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Caravana Quetzalcóatl: the Living Community Cultures movement rolls into Mexico

By
Tracy L. Barnett
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A comparsa at the 2018 Mesoamerican Congress of Living Community Cultures, who support Caravana Quetzalcoátl. (IberCultura Viva)

A colorful wave of music, theater, dance and creative expression is about to sweep across Mexico as the Caravana Quetzalcóatl winds its way through cities, towns and Indigenous communities this spring. This isn’t just any cultural festival — it’s a vibrant, continent-spanning movement that transforms public spaces into stages, streets into galleries and neighborhoods into cultural laboratories.

From March 9 to April 10, the Caravana Quetzalcóatl will bring a kaleidoscope of artistic expressions to communities throughout Costa Rica and Mexico, culminating in a grand convergence in Mexico City. This cultural odyssey represents the blossoming of a living culture movement that first gained official recognition in Brazil in 2004, when musician-turned-culture-minister Gilberto Gil and his team pioneered the groundbreaking Puntos de Cultura program.

The caravan is travelling from Costa Rica to Mexico City, via a number of different destinations. (Victor Ibarra)

The roots of the Living Community Cultures movement

“What Celio Turino did was create a framework for cultural practices already bubbling up in neighborhoods,” explained Luisa Velasquez, who coordinates cultural programs in Guadalajara. “Rather than impose culture from above, they recognized and amplified the incredible creativity already thriving in communities.”

This revolutionary approach caught fire across Latin America, sparking a movement that celebrates collaboration over competition and champions culture as a fundamental right that belongs to everyone— not just those who can afford tickets to elite venues. And now, that movement has gone on the road.

Named after the feathered serpent deity that has inspired Mesoamerican cultures for millennia, the Caravana Quetzalcóatl embodies transformation and connection. Like its mythological namesake, it bridges worlds, connecting rural with urban, traditional with contemporary and grassroots initiatives with institutional spaces.

A caravan to the capital

“The caravan emerges as a response from many people and collectives,” said Paulina Ibarraran of Chiquihuite Cultural in Mexico City. “With this journey, we seek to reclaim open participation and the right to democratic co-creation, ensuring that no voice is silenced.”

(Caravana Queztalcoatl)

In addition to the festivities, Mexico City will host an international seminar titled “A Latin American School of Cultural Policies. ” The seminar will bring together academics, government representatives, and community leaders, many of them active in the Living Community Culture movement, to reimagine cultural policies that truly serve community needs.

Mexico City will serve as the grand finale where all paths converge. “What makes the Mexico City route significant is that we’ll receive all the caravans,” Ibarraran explained. “The South route, the North, those coming from Guadalajara and the Costa Rica route, plus those attending the seminar— we expect approximately 300 to 400 people arriving in Mexico City.”

Across Mexico, the caravan comprises four dynamic routes, each with its own distinctive flavor. The South route winds through the lush landscapes of Chiapas and Puebla, while the Northern route pulses with urban rhythms and border dialogues. The Western route transforms Guadalajara and the Riviera Chapala into a kaleidoscope of over 150 cultural activities, and the route to Mexico City culminates in a grand convergence of artistic energy from across the continent.

Building communities through culture

Beyond the performances and festivities, the caravan addresses real community challenges through creative action. In neighborhoods like Cuauhtepec — a historically overlooked area in northern Mexico City — cultural initiatives have become powerful tools for reclaiming public spaces and building community resilience.

One of the cable cars suspended above the borough of Gustavo A. Madero.
Cuauhtepec, in the far north of Mexico City, is not an area that is traditionally well supported. (Gobierno de la Ciudad de México)

“We’ve been using cultural activities to resist these dynamics,” said Ibarraran. “We’ve created community alternatives to the structural problems we face.”

Sirena Camacho García, the dynamic force behind the Cuauhtepec Book Fair (FLC), has spent 12 years transforming her community through cultural initiatives. “We’ve created a cultural event that doesn’t just promote reading, but makes visible all the cultural processes of the community,” she said with pride. “It’s a space where music schools, dance groups and local artists who are working on community processes can share their work while strengthening our community bonds.”

The caravan itself incorporates festive elements inspired by indigenous traditions, including “fogatas” — animated discussion circles where ideas flow as freely as conversation. “The fogatas are circles that come from an origin in Indigenous communities,” explained Ibarraran. “They’re talking circles — spaces where culture must circulate, must be a dialogue, allowing us to reflect on what we’re thinking or doing in terms of culture.”

When the caravan arrives in Mexico City from April 8 to 10, it will bring not just performances but a carnival atmosphere of cultural democratization. A colorful parade will wind through the Historic Center on April 8, starting at noon with a traditional ceremony before stilt-walkers, dancers, musicians and artists from across Latin America take to the streets in a joyful procession from Centro Cultural de España near the Metropolitan Cathedral to the Teatro del Pueblo.

For Camacho García, the excitement lies in connecting Cuauhtepec’s homegrown cultural initiatives with this continental movement: “Cuauhtepec has generated many grassroots community projects — cultural, environmental, music schools, dance schools — and people are busy making culture,” she explained. “It’s beautiful to be a part of it, to share with other people and territories these living cultures that emerge from our traditions.”

Events on the caravan’s routes through Mexico and Costa Rica. (Caravan Quetzalcoatl)

“In this geopolitical moment when everything seems to be ‘every person for themselves’ and social problems are treated as personal issues, community culture is one of the ways we can reconnect with each other,” Velasquez concluded. “Difficulties — economic, health-related and more — are easier to face collectively rather than alone.”

City guides for the caravan’s Mexican routes

Ruta Sur Kukulkán (March 21 – 31)

The adventure begins with a spring solstice ceremony in Zinacantán, Chiapas (March 21-22), where ancient traditions come alive amidst colorful textiles and marimba rhythms. The celebration continues with vibrant community theater at four independent cultural hotspots in San Cristóbal de las Casas (March 23-24), including Kinoki, Paliacate, la Catrina, and Casa de la Ciudad.

Next, the caravan brings its festive energy to the colonial splendor of Puebla City and Atlixco (March 26-29) with more theatrical performances. The southern journey culminates in the picturesque communities of Atlautla, Ozumba, and Tepetlixpa in the State of Mexico (March 30-31), featuring community theater and a ceremony against the backdrop of iconic volcanoes.

The Southern route begins in Zinacantán, Chiapas. (Adrían Guerrero)

Before joining the grand convergence, the southern route will make a special appearance in Mexico City (April 1-2), with a ceremony at the ancient ahuehuete tree in Chapultepec Park and lively performances at Plaza La Aguilita that will transform these historic spaces into stages of cultural renewal.

Ruta Norte (March 29 – April 7)

The journey kicks off in Valle Hermoso, Tamaulipas with “Rapvolución 5.0” (March 29-31), where hip-hop beats and spray cans will transform walls into vibrant murals during this regional urban art gathering.

Reynosa (April 1-2) will host urban art workshops and a talk by Brazilian cultural visionary Celio Turino on “Migration and Community Living Culture.” The creative caravan then rolls into Monterrey, Nuevo León (April 3-4), where industrial landscapes become backdrops for another engaging talk by Turino and the interactive multimedia workshop “How Life Triumphs.”

The northern exploration continues in Ciudad Victoria (April 5-6) and concludes in the ecological paradise of Gómez Farías, Tamaulipas (April 7) with multimedia workshops and dynamic knowledge exchanges that bridge generations through music, graphics and digital storytelling.

This route specially addresses migration issues through artistic expression, making many events accessible across language barriers. The northern route particularly welcomes visitors who don’t speak Spanish fluently, as music, visual arts and multimedia presentations transcend linguistic boundaries in this celebration of border culture resilience.

Ruta Occidente – Guadalajara (April 3-7)

Guadalajara transforms into a spectacular carnival of creativity as it hosts the largest celebration of the caravan with over 150 activities during the 2nd Latin American Festival of Living Community Cultures (FLCVC).

The festivities burst to life on April 3 at 5 p.m. with a comparsa, or circus-style parade, from Plaza Tapatía to Los Dos Templos, featuring stilt walkers, giant puppets, musicians and performers in a kaleidoscope of colors and sounds. The cultural fiesta spreads across multiple venues including Casa Reforma, Coamil Federalismo, Centro Cultural Comunitario Kóokay and the Centro Cultural Calzada, and spills into neighborhoods like the Belisario Domínguez Market area, Santa Tere and Miravalle.

Brazilian cultural philosopher Celio Turino’s inspiring conference on culture and nature will feature the breathtaking Barranca de Huentitán as backdrop on Sunday, April 7. The four-day extravaganza features everything from theatrical performances and concerts to hands-on workshops, film screenings and the intimate “fogatas,” or discussion circles, that ignite conversation around memory, collaboration, celebration and identity. The festival even extends to the lakeside beauty of Chapala with events at Centro para la Cultura y las Artes de la Ribera in Ajijic, Parque La Cristianía in Chapala and the Plaza Principal of Jocotepec.

Ruta Ciudad de México (April 8-10)

Mexico City becomes the grand finale where all caravan routes converge. The cultural crescendo begins downtown on April 8 with a traditional ceremony at noon, followed by an exuberant parade that will snake through historic streets from the Centro Cultural de España to the Teatro del Pueblo, past the ancient ruins of the Templo Mayor.

On April 9, the festival shifts to the eastern district of Iztapalapa, where the innovative Utopía community center will buzz with performances and the nearby Miravalle community — a 40-year success story of neighborhood transformation — will showcase its cultural achievements.

The grand finale on April 10 lights up Cuauhtepec in northern Mexico City, starting with dynamic morning seminars at the Autonomous University of Mexico City (UACM) and culminating in an afternoon festival that will transform the main plaza into a vibrant showcase of local talent, from music schools and dance groups to community artists. Throughout the three days, the International Seminar will bring together brilliant minds including Eduardo Nivón, Néstor García Canclini and Celio Turino to reimagine cultural policies for the future. The celebration concludes with a participatory assembly where a collective manifesto will be crafted. 

All events are completely free and easily accessible via public transportation, including the scenic Cablebús that serves Cuauhtepec with panoramic views of Mexico City. Just show up ready to be drawn into the action. Get the full, constantly updated program at the FLCVC website. For those with time to explore, see the Digital Universe on the caravan’s link page.

Tracy L. Barnett is a freelance writer based in Guadalajara. She is the founder of The Esperanza Project, a bilingual magazine covering social change movements in the Americas.

Sheinbaum lauds US seizure of weapons bound for Mexico: Wednesday’s mañanera recapped

By
MND Staff
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Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum standing at the presidential podium and gesturing with her thumb and forefinger as she makes a point during her daily press conference.
Besides discussing a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol confiscation of smuggled weapons in Texas, President Sheinbaum also brought in her Interior Minister to discuss preparations for Mexico's upcoming judicial elections. (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro)

A weapons and ammunition seizure at the United States-Mexico border, Mexico’s upcoming judicial elections and the 2026 FIFA men’s World Cup were among the issues discussed at President Claudia Sheinbaum’s Wednesday morning press conference.

Here is a recap of the president’s March 19 mañanera.

President Claudia Sheinbaum at her daily press conference. She's standing at the presidential podium with her right index finger touching her cheek as she listens to a reporter's question.
President Sheinbaum even heard a question from one journalist asking if she’d devote part her of daily mananeras to updates on preparations for Mexico hosting the World Cup in 2026. (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro)

Sheinbaum celebrates seizure of weapons bound for Mexico 

A reporter asked the president about the announcement from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that it had seized 16 firearms, 26 magazines and 182 rounds of ammunition during an outbound examination of a vehicle at the Del Rio Port of Entry in Texas on Monday.

“I’m glad you asked,” Sheinbaum said.

She highlighted that the Mexican government reached an agreement with its U.S. counterpart under which Mexico committed to working to stem the northward flow of narcotics and migrants and the United States committed to work to avoid the southward flow of firearms.

Sheinbaum described the CBP’s announcement of the firearms seizure in Texas as “very good.”

“… It means that they’re inspecting vehicles that come to Mexico from the United States. … So we see that the [bilateral security] coordination is in fact working,” she said.

“We’re continuing with the [Northern] Border Operation to prevent fentanyl, in particular, from reaching the United States and they’re helping us so that weapons don’t arrive in Mexico from the United States,” Sheinbaum said.

In a statement, the CBP said that three of the 16 weapons seized were “5.56mm AR-style rifles.”

High-powered weapons smuggled into Mexico from the United States often end up in the hands of drug cartel members who frequently use the firearms to commit serious crimes including murder.

Following Monday’s confiscation, Del Rio Port of Entry director Liliana Flores said “that frontline CBP officers take CBP’s border security mission seriously, and this large outbound weapons seizure reflects our firm commitment and resolve to uphold that mission.”

“Large weapons seizures like these, coupled with ongoing coordination between state and federal law enforcement partners exemplify our continued efforts to help keep our border communities safe and secure, on both sides of the river,” she said.

While the CBP said it seized “a significant cache of weapons, magazines, and ammunition” on Monday, there is plenty more work to be done in order to significantly reduce the number of firearms coming into Mexico from the United States. The Mexican government has estimated that at least 200,000 guns are smuggled into Mexico from the U.S. each year.

Mexico's Interior Minister Rosa Icela Rodríguez standing in front of a projection screen taller than her that shows a presentation slide about Mexico's upcoming elections of judges. The image is a mockup sample of a ballot in the election with parts of the ballot marked wtih arrows leading to explanations about various parts of the ballot's function.
Interior Minister Rosa Icela Rodríguez shows a sample mockup of what the ballots will look like in the upcoming election of judges across Mexico, as per a constitutional reform passed in 2024. (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro)

No security threats to upcoming judicial elections, says interior minister 

A reporter asked Interior Minister Rosa Icela Rodríguez whether there were any security risks that could threaten the staging of Mexico’s first-ever judicial elections on June 1.

“No, not at all, but we’re continuing to review [the situation],” Rodríguez said.

“We see that in some places, sometimes the residents themselves don’t allow the installment [of voting centers] due to usos y costumbres,” she said, referring to an Indigenous governing code used in some parts of Mexico.

The interior minister also said that the National Electoral Institute — which is organizing the judicial elections — knows that it “can always count on the support of the [federal government’s] security cabinet.”

“… We will look at what is necessary, everything that is necessary” to guarantee that the judicial elections are not threatened by insecurity, Rodríguez said.

A crowd of protesters holding megaphones on a city street
The highly controversial reform prompting the June 1 elections sparked weeks of protests from judicial workers, lawmakers and the general public in 2024. Opponents feared electing judges would breed corruption. (Graciela López/Cuartoscuro)

“That’s the instruction we’ve received from the president,” she added.

There are concerns that organized crime groups could seek to influence the outcome of the judicial elections in order to install judges that are sympathetic to their interests and thus hand down favorable rulings and/or lenient sentences in cases involving their members.

It is that kind of corruption that the federal government says it is aiming to get rid of in the nation’s judiciary with the election of new judges, including Supreme Court justices.

The elections will take place on June 1 thanks to the Congress’ approval of a controversial judicial reform last year.

2026 FIFA World Cup update 

A reporter asked the president whether she could dedicate part of a future mañanera to providing an update on the progress the Mexico City, Jalisco and Nuevo León governments have made in preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which Mexico will co-host with the United States and Canada.

“Yes,” responded Sheinbaum.

“We’re going to meet soon with [Mexico City Mayor] Clara [Brugada]; she’s very advanced on a lot of issues, and Rosa Icela [Rodríguez] has been reviewing all the 2026 World Cup issues,” Sheinbaum said.

Sheinbaum added that Nuevo León Governor Samuel García and Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus have also been “very involved” in the preparations for the World Cup, which will be held in June and July of 2026.

Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada
Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada welcomed FIFA official Jürgen Mainka in October. (Graciela López Herrera/Cuartoscuro)

Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara will host matches at the quadrennial tournament, the world’s most-watched sporting event.

Sheinbaum said that FIFA president Giovanni Infantino will soon come to Mexico to assess the country’s World Cup preparations himself.

“I don’t remember the date, but he’s going to come soon. We’re working [on the World Cup], and with pleasure we’ll present [the progress that has been made] so that everyone knows what to expect,” she said.

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

In historic win for animal rights activists, Mexico City rewrites bullfighting rules

By
MND Staff
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A kicking bull
The new version of bloodless bullfighting has the backing of President Claudia Sheinbaum and Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada — as well as the nation's bulls. (Diego Simón Sánchez/Cuartoscuro)

Lawmakers in Mexico City altered the course of bullfighting history by voting overwhelmingly Tuesday to prohibit the killing of bulls and the use of swords or other sharp objects that could injure them.

The legislation, approved by a 61-1 vote, effectively transforms the spectacle into “violence-free bullfighting” or “bloodless bullfighting” — though the new law applies only in Mexico City, at the site of Plaza México, the world’s largest bullring. 

Plaza de Toros, Cd de Mexico.
Plaza México has been the nation’s premier bullfighting venue since 1946, but there will no longer be blood on the sand. (Rogelio Morales/Cuartoscuro)

“Today we take a step toward a new relationship with animals — one where coexistence is not based on domination but on respect,” Daniela Álvarez, president of the Committee on Constitutional Issues and Citizen Initiatives, told the newspaper El Universal. “This reform does not aim to erase history but rather to write a new chapter in which tradition and compassion walk hand in hand.”

Animal rights activists and Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada celebrated the move as a major victory. Brugada, whose initial proposal to ban bullfights in which bulls are killed or wounded was applauded by President Claudia Sheinbaum, said the capital will now be a place “that respects the rights of animals.”

“The spectacle of blood cannot be justified as art or tradition,” she said. “Culture evolves, and we have the responsibility to transform it in favor of animal welfare.”

According to a Mexico City government press release, the modifications to the Animal Welfare Law call for:

  • No more violent bullfights, or variations in which bulls traditionally suffer injuries or death — such as rejoneos (bullfighting on horseback), novilladas (featuring novice bullfighters and younger bulls) and becerradas (training exercises).
  • Creating the concept of a “violence-free bullfighting spectacle.”
  • No killing of the bull inside or outside the bullring; the animals will be returned to their herd once the spectacle is over.
  • The protection of the bulls’ physical integrity, avoiding mistreatment before, during and after the event.
  • Eliminating the use of sharp objects such as banderillas, swords and lances, allowing only the use of the cape and the muleta (the smaller red cloth used toward the end). 
  • Putting padding on the bull’s horns to avoid harm to people or other animals.
  • Limiting each bullfight to either 15 minutes, according to several sources, or to 30 minutes, according to the newspaper El País.
CDMX governing body's discussion of bloodless bullfighting
Opponents of violent bullfighting made their case to members of Mexico City’s Congress on Tuesday. Since 2009, more than 20 initiatives have been introduced seeking to ban bullfighting in the city.
(Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro)

Tuesday’s vote appeared to be an attempt to broker a compromise between two warring sides of the debate. Since 2009, more than 20 initiatives have been introduced seeking to ban bullfighting in Mexico City.

Though one ban was enacted in 2022, a year and a half later, it was lifted by Mexico’s Supreme Court. That led to a day of bullfighting at Plaza México in January 2024, only to have a judge’s ruling suspend such activity less than three days after approximately 40,000 fans had witnessed six bullfights — and the killing of all six bulls.

Plaza México, also known as Monumental Plaza de Toros, has been hosting bullfights since 1946 and is the only functional venue for the sport in Mexico City. It has a capacity of 41,200 but has at times accommodated over 50,000 spectators.

The new legislation, which arose from a citizen initiative presented in September 2024, sparked angry protests from bullfighting supporters and matadors, some of whom tried to breach a police barricade outside the government building. One person carried a sign that said “Being a fan of bullfighting is not a crime. It’s a point of pride.”

Long considered a tradition and a pastime in Latin America and on the Iberian Peninsula, bullfighting has come under criticism for animal cruelty because bulls are usually killed at the end of the fight. Animal rights groups say that approximately 180,000 bulls are killed every year in bullfighting worldwide.

“It’s an activity where the fighting bull dies in a bullring. That’s its nature … It is a beast,” one bullfighting fan yelled into a megaphone outside city hall.

Pro-bullfight protesters
Opponents of the legislation bemoan the loss of a long tradition, as well as what they claim to be tens of thousands of jobs in jeopardy. (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro)

Arturo Saldívar, a professional bullfighter who was also protesting, expressed concern about the future of his profession and the survival of the fighting bull breed. 

Estimates from the Mexican Association of Bullfighting Entrepreneurs indicate that 40,000 direct jobs and 80,000 indirect jobs are at risk because of the changeover.

Moreover, the decision will hurt local businesses and tourism. Restaurants and hotels near the Plaza de Toros have traditionally seen sales increase by up to 60% during bullfighting season, according to the newspaper Expansión.

“Violence-free bullfighting” is also practiced in the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Tanzania, parts of Bolivia and in California at traditional Portuguese festivals. However, most of those practices are not legally recognized or as formally structured as the new regulations in Mexico City.

Activists are now turning their attention to getting similar laws passed in other Mexican states or cities. According to Humane World for Animals, previously known as the Humane Society, bullfighting is banned in Sonora, Guerrero, Sinaloa, Coahuila and Quintana Roo, but it remains legal in every other state and has been granted status as “an intangible part of cultural heritage” in at least eight states.

With reports from El Universal, El País, Associated Press and Excelsior

Mexico City enters third day of environmental contingency due to high pollution levels

By
MND Staff
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0
Smoggy skies over Mexico City
Mexico City and the surrounding area remained under a Phase 1 environmental contingency warning Wednesday because of high air pollution levels. (Graciela López/Cuartoscuro)

Mexico City’s government disseminated an environmental contingency warning for the third day in a row on Wednesday due to a high level of air pollution in the city and surrounding areas. 

Air quality is measured on a scale of 0 to 500, with 0 being perfect. On a typical day in Mexico City, the air quality index (AQI) hovers around 100, mainly due to pollutants from vehicle emissions. 

Mexico City’s government published this guide to driving restrictions for Wednesday, March 19, 2025 on the social media platform X on Tuesday.

The Metropolitan Environmental Commission (CAME) reported that on Tuesday, a maximum ozone concentration of 155 parts per billion (ppb) was recorded at 3 p.m. at the Gustavo A. Madero station, which rose to 167 ppb by 4 p.m. 

CAME enacted Phase I of the Ozone Environmental Contingency, an initiative aimed at mitigating health risks by reducing the population’s exposure to polluted air, as well as reducing emissions to improve air quality. 

The Mexico City Atmospheric Monitoring System indicated that a high-pressure system would continue to affect Mexico’s central region Wednesday. Poor ventilation, high solar radiation and temperatures of up to 28 degrees Celsius will all contribute to the poor air quality. 

This is the capital’s third environmental contingency of the year so far. From January to August 2023, the city only registered 55 days of fresh air, meaning air quality was poor 77% of the time.

Restrictions in Mexico City 

Metropolitan authorities have encouraged people to stay informed about the air quality levels and heed health recommendations, including avoiding exposure to pollution peaks between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., especially for infants, older adults, pregnant women and those with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

People are advised to avoid outdoor exercise between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., avoid smoking, work remotely where possible, shop online rather than in-store and avoid the use of air fresheners, aerosols, paints, waterproofing products or products containing solvents.

Traffic restrictions have also been imposed to help reduce emissions. Between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m., private vehicles with verification hologram 2, with hologram 1 and whose last digit is 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, or 9, and cars with holograms 0 and 00 with a red sticker, and license plates ending in 3 and 4, must be suspended from circulation between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Restrictions on industrial operations also apply. Certain manufacturing industries must reduce emissions by 40% and suspend maintenance, cleaning and other activities that generate pollutants. 

Monitoring Mexico City’s air quality 

To get an accurate reading of the air quality in your colonia, visit aire.cdmx.gob.mx, which also offers more information on pollutants by neighborhood. 

The AQI also offers an air pollution monitor.

With reports from La Jornada

Mexico’s housing sector braces for impact of steel and aluminum tariffs

By
MND Staff
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Mexico exported three million tonnes of steel in 2024, with 2.3 million tonnes going to the U.S.
Mexico exported three million tonnes of steel in 2024, with 2.3 million tonnes going to the U.S. (Moisés Pablo/Cuartoscuro)

The cost of housing construction in Mexico could increase by 3 to 4% this year following the introduction of 25% U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum, the Mexican Chamber of the Construction Industry (CMIC) announced on Tuesday. 

On March 11, the United States imposed 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports, of which Mexico is a top supplier along with Canada and Brazil. U.S. President Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on other Mexican goods starting April 2, which could further contribute to this cost increase. 

An increase of 3 to 4% in housing construction costs could seriously impact many Mexicans' purchasing power.
An increase of 3 to 4% in housing construction costs could seriously impact many Mexicans’ purchasing power. (Andrea Murcía/Cuartoscuro)

The president of the National Chamber of the Housing Development and Promotion Industry (Canadevi) Carlos Eduardo Ramírez Capó said that tariffs have not yet slowed investment in housing projects, although developers are taking greater caution.  

“The damage will be directly proportional to the duration of the tariffs if it is imposed. If we have an escalation, if we don’t reach an agreement, and they remain in place for six months or a year, there will be an impact,” Ramírez said in an interview with the newspaper El Economista.

Meanwhile, the CEO of the Mexican Real Estate Bank (BIM) Rodrigo Padilla Quiroz said that no projects have been cancelled so far, though developers are proceeding with caution.  

Padilla stressed that it’s not only the rising materials costs that Mexico should be concerned about but also the impact of the United States’ trade policy on employment in the construction sector. 

“The biggest concern is a slowdown in [domestic] employment. The greatest impact [of the tariffs] is on families because it postpones their ability to generate property wealth. Without a doubt, the most serious issue is that it will affect Mexicans’ purchasing power,” Padilla was reported saying.

Does Mexico have a housing shortage?

Some developers also suggest that incentives to reactivate construction are lacking in Mexico, which is experiencing a housing shortage of approximately eight million homes. 

In 2024, 128,147 homes were built in Mexico, which is the lowest level recorded since the Single Housing Registry began in 2013. Three out of every 10 (33.62%) residential construction projects in 2024 were low-income housing, which had an average value of 521,484 pesos (US $26,000). 

In October, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced plans to construct one million new homes countrywide over the next six years with an investment of 600 billion pesos (US $29.7 billion), which could help bolster Mexico’s housing sector. 

Housing in Mexico City
Will Mexico’s domestic housing market provide enough demand for Mexican steelmakers following new tariffs from their biggest buyer? (Gobierno de la CDMX/Cuartoscuro)

Impact on industry

Mexico produced 18.2 million tonnes of steel in 2024, down from 19.85 million tonnes in 2023, largely due to weaker demand. It exported three million tonnes in 2024, with 2.3 million tonnes going to the U.S. 

Mexican steel mills plan to add over five million tonnes of steel production per year by the first half of 2026, according to industry publication Argus Media. However, with a potential decrease in overseas demand, Mexican steelmakers may begin to feel the impact of a sluggish domestic market. 

With reports from El Economista and Argus Media

FT: China is withholding approval for BYD’s Mexico plant due to tech concerns

By
MND Staff
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BYD charging station
Despite China's dominance in the electric vehicle market, over 80% of Chinese vehicles imported into Mexico are gas-powered. (File photo)

The Chinese government is delaying approval for electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD to build a plant in Mexico amid concerns that the company’s smart car technology could be accessed by the United States, according to the Financial Times (FT).

Citing two people “familiar with the matter,” the London-based newspaper reported on Tuesday that Chinese automakers require approval from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce to manufacture outside China and that approval has not yet been granted.

A BYD factory
According to the Financial Times, fears of cyber “leaks” to the U.S. are holding up Chinese EV maker BYD’s plans to build a plant in Mexico. (BYD)

BYD, the world’s largest EV company, announced plans to open a plant in Mexico in 2023 and confirmed that intention in early 2024. The Shenzhen-based company said the plant would create around 10,000 jobs and produce 150,000 vehicles per year. BYD Americas CEO Stella Li has stressed that the vehicles would be sold only in the Mexican market — where 40,000 BYD cards were sold last year — but there is some doubt about that assertion.

Citing its two sources, FT reported that Chinese authorities fear Mexico would “gain unrestricted access to BYD’s advanced technology and know-how” if the company were to open a plant in Mexico. They said that Mexico could even possibly allow the United States to access that technology.

“The commerce ministry’s biggest concern is Mexico’s proximity to the U.S.,” one source told FT.

The newspaper’s two sources also said that Beijing is giving preference to projects in countries that are part of China’s Belt and Road initiative, a global infrastructure development strategy.

“Shifting geopolitical dynamics have also contributed to Mexico cooling on the plant,” FT reported.

Trump’s protectionist posture 

United States President Donald Trump has given potential investors in Mexico pause for thought by threatening to impose — and then briefly imposing — 25% tariffs on all imports from Mexico. Although Mexico has a free trade agreement with the United States and Canada, the USMCA, there is no certainty that Trump won’t reimpose blanket tariffs on Mexican goods at some point in the future.

BYD's global headquarters in Shenzhen, China
BYD, whose global headquarters is in Shenzhen, China, insists it has no intention of selling its cars to the United States from Mexico. (BYD)

Mexican steel and aluminum, and goods not covered by the USMCA, are currently subject to a 25% tax when entering the United States, and additional Mexican products — including cars — could be affected when the U.S. implements reciprocal tariffs early next month or other duties at a later date. Trump has specifically threatened to impose hefty tariffs on vehicles made in Mexico by Chinese companies.

While BYD has said it has no intention to export EVs to the United States from Mexico, the U.S. government’s increased protectionism could still be a factor in the Chinese Commerce Ministry’s decision to delay approval for the company’s proposed Mexico plant.

The possibility — or perhaps even strong probability — that Mexico will impose new tariffs on imports from China could be another factor.

Trump has accused Mexico of being a “backdoor” for Chinese products to enter the United States tariff-free. Late last year, he said he would “seek strong new protections against transshipment” in an updated USMCA “so that China and other countries cannot smuggle their products and auto parts into the United States tax-free through Mexico to the detriment of our workers and our supply chains.”

The Mexican government denies that Mexico is a transshipment hub, but has nevertheless imposed new tariffs on some imports from China such as textiles and clothing. It has also launched anti-dumping investigations into Chinese steel and aluminum products, while late last month, President Claudia Sheinbaum said that imposing additional tariffs on imports from countries with which Mexico doesn’t have free trade agreements, such as China, was an option.

Sheinbaum and other Mexican officials have asserted that their main motivation for imposing new tariffs is to protect Mexican industry rather than appease the United States. However, the government has also stressed that it prioritizes its trade relationship with the United States — where more than 80% of Mexican exports are sent — and Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard even said that Mexico would “mobilize all legitimate interests in favor of North America” amid the ongoing trade war between the United States and China.

In October, Sheinbaum was lobbied by a group of U.S. lawmakers to address “national security risks” associated with the capacity of Chinese “connected” vehicles to collect sensitive data.

Is Mexico being hostile toward China due to US pressure?

The Mexican government has made it clear that it wants to reduce Mexico’s reliance on imports from China and other Asian countries. Doing so, and strengthening Mexican industry, are central goals of the Plan México economic initiative announced by the government in January.

Sheinbaum March 19, 2025
At her Wednesday morning press conference, President Sheinbaum revealed that while BYD has “an investment proposal” for Mexico, its plan “was never anything formal.” (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro)

In addition to imposing new tariffs on imports from China, the Mexican government has refused to offer federal incentives to Chinese EV manufacturers planning to invest in Mexico, according to Mexican officials who spoke to Reuters almost a year ago. The officials told the news agency that the move was the result of pressure from the United States government, in particular the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. The pressure has only increased since Trump returned to the White House in January.

One of FT’s sources said that “Mexico’s new government has taken a hostile attitude towards Chinese companies, making the situation even more challenging for BYD.”

Gregor Sebastian, a senior analyst with the United States-based consultancy Rhodium Group, told FT that “the Mexican government obviously would like to get some of the [proposed Chinese] investments, but [its] trading relationship with the U.S. is a lot more important.”

Sebastian, a member of Rhodium Group’s China Corporate Advisory Team who focuses on Chinese industrial policy and the EV industry, told FT that it doesn’t “make business sense” for BYD to expedite the construction of a new plant in Mexico. He pointed out that BYD would need to import numerous components from China to build cars in Mexico. The Mexican government could impose new tariffs on those parts, increasing costs for BYD.

Stella Li, the BYD Americas CEO, recently told FT that no decision had been made on the company’s proposed plant in Mexico.

“Every day is different news, so we just have to do our job,” she said.

“More study has to be done on how we can satisfy and improve to deliver the best result to everybody,” Li said.

Responding to the FT’s reporting at her Wednesday morning press conference, President Sheinbaum said that while BYD has “an investment proposal” for Mexico, its plan “was never anything formal.”

She said that Chinese companies can invest in Mexico, but stressed that Mexico prioritizes its relationship with its North American free trade partners.

A timeline of developments related to BYD’s proposed plant in Mexico 

  • BYD confirmed its intention to build a plant in Mexico in February 2024.
  • Stella Li said in February 2024 that the company would select a location for the plant by the end of the year.
  • Mexican officials told Reuters in April 2024 that pressure from United States authorities had led the Mexican government to refuse to offer incentives to Chinese EV manufacturers planning to invest in Mexico.
  • BYD México General Director Jorge Vallejo said last June that the company was in final negotiations over the location of its planned EV plant in Mexico.
  • Former Mexican ambassador to China Jorge Guajardo told Mexico News Daily in June that Chinese companies have “a long history of making investment announcements they don’t follow up on.”
  • Vallejo said in August that the company had narrowed the list of potential locations for the plant to three states, but didn’t reveal which ones.
  • Li said in September that BYD hadn’t postponed a final decision about its proposed Mexico plant, indicating at the time that an announcement of the factory’s location was scheduled before the end of 2024.
  • Vallejo said in August that BYD expected to sell 100,000 vehicles in Mexico in 2025.
  • President Sheinbaum said in November that there was “not yet any firm investment project [in Mexico] from any Chinese automotive company.”

With reports from the Financial Times

Who is Ronald Johnson, Trump’s pick for Mexican ambassador?

By
MND Staff
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27
U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Ronald Johnson
Ronald Johnson will shortly assume his new post as U.S. Ambassador to Mexico. What can the country expect from the former Green Beret? (U.S. Embassy)

The news that Donald Trump has appointed veteran Ronald Johnson to Mexico marks a sea change in the way the United States is looking to deal with it’s southern neighbour. What should Mexicans expect from the new appointee in the coming years, asks María Meléndez?

Best known for his military and intelligence experience, Johnson is a former Green Beret and a veteran who specialized in unconventional warfare, counterinsurgency, and counterterrorism operations. After his military service, Johnson joined the CIA, where he dedicated over twenty years to intelligence operations in Latin America. His assignments involved disrupting drug trafficking networks and combating transnational organized crime.

Who is new U.S. Ambassador Ronald Johnson?

Under the previous Trump administration, Johnson worked as the U.S. ambassador to El Salvador, where he worked closely with strongman leader Nayib Bukele to counter gang violence, human trafficking and illegal migration in the beleaguered Central American nation. Critics, however, point to Johnson’s policies as fundamentally flawed and failing to deal with the the root causes of crime and instability.

Johnson’s appointment represents a significant change in U.S. diplomatic representation in Mexico. His background suggests a shift toward a greater focus on security collaboration between the two countries, rather than a a more traditional emphasis on political issues and cross-border trade. 

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has expressed her desire to maintain a cooperative relationship with the new ambassador, though, despite rhetoric around the use of U.S. drone warfare against targets in the country. The threat of unilateral action has also seen her underline the importance of respecting Mexico and its sovereignty. 

Mexico News Daily

Why the ‘no’s’ are the best part of my Mexican life

By
Bel Woodhouse
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16
Bel Woodhouse on Cozumel beach
Why does Bel Woodhouse love it when Mexico tells her "no"? (Bel Woodhouse)

It’s been eight years of living in the Mexican Caribbean. And let’s just say that my life, because of the warm Mexican culture, is exactly what I wished for. My wish was to live a life of creativity, in complete freedom. Freedom to work when I want, how I want, as much as I want. Without judgement. 

The no’s are the best thing about living in Mexico. You may be wondering what I mean by “no’s”. That’s easy. 

vista of beach at Founders Park, Playa del Carmen
Life in paradise is full of the word “no,” explains Bel. (Elizabeth Ruiz/Cuartoscuro)
  • No judgment.
  • No stressful work environments.
  • No colorless grey life.
  • No sitting in traffic.
  • Best of all… no pants! 

That last one may have caused you to raise an eyebrow, but it’s harmless, I promise. 

No grey

A view of the clear blue water of Bacalar Lagoon, with mangroves on the shore.
No greys here. (Dimitris Kiriakakis/Unsplash)

Before coming to live in Mexico I was in the Royal Australian Navy. For many years, my life was grey. Grey ships and grey uniforms, oftentimes accompanied by a grey sky, leading to a drab grey mood. Nothing but a colorless grey existence. And some blue. After all, the ocean and sky are blue on sunny days. 

I’ll admit, it affects your mood. So when Mexico’s vibrant color and warm people welcomed me with open arms, I couldn’t resist being here. Originally it was going to be for a year. One year turned into two. Two turned into eight. I’m still here and loving it. 

No pants

Two pairs of feet on the Caribbean coastline
No pants (or military boots). (Bel Woodhouse)

When I left the Navy, I swore I’d never wear pants again. Heavy long pants and steel-capped boots are a thing of the past. Now my light and breezy life is full of colorful skirts and light summer dresses swaying and swishing on the sea breeze.

Paired with big beach hats, it’s a far cry from the past. Sandals have replaced the boots and are constantly removed to dig my toesies in the sand. It is one of the simple joys of life that still makes me smile. 

Unless you’ve spent years clunking around in heavy boots you may not understand but you’re smart people so I’m sure you get the jist of it. Just think back to a time when you walked barefoot along a beach and how relaxed you felt afterward. THAT is what I mean. 

No pants is probably the biggest blessing in my life and one I treasure daily. 

No judgment 

Everyone is welcome in Mexico, no judgement. (Mantamar)

The Mexican people’s warmth and acceptance nurtured my reawakened creativity. Which now swirls through my life like my swirly swishy skirts. Light and breezy, adapting and fluid, flexibility and freedom are now my life. 

Living here, you can live the life you want. 

Want to be a writer? Grab a book and pen and go sit by the ocean or in the local park. Or grab your laptop and curl up with a coffee or veggie juice at your favorite café. No one judges.

Want to be a photographer? Grab your camera and wander the streets, beaches or nature reserves. Sit in a park chatting with someone’s grandpa — one of my favorite things to do because, let’s face it, they have the best stories and enjoy being regaled by tales while you grab some great shots. Again, no one will care and it’s a delightful way to get to know your community. 

No stressful work environments 

Working from a bar
No offices. (Bel Woodhouse)

I’ll roll no stressful work environments and no sitting in traffic into one. Plus let’s throw in no irritating boss or superior. They all kind of go hand in hand.

I live in Cozumel. It’s walkable and a joy to walk around, so there’s no sitting in traffic or having to leave early to allow for it. Instead, I walk along the Caribbean seafront or go for a morning swim. I don’t know about you, but I much prefer to start my day this way. 

As for the boss… I’m the boss. My days are as flexible as I like. I work the hours I like, and as long as I meet deadlines, no one cares how my days are run. Plus, my work buddy is the cutest little purry snuggle buddy curled up by my side. That’s a step up from sweaty sailors in my book. 

I can work from anywhere I want. Today it’s a beach club. What’s your office look like today? This is mine. 

Can you relate? Do you dream of a life like this? Well then let me share that your dreams can come true. My dream did. The life I wanted while in the Navy. Don’t get me wrong, I am fiercely proud to have served. But I am also fiercely in love with my new Mexican Caribbean life full of wonderful ‘no’s’!

Mexico Correspondent for International Living, Bel is an experienced writer, author, photographer and videographer with 500+ articles published both in print and across digital platforms. Living in the Mexican Caribbean for over 7 years now she’s in love with Mexico and has no plans to go anywhere anytime soon. 

Goodbye Patrick, hello Guinness birria

By
Stephen Randall
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0
Guinness birria tacos
It's not quite Mexican, but not quite Irish. It is however, absolutely delicious. (Canva)

The thing about birria is that it takes time. Real time. The kind of time that separates a disappointing meal from an experience that makes you want to weep into your plate. And yet, here we are, living in an era of 30-minute meals, air fryers and pre-packaged sadness.

But if you are reading this, you have chosen patience. You have chosen devotion. You have chosen birria. Birria, in its purest form, is slow-braised meat that collapses under the weight of a spoon, soaked in a broth so rich it could pay off your student loans. It is a dish of transformation: tough, sinewy beef turned into something super soft and absurdly flavorful.

A pint of Guinness
The secret to great Mexican food is to use probably the most un-Mexican ingredient going. (Guinness)

You still have a few Guinnesses in your fridge leftover from your St. Paddy’s party? Perfect. The hops bring just enough bitterness to balance the deep, earthy warmth of the chilis. The roasted barley hums in the background, adding a layer of smokiness to the consommé. The result is a broth so profound it might be the closest thing to spiritual enlightenment you will ever taste.

Now it’s taco time. You take a tortilla, dip it in the consommé and slap it onto a hot griddle. You add cheese— real cheese, the kind that melts into golden lace at the edges. Then comes the birria, dripping with its own glory. 

But the real move, the act that separates the amateurs from the believers, is the dunk. You take the taco and you plunge it back into the consommé. This act of taking your taco for a swim, it’s somehow way more satisfying than your dusty old French dip.

Guinness birria is the best of both worlds. It’s Mexico and Ireland, old and new, bitter and sweet, taco and soup, all meeting in the middle, all agreeing that for just one meal, there will be no compromises. Here’s to you, dear reader. Here’s to patience. Here’s to tacos. Here’s to consuming something good. Now go make this recipe and tell me what you think.

Guinness birria tacos

Quesadilla with birria
It’s Irish, Jim, but not as we know it. (Birriería y Taquería Liz)

Ingredients

For the birria

  • 3 lbs beef chuck roast or short ribs
  • 2 dried guajillo chilis, stemmed and seeded
  • 2 dried ancho chilis, stemmed and seeded
  • 2 dried chipotle chilis
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 bottle (12 oz) Guinness Stout
  • 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp cumin
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For the tacos

  • 12 corn tortillas
  • 1 cup Oaxaca or Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Lime wedges for serving

Instructions

  1. Rehydrate the chilis: Toast the dried chilis in a dry skillet for 30 seconds per side. Soak them in hot water for 10 minutes.
  2. Make the sauce: Blend chilis with onion, garlic, vinegar and 1 cup of Guinness until smooth.
  3. Sear the meat: Salt and pepper the beef, then sear in a hot pot until browned.
  4. Braise: Add the blended sauce, beef broth, spices and the rest of the Guinness. Simmer on low for 3 to 4 hours.
  5. Shred: Remove the meat, shred it, and return it to the broth.
  6. Crisp the tacos: Dip tortillas in the birria consommé, fry them with cheese and shredded beef until crispy.
  7. Serve: Garnish with cilantro and lime. Slam dunk in consommé.

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.

Could the US send Mexican deportees to El Salvador? Tuesday’s mañanera recapped

By
MND Staff
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0
Claudia Sheinbaum at her daily press conference. She is gesturing with her thumb and forefinger to reporters as she speaks in the press briefing room at the National Palace
President Claudia Sheinbaum said that when the Trump administration said it would send arrested migrants to the U.S.'s Guatanamo Bay prison in Cuba, Mexico's government sent a diplomatic note to the U.S. Embassy in Mexico stressing that Mexican deportees should always be sent to Mexico. (Moisés Pablo Nava/Cuartoscuro)

Could Mexicans in the United States be deported to El Salvador and locked up in President Nayib Bukele’s mega-prison? When will acapulqueños be able to get from A to B via a ferry service that traverses Acapulco’s glistening bay?

They were among the questions President Claudia Sheinbaum responded to at her Tuesday morning press conference.

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele has begun taking custody of certain deportees from the U.S. into a giant, overcrowded, maximum-security prison known as CECOT, or the Terrorism Confinement Center.

Here is a recap of the president’s March 18 mañanera.

Mexicans deported from US ‘will always arrive to Mexico,’ says Sheinbaum

A reporter asked the president whether there was any possibility that Mexicans in the United States could be deported and sent to prison in El Salvador, as happened on Sunday to 238 Venezuelans who are alleged members of the Tren de Aragua crime gang.

Sheinbaum noted that when the Trump administration announced it would send some illegal and criminal immigrants to a detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, the Mexican government sent a diplomatic note to the United States Embassy in Mexico.

She said her government sent the note to express its view to the Trump administration that “no Mexican should be sent anywhere except Mexico.”

“They responded to the diplomatic note saying that as Mexico was accepting repatriated persons, [deported Mexicans] would return to Mexico,” Sheinbaum said.

President Sheinbaum during a daily press conference in the National Palace. She is holding her arms in front of her on either side as she speaks to reporters.
According to President Sheinbaum, Mexico has to date received 24,413 deportees since U.S. President Donald Trump took office. (Gustavo Alberto/Cuartoscuro)

“So we have certainty that any [Mexican] person in the United States that is deported … will always arrive to Mexico,” she said.

Sheinbaum said Monday that Mexico has received 24,413 deportees — 19,846 Mexicans and 4,567 foreigners — from the United States since U.S. President Donald Trump took office on Jan. 20.

Anti-government bots ‘don’t have much impact’ 

After the federal government’s fake news debunker-in-chief Miguel Ángel Elorza Vásquez denounced the use of “opposition bots” to attack the government on social media, Sheinbaum weighed in on the issue.

“The truth is that they don’t have much impact,” she said, noting that she won last year’s presidential election by more than 30 points despite a lengthy social media campaign against her that made use of hashtags such as #NarcoCandidata (#NarcoCandidate).

“In any case, it’s very important to denounce it because someone is allocating resources [to attacking us on social media],” Sheinbaum said.

A boot next to a candle at a vigil for Mexico's disappeared
The grisly discovery on March 5 by civilians of a presumed cartel mass extermination camp in Teuchitlán, Jalisco, inspired vigils across Mexico on Friday and Saturday in which people arranged shoes in city squares to memorialize Mexico’s disappeared. (Galo Cañas/Cuartoscuro)

Recently, the government has been attacked on the X social media platform in connection with the Teuchitlán case involving the discovery this month of burnt human remains along with more than 150 pairs of shoes and other discarded personal items at a property in the state of Jalisco.

Bots have driven the recent campaign against the government using hashtags such as #NarcoPresidenteAMLO and #NarcoPresidentaClaudia, according to Elorza.

He said that 20 million pesos (US $1 million) was spent on “this dirty campaign” in a period of just four days, he said.

Sheinbaum remarked: “Where [do they get] 20 million pesos in four days in order to make a trending topic, a fake trending topic?”

Aquatic public transport coming to Acapulco 

A reporter asked the president about the “Maribús” (Sea Bus) public transport project she announced in January.

A rendered photo of the Bay of Acapulco with several ships on the water and in the foreground a ferry boat with several rows of passengers in chairs traveling in the ferry.
A rendering of what the Maribús public transport would look like. It would allow crossings between the most distant parts of Acapulco Bay. (Government of Guerrero)

Sheinbaum said that the Maribús — which will ferry passengers to different parts of Acapulco and nearby coastal areas — “will be ready this year.”

She confirmed that the project is part of the long-term, 8-billion-peso hurricane recovery plan called “Transforming Acapulco with You.”

“We’re going to ask the admiral to come so that you see what the main stops are,” Sheinbaum said, referring to Navy Minister Raymundo Pedro Morales Ángeles.

“First, there will be a first phase that will be inaugurated this year, and then a second phase will come. The navy will operate [the ferry service]. If workers are needed, they’ll be hired,” she said.

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

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