Mexico labor data show decline in unemployment and informality

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January 26, 2024

Electricistas Ciudad-1.jpg — The official year-end unemployment rate for 2023 was 2.6%, the lowest on record for the month of December. (Isaac Esquivel/Cuartoscuro)

Unemployment in Mexico declined to the lowest end-of-year level on record in December, according to official data, while the percentage of the economically active population engaged in informal work fell to the lowest level since 2020.

The national statistics agency INEGI reported Thursday that the unemployment rate was 2.6% in December, the lowest level since March, when an all-time low of just 2.4% of the economically active population was jobless.

Mexico reached an all-time low of just 2.4% unemployment in March 2023. (Pedro Anza/Cuartoscuro)

The rate is the lowest end-of-year rate since INEGI began keeping comparable records in 2005.

The percentage of the economic active population in informal work was 53.6% in December, the lowest level since 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions left many informal workers without jobs.

An additional 1.2 million people in jobs

INEGI reported that 59.14 million people had jobs in December, up from 57.94 million in the same month of 2022. An increase in formal sector employment was responsible for the net growth in the number of people in jobs as the number of informal sector workers declined by close to 100,000 in the 12 months to the end of December.

Women make up around 40% of Mexico’s workforce. (Graciela López/Cuartoscuro)

Almost 60% of the 59.14 million workers are men, while just over 40% are women.

The economically active population — people aged 15 or over who are working or looking for work — was 60.73 million in December, up from 59.59 million a year earlier.

Just under 1.6 million people were unemployed last month, INEGI said, while 4.5 million were classed as underemployed, meaning they would like to work more hours. The latter figure accounts for 7.6% of the employed population.

The average unemployment rate across the 12 months of 2023 was 2.8%, the lowest average rate on record.

“Previously, the best annual performance was in 2022 with an average [unemployment rate] of 3.2% across 12 months,” said Gabriela Siller, director of economic analysis at Banco Base.

Which states have the lowest and highest unemployment rates?

The central state of Morelos has the lowest unemployment rate in the country with just 0.9% of the economically active population out of a job in December, according to INEGI.

Southern and southeastern states have the next lowest rates: Oaxaca, 1.2%; Chiapas, 1.4%, Yucatán, 1.4%; Campeche, 1.5%.

Aguascalientes has the highest unemployment rate, with 4.2% of the economically active population out of a job last month.

The central Mexican state of Morelos had the lowest unemployment rate, at just 0.9%. (Margarito Pérez Retana/Cuartoscuro)

Coahuila has the second highest rate at 4%, followed by Tabasco, 3.9%; México state, 3.8%; and Zacatecas, 3.6%.

Most Mexicans work in the informal sector, but that could soon change

Of Mexico’s 59.1 million people with jobs, 31.7 million, or 53.6% of the total, work in the informal sector. Informal workers don’t pay income tax and don’t have access to formal employment benefits such as holiday pay and access to the Mexican Social Security Institute health care program.

The percentage of informal sector workers declined 1.3 percentage points from December 2022, INEGI said.

The only time when the percentage of people working in the informal sector was lower was in 2020, when an increase in unemployment among such workers early in the COVID pandemic caused a decline in the informality rate to 47.9%.

Siller said that the decline in the informal employment rate could be related to an increase in foreign investment as a result of nearshoring and a consequent increase in demand for formal sector workers.

Vendor selling chairs — Most Mexicans still work in the informal economy, but the percentage has declined to its lowest recorded level except during the pandemic in 2020. (Cuartoscuro)

She said that if Mexico takes better advantage of the nearshoring opportunity, the percentage of workers in the informal sector could go below 50% for the first time ever.

Still, the current “labor market balance” is “quite positive,” Siller said.

The Economy Ministry said in late 2023 that over US $106 billion in investment is expected to flow into Mexico in the next two to three years based on announcements made by foreign companies in the first 11 months of 2023.

Mexico’s largest employer is the service sector

Over 60% of Mexicans with jobs — 37.34 million people — work in the tertiary or service sector, INEGI data shows.

That figure represents an increase of over 982,000 compared to December 2022.

The secondary sector, which includes manufacturing and construction, employs 15.18 million people, or about 25% of workers, while 6.23 million Mexicans work in the primary or agriculture sector, a figure equivalent to just over 10% of the workforce.

The secondary sector added over 652,000 jobs in the past 12 months, while the primary sector lost more than 439,000. Some of the agricultural sector job losses were likely related to the drought conditions affecting a significant portion of Mexico’s territory.

The outlook for 2024

Banorte is forecasting that job creation will remain strong in the first half of the year, partially due to government spending as it pushes to complete infrastructure projects such as the Maya Train railroad.

The bank anticipates that unemployment will remain low in the first six months of 2024, but creep up in the second half of the year due to a “moderation in economic activity.”

Workers on the Maya Train — Large infrastructure projects like the Maya Train contributed to strong employment numbers in Mexico in 2023, and will likely continue to in the first half of this year. (Cuartoscuro)

It forecasts that the unemployment rate at the end of this year will be 3.4%.

Juan Carlos Alderete, Banorte’s executive director of economic research, predicted that job creation in the first half of 2024 will be concentrated in the secondary sector — especially construction — and the tertiary sector.

He said that “buoyant internal demand” and “structural changes” in the economy “mainly related to the nearshoring effect” supported job creation in 2023.

According to the results of Manpower Group’s latest Employment Outlook Survey, 48% of over 1,000 employers polled are planing to hire new workers in the first quarter of 2024, while only 14% expect to reduce their staff numbers.

With reports from El Financiero, El Economista and Milenio

How the heck do you use the word ‘pedo’ in Mexico?

By

Paulina Gerez

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January 26, 2024

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What the heck? Or, do I mean, what fart — ¿qué pedo?

“Pedo” is one word in Spanish that showcases the complexity of Mexican vocabulary. While originally associated with flatulence, in Mexico, this versatile term has taken on a variety of meanings, making it a linguistic curiosity worth exploring.

“Pedo” in Mexico is a linguistic chameleon, adapting easily to various contexts, so let’s dive into its usage in different situations.

Difficulty or problem

In Mexico, “pedo” is often used colloquially to refer to a difficulty or problem. For example, someone might say, “es un pedo” when they want to express that something is a real problem or a rather difficult task to complete. You’ll also hear “me metí en un pedo,” which translates as “I’m in trouble.”

Fight or conflict

“Pedo” can also signify a conflict or fight. If someone mentions being in a “pedo,” they might be describing a heated argument or altercation. For instance, “anoche, hubo un pedo en el bar” — It went down at the bar last night.

“Hacerla de pedo,” on the other hand, means making a stink or giving someone a hard time — “se pasó un rojo y el poli se la hizo de pedo” (he ran a red and the cop gave him a hard time about it).

Describing someone or something

Another common usage of “pedo” in Mexico is to describe being drunk or intoxicated. Saying “estaba bien pedo anoche” — I was really drunk last night — or “estoy medio peda” — I’m a bit tipsy — is a casual way to convey the state you’re in. On the other hand, the word “peda,” is used to describe a party or a night out with heavy drinking, which comes from this sense of pedo “estuvo buena la peda” (the party was great/last night was great).

You can call someone “mal pedo” to show that they’re a mean person, while a situation described with the same term is a bad one. Lost your keys? “Qué mal pedo!” Conversely, a good-natured person or a fortunate situation can be described as “buen pedo.” In English you can say an exceptionally good movie or meal was “something else” — in Mexican Spanish, it’s “otro pedo.”

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Possibilities

If someone says, “ni pedo” they’re expressing resignation in regards to a situation, in the same way an English speaker sighs “oh well.” But when adding the preposition “de,” the meaning changes to “there’s no way!” — ¡ni de pedo! — hinting that the speaker wouldn’t do what they’re being asked even if they were drunk.

Greetings and expressions of surprise

In some cases, “pedo” is used as an expression of surprise or disbelief. For example, upon hearing unexpected news, someone might exclaim, “no mames, en serio? ¡Qué pedo!” (No way, seriously? What a surprise!), or “qué pedo, qué pasó?” (What is going on?). In addition, it is a very common way to greet your friends just by saying “Qué pedo!”

Understanding the various uses of the word “pedo” will add depth to your comprehension of Mexican Spanish. It’s essential to consider the context in which the term is used to grasp its intended meaning fully, and you should always keep in mind that it is an informal word. Don’t use it with your parents, your in-laws, your teachers or any person to whom you would normally speak in a formal way. Save it for your very close friends.

Paulina Gerez is a translator-interpreter, content creator, and founder of Crack The Code, a series of online courses focused on languages. Through her social media, she helps people see learning a language from another perspective through her fun experiences. Instagram: paulinagerezm / Tiktok: paugerez3 / YT: paulina gerez

Water restrictions in Mexico City affect 284 neighborhoods

By

MND Staff

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January 26, 2024

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Desabasto de agua Iztapalapa-6.jpg — As water shortages in Mexico City's primary reservoir continue, hundreds of neighborhoods will see disruption in their water supplies. (Andrea Murcia/Cuartoscuro)

Mexico City officials have implemented water restrictions in 284 neighborhoods, across 10 of the city’s boroughs. Residents in these areas will now only receive water on certain days of the week and for limited periods of time, according to municipal authorities.

These neighborhoods represent roughly 15% of the capital’s 1,837 neighborhoods. Affected areas are mostly located in the boroughs of Iztapalapa, Tlalpan, and Gustavo A. Madero.

Cutzamal dam, Valle de Bravo — Water levels at the Cutzamala dam system that supplies Mexico City continue to drop. As a result, 20 million people in the capital and surrounding areas will see disrupted water supplies. (Crisanta Espinosa Aguilar/Cuartoscuro)

To compensate residents for the water shortages, the local government announced discounts of up to 95% on water bills.

Some of Mexico City’s most affluent neighborhoods, including Polanco and Lomas de Chapultepec, are among those affected by the water shortages.

Residents of Polanco told newspaper Excelsior that this water shortage is like “nothing they’ve experienced before.” They have been without water supply for six days and rely on tanker deliveries that take several days to arrive.

The water crisis has also reached Polanco’s public schools, and authorities have called on parents to keep their children at home, as schools cannot provide clean water to pupils.

Nuevo Leon, Mexico, city water delivery truck — As a result of shortages, residents of affected boroughs are required to receive refills from water tankers – which can take several days to arrive. (Gob MX)

According to Excelsior, although residents in Polanco have previously been notified of shortages due to problems with the Cutzamala dam system that supplies water to over 20 million residents of Mexico City and the Valley of México, they weren’t warned this time.

According to the National Water Commission (Conagua), in late 2022 the Cutzamala system supplied 14,100 liters of water per second. However, due to the recent reduction in water levels, this has now been reduced to 8,400 liters per second — a decrease of approximately 40%.

The most significant water supply cut came in November last year when Conagua implemented an almost 25% reduction in Mexico City and México state, in response to the abnormally low water levels in the Cutzamala reservoir.

Martí Batres, Mexico City’s mayor, said that an 800 million peso (US $46 million) investment by city authorities aims to increase water supply to 2,000 liters per second by May.

Batres called on residents in the capital to “change water consumption patterns and prioritize human consumption.” He recommended that non-essential activities, such as watering gardens, washing cars, patios, and sidewalks, be avoided, and water usage be minimized in homes. Additionally, he asked residents to detect, repair, and report any leaks both inside and outside of homes, as well as on public roads.

With these measures, the Mexico City government hopes to reduce water consumption by 10%.

With reports from La Jornada, Excélsior, Imagen Radio and Reforma

Why are gasoline prices higher in Mexico than the US?

By

Cat Rainsford

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January 25, 2024

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Precio Gasolina — Why does it cost more to fill up your tank on the Mexican side of the border right now? (Daniel Augusto/Cuartoscuro)

Taxes on gasoline in Mexico are five times higher than in the United States, making fuel at least 60% more expensive, according to an analysis by newspaper El Economista.

By comparing data from the consulting firm PETROIntelligence and the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), El Economista calculated that 46% of what consumers currently pay for a liter of gasoline in Mexico goes to taxes, compared to 15% in the U.S.

A Volaris flight in the clouds — Volaris, Mexico’s largest airline, says 35% of operating costs are related to the cost of fuel. Transport companies across the country have reported struggling with the increased costs. (Volaris)

As a result, the average price of a liter of gasoline in Mexico was 22.13 pesos per liter (US $1.28) on Monday, while gasoline in the U.S. sold for $3.058 per gallon, or $0.81 per liter.

The taxes on a liter of regular Magna gasoline in Mexico comprise 6.18 pesos in the federal Special Tax on Production and Services (IEPS), 0.55 pesos in state IEPS and about 3.54 pesos in value-added tax. This adds up to 10.27 pesos of taxes (US $0.60) on each liter, compared to 2.06 pesos (US $0.12) on an average liter in the U.S. — although the final price paid by U.S. consumers varies depending on local state taxes.

The fuel tax in the U.S. is updated every six months, while in Mexico, fuel prices are controlled through the IEPS, which varies each week depending on the fiscal stimulus applied by the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP).

In times of hardship, such as the oil price spike following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the SHCP can cushion the blow to consumers by reducing IEPS or even applying an additional subsidy. It can later use the IEPS to recoup these subsidies, helping to reduce the impacts of fuel price volatility over time.

As global oil prices spiked in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Mexico reduced the IEPS tax as a subsidy to offset the price increase. (Sonia Dauer/Unsplash)

As global oil supply chains adapted during 2023, Mexico steadily restored IEPS and reduced fuel subsidies. This pushed fuel prices up 3.21% over the year, while they fell by 2.37% in the US and in many other countries around the world.

“The collection of the IEPS did not allow the low prices seen internationally to be observed in 2023, because the government had to recover the revenues used to prevent the price from reaching levels of 30 pesos per liter (US $1.74) last year [2022],” Alejandro Montúfar, director of gasoline market research firm PETROIntelligence, told El Economista.

These comparatively high fuel prices have presented challenges for Mexican businesses. For instance, low-cost airline Volaris and transportation firms such as Grupo México Transportes and Traxión all reported struggling with higher costs.

For Volaris, this was one factor leading to a 25% fall in share price over the first nine months of 2023, as fuel represents about 35% of its operating costs.

With reports from El Economista

Ancient hunting implements found deep in Querétaro cave

By

MND Staff

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January 25, 2024

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Rancho Quemado, Querétaro — The cave is located in Rancho Quemado, in Cadereyta de Montes, Querétaro. (INAH)

Hunting weapons and other items dating back approximately 1,900 years have been found in a cave in the central state of Querétaro.

The National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) announced the discovery of the objects this week, which were found last year by four members of the Querétaro Cavers’ Association (GEQ) and then further explored by INAH.

A team of amateur cavers made the initial discovery before archaeologists from INAH were sent in to further study the finds. (INAH)

The spelunkers located the items in a remote ravine inside the Cueva del Tesoro (Treasure Cave), located about 40 kilometers northwest of Bernal, a popular Pueblo Mágico lying east of Querétaro city. The group notified INAH’s Querétaro Center, which put its team of archaeologists and speleologists into action.

To reach the trove of items from the cave floor, the INAH team had to ascend 200 meters from the bottom of the ravine to the cave, and then another 200 meters through a narrow passage.

The findings included wooden hunting instruments that, according to the results of a radiocarbon study, date from A.D. 7 to 132, meaning they were preserved for about two millennia. They were used by hunter-gatherers who lived in this semi-desert region for at least 9,000 years, INAH noted in a press release.

One of the objects is an atlatl measuring 51.5 centimeters. Sometimes called a spear-thrower, an atlatl is a tool that lets its user propel darts or arrows at high velocity. Alongside the atlatl were the remnants of two darts measuring 79 and 66 centimeters. Two pieces of crafted wood that INAH identified as probable digging sticks were also found with the hunting tools.

Detail image of the atlatl, which is a hunting weapon that was used to propel arrows or darts. (INAH)

All the items are well-preserved thanks to the dryness of the cave, INAH noted. Why the instruments were left in such a remote and hidden area is a mystery that will be clarified by future studies, the agency added. The agency’s most recent advances in analyzing the items will be made public at a conference this Saturday at the Templo Mayor museum in Mexico City.

INAH said that amateur spelunkers and its own archaeologists notified the agency of a dozen “hunting scenes” in Querétaro last year. Full sets of hunting equipment, however, are rarer: the agency described the items found in the Tesoro cave as “one of the few sets of pre-Columbian hunting tools found to date in Mexico.”

One of the first known discoveries of hunting tools in the area was in the late 1950s by American Cynthia Irwin-Williams, a pioneer among female archaeologists. Her findings, including projectile arrows dating to 7000 B.C., were made in the El Tecolote cave near Tequisquiapan, Querétaro.

Although finding hunting tools is fairly rare, discoveries inside caves are somewhat common occurrences around Mexico. Just last month, INAH announced it had found human remains, pottery fragments dating back 500 to 800 years and other objects in two caves in the state of Quintana Roo. One finding was made in Tulum and the other was nearby.

Another noteworthy find announced by INAH early this year included human remains, 1,500 utensils, spearheads and other artifacts between 2,500 and 4,500 years old in a cave in the state of Nuevo León.

With reports from Infobae and La Brújula Verde

Puerto Vallarta beaches closed due to dangerous sea conditions

By

MND Staff

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January 25, 2024

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GEocalYXEAE92g8 — Civil Protection authorities in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, have raised warning flags forbidding swimmers from entering the ocean. (Protección Civil Jalisco)

Many short-term visitors to Puerto Vallarta this week haven’t been able to experience their dream beach vacations.

All of the city’s beaches have been conspicuously dotted by red flags to indicate “rough seas, stay out of the water” — and also by purple flags due to sightings of crocodiles.

The red and purple flags have both been raised in Puerto Vallarta, denoting heavy seas and the presence of dangerous marine life. (Protección Civil Jalisco)

The purple flags run from Playa del Holi to Playa del Oro. They were placed there after the presence of crocodiles was reported near the Puerto Vallarta malecón (seafront walk) and elsewhere.

The red flags were raised on authority of Civil Protection, Risk Management and Firefighter operations in Jalisco because of choppy seas or mar picado, characterized by the presence of higher and more frequent waves — usually irregular, fast and with sharp crests, generating strong currents and dangerous undertows.

The red flags mean it is prohibited to enter the sea, either to swim or just to have fun. The flags went up on Tuesday, and there are no media reports to suggest that they have been taken down as of early Thursday afternoon.

The mar picado phenomenon generally occurs due to adverse weather conditions over the ocean, such as strong winds and storms.

In addition, the area has been jostled by some recent crocodile incidents — including the appearance of a crocodile on the popular strip of beach between Playa del Holi and Playa del Oro.

Like many other beach areas in Mexico, nearby there are streams and rivers that serve as the crocodiles’ natural habitat. According to marine animal experts, the crocs use the ocean only as a byway to reach estuaries and freshwater ponds, where they like to hunt.

Biologist Helios Hernández, who is in charge of the Puerto Vallarta reptile house operated by the University of Guadalajara, told the newspaper El Financiero that the probability of a crocodile attacking a human is very low; they only do so when they feel that their space is invaded.

For months now, the appearance of crocodiles has been recorded along the municipality’s coastline.

A crocodile sits in shallow water on a beach — Crocodiles, such as this one seen in Ixtapa, Guerrero, often use the shoreline as a way to get between their hunting grounds in nearby rivers. (Screenshot)

One crocodile in particular is said to be seen regularly by tourists and merchants at the mouth of the Cuale River, under the bridge that overlooks the malecón. Locals have named him “Pancho,” and because he is usually stationary, he (or maybe she?) has become something of a tourist attraction.

Also, in the last week of December, a crocodile was captured wandering the streets of Marina Vallarta, an upscale planned development. Earlier that month, a shrimp fisherman had his arm taken off by a crocodile in the Ameca River, which feeds into the Pacific Ocean just north of Puerto Vallarta.

With reports from El Financiero and Informador

IT services firm KIO to open second data center in Nuevo León

By

MND Staff

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January 25, 2024

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56_6 — Data storage firm KIO has acquired a large new site in the Asia Pacific Park in Pesquería, which will serve as its second Nuevo León data center. (KIO)

KIO, a United States-owned provider of IT infrastructure services, has announced it will build a second data center in Nuevo León.

The company announced its “thrilling” 2024 expansion plans in a statement posted to its website, revealing that it has acquired a 14,000-square-meter site in the Asia Pacific Park in Pesquería for its second Nuevo León data center.

KIO already operate a major data center in Monterrey, but will now open a second site to meet growing demand. (KIO)

Pesquería, a municipality about 40 kilometers northeast of Monterrey, is home to the Mexican operations of companies such as South Korean automaker Kia and Argentine steelmaker Ternium.

KIO, founded in 2002 with 100% Mexican capital but sold to Miami-based private equity firm I Squared Capital in 2021, said that its second Nuevo León data center “will initially feature two 1,200 m2 Data Halls with enough energy to supply 2 MW of energy in its first phase.”

The facility will have “a growth capacity of up to 8 MW, with plans to expand to eight halls in a later phase,” the company said without citing any investment amount.

It will be known as KIO MTY2 in acknowledged that it is the company’s second data center in the Monterrey area. KIO MTY1 is located in San Pedro Garza García, an affluent municipality immediately west of the state capital.

KIO MTY2 “will offer robust connectivity with triple-route redundancy for carrier connections,” said Santiago Suinaga, CEO of KIO Data Centers.

“Our focus is also on proximity to the North American market, attracting clients and sectors needing specific connectivity with U.S.-based companies,” he said.

KIO also announced that it is on track to complete construction of its second data center in Querétaro this year. The company is also planning a third data center at the El Marqués Industrial park, located in the municipality of El Marqués, located immediately east of Querétaro city.

Construction of KIO QRO2, as the second Querétaro facility is called, is “a major leap forward for both us and our clients,” Suinaga said. “We’re growing stronger every day.”

KIO is also building a new campus in Querétaro. (KIO)

KIO said that its Querétaro “mega-campus” of “three interconnected data centers” – in which it is investing hundreds of millions of dollars – will offer “enhanced connectivity and high availability for clients needing extra space for growth or new ventures across various sectors.”

The company has 13 “core data centers” in Mexico, Colombia, Panama, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, and Spain. In addition to Querétaro and Nuevo León, KIO has data centers in Mexico City, México state, Sonora and Yucatán.

The company says on its website that its data centers have “the highest security, availability and density in the region to administer and monitor public, private and hybrid Cloud services, cybersecurity, business applications, automation and artificial intelligence.”

In its statement announcing the new Nuevo León data center, KIO said that over 1,000 clients from a range of sectors including telecommunications, banking, media and retail have used its services.

Mexico News Daily

Tourism ‘drastically disrupted’ in parts of Chiapas due to violence, say tour operators

By

MND Staff

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January 25, 2024

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Laguna Miramar in the Azul Montes Biopshere Reserve — The Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve, part of the Lacandon Jungle, which some tourism companies have stopped visiting in recent months for security reasons. (Creative Commons)

The tourism industry in parts of the southern state of Chiapas is under threat from organized crime.

The director of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) has advised against visiting certain archaeological sites in the state due to security concerns, while a tourism operator said that travel agencies from three European countries have decided to not include visits to the Lacandon Jungle area in their itineraries.

The Lacandon jungle is home to several important Maya ruins, including the city of Yaxchilán. (Mauricio Marat/INAH/Cuartoscuro)

The Jalisco New Generation Cartel and the Sinaloa Cartel — as well as local gangs affiliated with Mexico’s two most powerful criminal organizations — have been engaged in a turf war in the border region of Chiapas for close to three years. They are competing to control routes along which narcotics, weapons and migrants are transported north after entering the country from Guatemala.

INAH director Diego Prieto told the Latinus news website that tourists should not visit archaeological sites near the border with Guatemala such as Yaxchilán and Bonampak due to the risk of becoming a victim of violence.

Due to insecurity, boats that take tourists along the Usumacinta River to Yaxchilán from the town of Frontera Corozal are not currently operating, he said.

“At INAH we suggest that you don’t go [to the border region of Chiapas] so you don’t have an unfortunate experience,” Prieto said.

Earlier this week, the tourism company Anfitriones Turísticos de Chiapas (ATC) said in a Facebook post that “the tourism environment has been drastically disrupted” in some parts of Chiapas for more than three months.

As a result of “situations” that recently occurred with three groups of French tourists, “French, British and Belgian [travel] agencies that we represent have decided to not continue taking tourists to the entire Lacandon area,” ATC said.

The company said it had agreed to “reprogram” tours that included visits to the Lacandon Jungle, an area of great biodiversity and beauty that is rich in Maya history.

ATC’s post began with an alarming remark: “Chiapas tourism goes bust. Adiós Yaxchilán, adiós Bonampak.”

Chiapas soldiers — The government is accused of standing idly by in Chiapas, as rival cartels fight for control of the Guatemalan border region. (Toño Aguilar/Cuartoscuro)

“… When your drivers and guides come across a blockade with native people who cover their face, you know you can negotiate your passage or use alternate routes. But when your vehicle with foreign tourists has to go through stone attacks and shootouts and you realize that native Lacandon and Ch’ol people have the offensive force to take on the Mexican army and the National Guard, you openly say Chiapas has gone to shit,” the bluntly-worded post said.

The company also said that armed men are in control of Bonampak, a claim with which cultural journalist Adriana Malvido agrees.

“There are archaeological sites in Chiapas of which INAH has lost control,” she wrote in an article published in the El Universal newspaper on Wednesday.

“The insecurity, the incursion of organized crime, the violence and the fear that run through the state from the Sierra Madre to the Lacandon Jungle and to San Cristóbal de las Casas has reached Yaxchilán and Bonampak, where archaeologists and restorers haven’t been able to enter for over a year,” Malvido wrote.

The presence of crime groups in the border region of Chiapas and the associated violence has caused large numbers of residents to flee, while the Fray Bartolomé de las Casas Human Rights Center and others have highlighted cases of forced recruitment of locals by criminal organizations.

Isaín Mandujano, a journalist in Chiapas, said last September that cartel violence has caused the displacement of thousands of border region residents since 2021 as well as the deaths and disappearances of hundreds of citizens, including “a lot of innocent people.”

Both the army and the National Guard have a presence in the region but “do nothing to stop the violence,” he said.

With reports from Latinus, Sin Embargo and El Universal

Continental will invest US $90M in second Aguascalientes plant

By

Cat Rainsford

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January 25, 2024

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GEqVKj5aYAAgVFV — German tire manufacturer Continental will build a second site in the central state of Aguascalientes as part of a US $90 million investment in the region. (Tere Jiménez/X)

German tire manufacturing giant Continental AG announced it will open a new hydraulic hose factory in Aguascalientes’ Vesta Park, with an investment of US $90 million.

Construction on the plant will start in mid-2024, and the site will begin operations in the second half of 2025, according to company representatives. The state government predicts that it will generate 200 direct jobs and generate significant revenue for the economy.

“This will be Continental’s second plant in Aguascalientes,” Marco Galluzi, Continental’s managing director in Mexico, posted on LinkedIn. “We continue to grow and bet on Mexico; in this country, the company employs around 24,000 people in 12 states.”

In a post on social media service X, the Aguascalientes state government said that Continental’s decision to invest further in Aguascalientes was testament to the state’s “security, good business environment and the labor force of our people.”

Continental’s representatives echoed this praise of the central Mexican state.

“From our experience in Aguascalientes, we know that we have the right talent to meet the requirements of a high-tech plant like this,” Galluzi said. “We also have a progressive and attractive environment with safety and a high quality of life.”

The new hose plant will be constructed in Aguascalientes’ Vesta industrial park. (Adalberto Ortega/Vesta)

The new plant will use solar panels and recycled water. It will supply hoses to various key industries, including construction, energy, agriculture and automotive, taking advantage of Aguascalientes’ central location.

“We are a strategic logistics point in the American continent,” said Aguascalientes governor María Teresa Jiménez Esquivel. “We have a road system that connects us with the main ports of the Atlantic and the Pacific, as well as air connectivity.”

Central Mexico is one of the regional hubs of the nearshoring boom, due both to its location and its abundance of engineering and technical service providers, as U.S. and Asian manufacturers seek to relocate manufacturing operations to the country.

“Mexico is prepared to become a leader in the manufacturing sector, with a different production and supply structure,” said Sergio Pérez Castilleja, an executive at global real estate firm Newmark earlier this week. “We are ready for it.”

With reports from Mexico Industry and El Universal

How do I bring my pet to Mexico?

By

MND Staff

-

January 25, 2024

5

shutterstock_2257541023 — Entering pets into the country is free of charge unless you’re traveling with 3 or more pets. (Shutterstock)

With more and more people traveling back and forth with their pets between the United States, Canada and Mexico — in addition to the increasing number of expats from other nationalities that bring their pets with them — we’ve created this guide to help you discover the types of pets that are allowed to enter the country, vaccinations required for entry, fees charged by the government, and all essential regulations to bring your pets with you.

While this guide answers the essential questions to bring your pet into the country by land, sea or air, be sure to always check the government’s website or contact your airline or the Mexican authority directly for additional and updated information (all relevant links hyperlinked below).

Which animals are considered pets in Mexico?

According to the Animal Protection Law, domestic animals are those raised in the company of humans and under their care. However, regulation to bring pets into Mexico currently only applies for cats and dogs.

If you wish to bring into the country other types of domestic animals, click here.

If you wish to travel with an emotional support animal, check any additional requirements directly with your airline.

Is there a fee to enter pets in Mexico?

Entering pets into the country is free of charge unless you’re traveling with 3 or more pets.

Other expenses you need to consider are those applied by the airline of your choice.

What documents and vaccinations are required for cats and dogs to cross the border?

Good news for U.S. residents: It is no longer necessary to have a health certificate for dogs and cats when entering Mexico. You can take your pets to the border without any documentation, but they will be inspected by the National Agri-Food Health, Safety and Quality Service (Senasica) upon arrival. For further guidance, please refer to the instructions on this page.

If you travel from any other country, you must present the following:

Certificate of Good Health (Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación) issued by a veterinarian within 15 days before the trip.
Name and address of the exporter and importer, as well as the identification data of the pet and its final destination.
An updated Vaccination Card including the following mandatory vaccines: Canine parvovirus, distemper, canine hepatitis, and rabies. Non-core vaccines (Bordetella and the Leptospirosis bacteria) are given based on the dog’s risk of exposure (pets under 3 months of age are exempt from a vaccination card).
Proof of deworming within the last 6 months.

Once you have submitted all the necessary documents, your pet will undergo a physical examination by OIA officials.

The officials will verify that the pet’s physical description mentioned in the Health Certificate matches its actual physical characteristics, such as sex, breed and color. Additionally, they will inspect the pet’s health status and ensure that it is free from external parasites.

Can I bring my pet’s food, toys, and accessories?

Yes, provided you comply with the following requirements.

Food:

These are the products for animals allowed into the country according to the Senasica:

Toys and accessories:

The import of bedding, implements, accessories, toys, treats, or prizes containing animal ingredients is prohibited and will be removed and destroyed if they are discovered.

However, your pet may enter with its collar or leash in a clean conveyor or container.

Can I send my pet as cargo?

Yes. If you send your pet as a cargo, check the requirements on the airline of your choice and consider using the services of a customs agent (agente aduanal) for its release before Customs. While in some countries a “customs agent” refers to a government representative, in Mexico an agente aduanal usually means a professional who specializes in helping clients navigate the customs process.

Can I bring my pet if it’s undergoing medical treatment?

Yes.

If your pet is undergoing medical treatment or can’t be vaccinated against rabies, then upon arrival to Mexico, you need to present a medical prescription on letterhead with the number of your Professional Certificate or equivalent. This prescription should explain the condition of your pet and its treatment so that you can enter its medicines.

You can attach a photocopy of the certificate along with the prescription.

For additional information, click here.

What happens if I arrive in Mexico without the required documentation?

If you don’t possess a Certificate of Good Health or a Vaccination Card, you’ll need to seek out the services of a private veterinarian of your choice in Mexico. The veterinarian must administer the necessary treatments and issue the Certificate of Good Health.

After an evaluation, official personnel or an Authorized Third-Party Specialist (TEA) can confirm the good state of health.

For additional information, click here.

What is the Frequent Traveler Program?

Since Feb. 2023, it is easier to frequently travel to Mexico with your pet.

This program (Programa Mascota Viajero Frecuente) aims to speed up the review and inspection of your pet at Agricultural Health Inspection Offices (OISA) located at entry points into the country.

By enrolling your pet in the Pet Frequent Traveler Program (PFTP), you’ll only need to present a Certificate of Good Health once every six months.

To register, you must upload to the Tourism Certification System your pet’s Certificate of Good Health, Vaccination Card, and Veterinarian Certificate.

For any additional information or queries, please contact the OISA or click here.

Gabriela Solís is a Mexican lawyer based in Dubai turned full-time writer. She covers business, culture, lifestyle and travel for Mexico News Daily. You can follow her life in Dubai in her blog Dunas y Palmeras.