from pollution and fishermen,” Jesús explains.
Other conservation initiatives in Xochimilco
There are also other initiatives for the conservation of the axolotl in Xochimilco. UNAM, Mexico’s largest public university, has launched the “Adopt an Axolotl ” campaign to promote conservation efforts in the area. Additionally, other ajolotarios, such as Ajolotario Tlazocamati Tonantzin, PIMVS Ajolotario, Ajolotario UMA Atlicuilco, and Ajolotario Xochimilco, play their part in the conservation of the axolotl. Many of the workers in these ajolotarios are also involved in the cultivation of food in the chinampas, a traditional farming system in the area.
Involving the local community in the conservation efforts for the axolotl in Xochimilco is essential. People here have a unique connection to the ecosystem and can play a crucial role in its preservation. Raising awareness, promoting sustainable practices, and involving the community in conservation initiatives increase the chances of successfully protecting the axolotl and its habitat. This collective effort can help ensure the long-term survival of this fascinating species.
Ana Paula de la Torre is a Mexican journalist and collaborator of various media such as Milenio, Animal Político, Vice, Newsweek en Español, Televisa and Mexico News Daily.
Mexican grain production has declined in 2023, leading to increased imports of staple grains. (Darla Hueske/Unsplash)
Widespread drought is forcing Mexico to import greater quantities of grains for both human and animal consumption.
According to agriculture consultancy Grupo Consultor de Mercados Agrícolas (GCMA), Mexico imported a record high of 37.44 million tonnes of grains and oil producing plants in the first 11 months of the year, an 8.8% increase compared to the same period of 2022.
Poor farming conditions and drought have led to crop failures across Mexico. (Juan Pablo Zamora/Sader/Cuartoscuro)
Drought – which affected three-quarters of national territory in late September – and a resultant decline in national agricultural output has left Mexico with no choice other than to buy more grain abroad.
GCMA data shows that:
Corn imports increased 16.9% between January and November to a record high of 18.2 million tonnes.
Oatmeal imports increased 27.6% to 248,000 tonnes.
Wheat imports increased 6.9% to 5.1 million tonnes.
Barley imports increased 13.6% to 734,000 tonnes.
Canola imports increased 31.8% to 1.3 million tonnes.
GCMA also noted that imports of soybeans, sorghum and rice all declined.
Some industry analysts believe that food imports will be even higher in 2024. (Joaquín Sanluis/Cuartoscuro)
Juan Carlos Anaya, general director of GCMA, predicted that 2024 will be another year of record grain imports due to “the lack of water, mainly in Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Sonora.”
He said that corn imports are expected to total 19.5 million tonnes this year, and predicted that the figure will rise to a new record of almost 22 million tonnes in 2024 due to lower production in Mexico.
In October, the Agriculture Ministry (SADER) forecast that domestic production of white corn would fall 1.2% this year to 22.9 million tonnes, and that yellow corn production would decline 12.4% to 2.94 million tonnes. SADER had predicted in July that domestic production would increase.
Mexico depends heavily on yellow corn imports from the United States to feed livestock.
The two countries are currently involved in a dispute over Mexico’s plan to ban the importation of GM corn for use in dough and tortillas by 2024 and gradually phase out imports of GM maize for any kind of human consumption and for use as animal feed at an unspecified later date depending on supply.
GCMA data shows that 88.3% of the 19.5 million tonnes of corn Mexico imported in the first 11 months of the year came from the United States, while 9.6% was shipped here from Brazil. The remaining 2.1% came from South Africa, Canada and Argentina, GCMA said.
It was a bumper year for Mexican archaeology, with public works projects uncovering lost cities, burial grounds and prehistoric birds. (Martín Zetina/Cuartoscuro)
From pre-Columbian cities to a fossilized flamingo egg, Mexico’s rich and diverse history and varied environmental landscape have made it an exciting year for archaeologists.
Below are some of the highlights of discoveries made across Mexico in 2023.
The Chapultepec burials mark the first discoveries of changing burial rituals in Mexico, from Mexica to Catholic. (INAH)
In February, a 16th-century cemetery was found in Mexico City’s Chapultepec Park, believed to date from less than 100 years after the Spanish conquest of Tenochtitlán (Mexico City).
The cemetery was discovered during construction work in the park. The bodies had been buried at three different times, but all after Tenochtitlán’s fall in 1535. Researchers said some were buried in the Catholic style, while others followed Mesoamerican traditions.
This led archaeologists to believe that some of the deceased were European individuals, while others were Mexica. Tests revealed that they had suffered from various conditions, including malnutrition, infections, and bone inflammation.
The remarkably well-preserved statue was uncovered during road paving work in Veracruz. It is believed to depict a local female ruler. (INAH)
Over the summer, a sculpture resembling the “Young Woman of Amajac” – one of the most important recent pre-Columbian archaeological finds – was discovered during road-paving work in a town in Veracruz.
The remarkably well-preserved statue stands at 1.54 meters high and weighs between 200 and 250 kilograms, slightly smaller than the 2-meter-high previous find.
Both statues wear headdresses with similar decorations, leading experts to hypothesize that they may represent the same figure, possibly a female Huasteca ruler.
Archaeologists believe the city dates to the Classic period, which lasted from A.D. 250–1,000. It was discovered as part of wide-ranging archaeological work carried out alongside the construction of the Maya Train. (INAH/Cuartoscuro)
June saw a major discovery in the Yucatán Península.
Hidden in the jungle inthe southeastern state of Campeche, is a “monumental site” as described by the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), which was dubbed Ocomtún, meaning “stone column” in the Yucatec Mayan language.
The pre-Columbian city is located within the Balamkú ecological reserve in the municipality of Calakmul.
The city was found thanks to the laser surveying techniques, which experts used to scan the area where Ocomtún was found.
According to archaeologists, the site served as an important regional hub, most likely during the Classic period of ancient Maya civilization, which lasted from 250-1,000 A.D.
The extremely rare fossilized egg was found at during construction work at the Felipe Ángeles airport. (INAH)
In August, a flamingo egg dating from the last ice age was found during construction work at the Felipe Ángeles International Airport in Mexico City.
INAH officials said the remarkably preserved egg is incredibly rare, and only the second discovery of its kind in the world – the first in the Americas.
The presence of the egg suggests that an ancient shallow lake existed in the area between 8,000 and 33,000 years ago.
The fossilized egg is 93.5 mm (3.7 inches) by 55.8 mm (2.2 inches).
Ten tombs containing the remains of five people were found in Chapultepec Park earlier this year. They are believed to date back at least 3,500 years. (INAH)
Back in Chapultepec Park, archaeologists found another series of far older graves, dating back 3,500 years, during construction work on Line 3 of the Cablebus, near Avenida Constituyentes.
These include 10 conical or bell tombs half containing human remains, indicating the existence of a village in the area during the Early and Middle Preclassic periods (2,500-400 B.C.).
The discovery of the tombs is additional evidence of early human habitation in the area, after artifacts dating to the same era were unearthed there last year.
Mexico will send microbots to the moon, as part of NASA's Artemis program. (UNAM/Cuartoscuro)
The countdown has begun on Mexico’s first mission to the moon. The launch of a rocket that will include five Mexican microbots will occur on Jan. 8 in Cape Canaveral, Florida — as long as atmospheric conditions are right and other technical factors are in order.
Created by a team of Mexican scientists and nearly 250 university students, the microbots each weigh about 60 grams and are 12 cm in diameter — a tad smaller than a standard saucer for a coffee cup.
A render of what the projected lander – and it’s launch vehicle – will look like. (Gob. Mex.)
On the moon, the bots will recognize one another, connect electronically and then assemble a panel that can generate energy. The project is dubbed “Colmena,” which means beehive in Spanish.
“This project will make history and is the first of its kind in Latin America,” Salvador Landeros, director of the Mexican Space Agency (AEM), said in a Dec. 22 press release. The project “speaks very well of Mexico, confirming once again that Mexican engineering is at the level of the best in the world,” he added.
The project is part of Mexico’s participation in the Artemis program, led by the United States’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in conjunction with six other space agencies around the globe. Formalized in late 2022, Artemis also includes emerging space programs in countries such as Brazil, South Korea and Mexico.
The Mexican microbots were developed in the Space Instrumentation Laboratory of the Institute of Nuclear Sciences (LINX-ICN), part of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). Joint support has come from the AEM, the National Council of Humanities, Science and Technology (CONAHCYT) and the central Mexican state of Hidalgo.
The mission will blast off from Cape Canaveral next month. (Bill Jelen/Unsplash)
“Developing our own technology is a necessity for the country,” said Gustavo Medina Tanco, head of LINX. “We need to not be just consumers, and transform the country into an actor with technological sovereignty.”
The microbots will travel inside Peregrine, a lunar lander developed by Pittsburgh-based space robotics company. Peregrine, the first private U.S. spacecraft to be launched as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services program, will also carry some 20 other NASA and commercial payloads.
The lander has been fueled and mated with the United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan Centaur rocket on the launchpad. ULA is a U.S.-based aerospace manufacturer and defense contractor. A launch during the Jan. 8-11 window would set up a landing as early as Feb. 23. The lander will not go directly to the lunar surface, but rather enter the moon’s orbit and wait for the lighting to be correct for landing.
The Mexican team had hoped to send its tiny robots into space in 2022, but delays occurred, including a scrapped launch earlier this month due to an interrupted “wet dress rehearsal.” After communicating and setting up power, the UNAM gazette reported last year, the robots will begin taking measurements that have never been taken before, including lunar plasma temperature and the size of particles floating just above the moon’s dusty surface.
