Clinical studies have shown promising results regarding the use of psilocybin in treating depression and anxiety disorders. Research conducted at Johns Hopkins University and Imperial College London has demonstrated that a single dose of psilocybin, when administered in a controlled therapeutic setting, can lead to significant and enduring reductions in symptoms of depression and anxiety. Patients have reported profound experiences, increased emotional openness and a sense of connectedness.
A 2021 study conducted on 59 patients with major depression by the Centre for Psychedelic Research at Imperial College London, in the United Kingdom, compared the efficacy of the antidepressant escitalopram (Lexapro) with psilocybin. The study revealed that just two doses of psilocybin appeared to be at least as effective as daily escitalopram pills when administered alongside psychological therapy. Patients receiving psilocybin experienced greater improvement, with double the number achieving remission compared to the antidepressant group. While researchers consider these findings encouraging, they emphasize the importance of further research to understand the role of psilocybin as a therapy for depression. It is strongly advised not to self-medicate with psilocybin, as professional psychological therapy is an integral part of the treatment process.
Psilocybin alleviating end-of-life distress
Psilocybin-assisted therapy has shown promise in addressing the psychological and existential distress often experienced by individuals facing terminal illnesses. Studies have found that psilocybin can facilitate a shift in perspective, helping patients confront their mortality and find meaning and acceptance in their circumstances.
A 2021 study conducted on 59 patients with major depression by the Centre for Psychedelic Research at Imperial College London, in the United Kingdom, compared the efficacy of the antidepressant escitalopram with psilocybin. (Unsplash)
Psilocybin for managing addiction
Research suggests that psilocybin may hold potential in the treatment of addiction, particularly for substances such as tobacco and alcohol. Studies conducted at New York University and Johns Hopkins University, have shown that psilocybin-assisted therapy can lead to higher rates of smoking cessation and reduced alcohol consumption. The psychedelic experience induced by psilocybin may help individuals break free from habitual thought patterns.
Psilocybin boosting creativity and well-being
Psilocybin has also been linked to enhanced creativity, increased openness and improved overall well-being. Research has indicated that psilocybin can induce a state of heightened perception, increased sensory awareness, and novel cognitive insights. This altered state of consciousness can unlock new perspectives, stimulate creativity, and facilitate personal growth and self-exploration.
Psilocybin’s potential to boost neuroplasticity and neurogenesis
Emerging studies suggest that psilocybin may have the capacity to promote neuroplasticity and neurogenesis — the growth and development of new neural connections and brain cells. These findings have implications for the potential treatment of neurodegenerative disorders and cognitive decline. However, further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms and long-term implications of psilocybin on brain plasticity.
Psilocybin to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Preliminary studies have indicated that psilocybin could have a positive impact on reducing symptoms of OCD. Further research is needed to understand this potential use better.
It’s important to emphasize that while these preliminary findings are promising, more research, including larger and well-controlled clinical trials, is necessary to establish the safety and efficacy of psilocybin for these medical uses. Additionally, psilocybin should only be used under the guidance of trained healthcare professionals in controlled and supervised settings.
*This article is part of a series about psilocybin and its uses, both traditional and modern. We will also discuss its legal status around the world and explore the physical and mental health benefits that these mushrooms offer.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or medical advice. Individuals should always consult with qualified professionals regarding the use of psilocybin or any other substance for medical purposes, taking into account the applicable laws and regulations of their jurisdiction.
Camila Sánchez Bolaño is a journalist, feminist, bookseller, lecturer, and cultural promoter and is Editor in Chief of Newsweek en Español magazine.
The tropical storm has strengthened into a hurricane, and will reach the coastal state of Guerrero by Wednesday. (Conagua)
Tropical Storm Otis has strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane off Mexico’s Pacific coast and is predicted to make landfall early Wednesday near the resort city of Acapulco, in the state of Guerrero.
At midday on Tuesday, the U.S.National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Hurricane Otis was centered about 235 kilometers southeast of Acapulco, moving northwest at 11 km/h.
Otis is expected to make its way up the Guerrero coast towards Zihuatanejo before losing strength. (NOAA)
It already has maximum sustained winds of 130 km/h with higher gusts, and is predicted to strengthen further before reaching land.
A Hurricane Warning is in place for the Guerrero coast, between Punta Maldonado and Zihuatanejo, meaning that hurricane conditions are expected within the next 24 hours. Authorities recommend that “preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.” Hurricane conditions are also possible on the coast of Oaxaca north of Laguna de Chacahua.
Mexico’sNational Meteorological Service (SMN) predicts torrential rain (150-250 mm) in Guerrero and heavy rain (75-150 mm) in Oaxaca. The NHC warns that this rainfall “will produce flash and urban flooding,” with possible mudslides in mountain regions.
A storm surge is expected to produce significant coastal flooding in the center and east of the affected area, along with life-threatening rip currents and waves 3 to 5 meters high.
The Guerrero coast, already battered by Hurricane Max earlier this month, has been told to prepare for further flooding and storm surges. (Carlos Carbajal/Cuartoscuro)
After hitting land on early Wednesday, the hurricane is predicted to weaken rapidly as it moves northwest along the coast of Guerrero.
Otis will hit Mexico just days after Hurricane Norma battered the state of Baja California Sur. Norma made landfall as a Category 2 hurricane near the resort towns of Los Cabos on Saturday, forcing around 60,000 tourists to take shelter in their hotels.
Although Norma weakened to a Category 1 shortly after making landfall, and then to aTropical Storm before moving eastwards over Sinaloa, it still caused significant flooding and disruption to infrastructure in both states, leaving tens of thousands of people without power.
Molcajetes serve a variety of purposes: grinding spices, making salsas and smashing up local avocados for a giant bowl of crowd-pleasing guacamole. (Unsplash)
Whether you’ve moved to Mexico or simply want to create Mexican masterpieces in your kitchen, a few special tools are essential to your success.
I recently embarked on a mission to find out exactly what is required in an authentic Mexican kitchen. I enlisted the help of my friend Mich, born and raised in Mexico City, and his mother. I admit there is one vital tool missing from this list that I personally deem the most important of all – jícaras for mezcal. Because you’ve got to sip while you slice, right?
If you’re in Mexico, many of the items below can be found at your local tianguis, or market. Admittedly, I’ve succumbed to ordering from Walmart and Ikea on occasion, which carry nearly everything needed for a Mexican kitchen. If you’re not in Mexico, it will be just as easy to stock up with the assistance of almighty Amazon.
Ready to fill up your cart? Here are the 10 essential items you will need to become Mexico’s next top chef.
Molcajete
Known in English as a mortar and pestle, the molcajete was the number one utensil that each of my interviewees suggested when I asked for the most essential Mexican kitchen items. Molcajetes serve a variety of purposes: grinding spices, making salsas and smashing up local avocados for a giant bowl of crowd-pleasing guacamole.
However, it’s crucial to research your molcajete options thoroughly before making any purchases. Many “knock-off” pieces have surfaced in recent years, made of cement instead of volcanic stone.
If you’ve walked the streets of any Mexican town or city, you’ve likely seen a comal sizzling with quesadillas and gorditas. They’re usually round, flat and quite thin griddles made of clay or cast iron, and are used to fry tortillas, meats and tortas. A comal is also great for toasting chiles and spices.
A comal is also great for toasting chiles and spices.
The comals used by street vendors can be several feet in width, though there are options of 18 or 24 inches across which are better suited for home kitchens. Be sure to ask whether or not your comal is “pre-seasoned” and remember always to wash it by hand.
Cazuela
Traditional cazuelas are made by hand in states like Hidalgo, where clay is extracted locally.
“Cazuela” is a word that can refer to both a “stew” or “casserole,” as well as the recipient the cazuela cooks in, oftentimes a shallow clay dish painted with delicate flowers or vines. A cazuela can come in a variety of sizes and can be used to hold soups, stews or even cocktails.
Traditional cazuelas are made by hand in states like Hidalgo, where clay is extracted locally. They can be used directly on a stove top, in an oven, on a grill or even in a microwave if the size is right. Make sure to cure the pot before usage.
Keep your tortillas warm.
Tortillero (tortilla warmer)
Regardless of whether you choose to make or buy them, tortillas are a staple in any Mexican household and a tortillero will save you both the time and energy required to reheat them continuously. If you’re in Mexico, you can buy a colorful tortilla warmer on any street corner for a modest price.
Keep your hands clean while squeezing those lemons.
Lime squeezer
Some locals may gawk at the idea of using a squeezer instead of your fingers and a fork, but for those dishes that require lots of lime juice, a squeezer is a game changer. I suggest buying a stainless steel squeezer, because despite the visual satisfaction of a colored plastic one, the paint often chips off from the acid and can fall into your dish. There are much better seasonings to choose from.
Tortilladora (tortilla press)
If buying fresh tortillas from the tortillería (tortilla shop) isn’t an option, or if you enjoy the process of making your own, a tortilladora will be all but necessary in your kitchen. These presses can be made of cast iron, aluminum or wood, and come in a variety of sizes. Have a look at this article in Epicurious, which rates and ranks a handful of tortilla presses that can be ordered online.
Olla de barro frijolera (ceramic black bean pot)
Similar to a cazuela, the “olla de barro” is a stout clay pot generally used to make beans, and can be used on a stovetop or in an oven. Since the pot is made of clay and generally comes with a lid, your culinary masterpiece will keep warm for a much longer period of time. When purchasing your olla de barro, double check that it is not coated with any toxic substances and make sure to cure it before use.
Wooden spatulas
Wooden spatulas. (wondrwood)
Wooden spatulas are a staple in any Mexican kitchen since they will not scratch your cooking pots and pans while sauteing. Over time, they tend to absorb flavors and spices so it’s good to replace spatulas about once a year. While on the topic, allow me to also suggest investing in an “escobetilla”, a small bristle brush used to clean everything from fruits to cooking pots without leaving a scratch.
Vaporera (steamer)
As we enter the never-ending Mexican holiday season, now is a good time to purchase a “vaporera”. Why? Because if you are the lucky guest to end up with a tiny baby Jesus figurine in your slice of Rosca de Reyes on Three Kings Day, you will be expected to host a tamal feast on Día de la Candelaria (Feb. 2). And how will you make tamales without a steamer?
Well, you could order them, but what’s the fun in that? If you’re not located in Mexico where you can buy a vaporera at your local market, check out Bustle’s list of The 4 Best Tamale Steamers and order online.
Molinillo de chocolate
I actually left this one off the first draft, thinking nobody actually made hot chocolate at home. Well, apparently I was wrong.
When I showed my original list to my friend Mich, he immediately identified this tool as the missing link. A “molinillo”, or little mill, is a wooden whisk that will, and I quote, “mix and melt it without leaving big pieces of chocolate.”
With this little gadget you are guaranteed an even distribution of chocolatey flavor in your mug, impressing even the most experienced of abuelas.
But wait! There’s one more!
Specifically for readers moving, or recently relocated, to Mexico, I highly suggest investing in a good quality water filter. Plastic water bottles, and garrafones (jugs), are available and affordable, but with the safety of drinking from plastic constantly in question (see the Clean Water Action Organization’s article, Bottled Water: The Human Health Consequences of Drinking from Plastic), it’s good to know that there are options. Eco Filtro is made in Guatemala and comes in a beautiful variety of colors, designs, and sizes. It filters tap water naturally through a system of activated carbon, clay, and colloidal silver, leaving clean and fresh drinking water – without the plastic waste.
Bethany Platanella is a travel planner and lifestyle writer based in Mexico City. She lives for the dopamine hit that comes directly after booking a plane ticket, exploring local markets, practicing yoga and munching on fresh tortillas. Sign up to receive her Sunday Love Letters to your inbox, peruse her blog, or follow her on Instagram.
National Guard members and forensic investigators at the scene of the crime in Guerrero. (Cuartoscuro)
A group of armed men killed a municipal security secretary and 12 police officers in a coastal area of the southern state of Guerrero on Monday, according to authorities.
An unidentified criminal group ambushed the town of Coyuca de Benítez’s municipal police on the highway between Acapulco and Zihuatanejo shortly after midday, according to reports. At least 30 armed men participated in the attack, the El Financiero newspaper reported.
The ambush occurred in El Papayo, about 50 kilometers from Acapulco, Guerrero. (CARLOS CARBAJAL/CUARTOSCURO.COM)
Security Secretary Alfredo Alonso López, Local Police Director Honorio Salinas and five police officers were reportedly murdered at the scene of the ambush in El Papayo, a community about 20 kilometers northwest of the municipal seat of Coyuca de Benítez and just over 50 kilometers from Acapulco.
Six other officers were reportedly kidnapped and taken to a nearby location where they were tortured and killed.
In addition to the 13 murders, the Guerrero Attorney General’s office said on Monday that two people were injured during “the events today in the municipality of Coyuca de Benítez.” It said in a statement that investigative police and forensic experts were present at the crime scenes to collect “the evidence necessary” to solve the crime.
Deputy Attorney General Gabriel Hernández said earlier on Monday that authorities were considering two possible “lines of investigation” in relation to the crime. He noted that Coyuca de Benítez authorities hadn’t reported any threats against local officials.
According to officials, at least 30 gunmen ambushed the police officers. (CARLOS CARBAJAL/CUARTOSCURO.COM)
While the attack hasn’t been officially attributed to any crime group, the newspaper El País reported that state authorities have been aware for months of the increased presence of La Familia Michoacana in the Costa Grande region of Guerrero, which includes Coyuca de Benítez. Nearby, the notoriously violent Tierra Caliente region of Guerrero, Michoacán and México state is the stronghold of that criminal organization.
The massacre on Monday came some 10 months after former Coyuca de Benítez security secretary David Borja Luciano was targeted in an armed attack that claimed the lives of three police officers. Borja, who was injured, subsequently resigned his post.
Among Mexico’s 32 federal entities, Guerrero has recorded the second highest number of police murders in 2023 with 34, according to Causa en Común, a Mexico City-based non-government organization that tracks killings of officers. Guanajuato, Mexico’s most violent state in terms of total homicides, ranks first.
At least 341 police officers have been killed across Mexico this year, while more than 400 were murdered in 2022.
Guerrero is one of the biggest producers of opium poppies in Mexico. (Archive)
Eduardo Guerrero, an intelligence consultant, attributed violence in Guerrero in recent years to turf wars between rival drug cartels. Opium poppies and marijuana are grown in mountainous areas of the state, which also includes popular coastal resort cities such as Acapulco and Zihuatanejo.
Guerrero, who was quoted in a New York Times report, said that some criminals in Guerrero have been targeting security forces ever since the federal government built a new military facility in the state last year.
“We have attacks [in Guerrero] every week,” he said, adding that cartels there appear to “specialize in killing police officers.”
A federal and state prosecutor were killed in the state last month, the former in the capital city of Chilpancingo, and the latter in the Tierra Caliente region.
Shortly after the police killings, academic and community leader Rigoberto Acosta González was murdered in Chilpancingo in a separate incident.
In the neighboring state of Michoacán, five people including a police officer were shot dead on Monday in an attack in Tacámbaro that targeted the brother of the municipality’s mayor.
President López Obrador with the leaders of Colombia, Cuba, Venezuela, Haiti and Honduras. (Presidencia de la República)
The federal government’s employment programs could be rolled out across multiple Central American, South American and Caribbean countries as part of a plan agreed to by the participants in a regional migration summit in Palenque, Chiapas, on Sunday.
The governments of 10 countries, including those of Mexico, Venezuela, Cuba and Colombia, also sent a clear message to the United States in a joint statement issued at the conclusion of the summit: “lift unilateral coercive measures imposed on countries of the region,” such as the embargo against Cuba that has been in place for over six decades.
The president convened the summit to address the regional migration crisis. (SRE/X)
President López Obrador, who convened the “Palenque Meeting for a Fraternal Neighborhood with Wellbeing,” was joined by four other presidents – Xiomara Castro of Honduras, Gustavo Petro of Colombia, Miguel Díaz-Canel of Cuba and Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela – Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry, and high-ranking officials from El Salvador, Costa Rica, Belize and Panama.
Representatives of Guatemalan president-elect Bernardo Arévalo also attended the summit, but Guatemala wasn’t one of the 10 countries that issued the joint statement. Ecuador was invited, but no officials from that country made the trip to Chiapas.
The governments of the United States and Canada asked to attend the meeting as observers, but their request was rejected, according to an El País newspaper report.
What was the purpose of the summit?
Invitees to the summit comprised of leaders of countries that have been severely affected by the migration crisis, including President Xiomara Castro of Honduras. (lopezobrador.org.mx)
López Obrador announced Oct. 9 that he had invited the leaders of Ecuador, Colombia, El Salvador, Honduras, Belize, Guatemala, Venezuela, Haiti, Cuba, Costa Rica and Panama to a migration meeting in Palenque “because they are the countries that have the most involvement in everything related to migration,” either because large numbers of their citizens are leaving or because they host migrants as they pass through en route to Mexico and the United States.
He said earlier this month that the aim of the summit was to reach agreements “to attend to the migration phenomenon while respecting human rights, providing options [and] protecting migrants.”
“… We need to come to an agreement because we can do a lot of things. And also, if we agree, we can seek the cooperation of the United States government, ask them to help. They already are, but they should apply themselves more to attending to the causes [of migration], and not just think about walls, about militarizing the border,” López Obrador said.
The summit was held as large numbers of migrants continue to travel through Mexico to the United States border, where they either attempt to enter the U.S. illegally or present themselves to immigration authorities with the hope they will be allowed in legally.
Migrants attempt to Cross the Rio Grande. 2022 was the deadliest year for migrants on record, according to U.S. government statistics. (Pedro Anza / Cuartoscuro.com)
The 10 countries agreed to 14 points to “jointly confront the migration reality” they face.
Before the points were outlined in a joint statement, the nations identified “political, social and economic” factors as well as “the negative effects of climate change” as being the main “structural causes” of migration.
They also said that “external factors such as indiscriminate unilateral coercive measures negatively affect entire populations and, to a greater extent, the most vulnerable people and communities.”
The first and most elaborate point agreed to by the 10 countries was to draw up “an action plan for development … to attend to the structural causes of irregular migration in the region.”
Climate change was also identified as a major issue during the summit. (Michael Balam/Cuartoscuro)
The nations identified seven “priority areas” for the plan:
Self-sufficiency and food sovereignty.
Protection, conservation and restoration of the environment.
The provision of “decent” employment and education opportunities.
Energy security, including through renewable sources.
Self-sufficiency in health matters
Trade and “intra-regional investment for socio-economic development.”
Security cooperation, including on the fight against transnational organized, human trafficking and corruption.
Mexico is poised to play a leading role in the plan, according to the joint statement, which said the Mexican government will immediately offer “cooperation and technical assistance in these areas” to the other countries.
The Mexican government is set to advise its regional counterparts on the implementation of its Sembrando Vida (Sowing Life) reforestation/employment program and its Jóvenes Construyendo el Futuro (Youth Building the Future) apprenticeship scheme, according to the statement.
López Obrador asserts that those programs, which have already been rolled out in Honduras and El Salvador, can help stem northward migration. He frequently says that migrants don’t leave their countries “for pleasure,” but due to necessity stemming from a lack of economic opportunities.
The joint statement said that Mexico will also offer its cooperation on oil, gas, electricity and renewable energy matters, and on a “platform of regulatory harmonization” for the creation of a Latin American and Caribbean medications agency.
President López Obrador also praised the efficacy of social programs aimed to reduce northward migration through Mexico. (Damián Sánchez/Cuartoscuro)
Among the other 13 points agreed to by the 10 countries was one to “urge” the removal of “unilateral coercive measures imposed on countries of the region” given that “they are contrary to international law and have serious repercussions beyond the target countries.”
The statement didn’t name the United States, but it was clear that was the country it was referring to. López Obrador has repeatedly called on the United States to lift its trade embargo on Cuba, while the U.S. has also imposed sanctions on Venezuela, although those on the South American country’s oil sector were eased last week after the Venezuelan government and opposition parties reached an agreement for next year’s election.
Additional key points outlined in the statement were agreements to:
Call for “countries of origin, transit and destination” to implement “comprehensive migration policies that respect the human right to migrate.”
Call for “destination countries” – the United States and Canada, for example – to adopt migration policies and practices “in accordance with the current reality of our region” and to avoid “inconsistent and selective ones,” such as the “regularization” of people from “certain countries.”
Support Haiti with the aim of “reestablishing an environment of human safety” and normalizing “the political, economic and social situation” in that country, the poorest in the Americas.
Promote “coordinated efforts” aimed at sovereign debt relief, “for the purpose of allowing countries … to obtain greater levels of development, close social gaps and reduce the intention to migrate.”
Ask destination countries to expand “regular, orderly and safe” options for migration.
Propose to the governments of Cuba and the United States that they promptly hold “comprehensive” talks on their bilateral relationship.
What did the leaders say?
López Obrador pointed out during the summit that funding provided by the United States government for development projects in Western Hemisphere nations is easily exceeded by the resources it allocates for “armaments for wars,” such as those between Ukraine and Russia, and Israel and Hamas.
López Obrador pledged to discuss the results of the summit with U.S. President Biden during November’s Asia-Pacific summit. (lopezobrador.org.mx)
“We cannot wait for substantive initiatives to be taken by the United States government. We have to act [on the migration issue] and we can do it, we can help each other,” he said.
On the X social media site, López Obrador described the meeting as “very productive” in a post that included a video showing him touring the Palenque archaeological site with other leaders and officials.
On Monday, he said he would raise the issues discussed in Palenque with U.S. President Joe Biden when he meets with him in San Francisco next month during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ meeting.
Speaking to the press at the conclusion of a summit marked by considerable anti-United States sentiment, President Maduro took the opportunity to rail against “criminal, immoral” sanctions imposed on Venezuela by the U.S. government.
He characterized the sanctions as the biggest driver of migration out of Venezuela and asserted that large numbers of Venezuelans would return to the country if they were lifted.
Maduro said that he received unanimous support from the other countries represented at the summit for the “complete and permanent lifting” of “more than 930 illegal sanctions.”
Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro also called for the lifting of U.S. sanctions against his country, which he called “illegal”. (Nicolás Maduro/X)
“Lift all the sanctions … without extortion, without blackmail, without conditions and Venezuela … in less than a year will be reversing all the causes [of migration],” he said.
On X, President Díaz-Canel asserted that the United States incites “the irregular migration of Cubans” with its “measures of economic suffocation” on the island nation and “facilities for migrants from our country.”
“This conduct affects Cuba, Cuban migrants and the United States and has consequences for countries of transit in the region, which face their own irregular emigration challenges,” he wrote.
“We reiterate the firm commitment of Cuba to regular, safe and orderly migration.”
Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan will be a contributing opinion columnist at Mexico News Daily. (Courtesy)
Get a comprehensive insider’s take from Mexico News Daily’s new opinion columnist, who has 30 years of diplomacy experience, about Mexico’s rising place on the world stage.
The grandson of Catalan and Armenian refugees in Mexico, Arturo Sarukhan has had a distinguished education and career, serving as Mexico’s ambassador to the U.S. (2007-2013), at the forefront of international strategic decisions in advisory roles in both Mexico and the U.S.
Currently based in Washington, D.C., he writes about international issues in a biweekly column for El Universal newspaper, contributes op-eds in U.S. media, and has a weekly radio show on Enfoque Noticias and a program on Milenio TV in Mexico.He was also included on the list of global leaders published by Monocle magazine, and was on “The 300 Most Influential Mexican Leaders” list of Líderes Mexicanos magazine for five years.
What makes your point of view unique as an expert on Mexico-U.S. relations?
I have spent most of my academic and diplomatic life dedicated to understanding and studying the US and, as an emissary, seeking to turn the Mexico-U.S. relationship into a true strategic association for both peoples and nations.
Why are you so passionate about Mexico-U.S. relations?
No two nations are so singularly relevant to each other’s wellbeing, prosperity and security than Mexico and the US. And we will succeed or fail as nations together.
What excites you about Mexico’s rising visibility & prominence on the global stage?
The sheer potential, particularly when you put it in the context of North America’s promise as a region in the 21st Century. But I am nonetheless concerned about Mexico’s global prominence due to important mistakes and miscalculations in the international arena by the current Mexican government.
How do you hope the world sees Mexico differently in the coming 1-2 years?
That the real strength and resilience of Mexico lies in its people. The country has significant and real challenges, no doubt about that, and the country, its institutions and its people need to tackle them head on. And it will always face a tension between continuity -with its history, traditions, identity- and change, as it continues to modernize and hopefully take advantage of the once-in-a-generation opportunities that lie ahead, particularly in the North American space.
Why is it important that people living in Mexico follow the U.S. presidential election?
The U.S. is Mexico’s number one trading partner, with US$1.5 billion dollars of trade per day going in both directions, we have a 3,000 km contiguous land border, there are 37.2 million people of Mexican origin living in the US. And because contrary to Las Vegas, what happens in the U.S. doesn’t stay in the U.S.! Should I go on?
Why is it important that people globally follow the Mexico presidential election?
As the 13th largest economy in the world today and poised to be the 7th by 2050 (if it, of course, makes the right policy decisions), Mexico will face a critical and stark choice; to double down, or to correct course and pull a U-turn on a number of public policies issues that will ensure that Mexico stops punching below its weight in the international arena and meets its true potential.
What inspired you to contribute to Mexico News Daily?
It has a fresh and forward-leaning approach in explaining Mexico to the world, and it is nimble, lean and hungry to make an impact in terms of how Mexico is viewed and understood among English-speaking and international audiences.
Why do you recommend that someone read Mexico News Daily?
Mexico is certainly not for beginners. So it’s one-stop-shopping for anyone interested in a whole-of-Mexico approach to the country, and it is driven by a genuine and deep mission to translate Mexico — and all things Mexico — to international and in-country expat audiences.
What are you most optimistic about for Mexico in the coming year?
Geography (despite the wishes of some on either side of the US-Mexico border, you can’t press Control Alt Delete and make one or the other country disappear) is destiny; the resilience of its institutions; and the huge potential of its people.
Why should people globally spend time in Mexico, or spend time learning about Mexico?
Well, I am most likely not going to be objective here, but as one of the millennial cultures in the world, it is one of the most fascinating, culturally and historically significant, rich and biodiverse nations on the globe.
Where are your favorite places to visit in Mexico and why?
Mexico City, for any art and architecture lover and foodie is a must, but I have a weak spot for both the city and state of Oaxaca. It is a microcosmos of the nation at large.
If you could describe your career in two words, what would they be and why?
Rule-breaker; combative. I suffer those who address any challenge or problem with the phrase “that’s not the way things have been done”, and have always fought for what I believe in.
Do you have a favorite quote or mantra?
Maybe two: ‘Be vulnerable, be courageous, and find comfort in the uncomfortable’.
And, ‘You only fail when you stop trying’.
Hear from Ambassador Sarakhan in his upcoming regular opinion column on Mexico-U.S. relations for Mexico News Daily. Don’t miss his take as an expert at the forefront of Mexico’s progress on the international stage – starting Tuesday, Oct. 24.
Guerrero governor Evelyn Salgado shared an image of Tropical Storm Otis, as it nears landfall on Mexico's Pacific coast. (Evelyn Salgado/X)
Hurricanes Lidia and Norma and Tropical Storm Max have all made landfall on Mexico’s Pacific coast this month. Now Otis is on the way.
The tropical storm is expected to be “near hurricane strength” before it reaches the southern coast of Mexico on Wednesday, according to the United States National Hurricane Center (NHC).
Guerrero has already been hit by Hurricane Max in October. (Carlos Alberto Carbajal/Cuartoscuro)
A hurricane watch is in effect between Lagunas de Chacahua, Oaxaca, and Tecpan de Galeana, Guerrero. That area includes the Pacific coast resort city of Acapulco. A tropical storm warning is in effect for the same area.
At 3 p.m. Mexico City time, Otis was 490 kilometers south-southeast of Acapulco and had maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour, the NHC said in an advisory. The storm was moving north-northwest at 11 km/h and that general motion is expected to continue during the next few days, the Florida-based forecaster said.
It also said that “tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Otis.”
“… Tropical storm conditions are expected and hurricane conditions are possible within the warning area beginning Tuesday night,” the NHC said.
Residents have been warned of coastal surges and warned not to swim in the affected areas. (Carlos Alberto Carbajal/Cuartoscuro)
The center said that Otis is expected to produce rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches (12-25 cm) with maximum amounts of 15 inches (38 cm) through Friday across Guerrero and the western coastal sections of Oaxaca.
“This rainfall will produce flash and urban flooding, along with mudslides in areas
of higher terrain,” it said.
The NHC said that a dangerous storm surge is expected to produce significant coastal flooding near and to the east of where the center makes landfall, and that the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves. It added that swells generated by Otis will begin to affect portions of the southern coast of Mexico on Tuesday.
“These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions,” the NHC said.
Otis is expected to make landfall on Thuesday. (NOAA)
Guerrero Governor Evelyn Salgado said on the X social media site that authorities are monitoring the movement of the storm and assured residents of the state that her government will take “preventive measures.”
Civil Protection authorities in Oaxaca (CEPC) said on X early Monday afternoon that most models suggested that Otis would make landfall in Guerrero. But the storm will still bring heavy rain and strong wind to the state, especially in the coastal, Sierra Sur and Mixteca regions, the CEPC said.
“Take precautions, stay informed and follow the recommendations of Civil Protection [authorities],” it added.
García has been the governor of the northern state of Nuevo León since 2021. (Gobierno de Nuevo León)
Nuevo León Governor Samuel García is officially aiming to face off against Claudia Sheinbaum and Xóchitl Gálvez as the Citizens Movement (MC) party candidate at next year’s presidential election.
The 35-year-old governor submitted a letter to the Nuevo León Congress on Monday to request six months leave to run in the election.
García’s leave request has yet to be approved by the state Congress. (X)
García, who took office in October 2021 and is not scheduled to finish his term as governor until 2027, intends to commence his leave six months before the presidential election in accordance with an electoral requirement that is enshrined in the constitution.
The election will be held on June 2, 2024, meaning that he would have to leave office by Dec. 2.
However, National Action Party (PAN) and Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) lawmakers — who together occupy 28 of the 42 seats in Nuevo León’s unicameral Congress — have previously indicated that they would reject any request from García to take leave. If Congress doesn’t approve his leave, the governor — who would be temporarily replaced by the state government’s general secretary — could challenge the decision at the Federal Electoral Tribunal.
Even if García is temporarily freed of his gubernatorial duties, there is no guarantee he will become the MC candidate for the presidential election.
Another option for the centrist party is former foreign affairs minister and discarded Morena party hopeful Marcelo Ebrard, according to MC leader and Senator Dante Delgado.
“I believe that Samuel is an internal option [for the party] and Marcelo Ebrard would be an external citizen option,” Delgado said Monday.
García with his wife, influencer Mariana Rodríguez, and their daughter, Mariel. (Samuel García/X)
The governor said more recently that he hadn’t received permission from his influencer wife Mariana Rodríguez — with whom he has a 7-month-old daughter — to contest the election.
García, who recently returned to Mexico from a successful investment-seeking trip to Japan and China, took to social media on Monday to acknowledge news reports that he was seeking to take leave as governor, but didn’t immediately comment on his confirmed presidential ambitions.
Polls indicate that that former Mexico City mayor Sheinbaum is the clear favorite to win next June, while Senator Gálvez — selected as the candidate for the Broad Front for Mexico opposition bloc made up of the PAN, the PRI and the Democratic Revolution Party — is seen as her main rival.
The news agency Reuters reported Monday that the governor’s inclusion in the 2024 presidential contest “could divide opposition to the ruling leftist party” — Morena, which was founded by President López Obrador and launched him to a comprehensive victory at the 2018 election.
The historic colonial city of Mérida has quickly become a top destination for tourists – and is about to become even more enticing as the new cutting-edge electric tram system prepares to boost tourist and transport infrastructure in the Yucatán capital.
Over three million people visited Mérida in 2022 – a record-breaking year – and the Federal Government has responded with significant investment. Construction of the new system is in overdrive, ahead of the grand opening of the Maya Train, scheduled for December 2023.
An IE-Tram electric bus. Irizar e-mobility
The ambitious project required a total investment of 149.6 million USD, with 61% of the funding contributed by the Government of Yucatán, 23% by Banobras (Mexico’s state-owned development fund) and 16% by private investors.
The IE-Tram in Mérida will closely resemble Mexico City’s all-electric Metrobus system and traverse 129 kilometers and 137 neighborhoods. With a fleet of 32 buses, it will serve three primary routes encompassing Kanasín, Umán, and Mérida, while two additional routes will connect the system to the Maya Train stations in Teya and Umán.
So, where can visitors to Mexico’s third oldest city expect when they ride the tram? Here is a list of the top attractions to visit along the route:
Kanasín (Line One)
Those interested in Yucatecan delicacies need look no further than the “Panucho Capital,” Kanasín. This place is well-known across the state for having the best fried tortillas, containing refried beans and fillings like local classic “cochinita pibil”. Many travel far and wide to find these tasty treats that are a great source of regional pride.
The town, located within the Mérida Eastern Metropolitan Area, saw recent government investment to modernize its local market and create three new commercial centers. The improvements will include parks for children, sports facilities and over 100 public spaces and amenities.
Teya (Line Two and Maya Station connection)
Famous for hosting royalty as recently as the 1990s, with the presence of Queen Sofia of Spain, the restored San Ildefonso colonial estate in Teya is a popular choice. Originally a livestock ranch opened in 1683, it was converted into a henequén plantation in the 19th century for the once-thriving fiber industry. Today, it is commonly known as Hacienda Teya and serves as a restaurant, hotel and popular wedding venue.
Teya, Yucatán.
The Teya Maya Train station – the final stop on Line Two – will offer a large garden plaza and be fully wheelchair accessible with elevators, escalators and ramps. It will also connect to Section Three of the Maya Train.
UADY (Line Three)
Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán.
Anyone with an academic interest in Mérida should consider this route, which takes you to the heart of the Autonomous University of Yucatán. Several museums, including the Maya World Museum of Mérida and the Van Gogh Exhibition, line the way.
Line Three also takes you to Mérida’s Main Street, the Paseo de Montejo, which has protected cycle lanes and large trees on both sides. Despite being a main artery to the historic city center, it is a pleasant walk or cycle, with various restaurants serving local and international cuisine.
Poxilá(Line Five and Maya Station connection)
This stop boasts both a beautiful colonial estate with a similar history to Hacienda Teya and a significant archaeological site at Poxilá. Researchers at the ancient Maya city believe it was developed during the Middle Preclassic period (800-350 BC) and grew to an area covering four kilometers square. Interestingly, jade and basalt axes found during excavations indicate links with ancient local tribes from regions as remote as the Olmecs of the Gulf Coast.
Poxilá, Yucatán.
Apart from serving as the final destination for the second Maya Train Station on the southwestern side of the city, Line Five also stops at Mérida International Airport. Located just outside the city center, the airport has received substantial government investment to modernize facilities in anticipation of the completion of the Maya Train later this year.
LaPlancha (All Lines)
Constructed in New York’s Central Park style, the jewel in Mérida’s crown is perhaps the biggest attraction on this list. La Plancha offers more than just a green area for picnics, children’s play, and nature enthusiasts. It boasts a wide array of amenities catering to both tourists and residents. The park has four distinct sections, with amenities strategically distributed throughout.
One section is dedicated to concessions and an outdoor gym, providing a space for refreshments and fitness activities. Another section is devoted to children’s activities and features a charming fountain. The third section is home to restaurants and a skate park. Lastly, the fourth section encompasses a serene lake, an assortment of children’s games, and a remarkable 10,000-person capacity amphitheater.
The December due date for the Maya Train and IE-Tram projects coincides perfectly with a warm winter holiday to end 2023 on a high note. High-speed connections from Cancun, which is approximately 189 miles away from Mérida, open up plenty of new attractions along the way, including much-improved access to the internationally acclaimed Chichen Itzá Maya Capital.
A hotspot of activity with 3,000 daily commuters, the IE-Tram aims to alleviate traffic by providing a safe and eco-friendly alternative for travelers. New investment in Mérida also includes planting 1,500 trees along the IE-Tram routes and another 800,000 state-wide.
The flammable palm roofs were part of a planned commercial area at the entrance of Jaguar Park. (Sedatu)
At least 12 palapa roofs caught fire and were destroyed at a construction site in Jaguar Park in Tulum on Thursday afternoon. No injuries or casualties were reported, and authorities are investigating the cause of the fire.
Around 3 p.m. local time, the Quintana Roo state Civil Protection authorities received the report of the fire, which occurred at the southern access point of Jaguar Park, a natural protected area.
#LoÚltimo | La tarde de este jueves se registró un fuerte incendio en el Parque Nacional del Jaguar de Tulum, Quintana Roo; las llamas consumieron varias palapas y por el momento no se tiene reporte de lesionados. pic.twitter.com/wvks9sUVlD
“So far no injuries have been reported,” authorities said, adding that the fire had been controlled and put out by firefighters and Civil Protection workers.
In a separate statement, the Tulum City Council confirmed that there were no injuries or damage to the flora or fauna of the park. It also said that authorities are investigating the incident to determine causes and establish responsibilities.
“We’re investigating the causes, and we restate our commitment to your safety,” the local council added.
According to the Ministry of Agrarian, Territorial and Urban Development (Sedatu), the southern access in Jaguar Park is currently under construction and accounts for only 0.05% of the entire project.
Witenesses uploaded photos and videos of the blaze to social media. (TikTok @marcopologallegos7)
Despite the fire, the Sedetu said that the Jaguar Park “will continue to be delivered in a timely manner.” It is scheduled to open by the first quarter of 2024.
The Sedetu also said that authorities are investigating the cause of the incident and experts are reviewing the southern access to determine any further damage that needs to be fixed by the company responsible for the construction work.
It added that no damage was reported to the archaeological site located 3.5 kilometers away from the park.
Jaguar Park is a cultural and tourist project by the federal government that aims to preserve and protect the jaguars that inhabit the south of the country. It seeks to stop excessive urban growth, particularly in the city of Tulum and other surrounding areas, while preserving the environment.
It sits in the northeastern part of Tulum and spans a 2,249-hectare nature reserve that includes various protected natural areas including beaches, forests, Tulum National Park and the Tulum Archaeological Zone.
