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Querétaro named a 2024 UNESCO ‘Lifelong Learning City’

By
MND Staff
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Querétaro, a city of 1.6 million, was honored by the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) for its commitment to learning and education initiatives.
Querétaro, a city of 1.6 million, was honored by the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) for its commitment to learning and education initiatives. (Anáhuac Querétaro)

UNESCO has named Querétaro one of 10 global “Lifelong Learning Cities,” recognizing the central Mexican city for its exemplary support of learning initiatives that cater to all ages.

The prize-winning cities were selected by the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL), based on recommendations from an independent jury of international experts.

“Thank you, UNESCO, for the award and for recognizing the municipality as a city of governance, good practices … where [there are] programs that promote inclusion, and work is done to improve the quality of life of families,” Querétaro’s Municipal President Felipe Fernando Macías wrote on the social media site X. 

The UNESCO Learning City Award was established in 2015 to further promote lifelong learning for all and showcase good practices in building learning cities.

“Cities are home to more than half of the world’s population and must be at the forefront of societal change,” said the Director of the UIL Isabell Kempf. “The 2024 UNESCO Learning City Awardees demonstrate the power of lifelong learning to enable citizens to adapt, innovate and collaborate on solutions to our planet’s most pressing challenges. Their commitment to inclusivity and to sustainable development offers a path to a more just and prosperous future for all.”  

Querétaro, located around two hours northwest of Mexico City, has transformed into a dynamic hub of lifelong learning since becoming a UNESCO learning city in 2019. 

According to UNESCO, the city has implemented 40 projects, including 28 public programs adapted to lifelong learning principles, reaching over 1.7 million participants by 2023. 

Notable achievements include the creation of five community gardens maintained by over 300 residents, the establishment of cultural spaces like La Vía Centre for Artistic Training and Hercules Cultural Space and the implementation of technology training at the BLOQUE centre1.

Querétaro has also demonstrated a strong commitment to workforce development, particularly in response to the growing opportunities presented by nearshoring.

In October, Japanese machine tool giant Makino broke ground on a new technology innovation center in Querétaro, citing the city’s infrastructure, education and highly qualified workforce as critical factors in its decision to invest in the region.

Mexico News Daily

Architectural Review awards post-hurricane housing design in Acapulco

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MND Staff
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Hurricane-resistant homes built by Estudio Manuel Cervantes were awarded a 2024 House Award by the trade magazine Architectural Review
Hurricane-resistant homes built by Estudio Manuel Cervantes were awarded a 2024 House Award by the trade magazine Architectural Review. (Instagram)

A housing project in Mexico’s coastal city of Acapulco, designed by the Mexican architectural studio Estudio Manuel Cervantes, was announced as the winner of the 2024 Architectural Review (AR) House Awards on Monday.

“Our goal is to make houses that are not just structures but adaptable homes where the architecture enables the empowerment of the inhabitants to break the cycle of poverty in Acapulco,” Manuel Cervantes told AR.

Acapulco suffered widespread damage during Hurricane Otis, one of the worst storms to ever hit Mexico’s Pacific coast, in October 2023. The storm damaged 80% of the resort city’s hotels and 95% of its businesses, and killed at least 52 people.

Cervantes’s studio designed the new houses to be built using prefabricated Covintec panels — wire mesh frames filled with Styrofoam and coated with concrete. Each house is designed to operate without air conditioning, while timber screens and concrete latticework allow air and light through.  

As part of an initiative known as Kon-tigo, meaning “with you” in Spanish, the studio has completed 42 houses and is working to finish 78 more, with funding from various private donors through the non‑profit organizations Asociación Gilberto and Construyendo. The houses vary in size, from 376 to 807 square feet, and cost an average of US $18,000 each to build.

The structures withstood flooding during Acapulco’s tropical storm season in September and October, including Hurricane John. 

The "Diamante" resort zone of Acapulco was under water on Monday.
Hurricane John struck Acapulco in September, just 11 months after Hurricane Otis damaged 80% of its hotels and 95% of its businesses. (Carlos Alberto Carbajal/Cuartoscuro)

Cervantes aims to build long-term housing for those affected by Hurricane Otis, inspired by the Cartilla de la Vivienda (Housing Primer), published by the National College of Architects of Mexico and the Society of Mexican Architects in 1954. The original project created a construction manual to help those working in the informal labor market who did not have access to state-built housing. 

He also takes inspiration from a 1954 article in Arquitectura México written by the Mexican architect Enrique del Moral, in which del Moral stressed the importance of using open floor plans that facilitate cross ventilation and avoiding excessive use of glass and metal, according to AR. 

The impact of hurricanes on Acapulco

While still recovering from the effects of Otis, Acapulco suffered extreme flooding and mudslides during Hurricane John in September, which killed at least 29 people.  

In October, President Claudia Sheinbaum announced an 8-billion-peso (US $400 million) reconstruction package for Acapulco and Oaxaca in October in response to the destruction caused by John.   

The Mexican government also recently announced plans to construct one million new homes countrywide over the next six years with an investment of 600 billion pesos ($29.7 billion) under its Housing and Regularization Program. 

With reports from The Architectural Review, El Sol de Acapulco and El País

Boston Red Sox to play two exhibition games in Monterrey

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MND Staff
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The Boston Red Sox 2024 team sitting on dugout benches in ascending rows for a photo.
The Boston Red Sox will fly into Monterrey, Nuevo León, for a two-game regular season exhibition series against hometown heroes Los Sultanes de Monterrey (the Monterrey Sultans). (Boston Red Sox/Facebook)

Although a plan to play 2025 regular-season Major League Baseball (MLB) games in Mexico for a third consecutive year has not panned out, Mexican fans will have an opportunity in March to see a Major League team play here: the Boston Red Sox have committed to a two-game exhibition series on March 24-25 in Monterrey, Nuevo León.

After the Boston Red Sox conclude their 2025 spring training schedule in Fort Meyers, Florida, they will pay a visit to the Mexican Baseball League team, the Monterrey Sultans (Sultanes de Monterrey), the Red Sox announced via social media.

Edgar Torres, pitcher for the Mexican Baseball League team Sultanes de Monterrey, with his glove over his hand and leg raised, in position to throw a pitch at a recent Sultans game.
Edgar Torres, pitcher for the Monterrey Sultans. (Sultanes de Monterrey/X)

The Sox will play the Sultans in the Sultans’ home stadium, Monterrey’s Estadio Mobil Super.

The Boston Herald newspaper reported that the Red Sox will fly from Fort Meyers to Monterrey ahead of their March 27 season opener against the Texas Rangers.

The Sultans are one of the Mexican League’s Big Three, with 10 championships under their belts, behind only the Mexico City Diablos Rojos (17) and the Quintana Roo Tigres (12).

Monterrey’s Sultans have faced Major League baseball teams before. 

In 1991, they hosted a three-game series featuring MLB teams the Milwaukee Brewers and the Los Angeles Dodgers, as well as the Industriales de Monterrey (a Mexican Baseball League team that folded in 1994). 

The Sultans defeated the Brewers 6-5.

Two years later, in 1993, the city hosted another round-robin series featuring the Monterrey team against the Atlanta Braves, the Minnesota Twins and the Industriales. The Sultanes lost 3-2 to the Braves.

In 2008, the Sultans traveled to Phoenix to face the Arizona Diamondbacks, losing 9-4.

According to MLB.com, Monterrey’s Estadio Mobil Super, the largest baseball stadium in Mexico, has hosted five MLB regular-season series, including the first-ever regular-season game outside of the United States or Canada. They are: 

  • April 16-18, 1996: San Diego Padres vs New York Mets, three games 
  • April 4, 1999: San Diego Padres vs Colorado Rockies, one game
  • May 4-6, 2018: San Diego Padres vs Los Angeles Dodgers, three games
  • April 13-14, 2019: Cincinnati Reds vs St. Louis Cardinals, two games
  • May 4-5, 2019: Houston Astros vs Los Angeles Angels, two games

As regular-season exhibition games, the Red Sox-Sultanes games are not part of the MLB International Series, which has featured over 200 international games in 11 different countries and territories.

Mexico City’s Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú hosted the MLB International Series each of the past two seasons in 2023 and 2024, as well as a two-game exhibition series between the New York Yankees and the hometown team, the Diablos Rojos (Red Devils) in March 2024.

With reports from The Boston Herald and ESPN

France meets Mexico: How Christian Plumail arrived in Zihuatanejo

By
Elisabeth Ashe
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Christian Plumail
Christian Plumail has a host of Michelin stars and loves passing on his culinary knowledge to others. Now his mission is to help Zihuatanejo to cook. (Christian Plumail via Email Gourmand)

Chef Christian Plumail was just 20 years old when he opened his first restaurant in Juan-les-Pins, France, following an extensive, well-rounded education at the Nice cooking school with very little money and a lot of determination. For 10 years he persevered, earning his first Michelin star rating. 

The success of his first venture started a lifelong career as Plumail opened his 2nd restaurant, which he operated for 3 years in Sait-Paul-de-Vence, France and where he earned his 2nd Michelin Star. Following this success, Plumail opened his 3rd restaurant in Nice and ran it for 25 years, earning yet another Michelin Star. However, the accolades did not end when Plumail also scooped the prestigious Pastry award in 1978.  

Christian Plumail and Adriana Karembian in Monaco.
Christian Plumail has been cooking for celebrities for decades — while teaching anyone who wants to learn for free. (Pure People)

Plumail’s star rose quickly from the opening of his first venture, gaining an exclusive A-lister clientele such as Duran Duran, Sir Elton John and King Frederik of Denmark, as well as many wealthy clients worldwide. While at his 3rd restaurant, he caught the eye of none other than the Prince Of Monaco. Impressed with his skills, the Royal Prince enticed him to be the chef at Monaco’s prestigious yacht club. At first, Plumail was reluctant — after all, he had a business and school to run. He only agreed when promised it would be only for 3 days, so he accepted the offer. Little did he know that those 3 days would become a week, which quickly became 5 years.  

After years of struggle and humble beginnings, Plumail says, “Working there was like another world. Unlimited money when before money was always limited. It was a dream job.”

Plumail sold his restaurant and began traveling and cooking all over the world, often for VIPs and celebrities. But he never lost his love for teaching. “Some of my students have become very successful,” he said with pride, “It makes me feel good.”

During one of these assignments in 1984, he ended up in Oaxaca, Mexico and was the first person to teach cooking classes for Alliance Française, a global network of schools promoting the French language through cultural and educational activities. In exchange, the school gave him and his wife, Betty, a one-week free holiday to Zihuatanejo. 

Plumail and his wife were instantly captivated by the allure of Zihuatanejo. Their love for the area was so profound that they decided to make it their permanent home, moving there full-time three years ago. 

But, says Plumail, “I knew I could not just sit here and do nothing — I had to do something.”

That something was the purchase of a small 9-room boutique hotel in July of this year, high on the road to La Ropa beach, called Enseno de Fuga. From the outside, it looked deceivingly small, with a low wooden door which led inside. Once you step over the threshold, you will be greeted with a breathtaking view of Zihuatanejo Bay and the sheer spaciousness of the interior. 

This continued throughout the entire property, from the foyer to the dining area and pool below.  Each of the nine rooms boasting the same spectacular views was individually decorated and named with their door plaques, like La Sirena, La Ropa, and Neptuno. In addition, you can rent the whole villa, which includes a sitting area and kitchen facilities so you can cook for yourselves or enjoy the luxury of Plumail as your private chef.  

Plans for the hotel, which Plumail says should be operational in about a month, include hosting special events for up to 20 people at a time, which Plumail and his wife will cater. “These would be special and with fine attention to every detail. For me, a customer is a friend, and spending a special, personal time with people is important to create an experience for our guests.”

His future plans also include cooking classes for four to eight people in an intimate setting. The class will consist of a trip to the market, during which Plumail will guide you in choosing the freshest ingredients. Then, you will return to the villa and cook together. “I want everyone to be working and active in the class and not just watching me cook,” he says of the small class size.

Starting in December 2024, Plumail is organizing and hosting high-end brunches, including champagne, with reservations only.  

And if Plumail life wasn’t busy enough, I soon learned of his second passion in life – running. “I love to eat,” he said. “But I don’t want to get fat. And so, I must exercise.”

That “exercise” is three Ironman competitions — two in France, one in Germany, and over twenty marathons worldwide. Last year, he climbed Pico de Orizaba, Mexico’s highest mountain, at 5,600 meters. Next year, Plumail plans to climb the Aconcagua in Argentina, which is 6,900 meters. He is in training now. 

Through it all, Plumail confessed his love of passing on his knowledge to others, often for free, such as a class at the nearby Universidad Tecnológica de la Costa Grande de Guerrero. “I love to teach and I know what it’s like to have little money to learn and study. And all the time, you are an apprentice.” Although Plumail hesitated to talk about his philanthropy and charity work teaching budding chefs, often for free, he says, “You have to give back.”

Writer Elizabeth Ashe divides her time between Canada and Zihuatanejo.

Are Mexicans really always late?

By
Sarah DeVries
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Someone checking their watch.
It's maybe the biggest stereotype in the country. What's the truth of the matter? (JÉSHOOTS/Pexels)

Before we get into the nuts and bolts regarding Mexican punctuality — or lack thereof — it’s important to clarify one thing. Mexicans are not actually always late.

That said, all stereotypes have to come from somewhere, don’t they? But like everything in life, there’s nuance to it.

Someone having a nice coffee at a local café
Stereotypes regarding Mexican punctuality can be in accurate, but it’s hard to argue that for many, the concept of time here is just…different. (The Lazy Artist Gallery/Pexels)

Just like people all over the world, there’s room for a great deal of variety. Some people are always on time, and some people never are. Most people are punctual for certain activities, and unpunctual for others.

My dad, for instance, has never been punctual; I remember my mother saying she was terrified he wouldn’t make it to their wedding on time. My ex-husband also has challenges with punctuality, as does one of my best friends; I’ve spent great chunks of my adult life waiting hours.

I’m always super duper on time for everything, though might let myself get to a party up to an hour late. My kid is leaning unpunctual, but I’m doing my damndest to lecture it out of her. Because if there’s one thing kids love and respond to, it’s a good lecture.

One of the problems about even defining “late” is the language around defining time. For a deep dive into this, check out Joseph Sorrentino’s excellent piece on this specific type of vocabulary. “Ahorita,” “al ratito,” “mañana.” None of these words specify an actual time, you see? So “ahorita” could mean right this minute, and it could mean in five hours, or never. “Al ratito” (in a while) might mean in a couple of hours, or it might mean in a few years, depending on who’s saying it. You get the idea.

An old man reading the newspaper in a café
“Ahorita,” “al ratito,” “mañana.” None of these words specify an actual time, do they? (Daria Obymaha/Pexels)

And really, this kind of language is useful because it allows for flexibility. In this way at least, Mexico is a flexible country.

Really, it has to be. Things come up that need tending. Public transportation can be unpredictable. The opportunity to have a meal or talk to a pretty girl might come up. Your mom tells you to go fetch some things from the store, and you don’t tell your mom, “Sorry, I have plans.” Really, you just never know what can happen!

Life is unpredictable, and Mexicans have a fairly high tolerance for it being unpredictable, which is lucky for all of us.

Sometimes, though, there are things you must be on time for. And a good indicator for what those things are is whether or not there’s a specific time attached to them.

School is one of those things. At my daughter’s school, for example, 8:00 a.m. is the official time kids have to be in the door. As a courtesy to the perpetually-late parents, there’s a “tolerance” of 10 minutes. To me, this means my daughter must be there before 8:00 if we’re not to be seen as rude and irresponsible. To others, it means 8:10 or even 8:11 is the limit. If kids aren’t in by that time, they must wait to enter the 9:00 a.m. class.

A young girl holding her school supplies.
Mexicans usually have “tolerance minutes,” that allow for limited lateness at appointments and formal events. (Element5 Digital/Unsplash)

It was like this when I taught school here, too; some things, I suppose are non-negotiable.

The same goes for official appointment times, even if the official or doctor you’re meeting isn’t exactly on time. So if you have a meeting with, say, immigration, you’d better be there at your appointment time! Some places will let you know that they have a “tolerancia” (literally, tolerance) of 10-15 minutes. This means that if you’re more than that amount of time late, you lose the appointment!

For other things, usually involving celebrations, arrival and start times are more flexible. This is especially true of parties, to which you can show up rather late without causing a fuss. Unless you’ve promised to bring something essential for the party, they’re just glad to have you there at some point. This doesn’t mean they’ll wait for you to start in on the cake and piñatas, though, so beware!

Concerts and plays typically start within 15-30 minutes of their “official” start time; rock concerts might start hours after they’re meant to. Oh, well!

Friends having a nice coffee and chit-chat.
“I’ll text you when I leave” is a good way to keep people updated but plans flexible. (Roman Kraft/Unsplash)

And if you’re meeting friends, it might depend on the specific circumstances. Are you meeting someone busy who only has a few minutes? Are you meeting them alone? In my group of mom friends, we always know that things can come up. “I’ll text you when I leave” is a good, flexible bridge that keeps people updated but plans flexible.

In my own conservative and somewhat strict view, being on time means showing respect for the other person. If you are not on time, then you do not care about them or their time. And if you are on time, not only are you showing respect for them, but you’re making things easier for yourself, avoiding fluster. My cultural chauvinism is showing, I know.

But for plenty of people here, that’s a ridiculous notion. Why stress so much about being on time when literally anything can happen to make you not on time? Perhaps there’s a message here too about avoiding blame and responsibility. “Se me durmió el gallo” (“the rooster went to sleep on me,” as in, the rooster didn’t wake me up).

But that’s for another article. For now, I’ll leave you with a cute little proverb, as well as its juxtaposed, more truthful meme:

“Al que madruga, Dios le ayuda.” (The one who rises early receives God’s help.) It rhymes!

“Al que madruga, encuentra todo cerrado.” (The one who rises early finds everything closed.)

Truer words were never spoken.

Sarah DeVries is a writer and translator based in Xalapa, Veracruz. She can be reached through her website, https://sarahedevries.substack.com/ 

Sheinbaum’s plans for the AIFA-Pachuca train route: Monday’s mañanera recapped

By
MND Staff
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President Sheinbaum speaks at her morning press conference
Trains, Trump and the federal budget were themes of discussion at Monday's presidential press conference. (Presidencia)

A new train line to Pachuca and the savings that the elimination of seven watchdog agencies will generate were among the topics President Claudia Sheinbaum spoke about at her Monday morning press conference.

Here is a recap of the president’s latest mañanera.

Construction of AIFA-Pachuca train to begin in 2025

Sheinbaum told reporters that construction of a passenger train line between the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) in México state and Pachuca, the capital of the state of Hidalgo, will commence in April.

She estimated that the project will be finished in late 2026.

Sheinbaum “ceremonially” inaugurated construction of the new railroad in October, but the actual physical building of it hasn’t started. Military engineers are currently “developing” the project, she said Monday.

Sheinbaum noted that the new train line will complete the planned railroad between the Buenavista station in Mexico City and Pachuca via AIFA.

Plane landing at Felipe Angeles International Airport in Mexico
The new rail line will connect Pachuca, the capital of Hidalgo, with the México state airport AIFA. (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro)

The Buenavista-AIFA link is expected to open sometime next year.

The Felipe Ángeles International Airport, built by the government after former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador canceled the Peña Nieto administration’s partially-completed new Mexico City airport project, opened in March 2022.

Sheinbaum: Elimination of watchdog agencies to generate savings of over 20 billion pesos 

Sheinbaum said that the elimination of seven autonomous government agencies — as approved by the Congress last month — will generate savings of 20 billion pesos (almost US $1 billion) per year.

She said that her government is proposing that the money be used for a range of purposes. Some will go to education and another portion will go to increasing the salaries of the lowest-paid soldiers, Sheinbaum said.

Board members of the national transparency agency (INAI), one of Mexico's watchdog agencies
The elimination of transparency agency INAI and other government watchdogs freed up over 20 billion pesos in the Mexican federal budget, Sheinbaum said. (INAI/X)

Pending approval by the lower house of Congress, the National Institute of Anthropology and History, the National Institute of Fine Arts and Literature and the Agriculture Ministry will also receive additional funds, she said.

Sheinabum also said that the Anti-Corruption and Good Governance Ministry will assume the responsibilities of transparency agency INAI in January.

Still no date for meeting with Trump’s team 

Toward the end of the press conference, after she responded to Donald Trump’s suggestion that Mexico should become a state of the United States due to a trade imbalance between the two countries, Sheinbaum ruled out the possibility that she would personally meet with the U.S. president-elect before he takes office on Jan 20.

However, she said that Mexican officials are still seeking to meet with members of Trump’s team before the upcoming inauguration in Washington. Sheinbaum didn’t mention any proposed date for the meeting.

By Mexico News Daily chief staff writer Peter Davies (peter.davies@mexiconewsdaily.com)

Volaris passenger arrested after attempting to hijack plane and divert it to US

By
MND Staff
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Outside a Volaris airplane window, a Mexican National Guard member in a yellow safety vest escorts a handcuffed man in a white T-shirt away from the plane.
Authorities identified the man arrested at the Guadalajara airport as Mario "N," withholding his last name to protect his privacy. (Luis Bautista/Cuartoscuro)

A passenger aboard a domestic Volaris flight on Sunday morning attempted to hijack and forcibly divert the aircraft to the United States, prompting an emergency landing in Guadalajara and the man’s subsequent arrest.

The individual — a 31-year-old Mexican national identified as Mario “N” — was traveling from Leon, Guanajuato, to Tijuana, Baja California, with his wife and two children when the incident unfolded.

According to authorities, Mario assaulted a flight attendant and attempted to breach the cockpit, citing a recent kidnapping of a close relative and a death threat as motivations for his actions.

Crew members and at least one passenger subdued the suspect while the pilot issued an alert code and diverted the Airbus A320 to Guadalajara International Airport.

Authorities, including the National Guard (GN), arrested Mario upon landing and transferred him to the Federal Public Ministry (MPF) for further investigation. His legal status will be determined by the Attorney General’s Office (FGR).

“The crew subdued the aggressor in accordance with established security protocols,” Volaris said in a statement. At the Guadalajara airport, “GN personnel were already waiting for him.”

A map shows the path of a Volaris flight from Guanajuato toward Tijuana, which then turns back to Guadalajara.
Instead of arriving to Tijuana, the flight diverted to Guadalajara International Airport. (AirNav)

The passengers and crew later continued on to Tijuana.

“All passengers, crew and the aircraft are safe,” read a Volaris statement that was posted to the social media site X.

Volaris also announced it had formally filed a complaint to ensure the suspect faces legal consequences.

According to the authorities, the suspect said that upon taking off from León, he received a message that threatened either his own life or his kidnapped relative’s life — it’s not quite clear — if Mario traveled to Tijuana.

According to witness reports, Mario grabbed a flight attendant, threatened her with a pen against her neck, and grabbed the handle to the plane’s door, saying he would jump to his death and take the flight attendant with him.

Another passenger reportedly played a pivotal role in defusing the situation by persuading Mario to release the flight attendant and surrender peacefully. This person said no security personnel were present, and that it was he, with the help of other passengers, who managed to contain the attack.

One witness said the man managed to get the plane door cracked open as passengers could be heard screaming, crying and pleading with him not to open it. Videos of the incident appear to confirm that account.

Another witness said the suspect initially told passengers that he wanted to attract attention because his wife had been kidnapped and was seeking political asylum in the United States.

Authorities noted that the state of Guanajuato, the flight’s departure point, is a region heavily affected by cartel violence, including extortion and kidnapping. It remains unclear if the threats Mario said he had received were connected to organized crime.

With reports from Milenio, AP, KABC-TV, Infobae, The Guardian and Fox 5 San Diego

Mexico, the 51st US state? Trump says maybe it should be

By
MND Staff
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Two photos, one of Donald Trump and one of Claudia Sheinbaum
Given Canada and Mexico's trade deficit with the U.S., they may as well become U.S. states, Trump suggested on Sunday. (Donald Trump/Facebook, Cuartoscuro)

United States President-elect Donald Trump suggested Sunday that Mexico should become a state of the U.S. due to a trade imbalance between the two countries, prompting President Claudia Sheinbaum to reiterate that Mexico is “a free, sovereign and independent country.”

In an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” program, Trump railed against the trade deficits the United States is recording with Mexico and Canada, which together with the U.S. are the signatories to the USMCA free trade pact.

Full interview: Donald Trump details his plans for Day 1 and beyond in the White House

“We’re subsidizing Canada to the tune of over $100 billion a year. We’re subsidizing Mexico for almost $300 billion,” he said, significantly exaggerating the United States’ trade deficits with both countries.

“We shouldn’t be — why are we subsidizing these countries? If we’re going to subsidize them, let them become a state. We’re subsidizing Mexico and we’re subsidizing Canada and we’re subsidizing many countries all over the world,” Trump said.

“All I want to do is I want to have a level, fast, but fair playing field,” he added.

While Mexico has a significant trade surplus with the United States, it is not as large as Trump claimed. The United States’ trade deficit with its southern neighbor was US $152.47 billion in 2023 and $141.85 billion in the first 10 months of 2024, according to the United States Census Bureau.

signing of USMCA agreement in 2018
The USMCA was signed in 2018 by Mexico’s then-president, Enrique Peña Nieto, Donald Trump and Justin Trudeau. (Ron Przysucha/U.S. Department of State)

Although Trump signed the USMCA deal, which superseded NAFTA in 2020, he evidently believes that trade between the three North American countries is not fair. In October, he pledged to renegotiate the pact. Since the trade agreement took effect, Mexico has become the world’s top exporter to the United States, ousting China from that position in 2023.

Trump has pledged to impose a 25% tariff on all Mexican and Canadian exports to the United States on the first day of his second term, although his stated motivation for doing so is not the trade imbalance but what he described as the “long simmering problem” of drugs and migrants entering the U.S. via its southern and northern borders.

Trump said in a social media post on Nov. 25 that his proposed tariff on Mexican and Canadian goods would “remain in effect until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country!”

At her morning press conference on Monday, Sheinbaum was asked about the president-elect’s “let them become a state” remark in reference to Mexico and Canada.

She initially expressed her desire to cease “dialogue” with Trump “through the media,” but added that “obviously Mexico is a free, sovereign and independent country.”

“We all know that and we always have to defend it,” Sheinbaum said.

“I understand that this subsidy he speaks about has to do with the increase in Mexico’s exports to the United States, which now exceed [Mexico’s] imports [from the U.S.],” she said.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum addresses tariffs on Mexico at a podium during her daily press conference
“Obviously Mexico is a free, sovereign and independent country,” President Sheinbaum said in response to Trump’s remarks. (Daniel Augusto/Cuartoscuro)

“But yesterday, at the event we were at in Nuevo Laredo, I stated that the only way to compete with other regions of the world is by maintaining and strengthening the [North American] trade agreement, the USMCA,” Sheinbaum said.

“… More than looking at each other as competition, we have to look at each other as complementary. It was President Trump who signed the USMCA and the United States has had a lot of benefits from the agreement,” she said.

Sheinbaum previously said that her government would implement its own reciprocal tariff on U.S. exports to Mexico if Trump goes ahead with his Nov. 25 tariff threat. However, she has expressed confidence that the proposed U.S. tariff won’t end up being imposed on Mexican exports. Meanwhile, the Mexican government has countered that a 25% tax on Mexican exports would have a negative impact on the U.S. economy and consumers.

What else did Trump say about Mexico on Sunday?

Trump’s “Meet the Press” interview was his first sit-down interview since he won the United States presidential election on Nov. 5.

In a discussion with NBC journalist Kristen Welker that lasted more than an hour, the president-elect made a range of remarks that were directly or indirectly related to Mexico.

Here is a selection of those comments.

On tariffs:  

  • “I’m a big believer in tariffs. I think tariffs are the most beautiful word. I think they’re beautiful. It’s going to make us rich.”
  • Tariffs are … properly used … a very powerful tool, not only economically, but also for getting other things outside of economics.”

On his recent call with Sheinbaum:

  • “Within ten minutes after that phone call, we noticed that the people coming across the border, the southern border having to do with Mexico, there was … just a trickle. … The [Mexican] military stopped these vast groups of people. You know, we call them caravans. But they had caravans of people, and they largely stopped them. Now, they’re going to have to continue that … and the other thing I told them is no more drugs.”

(Sheinbaum previously rejected Trump’s claim that she agreed during their call to “stop migration through Mexico, and into the United States, effectively closing our southern border.”)

On current and future border security:

  • “We have millions of people pouring into our country. … And drugs are pouring in. Almost as importantly, drugs are pouring in. Maybe more importantly. Drugs are pouring in at levels never seen before, 10 times what we had. They’re just pouring in. We can’t have open borders.”
  • “We’re going to do something with the border [in our first 100 days in office], very strong, very powerful. That’ll be our first signal — first signal to America that we’re not playing games. We have people coming in by the millions, as you know, and a lot of people shouldn’t be here. Most of them shouldn’t be here.”

On his mass deportation plan: 

  • I think you have to [deport everyone in the United States illegally] and it’s … a very tough thing to do. … But you have to have, you know, you have rules, regulations, laws. They came in illegally. You know the people that have been treated very unfairly are the people that have been on line for ten years to come into the country.”
  • “We have to get the criminals out of our country. We have to get people that were taken out of mental institutions and put them back into their mental institution no matter what country it is.”
  • “We’re starting with the criminals and we’ve got to do it. And then we’re starting with others and we’re going to see how it goes.”
  • “The Dreamers are going to come later, and we have to do something about the Dreamers because these are people that have been brought here at a very young age. And many of these are middle-aged people now. They don’t even speak the language of their country. And yes, we’re going to do something about the Dreamers. … I will work with the Democrats on a plan. … Republicans are very open to the Dreamers. … “I do [want them to be able to stay].”

Mexico News Daily 

Industrial parks set to draw US $6B in 2025

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MND Staff
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An industrial park in Mexico
Mexico is seeing an astounding rate of investment in industrial parks due to nearshoring and reshoring. (Shutterstock)

Investment in industrial parks in Mexico is expected to reach US $6 billion in 2025, after the sector attracted over $5 billion in 2024, according to the president of the Mexican Association of Private Industrial Parks (AMPIP), Jorge Ávalos. 

The investment is being driven by the expansion of national and international companies taking advantage of Mexico’s logistics capabilities, Ávalos said in a Banorte Norte Económico podcast.

The Mexican industrial park developer Meor, founded in 2006, announced plans in September to invest $1.5 billion in parks over the next seven years. (Meor)

“While Chinese companies have played a very important role in this phenomenon,  companies from the United States are also returning their manufacturing operations from China to North American territory, which they call reshoring,” explained Ávalos.  

According to Ávalos, in 2024, nearshoring accounted for approximately 59.2 million square feet of gross rentable area, which is 35% of rentable industrial space in Mexico. 

New 900-million-dollar Natura Industrial Park breaks ground in Tijuana

Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda attended a groundbreaking event for the 18.4-billion-peso (US $911 million) Natura Industrial Park in Tijuana, Baja California, across the border from San Diego, on Nov. 19. 

The new project covers over 444 acres and will have 24 industrial warehouses, responding to the growing demand of the manufacturing sector. It is expected to generate 27,000 direct jobs. 

“We are building not only an industrial park but a development engine that will position Baja California as a leader in industrial infrastructure and social welfare,” industry news site Cluster Industrial reported Marina del Pilar saying. 

The governor also emphasized the economic leadership of the state, which has attracted $5.3 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI), according to Cluster Industrial.

Collaboration between the state and municipal governments has enhanced the business environment for companies by improving regulatory processes and digitalizing procedures, Cluster Industrial reported the mayor of Tijuana Ismael Burgueño Ruiz saying. 

Meor to invest $1.5B in Mexico over 7 years 

The Mexican industrial park developer Meor, founded in 2006, announced plans in September to invest $1.5 billion in parks over the next seven years. The company develops projects under the HubsPark brand.

“We seek to generate value not only for our investors but also for the communities where we operate, driving economic development and job creation,” Meor’s Finance Director Alberto Bessoudo told the news site Mexico Industry. “We seek to generate value not only for our investors but also for the communities where we operate, driving economic development and job creation.”  

The company reported occupancy rates of above 96% and aims to close 2024 with a portfolio of around 2.6 million square feet of new constructions and 1 million square feet of leases.

The investment will be concentrated in three northern locations — Tijuana, Baja California, Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, and Monterrey, Nuevo León. However, the company sees potential for growth in other regions in the north of the country, as well as Mexico City. 

With reports from Datoz, Cluster Industrial, Mexico Industry and Milenio

Volaris inaugurates daily GDL-Tulum flight

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MND Staff
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A Volaris airplane
Volaris is the largest air travel operator in Jalisco state, holding a market share of 42%. (Volaris/X)

Mexican low-cost airline Volaris has inaugurated a new direct flight from Guadalajara, Jalisco, to Tulum, Quintana Roo, available every day of the week. 

Executive Vice President of Volaris Holger Blankenstein celebrated the news, saying this route further expands the airline’s strategic portfolio in Quintana Roo. 

“With this new route,” Blankenstein said, “we are expanding our strategic portfolio towards a very important and promising destination such as Tulum, one of the biggest attractions for national and international visitors in Quintana Roo.” 

Offering 2,604 seats per week, the new route departs Guadalajara daily at 10:43 a.m. and arrives in Tulum at 2:10 p.m. It will depart Tulum at 2:50 p.m. and arrive in Guadalajara at 4:25 p.m. The flight has a duration of approximately three hours and 27 minutes.

“By adding a new direct flight that operates daily,” the airline said in a statement, “Volaris is enhancing its commitment to improving connectivity to more cities in the country, thus facilitating access to key destinations that foster economic development and promote tourism, through one of the most modern fleets in North America.”

Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama announced the Guadalajara-Tulum route in April, sharing that it would launch starting Dec. 8. 

Aeroméxico, Mexicana de Aviación, Viva Aerobus and Volaris all offer domestic flights to Tulum’s Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport, which recently celebrated its first year of operations. (Elizabeth Ruiz/Cuartoscuro)

Aeroméxico, Mexicana de Aviación, Viva Aerobus and Volaris all offer domestic flights to Tulum’s Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport, which recently celebrated its first year of operations. These airlines operate flights to the sunny destination from both airports in Mexico City, as well as Guadalajara, Jalisco, and Monterrey, Nuevo León.

Volaris is the largest air travel operator in Jalisco state, holding a market share of 42%. Departing from the Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta airports, it operates 55 flights to national and international destinations.

With reports from Revista Turismo, Reforma and Aviación Online

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