Home Blog Page 458

What’s on in Guadalajara and around Lake Chapala in April?

By
MND Staff
-
0
View of Guadalajara showing its abundance of trees.
April brings concerts and festivals to Guadalajara and Lake Chapala. (Shutterstock)

April in Guadalajara and Chapala is loaded with musical events. From rock concerts to Mexican regional music shows and a beer festival featuring local bands, April promises an exciting agenda for music lovers. But there’s more than just concerts. This month, Guadalajara will host Mexico’s largest technology event, as well as two events that celebrate Japanese and anime culture. 

Let’s dive in to see the exciting events that await you in Guadalajara and around Lake Chapala this April. 

John Digweed at Bar Américas

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bar americas (@baramericas)

Bar Américas in the Colonia Americana — named the world’s coolest neighborhood by Time Out magazine in 2022 — will host English musician John Digweed on April 3. Digweed’s sound is almost exclusively electronic, combining various styles of club, dance progressive house and trance. He has frequently ranked as one of the world’s greatest DJs by a variety of publications, including Resident Advisor and DJ Mag.

Date: April 3 at 11 p.m.
Location: Bar Américas, Av. Chapultepec Sur 507, Col. Americana.
Cost: 400 pesos

Garbage at Teatro Estudio Cavaret

Fancy a rock concert? Then you can’t miss the chance to see Garbage, one of the legendary bands of alternative rock. The group, made up of Shirley Manson, Butch Vig, Duke Erikson and Steve Marker, has been around since the 1990s, with a musical approach that fuses rock, electronica and alternative pop. Expect to hear hits like “Only Happy When It Rains,” “Stupid Girl” and “I Think I’m Paranoid.” 

Date: April 4
Location: Teatro Estudio Cavaret, Ave. Parres Arias y Periferico Nucleo Calle 2, Industrial los Belenes, Zapopan
Cost: Starting at 950 pesos

Otaku Fest Guadalajara 

Otaku Fest, a festival that celebrates anime, manga, K-pop and Japanese culture, is back in Guadalajara. The event will see everything from screenings to exhibitions, video game tournaments, professional K-pop tournaments and lookalike contests. It will also host two special guests: Gerardo Reyero and Alan Velázquez, who have provided voices for various anime characters, including western characters like Hellboy and Han Solo. 

Date: April 4 and 5
Location: Salón La Cúpula, Silvestre Revueltas 1080, Col. Centro, Guadalajara
Cost: Starting at 120 pesos

“Howl’s Moving Castle” symphony concert

Fans of animation will be excited to know that Studio Ghibli’s 2004 classic “Howl’s Moving Castle”  will be screened with a live orchestra in Guadalajara. With music composed by Joe Hisaishi and performed live by an orchestra, Hayao Miyazaki’s film promises an enchanting experience for kids and adults alike.  

Date: April 5
Location: Teatro Diana, Av. 16 de Septiembre 710, Mexicaltzingo, Guadalajara
Cost: Starting at 550 pesos

Guadalajara Beer Festival

Calling all brew lovers: the Guadalajara Beer Festival is back for its fifth edition. This year, the event will feature 50 craft breweries from across Mexico presenting over 200 labels and pairings. A gastronomic area will see food stalls from different restaurants, offering everything from burgers to traditional esquites. Three stages will see live performances by local bands, as well as stand-up comedians. 

Date: April 5 from 1 to 11 p.m., April 6 from 12 to 9 p.m.
Location: Parque Ávila Camacho, Av. Manuel Ávila Camacho S/N, Lomas del Country, Guadalajara
Cost: Starting at 320 pesos

Tribute to Luis Miguel

Luis Miguel's concert presenting his 2024 tour, at the Mexico City Arena.
(Especial/Cuartoscuro)

The world-famous Candlelight concert musicians will perform classical versions of songs made famous by Luis Miguel, one of Mexico’s best-known  stars around the world. With an ensemble made up of violins, viola and cello. From romantic ballads like “La Incondicional,” and “Hasta Que Me Olvides,” to pop singles like “Cuando Calienta El Sol” and “Ahora Te Puedes Marchar,” attendees will enjoy an hour of music by candlelight. 

Date: April 18 at 9 p.m.
Location: Consuelo Velazquez Room – PALCCO, Av. Central Guillermo Gonzalez Camarena 375, Col. Poniente, Guadalajara
Cost: Starting at 349 pesos

Go to an art market on the Chapala Riviera

(Artists of Lake Chapala)

Organized by Artists of Lake Chapala, the Art Market takes place on select Saturdays in a picturesque setting on the Chapala Ribera. In April, the market highlights the work of Ricardo Sánchez Corona, known for his watercolor technique that captures the essence of Mexico. The art market draws everyone from art collectors to enthusiasts, and this month’s edition will be the last until September of this year. 

Date: April 19, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Garden of Dreams Boutique Hotel, Constitución 105, Ajijic.
Cost: Free 

Mexico’s largest technology and innovation event

Talent Land, an event that brings together leaders in technology, creativity and entrepreneurship, is back in Guadalajara for its eighth edition. This year, the event will open its doors to a higher age group — primarily millennials between 28 and 40 years old — who need to update their skills. Keynote speakers include technology entrepreneur Oso Trava, Shark Tank’s Mexico Investor Marcus Dantus and founder of MoureDev Brais Moure, among others.

Date: April 21-24
Location: Expo Guadalajara. Av. Mariano Otero #1499 Col. Verde Valle, Guadalajara.
Cost: Available tickets start at 7,890 pesos

Grupo Intocable at Arena Guadalajara

The iconic norteño musical group Grupo Intocable will perform live in Guadalajara as part of their 30th anniversary tour. The Texas-based Grammy and Latin Grammy Award-winning group fuses norteño sounds with rock, pop, polka, cumbia and folk. Performing hits like “¿Y todo para qué?”, “Fuerte No soy” and “Eres mi droga,” this concert promises to deliver an authentic regional Mexican music experience.

Date: April 26 at 9 p.m.
Location: Arena Guadalajara. Periférico. Nte. Ricardo Flores Magón Ote. 401, El Verde, Guadalajara
Cost: Starting at 690 pesos

Retreat Day in Ajijic

Mar de Jade Hotel, Nayarit
(Mar de Jade) 

If you’re looking to unwind and relax, the Limitless in Power & in Peace retreat awaits you in Ajijic. Through meditation and inquiry practices, Miranda Macpherson promises a “journey into a new depth of peace and spiritual potency.” As an interfaith minister, spiritual teacher and author, Macpherson will teach attendees to live beyond the “constraints of ego agitation.”

Date: April 11 and 12
Location: Namaste Village, Angel Flores 5, Ajijic
Cost: 1,000 pesos cash at the door.

Gabriela Solis is a Mexican lawyer turned full-time writer. She was born and raised in Guadalajara and covers business, culture, lifestyle and travel for Mexico News Daily. You can follow her lifestyle blog, Dunas y Palmeras.

Trump announces new US tariffs on Mexican… beer

By
MND Staff
-
15
Cans of Cororna Extra beer lying on a bed of large ice cubes
Want to avoid a tariff price bump on your Mexican-made Coronas? You'll need to buy it in a bottle. (Yuliya Yesina/Shutterstock)

United States President Donald Trump didn’t announce any “reciprocal tariffs” on imports from Mexico on Wednesday, but a 25% tariff on Mexican canned beer is set to take effect on Friday.

During a speech in the Rose Garden of the White House, Trump presented a chart outlining  “reciprocal tariffs” on imports from a long list of countries, but Mexico wasn’t among them.

In a fact sheet explaining the “reciprocal tariff” executive order the U.S. president signed on Wednesday, the White House said that Mexico and Canada are “unaffected by this order.”

“This means USMCA-compliant goods will continue to see a 0% tariff, non-USMCA compliant goods will see a 25% tariff, and non-USMCA-compliant energy and potash will see a 10% tariff,” the White House said.

“In the event the existing fentanyl/migration IEEPA [International Emergency Economic Powers Act] orders are terminated, USMCA-compliant goods would continue to receive preferential treatment, while non-USMCA-compliant goods would be subject to a 12% reciprocal tariff,” the fact sheet said.

On March 6, Trump announced that imports from Mexico covered by the USMCA free trade pact would not be subject to U.S. tariffs until at least early April. He had imposed a 25% tariff on all imports from Mexico and Canada two days earlier due to what the White House said was the two countries’ failure to take adequate action against “the influx of lethal drugs” to the U.S.

While the tariff-free trade of USMCA-compliant goods continues for now, 25% tariffs on Mexican steel and aluminum, and hundreds of products made with those metals, remain in effect. Those tariffs also applies to the steel and aluminum the United States imports from all other countries.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced an expansion of those tariffs to include “two additional aluminum derivative products: beer and empty aluminum cans.”

As beer itself isn’t an “aluminum derivative product,” it appeared that only canned beer — the beer and its receptacle — would be affected by the 25% tariff. CNBC interpreted the Department of Commerce notice in that way.

However, Reuters’ interpretation was that the tariff would apply to “all beer imports.”

The U.S. tariff on Mexican steel and aluminum remains in effect, with a slight expansion to include beer cans made with Mexican aluminum — and the Mexican beer contained within. (Shutterstock)

Mexico is the largest exporter of beer to the United States, sending suds worth US $6.3 billion to its northern neighbor last year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data cited by Reuters. The 25% tariff — scheduled to take effect this Friday — could make Mexican beer less competitive in the United States market, where Modelo Especial is the best-selling beer.

Auto tariffs to take effect on Thursday 

In his “liberation day” address, Trump confirmed that the auto tariffs he announced last week would take effect on Thursday.

The U.S. president announced last Wednesday that he would impose a 25% tariff “on all cars that are not made in the United States.”

However, U.S. content in vehicles assembled in Mexico will be exempt from the duty, lowering the effective tariff on vehicles made in Mexico.

Guillermo Rosales, president of the Mexican Association of Automotive Distributors, said that a vehicle made in Mexico for export to the United States has, on average, 40% U.S. content. The effective tariff on a vehicle assembled in Mexico with 40% U.S. content would be 15%.

The United States’ 25% tariff also applies to certain imports of auto parts, but the White House said last week that “USMCA-compliant automobile parts will remain tariff-free until the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), establishes a process to apply tariffs to their non-U.S. content.”

It was unclear how soon that process would be established.

Ford manufacturing plant entrance in Irapuato, showing the Ford logo and a sign saying Planta de Transmissiones Irapuato.
Although most USMCA-compliant products made in Mexico remain mostly tariff-free as of Wednesday’s announcements by the Trump administration, U.S. vehicles made in Mexico will, as expected, be subject to a tariff on their non-U.S. content. (X)

3 takeaways for Mexico from the US government’s Wednesday announcements 

  • The White House fact sheet indicates that if the Mexican government can satisfy the Trump administration that it is taking sufficient action to stem the flow of migrants and fentanyl to the United States, tariffs on non-USMCA-compliant imports from Mexico could be cut by 13 percentage points to 12%. For that to occur, Trump would have to terminate the IEEPA orders that currently apply to Mexican goods.
  • President Claudia Sheinbaum was right. On numerous occasions, she expressed confidence that Mexico would avoid the imposition of reciprocal tariffs on its exports to the United States as Mexico doesn’t charge tariffs on most imports from the U.S.
  • The USMCA still means something. While Trump has imposed tariffs on some imports from Mexico and Canada, the three-way trade pact is still protecting the United States’ neighbors to a certain extent.

Sheinbaum to respond to US tariffs on Thursday

At her Wednesday morning press conference, Sheinbaum said that she would announce on Thursday a range of measures to strengthen the Mexican economy.

“The program we’re going to present tomorrow is not just related to the tariffs that the United States could impose. It’s a comprehensive program to strengthen the Mexican economy,” she said.

Mexico could announce tariffs on certain imports from the United States in retaliation for the duties imposed on Mexican goods, although Sheinbaum has said her government won’t take an “eye for an eye” approach. Mexico could target certain products such as U.S. pork and bourbon, as it did in 2018 when Trump imposed tariffs on Mexican steel and aluminum.

The Sheinbaum administration could also impose new or additional tariffs on products from other countries, such as China and other Asian nations, as it seeks to protect and strengthen Mexican industry.

The president on Wednesday noted that Mexico imports “a lot of vehicles, particularly from Asia” and described that situation as a “problem.”

She said that her government is seeking to bolster domestic vehicle production so that the majority of vehicles purchased in Mexico are made in Mexico.

Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum at her daily press conference. Standing at the presidential podium, she has her palms pressed together in front of her chin as she looks out at reporters off camera.
Rather than spend her Wednesday morning press conference posturing on what appeared to be impending U.S. tariffs on Mexico, President Claudia Sheinbaum implied that her plan for weathering tariffs focused on upping Mexico’s domestic production. (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro)

Sheinbaum indicated in February that additional tariffs on imports from China were a possibility. If the Mexican government were to impose additional tariffs on Chinese products, such as vehicles, it could go some way to appeasing Trump, who has accused Mexico of being a transshipment hub from Chinese goods destined for the U.S.

A placated Trump could consider giving Mexico some relief from the tariffs that some of its goods currently face when exported to the United States.

The peso gets a boost 

The Mexican peso depreciated to around 20.50 to the US dollar before Trump’s “reciprocal tariffs” address at 2 p.m. Mexico City time but strengthened later in the day.

The USD:MXN rate was 20.23 at 7:15 p.m. Mexico City time.

“The peso appreciated because Trump didn’t announce tariffs for Mexico,” Gabriela Siller, director of economic analysis at Banco Base, said on X shortly after 3 p.m. when the peso was trading at just above 20.20 to the dollar.

She said that the “high tariffs” the United States is set to impose on goods from other countries and the exemption of duties on goods shipped to the U.S. under the USMCA “provide Mexico an opportunity to increase its market participation” in the U.S.

Mexico shipped goods worth US $505.85 billion to the U.S. last year, capturing 15.5% of the United States’ $3.26 trillion market for imports.

While 25% tariffs currently apply to the non-USMCA compliant goods the United States imports from Mexico, Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard said last month that most companies in Mexico that ship products to the U.S. would be able to “easily or without major difficulty” comply with the rules of the North America free trade pact and thus avoid tariffs.

Trump’s ‘reciprocal’ tariffs 

“My fellow Americans, this is liberation day,” Trump said at the beginning of his 48-minute speech in the Rose Garden.

He said that “reciprocal tariffs” would take effect at midnight Thursday, but promptly noted they wouldn’t be “full reciprocal.”

According to the chart Trump presented, “reciprocal tariffs” based on “tariffs charged to the U.S.A., including currency manipulation and trade barriers” will apply to 50 countries, including the European Union. The U.S. tariffs will apply to imports at roughly half the rate at which the exporting countries tax U.S. imports, according to the chart.

While the U.S. government isn’t imposing reciprocal tariffs on imports from Mexico, Trump took aim at Mexico during his address due to the large trade surplus it runs with the United States.

The U.S. president put the United States’ annual deficit with Mexico at US $300 billion, although the figure was significantly lower than that last year at just under $172 billion, according to U.S. data.

During his speech, Trump also railed against NAFTA, the North American trade pact superseded by the USMCA in 2020, describing it as the “worst trade deal by far” and asserting that it caused the loss of 90,000 factories and 5 million manufacturing jobs in the United States.

He said that the implementation of reciprocal tariffs is “our declaration of economic independence” and that “jobs and factories will come roaring back into our country.”

By Mexico News Daily chief staff writer Peter Davies (peter.davies@mexiconewsdaily.com)

Meet the Mexican economist who could be the next head of UNESCO

By
MND Staff
-
1
Gabriela Ramos
Gabriela Ramos, economist and diplomat, would bring to UNESCO a strong background in combating economic inequality and racism. (Gabriela Ramos/X)

Gabriela Ramos Patiño, a distinguished Mexican economist and diplomat, has emerged as one of three finalists to become the director-general of UNESCO after Audrey Azoulay’s second term expires in December.

With a career spanning decades in international organizations, Ramos is positioning herself as a transformative leader for UNESCO — formally the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization — as the agency moves beyond its 80th anniversary this year.

Gabriela Ramos at podium
Ramos, a native of Michoacán, is in a position to become just the third woman in history to head UNESCO as director-general. (X)

Responding to a 2024 request for nominations, Mexico put forward Ramos, a native of Michoacán who will turn 61 next Tuesday.

This week, a news report citing UNESCO sources revealed her to be a finalist alongside Egypt’s Khaled Ahmed El-Enany Ali Ezz, 54, a former minister of tourism and antiquities, and Firmin Edouard Matoko, 68, of the Republic of Congo, a longtime UNESCO officer.

After a campaign period that begins this month, UNESCO’s 58-member executive board — elected by member states every four years — will vote by secret ballot in October, with the winner to be announced in November. The new head will serve a four-year term with the possibility of one renewal.

As the highest-ranking official of UNESCO, the director-general oversees an organization that is known for its more than 1,100 World Heritage Sites worldwide, its global efforts to promote inclusive and equitable quality education and its safeguarding of cultural traditions.

Since 1945, there have been 10 UNESCO heads, including one Mexican: Jaime Torres Bodet, a Mexico City native who served as the agency’s second director-general from 1948 to 1952.

Azoulay, the current director-general, began her first term in 2018 and was re-elected in 2021. The 52-year-old Frenchwoman, who served as her country’s minister of culture in 2016 and 2017, is the second female leader of UNESCO.

Ramos, who has dedicated her career to advancing global cooperation and addressing pressing social challenges, is seeking to become the third.

She holds a degree in International Relations from Universidad Iberoamericana and a master’s degree in Public Policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Gabriela Ramos, UNESCO Asst. Dir. Gen. | World Art Day Forum 2023 | GlobalPeaceEducation.com

Due to her strong academic showing, she was invited to join Mexico’s Foreign Affairs Ministry in 1988.

From there, she transitioned to international roles, including director of the Mexico City office for the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). It serves as a regional hub for Latin America and the Caribbean.

She then became director-general at OECD headquarters in Paris, and since 2020 has been UNESCO’s assistant director-general for social and human sciences, overseeing critical initiatives aimed at fostering inclusive societies.

Her portfolio includes addressing economic inequality, promoting gender equality, combating racism and advancing the ethics of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Notably, she spearheaded the adoption of UNESCO’s first global framework on AI ethics in 2021 and launched the Global Forum Against Racism.

Ramos’ candidacy comes at a pivotal moment for UNESCO, which is facing what she called an “era of conflict and polarization.”

Ramos was named one of the 100 most powerful women in the world by Forbes in 2017.
Ramos was named one of the 100 most powerful women in the world by Forbes in 2017. (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro)

She has advocated for a “stronger, more inclusive and more innovative” organization to restore trust in multilateralism.

“Solidarity is also waning, and development cooperation is suffering,” Ramos said. “We are not on track to meet international commitments made in the past, with disastrous consequences for people and the planet.”

“We are failing to close the inequality gaps that are eroding our societies and democracies.”

Her vision aligns with her extensive experience at the OECD, where she led initiatives on inclusive growth, climate change and gender equity.

Among her achievements are reforms to tax systems through the G20, the establishment of gender quotas to reduce labor disparities and the creation of the W20 platform (as part of the G20) for women’s empowerment.

She has received numerous accolades for her work on gender equality and social inclusion, including France’s Order of Merit.

With reports from Milenio, El Financiero and Forbes

Amid worsening air quality, Mexico City’s mayor pledges to lower emissions

By
MND Staff
-
0
A polluted Mexico City skyline with smog hampering visibility
Mexico City entered its fourth environmental contingency of 2025 this week, during which some cars are restricted from driving to bring down air pollution levels. (Galo Cañas/Cuartoscuro)

As Mexico City entered its fourth environmental contingency alert of 2025, the city’s Mayor Clara Brugada signed a public-private agreement to reduce the city’s air pollution.

The document, Agreement For a Low-Emission City, outlines a collaboration between the city and the private sector to reduce emissions.

Brugada, CDMX Tourism Minister Alejandra Frausto and Mexican business leaders signed the agreement Tuesday.

“This agreement addresses one of the most important tasks we face: reducing, mitigating and addressing climate change,” Brugada said. 

Brugada said Mexico City contributes 4% of the country’s gas emissions. Without measures to reduce them, this figure could triple by the middle of the century, she said.

The agreement seeks to transform Mexico City into a cleaner, healthier city with lower emissions through six key actions.

  1. Developing integrated and sustainable mobility options, including promoting bicycle usage.
  2. Building homes with solar panels.
  3. Reducing by half the 13,000 tons of waste generated in the capital daily.
  4. Enhancing the city’s sustainable water management, including water recycling, recovering bodies of water and rehabilitating dams.
  5. Revegetation of the countryside and the city.
  6. Implementation of a green tax aimed at reducing emissions and promoting sustainable technologies.

Brugada’s government will also launch a call for citizen proposals to move forward in environmental matters.

A polluted Guadalajara skyline with smog affecting visibility of its skyscrapers
Although Guadalajara’s metropolitan zone has only a quarter of the population of Mexico City, it has, at times, surpassed the nation’s capital in air pollution levels. (University of Guadalajara)

Developing a federal emissions database for Mexico’s high-pollution cities

President Claudia Sheinbaum said that the federal Environment and Natural Resources Ministry (Semarnat) and the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) are researching the metropolitan areas of the Valley of Mexico, Guadalajara and Monterrey due to high pollution levels there.

The research teams, Sheinbaum explained, are focusing on creating an emissions inventory to measure pollution levels and identify responsible parties.

Air quality awareness in schools

Mexico City’s Environment Ministry (Sedema) has launched the Air Quality School Banners program to help children recognize the ozone season’s effects on their health and learn how to protect themselves from it. 

During ozone season, ozone concentrations are at their highest levels due to the lack of wind, low humidity levels, and intense radiation. In Mexico City, this happens between February and June.

The School Banners program educates children on Mexico City’s Air Quality Index, including the meaning of the flag colors associated with the initiative. The flags can be one of five different colors, each corresponding to the day’s air quality. 

The flags are raised daily and remain in place depending on air quality in the school’s area.

With reports from Debate and Animal Político

Ecobici operator fined for failing to maintain its bike fleet in the capital

By
MND Staff
-
0
Parked bikes.
Besides broken seats, faulty brakes and other mechanical problems, Ecobici users are increasingly complaining about a lack of bicycles available for use when needed. (Denisse Hernández/Cuartoscuro)

The company in charge of operating Mexico City’s public bicycle network — Ecobici —  has been fined due to a reported lack of maintenance of the bicycles, Mayor Clara Brugada announced at a March 25 press conference. 

In recent months, Ecobici users have reported issues with the city bikes, including broken seats, loose chains, flat tires and broken brakes and pedals, as well as faults in the app. Some users posted photographs and videos of the broken equipment on social media. 

Guy on bike
Despite a growing number of complaints about the faulty conditions of the bikes, Mexico City’s Ecobici program remains popular. (Tomás Acosta/Cuartoscuro.com)

Many also criticized the distribution of docking spaces and a shortage of bicycles due to the poor balancing of units during rush hour. 

“We will soon announce how Ecobici will be expanded in the city and how we will improve the service,” Brugada said during the press conference. “Calls are already being made to the company responsible for Ecobici so that all citizen complaints are addressed immediately.”

Brugada also said that the company in question had received a fine. 

A consortium of the companies 5M2 and BKT Bici-pública has operated Mexico City’s Ecobici bikeshare network since 2022.

The recent problems have prompted many users to reconsider their membership, according to the news site La Silla Rota. 

In announcing plans to improve Ecobici through an expansion program, the mayor did not offer any details on how this would be achieved. 

A member of the PAN political party, Daniel Chimal García, in addition to urging the companies managing Ecobici to compensate users who had experienced service problems, criticized Brugada’s expansion plans. 

“Despite mechanical issues, out-of-service units and a shortage of bicycles available at stations, this is how Clara Brugada’s administration wants to extend this system, which has not been functional in recent months,” Chimal García said during a March 31 session in Congress. 

Chimal García has been vocal in the past about the need to develop more bike lanes, reinforce signage and improve the condition of public spaces. 

Do Ecobici bikes receive regular maintenance?

Mexico City’s Ecobici network does receive regular maintenance. In 2024, the city’s Mobility Ministry said that over 300 units a day are serviced at a mega-workshop in the Miguel Hidalgo municipality and suggested that the deterioration of the bikes was due to their “constant and intensive” use. 

This means that between 2,100 and 2,450 Ecobici bicycles are repaired each week, equivalent to between 23% and 26% of the 9,300 bicycles currently in service.

However, Ecobici employees have acknowledged that the new black bicycles “last less” than the previous red bikes, which they replaced in 2022, according to La Silla Rota. 

Growing numbers of Ecobici users 

Despite several challenges, the Ecobici network continues to grow. In 2024, Ecobici recorded over 22 million trips, marking an 83% increase on the previous year and a fourfold rise on 2022. 

In the first three months of 2025, more trips were taken on Ecobici than in the whole of 2022, showing how the system has grown in popularity. This is likely owing to the expansion of the network and improvements to Mexico City’s bike lanes. 

With reports from Chilango, La Silla Rota and Talla Política

Aeroméxico launches new nonstop Phoenix-Mexico City flight

By
MND Staff
-
4
city view of Phoenix, Arizona
The new daily flight from Mexico City to Phoenix, the fifth largest city in the United States, marks a significant advance in connectivity between the two cities. (Nils Huenerfuerst/Unsplash)

Travelers can now fly nonstop between Mexico City and Phoenix thanks to an alliance between Aeroméxico and Delta Air Lines. 

The new daily flight, inaugurated March 30, marks Aeromexico’s 25th destination in the United States. It takes place aboard a Boeing 737 Max aircraft.

Phoenix airport
Phoenix, Arizona’s beautiful Skypark International Airport can now receive up to 2,000 passengers a week directly from Mexico City. (City of Phoenix)

More than 2,000 round-trip seats will be available per week for nonstop flights between Mexico City and Arizona’s capital, the fifth largest city in the United States.  

The flight departs from Mexico City International Airport at 9:55 a.m. and arrives at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport at 12:25 p.m. local time. The return flight leaves Phoenix at 1:55 a.m., arriving in Mexico City at 6:05 a.m. local time.

Jeff Morgan, senior vice president of network planning and scheduling at Aeroméxico, said that this partnership “positions Aeroméxico and Delta Air Lines as the airlines with the best connectivity between Mexico and the United States.”

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said that flights from Phoenix to Mexico have grown by 155% compared to pre-pandemic levels, and that the new nonstop flight will strengthen ties between Mexico and the U.S.

“Aeroméxico’s new nonstop service will improve travel options for our community while strengthening tourism and trade between our closely knit regions,” she said. 

Phoenix is well-known for its range of tourist attractions, including vineyards, historic Western ghost towns, mines, golf courses and world-class spas. Furthermore, travelers can take advantage of the city’s proximity to the Grand Canyon.

Last year, the Aeroméxico-Delta alliance introduced over 28 new routes connecting major cities in Mexico and the U.S. This year, the airline plans to launch seven new international routes.

Mexico City-Philadelphia and San Luis Potosí-Atlanta are scheduled to begin operations in early June, while four more destinations departing from Mexico City will launch by the end of the year. These include Cartagena and Cali (Colombia), Panama City, and Punta Cana (Dominican Republic). 

To cover these new routes, Aeroméxico will acquire 14 new planes, bringing its total fleet to 164 by the end of 2025. 

With reports from Reportur

Sheinbaum says her response to US tariffs will ‘strengthen Mexico’: Wednesday’s mañanera recapped

By
MND Staff
-
2
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum talking to reporters during her daily press conference. She's standing at the presidential podium with her arms up and at her sides, her palms facing the camera.
Sheinbaum told reporters at her Wednesday press conference that she would announce her 'comprehensive' program on Thursday, and that it wasn't a "matter of saying, 'You're putting tariffs on us, we're putting tariffs on you.'" (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro)

President Claudia Sheinbaum held her Wednesday-morning press conference ahead of United States President Donald Trump’s scheduled “Liberation Day” announcement of “reciprocal tariffs” on Wednesday afternoon.

She once again said that her government will respond to all U.S. tariffs on Mexican goods on Thursday.

Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum standing at the presidential podium talking to the press. She is holding up her index and middle finger of her right hand as she speaks.
At her press conference, President Sheinbaum also introduced the idea that Mexico might begin producing its own automobiles. Mexicans currently buy virtually all their vehicles from foreign automakers. (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro)

(U.S. duties on Mexican steel and aluminum, and goods not covered by the USMCA free trade pact have been in effect since March.)

Sheinbaum also spoke about Mexico’s vehicle importation “problem” and her call on Tuesday with new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

‘Our interest is the strengthening of the Mexican economy’

Some six hours before Trump’s scheduled announcement on “reciprocal tariffs,” a Brazilian reporter asked the Mexican president whether she could bring forward the announcement of Mexico’s response to the United States’ protectionism.

With a hearty laugh, Sheinbaum said she could not.

“What we’re going to announce is a comprehensive program, it’s not a matter of saying, ‘You’re putting tariffs on us, we’re putting tariffs on you,'” she said.

Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard spoke before Sheinbaum's Monday address
Sheinbaum said that Mexico’s tariffs response would build on the nation’s Plan México, introduced by the administration in January. It’s an ambitious infrastructure and economic plan meant to improve Mexicans’ quality of life and turn the nation’s economy into the globe’s 10th largest. (Daniel Augusto/Cuartocuro)

“Our interest is the strengthening of the Mexican economy,” including the automotive sector, Sheinbaum said.

“… The program we’re going to present tomorrow is not just related to the tariffs that the United States could impose,” she said before acknowledging that some Mexican goods already face tariffs when exported to the U.S.

“It’s a comprehensive program to strengthen the Mexican economy,” Sheinbaum said.

The federal government already has an ambitious economic initiative — Plan México — aimed at making Mexico the 10th largest economy in the world, reducing reliance on imports from China and other Asian countries and creating some 1.5 million new jobs.

Sheinbaum indicated that Plan México will be further strengthened by the measures she announces on Thursday.

‘The problem is we’re importing a lot of vehicles’

During her response to the question posed by the aforesaid reporter, Sheinbaum identified Mexico’s demand for foreign-made vehicles as a problem.

“The problem is that we’re importing a lot of vehicles, particularly from Asia, and this is not anything against any Asian country or anything like that,” she said.

“There are compact cars that are sold a lot in Mexico, [but] they’re not made in Mexico,” Sheinbaum said.

She said that her government is seeking to bolster domestic vehicle production so that the majority of vehicles purchased in Mexico are made in Mexico.

A line of factory completed Volkswagen SUVs coming off an assembly line at a Volkswagen plant in Puebla, Mexico
Volkswagen vehicles rolling off the assembly line in Puebla. While many foreign automakers have factories in Mexico, most of their product is shipped elsewhere. (Volkswagen de México)

The United States is set to impose 25% tariffs on all cars made outside the country on Thursday, but U.S. content in vehicles assembled in Mexico will be exempt from the duty, lowering the effective tariff on vehicles made in Mexico.

The aim to decrease car imports by increasing domestic vehicle production takes into account “the new international situation we have, but is also part of Plan México,” Sheinbaum said.

Sales of Chinese cars, including electric vehicles such as those made by BYD, have increased significantly in recent years, although growth slowed last year. No Chinese automakers currently make cars in Mexico, although several have announced plans to do so.

Cars made by Japanese and Korean automakers are also popular in Mexico. At least some of those are made here by companies such as Toyota, Nissan and Kia.

Sheinbaum’s first call with new Canadian PM

Sheinbaum spoke to new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney for the first time on Tuesday.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at a press conference, sitting in a suit and tie at a table with small microphones in front of him. His hands are folded together as she speaks to an audience.
According to a post made by the government of Canada on Tuesday, new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and President Sheinbaum have agreed to keep in close contact for the foreseeable future. (Policy Exchange/Wikimedia Commons)

She told reporters on Wednesday that they discussed the importance of the USMCA free trade pact and the need to “always maintain the trade agreement between Canada and Mexico.”

Despite the USMCA, Trump has recently imposed tariffs on imports from both Mexico and Canada.

In a social media post on Tuesday, the federal government said that Sheinbaum and Carney “agreed to maintain dialogue and agreed on the importance of the economic integration of North America, with respect for our sovereignties, as the best way to compete with other regions of the world.”

Carney, who took over from Justin Trudeau as prime minister last month, noted on social media that he had spoken to Sheinbaum.

“In a shifting global economy, strong and reliable partners matter. Canada and Mexico are focused on deepening our trade relations and building stronger economies, together,” he wrote.

By Mexico News Daily chief staff writer Peter Davies (peter.davies@mexiconewsdaily.com)

What’s on in April in San Miguel de Allende?

By
Sandra Gancz Kahan
-
0
It's almost Semana Santa, which means San Miguel is about to host a litany of special events. (María Ruiz)

April in San Miguel de Allende is a month filled with soul-stirring tradition, celebration, and reflection. At the heart of it all is Semana Santa, one of the city’s most revered observances, taking place this year from April 13 to April 20. 

Throughout the week, the streets fill with powerful expressions of faith, grand processions, dramatic reenactments and moving ceremonies that immerse the town in a breathtaking display of spirituality and heritage. This month also brings thought-provoking talks, joyful concerts, delicious festivals and opportunities to connect with nature and community. Here’s a roundup of what’s happening in San Miguel de Allende this April.

AI and Journalism

Travis and Tamanna Bembenek stand smiling in front of a banner reading Mexico News Daily, Querencia and Future of Mexico
Mexico News Daily co-owners Travis and Tamanna Bembenek at the Future of Mexico Forum in Los Cabos last week. (Travis Bembenek)

Curious or maybe a little nervous about howartificial intelligence is changing the way we get our news? You’re not alone. You can dive into the topic with someone at the front lines. Join Travis Bembenek, CEO of Mexico News Daily, for an enlightening talk on “My Journey with Artificial Intelligence: AI and Journalism.” Travis will share how AI is used behind the scenes at MND and what that really means for journalism. Should we be afraid or fascinated? Come find out! All proceeds go to benefit La Biblioteca.

Date: April 3 at 4 p.m.
Location: Teatro Santa Ana, Relox 50A, Centro
Cost: 280 pesos

The Iranian Sufi Path of Love

(Teatro Santa Ana)

Discover the Nimatullahi Spiritual School and the Iranian Sufi Path of Love through an enlightening talk that offers a deeper understanding of the Persian Sufi tradition rooted in spirituality, service and divine love. 

This educational lecture explores the essence of the Nimatullahi Sufi order as a spiritual discipline dedicated to selfless service and love of all human beings. Contemporary poems by Sufi masters will be recited, accompanied by music to create a serene and reflective atmosphere. It’s a unique opportunity to learn about its teachings and experience the beauty of its poetic and musical expressions.

Date: April 4 at 4p.m.
Location: Sala Quetzal in La Biblioteca, Insurgentes 25, Centro
Cost: 220 pesos

Rising Moon Concert

(Audubon de México)

Celebrate a decade of inspiring environmental education at the Rising Moon Concert, a joyful evening of music, nature, and community in support of Audubon de México’s Niños y Naturaleza program. This initiative brings public school children into direct contact with the natural world, sparking curiosity, compassion and a lifelong commitment to protecting the Earth and its creatures.

Set in a stunning open-air amphitheater with sweeping views of the Picacho mountains, the evening features live music by Karen Libby and guest musicians. Bring a picnic, your favorite beverage, and a blanket to enjoy the concert under the stars. Cushioned bench seating and some tables and chairs are available on a first-come basis, but the grassy lawn is perfect for spreading out.

Date: April 4 at 5:30 p.m.
Location: Sunset Theater, Calle Amatista No 8, Loma del Salto de Canal
Cost: 1,000 pesos Tickets

Fermented Fest Wine Fair

(Evenbritte)

Fermente Fest is a unique event that brings together producers of natural, low-intervention, organic and biodynamic wines, as well as kombuchas, ciders, and pulque. This festival showcases beverages while celebrating clean agriculture and fermentation as an ancient yet evolving craft. 

Conceived as a space for producers to connect with restaurateurs, hoteliers, and the general public, this festival highlights how these products nourish the body while respecting the environment and reflecting the region’s identity.

Date: April 5, 12 to 8 p.m.
Location: Foro el Obraje, Calzada de la Presa 50, Centro
Cost: 450 pesos 

Traída del Señor de la Columna

Traída del Señor de la Columna
(Governemnt of San Miguel de Allende)

Every year, on the fifth Sunday of Lent, San Miguel de Allende honors one of its most cherished traditions: the Procession of Our Lord of the Column. This annual pilgrimage sees a life-size statue of Christ made from traditional Chichimeca materials brought to the city by more than 25,000 faithful, who walk the 12 kilometers from the Santuario de Jesús Nazareno in Atotonilco to the Templo de San Juan de Dios in San Miguel. 

The journey begins at midnight with psalms and chants, as lanterns and candles light the path adorned with balloons, flowers and colorful sawdust carpets. 

This religious procession has been a cherished local tradition since 1823, when residents brought the statue from Atotonilco in search of protection from an epidemic. This pilgrimage has continued uninterrupted for over 200 years, even during the Mexican Revolution and the Cristero War, when the statue had to be transported secretly to avoid confiscation or destruction. 

The most popular viewing spots include the city’s northern entrance, where crowds gather before dawn, and the Templo de San Juan de Dios, where a special mass is held at 8 a.m. El Señor de la Columna remains in San Miguel until the Wednesday after Easter, when the faithful accompany the statue on its return journey to its home in Atotonilco.

You can join the local community in a beautiful act of devotion by helping create the monumental sawdust rug that welcomes El Señor de la Columna on his path to the Templo de San Juan de Dios along Calle San Antonio Abad on April 5 at 4 p.m.  

Date: April 6 at 8 a.m.
Location: Templo de San Juan de Dios, San Antonio Abad, Barrio de San Juan, Centro
Cost: Free

Spiritual Journeys Concert

Mozart Requiem, Chorale San Miguel

Chorale San Miguel presents “Spiritual Journeys,” a moving spring concert of choral masterpieces in celebration of Lent and Holy Week at the Templo de la Tercera Orden. Featuring Bach’s cantata “King of Heaven, welcome!”, Orlando Gibbons’ “Hosanna to the Son of David,” the evocative choral works of San Miguel-based composer Michael Hoppé and Ola Gjeilo’s “Luminous Night of the Soul.”

This performance will feature the Templo de la Tercera Orden’s historic 1875 Johnson organ accompanied by a chamber orchestra, filling the church with rich resonances. This concert offers an opportunity to experience sacred music spanning centuries, performed in one of San Miguel de Allende’s most stunning venues. This concert is intended to delight classical music enthusiasts and people looking for a meaningful way to embrace the spirit of the season.

Date: April 11 at 6 p.m.
Location: Templo de la Tercera Orden, San Francisco 14, Centro
Cost: US $16 to 36

Friday of Sorrows

(María Ruiz)

For residents of San Miguel, Semana Santa starts with setting up elaborate altars dedicated to the Virgin of Sorrows in their homes, storefronts, and public spaces. These altars, filled with candles, flowers and symbolic elements, reflect Mary’s sorrow over Christ’s suffering. As you wander through town admiring the heartfelt displays, you’ll be treated to refreshing aguas frescas, ice pops and traditional candied chilacayote. The Oratorio de San Felipe Neri holds a special mass where the priest blesses images of the Virgin to be placed on these altars.

Date: April 11, all day
Location: Throughout the Historic Center and at Oratorio de Felipe Neri
Cost: Free

Palm Sunday

A palm sunday parade in San Miguel de Allende
(Benditas)

Palm Sunday, or Domingo de Ramos, is a deeply meaningful observance that marks the beginning of Holy Week, commemorating Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem. In San Miguel de Allende, there are many processions culminating at major churches, including the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, Templo del Oratorio de San Felipe Neri, and Templo de San Francisco. The day begins at 6:30 a.m. with the Procesión y Misa con el Señor del Triunfo, followed by the Procesión y Bendición de las Palmas at 11 a.m. Skillful artisans weave palm leaves into intricate designs that they sell in the streets around the churches. 

Date: April 13, all day
Location: Throughout town and at the main churches
Cost: Free 

La Quema de Judas

La quema de Judas statues are hung from ropes in the street
(Benditas)

On Easter Sunday at noon, the area in front of San Miguel de Allende’s Palacio Municipal bursts to life with the fiery spectacle known as the Burning of Judas, which marks the close of Holy Week. Large crowds gather to watch as papier-mâché effigies representing devils, infamous public figures or politicians are hung  and packed with fireworks. Booms and triumphant cheers celebrate the symbolic destruction of evil and betrayal with a sense of collective catharsis and renewal.

Date: April 20 at 12:00 p.m.
Location: In front of the Palacio Municipal, Principal 8, Centro
Cost: Free

Sandra Gancz Kahan 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 sandragancz@gmail.com

Six months in, President Sheinbaum’s approval rating remains sky high

By
MND Staff
-
1
The national newspaper El Financiero asked 900 people in its latest poll of President Sheinbaum's popularity.
The national newspaper El Financiero asked 900 people in its latest poll of President Sheinbaum's popularity. (Presidencia/Cuartoscuro)

Six months after she took office as Mexico’s first female leader, President Claudia Sheinbaum’s approval rating remains very high at over 80%, according to the results of a recent poll, but less than one-third of respondents believe she is doing a good job combating corruption and organized crime.

The poll conducted in March by the newspaper El Financiero detected an 83% approval rating for Sheinbaum, down two points compared to the 85% result in February.

Fifteen percent of those polled said they disapproved of Sheinbaum’s performance as president while the remaining 2% didn’t respond.

The approval rating in March is the second highest detected by El Financiero since the president was sworn in on Oct. 1. The newspaper noted that the two-point decline in March is within the poll’s margin of error range (+/-3.3 percentage points).

A separate poll conducted for the newspaper El País and W radio in March found an 82% approval rating for Sheinbaum, up two points compared to January.

Sheinbaum more popular among men than women 

El Financiero surveyed a total of 900 Mexican adults by telephone in March and published the results of the poll on Tuesday. The respondents live in all 32 federal entities of Mexico.

El Financiero detected an 85% approval rating for Sheinbaum among men — two points higher than the overall result — and an 81% approval rating among women.

Sheinbaum has made protecting women’s rights a priority for her government, but some antagonism toward her was expressed at last month’s International Women’s Day marches in Mexico.

Among the three different age cohorts into which El Financiero placed its poll respondents, the president was most popular with those aged 18-29. Sheinbaum had an approval rating of 86% with that cohort, 84% with respondents aged 50 and over and 78% among those aged between 30 and 49.

Mixed results in 5 key areas of governance  

El Financiero asked the 900 poll respondents their opinion on the performance of the Sheinbaum administration in:

  • Managing the economy.
  • Combating corruption.
  • Ensuring public security.
  • Combating organized crime.
  • Providing social support (welfare) to citizens.
Though Sheinbaum’s overall approval rating remained essentially unchanged from the previous poll, respondents are pessimistic about the president’s work in the areas of corruption, public security and organized crime. (El Financiero)

Almost four in five respondents (79%) said that the federal government is doing a good or very good job in providing social support to citizens, while just 13% said the opposite.

The Sheinbaum administration has maintained all the popular social programs of its predecessor, such as the Youths Building the Future apprenticeship scheme and Sowing Life reforestation initiative, and created new ones — a scholarship scheme for public school students and a pension program for women aged 60-64.

The government’s next best result was on managing the economy. Almost seven in 10 respondents (68%) said that the Sheinbaum administration is doing a good or very good job in that area, even though the president will likely oversee a slowdown in economic growth in her first full year in office, or perhaps even a recession.

Sheinbaum has won significant praise for her perceived calmness and intelligence in dealing with United States President Trump amid on-again, off-again tariffs on Mexican exports to its northern neighbor. Some poll respondents perhaps thought of that poise when evaluating the president’s performance on managing the economy.

With regard to the government’s performance in ensuring public security in Mexico, the respondents were divided. Just under half (49%) said the government is doing a good or very good job in that area, while 43% said the opposite.

Homicides have declined since Sheinbaum took office, but violence remains a significant problem in various parts of the country.

The government’s second worst poll result in terms of its performance in the five areas listed above was on combating corruption. Just 29% of those polled said that the Sheinbaum is doing a very good or good job in that area while 60% said it is doing a very bad or bad job, up five points compared to February.

On Transparency International’s latest Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), Mexico recorded its worst score ever and in so doing fell 14 spots to a ranking of 140 out of 180 nations surveyed.

Mexico drops 14 spots on worldwide corruption index

The CPI survey, whose results were published in February, referred to perceptions of corruption in 2024, which included the final nine months of Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s presidency and the first three months of the Sheinbaum administration.

The worst poll result for Sheinbaum was on combating organized crime. Only 27% of respondents said that the government is doing a very good or good job, while 69% said the opposite, up seven points compared to February.

News of the so-called “extermination camp” case in Jalisco broke in early March, perhaps influencing some respondents’ perception of how the government is going in the fight against organized crime.

Sheinbaum, Security Minister Omar García Harfuch and other federal officials have pointed to the decline in homicides, thousands of arrests for high-impact crimes and the seizure of large quantities of drugs to support their assertion that the government’s security strategy is working. But there is evidently still a lot of work to do on security issues.

Just over six in ten respondents (61%) said that García Harfuch is doing a very good or good job as security minister, while 56% assessed the performance of Alejandro Gertz Manero as federal attorney general in a positive light.

How has the Teuchitlán case impacted Sheinbaum’s approval rating?

El Financiero asked poll respondents various questions about the Teuchitlán case involving a property in Jalisco where the Jalisco New Generation Cartel trained recruits, according to the government, and may have carried out murders and/or disposed of bodies.

A strong majority of respondents (86%) said they had heard about “the alleged training and extermination camp” in Jalisco, while 14% said they didn’t know about the case.

Fifty-six percent of those polled said the government is doing a very good or good job investigating and explaining the case, although it is the independent Federal Attorney General’s Office that is in charge of the investigation.

A masked security agent in black clothing holds binoculars while standing behind a vehicle printed with the word Teuchitlán
Approximately half of respondents said the government is doing a very good or good job investigating and explaining the case of Teuchitlán, where the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) trained recruits and may have carried out mass murders. (Fernando Carranza García/Cuartoscuro)

Only 43% of respondents said they believed the Sheinbaum administration will be “completely transparent” in the Teuchitlán case, while 49% said they thought the government would “hide information.”

Eight in ten respondents (80%) said that establishing the truth about what happened at the ranch in Jalisco is “very important,” while an additional 14% said that doing so was “somewhat important.”

Just over 80% of those polled said that missing persons cases are a “very important” issue for Mexico, while 54% said that the Sheinbaum administration is doing a very good or good job investigating those cases.

The president last month announced six “immediate” actions aimed at preventing abductions and strengthening authorities’ capacity to locate missing persons.

With reports from El Financiero

No dinner reservations? Make your own Contramar-style salsa grilled snapper instead

By
Stephen Randall
-
0
Contramar fish grilled with red and green salsa on a charcoal grill
It can be hard to get a table at the hottest restaurant in Mexico City, so we've provided instructions on how to make your own culinary gem at home. (Contramar/Instagram)

Mexicans don’t just love red salsa. And they don’t just love green salsa. They love both at the same time, as if to prove that life is never just one thing, never just hot or cold, happy or sad, spicy or mild. It is everything, all at once, and that’s why Contramar’s famous red-and-green grilled fish in Mexico City is one of my favorite dishes of all time.

It is a dish of balance, of opposing forces colliding deliciously. One side wears a dark, smoky adobo, rich with guajillo and ancho chiles. It tastes like the past, like ancient markets and smoke curling up from clay comals. The other side is bright, sharp, alive —tomatillos and cilantro and lime juice slapping your tongue awake. And the fish, poor thing, is just lying there, cut open, serving as the great battlefield for these dueling flavors.

The blue painted mural in Contramar, a busy seafood restaurant in Mexico City.
When it comes to Mexico City restaurants, Contramar is a certified institution. (Global Gluttons)

And yet, despite the contrast, the dish does not feel like war. It feels like a marriage of opposites, the yin and yang of Mexican cuisine. It is a reminder that contradiction is beautiful, sweet and sour, red and green — these things should be together, always. To choose just one is to miss the point entirely.

Of course, this is not the only dish in Mexico that does this. There is also huevos divorciados, which literally translates to “divorced eggs.” A fried egg on one side, drowning in red salsa. A fried egg on the other, bathed in green. A single tortilla in the middle, like a marriage counselor, trying to keep things civil. The name implies separation, but the dish tells a different story: that both salsas belong on the plate, on the eggs, in your mouth, in your life. Because without one, the other would be incomplete.

Back to Contramar’s grilled fish. All that matters is this: when the waiter sets the plate down in front of you, or if you decide to make this recipe, there is no need to choose a side. Just take your fork, take a bite, and let both flavors wash over you, together. They do not fight. They do not clash. They do not cancel each other out. Instead, they make each other stronger.

Contramar-style red & green salsa grilled snapper

Contramar fish with red and green salsa and a side of limes served on a white plate
A perfection fusion of spice, flavor and flair await your tastebuds. (Contramar/Instagram)

This recipe recreates the famous Contramar grilled fish, featuring a split fillet coated with two vibrant salsas: a smoky red adobo on one side and a fresh green salsa on the other.

Ingredients

For the Fish:
  • 1 whole butterflied fish (red snapper or similar) – about 1.5 kg (3–4 lbs), skin-on
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Red Adobo Salsa:
  • 3 dried guajillo chiles, stemmed and seeded
  • 1 dried ancho chile, stemmed and seeded
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 1 tomato
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • Salt, to taste
For the Green Salsa:
  • 6 tomatillos, husked and rinsed
  • 1 serrano or jalapeño pepper
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

1. Make the Red Adobo Salsa:
  1. Toast the dried chiles in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 30 seconds per side.
  2. Place the toasted chiles in a bowl with hot water and let them soak for 10 minutes.
  3. Drain and blend with garlic, tomato, vinegar, tomato, cumin, and salt. Add a splash of water if needed for a smooth consistency.
2. Make the Green Salsa:
  1. Boil or roast the tomatillos and serrano until softened (about 5 minutes if boiling, 10 minutes if roasting).
  2. Blend with cilantro, lime juice, and salt until smooth.
3. Prepare the Fish:
  1. Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
  2. Brush the fish with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
  3. Spread the red adobo salsa over one half of the fish and the green salsa over the other half.
4. Grill the Fish:
  1. Place the fish skin-side down on the grill. Cover and cook for 10–15 minutes, or until the flesh is opaque and flaky.
  2. Serve immediately with lime wedges, more salsa, and warm tortillas.

Stephen Randall has lived in Mexico since 2018 by way of Kentucky, and before that, Germany. He’s an enthusiastic amateur chef who takes inspiration from many different cuisines, with favorites including Mexican and Mediterranean.

1...457458459...2,291Page 458 of 2,291