Construction on the much-anticipated gigafactory awaits permits as well as key infrastructure built by the state. (Tesla Fans Schweiz/X)
Nuevo León Governor Samuel García revealed Wednesday that his government received a letter from Tesla asking it to commence infrastructure projects that will complement its planned factory near Monterrey.
Speaking in León, Guanajuato, after attending an industrial sector meeting, García said that Tesla asked for work to begin on a rail link to the proposed “gigafactory” in Santa Catarina, the expansion of four highways and a water treatment plant.
The site of the proposed gigafactory requires a number of infrastructure works in order for construction to proceed. (Gabriela Peréz Montiel/Cuartoscuro)
The governor has said previously that authorities would be obliged to build new infrastructure as part of the agreement reached with the Austin-based company led by Elon Musk.
García said that Tesla’s request would be sent to a “committee” whose authorization is required to move ahead with the infrastructure projects. He didn’t specify the body he was referring to.
“I hope that the committee authorizes [the projects] in order to comply with what we promised,” he said.
García said that the Nuevo León government wants Tesla to begin construction of its gigafactory as soon as possible, but didn’t cite a commencement date. It will be up to Musk to make that announcement, he said.
The electric vehicle (EV) plant construction investment, of at least US $5 billion, was announced in March this year. (Tesla)
García predicted that 60 to 70 Tesla suppliers will set up operations in Mexico as a result of the company’s decision to invest in a large, multi-billion-dollar plant at which “next-gen” electric vehicles will be made.
“The spillover [of the Tesla investment] will be seen in Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosí and Coahuila,” he said, referring to three states that border Nuevo León.
“But the investment is so big that the whole country will benefit,” García added.
The governor said last month that Tesla and its suppliers would invest US $15 billion in Nuevo León, an amount triple the figure previously cited by the federal government.
Nuevo León Governor Samuel García (right) with Tesla CEO Elon Musk when the initial announcement was made in March. (Samuel García/X)
“The plant that we announced in March – erase it from the map. It looks like it will be twice as big,” García said. “Tesla and its suppliers are going to generate US $15 billion of investment in two years.”
The governor, who met with Musk in Monterrey prior to the gigafactory announcement, said Sept. 18 that the state permits Tesla needs to build the plant had been issued, but acknowledged that the company hadn’t yet obtained some federal ones.
The plant is expected to take 36 months to build, according to a Tesla document seen by Forbes, meaning that the earliest it could be finished – if the company obtains the required permits in the final months of this year – is late 2026.
A man crosses the Sonora River in 2014, the year of the Buenavista spill. (Rashide Frías / Cuartoscuro.com)
Mining consortium Grupo México has again denied that a 2014 spill from its Cananea mine polluted the Sonora River, one week after the Environment Ministry (Semarnat) released a diagnostic report detailing chronic contamination from the spill.
“The remediation of the Sonora River was successful, fully adhered to the law and was supported by scientific studies and authorities,” the company insistedin a statement on Wednesday.
A 2022 protest in front of the offices of Grupo México marking the eighth anniversary of the Buenavista mine spill. (Galo Cañas Rodríguez / Cuartoscuro.com)
On Aug. 6, 2014, more than 40,000 cubic meters of toxic copper sulfate acid solution poured into the Sonora and Bacanuchi Rivers from a broken dam at Grupo México’s Buenavista copper mine in Cananea, Sonora.
An estimated 22,000 people in eight municipalities were affected by the spill, whichfederal officials described in 2019 as the worst environmental disaster in Mexican mining history.
Last Thursday, Semarnat released a239-page report analyzing the cause of the spill, the resulting contamination of soil, air, water and ecosystems in the area and the effect of this on the local economy and communities.
It concludes that the spill was caused by a poorly-designed dam system, and that the 1.5 billion pesos (US $83 million) paid by the company “in no way covered the direct, indirect and cumulative effects on the population, ecosystems and economy.” It estimates the spill’s economic impact to date at 20.5 billion pesos (US $1.14 billion).
German Larrea, owner of Grupo México. (Moisés Pablo/Cuartoscuro)
Semarnat states that local inhabitants still “face risks to health, safety and economic risks due to the presence of bioaccumulative heavy metals, in quantities well above the limits established by national and international standards.”
The report adds that Semarnat does not accept the closure of the Sonora River Basin Trust, which Semarnat and Grupo México opened in 2015 to repair the damage from the spill, but was declared closed two years later.
In its response, Grupo México dismissed the report’s findings, arguing that “they omit current sources of pollution such as illegal mining [and] the discharge of untreated sewage.” The company said that a government resolution last May confirmed that the water quality of the Sonora River had returned to its pre-spill levels, and blamed “disinformation campaigns” for the continued criticism.
In his Wednesday press conference, President López Obrador said that he will present a new action plan in the coming weeks to address the effects of the spill. He told reporters that the funds Grupo México has allocated to the environmental cleanup appear to be insufficient, and that his action plan will include a new “proposal” to the company.
“We’re resolving it, looking for options and alternatives,” he said.
Sea Sheperd and the Mexican Navy have worked to enforce a ban on fishing in the protected region that forms the habitat of the Vaquita porpoise. A new agreement will expand the so-called 'zero tolerance area.' (Sea Shepherd)
The Mexican government and conservation group Sea Shepherd signed a historic endangered species conservation agreement on Tuesday, to expand the protection of the vaquita porpoise, the world’s smallest cetacean.
Tuesday’s agreement will increase the conservation area where fishing is banned – the so-called “Zero Tolerance Area” – by over 60%.
The agreement to expand protected areas was signed by Admiral Ojeda of the Mexican Navy and Sea Shepherd CEO Pritam Singh. (Sea Shepherd)
In August, the International Whaling Commission (IWC) issued an extinction alert – its first ever – for the vaquita, which can only be found in the Gulf of California.
The new agreement will expand protection to the west and northwest of the current protected zone to include the areas where the May 2023 Vaquita Survey identified between 10 and 13 specimens of the vaquita in the Upper Gulf of California.
The agreement expands protection protocols to include the totoaba fish – also an endangered species – across the entire UNESCO-recognized Vaquita Refuge.
The agreement was signed by Admiral Ojeda of the Mexican Navy and Sea Shepherd CEO Pritam Singh.
There are only around a dozen vaquita left in the wild. (WWF)
“This is a huge step forward,” Singh said at the signing. “We are deeply grateful to our partners in the Mexican Government for expanding Operation Milagro and exponentially increasing the capacity to help protect these two species. More protection means a better chance for survival for the vaquita and the totoaba.”
The partnership between Sea Shepherd and the Intergovernmental Group on Sustainability in the Upper Gulf of California (GIS) has so far seen a 90% reduction in illegal fishing activity in the Zero Tolerance Area, Sea Shepherd said.
In a separate statement, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) said that it will review fishing schedules to better support sustainable fishing practices in the region. It also said that the area’s fishermen will also identify the embarkation and disembarkation points they consider most functional.
Representatives of fishermen from Upper Gulf communities requested Semarnat review the effectiveness of alternative fishing tools and the ecological impact of existing equipment used in the industry.
While the expanded protection is good news for the vaquita, Alejandro Olivera, senior scientist and Mexico representative at the Center for Biological Diversity, told Reuters that the Mexican government should also enforce its ban on illegal fishing more aggressively.
Following a visit this week to Mexico, the IMF identified "ambitious" structural reforms that must be made for long-term investment and growth. (Shutterstock)
Mexico needs to implement “ambitious” structural reforms to take advantage of its nearshoring opportunity and make economic growth “more inclusive and sustainable,” according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
During the same visit, the IMF upgraded Mexico’s economic growth in 2023 to 3.2%. (Photo: Archive)
In a statement published Tuesday, the IMF also said that Mexico’s “proximity to, and deep trade links with, the U.S. make it a key location for the ‘nearshoring’ of production for the U.S. market.”
“However, capitalizing on this potential and competing with other production locations will require addressing Mexico’s long-standing structural challenges while continuing to pursue prudent macroeconomic policies,” the financial organization said.
In that context, the IMF proposed an “ambitious” and “reinvigorated” set of reforms aimed at making Mexico a more attractive place to invest and growing the economy. More specifically, the proposals are targeted at achieving five distinct goals.
Goal 1: Get more women in the workforce
“Boosting female labor force participation and removing legal impediments to female economic empowerment would improve potential growth and raise living standards,” the IMF said.
Empowering women to enter the formal workforce will raise overall living standards and positively impact Mexico’s growth, according to the IMF. (Wikimedia Commons)
The organization noted that the gap between male and female labor participation rates in Mexico is among the highest in the OECD, “despite considerable progress in removing institutional impediments to women.”
According to the World Bank, the labor force participation rate among females was 45.7% in 2022 and 77.5% among males.
The IMF said that “targeted fiscal policies and legal reforms could help close gender gaps.”
Those policies and reforms should be aimed at seven outcomes, including equal pay for equal work; greater investment in maternal healthcare and childcare; and a reduction of inequities in education.
Mexico needs to improve governance across all administrative areas, particularly financial institutions, in order to boost business confidence. (Shutterstock)
Goal 2: Improve governance
The IMF said that better governance would improve the business environment in Mexico.
“Better coordination among national, state, and municipal levels would be important to effectively implement the existing anti-corruption framework and ensure its proper enforcement,” the organization said.
The IMF also said that by making better use of its anti-money laundering framework, Mexico “could help prevent, detect, and deter proceeds of corruption and tax evasion.”
Goal 3: Improve infrastructure and reduce red tape
Achieving this goal would help attract private capital to Mexico, the IMF said.
The IMF recommends Mexico take action to improve physical infrastructure and allow foreign firms to invest in the transport sector. (Artemio Guerra Baz/Cuartoscuro)
“Filling critical infrastructure gaps – in transport, water, and energy – would help meet the growing needs of firms investing in Mexico,” the organization said.
To make dealing with Mexico’s bureaucracy easier, the IMF recommended “streamlining custom procedures, easing licensing and permitting procedures (e.g., in road transport and custom brokerage), and removing foreign direct investment restrictions (e.g., in the transport sector).”
Doing those things would “incentivize investment and encourage technology transfer,” the Fund said.
President López Obrador has likened the state bureaucracy his government inherited to a “rheumatic elephant,” but claims that improvements have been made.
Too much “trámite,” or paperwork, in Mexico is still completed in person, but the current administration has taken strides to digitalize “doing business” via the Ventanilla Única platform. (Christian Serna/Cuartoscuro)
United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last week that “Mexico’s overhauled one-stop shop website” – the federal government’s “ventanilla única” – “is providing prospective investors the tax and regulatory information that they need to take advantage of” U.S. policies aimed at boosting investment in sectors such as renewable energy and semiconductors.
Goal 4: Facilitate access to credit
The IMF said that a “deepening of domestic financial intermediation” – the process in which money is transferred from third parties with a surplus to those with a lack of funds – “could provide resources for private investment.”
The Fund acknowledged that “efforts in recent years have expanded access to credit, increased the availability of bank branches and financial products, improved financial sector transparency, increased digital connectivity, and encouraged financial innovation.”
Those initiatives “could be complemented by a reduction in the obstacles to collateral recovery (including through a strengthening of the functioning of the judicial system), investments in improving financial literacy, further transparency of financial products, and an expansion of internet access in remote areas,” the IMF said.
The organization’s proposals in this area would primarily benefit potential or existing Mexican investors.
Though Mexico has prioritized electric public transport, the IMF insists this must be accompanied by “a switch to low carbon and renewable sources of generation.” (Cuartoscuro)
Goal 5: Address climate change
Incentivizing a switch to renewable energy such as wind and solar “has the potential to encourage industrial investment,” the IMF said after noting that multinational companies now “incorporate environmental standards in their location decisions.”
It also said that a shift away from generating power from fossil fuels will help the Mexican government meet its emission-reduction targets, which, in turn, could also help attract foreign investment.
The IMF said that Mexico’s “increased focus on electrification” – which includes a goal of increasing electric vehicle sales to 50% of total car sales by 2030 – should be accompanied by “a switch to low carbon and renewable sources of generation.”
“Increasing the carbon tax – and/or the shadow price of carbon in the emission trading scheme – to around US$50 per ton would be broadly consistent with the authorities’ emission goals,” it said.
Roberto “Beto” Palacios created a product that has won gold in the U.S. and Mexico. (photo Leigh Thelmadatter)
The dogs dutifully ran out to bark at me at the front gate but very quickly decided that if this silly human wanted to stand in the desert sun, she was more than welcome to. The Tradición de la Familia Distillery is on the eastern edge of Mexico’s massive Chihuahua Desert, west of the city of Saltillo. It’s just off the side of Highway 40D, but it feels like you are in the middle of nowhere.
Roberto Palacios Cabral and his family are the pioneers of the commercialization of sotol, which, like mezcal, is a traditional cactus-based spirit produced in the region for generations.
Tradición de la Familia distillery in the desert – You never know that the highway is not far away looking at the scene here (and yes, that is my poor dirty car in front of the gate). (photo Leigh Thelmadatter)
Palacios likes to say that he started making sotol as a hobby, but from the get-go, he was more serious than that. Looking to create a new business, Palacios and his wife first looked into making tequila, but various problems in the industry dissuaded them. Her father suggested looking into sotol, but Palacios admits he had bad experiences with some very poorly made sotol in the past. The drink also had a very poor reputation in Coahuila. However, Palacios found a “pretty” bottle of premium sotol from Chihuahua. Trying it with a friend – he had his “a-ha” moment.
Sotol could be every bit as fine as tequila. Palacios began experimenting with Coahuila’s “sereque” varieties, the plant used for sotol. In a few years, he had a viable product. He still had to learn how to market the spirit legally, a process he claims was a “very winding road.” It was not until 2010 that the family could abandon their old promotions business for sotol and move permanently to facilities here in the desert.
If you like mezcal, you will like sotol. It is produced much the same way, has a 35-55% alcohol content and is traditionally sipped straight. The main difference is the sereque plant is from the Dasyliron family and is more closely related to the lilly than the agave. It evolved to withstand the extreme conditions of the Chihuahua Desert, living as long as 80 years and sometimes even to 100.
Palacios makes no apologies for having a modern operation. Instead of using the technology to produce more sotol cheaply, he uses it to make a superior product using the valuable sereque plant to its fullest. Traditionally, the plant is cooked in wood fire pits, which he says add flavors of smoke and earth that can “cover up” the plant’s flavor. Given that sereques take at least 25 years to be mature enough for use, they are a valuable resource despite the fact that – at least for now – they are all over the Chihuahuan Desert.
The distillery’s flagship brand, Excéntrico.(courtesy Tradición de la Familia)
The other modernization is with formal commercialization, in particular raising the status of the drink. In 2002, he began working with the governments of Coahuila, Chihuahua and Durango to get the coveted appellation of origin status for the spirit, which he finally secured in 2004. He also exports about half his products to the United States, in part because he gets better prices there but also in part because taxes on export spirits are lower.
Fast forward to 2023 and the Tradición de la Familia Distillery has a number of products that come out of the desert facility. By far the most prized of these is his first sotol, Excéntrico. This ultra-premium product is double-distilled from carefully selected wild sereque plants that are at least 50 years old. Excéntrico won the gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2019 (the first Coahuilan spirit to do so) and gold twice at Cava Magazine’s national alcohol competition.
Since developing Excéntrico, the distillery has created other sotol products, generally with names related to the region. El Reculta (the Recruit) – a mixture of sotol and rum for making cocktails – is a reference to a battle in Saltillo. A similar beverage, Dinosaurios, is named after the fossils found not far from the distillery. One other interesting offering is Kickapoo, a pure sotol infused with an herb locally called “hojasén” (Blackbrush), which has been used for stomach and other ailments for millennia in northern Mexico.
This brings up the question of sustainability. From the beginning, Palacios has been conscious of the serious sustainability issues caused by the tequila industry, even with the blue agave plant maturing in a “rapid” seven years. Sereque is a federally-protected species and commercial sotol makers must get special permission to gather it. By 2006, Palacios was working with the Antonio Narro Agricultural Autonomous University (UAAAN) and the National Institute of Forestry, Agricultural and Fishing (Inifap) on projects related to developing new kinds of sustainable sotol. He now also partners with the Autonomous University of Coahuila on projects related to managing and propagating wild sereque plants.
Gathering sereque plants in the desert. (courtesy Tradición de la Familia)
His concerns about sustainability extend beyond the making of sotol. He has worked to develop handcrafts, foodstuffs and more from the waste created during sotol production. He is experimenting with sotols that include flavors such as pomegranate, grapes and even watermelon, as these are crops much better suited to arid lands than the traditional corn and vegetables grown for export.
When I was at the distillery, Palacios offered me a bottle of Excéntrico at his price of 1,200 pesos, stating that retail, it can be much higher. While that is a bit too rich on a freelancer’s income, it is very possible that that price is a bargain compared to what will be charged in the future.
Leigh Thelmadatter arrived in Mexico over 20 years ago and fell in love with the land and the culture in particular its handcrafts and art. She is the author of Mexican Cartonería: Paper, Paste and Fiesta (Schiffer 2019). Her culture column appears regularly on Mexico News Daily.
Psilocybin has been a subject of evolving legal and regulatory changes around the world.
As scientific research continues to shed light on the medicinal properties of psilocybin, the legal status of this substance has become a subject of interest. In Mexico, the legal landscape surrounding psilocybin has undergone significant changes in recent years.
Psilocybin in Mexico
The legal status of psilocybin can differ significantly from one country to another. It’s important to research the specific laws and regulations in your region. (Unsplash)
Prior to 2019, psilocybin was classified as a controlled substance, making it illegal to possess, cultivate, or consume. However, in April 2021, the Supreme Court (SCJN) granted a writ of amparo — a mechanism for legal protection — that allowed a group of individuals to use psilocybin for therapeutic purposes. This landmark decision represented a significant shift in the country’s approach to psychedelic substances and paved the way for further exploration of psilocybin’s medical potential.
While the Supreme Court’s 2021 ruling was groundbreaking, it is important to note that it currently applies only to the specific individuals involved in the case. However, it sets a precedent and opens the door for others to seek similar legal protections. Advocates are now working towards comprehensive drug policy reform that includes broader access to psilocybin for therapeutic purposes. Efforts are underway to foster dialogue with policymakers and promote evidence-based discussions around the benefits and risks associated with psilocybin-assisted therapies.
Psilocybin in the United States
Although the use of these mushrooms for their psychedelic effects has been documented for centuries across the continent, psilocybin has been classified as a Schedule I controlled substance by the United States federal government since 1970.
Despite being illegal at the federal level, laws regarding the possession, sale and use of psilocybin mushrooms vary widely by state. Some states have decriminalized the possession and use of small amounts of mushrooms, while others have legalized them for medical or recreational use. The states where psilocybin mushrooms are decriminalized are:
Oregon: fully decriminalized
California: decriminalized in certain cities
Colorado: decriminalized in certain cities
Massachusetts: decriminalized in certain cities
Michigan: decriminalized in certain cities
Washington: decriminalized in certain cities
In 2020, the state of Oregon passed Measure 109, allowing licensed facilities to administer psilocybin therapy under controlled conditions. This represents a significant milestone in the medical acceptance of psilocybin within the United States.
Psilocybin in Canada
Psilocybin has been a subject of evolving legal and regulatory changes in Canada. In August 2020, the Canadian Minister of Health granted an exemption to four terminally ill patients, allowing them to use psilocybin for end-of-life care.
Subsequently, the Minister of Health also granted an exemption to healthcare professionals, permitting them to possess and use psilocybin for the purpose of professional training and education. This move highlighted a growing recognition of the need to explore the medical and psychological benefits of psilocybin in a controlled and supervised context. At the same time, the non-profit organization TheraPsil received approval from Health Canada to use psilocybin in therapy for patients with terminal illnesses. This was a development, as it allowed select patients to access psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy as part of their palliative care.
As research and public discourse continue to shape the perception of psychedelic substances, Canada’s approach to psilocybin serves as a notable example of a nation exploring new avenues for mental health treatment and end-of-life care.
Psilocybin in Portugal
Both possession and use of psilocybin mushrooms were decriminalized in Portugal in 2001. This means that while it’s still illegal, individuals caught with small quantities for personal use are not subject to criminal penalties, although they may face administrative sanctions.
These are just a few examples, and the legal status of psilocybin can differ significantly from one country to another. It’s important to research the specific laws and regulations in your region and consult with legal experts or official sources for the most accurate and up-to-date information. As research into the medical benefits of psilocybin continues to advance, the legal status of this compound is gradually evolving. These recent rulings represent a significant step toward broader acceptance and exploration of psilocybin-assisted therapies throughout the world.
*This article is part of a series about psilocybin and its uses, both traditional and modern. We will also explore the physical and mental health benefits that these mushrooms offer.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or medical advice. Individuals should always consult with qualified professionals regarding the use of psilocybin or any other substance for medical purposes, taking into account the applicable laws and regulations of their jurisdiction.
Camila Sánchez Bolaño is a journalist, feminist, bookseller, lecturer, and cultural promoter and is Editor in Chief of Newsweek en Español magazine.
Hotel Bardo in Tulum was rated as Mexico's fourth best hotel by Condé Nast Traveller readers. (Tulumbible)
The Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards are out, and Mexico has again ranked high.
In the survey’s 26th edition, the magazine asked readers to rank what they loved most about their travels –from hotels and resorts to islands, cities, airports and airlines, readers voted those places they “dream of returning to.”
Last year’s overall winner, San Miguel de Allende, came sixth in the Best Cities category this year. (Kayak)
Here are Mexico’s top destinations for global travelers.
The top 10 hotels in Mexico
From big cities like Mexico City, to small towns like Todos Santos in Baja California Sur, these are Condé Nast Traveller readers’ favorite hotels in the country.
Hotel Matilda, San Miguel de Allende
Casa de Sierra Nevada, A Belmond Hotel, San Miguel de Allende
Four Seasons Hotel Mexico City
Hotel Bardo, Tulum
La Casa de la Playa, Riviera Maya
Paradero, Todos Santos
Nômade, Tulum
Rosewood, San Miguel de Allende
Las Alcobas, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Mexico City
Nobu, Los Cabos
The Hotel Matilda was voted Mexico’s best hotel by readers. (Tripadvisor)
Mexico City is a favorite
With travelers prioritizing the “culture, local food scene and sustainability,” it perhaps comes as little surprise that Mexico City is included on both the friendliest cities in the world and best cities for food list.
From “silky tuna tostadas” to “melt-in-the-mouth beef brisket tacos,” to some “truly excellent street food,” Condé Nast Readers’ ranked Mexico City as the world’s No. 4 best city for food.
The magazine also said the capital “is one of North America’s most exciting food cities right nowand is bringing Mexican food onto the world stage.”
Mexico City’s street food scene helped propel it to fourth place in the Best Cities for Food category. (Francisco de Legarreta/Cuartoscuro)
The metropolis also made the list of the world’s friendliest cities, ranked at No. 10.
Last year’s Best Small Cities winner, San Miguel de Allende, also made the list this year, in sixth place, with another Mexican city, Puerto Vallarta, ranked as fourth best in the world.
Where is Mexico’s top resort?
Nestled on one of Cabo San Lucas’ few swimmable beaches, Chileno Bay Resort & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection in Los Cabos took the crown as the best resort in Mexico.
The Chileno Bay Resort & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection in Los Cabos is officially Mexico’s best resort. (Expedia)
Project Acapulco by RA diseño+arquitectura. (Courtesy)
RA diseño+arquitectura, founded by sisters Paola and Karla Rodríguez Arango, has gained recognition and industry accolades, having completed around 180 projects consisting of homes and apartments, restaurants, spas and other commercial projects for both Mexicans and foreigners. Their work has expanded from Mexico City to Puebla, Cuernavaca, Valle de Bravo, Toluca, Acapulco, Querétaro, Morelia, San Miguel de Allende, León, Guadalajara, Mérida, Tulúm, Puerto Escondido and San Luis Potosí, and always reflects the regional environment, culture and work of the local artisans. But how did this story of female success in a male-dominated environment begin?
Growing up in a creative family
Project Durango by RA diseño+arquitectura.
As children, Paola and Karla loved observing their father and grandfather, both realtors and property developers, in their work meetings. “We listened intently to their discussions with the engineers, architects and designers,” says Paola, who was always fascinated that beautiful spaces could be created out of nothing but an idea. Karla remembers their mother sharing her innate love of beauty, aesthetics and interior design with her daughters. “We grew up with a creative, witty and sensitive spirit in our family.” It made perfect sense that both girls were headed for creative careers with a myriad of options laid before them.
Breaking cultural barriers
Both sisters studied at the Universidad Iberoamericana, where Paola majored in International Relations and Karla studied Industrial Design. After receiving her MBA from the London Business School, Paola returned to Mexico to join the sales team at Random House’s Mondadori imprint. “Little did I know that this whole journey would eventually pave the path for a career in design and construction”, she says, having been greatly impacted by how France and England’s cultures influenced their public and private spaces, architecture and lifestyle.
Working in the cerebral, corporate environment of Mondadori, Paola soon realized she was missing her love of creative design. It was at that point that her father invited her to collaborate on real estate development projects in San Miguel. To solidify her change in direction, Paola furthered her studies at CENTRO Interior Architecture, in interior design.
Project by RA diseño+arquitectura.
Meanwhile, Karla focused her natural talents on studying the design potentials of materials such as wood and metal and working with shapes, silhouettes and ergonomics. She too spent time abroad, studying drawing, sculpture and photography in Florence and design at the Polytechnic Institute in Milan, culminating in a master’s degree in Visual Merchandising and Window Display. Like Paola, she believes that her international studies gifted her a unique opportunity to transcend cultural barriers and create a common language through design.
The stage was set for a synergy between the sisters, a mode of work that would see the pooling of their artistic talents and business acumen.
Design projects that won attention
When Karla returned to Mexico City, Paola’s construction venture was expanding. One of her many projects in San Miguel de Allende, Casa Zen, was featured on TV in “House Hunters International,” gaining instant credibility with a wider audience. Family and friends began asking her to design their homes, studios, short term rentals, kitchens, restaurants or offices.
Project by RA diseño+arquitectura.
Karla’s venture into furniture design and manufacturing landed her the role of Visual Presentation and Display Coordinator at Casa Palacio, Palacio de Hierro’s home goods store. From there, working with her sister was then simply an organic progression to work with her sister, as clients requested further architectural and interior design. Their company, RA diseño+arquitectura studio was founded with their first formal project in 2017. “In the beginning, we played all the office roles; client relations, project development, presentations, quotations, execution of plans, logistics, supply, installation, assembly, post-sale follow-up – you name it!” says Paola.
Karla chimes in: “Since we manufacture custom furniture, we deal with the carpenters, blacksmiths, upholstery, design materials like glass, stone, lighting fixtures and textiles. We also buy decorative items but do assembly in-house. That takes a lot of logistics, planning and coordination to deliver every project turn-key!”
The sisters have enjoyed rising to this feat of multi-tasking, logistics and planning. They say it’s their love for creativity and design, as well as a respect and care for each other and their work, that continues to evolve their exciting journey together.
Breaking the mold in a man’s world
In Mexico City, construction is an industry solidly dominated by men. “We deal with a lot of clichés and gender stereotypes where workers and clients both often assume that our projects are just a hobby, that women don’t possess this kind of technical knowledge,” Paola and Karla report. “There’s this weird attitude that our job involves images on Pinterest, rather than actually sourcing and manufacturing the design to execution, with years of prep and studies,” they continue.
Paola goodheartedly bemoans the daily challenge, adding that she organizes her days around her kids. “I was burning the midnight oil, working till 2 or 3 a.m. to work without any interruptions.” Their work involves building, remodeling, designing and manufacturing as well as running a company team as joint CEO’s and general directors. “Again, on-site, it’s interesting that the male workers take a bit of time to warm up to this fact. They see us as interior designers, they’d much rather take orders from a male architect, even if RA studios has hired him!” Paola continues. It is time to open up this field not just for women but for any young aspiring professionals.
Project by RA diseño+arquitectura.
“We have always been very empathetic and supportive of each other, we share and enjoy the demands and provocations! So working together is the icing on the cake,” Karla laughs.
Empowering women and creatives
With clients from different backgrounds, contexts and other parts of the world, the power designer sister duo implicitly understand that the space we occupy creates an ambience that influences emotions. “Creating beautiful and comfortable spaces for people that integrate emotions — peace, happiness and delight — motivates me to work harder every day”, Paola says. Karla’s guiding principle is also to “create spaces of warmth that can be lived in.” All that hard work is paying off in great joy and success.
“We hope to pave a path for other women entrepreneurs, proud to be women and proud to be Mexican, despite all the challenges,” Paola concludes. “Why not transform the role of women in our industry? There’s excellent proof we can accomplish that!”
Henrietta Weekes is a writer, editor, actor and narrator. She divides her time between San Miguel de Allende, New York and Oxford, UK.
Mexico star Randy Arozarena, one of 10 Mexican players contesting the MLB post-season. (Randy Arozarena/X)
The Major League Baseball (MLB) playoffs began on Tuesday, and seven of the 12 teams that qualified have at least one Mexican player — according to Mexican sports reports.
In actuality, just six of the 10 cited players were born in Mexico, and one, Cuban-born star left fielder Randy Arozarena of the Tampa Bay Rays, is a naturalized Mexican citizen.
Tampa Bay Rays’ Randy Arozarena, a Cuban-born Mexican, has had an outstanding year for the Florida franchise. (Tampa Bay Rays/X)
The other three played for Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) earlier this season, by virtue of having Mexican heritage. Since then, they have sort of been adopted by Mexican fans as native sons, and thus are included in the 10.
The number is three more than last year, prompting newspaper El Economista to write that the playoffs will have a real “mariachi flavor” in 2023.
One glaring omission from the list is Los Angeles pitcher Julio Urías, who was arrested Sept. 2 in Los Angeles on suspicion of domestic violence.
The native of Culiacán, Sinaloa helped the Dodgers win the 2020 World Series, then had a MLB-best 19-3 record in 2021, followed by a 17-7 record and 2.16 ERA in 2022, when he finished third in the Cy Young Award voting for best pitcher in the National League.
Mexican superstar Julio Urías may be suspended after his arrest for domestic violence last month. (Arturo Pardavila III/Wikimedia)
This year, he was a less glitzy 11-8 with a 4.60 ERA at the time he was placed on administrative leave, but without him, the Dodgers’ starting rotation is on shaky ground for the playoffs.
Urías, meanwhile, is in danger of getting a long suspension as a repeat offender; four years ago, he was suspended 20 games after allegedly shoving a woman to the ground in a parking lot. This time there has been no suspension as of yet, as the incident remains under investigation.
Though only 24 years old, Arozarena will be appearing in his fifth postseason – which includes a World Series appearance in the Rays’ loss to the Dodgers in 2020. In the full postseason that year, Arozarena set MLB records for homers (10) and hits (29).
The Cuban-born batter played winter ball in Mérida, Yucatán, and Navojoa, Sonora, after crossing the gulf on a small boat as a 19-year-old, battling 15-foot waves and eventually landing on Isla Mujeres, near Cancún.
Jose Urquidy of the Houston Astros. (Jose Urquidy/X)
He became a Mexican citizen in 2022 and proudly played for Mexico in the WBC earlier this year. For the Rays this season, the former American League Rookie of the Year made the A.L. all-star team and hit 23 home runs with a .254 batting average and 22 stolen bases.
Arozarena’s teammate Isaac Paredes isn’t as well known, but the 24-year-old from Hermosillo, Sonora had a stellar regular season with 31 homers and 98 RBIs. In today’s playoff opener against the Texas Rangers, Paredes is batting No. 3 in the order, one spot after Arozarena.
The Rays have a third Mexican on the roster: reserve infielder Jonathan Aranda, 25, born in Tijuana, Baja California.
Right-handed pitcher José Urquidy, 28, of the Houston Astros was born in Mazatlán, Sinaloa. He won a World Series last year with the Astros, though he pitched in only one postseason game. Normally a starting pitcher, he is expected to come in out of the bullpen in the playoffs.
Alejandro Kirk, 24, will be the starting catcher for the Toronto Blue Jays. Born in Tijuana, Baja California, Kirk had a fair 2023 season, but he was better in 2022, when he started the All-Star Game at catcher for the A.L. and batted .285 with 14 home runs to win a Silver Slugger Award at his position.
Orioles starting third baseman Ramon Urías, 29, a Gold Glove winner for his defense in 2022, was born in Magdalena de Kino, Sonora.
Mexico’s MLB stars helped the country to the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic earlier this year. (@MLB/Twitter)
Dodgers relief pitcher Victor González, 27, was born in Tuxpan, Nayarit, but because the Dodgers have a bye in the first round, they don’t have to submit a playoff for a few days, and González might not be on it.
Austin Barnes of the Dodgers, Alek Thomas of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Taijuan Walker of the Philadelphia Phillies all played for Team Mexico in the WBC this year, and are now often cited as Mexicans who play in MLB. All are U.S.-born but have at least one parent or grandparent from Mexico.
When Walker, 31, a former all-star pitcher, pulled on the Mexico jersey for the first time back in March, he said he felt “chills.”
U.S.-born Taijuan Walker of the Philadelphia Phillies said donning the Mexican jersey for the first time gave him chills. (Taijuan Walker/X)
At age 33, Barnes is the oldest “Mexican” in the postseason. This will be the backup catcher’s seventh trip to the playoffs, all with the Dodgers.
Rowdy Tellez, 28, was somewhat surprisingly left off the Milwaukee Brewers’ roster for the first round. He blasted 35 home runs last season, but slumped in 2023, hitting only one home run in 62 games after returning from a forearm and finger injury. Born in California, the 6-foot-4, 270-pounder played for Mexico in the WBC due to his heritage.
The playoffs begin with the best-of-3 wild-card round. The two teams with the best record in each league — Baltimore and Houston in the A.L., Atlanta and Los Angeles in the N.L. — get a bye into the next round. The postseason could end as late as Nov. 4 if the World Series goes a full seven games.
The IMF also predicted growth of 2.1% in Mexico's GDP in 2024. (Shutterstock)
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised its 2023 and 2024 growth forecasts for Mexico after its staff made an official visit to the country and identified a range of strengths in the Mexican economy.
The financial organization expects growth of 3.2% this year, up from a 2.6% forecast in July. The outlook for 2024 is an economic expansion of 2.1%, up from a 1.5% prediction three months ago.
The federal government predicts GDP growth of 3.6% for 2023, just above the IMF’s forecast of 3.2%. (lopezobrador.org.mx)
Mexico’s economy grew 3.6% in the first half of 2023, according to preliminary data published by the national statistics agency INEGI in late August.
In a statement issued Tuesday at the end of its official staff visit, the IMF said that the Mexican economy “is in the midst of a broad-based expansion.”
It said that the predicted 3.2% growth in 2023 would be led by “robust private consumption and investment” and observed that there is “notable strength in service sectors, construction, and auto production” in Mexico.
“This has led to record-low unemployment rates and record-high manufacturing capacity utilization rates. The authorities have commendably kept public debt in check. Monetary policy is rightly focused on bringing down inflation,” the IMF added.
The minimum daily wage has almost doubled during AMLO’s term, which has boosted individual spending power. (lopezobrador.org.mx)
The Fund noted that “fiscal policy will loosen” in 2024 as the government increases public spending to complete infrastructure projects and cover other commitments, but said that the impact on growth “will be limited by binding capacity constraints, a continuation of tight monetary policy, and slowing growth in the U.S.”
The 2.1% growth forecast could be exceeded if there is “stronger-than-expected growth in the U.S. or a larger-than-expected fiscal multiplier,” the IMF said.
A fiscal multiplier “measures the effect that increases in fiscal spending will have on a nation’s economic output, or gross domestic product,” according to Investopedia.
The IMF said that “an increase in global risk aversion, a higher path for interest rates in the advanced economies, or delays in implementing key infrastructure projects in Mexico would weigh on output” in 2024.
Industrial growth spurred by nearshoring in northern cities like Monterrey, Nuevo León, has paved the way for Mexico to become a major player in the global supply chain. (David Liceaga/Unsplash)
The Fund said that “the ongoing reshaping of global supply chains is an important opportunity for Mexico” and noted that the country’s “proximity to, and deep trade links with, the U.S. make it a key location for the ‘nearshoring’ of production for the U.S. market.”
“However, capitalizing on this potential and competing with other production locations will require addressing Mexico’s long-standing structural challenges while continuing to pursue prudent macroeconomic policies,” the IMF said.
Taking full advantage of the nearshoring opportunity and “securing sustainable and inclusive growth in a complex global environment” will require “higher and better-targeted public investment, better governance, increasing access to domestic sources of finance, increasing female labor force participation, and pivoting consumption toward cleaner sources of energy,” the Fund said.
