People travel across the planet to experience a solar eclipse because it is so remarkable that it's almost addictive. (Unsplash)
The whole world is talking about the two upcoming solar eclipses, and the first place in the world to view one in totality will be in Mazatlán, Mexico. On April 8, 2024, at 9:46 a.m., the city will plunge into complete darkness for 4 minutes and 27 seconds!
Astronomers worldwide will descend on the port city, including those from NASA, UNAM, France, Japan, Jordan, and the Netherlands. The total eclipse show will begin at 9:51 a.m. and will last nearly three hours. If you’re looking at the calendar, you’ll see this will all occur on a Monday. But trust me — there’s no better way to start your week.
Mazatlán: the perfect spot to experience the solar eclipse. (Dianne Hofner Saphiere)
My family traveled to Nebraska to experience our first total eclipse in August of 2017 and it was life-changing!
We sat in a field of sunflowers on a clear, blue day. As the moon began to shield the sun and the sky started to darken, the insects began buzzing, just like at sunset – even though it was just before noon! The sunflowers started bowing their heads.
As the moon almost completely crossed over the sun, we saw the much-anticipated “diamond ring” – and is so much better in person than in a photo or video! Finally, the world went completely dark, cool and quiet. It is such an eerie sensation at midday!
Looking around, we could see the reds and yellows of sunset 360 degrees around the horizon. The insects went quiet, and the sunflowers faced the soil for the duration of the eclipse. Even our 21-year-old son, who knew what to expect, was gobsmacked by what he saw. After a few minutes, the sun reappeared, and the process reversed itself.
People travel across the planet to experience a solar eclipse because it is so remarkable that it’s almost addictive. Luckily, those of us in this piece of paradise will not have to go far. However, budding “eclipse chasers,” I urge you to make your plans now before lodging sells out. The next total solar eclipse visible from North America won’t be until 2044.
I am a founding member of the Mazatlán Astronomical Society (SAMAZ). While I am very far from an expert, many members of the Society are! In our weekly meetings, members teach people the science of astronomy, how to build telescopes, and how to view eclipses safely. We are also training volunteers to host viewings during both events.
SAMAZ’s annular eclipse event in October will be held at Mazatlán’s lighthouse, said to be the tallest naturally occurring lighthouse in the world. Next April, the Society will host viewings in Mazatlán at the lighthouse, the UNAM campus, and on the historic Olas Altas boardwalk. You can learn more about the society on their Facebook page. While you are in Mazatlán for the eclipse, you can enjoy the incredible fresh seafood, miles of gorgeous beaches, the colonial Centro Histórico with its unique tropical neoclassical architecture, artist galleries, a 7-km oceanside promenade, and the incredible views from its three oceanfront hills, beachside restaurants, bars and high rises.
Another great option is to travel into the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range to view the eclipse under dark skies that are perfect for stargazing. Villagers in the small town (220 inhabitants) of Chirimoyos, 90 minutes from Mazatlán, have flattened out a viewing area they call “Mintaka Observatory.” At 1400 meters above sea level, it provides 360-degree views and over 100 kilometers of visibility.
Their community-directed rural tourism project offers camping space (50 pesos/person) with nearby bathrooms, rentals of rooms in local houses (600 pesos/3-4 people) or complete homes, home-cooked meals starting at 100 pesos, horseback riding for 200 pesos/hour and guides for hiking and birding (150/person for 5 people).
The area is breathtaking and is locally known as a sacred energy vortex. It’s a charming small town where you’ll find pre-hispanic areas, petroglyphs, beekeepers, farmers of ancestral corn and growers of garden flowers. Observatorio La Mintaka has unified the local community and brought in new revenue streams to an area in economic need while connecting residents in meaningful ways with their natural environment.
Near Chirimoyos and just an hour east of Mazatlán is the gorgeous, historic woodworking and mining town of Concordia. Founded in 1565, Concordia is regionally famous for its shaved ice. The beautiful San Sebastián church crowns the charming town square; colorful homes line its streets.
Do not miss the Callejón Nana Chon with its incredible street art, the namesake of a well-known local heroine of the second Franco-Mexican War. Concordia will host eclipse viewings as well. Nearby are hot springs and the Indigenous Mayo town of Jacobo.
Invitation to watch the solar eclipse with the Observatorio Astronómico Mintaka
Safely viewing a solar eclipse
You MUST use eclipse glasses, handheld solar viewers, or solar camera filters; NEVER look directly at the sun during an eclipse!
Ensure your viewers have ISO 12312-2:2015 certification. They should have the manufacturer’s name and address printed somewhere on the product and should not be scratched or damaged. During complete darkness (totality), you may remove the glasses, but as soon as the sun begins to peak out again, put them back on to watch the remainder of the eclipse.
Getting there
Mazatlán: Daily flights from most major Mexican cities.
Concordia: About an hour east from Mazatlán. Take Highway 15 south to Villa Unión and switch to the Highway 40 free road. Public buses are available.
Chirimoyos: About 90 minutes from Mazatlán. Take Highway 15 south to Villa Unión and switch to 40D, the toll road.
Dianne Hofner Saphiere is a photographer and interculturalist who has lived in Mazatlán since 2008. Her photographs can be found under “Thru Di’s Eyes” on FB, IG or her website, www.thrudiseyes.com. She also runs the expat website www.vidamaz.com.
The team had been training in Tel Aviv when the conflict broke out this weekend. (Conade)
The Mexican rhythmic gymnastics team, which has been in Israel to train for the upcoming Pan American Games, will soon be evacuated with the help of the Mexican government according to a video statement.
The squad had been unable to leave Tel Aviv after the attack in Israel by the Palestinian militant group Hamas over the weekend. Israel has begun a “complete siege” of the Gaza Strip, where Hamas is based, and continues to battle Hamas fighters on Israeli soil. According to reports, the number of dead was more than 1,500 as of Monday night.
The team posted a video on Sunday alerting friends, family and followers that they are safe in Israel. (Selección Nacional de Gimnasia Rítmica – Conjunto/Facebook)
“Given the seriousness of the situation, flights have been canceled, leaving us without the immediate possibility of returning to our Mexico,” Mexican head coach Blajaith Aguilar Rojas said in an earlier video on Facebook. “Given this dynamic, we make a call and strongly request support from our government so that we can return safely to our home as soon as possible.”
The women gymnasts — who perform floor routines with hoops, balls, clubs, ribbon and rope — are feeling a good deal of “tension and concern,” Aguilar added.
“They are protected in the training center,” pointed out María José Alcalá, president of the Mexican Olympic Committee (COM). The team is preparing for the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, which are scheduled to run from Oct. 18 to Nov. 5. Rhythmic gymnastics will begin Nov. 1.
Officials didn’t disclose the team’s exact location, but said it would continue training in a safe area and leave for Chile, or Mexico, as soon as conditions allow.
The team at a qualifying event for the 2024 Olympic Games. (Selección Nacional de Gimnasia Rítmica – Conjunto/Facebook)
In a message posted on Facebook, the team wrote, “We are fine, in a safe area, somewhat far from the affected cities and we already know all the necessary measures in case of any situation. We thank you all for being attentive and for your messages.”
Aguilar said the team members have been shown how to get to the nearest bomb shelter in case of an incoming missile.
“It is true that we are scared with the situation,” she added. “But people here have shown us the protocols and bunkers that should be used if necessary.”
Tel Aviv has become a popular spot for international gymnasts to train, which is why the Mexican squad and their coaches went there after the 2023 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships.
In August, the team left for Tel Aviv, where they have been training for the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, which are scheduled to run from Oct. 18 to Nov. 5. (Selección Nacional de Gimnasia Rítmica – Conjunto/Facebook)
A qualification event for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, the championships were held Aug. 23-27 in Valencia, Spain. Mexico placed 14th in all-around.
Alicia Bárcena, Mexico’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, reported that she is communicating with officials at the Mexican Embassy in Israel about the rhythmic gymnastics team and other Mexicans in Israel, including two who were reportedly taken hostage by Hamas on Saturday.
“We are in contact with authorities in Israel and family members to provide follow-up, support and care,” she said.
The gymnasts with the Mexican contingent include Dalia Alcocer, Kimberly Salazar, Adirem Tejeda, Sofia Flores and Julia Gutiérrez.
While the annual headline rate continues to drop, the cost of fruits and vegetables was up 6.75% annually in September, and processed foods, beverages and tobacco were up 7.57%. (Daniel Lerman/Unsplash)
Mexico’s annual headline inflation rate declined for an eighth consecutive month in September, but remains above the central bank’s target.
Annual inflation was 4.45% in September, the national statistics agency INEGI reported Monday.
This chart shows annual headline inflation rates from June 2022 through the first half of September. (lopezobrador.org.mx)
That rate – the lowest since February 2021 – is 0.19 percentage points lower than the 4.64% rate recorded in August. Month-over-month inflation was 0.44%, INEGI said.
The annual core inflation rate, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, was 5.76% in September, down from 6.08% in August.
Andres Abadia, chief Latin America economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, said that the decline in inflation was “thanks to the lagged effect of tighter financial conditions, the impressive MXN rebound in recent months” – although the peso has lost value in October – “and lower raw-material prices.”
INEGI noted that in September last year, annual headline inflation was 8.7%. While inflation has declined every month since February, the headline rate remains above the Bank of Mexico’s target of 3% with tolerance for one point in either direction.
In the category of fruits and vegetables, limes saw the steepest price increase between August and September, while chayotes saw the biggest decrease. (Roberto Carlos Roman/Unsplash)
The central bank late last month decided to keep its benchmark interest rate at a record high 11.25% due to persistent inflation and a “very complex” outlook. The bank has said on repeated occasions that “it will be necessary to maintain the reference rate at its current level for an extended period” in order to bring inflation down to its 3% target.
Jason Tuvey, deputy chief emerging markets economist at Capital Economics, said that the latest INEGI data “reinforces” the view that “an easing cycle will not begin until early next year.”
Once rates start to fall, they “will come down slower than the consensus anticipates,” he predicted.
What fueled annual inflation in September?
INEGI data shows that goods in general were 6.2% more expensive last month than in September 2022. Within that category, processed food, beverages and tobacco prices were up 7.57%, while those for non-food goods rose 4.59%.
Fruit and vegetables were 6.75% more expensive in annual terms, while meat prices ticked up 0.33%.
Services were 5.23% more expensive, housing cost 3.58% more and private school fees increased 6.59%.
Energy prices, including those for gasoline and electricity, fell 1.71% compared to September 2022.
Pricey limes, cheap chayotes
Inflation is on a downward trend but it’s still far from the Bank of Mexico’s 3% target rate. (ProtoplasmaKid/Wikimedia Commons)
INEGI reported month-over-month increases for a range of individual products and services.
Prices for limes rose 33.79% in September compared to August.
Carrots +25.17%
Tomatoes +10.28%
Primary school fees +6.07%
Sugar +5.71%
Eggs +5.43%
LP gas +2.81%
Price decreases
Prices for chayotes, also known as mirlitons and chokos, declined 27.48% in September compared to August.
Israel informed the Mexican government that Ilana Gritzewsky and Orión Hernández Radoux had been taken as hostages. (Images retrieved from X)
Two Mexicans are believed to be among more than 100 people taken hostage by the Palestinian militant group Hamas during a weekend of violence in Israel, according to authorities.
Foreign Affairs Minister Alicia Bárcena said on X (formerly known as Twitter) that the Mexican Embassy in Israel had informed the government that a Mexican woman and man were “allegedly taken hostage by the Hamas group in Gaza” on Saturday.
Lamento informar que nuestra @EmbaMexIsr, nos ha comunicado que una mexicana y un mexicano han sido presuntamente tomados como rehenes por el grupo Hamás, en Gaza, este sábado. Estamos en contacto con autoridades en Israel y los familiares para dar seguimiento, apoyo y atención.
Gritzewsky and her Israeli partner were captured at the Nir Oz kibbutz near the border with the Gaza Strip, according to her father, Benito Gritzewsky, who spoke to the news website Enlace Judío.
Hernández, originally from Tepotzlán, Morelos, was reportedly at a music festival when he was taken hostage. His German-Israeli girlfriend, named on social media as Shani Houk, was reportedly killed by Hamas operatives. Some 260 bodies were reportedly recovered at a desert site near the Gaza Strip where the Supernova festival was underway when gunmen arrived on Saturday morning.
David Heiblum (L) was also reported among the Mexicans missing in Israel but was confirmed to be alive today by his family. (@MLopezSanMartin/X)
Bárcena said that Mexican authorities were in contact with their Israeli counterparts and the family members of the presumed hostages to monitor the situation and provide support.
According to an Israeli estimate cited by The New York Times, Hamas is holding some 150 hostages in the Gaza Strip. A spokesman for Hamas’s armed wing on Monday threatened to execute a civilian hostage every time an Israeli airstrike hits Gazans “in their homes without warning,” the Times reported.
In another post on X on Sunday, Bárcena said that 500 Mexicans in Israel had registered with Mexican authorities via an “emergency form we opened.”
López Obrador said Monday that about 300 Mexicans of an estimated 5,000 in Israel had sought government assistance to return to Mexico. The president said that one military plane had already departed for Israel and that another will leave on Monday afternoon.
Two military airplanes left for Israel on Monday to repatriate approximately 300 Mexicans who had sought government assistance to return to Mexico. (@laoctavadigital/X)
Asked about the acts of violence committed by Hamas, López Obrador said his government is in favor of peace.
“We believe that violence mustn’t be used. The mandate of our constitution with regard to foreign policy is very clear – no intervention [in the affairs of other countries], self-determination and peaceful solution to disputes. That’s our position, we don’t want war, we don’t want violence,” he said.
More than 1,300 people had been killed in Israel and the Gaza Strip as of midday Monday. About 800 people have been killed in Israel by Hamas members who infiltrated the country and nearly 2,400 have been wounded, according to Israeli authorities.
At least 560 Palestinians have been killed in airstrikes by Israel on the Gaza Strip, according to authorities there. At least 2,900 others have been injured in the retaliatory action taken by Israeli forces.
López Obrador said that the United States should “convene a meeting of all countries” to find a peaceful solution to the conflict and “avoid war.”
The Foreign Affairs Ministry (SRE) said in a statement on Sunday that the government of Mexico “unequivocally condemns the unacceptable attacks against the people of Israel on October 7 by Hamas and other Palestinian organizations in Gaza.”
The Foreign Affairs Ministry, headed by Alicia Bárcena, condemned “the unacceptable attacks against the people of Israel on October 7 by Hamas and other Palestinian organizations in Gaza.” (Rogelio Morales Ponce/Cuartoscuro)
“Any terrorist act constitutes a threat to international peace and security, which calls for the full cooperation of all states to prevent and punish them. No cause justifies the use of terrorism,” the ministry said.
“Mexico recognizes Israel’s right to legitimate self-defense – which must be governed by the conditions established in international law – while condemning the use of force, regardless of which side uses it, especially when the targets are civilians, in clear violation of international humanitarian law,” it said.
After noting that hundreds of civilians including women and children were killed during an “escalation of violence” over the weekend, the SRE said that “these appalling events should serve as a reminder, once again, of the urgent need to resume negotiations to reach a definitive solution to the conflict in the region.”
“Mexico’s position is clear: Mexico is in favor of a comprehensive, definitive two-state solution to the conflict that addresses Israel’s legitimate security concerns and allows for the consolidation of a politically and economically viable Palestinian State that lives side by side with Israel within secure and internationally recognized borders in accordance with the United Nations resolutions,” the ministry said.
UNESCO inscribed the process for making artisanal talavera in Puebla and Tlaxcala in Mexico, and Talavera de la Reina and El Puente del Arzobispo in Spain, on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. (Talavera San Pedro)
Mexican Talavera tile is an old art form that vibrates with its distinctive architectural charm. Let’s explore its history and how its enduring allure can revitalize your home.
Talavera ceramics were brought to Mexico in the late 16th century by Catholic monks who needed tiles for adorning the many churches they were building in the New World. They particularly wanted the Muslim style common in Spain since the 12th century but importing tiles from Spain to Mexico was unfeasible.
Incorporating Talavera tiles into home decor celebrates a centuries-old tradition that sparks fun and creative endeavors. (Talavera Cortés)
The clergy then sought to promote local Mexican production and this prompted the migration of skilled artisans from the city of Talavera de la Reina, in Spain, who settled in Puebla and taught the craft to Mexican workers.
As the practice of beautifying convents and churches grew, this custom became widespread among those who had the purchasing power to decorate their homes with these precious tiles. Puebla’s abundant clay resources, coupled with soaring demand, transformed its Talavera production into a resounding success, and the burgeoning community of potters extended to the neighboring state of Tlaxcala.
Acknowledging this surge, the viceroy established regulations to ensure the industry’s quality, which formalized this art form, and appointed the city of Puebla as the preeminent pottery center in New Spain.
This secured the tradition for a long time but when Mexico gained independence in 1821, the viceroy’s ordinances became obsolete. Some manufacturers, eager to meet high demand, shifted towards mass production. Until the 1990s, when a conservation effort led to the creation of a Mexican Talavera Regulatory Council and earned a Denomination of Origin status to protect the authenticity of the Talavera pieces made with the original 16th-century methods in the states of Puebla and Tlaxcala.
Furthermore, in 2019, UNESCO inscribed the process for making artisanal Talavera in Puebla and Tlaxcala in Mexico and Talavera de la Reina and El Puente del Arzobispo in Spain on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. A testament to the enduring legacy of this art form on both sides of the Atlantic.
Authentic Talavera tiles are known for their intricate hand-painted designs, vibrant colors, and milky-white glaze. These captivating designs often feature floral motifs, geometric patterns, and scenes inspired by nature and mythology. The painted patterns are distinguished by a tactile quality, rising slightly above the ceramic base.
In its early days, designs over an ivory white background were only painted in cobalt blue, as it was the most expensive pigment, thus contributing both quality and prestige. The use of Talavera tiles was such a status symbol for families and churches that people used to say that not aspiring to build a house covered in tiles amounts to not aspiring much in life.
The color palette has evolved but only allows six official colors: blue, yellow, black, green, orange, and mauve. Yellow is created from antimony, blue is made from cobalt oxide, orange comes from hematite, copper produces green, and the enamel top coat contains tin and lead, resulting in Talavera’s famous endurance. Each Talavera item is fired once to harden the clay and then again after painting to develop and set the colors.
When shopping for authentic pieces, look for these signs: a portion of the bottom surface is always left unglazed to expose the red terracotta. It is there where you will find the handpainted manufacturer logo, artist initials, factory location, and the official certification hologram.
Incorporating Talavera tiles into home decor celebrates a centuries-old tradition that sparks fun and creative endeavors. When shopping for these tiles, you’ll be amazed at the hundreds of choices available. Layout your design carefully, considering both color coordination and pattern selection. You can mix and match tiles to create a customized look that suits your style.
You can mix and match tiles to create a customized look that suits your style. (Azulejos Coloniales)
Some ideas for how to incorporate the beauty of Talavera tiles into your home decor:
Kitchen Longevity: Transform your kitchen into a vibrant and inviting space by using Talavera tiles as a colorful backsplash, countertop, or kitchen island. These sturdy tiles are famous for never losing their shine.
Bathroom Accents: Add the vibrant flair of Mexican artistry to your bathroom by using Talavera tiles on countertops, mirror frames and shower walls. Talavera sinks also make stunning accent pieces.
Patio Oasis: Elevate your outdoor area by covering swimming pools, fountains, walls, tables and planters with Talavera tiles. Their vibrant colors and patterns will create a gorgeous backdrop for your gatherings.
Staircases and Floors: Make a striking statement using Talavera tiles on stair risers or as a border along floors, creating an elegant and visually appealing transition.
Talavera tiles add a distinctively Mexican touch to your home and celebrate a centuries-old tradition. These tough, shiny tiles are a piece of history, a testament to craftsmanship, and a vibrant expression of artistry that can elevate the ambiance of any space. Whether you opt for a subtle accent or a bold statement, Talavera tiles will brighten your home with unique and enduring charm.
Sandra is a Mexican writer and translator based in San Miguel de Allende who specializes in mental health and humanitarian aid. She believes in the power of language to foster compassion and understanding across cultures. She can be reached at: [email protected]
Three-quarters of Mexico is now in drought as the country approaches the dry season from December through April. (Shutterstock)
Three-quarters of Mexico is now in drought, causing failing harvests and cattle deaths across the north of the country.
According toMexico’s Drought Monitor, which is updated every two weeks by the National Meteorological Service (SMN), 74.96% of the national territory was in drought on Sep. 30, up 7.88 percentage points from the67.08% registered on Sep. 15.
Levels of drought increased by 8% in the last three weeks (Photo: Archive).
This compares to only 12.66% of the country affected by drought on the same date in 2022, and 28.04% in 2021.
Another 13.92% of the country was not in drought, but was considered “abnormally dry.” Only 11.12% of the country was unaffected by water shortages, notably the Baja California peninsula.
Even more alarmingly, 48 municipalities (1.84% of Mexico) entered “exceptional drought” conditions in the second half of September – the highest level of drought on the SMN’s scale. This included nearly a quarter of the state of Durango, and some areas of Hidalgo, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí and Veracruz.
These areas were already suffering severe effects from water shortages. In August, the Regional Livestock Union of Durango (UGRD) reported that 18,000 cattle had died due to the water crisis, while severe impacts on the livestock industry were also reported in Veracruz.
Corn farmers in Chilpancingo report that their harvest is down 50% this year due to low levels of rainfall in Guerrero state. (Dassaev Téllez Adame/Cuartoscuro)
In Querétaro, dams are at extremely low levels, with four of the state’s seven reservoirs now totally empty and none at more than 30% capacity.
These impacts are not limited to the municipalities facing extraordinary drought. In Jalisco, which produces 20% of Mexico’s milk supply, farmers are also seeing their animals die due to water shortages.
“We are experiencing a tremendous crisis,” saidAdalberto Velasco Antillón, president of the Regional Livestock Union of Jalisco. “Thousands and thousands of cattle have died due to the drought problem.”
Meanwhile, water shortages are causing crop failures across northern states like Sinaloa, Sonora and Tamaulipas. Last week, theAgricultural Markets Consulting Group (GCMA) predicted that Sinaloa, Mexico’s main corn-producing state, would see a 50% reduction in the harvest for the coming autumn-winter season – from 5.5 million tonnes to between 2 and 2.5 million tonnes.
Avocado producers claim that the drought has exacerbated the extortion payments required by organized crime groups in harvest regions of Michoacán. (Juan José Estrada Serafín/Cuartoscuro)
Significant reductions in yields have already been seen in regions such as Chihuahua, Durango, Zacatecas, the Bajío and the Gulf. The Chihuahua Livestock Association has warned of imminent food shortages and urged the government to support the agricultural sector.
Luis Fernando Haro, director of the National Agricultural Council (CNA)also warned of a drop in production, and criticized the federal budget for eliminating funding for modernizing irrigation systems.
He added that problems caused by the drought are being exacerbated by the collection of extortion payments by organized crime groups that control agricultural production in some regions of the country.
In particular, he pointed to the avocado-growing regions of Michoacán, which currently has70% of its territory in extreme drought, and suffers from high levels of control by organized crime.
The famous ‘seven moles’ being prepared in the family-run restaurant Los Pacos in Oaxaca (Photo: Mirja Vogel)
Three generations of the Canseco family stand guard over giant copper cauldrons of dark sauce sizzling in Oaxaca’s Los Pacos restaurant production kitchen.
The aroma is otherworldly. Combining over 80 ingredients, including chiles, spices, and nuts bubbling in large pots, produces a mouth-watering scent.
Gabriel Canseco and his mother, Laura, are on duty. (Photo: Mirja Vogel)
The infinitely complex Mexican sauce, slowly cooking under the guidance of the mother-son team, Laura Canseco and Gabriel Canseco, is mole. But to call it a ‘sauce’ seems to do the sticky, exotic marinade a disservice.
Mole is a stew-like liquid made by grinding various ingredients, including chiles, pulses, and vegetables, and combining the mixture with water, a stock-like juice and a thickener like nuts, seeds, or bread.
From here, interpretation, experience, and creativity become the main ingredients in creating different variations of mole.
It is one of the most essential elements of Mexican gastronomy, and Oaxaca is known colloquially as the ‘Land of the Seven Moles.’
Laura grinds a variety of ingredients into the mix. (Photo: Mirja Vogel)
At Los Pacos, mole recipes are a closely guarded secret known only by four family members. Seven different varieties ranging from “verde” (green), “coloradito” (red colored), and the highly-revered “mole negro” (black mole) are produced here. Other types are paired to match the flavors of bases, including beef, pork, and vegetables.
Laura, the kitchen’s Head Chef, tells us:“There are thousands of mole recipes, but you won’t find ours anywhere. These are the flavors of our family, and they will stay that way. For the last 38 years, we have been preparing and serving seven different types of mole. I learned all the recipes from my mother, Maria, who started the restaurant with her husband in 1986. Back then, it was just a few tables in our front garden.”
The family’s recipes were an instant hit with locals.
When Laura turned 20, she began working as a chef, and fourteen years and two children later, she opened the doors to the modern-day, renovated Los Pacos.
The mole is almost ready. (Photo: Mirja Vogel)
For the Canseco family, mole began as an art that evolved through years of tasting and experimentation. Today, the production is closer to a science.
“Our mole has played a big role in keeping the family closely together,” Maria’s grandson, Gabriel, tells us, and continues,“No Sunday goes by without friends joining the family table to catch up over food and wine. It brings us all closer.”
Jorge Vallejo, Head Chef of Mexico City’s Quintonil, awarded the best restaurant in Mexico this year, said mole has “endless possibilities… and it’s still evolving.”
María, or as she is affectionately known, ‘Coco’ at the head of the family table. (Photo: Mirja Vogel)
After watching the spellbinding sorcery needed to make hundreds of kilos of mole, it’s hard to disagree with Vallejo. There is a magic to it, and part of that comes from its ancient origins.
From watching the family’s hands work together on each step of the production and the joy on the faces of family and guests alike, mole’s reputation is safe.
Mirja Vogel is a Oaxaca-based international photographer. Gordon Cole-Schmidt is a freelance journalist and editor.
A hurricane warning is in effect between Playa Pérula, Jalisco, and Mazatlán, Sinaloa. (Gabriel Larios Heredia/Cuartoscuro)
Tropical Storm Max made landfall on the Pacific coast of Mexico on Monday, bringing torrential rain to Guerrero and Michoacán.
Max was located 31 miles (50 kilometers) south-southeast of Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, at 12 p.m. Mexico City time, according to the United States National Hurricane Center (NHC).
Tropical Storms Max and Lidia will make landfall within 24 hours of each other, bringing storms to the Pacific coast between Acapulco and Mazatlán. (zoom.earth)
A tropical storm warning is in effect between Acapulco, Guerrero, and Punta San Telmo, Michoacán.
The NHC said that the storm had maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and was strengthening.
“Max is moving toward the north-northeast near 5 mph (7 km/h) and this motion is expected to continue through tomorrow,” the Florida-based agency said.
“Rapid weakening is expected as Max moves inland, with the storm expected to dissipate over Mexico on Tuesday,” the NHC said.
Acapulco authorities began relocating residents on Sunday due to heavy flooding. (@AcapulcoGob/X)
Mexico’s National Meteorological Service (SMN) said in a statement that Max would bring torrential rain of 150-250 millimeters to Guerrero and Michoacán on Monday. “Intense” rain of 75-150 mm is expected in Colima and Oaxaca, while very heavy rain of 50-75 mm is forecast in Morelos and Puebla.
The NHC said that rains in Guerrero, Michoacán, and the coastal sections of western Oaxaca “will likely produce flash and urban flooding, along with possible mudslides in areas of higher terrain near the coast.”
The center also warned of “life-threatening surf and rip current conditions” off the southern coast of Mexico.
Authorities in Guerrero announced that classes at all schools in the state were suspended on Monday.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Lidia was 525 kilometers south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California at 9 a.m., according to the NHC. Lidia is forecast to become a hurricane before making landfall in mainland Mexico on Tuesday night.
A hurricane warning is in effect between Playa Pérula, Jalisco, and Mazatlán, Sinaloa, an area that includes the entire coast of Nayarit. A hurricane warning is also in effect for the Islas Marías, an archipelago of four islands off the coast of Nayarit.
The forecast path of Tropical Storm Lidia, which is expected to become a hurricane by Tuesday. (@InfoMeteoro/X)
With maximum sustained winds of 100 km/h, Lidia is “moving toward the northeast near 6 mph (9 km/h),” the NHC said.
“… On the forecast track, the center of Lidia should approach Las Islas Marías on Tuesday, and move inland over west-central Mexico Tuesday night. … Strengthening is forecast later today and Tuesday, and Lidia is expected to be a hurricane when it approaches Las Islas Marías and the coast of west-central Mexico.”
A tropical storm warning is in effect between Escuinapa and Bahía de Tempehuaya in Sinaloa, and between Manzanillo, Colima, and Playa Pérula.
Lidia is forecast to bring intense rains to Baja California Sur, Sinaloa, Durango, Nayarit and Jalisco, the SMN said.
The NHC said the storm is expected to produce rainfall of 10 to 20 centimeters (4-8 inches) with local maximums of 30 cm (12 inches) “through Wednesday across the state of Nayarit, southern portions of the state of Sinaloa and coastal portions of the state of Jalisco.
“… These rains will likely produce flash and urban flooding, along with possible mudslides in areas of higher terrain near the coast.”
Flash and urban flooding is forecast for Baja California Sur, Sinaloa, Durango, Nayarit and Jalisco early this week. (Protección Civil Sinaloa)
The NHC also said that a storm surge is expected to produce “significant coastal flooding near and to the south of where the center [of Lidia] makes landfall.”
“Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves,” the agency said.
Authorities in Nayarit and Baja California Sur canceled classes on Monday, although the full force of Lidia isn’t expected until Tuesday.
Lidia is the 12th named storm of the 2023 Pacific hurricane season, while Max is the 13th. The season officially began on May 15 and runs through Nov. 30.
The earthquake was felt throughout the Isthmus of Tehuantepec and the Central Valleys of Oaxaca, with tremors reported as far as Mexico City. (@PCMunOax/X)
An earthquake in Oaxaca on Friday night was felt all the way in Mexico City, but fortunately caused no casualties and only minimal damage in the coastal state.
The 6.0-magnitude earthquake happened just after 11 p.m. on Friday, with an epicenter 13 kilometers (8 miles) northwest of Matias Romero, in the state of Oaxaca. It was felt most strongly in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec and the Central Valleys of Oaxaca, including the state capital, located 339 kilometers (210 miles) west of the epicenter.
The earthquake triggered Mexico City’s seismic alert system, briefly interrupting a Friday night out for “capitalinos.” (Rogelio Morales/Cuartoscuro)
“Civil protection protocols have been activated and our staff are reviewing the possible effects throughout the state,” Governor Salomón Jara told residents. “We ask you to remain calm and alert to official instructions.”
According to preliminary reports, the quake caused minor damage to roads, churches and markets in the region. This included landslides and rockfalls on the road between the state capital and the epicenter; damage to the capital’s 20 de Noviembre market; and the collapse of an awning in the church of San Sebastián Tutla.
The historic center of Oaxaca city was plunged into blackout, and locals shared photos of damage on social media, including collapsed traffic lights and cracks in the Tlalixtac bridge. Aftershocks were also felt in various regions of Chiapas.
As the quake hit, alarms operated by the Mexican Seismic Alert System (SASMEX) sounded inMexico City. This triggered emergency protocols including safety reviews of the transport and water systems, hospitals being put on alert, and helicopter patrols.
Although tremors of varying strengths were felt in some parts of CDMX, no structural damage or serious injuries were reported.
President López Obrador weighed up his work as head of state and reiterated his commitment to completing national security projects before leaving office. (lopezobrador.org.mx)
The 1968 massacre of students in Mexico City, poverty reduction, the Biden administration’s announcement that it will build a new section of the border wall and tourism in the Caribbean coastal state of Quintana Roo were among the topics discussed at President López Obrador’s morning press conferences, or mañaneras, this week.
AMLO is now just two months shy of completing his fifth year in office, and eager to get as much done as possible before his term as president ends on Oct. 1, 2024.
AMLO was to board the Maya Train on Friday afternoon for a second test run between Quintana Roo and Yucatán. (lopezobrador.org.mx)
Perhaps his most coveted – and ambitious – objective is to get the Maya Train up and running before the end of the year.
This weekend, López Obrador is once again in southeastern Mexico to inspect progress on his flagship project. To get a head start on his supervisory work, AMLO held his last presser of the week in Quintana Roo before he hopped on the Maya Train later on Friday to complete a test run to the neighboring state of Yucatán.
Monday
AMLO noted at the top of his presser that he had entered the final year of his (not quite) six-year term, as he will hand over the presidential sash to his successor on Oct. 1, 2024.
“We have a year left, one or two days less than a year. But our adversaries shouldn’t get impatient because it’s more than a year,” López Obrador said cryptically.
“As we work 16 hours a day, not eight, and Saturday and Sunday, we have enough time,” he explained.
“… We’re going to continue carrying out the transformation of the country,” AMLO added.
Head of Profeco Ricardo Sheffield gave his last segment on fuel and grocery prices on Monday as he will step down to pursue the governorship of Guanajuato. (Moisés Pablo/Cuartoscuro)
He then handed over the reins of the mañanera to Ricardo Sheffield, who presented his final report on fuel and grocery prices before resigning as head of the consumer protection agency Profeco to begin his quest to become the next governor of Guanajuato.
Across Mexico, the three most expensive gas stations last week were Petro Seven, Windstar and Chevron, while the three cheapest and therefore “allies of consumers” were Repsol, BP and ExxonMobil, he said.
Before opening the floor to questions, López Obrador sent his condolences to the families of 11 people who were killed when the roof of a church in Ciudad Madero, Tamaulipas, collapsed last Sunday. He also mourned the death of ten Cuban women in a truck accident in Chiapas on Sunday morning.
Migrants traveling through Mexico face many risks, AMLO said, before citing some of them.
“[There are] gangs that kidnap migrants, murders and tragedies due to traffic accidents,” he said.
Responding to his first question of the day, López Obrador acknowledged that Andrés Roemer, a former Mexican ambassador to UNESCO and consul general in San Francisco, had been arrested in Israel.
The writer and former TV host Andrés Roemer will be extradited to Mexico where he is accused of rape. (Hilda Ríos/Cuartoscuro)
Roemer, who is accused of rape in Mexico, will be extradited, AMLO said.
On the 55th anniversary of the state-sponsored Tlatelolco massacre of students in Mexico City, López Obrador said that the conduct of the army was “reprehensible,” but reminded reporters that it received orders on Oct. 2, 1968, from the president of the day.
“At that time the supreme commander of the Armed Forces was the president Gustavo Díaz Ordaz. I’m not saying anything that isn’t already known. He himself assumed responsibility,” he said.
“In the repression of Oct. 2 there is evidence that those who participated directly were members of the Estado Mayor Presidencial,” AMLO added, referring to the army unit that was charged with protecting Mexico’s president until he disbanded it after he took office.
López Obrador went on to praise the conduct of the army during his government, describing it as “loyal” to the people of Mexico and the country’s public institutions.
One of Mexico’s indelible collective memories is that of the 1968 Tlatelolco Massacre, in which 300 students were assassinated by the government. (Photo: Archive)
He noted that among the many non-traditional tasks he has assigned the army is the construction of infrastructure projects, including the Felipe Ángeles International Airport, sections of the Maya Train and the Tulum airport, which is scheduled to open Dec. 1.
“When had military engineers participated so much in the construction of projects that benefit the development of Mexico? Never,” he said.
Toward the end of his press conference, López Obrador asserted that he has fulfilled 99 of the 100 commitments he made in his inaugural speech as president in December 2018.
He claimed that the only commitment he hasn’t yet delivered on is his pledge to solve the Ayotzinapa case and hold those responsible for the disappearance of the students to account.
In addition to fulfilling 99 of his 100 commitments – among which were raising the minimum wage and creating the National Guard – López Obrador said he was doing things that he hadn’t committed himself to doing.
On Monday, the president said that he was most proud of two accomplishments: the widescale reduction in poverty and the “revolution of consciences” that he has inspired in the Mexican people. (lopezobrador.org.mx)
“And I feel very proud of just two things,” he added.
“One is that I contributed to our people changing their mentality,” AMLO said, asserting that a “revolution of consciences” has taken place across Mexico.
“Our people are now more aware than ever. The people of Mexico are among the most conscious in the world, with less political illiteracy than in other countries,” he said.
“Previous governments didn’t achieve this,” he said, adding that he will consequently leave office with his mind at ease.
Tuesday
Ahead of a bilateral security meeting at which the fight against fentanyl was a key focus for Mexican and U.S. officials, National Defense Minister Luis Cresencio Sandoval reported that 7,691 kilograms of the synthetic opioid had been seized in Mexico since the government took office in late 2018.
National Defense Minister Luis Cresencio Sandoval reported that authorities have shut down over 2,100 clandestine drug labs in the past five years. (lopezobrador.org.mx)
He also provided updates on seizures of other narcotics during the López Obrador administration: over 470 tonnes of methamphetamine, nearly 185 tonnes of cocaine, 726 tonnes of marijuana and close to three tonnes of heroin and opium gum.
Sandoval also said that authorities have shut down over 2,100 clandestine drug labs in the past five years.
Security Minister Rosa Icela Rodríguez subsequently reported that three people had been arrested in connection with the murder of two men who were conducting surveys for the Morena party in Chiapas, and the abduction of their colleague. Authorities seized a pickup truck, a firearm and “objects stolen from the victims,” she added.
“What we want to assure you is that there won’t be impunity in this case,” the security minister said.
Early in his engagement with reporters, AMLO noted that he met on Monday with “a representative of President Biden” – Amos J. Hochstein, the U.S. special presidential coordinator for global infrastructure and energy security.
“We spoke about productive projects, about the arrival of investment to Mexico, about the Plan Sonora [renewable energy initiative], about other projects,” López Obrador said.
AMLO met with the U.S. Special Presidential Coordinator for Global Infrastructure and Energy Security Amos J. Hochstein ahead of this week’s bilateral High Level Security Dialogue. (lopezobrador.org.mx)
“There is cooperation [between Mexico and the U.S.] on the economy, on trade. It’s already known that Mexico at the moment … is the most important trade partner of the United States. We’re complementing each other, economic integration is strengthening and a lot of foreign investment is arriving in Mexico,” he said.
Asked whether there were any security concerns in the bilateral relationship, AMLO said there were none.
“No, because no. There’s going to be a meeting on Thursday, I believe the head of the State Department, Mr. Blinken, and other officials are coming. … It’s a meeting of the teams that work on migration, security and drug trafficking issues, all these issues,” he said.
López Obrador later reiterated his commitment to finding out what happened to the 43 students who disappeared in Guerrero in 2014 and spoke about a range of other issues related to the case. AMLO appealed to anyone with information about the crime, including people who participated in it and are “remorseful” to come forward.
He noted that people with relevant information about the case could be given “protected witness” status or receive less severe criminal punishment if they cooperate with authorities.
“[There are] a lot of people who can help us and we’re going to look after them, protect them and thank them a lot,” AMLO said.
The national transparency institute INAI only has four of the required seven commissioners, which has significantly impacted its operations. (Rogelio Morales/Cuartoscuro)
Shortly before the end of the presser, a reporter asked the president about the Supreme Court’s directive to the Senate to name three additional commissioners to the National Institute for Transparency, Access to Information and the Protection of Personal Data (INAI), which has had just four commissioners since April due to the upper house’s failure to make new appointments.
“It’s a matter between the judicial power and the legislative power,” López Obrador said.
“We just regret that the commission was created, that office of supposed transparency that was created in the time of [former president] Fox to simulate that they were going to combat corruption,” he said.
INAI has “never done anything in favor of the people and against corruption,” AMLO added.
“And it’s an apparatus that costs the people 1 billion pesos a year because the commissioners earn more than the president,” he said.
Director of Infonavit Carlos Martínez Velázquez described the agency’s efforts to help women gain access to housing, including a loan exclusively for people identifying as women. (lopezobrador.org.mx)
Wednesday
The director of the Institute of the National Housing Fund for Workers (Infonavit) reported early in the press conference that the agency has distributed 1.1 trillion pesos (US $61.1 billion) in home loans since the current federal government took office in December 2018.
“The loan schemes today are more flexible and benefit those who couldn’t access loans before,” Carlos Martínez Velázquez said.
“For example, the Mujer Infonavit program was created this year,” he said, explaining that the scheme offers loans with preferential terms to women.
Martínez said that Infonavit conducted an analysis of the labor market and noted that women “sometimes have a lower salary” than men doing the same job.
“We needed to give women a helping hand. If you treat workers equally, with a blind rule, it’s difficult for women to get a loan that is suited to their needs. That’s why we created the Mujer Infonavit loan,” he said.
Having returned to center stage to respond to reporters’ questions, AMLO announced that Ruy López Ridaura, director of the National Center for Disease Prevention and Control Programs, would replace Hugo López-Gatell as deputy health minister for prevention and health promotion.
Ruy López Ridaura will replace Hugo López-Gatell as deputy health minister for prevention and health promotion. (gob.mx)
“He’s very good, responsible, professional, scientific, honest. He was here when we were informing about the pandemic and vaccination, sometimes he presented,” López Obrador said.
Later in the presser, AMLO noted that he met with Guatemalan president-elect Bernardo Arévalo in México state last weekend.
“The Guatemalans are our brothers, our neighbors. There are relations of affection, of respect with the people of Guatemala. And we’re pleased that they’ve elected Bernardo Arévalo, who is an educated, humanistic and honest man, who will do a lot of good for the people of Guatemala,” he said.
“… I spoke to him to tell him that we’re going to cooperate with his government and we’re going to help Guatemala, and it’s going to be reciprocal,” López Obrador said.
“… Imagine what Guatemala means to Chiapas or what Chiapas means to Guatemala. … We have a border with Guatemala – Chiapas, Tabasco, Campeche and a part of Quintana Roo [border Guatemala]. Why don’t you put up the map?” he added before acknowledging that just the southern “tip” of Quintana Roo “touches” the Central American nation where Arévalo will take office next January.
A reporter subsequently brought up a 2014 environmental disaster, asking the president what the government would do in light of an Environment Ministry (Semarnat) report that found that residents of Sonora are still suffering from the effects of a massive spill of toxic substances into two rivers from the Grupo México-owned Buenavista copper mine in Cananea.
The Sonora River after the 2014 toxic spill, for which Grupo México still denies responsibility. (Photo: Archive)
“What will the federal government and the company do with regard to the Sonora River?” asked a reporter who also wanted to know whether a Grupo México trust fund that was created to remedy environmental problems caused by the spill and pay compensation would be “revived” more than six years after it was closed.
López Obrador noted that the Semarnat report had only just come out and said that the government hadn’t yet determined how it would respond.
“We’re going to have a meeting … with the head of the environmental protection agency Profepa, the environment minister … and also listen to the opinions of [Sonora] Governor [Alfonso] Durazo and municipal authorities to see what we’ll do, what we can propose to the company and how to act legally,” he said.
“… We don’t yet have a specific plan,” AMLO said, adding that the government will formulate a proposal within the next two weeks.
Shortly before the end of his midweek mañanera, López Obrador recalled that a 1964 U.S. film, The Night of the Iguana, was filmed in Mismaloya, a coastal village south of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco.
The film, based on a play by Tennessee Williams, popped into his head when a reporter told him that some Mismaloya residents face eviction due to an agrarian court ruling in favor of a person who intends to build “a tourism complex on their land.”
“We’ll ask the government’s legal advisor to look at the case today,” AMLO said.
On Wednesday, the president recalled a classic film shot in Mismaloya after a reporter asked for a status update on a land dispute between local residents and a developer. (Wikimedia Commons)
Thursday
Shortly before the commencement of a fentanyl-focused Mexico-United States security meeting, López Obrador expressed sympathy for the loss of lives in the U.S. due to drug overdoses.
“We regret what’s happening in the United States. [The American people] are our brothers and sisters, but they have a fentanyl use [problem] that causes 100,000 deaths a year,” he said.
Mexico, in contrast, records fewer than 1,000 overdose deaths per year, AMLO said.
As he has done before, the president attributed comparatively low levels of drug use in Mexico to the strength of Mexican culture and the Mexican family.
“This is an example of why we have to maintain our cultures, we have to maintain family cohesion, … family unity,” he said.
“The Mexican family, I always say it, is the most important social security institution in the country … because we’re very fraternal. If a member of a family isn’t doing well, other members support him,” López Obrador said.
AMLO reiterated his view on “The United States’ fentanyl crisis” before entering the High Level Security Dialogue with U.S. officials on Thursday. (lopezobrador.org.mx)
“… In the United States, the kids grow up, get to adolescence and have to leave home, that’s not the case here,” he added. “… They are things that give us strength.”
Later in the press conference, AMLO turned his attention to one of his proudest achievements: poverty reduction. He noted that data published in August showed that poverty declined significantly between 2020 and 2022 before predicting that numbers to be released in 2025 will be even more impressive.
“From 2022 to 2024 is when we did the best [in reducing poverty],” López Obrador said.
“That isn’t measured in the latest survey so it’s very probable that [the results of] the survey that will be announced in 2025 will show that poverty and inequality declined even more,” he said.
The decision, announced by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, was the result of political pressure, he told reporters.
President López Obrador called the decision to continue construction of the controversial border wall “a backward step.” (lopezobrador.org.mx)
“I understand there is strong pressure from far-right political groups in the United States, especially from those that want to take advantage of the migration phenomenon and drug use for political purposes. There is a lot of politicking when elections are approaching,” AMLO said.
Some Republican Party politicians are “acting very irresponsibly” and placing a lot of pressure on Biden, “who will always have our support,” he added.
“But the authorization for the construction of [more] wall is a backward step because it doesn’t solve the [migration] problem,” López Obrador said.
“You have to attend to the causes [of migration] … [by] creating jobs, attending to young people. With that [we can reduce migration]. We’ve proved it, that’s the remedy,” he said.
“… I’m going now, I’m leaving,” AMLO said a short time later, noting that the meeting with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other officials would commence at 9 a.m.
“It will be coffee and bread [for breakfast], nothing else,” he said. “… We have an agenda, public servants from the government of the United States and the government of Mexico are going to work all day,” he said.
The U.S.-Mexico High Level Security Dialogue brought U.S. officials Antony Blinken, Merrick Garland, Alejandro Mayorkas and Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall to Mexico City on Thursday. (Presidencia/Cuartoscuro)
Friday
“You don’t always wake up in paradise. We’re very happy to be here in Quintana Roo,” López Obrador said at the beginning of his presser before ceding the mañanera lectern to Governor Mara Lezama.
She told reporters that record numbers of tourists arrived in the Caribbean coast state between January and June.
[It was] the best first half of the year of all time,” Lezama said, noting that airport arrivals were up 11.7% compared to the first six months of 2022 and cruise ship arrivals surged 43.8%.
United States tourists make up 38.1% of the market, followed by Mexicans (35.1%), Canadians (8.8%) and Brits (2.1%), she said.
The Morena party governor later noted that Quintana Roo – Mexico’s newest state – would celebrate 49 years of statehood on Sunday.
“On this anniversary I think that the best present we could have is the arrival of the Maya Train,” Lezama said.
The president presented his Friday morning presser from Quintana Roo, where he will inspect progress on the Maya Train. (lopezobrador.org.mx)
“Today, before its inauguration, which will be in December, the Maya Train is already generating social justice,” she said.
National Defense Minister Luis Cresencio Sandoval reported that the incidence of most crimes is trending downward in Quintana Roo. The state ranks 18th out of the 32 federal entities for total homicides during the term of the current government and 10th on a per capita basis, he said.
AMLO returned to center stage to respond to reporters’ questions and was immediately asked about the government’s flagship rail project.
“In general, progress is being made on the Maya Train,” he said.
“Today we’re going to board the train here in Cancún, we’re going to travel to Valladolid and there we’re going to have an evaluation meeting at the station,” López Obrador said.
He said he would spend the weekend completing test runs on different sections of the railroad in Quintana Roo, Yucatán and Campeche to get an even better idea of “how we’re doing.”
Construction work on the new Tulum airport is now at 65% and the government is confident the project will open in December as planned. (Presidencia/Cuartoscuro)
AMLO reiterated that the Tulum airport will open on Dec. 1 and said that the plan was to inaugurate a section of the Maya Train between Palenque and Cancún on Dec. 15.
“There are some challenges,” he said, explaining that one of them was the construction of a bridge across the Usamacinta River in Tabasco.
“I was there for more than two hours and I spoke a lot about migration issues, drug trafficking and economic cooperation,” he said.
López Obrador said that Mexico’s view that a border wall “isn’t the solution to the migration problem” was presented to U.S. officials.
“We’ve always spoken about attending to the causes [of migration], that work opportunities and opportunities for young people to study must be guaranteed, so [people] aren’t forced to abandon their countries and their families,” he said.
There was some disagreement as to whether the Biden administration is complying with its “no border wall” policy, especially after news broke that a new section will be constructed in Southern Texas. (Presidency/Cuartoscuro)
AMLO said that United States officials made it clear that they don’t want to add to the border wall, but the U.S. government is obliged to do so because funding for the project has already been approved.
“I believe they won’t build [additional sections] … because that’s what tends to happen in other countries and in Mexico as well, … things move slowly. They won’t build the 36 kilometers [of wall], they don’t want to do it, that’s what they told us. They want to comply with the law, but they don’t agree with the construction of walls,” he said.
Toward the end of the mañanera, López Obrador said that the new state-owned airline which is set to begin operating under the Mexicana brand in late 2023 had no current plans to fly internationally.
“We’re going to start in Mexico [with] domestic routes,” he said.
“… The [first] tickets are already on sale and I’m sure they’re going to sell out soon, at least those to Tulum. Do we know how sales are going?” AMLO asked.
“Sales haven’t started,” responded Minister Sandoval, explaining that the Federal Civil Aviation Agency hasn’t yet given Mexicana approval to operate.
Though Mexicana flights “went live” this week, Defense Minister Luis Cresencio Sandoval clarified that the Federal Civil Aviation Agency hasn’t yet given Mexicana approval to operate. (lopezobrador.org.mx)
A short time later, López Obrador indicated that he’d had enough of answering questions and was ready for breakfast.
“The tortas de lechón from the Camaroncito Feliz are waiting for us,” he said, referring to baguettes stuffed with roasted pork, a Yucatán Peninsula specialty.
“… About 15 or 20 years ago I discovered that fonda, a modest but first-class restaurant. They have an oven there and we went and found succulent tortas de lechón, the best, the best,” AMLO said.
By Mexico News Daily chief staff writer Peter Davies ([email protected])