Metro line reopens in Mexico City nearly 3 years after fatal accident

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January 30, 2024

Reapertura Periférico-Atlalilco Línea 12-10 — Two and a half years after it collapsed and killed 26 people, Mexico City's elevated metro line 12 has fully reopened. (Graciela López Herrera/Cuartoscuro)

The elevated section of Line 12 of the Mexico City metro reopens on Tuesday almost three years after part of it collapsed in an accident that claimed the lives of 26 passengers.

The reopening of the elevated section comes one year after the underground section of the line — the metro system’s newest — resumed operations.

Firefighters and Civil Protection personnel work at the site of the Mexico City metro accident in May. — The collapsed section of Line 12 after the accident on May 3, 2021. (Archive)

Built during the 2006-12 mayorship of former Foreign Affairs Minister Marcelo Ebrard, Line 12 — also known as the golden line for its assigned shade in Mexico City’s color-coded metro — runs between Mixcoac in the capital’s southwest and Tláhuac in the southeast.

Line 12 was plagued by problems after it opened in 2012, but none as serious as the collapse of an elevated section between the Olivos and Tezonco stations at 10:22 p.m. on May 3, 2021. In addition to the 26 deaths, around 100 passengers were injured in the accident, in which two train cars plunged onto a busy road in the Tláhuac borough of Mexico City.

Mayor Martí Batres announced the reopening on Saturday, explaining that the final preparations for the resumption of services along the entirety of Line 12 took place this month. He said that the project to reinforce the elevated section was completed on Dec. 31.

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador announced in June 2021 that billionaire businessman Carlos Slim — whose company Carso Infrastructure and Construction (CICSA) was involved in the construction of Line 12 — would cover the costs of the repairs.

Norwegian company DNV, contracted by the government to conduct an independent investigation into the May 2021 disaster, determined that design flaws and shoddy construction work contributed to the collapse of the Line 12 overpass. Former Mexico City mayor Claudia Sheinbaum, now the presidential candidate for the ruling party Morena, rejected DNV’s final report — which said that lack of maintenance was also a factor in the accident — saying that the report was “deficient” and “poorly executed” as well as “biased and false.”

A New York Times investigation published a month after the accident also found serious flaws in the construction of the collapsed overpass. It said: “Steel studs that were vital to the strength of the overpass — linchpins of the entire structure — appear to have failed because of bad welds, critical mistakes that likely caused the crash.”

Ten former Mexico City officials, including the director of the Line 12 construction project, face charges including homicide in connection with the overpass collapse that caused the accident. Most of the passengers injured in the crash and the families of those who died accepted compensation payments from the city government and CICSA.

There was some speculation that the disaster would have an adverse effect on the presidential ambitions of Ebrard and Sheinbaum given that the former was mayor of Mexico City when the Line 12 was built and the latter was mayor when the accident occurred.

However, Ebrard and Sheinbaum finished second and first, respectively, in Morena’s candidate selection process, and Sheinbaum is widely projected to win the June 2 presidential election and become Mexico’s first female president.

With reports from El País, El Financiero and Milenio

2 siblings killed in San Miguel de Allende shooting

By

MND Staff

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January 29, 2024

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An 11-year-old girl and her 16-year-old brother were murdered in San Miguel de Allende last Thursday, a crime that added to a week of what the mayor called “atypical” violence in the popular tourism destination.

The siblings were shot while cleaning up a property where they planned to open a barbershop and nail salon. The girl, identified only as Aidé Yareli, was to work as a manicurist at the business, while her brother, Aldo Isaac, was to work as a barber, according to the El Universal newspaper.

Witnesses told municipal police that a lone gunman entered the shop, shot the two children and fled. The crime occurred in the late afternoon in Ejido de Tirado, a neighborhood about four kilometers northwest of the historic center of San Miguel de Allende, a well-preserved colonial city in the state of Guanajuato. Media reports linked the homicides to a failure to comply with demands from extortioners.

In a video posted to social media on Friday, Mayor Mauricio Trejo Pureco denounced the murder of the siblings, declaring that violence against children “is not allowed.”

He then suggested that the double murder was related to drug use.

“… At the end of the day, if you are a young person or you are someone who uses drugs, I want to tell you there isn’t a happy ending. If you use drugs, you are not consuming a product, you are the product,” Trejo said.

Mayor Mauricio Trejo Pureco in a blue suit jacket — Mayor Mauricio Trejo Pureco said authorities would continue to investigate the murders in a video posted to social media (Mauricio Trejo Pureco/Facebook)

In another video message on Saturday, the mayor said that the 16-year-old victim had been arrested three times, and that his prior criminal activity “of course, placed his safety at risk.”

“The investigations continue and we’re not going to criminalize anyone,” said Trejo, who pledged that authorities will hold those responsible for the murders to account.

Citing municipal authorities, the news website AM reported that the 16-year-old youth had previously been arrested for drug use. It also said that authorities had spoken with the victims’ parents, who said their son had received death threats.

The murder of the siblings triggered an outpouring of anger among residents of San Miguel de Allende, which is home to a sizable community of foreigners. A “peace protest” was scheduled to take place in the city on Monday evening.

In his message on Friday, Trejo said that last week was “an atypical week” given that there was a string of violent incidents in San Miguel del Allende, which has largely been spared the violence that has plagued other municipalities in Guanajuato, the Mexican state with the highest number of murders in recent years (Guanajuato is the country’s sixth-largest state by population).

“Never before during this administration have we had three criminal acts like we had this week,” said the mayor, who took office in 2021.

A week before the two minors were murdered, two men were killed in what was described as a “direct attack” as they drove through a San Miguel de Allende neighborhood, while the body of a man was found Jan. 19 near Presa Allende, a dam in the municipality.

An aerial view of San Miguel de Allende — The municipality recently registered seven murders in eight days.

The violence continued last Tuesday when a man was shot and killed in a neighborhood near the historic center. Earlier the same day, a bag filled with human remains was found in an eastern neighborhood of San Miguel de Allende.

All told, the municipality counted seven homicide victims in the space of eight days.

Trejo said Friday that “this violence that we’ve seen in some municipalities” of Guanajuato is related to the recent arrest of a high-ranking criminal leader. He was apparently referring to Luis Antonio Yépez Cervantes, a son of José Antonio “El Marro” Yépez Ortiz, the leader of the Guanajuato-based Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel until his arrest in 2020. Yépez Cervantes was arrested the first week of January.

The mayor said that authorities were committed to strengthening their security strategies “so that we can remain without fear in San Miguel de Allende and so that one atypical week doesn’t tarnish the quality of life we have in our great municipality, and especially so that one atypical week doesn’t tarnish the great achievements you and I have had in security, in reducing criminal acts.”

With reports from El Universal, Infobae, Latinus, Periódico Correo and El Debate

US issues travel alert for Taxco, Guerrero, after violence against public transport workers

By

MND Staff

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January 29, 2024

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An aerial view of the cathedral and town of Taxco, Guerrero. — The historic town of Taxco, Guerrero, founded in 1529, finds itself caught between organized crime groups vying for control of the city. (Raúl Varela/Unsplash)

The United States government has issued a security alert for Taxco, a pretty colonial city in Guerrero where public transport services were suspended last week due to violence and threats against drivers.

The United States Embassy in Mexico issued the alert last Friday, informing U.S. citizens that “due to recent security incidents, U.S. government employees may not travel to Taxco, Guerrero.”

The alert noted that the U.S. Department of State’s Travel Advisory for Guerrero is “level 4 — Do not travel due to crime” and advised U.S. citizens to monitor local media for updates, review their “personal security plans” and follow the instructions of local authorities.

A magical town marred by insecurity

The U.S. security alert came six days after the driver of a public transport van was killed by armed men in the historic center of Taxco, one of Mexico’s 177 pueblos mágicos, or magical towns. A woman, reportedly a tourist, was injured in the incident.

Public transport operators in Taxco promptly suspended services and maintained the suspension throughout last week, before reopening routes on Monday. Many businesses also closed their doors last week, while schools in the municipality, located about 180 kilometers southwest of Mexico City, were shut.

Men and women ride in the back of a pickup police truck. — Police and Civil Protection vehicles helped ferry some residents around town amid the public transportation shut down. (Taxco Municipal Government)

Few people were seen on the streets of Taxco last week, giving the city the appearance of a ghost town.

“There is fear and despair [in Taxco],” one resident told the Proceso news magazine.

Public transport operators have received threats from La Familia Michoacana and Los Tlacos, crime groups vying for control of Taxco and other parts of Guerrero. Many criminal organizations in Mexico engage in extortion, targeting numerous sectors, including public transport.

One transport sector leader in Taxco told the Excélsior newspaper that La Familia Michoacana has forced drivers to act as lookouts (halcones, or hawks) because they can pass on information such as where police are located at any given time.

“We’re sick of this, they force us with threats to be their lookouts and now those from the other criminal group called La Federación Guerrense [as Los Tlacos are also known] … are asking us the same thing and threatening us by saying that if we’re with the opposing group they’ll kill us. We’re between a rock and a hard place,” he said.

The Pacific coast cities of Acapulco and Zihuatanejo, also located in Guerrero, are among the other places in Mexico where public transport workers, including taxi drivers, have been targeted by organized crime.

In Taxco, public transport drivers have been killed before the most recent murder, while shops that sell chicken, beer, tortillas and jewelry — the city is famous for its silver — have been victims of extortion, the Reforma newspaper reported.

State police patrol the historic center of Taxco. (SSC Taxco)

Citing police and media reports, Proceso said that the “security crisis” in Taxco intensified in 2021.

Municipal workers and teachers also among the victims of violence in Taxco

Last Wednesday, the Guerrero Attorney General’s Office reported that the bodies of two state police officers had been found in Tlamacazapa, a small town in the municipality of Taxco. The officers, Higinio Villanueva and Ángel Meza, disappeared the previous day in Pilcaya, a municipality north of Taxco on the border with México state and Morelos.

Earlier in January, a butcher was shot dead as he served customers in his shop.

In late December, eight municipal sanitation workers, the city’s director of sanitation, the manager of the local dump and two other people including a pregnant woman were abducted by a criminal group at the dump. Four of that number were located alive but the other eight are still missing.

Also in December, a married couple, both teachers, were abducted and killed by armed men.

In November, three journalists and the adult son of one of them were kidnapped, but they were subsequently released.

The El Financiero newspaper reported that at least 20 criminal organizations operate in Guerrero, Mexico’s seventh most violent state in 2023 with 1,688 homicides, according to preliminary data.

Authorities’ response to the current situation

In a statement last Monday, the Taxco municipal government said that, in conjunction with state and federal authorities, it was seeking dialogue aimed at reestablishing public transport services.

“Attending to the just demand of the population of Taxco, … patrols are being carried out to guarantee conditions of safety and certainty for drivers, owners and passengers of transport units,” the statement added.

The Guerrero state government announced in a statement on Sunday that public transport services would resume Monday after “intense work meetings with transport leaders and representatives of all three levels of government.”

A long line of people wait at a minibus stop. — Public transportation reopened on Monday. (X)

“In the meetings … it was agreed to continue with actions of social proximity and security operations so that transport workers can carry out their work,” the statement said.

“… The priority of the current state administration is for the population to have the necessary services and safety to carry out their activities in a normal way,” it added.

Mayor Mario Figueroa Mundo was in Spain last week to promote Taxco at a tourism fair, but returned from the trip early due to the troubling situation in the city. In a video posted to social media last Thursday, he defended his decision to travel to Madrid for the International Tourism Trade Fair, saying that “Taxco is a great product,” but still has to be continuously promoted.

“I know that these little rough patches are going to continue happening. We went [to Spain] for the whole week, but unfortunately this is happening and here I am showing my face,” Figueroa added.

Excélsior reported that La Familia Michoacana’s “control” of Taxco has been “obvious” since the mayor took office in 2021.

There are many cases in which people have been abducted after speaking out against the actions of the mayor, the newspaper added.

With reports from El Financiero, El País, Proceso, El Sur and Excélsior

Green real estate: Tips for eco-friendly renting in Mexico

By

Ana Paula De la Torre

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January 29, 2024

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Renting a place to live is an important decision that greatly impacts our quality of life. The space where we spend our nights and days should meet various criteria, including budget, practicality, beauty and safety. Over the last decade, however, another crucial factor has emerged when considering a rental property: sustainability.

Living in a sustainable rental property has become increasingly important in today’s world. It not only helps achieve energy efficiency and long-term savings for individuals and communities but also contributes to a more sustainable future.

If you are interested in renting a place in Mexico, you may know that the country experienced a real estate boom in 2023, with a record high value of US $34.27 billion, according to a recent Expert Market Research report. The same study projects an annual growth of 4.8% between 2024 and 2032. However, it is important to note that the best real estate choices will be those that prioritize sustainability criteria, as they offer long-term benefits.

Following this trend, to help you make a better choice when renting a house in Mexico, we share some tips for eco-friendly renting.

Tips for eco-friendly renting

In line with the United Nations definition of sustainability, this quality implies best practices and outcomes in terms of efficient land use, energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable mobility and preservation of the natural environment.

Following these criteria, we recommend the following tips to green your Mexican rental:

Energy and resources: To conserve energy and resources, ask the landlord if the house or apartment has water-saving devices installed. Specifically, inquire about water-saving devices for the toilet, shower and kitchen sink. In Mexico, conventional toilets can use almost 10 liters of water per flush. If the toilet does not have a water-saving device, consider investing in or requesting a household displacement device.

For the shower and kitchen sink, if there are no water-saving devices installed, you can easily install inexpensive devices that can save a significant amount of water with options sold by Mexican brands such as Helvex, Rotoplas, Nacional del Cobre, etc., approved by the Mexican government. These devices can help you save up to 50% of water per minute in both cases, according to Isla Urbana, a project to promote rainwater harvesting in Mexico.

In terms of electricity, according to the Mexican government, 72% of homes use compact fluorescent bulbs, but LED bulbs are the best option to reduce your electricity consumption. When it comes to your washing machine, make sure to choose a model with high energy efficiency.

Comfortable hammock near laptop in modern house. (Ksenia Chernaya)

Mobility: Factors like safety, cleanliness and beauty are clearly important when choosing a place to live. However, it is also crucial to consider the mobility options available in the area for everyday activities such as grocery shopping, walking the dog and exercising. Ask yourself: Is it easy to get around without a car? Can I use alternative methods like biking or walking for recreational activities? The way we choose to get around can have a significant impact on our carbon footprint.

Waste management: Waste management in many Mexican cities and towns is still in the early stages, but there are real estate developments that are making a difference by offering eco-friendly places to live in Mexico that create systems of recycling waste water, as in the case of Brasilia Sustentable in Guadalajara, or Lyra, Monterrey. These sustainable options prioritize waste management and aim to reduce their environmental impact.

If you’re unable to find a sustainable option that meets your needs or budget, there are still ways you can practice greener waste management on your own. For example, if the local authorities don’t separate recyclable waste, you can take the initiative to do it yourself and take the recyclables to a recycling center. Additionally, you can turn your organic waste into compost for your plants or even organize a collective with your neighbors to collectively manage waste in a greener way.

Green spaces: Living near green spaces is crucial for our mental and general health. The World Health Organization recommends that all people should reside within 300 meters of at least 0.5 hectares of green space.

If you can’t find a rental prospect that is close to a green space, there are still ways to incorporate greenery into your living environment. Indoor plants can help improve air quality and create a calming atmosphere indoors. Additionally, you can consider creating a collective urban garden with your neighbors, which not only brings greenery into the community but also fosters a sense of community and connection.

Already a renter? Make your home greener

Green decoration: To create a green decoration, stick to the 3 R’s: reduce, reuse and recycle when decorating your home. You can find beautiful furniture and items second-hand or repurpose the things you already have. If you choose to buy new items, make sure they are durable and produced using environmentally friendly processes.

Green cleaning: Opt for products like baking soda and vinegar when cleaning the house. You can also find green products at zero-waste stores, which allows you to avoid unnecessary packaging and use Mexican products like the famous Zote soap or Roma detergent which are biodegradable options you can use for household and laundry cleaning.

Buy local and seasonal: Research seasonal fruits and vegetables and try to find places where you can buy from local producers, such as traditional tianguis. These products are often better and healthier because they are grown on a small scale, which usually means fewer chemicals, less water usage and a lower carbon footprint.

Green appliances: Every day, there are more energy-efficient household appliances available in the market that can make a difference in both your wallet and your carbon footprint.

Home gardening: Create a wildlife sanctuary by planting native flowers that attract pollinators. This will not only beautify your garden but also support the local ecosystem. Additionally, you can grow your own vegetables or aromatic plants for cooking or medicinal purposes. This will reduce your reliance on store-bought produce and allow you to enjoy fresh, organic food. To further enhance sustainability, you can turn your organic waste into compost, which will enrich your soil and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers.

Green renting is a choice that benefits the environment and your well-being while also saving you money in the long run. Furthermore, by choosing green rental properties, you contribute to a more sustainable future and help drive the demand for greener housing options.

Ana Paula de la Torre is a Mexican journalist and collaborator of various media such as Milenio, Animal Político, Vice, Newsweek en Español, Televisa and Mexico News Daily.

Everything you need to know about Zona Maco 2024

By

MND Staff

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January 29, 2024

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An overhead shot of the Zona Maco art fair in Mexico City — The Zona Maco exhibition is the highlight of Mexico Art Week. The fair brings together artists and galleries from all over the world. (Zona Maco)

Mexico City Art Week is just around the corner and with it comes the 20th edition of Zona Maco, the country’s largest art fair and the headline event of Mexico City Art Week. Here’s everything you need to know about cultural extravaganza.

What is Zona Maco?

Zona Maco is the largest art fair in Mexico and Latin America, founded in 2002 by entrepreneur and art specialist Zélika García of Monterrey.

On a mission to promote art in the industrial northern city of Monterrey, García started “Muestra 1” in Monterrey before moving the project to Mexico City and turning it into what Zona Maco is today — an art fair that brings together photography, antiques, design and contemporary art in a single space.

When and where will it take place?

The event will take place from Wednesday, Feb. 7, to Sunday, Feb. 11, at the Centro Citibanamex, in the Miguel Hidalgo borough of Mexico City.

This year’s fair will see Contemporary Art, Design, Furniture and Photography sections. (Zona Maco)

Tickets cost 450 pesos and are available in advance on the Zona Maco website. Tickets purchased at the door will cost 500 pesos.

What special events will happen in the fair’s 20th edition?

After a two-year break during the COVID-19 pandemic, Zona Maco returned in 2023, and this year it’s back with some very special events.

These include the “Artsy Nights” party, headlined by Californian musician Channel Tres. Other performers include Yulia Niko, Alex Pan, Yuksek and The Scumfrog.

Zona Maco is also offering the largest ever cash prize for the “most notable piece” selected by the public — the biggest prize ever granted in an art fair — a US $100,000 award sponsored by the Erarta Philanthropic Foundation.

The prize will be distributed equally between the artist and the presenting gallery.

What types of art can I expect to see?

There is a US $100,000 prize for the most popular piece, as voted for by the general public. (Zona Maco)

The fair consists of four sections:

Contemporary Art, featuring works from emerging and mid-career artists, as well as contemporary pieces by global artists
Design, showcasing furniture, jewelry, textiles, decorative and everyday objects, as well as limited editions and historical pieces
Photography, exhibiting the photographic possibilities offered by new tools and historical milestones
Antique Salon, showing a wide range of pieces created before the 1960s.

Which countries will participate?

The event will see more than 200 galleries from 25 countries, including Germany, Spain, Austria, the United States, Japan, Latvia, the United Kingdom, Peru, Colombia, and Cuba.

With reports from La Lista and White Wall

Shooting in Hermosillo nightclub leaves 3 dead, 2 injured

By

Cat Rainsford

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January 29, 2024

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40774088_1821832837931004_8054718268906143744_n — Three people have been killed in a shooting at an Hermosillo nightclub, allegedly between rival factions of the Sinaloa Cartel. (Jakarta Clublife/Facebook)

Three people were killed and two injured in a Sonora nightclub this weekend, after a shooting allegedly linked to factions of the Sinaloa Cartel.

The shootout took place in the early hours of Sunday morning, in the Jakarta Clublife nightclub in Hermosillo, according to a statement by the Sonora Prosecutor’s Office (FGJES).

Police are investigating the Jakarta Clublife nightclub following the shootout on Sunday. (Ruben Alberto/X)

The three men killed included Luis Antonio “N” and Felizardo Armando “N,” whom the FGJES identified as members of a criminal group based in Nogales, Sonora. The men allegedly led the group’s operations in a number of small towns surrounding Hermosillo.

One of the injured was identified as Kevin Alejandro “N,” the son of a man recently sanctioned by the United States Treasury Department for his role in the same Nogales-based criminal group.

Although the FGJES did not name the group, in November, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned several members of a Nogales-based faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, led by Juan Carlos Morgan Huerta (alias “Cacayo”). The sanctioned men are accused of overseeing cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl trafficking in the Sonoran border city.

Local news outlets speculate that the shootout at Jakarta Clublife may be linked to a war between the “Los Chapitos” faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, led by the sons of jailed drug lord Joaquín “Chapo” Guzmán, and the rival “Los Salazar” faction.

The split in the factions may have emerged over an order by leaders of the “Los Chapitos” faction of the Sinaloa Cartel to stop trafficking fentanyl. (Guardía Nacional)

Although Los Salazar previously served as an armed wing for Los Chapitos, they reportedly defied Los Chapitos’ attempted ban on fentanyl trafficking in 2023, sparking a new conflict over drug trafficking routes through Sonora’s Altar Desert.

This is not the only notable violent incident in Sonora in recent weeks. On Jan. 20, police killed 12 suspected criminals in a shootout on the Hermosillo-Bahia de Kino highway. The men had allegedly attacked police following the arrest of Carlos Humberto Limón, a criminal leader linked to Los Chapitos.

Hours after the most recent shootout, the FGJES said that it had secured the crime scene and was interviewing employees of the nightclub to clarify the events and establish whether the attackers had received any support or cover-up.

The agency added that it was inquiring with local authorities whether the venue had all the permits necessary to operate legally.

With reports from Milenio, Infobae and El Financiero

Got 1 min? Direct Madrid-Los Cabos flights to resume

By

MND Staff

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January 29, 2024

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An aerial view of Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur. — The Los Cabos Tourism Trust hopes to welcome more European visitors this year. (Los Cabos Tourism Board)

Spanish airline Iberojet is resuming its seasonal international route between Madrid and Los Cabos this summer for the third consecutive year.

Starting June 23, the carrier will offer a weekly flight every Sunday through Sept. 28.

The announcement came during the 2024 International Tourism Fair (FITUR) in Spain last week, where Los Cabos Tourism and Economy Secretary Maribel Collins Sánchez said they expect to welcome more European travelers, predominantly from Germany, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom.

With this new flight, Los Cabos also hopes to see an uptick in the number of Spanish tourists in the region — from 10,000 in 2023 to 15,000 in 2024.

“We will continue to work so that more and more Spaniards visit us,” said Rodrigo Esponda, director of the Los Cabos Tourism Trust.

According to news site Infobae, Spanish tourists to the region spend big — up to US $4,000 during a 10-day stay.

Last month Mexico’s Minister of Tourism Miguel Torruco Marqués reported that Mexico plays a crucial role in connecting Spain and Latin America.

He noted that Spain’s largest airline, Iberia, operates three daily flights using its largest and most modern aircraft, the A350, and that Aeroméxico operates 25 weekly flights linking Madrid to Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara.

Torruco added that by the summer of 2024, the number of flights between the two countries would increase to 34.

This year, 58 international flights are confirmed for Los Cabos, cementing its place as one of Mexico’s most popular tourist destinations.

With reports from Infobae

Mexico City holds first bullfight since 2022

By

MND Staff

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January 29, 2024

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Reapertura Plaza de Toros 7 — Bullfighting has returned to Mexico City, in front of a sellout crowd. In November last year, the Supreme Court lifted a suspension issued in 2022, despite protests from animal rights groups. (Daniel Augusto/Cuartoscuro)

Twenty months after a federal judge suspended bullfights in Mexico City, the world’s largest bullring was back in action Sunday — with approximately 40,000 spectators inside the stadium and a few hundred protesters outside.

The bullfights at Plaza México resumed a month after the Mexican Supreme Court (SCJN) overruled a lower court judge’s May 2022 injunction that sided with animal rights defenders.

The center of the ring was emblazoned with the word “Libertad” in defiance of recent legal challenges against the tradition. (Daniel Augusto/Cuartoscuro)

Sunday’s event was a win for bullfighting enthusiasts in their protracted battle against those who argue that the practice violates animal welfare and affects people’s rights to a healthy environment.

Bullfighting is still allowed in much of Mexico, but the legal fight in the capital has gone back and forth.

On Sunday, the ring was emblazoned with the word libertad (freedom) and the mood was festive. Several media reports said there was a full house inside Plaza México, which has capacity for 41,262 spectators.

The first bullfighter to enter the ring was renowned Mexican matador Joselito Adame. In all, six bulls fought and all were killed.

Outside, a crowd of protesters estimated at 200 to 300 people yelled “Murderers!” and held signs reading “Sadism disguised as culture, sport and tradition” and “Torture is not art, it is not culture.”

Some had gathered near the Angel of Independence and marched to the venue.

“Why were the bullfights allowed to return when there is so much evidence of all the damage they do to a living being?” said Guillermo Sánchez, one of the activists.

Though police with shields were on alert, the protest was reportedly peaceful despite some activists throwing stones and plastic bottles.

Animal rights activists protested the resumption of bullfights. (Andrea Murcia/Cuartoscuro)

In May 2022, a local court ordered a provisional ban on bullfighting at Plaza México after civil organization Justicia Justa filed an injunction, citing the violation of human rights. The provisional ban became definitive in June 2022.

The suspension applied only to Plaza México, but as the only functional venue in Mexico City, the ban was effectively citywide. Also known as Monumental Plaza de Toros, the venue has been hosting bullfights since 1946.

The Supreme Court last month revoked the suspension while the merits of the case are being discussed and a decision is reached on whether bullfights affect animal welfare.

There are eight more bullfights on the early 2024 schedule at Plaza México, concluding on March 24.

The National Association of Fighting Bull Breeders in Mexico estimates that bullfighting is responsible for 80,000 direct jobs and 146,000 indirect jobs, and generates about US $400 million in Mexico.

Members of animal rights groups that have been gaining ground in Mexico in recent years say they are now attempting to collect 35,000 signatures to send to the Supreme Court in support of their stance.

Bullfighting is currently prohibited in five states: Sonora, Guerrero, Sinaloa, Coahuila and Quintana Roo. Meanwhile, it is considered as an intangible part of cultural heritage in Aguascalientes, Tlaxcala, Hidalgo, Querétaro, Zacatecas, Michoacán, Nayarit and Guanajuato.

With reports from El Universal, Aristegui Noticias, La Jornada and AP

Poll shows Xóchitl Gálvez gaining on Claudia Sheinbaum

By

MND Staff

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January 29, 2024

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Xóchitl Gálvez and Claudia Sheinbaum — As Xóchitl Gálvez and now-President Claudia Sheinbaum faced off in last year's elections, MND readers took note. (Cuartoscuro/MND)

Just over four months before voters go to the polls, the contest between Claudia Sheinbaum and Xóchitl Gálvez to become Mexico’s first female president is tightening, according to the results of a recent poll.

Sheinbaum, the candidate for an alliance led by the ruling Morena party, remains the heavy favorite to win the June 2 presidential election with 48% support among 1,000 Mexican adults polled by the El Financiero newspaper this month.

Chart showing presidential poll — According to the poll, Sheinbaum maintains a strong lead but Gálvez has narrowed the gap since December. The third candidate, Jorge Álvarez Máynez, received 10% support in the most recent poll. (El Financiero)

But support for the former Mexico City mayor declined four points compared to El Financiero’s December poll, while the percentage of respondents who said they would vote for Gálvez increased two points to 32%, leaving a gap of 16 points between the two women vying to succeed President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who is barred by the constitution from seeking reelection.

The gap in December was 22 points with Sheinbaum attracting 52% support and Gálvez, who will represent a three-party opposition alliance, backed by 30% of respondents.

The latest poll found 10% support for Citizens Movement (MC) party candidate Jorge Álvarez, who entered the race this month, with the remaining 10% of respondents indicating that they had not yet made up their minds about who they will vote for on June 2.

Almost one in five respondents — 18% — said they could change their mind about who they will support in the coming months, while 6% said they weren’t interested in voting.

The three presidential candidates (left to right): Xóchitl Gálvez, Claudia Sheinbaum and Jorge Álvarez Máynez. (MND)

The formal campaign period, during which the three presidential candidates will travel widely across Mexico and participate in three debates as they attempt to sell themselves to voters, commences March 1.

In addition to the presidency, around 20,000 federal, state and municipal positions will be up for grabs at the June 2 elections, which will be the largest in Mexican history.

At the federal level, citizens will elect 500 lawmakers to the Chamber of Deputies and 128 to the Senate.

Four in 10 poll respondents — 40% — told El Financiero they intended to support Morena in the Chamber of Deputies election, while 19% said they would vote for the National Action Party (PAN), which together with the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) and the Democratic Revolution Party (PRD) form the Strength and Heart for Mexico (Fuerza y Corazón por México) coalition led by Gálvez, a former senator.

Voters at a booth in Coahuila — Mexicans will go to polling stations on June 2 to elect officials to approximately 20,000 positions nationwide. (Cuartoscuro)

Just over one in 10 respondents — 11% — said they would support MC in the lower house election, 10% expressed a preference for the PRI, 2% indicated they would back the PRD and 1% told El Financiero they would cast their ballots for the Labor Party (PT), an ally of Morena.

Combined support for Morena, the PT and the Ecological Green Party of Mexico — which together form the Let’s Keep Making History (Sigamos Haciendo Historia) alliance — was 41%, while that for the PAN-PRI-PRD bloc was 31%.

Morena and its allies currently have a majority in both houses of federal Congress, but not a supermajority that would allow them to make changes to the constitution without the support of opposition parties.

López Obrador, who has said he will send a range of constitutional reform proposals to the Congress next month, has urged citizens to not just support Morena’s presidential candidate on June 2, but also the ruling party’s congressional candidates in order to give the “Fourth Transformation” — the political movement he founded and which is now led by Sheinbaum — the qualified majority it needs to bring real change to Mexico.

With reports from El Financiero

Are you wondering if traveling to Yucatán is safe? It is

By

Mark Viales

-

January 29, 2024

2

shutterstock_1775586131copia — Vibrant cities with high tourism levels such as Mérida have worked hard to ensure the safety of visitors. (Unsplash)

Whether basking in the sun on world-class beaches along the pristine Gulf of Mexico coastline, diving into the depths of crystal-clear cenotes, or visiting breathtaking ancient Maya archaeological sites, Yucatán has something to offer every tourist. Its low crime rate and secure environment has meant the Caribbean state topped the list for many searching for stress-free travel in 2024. Its charming history and mystical Maya traditions provide an alternative to typical vacations in the Caribbean — one that focuses more on cultural exploration rather than explosive party scenes.

The state capital, Mérida, has rapidly become a new tourist hub for Mexico, and over three million people visited the colorful colonial city in 2023 — a record-breaking year. According to Yucatán state Tourism Minister (Sefotur) Michelle Fridman, last July saw a 45 percent growth in the international market as well as nine percent more overnight stays than the previous year. Furthermore, the Maya Train and IE Tram megaprojects are estimated to have a significant impact on the number of visitors to the state in the future.

Why the United Nations supports travel to Yucatán

The reputation Yucatán has established in recent years as a visitor-friendly state with well-run facilities and archeological wonders is now bearing fruit. (Unsplash)

In 2023, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) welcomed Yucatán into its ranks, working closely with the state to develop innovative strategies for “rethinking” tourism. Under the umbrella of the International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO), the program aims to help Yucatán manage tourism development responsibly and sustainably.

“In this time of rethinking tourism, measurement is increasingly important as it provides a better understanding of where a destination stands and where it wants to go,” said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. “The INSTO network provides an opportunity to work together to ensure that tourism is a tool that contributes to sustainable development. We are very pleased to welcome Yucatán as a new member.”

How safe is Yucatán compared to the rest of Mexico?

When it comes to safety, Yucatán appears to tick all of the boxes. It has one of the lowest overall crime statistics in the country, which includes a homicide rate more than 90% below the national average. Speaking to Bloomberg in May 2023, Governor Mauricio Vila said the results reflect Yucatán’s solid pay structure for local law enforcement instead of a reliance on the heavily armed National Guard.

“Yucatán helps police with housing, health care, and university grants for their children, among other benefits that aren’t standard in Mexico,” Vila said. “This allows officers to see the force as a solid long-term career, which makes them more reliable.”

The state governor also said that Yucatán boosted its security budget by more than 60% since he took office at the end of 2018, and as a result, the murder rate fell by 19% last year alone. As a result, 2022 saw just 39 murders in the state — fewer per capita than any U.S. state except New Hampshire and Maine.

Is Yucatán safe for tourists?

Vibrant cities with high tourism levels such as Mérida, Valladolid and the beach town of Progresso have worked hard to ensure the safety of visitors, including the creation of a dedicated tourist police force. Speaking in 2022, Mérida Mayor Renán Barrera Concha told The Yucatan Times the force provides guidance and surveillance to protect tourists during their stay. He said investment and growth in the tourism sector have led to improvements in the way visitors are attended to, with added tourist police in historic centers. Concha says the friendly officers not only protect tourists during their stay in the city but also promote guided tours, restaurants and services across the state.

The great Yucatán real estate boom

The state’s low crime rate and burgeoning tourism have helped inspire a property surge, attracting investors from around the world to the sunny state in southeast Mexico.

The number of people living in Yucatán has grown by a fifth over the last decade, compared to 12 percent for the country as a whole. Migration from other states has become more common alongside international interest in holiday homes and long stays, which has prompted a buy-to-let market using platforms like Airbnb.

According to MZT Real Estate’s 2022 report, houses in Mérida have an average cost of 3,886,946 pesos and 19,174 pesos per month for rent, while apartments are approximately 2,900,619 pesos, or a monthly rental of 12,065 pesos.

The reputation Yucatán has established in recent years as a visitor-friendly state with well-run facilities and archaeological wonders is now bearing fruit. The statistics prove the southeastern state is one of the safest places in Mexico to visit or live in and as a result, visitors are flocking in their millions to experience the high-quality tourist experiences on offer — with their minds at ease over any security concerns.

Mark Viales writes for Mexico News Daily.