Starlink, Elon Musk's satellite internet company, appears to have won a multi-million dollar contract from Mexico's Federal Electricity Commission (CFE). (Rokas Tenys/Shutterstock)
Elon Musk’s interest in Mexico isn’t limited to building a Tesla gigafactory in Nuevo León.
Starlink, the satellite internet service of Musk’s spacecraft manufacturer SpaceX, has been operating in Mexico for some time, and now appears to have a lucrative contract with the federal government to provide connectivity in rural areas of the country, according to Reuters.
Part of Starlink’s chain of 1,000 satellites visible in the night sky. (Archive)
Starlink on Oct. 18 won a tender from the state-owned Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) to provide internet services through December 2026, the news agency said on Monday. Its reporting was based on a draft contract and another CFE document it saw.
The value of the contract is between 887.5 million pesos (US $50.6 million) and 1.77 billion pesos (US $101.3 million), Reuters said.
A bid made by Starlink beat those of two other companies because it “offered the best conditions in terms of price,” the CFE document said.
According to the draft contract, Starlink’s obligation is to provide infrastructure for CFE’s rollout of internet access in rural Mexico. President López Obrador has made the provision of internet connectivity in isolated areas a priority of his administration.
The agreement between Starlink and the CFE began last month and concludes Dec. 31, according to the draft contract which was slated to be formalized on Oct. 20. Reuters said that neither a representative for the internet service nor the CFE immediately responded to its inquiries as to whether the contract had indeed begun.
Starlink has already collaborated with the Mexican company GlobalSat on the delivery of internet services to residents of rural areas. The latter has won two CFE contracts and has been using Starlink antennas since February.
Musk, the world’s richest person, announced in March that Tesla would build a large electric vehicle plant – a gigafactory – in Santa Catarina, a municipality just west of Monterrey that borders Coahuila.
He confirmed last month that the plant would be built, but indicated that he was hesitant to “go full tilt” on the project due to current global economic conditions and uncertainty.
Nuevo León Governor Samuel García said in September that Tesla and its suppliers would invest US $15 billion in the northern state, with about $10 billion of that amount expected to go to the gigafactory.
Volkswagen saw a 100% increase in sales over October 2022, as Mexico recorded a 16th consecutive month of year-on-year growth. (Volkswagen México)
More than 110,000 new cars were sold in Mexico in October, the strongest performance for that month since 2018.
The 112,261 light vehicles sold on the domestic market was a 12.2% increase over October 2022. It brought total sales so far this year to nearly 1.1 million, according to data from the Mexican Association of the Automotive Industry and the national statistics agency INEGI.
The arrival of Chinese brands, including JAC, has bolstered the domestic market in Mexico. (JAC)
Despite this growth, October’s sales were down 4.9% from September, and slightly below estimates by the Mexican Association of Automotive Distributors (AMDA).
However, AMDA president Guillermo Rosales said that this was partly due to Mitsubishi having yet to release sales figures for the month and that AMDA expects these gaps to shorten once these are included.
Industry experts also noted that October’s car sales were up 4.8% from the pre-pandemic year of 2019, and marked 16 consecutive months of year-on-year increases. Total national automobile sales for 2023 are expected to reach 1.3 million.
The industry hit a peak in 2016, but declined for several years afterwards, exacerbated by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent supply chain disruption.
The United Auto Workers (UAW) strike in the United States has adversely affected the Mexican autopart industry – although sales of new cars have not declined . (UAW/X)
Since 2021, however, domestic car sales have been recovering steadily, boosted by the strong performance of Mexico’s automotive industry and the arrival of affordable, new Chinese brands to the market.
Despite inroads by new manufacturers, traditional brands Nissan, General Motors and Volkswagen still lead the way as Mexico’s most popular brands, accounting for around 41% of total light vehicle sales.
Volkswagen showed particularly strong growth, increasing its sales by more than 100% from October 2022, according to the AMDA.
While the strike by auto workers in the United States does not appear to be affecting car sales in the Mexican market, it is having an impact on the auto parts manufacturing sector, with order losses of up to US $780 million.
With the conclusion of this year's Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, Mexico has finished third overall, with a record medal haul. (Cuartoscuro)
For the second straight Pan American Games, Mexico finished in third place behind the United States and Brazil — but this year the Mexicans did it with a team record of 52 gold medals.
The 19th edition of the games, a huge, quadrennial competition for nations in the Americas the year before the Summer Olympics, concluded on Sunday in Santiago, Chile.
Mexico’s artistic swimming team won gold at the games. (Conade/X)
Over 18 days, Mexico stood out like never before, relying on a mix of veteran and young athletes to get the job done, with eight gold medals in diving and six in taekwondo.
Its contingent of 475 athletes in 35 sports tied Mexico’s best overall showing ever, matching third-place finishes in Mexico City in 1955 and at the previous games in Lima, Peru in 2019.
And with its 52 gold medals, Mexico easily broke its previous high of 42 in the 2011 games in Guadalajara.
With the team standings based on the number of gold medals, Mexico was behind only 17-time winner United States (124) and Brazil (66), and ahead of some nations it has often finished behind: Canada (46), Cuba (30) and Argentina (17). In all, nearly 7,000 athletes from 41 nations competed.
Mexico took home a total of 142 medals from the Pan American Games this year. (Conade/X)
In total, Mexico ended up with 142 medals – 52 gold, 38 silver and 52 bronze. The United States had 286 total and Brazil 205.
Before the competition, officials with Mexico’s National Commission of Physical Culture and Sports (Conade) and the Mexican Olympic Committee (COM) had predicted around 33 gold medals for Mexico’s relatively young and untested delegation.
“It’s very nice to be part of this historic performance,” said Alejandra Valencia, who won three gold medals in archery. “It’s great preparation for many, and it helps us get to the Olympic Games in great shape.”
The Summer Olympics are scheduled for July 26 to Aug. 11, 2024 in Paris.
Mexico’s women’s soccer team beat Chile, winning a gold medal. (Conade/X)
Highlights for Mexico in Chile included a gold medal in women’s soccer, with Rebeca Bernal scoring the winning goal in a 1-0 victory over the host team in the final. Bernal, 26, plays for CF Monterrey in the Liga MX Femenil.
Mexico also pulled off an upset in the semifinals, beating Argentina 2-0 on a pair of goals by Lizbeth Ovalle, a 24-year-old midfielder from Aguascalientes who plays for Tigres UANL in the Mexican women’s pro league.
Another highlight for Mexico was its gold medal in artistic swimming (formerly synchronized swimming), won by a mere 0.6638 points over the United States. Mexico also qualified for the Paris Games, which one player called “a dream that we have pursued for years.”
Texas-born pro golfer Abraham Ancer, 32 took gold in golf. (Conade/X)
Also for Mexico, Texas-born pro golfer Abraham Ancer, 32, won the gold, 34-year-old racquetball player Paola Longoria won the 11th PanAm gold of her career, and Beatriz Briones and Karina Alanís won the 500 meters in tandem canoeing. In the bronze medal match in men’s soccer, Mexico beat the United States 4-1.
Military helicopters search for bodies in Acapulco Bay on Nov. 2. Relatives of hundreds of people who were at sea when the hurricane hit say their loved ones are still missing. (Rogelio Morales/Cuartoscuro.com)
The recovery from Hurricane Otis, which devastated Acapulco when it made landfall on the Guerrero coast on Oct. 25, was a dominant topic at President López Obrador’s morning press conference on Monday. Here’s what you need to know.
100 people dead or missing
There are 100 dead or missing as a result of the storm according to the government. (Carlos Alberto Carbajal/Cuartoscuro)
López Obrador said that the confirmed number of hurricane fatalities was 47, with 53 additional people classified as missing.
The death toll is one fewer than the number reported by the Guerrero Attorney General’s Office (FGE) on Sunday. López Obrador didn’t explain the reason for the discrepancy.
The FGE said Sunday that the body of a young girl, Angelly “N,” had been found in a community near Acapulco after an “exhaustive” search, and thus increased its death toll to 48.
One of the leaders of a group of Acapulco residents who departed the city on Sunday to travel to Mexico City to protest the government’s disaster response claims that authorities are not acknowledging the true human toll of the hurricane.
Ramiro Solorio, leader of the PAN political party in Guerrero, also helped lead the Mexico City march to demand more disaster relief resources. (Moisés Pablo/Cuartoscuro.com)
“The government wants to minimize the tragedy and hide the number of deaths, missing people and victims,” said Ramiro Solorio, who has been active in local politics in Acapulco for years.
According to the El País newspaper, doctors have said that many hurricane-related deaths at hospitals haven’t been included in the official death toll, while the relatives of hundreds of people who were at sea when Otis made landfall say they are unaccounted for.
Government aid reaching residents
López Obrador said that an average of 40,000 food packages are being distributed on a daily basis to residents of Acapulco and the neighboring municipality of Coyuca de Benítez.
A Welfare Ministry agent works with a homeowner to quantify damages left by Hurricane Otis. (Facebook/Secretaría de Bienestar)
He also said that 50,000 hot meals are being served every day at community kitchens set up by the military. The distribution of 250,000 packages of household goods, including a bed, a stove and a fridge, has begun, López Obrador told reporters.
The government announced a 20-point recovery plan for Acapulco and Coyuca de Benítez last Wednesday.
Damage census continues
López Obrador said that the Welfare Ministry had visited 172,102 homes to assess damage as of Sunday night.
According to the recovery plan, all households will receive 8,000 pesos (about US $450) to purchase paint and cleaning supplies. Owners of houses that were damaged by the hurricane will receive an additional 35,000-60,000 pesos depending on the severity of the damage.
At least 35 Acapulco hotels to reopen by March or April
Hurricane Otis damaged around 80% of Acapulco’s many hotels. (Rogelio Morales/Cuartoscuro)
“We’re going to make a joint effort so that at least 35 hotels are operating by March or April of next year,” López Obrador said a day after holding discussions with Acapulco hoteliers.
The reopening of the hotels will allow the 2024 Tianguis Turístico — Mexico’s largest tourism trade fair — to go ahead in Acapulco next April.
López Obrador said that Carlos Slim, Mexico’s richest person and the owner of the Calinda Beach Hotel, is among the Acapulco hoteliers who committed to reopening by April. He also praised Slim for the assistance he has provided in the wake of the disaster.
Approximately 80% of Acapulco hotels sustained damage when Otis made landfall as a Category 5 storm in the early hours of Oct. 25. The repair bill is likely to be in the billions of dollars.
Some hotels are set to open much sooner. López Obrador said that the owner of the Las Brisas Hotel is expecting to have 75% of rooms open in December.
José Medina Mora, president of the Mexican Employers Federation (Coparmex), said last week that the organization he heads will help tourism sector workers find temporary jobs in other destinations around the country.
Destroyed yachts in Acapulco Marina. (Rogelio Morales/Cuartoscuro)
With luck, a good number will be back working in Acapulco during Semana Santa, the week leading up to Easter Sunday, which is March 24-30 next year.
Declaring a disaster in 47 Guerrero municipalities was a “mistake”
“There was a mistake, the [national] Civil Protection coordinator accepted it,” López Obrador told reporters.
A notice appeared in the federal government’s official gazette last Thursday to formally make a “natural disaster declaration” in 47 Guerrero municipalities. However, a “clarifying note” was subsequently published, reducing the number of severely affected municipalities to two.
López Obrador said Monday that only Acapulco and Coyuca de Benítez qualified as disaster zones.
“The hurricane basically [affected] these two municipalities,” he said.
The president reported that military-run community kitchens are providing 50,000 hot meals a day in Acapulco (Facebook/Sedena.
López Obrador reiterated that “there is no limit” to the amount of money the government will spend to support victims and “rebuild economic and tourism activity” in Acapulco.
The government plan outlined last week has a 61.3-billion-peso (US $3.5 billion) budget, but Coparmex said last week that it believes between 200 and 300 billion pesos will be required.
A strong security presence
López Obrador noted that 20,000 soldiers, marines and National Guard officers remain on the ground in coastal Guerrero, where they are assisting the recovery efforts and providing security.
The number of National Guard personnel permanently deployed to Acapulco is set to double to 10,000. The resort city — described by The Washington Post as Mexico’s murder capital in 2017 — has been plagued by crime and violence in recent years.
Looting was a widespread problem during the first days after Otis hit Acapulco, but the situation has improved, and some of the city’s restaurants and bars reopened over the weekend.
Mérida, the two-time winner of the American Capital of Culture award, offers a rich history and delicious Yucatecan cuisine. But there are also beautiful beaches nearby. (Canva)
The captivating “White City” is on its way to becoming a top tourist destination for a sunny seaside vacation in 2023. A two-time winner of the American Capital of Culture award, Mérida attracts millions of visitors with its rich history, unique architecture and delicious Yucatecan cuisine. The city is also a perfect base for exploring nearby cenotesand ancient Maya ruins.
While Mérida is not on the sea, it is the central travel hub for southeast Mexico, with gorgeous white sand beaches close by. The phrase “Mexican beach destination” may bring to mind images of Playa del Carmen, Cancun, or Tulum along the Caribbean coast, but the Yucatán seaside has plenty to offer too.
Much of the state’s coastline is considered a designated nature reserve, with plenty of flora and fauna to keep nature lovers interested. A warm climate and calm waters make the beaches on this list safe and enjoyable for all ages. In this article, we aim to shed light on the underappreciated treasures of the beaches near Mérida and why they’re definitely worth a visit.
Pig Beach
More than just a beach, this is a sanctuary where the smallest beachgoers reign supreme. Just 31 miles from Mérida, Pig Beach is a secluded paradise home to a unique and utterly charming community of pygmy pigs. These miniature swine have carved out their niche in this coastal haven, becoming the unexpected stars of this stretch of shoreline.
As you set foot on Pig Beach, you’ll quickly discover that its residents are more than happy to become your beachside companions. The pygmy pigs have an innate charisma, and seem to revel in the attention of beachgoers. Their curiosity and playfulness make them the ideal subjects for those Instagram-worthy selfies that capture the magic of the moment.
Progreso Beach offers visitors a delightful escape from the bustling city. Its long and welcoming boardwalk, known as the Malecón, is one of its defining features. (Canva)
Progreso
Less than a 30-minute drive from Mérida, this is one of the most popular beach destinations in the region. Progreso Beach offers visitors a delightful escape from the bustling city. Its long and welcoming boardwalk, known as the Malecón, is one of its defining features. Strolling along this picturesque promenade, you’ll find a myriad of restaurants, cafes and shops where you can savor the local cuisine or pick up souvenirs. The beach boasts white sands that stretch as far as the eye can see, creating a tranquil environment perfect for sunbathing or leisurely beachcombing.
San Crisanto
San Crisanto’s tranquility is all the more enhanced by its lack of large-scale tourism infrastructure. Whereas some basic amenities exist, you won’t find the crowds and commercial development that characterize more well-known beach destinations. This makes San Crisanto a haven for those who appreciate unspoiled natural beauty.
The charming fishing village is just a little over an hour’s drive from Mérida and is the perfect place to get away from it all. If you’re looking for an even more rustic experience, you can rent a cabin perched right on the seashore or dedicated camping area to immerse yourself in the beauty of the coast overnight.
The town’s main attraction is its American flamingo population – the only one of its kind in mainland North America – which has chosen the Celestún estuary as a feeding and resting point. (Canva)
Celestún
The perfect dose of luxury and wildlife awaits in this eco-tourism wonderland an hour and a half away from Mérida. The town’s extraordinary landscape is part of the Ría Celestún Biosphere Reserve World, a protected area of 59,139 hectares that was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. Celestún also has a wide selection of hotels and beachfront restaurants where you can sample fresh seafood and traditional Yucatecan cuisine.
The town’s main attraction is its American flamingo population – the only one of its kind in mainland North America – which has chosen the Celestún estuary as a feeding and resting point. Celestún’s flamingos are said to be the pinkest in the world: locals say that their waters have a remarkable concentration of carotene, the pigment that turns the birds pink. You can catch a glimpse of these charismatic birds in their natural ecosystem by booking a boat tour with a local guide.
Sisal
Steeped in history and pirate lore, this beach village 38 miles from Mérida is a captivating step back in time. The iconic Sisal Fort, located opposite the town park, was built by the Spanish to monitor and protect the peninsular coast from pirate attacks at the end of the 16th century. In 1845, a three-meter-high lighthouse was built on its roof, giving the fort a quaint touch.
While the pirate days are long gone, the beach’s beauty remains, making Sisal a place where history and nature come together. The town lies within a unique biosphere, the El Palmar reserve, which covers almost 48,000 hectares and is home to hundreds of species of birds and aquatic life, including crocodiles, migrating ducks from Canada and flamingos.
Yucatán’s beaches offer an enticing variety of options, each with its own unique charm. Whether you’re looking for relaxation, wildlife encounters, or a step back in time, Yucatán’s coastal paradises have something for everyone. When planning your visit to the Yucatán, be sure to explore these nearby gems, just an hour and a half or less from Mérida. With its sunny climate and broad range of options, Yucatán promises an unforgettable beach vacation in 2023.
Restaurants are slowly reopening in the city, after Hurricane Otis caused widespread destruction eleven days ago. (Juan Becerra Acosta/X)
Twelve days after Hurricane Otis devastated the Pacific resort town of Acapulco, bar and restaurant owners are reopening their doors.
Although they admitted to local media that business has been slow, both owners and staff expressed their determination to bring life back to Acapulco’s once-thriving tourism scene.
Before the arrival of the hurricane, Acapulco was a thriving tourist destination. (Carlos Alberto Carbajal/X)
“Acapulco is a place of celebration, where [many] generations have had a great time, and we cannot let it be like a cemetery,” Martín Andrade, legal representative of several local bars, told El Universal newspaper. “We have to get back up and put our heart into it.”
Hurricane Otishit Acapulco as a Category 5 hurricane on Oct. 25, surprising forecasters by strengthening rapidly over 12 hours from a tropical storm to the strongest hurricane to ever hit the Mexican Pacific coastline. It caused an estimated US$15 billion in damage throughout the city of 1 million, cut all power supply and communications and leftaround 100 people dead or missing.
Electricity and water services were finally restored to the region late last week, encouraging some businesses to start offering basic menus, drinks and music again.
“The staff have already been out of work for more than a week and need to generate some kind of income from their day-to-day employment, since there has been little support from authorities,” Andrade said.
Rallies in support of Acapulco’s reconstruction have taken place in Mexico City. (Moisés Pablo/Cuartoscuro)
“It’s very difficult for the population to get food…but people need to earn something to buy what they can,” he added.
In the small town of Coyuca de Benítez, considered the second most affected by the hurricane and located just west of Acapulco, businesses were also starting to reopen over the weekend.
Residents who spoke to local media praised the community for its positive reaction to the disaster, and for not giving into the looting that was seen in some parts of Acapulco.
“We had a few days of chaos, but now everything is returning to normal,” one business owner told Excelsior newspaper. “We kept our composure, we lined up to buy tortillas, to buy rice… the idea was that everyone would get some, that we would not be left with a shortage.”
A huge community effort has helped some measure of normality to return to life in Acapulco and neighboring Coyoca de Benítez. (Jose Andres/X)
Business owners echoed those in Acapulco who said that reopening was essential to restoring their livelihoods.
“The economy has to be reactivated on its own initiative because there is no other way to get ahead, here, those who work have enough to eat and those who don’t will be forgotten by government aid,” one restaurant owner said.
While the Red Cross and military have been distributing basic supplies in the region, President López Obrador has been criticized for his administration’s response to the disaster, and for a recovery budget that is deemed inadequate.
But despite the tragedy, Acapulco is determined to come out smiling. “Acapulco is a party and we need you to have fun tonight and forget about everything we’ve been through,” the singer of the group Descarga told a small audience at the weekend. “Acapulco will shine again, thanks to you.”
One of the top 10 museums in Mexico city, the Memory and Tolerance Museum has the mission to educate the public on the values of tolerance, non-violence and human rights (myt.org.mx)
“A tour through the horrors of the past is a way to honor the memory of the victims, but also a way to prevent their suffering from being forgotten and similar episodes from hurting humanity again.” – Museo Memoria y Tolerancia
In the heart of Mexico City stands a remarkable museum designed to reflect on humanity’s individual and collective power for social justice. The Museo Memoria y Tolerancia (Memory and Tolerance Museum, MMyT), praised as one of the top ten museums in the city, is driven by the mission to educate the public on the values of tolerance, non-violence, and Human Rights to inspire personal awareness and accountability.
Inaugurated in October 2010, the award-winning architecture of this privately funded non-profit museum offers an immersive experience that enriches our understanding of the past and inspires a more peaceful coexistence.
The museum’s origins are rooted in a steadfast personal quest to honor the memory of those who suffered the Holocaust. Sharon Zaga, the visionary behind this project, felt a profound calling after visiting Auschwitz at the tender age of 16. Witnessing the harrowing remnants of one of history’s darkest chapters, she resolved to ensure that the memory of the Holocaust’s victims would never fade into oblivion.
Sharon Zaga, along with her friend Mily Cohen, persevered with unwavering determination for over 12 years to bring their vision of the museum to life. They faced monumental challenges, from collecting historical items and securing funds from private donors to acquiring prime real estate in Mexico City and building the perfect space.
Yet, they say that one of the most formidable challenges they faced was defining the concept of tolerance. Tolerance, as they emphasize, is a frequently misunderstood word that does not mean merely being patient or conceding. Tolerance is the harmonious relationship of our differences, accepting everyone’s right to be different with the understanding that human rights and fundamental freedoms apply equally to everyone.
The museum’s origins are rooted in a steadfast personal quest to honor the memory of those who suffered the Holocaust (myt.org.mx)
Visitors are accompanied by a guide who has dedicated at least a year to honing their expertise in history and conveying the museum’s key takeaways. These guides not only lead the tours but also encourage society to acknowledge our collective responsibility in shaping a world that upholds every human’s right to exist and be treated with respect and dignity.
The Memory section serves as a sobering reminder of the atrocities that have scarred human history. Seven permanent exhibits delve into some of the most chilling episodes of mass dehumanization, including the Holocaust, the Armenian Genocide, Cambodia, Guatemala, Rwanda, the former Yugoslavia, and the ongoing conflict in Darfur. Each exhibit offers a profound insight into the suffering of millions of innocent people and the devastating impact of hate speech and divisiveness.
The museum’s extensive exhibit on the history of the Holocaust meticulously chronicles the rise of the Nazi Party, replete with its propaganda laden with hate speech towards minority groups, most notably Jews, Jehovah’s Witnesses, communists, people with disabilities, Roma people, and homosexuals. The exhibit masterfully illustrates how this toxic rhetoric paved the way for societal segregation, systemic violence and ultimately, the horrifying reality of genocide. Through a comprehensive array of historical items and facts, the museum serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of widespread discrimination.
One of the museum’s most striking exhibits is a train car brought from Poland, one of the many used to transport millions of Jews to concentration and extermination camps. The museum’s epic battle to acquire this piece of history has proved meritorious, as visitors often recall that stepping into that car and perceiving “the tragic energy it still holds” is an “unforgettable experience”.
Museo Memoria y Tolerancia is located in Plaza Juárez in Mexico City’s Historic Center and opens Tuesday to Friday 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (myt.org.mx)
The Tolerance section, on the other hand, seeks to illuminate the concept of tolerance as an active attitude that recognizes the universality of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Here, nine permanent exhibits explore critical facets for peaceful coexistence: Tolerance, Diversity and Inclusion, Discrimination, Human Rights, Our Mexico, Great Humanists, Altruism, Stereotypes and Prejudices, and a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence.
As some people have caused enormous pain and destruction, there are also great champions of the fight for peace and justice. There are millions of anonymous heroes and some great humanists who have raised their voices in the face of injustice. This museum exhibits the inspiring legacies of iconic leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Rigoberta Menchú Tum, and the Dalai Lama. Their lives serve to remind us all of our personal potential to effect social change and usher in a more equitable world.
To foster the power of awareness and personal responsibility in people of all ages, the museum established an innovative program aimed at the youngest members of society. MYT Sesame Island is an educational program designed for children ages 4 to 12. Developed in collaboration with Sesame Street, this program offers interactive exhibits guided by educational mediators where children and families come to understand their role in society and the importance of being agents for peace.
As we navigate the complexities of the world we live in today, Museo Memoria y Tolerancia offers a sanctuary where the young and old alike can learn, reflect and feel empowered. By walking through its halls, you contribute to preserving history and taking an active stand against intolerance. Let your visit be a step towards a more compassionate and inclusive world, and take part in this inspiring journey to enlighten a brighter tomorrow.
Museo Memoria y Tolerancia is located in Plaza Juárez in Mexico City’s Historic Center and opens Tuesday to Friday 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sandra is a Mexican writer and translator based in San Miguel de Allende who specializes in mental health and humanitarian aid. She believes in the power of language to foster compassion and understanding across cultures. She can be reached at: [email protected]
Butterflies settle on a fir tree near El Rosario Butterfly Sanctuary in Ocampo, Michoacán. (Juan José Estrada Serafin/Cuartoscuro.com)
The monarch butterfly has officially arrived in Michoacán.
According to the Revolución News, the first colonies were spotted around noon on Nov. 1 before millions of butterflies arrived in huge clouds by the afternoon.
Michoacán is home to the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, which spans over 562 square kilometers (also including parts of México state) and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Every year, the reserve welcomes around 200 million butterflies that make a journey of some 4,000 kilometers from Canada to nest in the pine and fir forests of Mexico.
The ejidatarios (communal landowners) of El Rosario Butterfly Sanctuary confirmed the arrival of the butterflies and are expecting the arrival of at least 250 million this year.
The sanctuaries are set to open to the public in the second half of November. The region expects 511,000 tourists this year, around 7% more than last season, according to the Tourism Minister for Michoacán, Roberto Monroy García.
The season is expected to bring in 625 million pesos (US $35 million) of economic revenue for the state.
The El Rosario sanctuary in Michoacán, located within Mexico’s Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, is one of Michoacán’s more well-known monarch butterfly sanctuary. (LBM1948/Creative Commons)
“They are flying in the United States and Canada, but their breeding sanctuaries are concentrated in the Michoacán forests,” Monroy told newspaper El Universal.
Michoacán has three monarch butterfly sanctuaries open to the public: El Rosario (the largest), Sierra Chincua and Senguio, which are home to the butterflies from November to March each year. Visitors can walk around the designated areas on foot or on horseback. México state also has three butterfly sanctuaries open to the public.
The reason for this change is that the IUCN has found that the models that predicted the insect’s disappearance were overly cautious, and the numbers are declining more slowly than previously thought.
The secretive Hanky Panky - which does not advertise its location - has fast become a staple of the Mexico City cocktail scene. (Hanky Panky)
The World’s 50 Best Bars for 2023 have been announced – with four Mexican bars making the final list. If you’re looking for some options for your next night out in Mexico City, you may want to check out these winners.
Baltra Bar (No. 45)
The cozy, cool vibe of Baltra helped the Condesa bar to 45th on the list. (Baltra)
Since first opening in 2015, this bar in the heart of Condesa has attracted a loyal following with “Martini Tuesday” nights being one of its busiest. According to the 50 Best list, Baltra “has the feel of hanging out in the apartment of your coolest friend.”
Its latest “Overseas Archives” menu draws inspiration from Darwin’s research voyages.
Hanky Panky (No. 22)
The Juárez speakeasy remained a Juárez neighborhood secret, the entrance hidden behind a taco stand, until the nightly queue around the block gave it away.
Opening during the COVID-19 pandemic, Hanky Panky has continued to go from strength to strength. (Hanky Panky)
“Hanky Panky may have started out with its door shut [the bar opened during the COVID-19 pandemic] but it has become the open-armed center of a global bartending culture,” the 50 Best list said.
Its current menu, “Passport” offers a collection that celebrates a blend of flavors and human connections. Their Latino Americano cocktail is a pineapple and coffee-infused twist on an Americano, inspired by Cartagena, Colombia.
Licorería Limantour (No. 7)
“Licorería Limantour changed the face of the Mexico City bar scene when it opened in 2011; you could even make the argument that it kicked the whole thing off,” the 50 Best list said of this bar in the Roma Norte neighborhood.
Licorería Limantour, in the Roma Norte neighborhood of Mexico City. (Licorería Limantour)
The split-level bar is always lively and. the cocktail menu is constantly evolving, with signature drinks including the Fluffy Paloma and Margarita Al Pastor.
The bar’s latest menu, “Ida y Vuelta” features a Oaxaca inspired menu – and as you might expect is not shy with the mezcal.
Handshake Speakeasy (No. 3)
Ranked third in the world, Juárez’s Handshake offers a “stellar cocktail experience.” (Opentable)
Ranked third in the world, Handshake Speakeasy is Mexico’s top bar according to the 50 Best list. Located in a hard to find spot in the Juárez neighborhood, the lounge offers those who find it “a stellar cocktail experience.”
“Handshake is a black varnish, marble and brass shrine to the cocktail,” the 50 Best list said, with Bar director Eirc van Beek using molecular mixology “to create a liquid dialectic.”
The Matcha Yuzu – made with whiskey, matcha, yuzu, vanilla and whey – was one of the speakeasy cocktails highlighted on the 50 Best list.
Honorable mentions
Two more Mexico City bars made the 51-100 best bars in the world list: Kaito del Valle at No. 81 and Rayo at No. 72.
The northern stretch of the train's route will be operational this December, with all 34 stations expected to open by February. (Alstrom)
Trains will begin running on the Maya Train railroad next month, but the entire project won’t be finished until the end of February 2024, President López Obrador said on Sunday.
After completing another weekend trip to inspect work on the ambitious infrastructure project, López Obrador said on social media that the stretch of the 1,554-kilometer-long railroad between Campeche city and Cancún, Quintana Roo, will open Dec. 15.
The Maya Train will begin running between Campeche and Cancún on Dec. 15, stopping at 13 of 34 total stations. (@TrenMayaMX/X)
The section between Cancún and Palenque, Chiapas, will open on Dec. 31, while the entire railroad and its 34 stations will be operational on Feb. 29, he said.
The stretch between Campeche and Cancún includes part of Section 2 of the railroad (Escárcega-Calkiní) and the entirety of Section 3 (Calkiní-Izamal) and Section 4 (Izamal-Cancún).
Passengers seeking to travel from Mérida – the Yucatán Peninsula’s cultural capital – to the resort city of Cancún by train will be able to do so as of the middle of next month.
The Cancún-Palenque stretch runs through Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Bacalar, among other destinations.
The Maya Train’s 1,554 kilometer route has 34 stops in five states. (Tren Maya Trips)
Tourists who fly into Cancún airport will be able to board trains at an airport station to travel south to beach destinations or west to the colonial cities of Valladolid and Izamal.
The archaeological sites of Chichén Itzá and Cobá are also located along the stretch between Cancún and Mérida.
In his social media post, López Obrador said that 29 “restored archaeological areas” and six “Maya Train” hotels will be accessible to passengers once the entirety of the railroad is operational at the end of February.
In the same post, he said that Parque La Plancha, a new park in central Mérida, will open on Nov. 19 and that the new airport in Tulum will begin operations on Dec. 1.
The Tulum International Airport is scheduled to open to national air carriers on Dec. 1, with international service starting in March 2024. (Aeropuerto Internacional de Tulum/Facebook)
Several airlines have already announced flights to the government-built airport, including Delta, Aeroméxico, Spirit and Viva Aerobus.
López Obrador, who has less than a year left in office, has pursued an ambitious infrastructure agenda during his presidency.
The government is also close to opening a modernized rail line across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec between Salina Cruz, Oaxaca, and Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz. The Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec project – which also includes highway upgrades and the establishment of new industrial parks – is touted as an alternative to the Panama Canal.
While López Obrador has championed all these infrastructure projects, and others, the one closest to his to his heart – perhaps partially because it runs through his home state of Tabasco – is the multi-billion-dollar Maya Train.
The president asserts that the railroad will spur much-needed economic and social development in Mexico’s long-neglected southeast by opening up the entire region to tourism. On Saturday, he said on social media that 100,000 people were working on the Maya Train and Tulum airport projects.
President López Obrador frequently praises the work done “’round the clock” to make sure the Maya Train is inaugurated this December. (lopezobrador.org.mx)
“Never had so many jobs been created in the southeast,” López Obrador wrote.
The success of the Maya Train project appears to hinge, at least partially, on convincing some of the millions of tourists who fly into Cancún airport on an annual basis to travel to inland destinations by rail rather than spending their entire vacation on the coast. Trains will compete with buses, which already serve the destinations through which the Maya Train will run.
López Obrador said Monday that train tickets will go on sale Dec. 1 and that trips on average will be 10% cheaper than those for buses.
The opening of the Maya Train railroad next month will no doubt give the president immense personal satisfaction, especially considering that the project has faced a range of challenges since construction began in 2020. They include court rulings that have temporarily halted work and ardent opposition from environmental groups, which say that the construction and operation of the railroad pose a threat to wildlife, subterranean rivers and the Maya jungle.
There have also been doubts about whether the railroad – along which tourist, commuter and freight trains are slated to run – would actually be ready to begin operations in 2023. But despite setbacks, the government – and especially López Obrador – has remained adamant that trains will begin running this year, and, at least according to the president’s timetable, that will be the case.
