Local fishermen participated in the project, guiding the transport and placement of 30 enormous concrete blocks about three miles offshore, anticipating that they will become shelters full of color and movement in a matter of months. By summer, the authorities believe the site could be a snorkeling hotspot.
The state of Yucatán’s first artificial reef is about 30 miles offshore from the nature wonderland of Río Lagartos. As many as 500 more such reefs are envisioned for the rest of the decade. (Facebook)
Beneath the surface, a veritable underwater mountain range was taking shape, awaiting the inevitable natural process — the arrival of algae and small organisms, followed by curious fish checking out the nooks and crannies, and eventually the region’s emblematic species will begin to call it home.
The stated objective of the new structure is to promote marine restoration, strengthen fishing and boost ecotourism, while also benefiting species such as grouper, octopus and lobster.
The area for the reef was carefully chosen, taking into account the stability and delicate balance of the marine ecosystem, the authorities said.
State officials say Yucatán’s 370 kilometers of coastline and 15 fishing ports provide “a historic opportunity to project this system of artificial reefs while promoting the economic development of local communities in harmony with nature.”
Lila Frías, the state minister of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, spoke of the long-term vision and multiple benefits of the project.
“It’s not just about the biological benefits these structures provide to marine biodiversity, but also about consolidating them as a great tourist attraction and environmental awareness tool for those who visit our state,” she said.
Yucatán officials envision installing up to 500 artificial reefs along the shoreline by 2030.
As the federal Environment Ministry noted in 2017, artificial reefs help conserve natural reefs by reducing the pressure on ecosystems that are overexploited by resource extraction and diving.
Artificial reefs also create additional spaces to accommodate underwater flora and fauna species and can help promote sustainable tourism.
At the same time, they support academic research and discourage illegal fishing. While scientists can study the colonization of organisms and monitor reef evolution, the artificial structures make it difficult to use trawling nets, the use of which violates environmental laws and can wipe out whole species.
The percentage of Mexicans who reported no problems in their access to health care declined in the new study, the only category of social need that worsened since the last study. (Presidencia/Cuartoscuro)
A government study has found that access to education, housing and nutritious food has improved nationwide, but that deep gaps in the availability of health care exist from region to region and between population groups.
More than 90.3% of Mexico’s residents can get to a hospital within two hours, but that percentage drops significantly in the states of Guerrero, Oaxaca and Chiapas, demonstrating the inequality that prevails in the health care sector. (José Betanzos Zárate/Cuartoscuro)
The SDIS offers a unique snapshot of current social well-being by not basing its findings on broad economic output indicators such as GDP. Rather, it uses 53 indicators of effective access and 81 indicators of inequality gaps using key metrics for health (life expectancy, infant mortality), education (literacy, enrollment rates), income inequality (Gini coefficient) and living standards (access to sanitation, internet).
This is the first time INEGI has carried out this study after the National Council for the Evaluation of Social Development Policy (Coneval) was eliminated by Congress last June. The idea is that the information allows decision-makers to evaluate and monitor Mexicans’ real-life social needs so they can develop evidence-based social policy.
Among the notable findings:
81.4% of the population had access to education in 2024 and the use of basic supplies for studying at home — electricity, television, internet — reached 70.2% of students between 3 and 17 years old. This represented an increase of 33.5 percentage points compared to 2016. Significant shortcomings persist, however, in the southern states of Chiapas, Guerrero and Oaxaca, where 48% or less of the student population has full access to these tools.
92.1% of Mexico’s population reported access to decent housing without a lack of quality and space, while 85.9% had access to basic services in 2024. On the other hand, access to water within the home fell to 53.4% in 2024, as compared to 54.8% in 2016, and contrasts by region were significant (81.1% access in northern and western states but 24% or less in Baja California Sur, Chiapas, Guerrero, Morelos, Oaxaca and Puebla).
85.6% of the population did not experience a lack of access to nutritious and quality food in 2024, compared to 78.1% in 2016; 69.4% of Mexicans lived in households with food security and a diverse diet in 2024.
The percentage of people without deficiencies in access to health care services decreased from 84.4% in 2016 to 65.8% in 2024. However, while 93.3% of the public can reach a hospital in fewer than two hours in an emergency, doing so is more difficult in states like Oaxaca, Guerrero and Chiapas. Additionally, there is an urban vs. rural deficiency when combining access to health care and sufficient income among older adults — 46.5% in urban areas meet both conditions, compared to only 16.3% in rural areas.
Clouthier, a long-term resident of the Monterrey metropolitan area, has held high-ranking positions in the López Obrador and Sheinbaum administrations. (Facebook)
Tatiana Clouthier, a former federal economy minister who currently heads up the Institute for Mexicans Abroad (IME), will seek to represent the Morena party at the 2027 gubernatorial election in the northern state of Nuevo León.
Clouthier revealed her ambition during an interview with journalist and political analyst Fernando Cuevas, saying that while she is currently committed to her work at the IME, she will seek Morena’s nomination when the party commences its candidate selection process.
Clouthier, who served as economy minister from early 2021 to late 2022 in the government of ex-president Andrés Manuel López Obrador, said she didn’t know whether Morena would choose to select a female candidate in Nuevo León, as it did for the 2021 gubernatorial election in that state.
The Federal Electoral Tribunal ruled in December 2020 that parties had to nominate women candidates for governor in at least seven of the 15 states where elections were held in 2021.
Current Nuevo León Governor Samuel García, who represents the Citizens’ Movement (MC) party, is barred from seeking a second term.
Samuel García of the Citizens’ Movement party is the current governor of Nuevo León. (Gobierno de Nuevo León)
Morena, which was founded by López Obrador and backed Claudia Sheinbaum at the 2024 presidential election, has a majority in both houses of federal Congress and governs 23 of Mexico’s 32 federal entities. It has never held power in Nuevo León, and that state has never had a female governor.
Clouthier vs. Colosio?
If Clouthier succeeds in winning Morena’s nomination for governor of Nuevo León, one person against whom she could compete for the position is Luis Donaldo Colosio Riojas, son of Luis Donaldo Colosio Murrieta, who was assassinated in Tijuana in 1994 while campaigning as the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) candidate ahead of that year’s presidential election.
Colosio Riojas, an MC senator who served as mayor of Monterrey from 2021 to 2024, said in February that he would seek to represent the Citizens Movement party at a gubernatorial election next year, though he has not decided whether to run in Nuevo León or in Sonora, where he was born.
“It’s certain that I will go for one of the two, but the decision depends on many factors,” he said in a radio interview in mid-February.
García, representing the MC, easily won the 2021 gubernatorial election in Nuevo León, beating the second-placed candidate, Adrian De La Garza Santos of the PRI, by almost nine points. Morena’s candidate, Clara Luz Flores Carrales, placed fourth with just over 14% of the vote.
Clouthier would have to attract a much higher percentage of the vote to become Nuevo León’s first female governor.
Who is Tatiana Clouthier?
Born in Culiacán, Sinaloa, in 1964, Clouthier is the daughter of Leticia Carrillo and Manuel Clouthier, who represented the National Action Party (PAN) at the 1988 presidential election won by Carlos Salinas de Gortari. She was affiliated with the PAN for many years before switching her allegiance to Morena around a decade ago.
Career politician Tatiana Clouthier currently heads the Institute for Mexicans Abroad (IME). (Gobierno de México)
Clouthier, a long-term resident of the Monterrey metropolitan area, served as López Obrador’s campaign manager ahead of the 2018 presidential election and subsequently represented Morena in the lower house of Congress between 2018 and 2020. She replaced Graciela Márquez Colín as economy minister in January 2021 and remained in that position until October 2022, when she resigned.
Clouthier is an outspoken supporter of President Sheinbaum, and in 2025 joined her government as head of the IME, a federal agency dedicated to supporting Mexicans who live outside Mexico, chiefly the millions of Mexicans who live in the United States.
Citing “official information,” the newspaper El Financiero reported on Monday that she is the “owner” of a real estate business. Various media reports say that Clouthier is a partner of a family real estate company.
The current IME chief has also worked as a teacher and municipal government official, and served as director of upper secondary education at the Metropolitan University of Monterrey for several years.
Since 2003 the Zihuatanejo International Guitar Festival has been bringing smiles to musicians, attendees and local community members alike. (ZIGF)
In the fall of 2003, San Francisco residents Phil Milner and his wife, Jenny Kerr, got a call from a fellow musician who was building a house near Zihuatanejo. Their friend said some of his pals in “Zihua” were putting together an inaugural guitar festival scheduled for spring 2004. Would Phil and Jenny, who played Americana music, like to perform?
The grassroots organization, made up mostly of expats and Zihua business owners, would cover their travel expenses, accommodations and meals if Phil and Jenny agreed to play. The founding members also needed assistance with organizing the festival. Milner, an experienced stage manager, said, “Sure, we’ll be happy to help.”
Something for the community
This year’s Zihuatanejo International Guitar Festival will be held March 7-14. (ZIGF)
The inaugural festival in 2004 featured 15 musicians — eight local and seven foreign — who played in bars simultaneously over four days. From these modest beginnings, the Zihuatanejo International Guitar Festival (ZIGF) has grown into an annual eight-day festival with 12 venues and 17 shows that attract thousands of attendees and top-notch musicians from around the globe.
Held from the first to the second Saturday in March, this year’s event will take place March 7–14, 2026.
Heidi Nygård, the ZIGF’s director since 2016, said the festival has succeeded thanks to the hard work of the founding members. “It began with a small group of friends who loved music and wanted to bring something more to the community.”
Nygård says she is indebted to the festival’s first director, Catherine Krantz, who ran the show from 2004–2014, at which time Heidi became codirector, until taking the reins in 2016. Throughout the festival’s 22-year history, volunteers have managed the entire event. In addition to committee members who meet throughout the year, 100+ folks volunteer for the festival week.
“People love it,” Nygård said. “They get a badge and a T-shirt, and they get to hang out with the musicians.”
ZIGF is a nonprofit organization, and ticket sales, donations, sponsorships and merchandise sales cover the festival’s expenses. The mission has remained the same since the concept first took shape: Besides hosting world-class musicians, the festival generates tourism in Zihuatanejo, benefiting businesses and the local community. It also increases cultural awareness, improving the quality of life for residents and tourists.
The mission for the festival remains the same: improve the quality of life in Zihuatanejo for residents and tourists alike. (ZIGF)
Last but not least, an integral component of ZIGF’s mission is presenting educational concerts to local schoolchildren, including those in marginalized communities where music education is not part of the curriculum.
More like a vacation
In addition to its homegrown roots, ZIGF prides itself on being a different kind of music festival. “It’s not as stressful as normal gigs,” said Nygård. “Musicians only play two 60-minute sets, plus join in the opening and closing concerts. It’s more like a vacation.”
Another reason ZIGF is different from most guitar festivals is that it mixes genres. The 2026 festival, for example, features 24 musicians, playing gypsy jazz, classical, contemporary, tango, fingerstyle, Americana, flamenco and more. The performers hail from far-flung countries, including Cuba, Argentina, Canada, Italy and the United States. Half of the guitarists are Mexican.
The diversity of musicians encourages collaboration and lasting friendships, explained Mariana Sánchez Zoletto, ZIGF committee member who coordinates artists’ arrivals and departures. “A camaraderie develops among the musicians,” she said.
This is also because the musicians all stay in one hotel, which is rented in its entirety by the organization. They quickly become friends, said Milner, who is now a ZIGF committee member and the current festival emcee.
“We all have breakfast, and we hang around the pool,” he continued. “Then the guitars come out.”
The musicians who perform at the Zihuatanejo International Guitar Festival all stay at the same hotel and all become friends. (ZIGF)
Milner encourages the musicians to invite others to join them during their sets. “It reinforces the notion that music is the universal language,” he said.
Audience members are also charmed by the uniqueness of the festival, according to Sánchez. “Something special happens — with the place, the people. I’ve seen people transform. By the second or third day, you see a glow.”
Jossy Gallegos, a singer and guitarist from Petatlán, Guerrero, who has performed at ZIGF numerous times, agreed. “The audience is really present. They really listen,” she said.
ZIGF offers a unique experience to musicians, she added. “It’s a warm feeling. It’s what any musician would want.”
Inspiring young minds
Touching the lives of local schoolchildren through school concerts continues to be the festival’s most important mission, Nygård said. Originally, students were invited to attend concerts at a central venue.
“There wasn’t much of an educational essence to these events.”
The guitar festival teams up with P.R.I.S.M.A. to help promote artistic education in vulnerable communities. (ZIGF)
Today, ZIGF teams up with P.R.I.S.M.A. — a Mexican nonprofit founded by Morgan Szymanski that promotes artistic education in vulnerable communities — bringing festival musicians to the schools, where they present intimate concerts to students, incorporating lessons about musical notes, tempo and their instruments.
“It’s extremely gratifying,” Milner said. “Some of these kids have never seen an instrument played before. You don’t know how many young minds we might be inspiring to take up an instrument.”
Playing for schoolchildren is a unique way of connecting with them, says Gallegos, who started playing the guitar when she was nine. When the musicians go to the schools, she said, it makes the kids feel important.
“They feel seen,” she said.
After the concerts, students often line up for her autograph. “At one school, a lot of girls came up to me and asked for my phone number,” she recalled. “They still text me. It’s like a bond.”
“I don’t have enough words—what the festival does at schools,” Gallegos added. “It’s a little event, but there is a great impact. The kids are able to dream other dreams.”
The Zihuatanejo International Guitar Festival brings music into the lives of countless local youngsters, some of whom have never held an instrument before. (ZIGF)
Musicians, volunteers, committee members and audiences all agree ZIGF is an extraordinary event that brings people together.
“The festival is universally loved by everybody,” said Milner. “It’s been a highlight of my professional life.”
How to attend
Visit www.zihuafest.com to purchase advance tickets. Single tickets are also available at each venue and during the presale in downtown Zihuatanejo the week before the festival. Ticket holders must also make reservations at all restaurant venues due to limited seating. A required minimum consumption amount applies at dinner shows.
Interested in volunteering?
Apply online to volunteer for this community-led, community-funded and community-minded festival. There are volunteer opportunities in four main areas: administrative, promotional, on-site and transportation.
All volunteers receive training, a free T-shirt and a complimentary festival pass, as well as gratitude and as many high fives as they want! Visit www.zihuafest.com/volunteers to apply.
Businesses are welcome to support the festival through sponsorship. For more information, contact zihuafest@gmail.com.
Peggy Sijswerda is a freelance writer who divides her time between San Miguel de Allende and the Netherlands. She writes about travel, food, culture, and wellness and is the author of Still Life with Sierra, a travel memoir.
Life is always beautiful on the Riviera Maya and there's plenty to do in March. (Jorge Fernández Salas/Unsplash)
Punk seniors, scout youngsters, family fun runs and motorcycle rides for charity, everyone is getting out and about this month in the Riviera Maya. There are also candlelight symphonies and high-energy big-name acts like Ricky Martin later in the month. Let’s not forget our furry friends with a hug beach dog festival for the pups, too.
ABU’s Punks Edition
Attitude is required for ABU’s Punk Edition in Riviera Maya this month. (Facebook)
This would be a hoot. Young at heart people, grab your studded belts, leather jackets, colored wigs and get ready to rebel. Let your inner punk fly high and connect with fun people in your own punk style. Enjoy a meal and make new friends, reliving your youthful attitude. It’s something I hope we never lose.
Date: March 6, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Chicago Restaurant, Avenida de las Torres, Cancún
Cost: 590 pesos (ABU members); 690 pesos for general admission.
3rd Annual Scout for a Day
This looks like great fun for kids, teens and young adults (ages 6-22). Games, adventure and camaraderie await, and parents are welcome to play, too. Nothing better than that if you ask me … the woman who refuses to grow up. Scout Group 5 Reims welcomes you with open arms, and best of all, there are snacks at the end.
Date: March 7
Location: La Salle Primary School, Av. Tecnológico, Playa del Carmen
Cost: Free
Puerto Aventuras Race
Run-based fun for the whole family awaits at Puerto Aventuras. (Facebook)
I’m thinking of rounding up some friends and heading to this one. From the shorter 400-meter race to the more taxing 10-kilometer race, there’s fun for the whole family. Run, walk, jog or ramble with the dog — or sponsor another runner if you don’t want to run at all. All proceeds go to help renovate the Cultural Center. Everyone is welcome at this event, and it sounds exciting.
Date: March 8
Location: Puerto Aventuras Sports Complex
Cost: 560 pesos for adults, 480 pesos for kids
2nd Annual Poker Run
Rev up your motorcycle, as this should be a fun day riding with other bikers. Enjoying five fun stops, prizes for best and worst hands, supporting local kids and there’s live music at the end. It’s a good place to connect with the local community and riders alike. Best of all, you can go in groups or solo for a nice day out, raising money for a worthy cause.
Date: March 8, 10:30 – 11:30 registration at Habaneros
Location: Puerto Morelos
Cost: 250 pesos for your five cards
Opera in Mérida
The Human Voice Opera will be so beautiful that I’m considering getting on a bus from Playa del Carmen and heading to Mérida. Singaporean soprano Victoria Songwei Li is starring in what promises to be an evening of culture, sophistication and elegance. It’s not something I do everyday but I do love an evening out, so who knows. Maybe I’ll see you there.
Date: March 13, 15
Location: Palace of Music, Mérida
Cost: Tickets range from 150 to 300 pesos
Dog Beach Fest 2026
The Riviera Maya’s ultimate four-legged festival, with friends. (Dog Beach Fest)
I can’t wait for this one. I think it’ll be delightful to see all those happy wagging tails. A pet-friendly affair, this is the Riviera Maya’s ultimate dog festival. With 50 local exhibitors from the pet industry, costume prizes, skill contests and the main event, pups looking for forever homes in the adoption fair. It’s a great community event to attend. Humans and furry friends all welcome, hopefully in costume to win some prizes.
Date: March 14, 9:30 am
Location: Plaza Municipal, Playa del Carmen
Cost: Free
Somnia Music Festival Isla Mujeres
Check out the good vibes and the good music at Somnia 2026. (Areia)
Last year’s festival was so popular that it’s back this year. Not a chaotic random party, no, it’s an immersive experience. The place where ocean waves, music and people become part of the same frequency as the sun sets over Isla Mujeres. With limited space, it’s a fun festival, not overcrowded.
Spring Equinox viewing the feathered serpent at Chichén Itzá
The Temple of Kukulkán at Chichén Itzá in Quintana Roo. (Daniel Schwen/Wikimedia Commons)
I’ve visited Chichen Itza a few times, so I recommend getting there early if you want to see the Mayan phenomenon of the feathered serpent descending the pyramid. It marks the start of planting season, balancing light and dark, which always attracts record crowds. And for good reason. It only happens a few times a year. So, pack a big hat and water bottle and grab your seat early, as the best time to view is between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. If you’ve got time, stay for the night light show afterwards, it’s spectacular!
Date: March 20 or 21
Location: Chichén Itzá
Cost: Cost is 648 pesos for adults, but kids 3-12 and locals pay only 100 pesos.
Candelight Concerts
Yes, that’s right, concerts. There’s not one candlelight concert to enjoy; there are two as the solstice energy flows! Kick it off, say hello to the night with an Adele tribute. Then stay on to enjoy the Coldplay vs. Ed Sheeran concert at 9 p.m., if you’re enjoying the vibe.
Date: March 21, 7 p.m.
Location: Palacio de la Música, Mérida
Cost: From 223 pesos
Puerto Aventuras International Film Festival
With just over 20,000 residents, Puerto Aventuras is the second-largest community in the municipality of Solidaridad, behind Playa del Carmen. (Puerto Aventuras/Facebook)
Movie buffs, mark your calendars. This cinephile can’t wait for this fabulous film festival celebrating cultural diversity, global storytelling and artistic film excellence. It’s named one of North America’s top film festivals and, in my humble opinion, is the Riviera Maya’s top film festival. So fellow cinephiles, grab your popcorn and settle in. There are early bird specials, so grab your tickets as quickly as you can.
Date: March 25-29
Location: Puerto Aventuras Zona Turística
Cost: Day passes are available for US $49; VIP red carpet ticket access for the festival is US $150.
Ricky Martin Live
Those on the Riviera Maya who can get tickets for this one will be “Livin’ la Vida Loca.” (Fun Ticket)
I’m sure I won’t be the only one swooning while happily dancing and singing “Livin’ la Vida Loca” right alongside Ricky at this concert. I’m pretty sure this will be an unforgettable night. Don’t tell anyone, but I’m already looking up places to stay so I can dance and sing along in what is sure to be a high-energy concert.
Date: March 28
Location: Estudio Kukulkán, Mérida.
Cost: Prices range from 610 to 4,890 pesos
Mexico Correspondent for International Living, Bel is an experienced writer, author, photographer and videographer with 500+ articles published both in print and across digital platforms. Living in the Mexican Caribbean for over seven years now, she’s in love with Mexico and has no plans to go anywhere anytime soon.
The auction of 195 pre-Columbian artificats that belong to Mexico was set to take place on eBay in Florida, but Mexico has moved to stop the event. (Coins Artifacts/eBay)
Mexico has once again intervened in an attempted sale of valuable artifacts from its pre-Columbian past, and demanded the return of the objects.
The Culture Ministry denounced the sale planned to take place on the online platform eBay of 195 archaeological pieces and demanded that the auction by an eBay user in Orlando, Florida, identified as “Coins Artifacts,” be withdrawn.
Tras la revisión de anuncios en la plataforma @eBay, especialistas del @INAHmx determinaron que 195 piezas ofertadas por un usuario en Orlando, Florida, son piezas de origen prehispánico de nuestra nación.
“After reviewing listings on the eBay platform, specialists from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) determined that the 195 pieces offered by a user in Orlando, Florida, are pre-Hispanic artifacts from our nation,” Culture Minister Claudia Curiel de Icaza said in a post on X.
INAH’s statement says bluntly that the artifacts belong to Mexico. It points out that the export of such artifacts has been prohibited since 1827, meaning that their presence abroad derives from an illicit extraction.
Curiel stated that the Mexican government “appeals to ethics and respect” for cultural heritage and calls for the removal of the advertisements from the platform and for the adoption of the necessary measures to prevent their offering and eventual commercialization.
She added that all corresponding legal proceedings have been initiated with the aim of having the pieces repatriated to Mexican territory through official diplomatic and legal channels, in order to protect the cultural heritage of the country.
In a statement pertaining to that case, Curiel urged the auction house to “reflect on the ethical and moral codes that should govern the marketing of looted cultural property, a practice that contributes to cultural dispossession and threatens the memory of peoples.”
Earlier this year, Mexico successfully recovered archaeological artifacts from Portugal, consisting of a female figure from western Mexico associated with fertility rituals, a polychrome Maya vessel from the Classic period and a Zapotec urn representing the god Cocijo, deity of rain and fertility.
Illicitly traded cultural property is often sold either in illegal markets around the world or through legal avenues such as public auctions, including online. Many of the artifacts that Mexico has recovered are the result of a federal government task force created in 2023 that works with local authorities abroad to seek judicial redress and halt auctions in several countries.
"Shakira is very loved by Mexican families," President Sheinbaum remarked on Monday morning, after the Colombian superstar filled the country's most iconic public plaza with 400,000 fans on Sunday night. (Camila Ayala Benabib/Cuartoscuro)
President Claudia Sheinbaum held her first morning press conference of the new month at the National Palace in Mexico City after visiting Sinaloa and Baja California Sur over the weekend.
Here is a recap of some of the most important remarks the president made at her March 2 mañanera.
‘Our goal is always to restore peace and security for the people, and we’re working on that. Mexico is fine.’
Sheinbaum responded to a question about the reestablishment of order after the death of ‘El Mencho’ triggered chaos across Mexico.
“The very complex, very difficult, very sad time … [came] on Sunday [Feb. 22]. Sad because of the loss of human lives. And things started to return to normal on Monday. Obviously, Jalisco and part of Michoacán were the most complicated [areas]. But things calmed down on Tuesday. On Wednesday, practically all economic, school and social activities resumed. … Our goal is always to restore peace and security for the people, and we’re working on that. Mexico is fine.”
The big picture:
There is no doubt that the widespread violence triggered by the operation against Nemesio Rubén “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes inflicted some harm on Mexico’s international reputation. However, the fact that the all-pervasive violent chaos did not continue for days on end is a victory of sorts for the Mexican government and its security forces. That Mexico City was not plagued by the unrest seen in other parts of the country is also significant.
First and foremost, the relatively quick quelling of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel’s hostile response to the death of their leader is important because it allowed millions of Mexicans to resume their normal lives, even though insecurity remains a serious problem in parts of the country. It also allowed FIFA to maintain its confidence in Mexico as a World Cup host. Had widespread cartel violence persisted last week, it would have been much more difficult for Gianni Infantino to come out in support of Mexico.
‘Practically, 80% of the population agrees with the operation. … The majority think it will improve security.’
Sheinbaum addressed a poll by the newspaper El Financiero published on Monday that found broad public support for the operation, with 82% of respondents rating the government’s actions against El Mencho as good or very good, and 77% saying they believe those actions were the right call.
Notably, when comparing respondents interviewed before the Feb. 22 operation to those interviewed after it, the president’s approval rating jumped from 68% to 76% — an eight-point increase. In a separate survey conducted by the polling company De las Heras, 69% of respondents gave the military operation against “El Mencho” a rating of eight or higher out of 10.
Why it matters:
Sheinbaum has maintained a very high approval rating throughout her presidency, but security flashpoints can quickly tank it. Her rating dropped nine percentage points between May and December 2025 — from a high of 83% to 74% — driven in large part by public concern over insecurity, with 51% of Mexicans identifying it as the country’s biggest problem.
The polling data suggests that Mexicans not only welcomed the outcome of the operation, but credited Sheinbaum’s government for it — a meaningful vote of confidence given the building political pressure from Washington and within Mexico to dismantle the country’s most powerful criminal organizations.
‘What matters most to us is not only economic growth, but also more and better-paid jobs.’
This was Sheinbaum’s response to a presentation by the head of the Mexican Institute for Social Security (IMSS) on job growth in February.
According to Director Zoé Robledo, at the end of February, there were 22,527,854 formal jobs registered before the institute, representing an increase of 217,000 jobs in the first two months of 2026 and 157,882 in February alone.
Why job growth is a pressure point for the Sheinbaum administration:
At the end of 2025, the Sheinbaum administration reported net formal job creation of 278,697 — the lowest annual figure in a president’s first full year in office since Vicente Fox in 2001. Nearly three out of every four of those jobs were tied to digital platforms like delivery and ride-hailing apps, raising questions about the strength of the underlying labor market.
That makes this year’s initial job numbers — which do not include gig work — a welcome turnaround for the administration.
‘I watched some of it from the window, so that no one would see me.’
A reporter asked the president if she saw Sunday’s free Shakira concert in the Zócalo — which sits directly in front of the National Palace — to which Sheinbaum responded: “I saw part of the broadcast. Of course, from here, I could hear everything. And then, I stood there for a little while by the window, so that no one would see me; I was hiding there.”
Reporter: And did you dance?
“No, no. I didn’t go that far,” Sheinbaum responded. “But truly… The audience was amazing.”
@canal_catorcemx#Mañanera360 | La presidenta @Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo destacó la participación de miles de personas que se reunieron en el Zócalo capitalino para el concierto gratuito de @Shakira y celebró el ambiente de alegría y convivencia. “Muy bonito, la gente contenta y feliz, la calidez, la alegría, el amor, el deseo de vivir, eso es México”, expresó la presidenta, y felicitó a la jefa de Gobierno @Clara Brugada y a Grupo Modelo por la organización del evento. ➡️ @Mañanera360 con Miguel Arzate y Arlin Medrano al finalizar la #MañaneraDelPueblo de la presidenta Claudia Sheinbaum 🇲🇽 📆 Lunes a Viernes 📺 14.1 📲 @MxPlus #Zócalo#lmynlwordtour#Shakira♬ sonido original – Canal Catorce
Later in the mañanera, the president congratulated the Mexico City government, led by Mayor Clara Brugada, for the event’s organization; Ocesa, for its production; and Shakira, for the music.
By Mexico News Daily chief staff writer Peter Davies (peter.davies@mexiconewsdaily.com)
Foreign Relations Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente met with Mexican ambassadors for almost all Middle East countries and confirmed that there are no reports that any of the 7,000 Mexicans in the region — mostly as tourists — have suffered any kind of physical harm. (SRE)
Mexico’s Foreign Ministry (SRE) has confirmed that the 7,000 Mexicans presently in the Middle East remain “safe and sound.”
In a video posted to social media on Sunday, Foreign Relations Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente said the government is “closely monitoring the situation of Mexican citizens” in the Middle East, following the attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel and Tehran’s military response.
En Comondú, Baja California Sur, la presidenta @Claudiashein reafirma posición de México ante conflictos internacionales: autodeterminación de los pueblos, no intervención y solución pacífica de controversias. Son principios constitucionales que distinguen nuestra política… pic.twitter.com/dieXZSzMOm
De la Fuente confirmed that there have been no reports of incidents affecting the Mexican nationals in the region.
“There is not a single report of anyone suffering any physical harm,” he said.
On Saturday, the SRE issued a statement expressing concern about the situation in the Middle East, while at the same time making an urgent appeal to all parties “to prioritize diplomatic channels and refrain from the use of force, in order to preserve peace and stability in the region.”
The SRE added that “[I]n accordance with our constitutional principles of foreign policy and our country’s pacifist convictions, we urge all parties to avoid further escalation of the conflict, the humanitarian consequences of which, and its effects on the civilian population and global stability, would be grave. We reiterate the need to resolve disputes through dialogue and negotiation.”
The SRE reports that its embassies in the Middle East remain “attentive and in continuous contact with Mexican nationals residing or transiting through the region, in order to provide them with the consular assistance they require.”
Among those taking part in the videochat were the heads of Mexico’s diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Palestine and Qatar.
On Sunday, during a working tour of Baja California Sur, President Claudia Sheinbaum responded to the military action by urging a peaceful resolution, while bemoaning the humanitarian consequences of the attacks.
“Mexico will always advocate for world peace, which is very necessary at this time,” she said, adding that Mexico’s Constitution establishes the foreign policy principles of self-determination, non-intervention and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
🕊️ La presidenta Claudia Sheinbaum criticó que la ONU frente al conflicto en Oriente Medio y el ataque a Irán que resultó en la muerte de Jamení.
Recordó que tras la Segunda Guerra Mundial se buscó igualdad entre naciones, pero que hoy “la ONU dejó de cumplir su labor, la… pic.twitter.com/IOixusUuT6
On Monday, Sheinbaum urged a return to the role of multilateral diplomacy to prevent a larger war, while lamenting that the United Nations has lost strength in this regard.
As most airspace in the region has been closed, the SRE is working to provide alternative evacuation protocols, including land and sea routes, while prioritizing the safety of those being evacuated. It also urged Mexican nationals abroad to seek information through official channels.
Mexico is 1 for 3 on its quest to break three World Cup-inspired Guinness World Records before the tournament kicks off in June — starting with a giant human soccer jersey in February, followed by the world's largest soccer practice in March and a massive collaborative mural in May. (@ramirezlalo_/X)
Mexico achieved a new Guinness World Record on Friday when 4,757 people gathered in Víctor Manuel Reyna stadium in the capital of Chiapas to create the biggest soccer jersey formed by human figures in the world.
Before the event began, volunteers handed out green, red and white t-shirts, representing the colors of the Mexican national flag. Each shirt featured flags of all 32 Mexican states, symbolizing national unity as the country builds momentum toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to the Tourism Ministry, which organized the event.
In the center of the shirt, participants held up the slogans, “Mexico is in style” and “Chiapas is extraordinary by nature,” as a nod to the state’s outstanding natural beauty, from jungles to waterfalls and lagoons.
The previous record for a similar feat was held by Bucaramanga, Colombia, where 2,891 people formed the image of the local soccer team’s jersey on Nov. 7, 2018.
These events are part of the “Social World Cup” program, an initiative President Claudia Sheinbaum announced in November. The program aims to bring educational, tourism, and cultural activities to communities across the country in the lead-up to the global soccer tournament.
Miles de personas unidas, latiendo al mismo ritmo, demostraron que cuando se trata de pasión, organización y orgullo, México siempre juega en equipo. Este logro enciende la emoción rumbo al #MundialSocial2026 y marca el inicio de una etapa donde el turismo, la cultura y el… pic.twitter.com/bXmPptNYii
“I want to thank our president, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, for this opportunity to make Chiapas visible, because with this we are starting the first act of the 2026 World Cup in our country,” Chiapas governor Eduardo Ramírez Aguilar, who attended the event, wrote on social media.
“It is a historic achievement for the state of Chiapas,” said the official adjudicator for Guinness World Records in Mexico, Alfredo Arista.
“I have the fortune of being witness to this great image… where we can observe the fraternity that is precisely what we are looking for: The integration of families and people, to achieve a common objective to make this world, this state an amazing place,” added Arista.
Mexico’s next Guinness World Record attempt, scheduled for Sunday, March 15, in Mexico City, will seek to hold the world’s largest soccer practice.
The Bank of Mexico (Banxico) reported Monday that Mexico received US $4.594 billion in remittances in January, a decline of 1.4% compared to the same month of 2025. (Shutterstock)
The Bank of Mexico (Banxico) reported Monday that Mexico received US $4.594 billion in remittances in January, a decline of 1.4% compared to the same month of 2025.
The month-over-month decline was 13.46%.
The fall in incoming remittances in January came after an annual decline of 4.6% in 2025, during which Mexico received $61.79 billion via international monetary transfers.
In percentage terms, the decline was the largest in 16 years and the first drop since 2013.
Most remittances to Mexico come from the United States, where millions of Mexicans live and work. Analysts partially attributed the decline in 2025 to fear of going out to work among U.S.-based Mexicans, of whom 4.3 million are “unauthorized” immigrants, according to the bank BBVA.
Banxico data shows that a total of 11.46 million individual remittances were sent to Mexico in January, representing an annual decline of 5.2%. Almost 99% of those remittances were sent electronically.
The average remittance was $401, an increase of 3.9% compared to January 2024.
At the current exchange rate, a remittance of $401 is worth around 6,950 pesos. Millions of Mexican families depend on the money they receive in remittances to cover their basic expenses.
Banxico also reported that US $99 million in remittances left Mexico in January, a 9.3% decline compared to the same month of last year. The average outgoing remittance was $412, a decrease of 7.5% compared to January 2025.
Other need-to-know economic data
The USD:MXN exchange rate was 17.32 at 12 p.m. Mexico City time. The peso has appreciated around 4% against the greenback so far this year.
