Mexico’s iconic beer: Born in Mazatlán, found in Baja, imported by surfers. More than 100 years of tradition. (Canva)
Surfers aren’t usually what comes to mind when you think of someone at the forefront of a culinary trend. But that’s the case with Mexico’siconicPacífico beer.
The adventurous surfers not only found good waves but also a great local beer. (Canva)
Today this outstanding pilsner-style lager is one of the most popular brews in the world. But Pacífico had been in Mexico for more than 100 years before a twist of fate—and some thirsty California surfers—catapulted it into the international arena. Those humble beginnings are the basis of the brand’s slogan: “Born in Mazatlán, found in Baja, imported by surfers.”
The adventurous surfers not only found good waves but a great local beer, and they loaded up their vehicles with cases of it to bring home. During the 1970s, Pacífico became the legendary drink of choice in the Southern California surf community, but it wasn’t until 1985 that it began to be legally imported to the U.S.
Pacífico’s crisp, refreshing “ocean mist” flavor results from high-quality, specially grown hops and barley and a secret process for roasting its distinctive malts. Serious drinkers might even compare its flavor profile to high-quality German beers—and they’d be correct.
It was a trio of German immigrants in the seaside town of Mazatlán, Sinaloa, who created Pacífico beer. Jorge Claussen, Germán Evers and Emilio Philipy opened Cervecería del Pacífico brewery in 1899 and released the first bottle of Pacífico a year later. The men were so influential and involved in the city that their names still grace some main streets and government buildings today. Pacífico has been a proud sponsor of many of Mazatlán’s annual events for generations, including Carnaval and Moto Week.
They were part of an explosion of immigrants and German-style breweries opening in Mexico from the 19th to early 20th centuries, drawn by the short-lived reign of Austrian archduke Maximilian I of Mexico, an elected president of the equally short-lived Second Mexican Empire. The influx of German immigrants brought with them their love of beer, along with their homeland’s polka music, which transformed into Sinaloa’s famous horn-heavy banda—but that’s another story. Beer would eventually replace pulque as the most popular fermented beverage in Mexico.
The original Pacífico brewery still operates in Mazatlán’s Centro Histórico. Until about 10 years ago it was open to the public for tours that ended in a rooftop tasting room filled with historic photographs and a 360-degree view of the city. Grupo Modelo, which took over the operation in 1954, was bought by beer conglomerate Anheuser-Busch InBev in 2013 and the tours ended.
Mexico-based Grupo Modelo also markets Corona, Negra Modelo and Modelo Especial for export and Victoria, Leon and Montejo brands for domestic consumption. Corona is Mexico’s best-selling beer, and one of the top five most-consumed beers in the world. Pacífico and Corona are both pilsners, with a 4.5% alcohol content but made with slightly different formulas. Today, 80% of imported beers in the U.S. come from Mexico, which exports twice as much beer as any other country.
AB-InBev, the largest beer company in the world, and Heineken N.V. (makers of Tecate) control 90% of the beer market. That rivalry between Pacífico and Tecate drinkers? It’s based on taste and very real.
There’s an urban legend that in Mazatlán beer is cheaper than water. In the case of Pacifico, that’s often true, especially during holidays or big events. Pacifico is available in four sizes: cute little 6 oz. cuartitos, regular 12 oz. medias, tubby 32 oz. ballenas, and the so-big-you-have-to-see-it-to-believe-it 1.2 liter-ballenóns. (Today’s Spanish lesson: ballena means whale; ballenón means a really big whale.) Those big sizes are one of Mazatlán’s claims to fame, historically only available in that Pacific coast town, where one of the most popular tourist photo ops is relaxing on the beach, ballena in hand.
Mexico City police officer Arizbeth Dionisio Ambrosio has been promoted after images of her feeding a hungry baby during the aftermath of Hurricane Otis went viral. (Jorge Becerríl/X)
A Mexico City police officer who breastfed a hungry baby in the aftermath of Hurricane Otis has been promoted.
Arizbeth Dionisio Ambrosio was deployed to Acapulco after the Category 5 storm made landfall on Oct. 25 and nursed a four-month-old baby boy while on duty in the devastated resort city.
Dionisio, a mother of a one-year-old, was promoted to “suboficial” as a result of her actions in Acapulco. (Jorge Becerríl/X)
The infant hadn’t eaten for a prolonged period and was crying from hunger when the 33-year-old police officer spoke to his mother, who was unable to breastfeed her son herself, and offered to nurse him.
Dionisio, a mother of a one-year-old, was promoted earlier this week in recognition of her act of compassion, her rank upgraded to “suboficial” from “policía primero.”
“For her vocation of service to citizens and for exalting the name of the Mexico City Ministry of Citizens Security, my colleague Arizbeth Dionisio Ambrosio of the Zorros group, who protected the life of a baby in Acapulco, was promoted,” Mexico City Security Minister Pablo Vázquez Camacho said on the X social media site on Monday.
“Her work is an example of humanism for everyone,” he added.
Dionisio was part of the “Zorros” task force sent to provide humanitarian relief in Acapulco. (Jorge Becerríl/X)
Following her promotion, Dionisio said that she was happy that she was able to help the baby and his mother in their hour of need. She downplayed her act of kindness, portraying it as insignificant amid the enormity of the devastation caused by Otis.
“I did very little, we can help more,” Dionisio said. “If I could, I’d return … to see the baby.”
The policewoman previously told reporters that it felt “nice” to help a crying, hungry baby.
“If something pains us as mothers it’s … [seeing] a baby in these circumstances,” she said.
Mexico has had a very dry year, causing water shortages and crop failures in some parts of the country. (Crisanta Espinosa Aguilar/Cuartoscuro)
Though hurricanes have battered the western coast of Mexico, much of the rest of the country is still parched. Months of below-average rainfall have left most of the center and north of Mexico in moderate to exceptional drought. The worst-affected states have seen reservoirs run dry, crops fail and thousands of cattle die.
Mexico’sDrought Monitor, published every two weeks by the National Meteorological Service (MSN), shows that the percentage of the country affected by drought has finally started to drop – from 75% on Sep. 30 to 59% on Oct. 31.
As of Oct. 31, 59% of the country was suffering from moderate to exceptional drought. (SMN/MND)
Not since 2012 has drought in Mexico been so widespread – with 1,614 municipalities across the country in a state of drought. Of these, 39 are rated at level 4 – the most serious category of drought. A further 461 are at risk of drought due to “abnormally low” low rainfall in 2023. Some analystshave claimed that it is the driest year in the Mexican countryside since 1957, with 78% of rural municipalities affected. This year has been the second driest since records began in 2004.
Drought conditions in the Valley of Mexico – home to almost 20 million people – have now affected 98% of the region.
The National Agricultural Council has called for more government investment in hydrological infrastructure, warning that Mexico’s water shortages are “a problem we can’t keep putting off.”
But how bad is Mexico’s drought, comparatively? In this edition of Mexico in Numbers, we look at how 2023 compares to past years, which regions and sectors of the country are most affected and how Mexico ranks globally for water stress.
How does the drought compare with the last five years?
Mexico has suffered increasingly severe drought for the last five years (2018-2023), after relatively good rainfall during the previous five (2013-2018).
At the driest point of 2023 in September, 75% of the country was in drought, 55.8% in severe drought, 31.6% in extreme drought and 1.8% in exceptional drought. In the last five years, comparably dry conditions have only been seen in May/June 2021, when up to 75.6% of the country was in drought, 54.8% in severe drought, 21.3% in extreme drought and 2.8% in exceptional drought.
This chart shows the percentage of municipalities with moderate to severe drought in the same period (as of Oct. 31) from 2018 to 2023. (SMN/MND)
However, this year’s drought has had a particularly severe impact because it has lasted much longer than usual, past the point when Mexico would normally expect to see autumn rains. Drought figures for October show an overall fall, but the country remains incredibly dry, with 15 of 32 states experiencing drought in at least 70% of municipalities.
How does the drought measure up historically?
Mexico’s last severe drought was in 2011, when up to 87% of the country faced drought conditions and up to 23% saw exceptional drought. Again, however, the worst conditions were earlier in the year, with the rainy season narrowing the scope of the drought by fall.
Although the Drought Monitor only gives detailed figures from 2003, the SMN’shistorical records show that September 2023 was the driest September since 1941 and the hottest since 1953.
Where is the drought most acute?
September’s drought affected almost all of central and northern Mexico, extending over96.5% of the territory in the northeast. The most acute regions of exceptional drought were in Durango and in the Huasteca region, to the southeast of San Luis Potosí. This has been exacerbated by a lack of rainfall, which would normally provide some respite and refill vital reservoirs between June and October. Without this rainfall, stress on existing acquifers and other water storage is increased.
Climatological reports in September showed a 74.4% deficit in rainfall for that month alone, making it the worst month for rain so far this year. The SMN also reported that the states of Guerrero, Hidalgo, Nuevo León, Oaxaca, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí and Veracruz all recorded their worst September rainfall since 1941.
This chart shows 2023 accumulated rainfall (blue line) versus normal accumulated rainfall (black line). (SMN)
The worst impact on agriculture has been in Chihuahua, where 193,266 hectares of crops were lost between January and September; followed by Zacatecas, with 153,684 hectares lost, and San Luis Potosí with 64,637. A total of 502,550 hectares have been lost across Mexico, the highest figure since at least 2018.
Which crops have been most affected?
The drought’s impact on farming has sparkedfears of food shortages in the coming months. The crops most affected are beans, with 165,716 hectares lost between January and September; grain corn, with 158,134 hectares lost; and forage oats, with 96,808 hectares lost.
Drought has caused thousands of hectares of crop failure, with Chihuahua as the worst-affected state from January to September this year. (MND)
The livestock industry has also been hard hit. In Durango, 18,000 cattle were reported to have died due to water shortages by August, with severe impacts also seen in ranching states such as Jalisco and Veracruz.
How does Mexico rank globally for water stress?
TheWorld Resources Institute grades Mexico 4.0 out of 5 for water stress. This places it on the borderline between the “high” and “extremely high” categories, with up to 80% of the territory affected.
Globally, the WRI ranks Mexico as the 26th most water-stressed country worldwide.
Originally slated for completion in 2015, the Oaxaca-Puerto Escondido highway was scheduled to be inaugurated this month. (YouTube / Andrés Manuel López Obrador)
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador announced during his Monday morning press briefing that several landslides had occurred on the long-anticipated Oaxaca-Puerto Escondido highway, making it impossible to inaugurate the project on Nov. 29, as planned.
According to the president, two slopes along the route collapsed due to rains reported over the weekend.
The president blamed the collapse on natural conditions. (YouTube / Andrés Manuel López Obrador)
Repair work on the highway is estimated to last a couple of months before the site’s inauguration on a new date: January 2024. Prior to the accident, the entire route was one bridge away from becoming functional, the president explained.
“This is bad news, but we will still ensure that it is inaugurated in early January,” López Obrador added.
The project has faced numerous setbacks including technical issues and social conflicts, particularly since the initial contract was awarded in 2009, and then the original concessionaire transferred the project rights to another company in 2014. In 2016, one year past its original projected completion date, the halfway-completed project was suspended again and handed over to the National Infrastructure Fund (Fonadin).
In August last year, officials were still expecting the highway to open by the end of 2022.
Collapse site as seen from drone footage shared at AMLO’s Monday morning press conference. (YouTube / Andrés Manuel López Obrador)
The new highway – which will replace existing Highway 131, a treacherous 102-kilometer mountain road – will allow travelers to get from Oaxaca city to Puerto Escondido in 2.5 hours instead of the current 6 hours it currently takes to reach the Pacific Coast beach destination.
One of Mexico's main exports to the U.S. is vehicles and auto parts, seen here being loaded on a dock in the port of Veracruz. (Asipona Veracruz)
Mexico was the United States’ top trade partner in the first nine months of 2023, according to new U.S. government data, with two-way trade worth almost US $600 billion.
Data published by the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis on Tuesday showed that Mexico beat out Canada and China to claim the coveted position of leading trade partner of the world’s largest economy.
Mexico has once again emerged as the largest trading partner for the United States this year. The country exports a diverse range of goods north of the border. (Secretaria de Agricultura/Cuartoscuro)
Neighbors and economic partners
Two-way trade between Mexico and the United States was worth US $599.79 billion between January and September. That figure is up 2.1% compared to the same period of 2022, and an impressive 59% compared to a decade ago.
Trade between Mexico and the U.S. accounted for 15.7% of the United States’ total trade with all its economic partners in the first nine months of the year.
Canada-U.S. trade accounted for 15.3% of the total, while China-U.S. trade made up 11.1%. The United States’ trade with those two countries declined in annual terms in the first nine months of the year.
Trade between the U.S. and Canada accounted for 15.3% of the U.S. total, slightly behind Mexico at 15.7%, results show. (CPKC)
Trade between Mexico and the United States was worth $67.11 billion in September, down from $70.77 billion in August. Despite the month-over-month decline, Mexico was the United States top trade partner in September.
These figures, of course, don’t account for illicit trade – the shipment of contraband such as drugs and weapons across the Mexico-U.S. border. Needless to say, such trade is very lucrative for the criminal organizations involved in it.
Mexican exports to the U.S. increased
Mexico shipped exports worth a record high $356.25 billion to the United States between January and September. That’s an increase of 4.3% compared to the same period of last year.
Agricultural produce are amongst Mexico’s largest exports – including avocados. (Cuartoscuro)
Mexico had a 15.5% share of the export market to the U.S., ahead of Canada and China, which both had a 13.7% share in the first nine months of 2023.
Mexico exports a wide range of goods to the United States including vehicles, auto parts, crude oil, electronics, fruit and vegetables, meat and beverages such as beer and tequila.
In September, Mexican exports to the U.S. were worth $39.54 billion, down from $41.75 billion in August. On an annual basis, Mexican exports to the U.S. fell 5.1% in September, the biggest decline in over three years.
According to the Bank of Mexico, Mexico’s exports to the United States in September accounted for 83.7% of the country’s total exports.
The Bank of Mexico says 83.7% of Mexican exports went to the United States in September. (Wikimedia Commons/Alfonso21)
U.S. imports to Mexico declined
U.S. imports were worth $243.5 billion between January and September, an annual decline of 0.9%. It was the first time since 2020 that imports from the U.S. declined in the first nine months of the year.
U.S. imports to Mexico include gasoline, agricultural products including corn used as livestock feed and capital goods such as machinery and plastics.
U.S. imports to Mexico in September were worth $27.65 billion, down from $29.01 billion in August.
Livestock feed has been a major U.S. export to Mexico, though the country is importing less than last year. (United Soybean Board/Wikimedia)
Mexico records a healthy trade surplus
Mexico’s surplus with its northern neighbor in the first nine months of the year was a record high $112.7 billion. That figure is 17.7% higher than the surplus Mexico recorded in the same period of 2022.
Mexico’s trade surplus with the U.S. in September was $12.74 billion.
Analyst: Mexico has benefited from the China-U.S. trade war
Gabriela Siller, director of economic analysis at Mexican bank Banco Base, said that Mexico’s foreign trade performance has improved as a result of the China-United States trade war.
Mexico has been a winner in the U.S.-China trade war, according to economist Gabriella Siller. (Gabriella Siller)
While Mexico’s exports to the U.S. increased 4.3% in the first nine months of the year, China’s exports to the same country declined 24.4%.
While Mexico is now the United States’ top economic partner, Siller warned that a slowdown of manufacturing activity in the United States and the appreciation of the Mexican peso are affecting trade between the two countries.
Citing Mexico’s export performance in September, independent economist Mario Correa made similar remarks.
Siller said that the stability (or otherwise) of the USD:MXN exchange rate and the economic situation in the United States will have a significant impact on Mexico’s export performance moving forward.
The newspaper El Economista reported that Mexico appears on track to maintain its position as the United States’ top trade partner through to the end of 2023.
Correa said that Mexico needs to have a “diversified supply chain” and ensure that it complies with “increasingly important” environmental, social and corporate governance criteria set by its most important trade partner in order to main its strong economic ties with the U.S.
One factor that is set to benefit Mexico’s export performance in the future is the relocation of foreign manufacturing companies here.
Foreign direct investment in Mexico reached a record high of over $29 billion in the first half of 2023, and incoming capital flows appear likely to grow even more in the coming years.
How do you invest in a home or vacation home on the beach? Whether you’re thinking about buying real estate in Mérida or on the Gulf coast, there is something for everyone when buying beach property. Right now, beach homes in Mexico are hot to trot as people are seeking a more relaxed and sunny lifestyle in a more peaceful part of the world.
How do I invest in beach property in the Yucatan?
Beach front with uninterrupted views and access to the ocean, is the most important determinant to market value on the beach.
“There’s a big billboard on the beach highway near Mérida that says, ‘Five years ago was always the best time to invest!’ and I think that’s so pertinent right now”, says Mitchell Keenan at Mexico International Real Estate, who’s witnessed the real estate landscape explode in his 30 years of working within the industry. With a stunning natural environment, the highest safety record in the country, a vibrant cultural scene, and the new Maya train (Tren Maya), business investment is pouring into the region. “There is also warm weather and sunshine year round,” Mitchell tells MND.
Where can I buy beach property in Mexico?
“People might be looking at several coastal spots,” Mitchell continues. Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco, or Mazatlán, for instance, offer more nightlife and a big restaurant and social scene. And the Caribbean coast is great for people who love to snorkel or dive. Mitchell is seeing many people choosing to buy on the Gulf coast near Mérida, which offers a more reasonably priced beach community. Buyers are happy to make the 3-4 hour trip to Cozumel or Cancun for scuba diving but benefit from living near Mérida. “Mérida has always had that undiscovered feel to it and still, to a large degree, does,” Mitchell says,
What to look for in a real estate agent when buying beach property
Why wait to retire to invest in beach property in Mexico?!
It makes sense to find areal estate agent who is seasoned, understands the area, is busy, invested in their career, has the licensing and has taken some additional courses. And of course, can provide references. “It’s really important to be well connected,” Mitch tells us, “Especially when you invest in property in another country.”
How do I buy beach property in Mexico?
Find a good attorney/notario.
It’s the buyer’s choice, as they pay all the closing costs and the seller pays the taxes. Recommendations from a good real estate agent will help you avoid headaches. They should be able to provide you with all the necessary contacts – attorney, notario, architect, contractor, etc. Most competent agents are bi or multi-lingual and have many contacts in their area of influence.
You’ll need a fideicomiso. What is that?
All the beaches in Mexico are in the restricted zone. To hold title to beach property, you will most likely want to utilize a fideicomiso. The best translation of fideicomiso to English is “fiduciary bank trust.” It’s a document that provides you with the vehicle to hold the title to the property with the bank. Both the foreign owner and the bank are named in the documents with the bank owing a fiduciary responsibility to the foreign owner.
How do you get that bank trust, and how much does it cost?
Your attorney will apply for the permit from Mexico City. The fideicomiso including the permits run around 3,000 USD. Only foreigners need this fideicomiso, not nationals. Annual payment on a fideicomiso will run approximately 500-700 USD a year based upon the value of the property.
With a stunning natural environment, the highest safety record in the country, a vibrant cultural scene, and the new Maya train (Tren Maya), business investment is pouring into the region. Together with Mexico International Real Estate.
How long does it take to acquire? And for how long is it valid?
You can plan for around 8-12 weeks for your attorney to have the authorized document. It’s a 50-year document and it is renewable every 50 years in perpetuity. Additionally, you are required to name an heir(s) in the fideicomiso. In the case of your demise, the rights to the fideicomiso are inherited by your heir(s). They can further hold the fideicomiso en perpetuity.
What are the benefits of a fideicomiso?
You will acquire a further level of protection to hold a regular title because it’s tied to the bank. The bank has a fiduciary responsibility to represent the rights of the owner (holder of the fideicomiso). You also can avoid a large capital gains tax when you sell.
Tax benefits from holding real estate in a fideicomiso?
By holding title with the fideicomiso, the holder is benefited by being able to avoid part if not all of the 31% capital gains tax (ISR in Mexico). Additionally, you’ll need your resident visa, your Mexican tax ID number, a CFE bill or bank statement that reflects your name, the address of the property and your tax ID #.
What beachfront properties can I buy?
In addition to buying an existing home, you may also wish to invest in raw beach and build your own home. It usually takes between 12 – 18 months to build, depending on the weather and the availability of construction materials. A 1,800 square meter lot currently on the market could run you around US $240,000 near Mérida. Or buy an existing home, save time, and make it your own. Remodeling costs are reasonable.
What will affect the value of beach property?
Beach front with uninterrupted views and access to the ocean, is the most important determinant to market value on the beach. Location, mature trees and landscaping, sand dunes and neighboring properties will also increase value. Access to the property – how far it is from the airport, and how are the roads? For the most part, beachfront homes near Mérida are accessible by paved roads. Location in terms of local services, clinics, schools, and shopping. There are beach properties over 90 minutes from Mérida, and values tend to trend downward the further away from Mérida.
How safe is beach living?
You have to research your chosen area, but if you’re on the Mérida coast, safety is part of Yucatan culture. The ‘police force army’ in Yucatan is an enormous, friendly force. They’re as likely to help you change a tire than write you a speeding ticket.
What can you expect from beach culture in Mexico?
The small towns are tight-knit fishing and family communities. Foreigners will often support schools, orphanages, or trash programs and are respected in the local communities for their contributions.
What about property tax?
It’s a deal closer. For a US $500,000 home, you’re looking at the grand sum of US $200 a year or less. Property taxes are very inexpensive!
What else to consider when looking for beach property?
Having a medical clinic nearby is a plus. Most of the pueblos have clinics. Shopping is always important. Nice to stay within 20 minutes of decent markets, shops and gas stations.
If you’re buying a vacation home for part-time Airbnb or rentals, like 70% of our clients, you’ll need a good choice of property managers, “of which there are some good ones available,” Mitchell tells us.
What are the predictions for beach living over the next 5 years?
Mitchell tells MND, “The beach growth has truly exploded. Many new high-rises, condos and multiunit communities are being built. I’m conservative about making predictions but all things remaining equal, I see good growth of value.”
The Governor of Yucatán recently attended President López Obrador’s morning press conferencein his new role as Head of the Governor’s Association in Mexicoand discussed the Maya Train and the region’s rapid economic growth. Why wait to retire to invest in beach property in Mexico?! Instead of buying a 2 million dollar condo in Florida, it’s possible to choose the good life – relaxed, easy, safe, affordable, and happy – on the coast of Mexico. Mitchell concludes, “We live in crazy, unpredictable times. Just go for it!”
This article is sponsored by Mexico International Real Estate. Mexico International is the Yucatán Peninsula’s number-one real estate agency.
Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Arturo Zaldívar, coordinator of policy and government in President Claudia Sheinbaum's cabinet, thanked the many judicial hopefuls for their applications. (Claudia Sheinbaum/Cuartoscuro)
Supreme Court Justice Arturo Zaldívar announced his resignation on Tuesday, saying that he would continue to serve Mexico by joining the campaign of Morena presidential candidate Claudia Sheinbaum.
Just over two hours after Zaldívar posted a copy of the resignation letter he sent to López Obrador to his social media accounts, Claudia Sheinbaum took to X, formerly Twitter, to announce that she had met with the justice and that they had agreed to “work together to advance the transformation of the country.”
Arturo Zaldívar (right) has served on the Supreme Court since 2009. (SCJN)
Zaldívar, who was appointed to the Supreme Court (SCJN) during the 2006-12 presidency of Felipe Calderón, said in his letter that he believed that his “cycle” serving on the country’s highest court had come to an end, even though his 15-year term is not due to conclude until Nov. 30, 2024.
He said that “the contributions I can make from this position in the consolidation of a better country have become marginal.”
Zaldívar, chief justice between 2019 and 2022, was one of three justices out of 11 who regularly favored the current government on rulings. However, their votes were insufficient to stop a range of rulings against the López Obrador administration, including decisions that struck down the controversial electoral reform package that passed Congress earlier this year.
Zaldívar, 64, told López Obrador that he believed that joining the “transformation” movement and contributing to the “construction of a fairer and more egalitarian country” was of “the greatest importance.”
Claudia Sheinbaum (center) is the Morena candidate for the 2024 presidential election. The party, founded by incumbent president López Obrador, is favored to win again. (Claudia Sheinbaum/X)
“… I hope to continue collaborating toward [creating] the Mexico we all dream of,” he wrote.
In a subsequent interview, Zaldívar said he was joining the political project initiated by López Obrador – and which Sheinbaum hopes to continue as president – as a “matter of conviction.”
“I want to make it clear that I’m not leaving the court to take on a public position. I’m going to join a political-social project in which I believe in order to consolidate the transformation of the country, to support a project whose primary focus are those who have the least and need the most,” he said.
“… I’m joining a woman I admire, trust and have affection for,” Zaldívar said, referring to Sheinbaum.
President López Obrador applauds Supreme Court Chief Justice Arturo Zaldívar at the third annual report of the federal judiciary in December 2021. Gobierno de México
“I think she is an educated, intelligent, committed and sensitive woman, who I have no doubt will be a great president of Mexico,” he said.
His resignation as a Supreme Court justice must be approved by the Senate, in which the ruling Morena party and its allies have a majority.
The SCJN said in a brief statement on Tuesday that it was awaiting the opinion of the president and the Senate on the matter, “in accordance with the provisions in the constitution.”
The court noted that article 98 of the constitution says that resignations of Supreme Court justices “will only proceed for serious reasons” and that they must be referred to the executive and, if accepted, subsequently sent to the Senate for approval.
López Obrador said Wednesday morning that he had accepted Zaldívar’s resignation and noted that the Senate will have the “final word” on the matter.
He said he will put forward a short list of three women to replace the outgoing justice and complete the final period of his 15-year term.
President López Obrador has said he will carefully consider the appointment of a replacement judge – from a shortlist of three female candidates. (lopezobrador.org.mx)
Women are “more honest and hardworking” than men, López Obrador said, adding that he was in favor of Zaldívar’s replacement continuing as a SCJN justice beyond the completion of the 15-year term the justice began in 2009.
López Obrador is a frequent critic of the judiciary, and Supreme Court justices in particular, claiming that they regularly hand down rulings that favor an elite minority rather than the people of Mexico in general. His government recently eliminated 13 public trusts that helped fund the federal judiciary, including the SCJN, angering court workers.
Before he leaves office next October, López Obrador intends to send a judicial reform bill to Congress, which, among other things, would allow citizens to directly elect Supreme Court justices and other judges.
Mario Delgado, Morena’s national president, said Tuesday that Zaldívar has vast experience and could make “very valuable contributions” to the judicial reform plan.
Time will tell whether he’ll take a formal role in the next federal government, if – as is currently expected – Sheinbaum prevails on June 2, 2024.
Puerta de Hierro in Guadalajara was one of Latin America's most expensive neighborhoods according to real estate firm research. (Ricardo Pacheco/Shutterstock)
A group of three real estate firms released their latest report on Latin America’s most expensive neighborhoods, and three Mexican neighborhoods are in the top 10.
Compiled by real estate firms Properati, Lamudi and Trovit, the report offers important takeaways on the real estate market around the region.
The list ranked Monterrey’s Del Valle as Mexico’s most expensive neighborhood – coming in second in Latin America. (Monica Garza/Shutterstock)
Which countries were included in the survey?
The report analyzed data from Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panamá, Perú, Paraguay, Venezuela and Uruguay.
Out of the 13 countries analyzed, the top 10 most expensive neighborhoods are found in five different countries: Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, Uruguay and Chile.
How were housing costs measured?
Buenos Aires’ Puerto Madero neighborhood ranks as Latin America’s most expensive. (En Viaje)
The analysis measured the average price per square meter of housing in 26 upper-class neighborhoods of the 13 countries.
Which Mexican neighborhoods are on the list?
Del Valle in Monterrey is the most expensive neighborhood in Mexico and the second-most expensive in Latin America. It is followed by Puerta de Hierro in Guadalajara, which came in at No. 9 and Bosques de las Lomas in Mexico City, which rounded out the top 10.
Lomas de Angelópolis in Puebla came in at No. 17.
Colombia and Mexico were the only Latin American countries with more than three neighborhoods included in the ranking.
The trendy Lomas de Angelópolis district in Puebla also made the top 10. (Ufara)
How do the rankings compare to last year?
Puerto Madero in Argentina once again secured the top spot after it ranked No. 1 in 2022.
Meanwhile, Ipanema in Brazil, which came in second last year, dropped one position to give way to Del Valle in Monterrey, which had previously ranked at No. 4 in 2022.
Puerta de Hierro in Guadalajara fell two spots from No. 7 last year, while Bosques de las Lomas in Mexico City also dropped from the eighth spot in 2022.
What’s the price per square meter of the top three neighborhoods on the list?
According to the report, the cost of buying a two or three-bedroom apartment in Puerto Madero, Buenos Aires is approximately US $5,845 per square meter. In Del Valle, Monterrey, the average value per square meter is US $4,071, while Ipanema reports an average of US $4,008 per square meter.
Now in its 11th year, the Gay Games are a global celebration of sexual diversity in sport. (@gggdl2023/X)
The 11th edition of the Gay Games kicked off last weekend in both Guadalajara and Hong Kong, marking the event’s first foray into Latin America and Asia since its beginnings in 1982.
The games are an athletic competition, but also a global celebration of diversity with 31 sports, including mahjong, dodgeball, cheerleading and pink flamingo — a fusion of performance, skits, drag and dance both in and out of the water.
This is the first time the Gay Games have been hosted in Latin America or Asia. (@gggdl2023/X)
There is also a full lineup of “real” sports, including badminton, dodgeball, basketball, beach and indoor volleyball, fencing, bowling, figure skating, soccer, rowing and martial arts — although organizers say few will rise to a level beyond “recreational activity.” Also, competitors do not represent countries.
Rather than aspire to an elite-level tournament, the main purpose of the Gay Games is to foster respect, integration and the values of diversity through sport. In the last games in Paris in 2018, there were 10,317 registered participants from 91 countries.
This year’s games — which include heterosexual people for the first time, in the name of inclusion — were originally scheduled for Hong Kong in 2022, but were delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, with Guadalajara later becoming a co-host.
Both sites are expected to welcome more than 2,000 participants from up to 45 countries before the games conclude on Saturday, Nov. 11.
The Gay Games is an athletic tournament but also a cultural event, with galas, workshops, exhibits and performances. (Fernando Carranza García/Cuartoscuro)
The selection of Hong Kong as a host city has been met with criticism due to the city’s poor LGBTQ+ and human rights records. While same-sex relationships are legal in Hong Kong, the city does not recognize marriage equality and lacks anti-discrimination laws.
Meanwhile, Guadalajara, once considered one of Mexico’s most conservative cities, is awash in the color of the rainbow for the games this week. The city was selected by the New York Times as one of the world’s top 52 tourist destinations for 2023, largely due its vibrant LBGTQ+ culture.
Jaime Cobián, founder of CODISE, a Mexican nonprofit that promotes sexual diversity and fights discrimination, said the Gay Games help people see the LGBTQ+ population differently.
“The visibility and support are important,” he said. “But the most important thing is that this contributes to cultural change, which is the biggest problem. We need that sensitivity so that society changes the way of accepting us, of treating us with respect.”
Rather than aspire to an elite-level tournament, organizers of the Gay Games hope the event encourages people to accept the LGBTQ+ population and treat its members with respect. (@gggdl2023/X)
One of the first LGBTQ+ activists in Guadalajara, Cobián recalled when he and others tried to host the International Congress of Gays, Lesbians and Trans People. It was 1991, and the plan was shelved due to homophobic reactions from Jalisco residents and politicians.
Now, the Gay Games are considered the largest sporting and cultural event of sexual diversity in the world, and hosting them is “an act of historical reparation,” said Andrés Treviño Luna, Jalisco’s director of sexual diversity.
The epicenter of activity in Guadalajara is “Villa Paraísa,” which will host health clinics, HIV and sexuality workshops, fashion shows, an art exhibit, theater, music and two galas. See the whole schedule of events here.
Officials say hosting the Gay Games will help Guadalajara in its bids to host World Pride, the largest pride festival in the world, in 2029 and the International AIDS Conference in 2026. For the latter, the city is reportedly among the finalists.
How microdosing with psilocybin can have positive effects for anxiety, depression, PTSD, a myriad of mood disorders and general well-being. (Canva)
Recently, MND ran three articles about the history, growing scientific research, legal landscape and therapeutic uses of psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychoactive compound found in so-called “magic mushrooms.” Mexico first introduced these mushrooms to the west, by the way. The rest is scientific history….
In this article, we will discover how microdosing with psilocybin can have positive effects for anxiety, depression, PTSD, a myriad of mood disorders and general well-being. We talk to some experts, and delve into the vast body of research and media coverage in the field of psychedelic therapy, and share some practical steps on how you can approach microdosing safely.
The science is catching up with the spiritual jargon, and shedding light on how psilocybin may work positively in conjunction with our biology and brains. (Canva)
Why is it important for me to know the science behind psilocybin research?
You’ve probably heard at least one person talking about mushrooms inducing a positive altered state, some sort of “spiritual experience”. There are thousands of personal anecdotes in the digital media space to feast on, ranging from inspiring, edifying or just plain trippy. But these days, the science is catching up with the spiritual jargon, and shedding light on how these compounds may work positively in conjunction with our biology and brains. Studies are taking place in prestigious research institutions – John Hopkins University, Imperial College, London, MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies), The Beckley Foundation, UK – as well as individual investigators, like renowned and revered mycologist Paul Stamets, founder of Fungi Perfecti. He believes that, “psilocybin will make us more intelligent, and better citizens.” You can watch Netflix’s documentary “Fantastic Fungi” or the series, “How to Change your Mind” to take a deeper dive into the landscape and further your knowledge.
In New York, Katrina Michelle, Phd, LCSW, is former director of harm reduction for MAPS and executive director of The American Center for the Integration of Spiritually Transformative Experiences (ACISTE). At her private practice and her own organization, The Curious Spirit, she supports patients with their microdosing journeys. She is excited by the results she has seen in her patients and the recent scientific findings that corroborate the benefit of microdosing. “I feel I owe a debt of gratitude to Mexican medicine woman Maria Sabina and her indigenous lineage, for helping the West access the therapeutic benefits of the mushroom.” Seventy years later, no one needs be wary or confused about such statements like “spiritual experience.” You can go straight to the science, talk to professionals, and decide for yourself if you want to give microdosing with psilocybin a try.
How do I microdose and what’s the protocol?
It’s important to have a certified therapist to work alongside you when you microdose – ideally, someone who has training and experience in psychedelic-assisted therapy. (Canva)
“It’s important to have a certified therapist to work alongside you when you microdose – ideally, someone who has training and experience in psychedelic-assisted therapy,” Katrina tells us. “The safe and responsible usage of these powerful fungi will affect the outcome experienced,” she explains.
According to a report in Medical News Today in October of this year, there is no agreed scientific consensusyet on what a microdose amounts to.
Guidelines define a ‘microdose’ as 1% of a pharmacologically active drug dose. It is important to note that all microdosing protocols almost always include an ‘off-cycle’, or a period of rest, often 2-4 weeks, to maintain efficacy and avoid developing a tolerance to the substance. This period also triggers natural neurotransmitter production in the brain and is highly likely responsible for the lingering effects of the practice long after the practitioner has ceased dosing.
Scarlett Rivzi, a therapist who runs From Wounds to Wisdom in San Miguel de Allende, here in Mexico, tells us that the amount of mushroom prescribed for microdosing ranges between 15-25 mg, depending on the protocol and intended outcome. For example, one protocol is to take the microdose for 4 days on, and 3 days off, for 4 weeks. Then it’s advisable to take a break from the mushrooms for 2 weeks. Another is to take the microdose for 5 days on and 2 days off for 3 weeks, then have a 2 week break.
She continues, “the microdose level of psilocybin is sub-psychedelic, meaning there is no ‘tripping’. When taken properly with guidance and supervision, an individual can go about their regular daily routine while the brain receptor 5HT-2A is releasing serotonin, the feel-good neural chemical.” She also mentions that different strains of mushrooms have specific characteristics or qualities, being adaptogens that enable them to address a variety of conditions and intentions.
Any therapist who has done their research can help advise on preparation, the importance of a clinical setting, advise on taking the necessary rigorous medical checks (don’t microdose if you have schizophrenia or hypertension, for example) and will be invested in your experience over a time period of weeks or months – and continue to work on the integration process afterwards.
What are the results from microdosing with psilocybin?
Well, here’s the good news. Everyone I spoke to – clinicians, experts and microdosers alike – had positive news to share.
Sofia (whose name has been changed) is a Mexican writer, and worked with capsules of 0.25 g over 3 months, hoping to deal with some grief and depression from a family trauma. She was advised to take a capsule first thing in the morning before eating, or at night before sleeping. “It helped me come out of a state where sadness and incessant crying was weighing me down. I was able to re-evaluate those family relationships. Rather than viewing my family members as enemies, I actually just needed clear boundaries. Microdosing felt like I had a friend, working in the background.” She refers to her experience as sustained and subtle, as if her brain was slowly adjusting to a healthier and more positive way of looking at things. “And now I continue to practice that attitude. I feel lighter, clearer and – unstuck.”
Katrina Michelle has seen extraordinary results with her patients. “ I’ve seen social anxiety and depression greatly reduced. One client microdosed over 2 months to help him reshape his life, and even his income. He was also able to release and transmute grief, related to his sister’s death from cancer at a young age.” After a decade of working with him, she explains that he used microdosing to support a regimen of therapy, and commitment to the process has paid off.
What are more reasons to microdose with psilocybin?
It’s not just the heftier mental challenges of depression, anxiety, PTSD and grief that people are seeking microdosing for. There is a massive global trend in microdosing for general well-being,pain management, end of life distress, andas an aid for problem solving and productivity – workaholics take heed!
Lou Sagar, founder of The Alchemist’s Kitchen, NY advises on microdosing protocol, alongside Merlin Sheldrake, biologist and author of the popular book about fungi, “Entangled Life.” They work in collaboration with doctors, psychotherapists and take patient referrals.
It’s not just the heftier mental challenges of depression, anxiety, PTSD and grief that people are seeking microdosing for. There is a massive global trend in microdosing for general well-being,pain management, end of life distress, and as an aid for problem solving and productivity. (Canva)
“We see the primary interest is for elevation of mood. This intention alone mitigates triggers that tend to escalate upset, stress and anger.” He mentions that some immediate medicinal benefits of microdosing are a reduction in the desire for alcohol, cannabis and smoking. “We meet women who microdose to improve the balance of their hormonal cycle, or aid with emotional unpredictability in perimenopause.” He tells MND that microdosing has shown effectiveness in keeping a good attitude – that the macro goal of microdosing for many people is ultimately personal growth, which in turn contributes to feeling like a more valuable member of society.
And finally…microdosing with mushrooms can be an alternative to pharmaceuticals
Lou continues “We all have ancestral indigenous history, and at The Alchemist’s Kitchen, we’re especially interested in Mexico, where for centuries mushrooms have been used for conflict resolution and community benefit.” He notices in his conversations that, in an urban society, people are looking for options away from pharmaceuticals and to connect with these ancestral roots.
Lou concludes, “The fungi mycelium have been here a long time! We celebrate its history.” Arm yourself with the research out there, talk to a professional about how microdosing with mushrooms might help you, and join the growing group of global microdosers! Here at MND, we welcome comments and insights from readers, as we continue to explore the psychedelic conversation and the very potent possibilities of fungi, which Stamets believes can actually “help save 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.
Henrietta Weekes is a writer, editor, actor and narrator. She divides her time between San Miguel de Allende, New York and Oxford, UK.
