Is this man the "potato"? Alisdair Baverstock has the answers. (Gabriela Pérez Montiel/Cuartoscuro)
Mexican sports slang is a wonderful thing: “Que pelmazo el portero, fue una vergeada! Cruzazuleamos de nuevo!”
Mexicans love their sport, and with the Euros and Copa America reaching their knockout stages, and the Olympics starting at the end of the month, there’s no better time to brush up on your vocabulary if you’re going to be watching with amigos.
A word of warning: While some of these expressions are perfect for the football stadium, they might be frowned upon if you use them in an everyday context, so consider who you are speaking to before using them.
Allí esta la papa – expression Signifying the weakest link in any system. Literally: There’s the potato. E.g. In sports, if one of the players on the side is clearly inferior to his teammates, then he is the “potato” and should be tactically targeted with additional pressure in order to increase the chances of victory.
Crack – noun Someone who is the best at what they do, and in the context of sport, the best player on the team.
e.g. Viste el gol de Ronaldo? Que crack es ese güey.
Did you see Ronaldo’s goal? What an amazing player he is.
Cruzazulear – verbTo perform extremely well in any given activity, only to fall short at the final hurdle. To “bottle it,” to “snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.” Stems from the Mexico City football club Cruz Azul, which reached numerous finals over decades, but never managed to win.
Me carga la chingada! – exclam Expressive of frustration, Equivalent of “Godammit!” (except stronger). Extremely useful expression when your team concedes.
Me mama – expression Descriptive of something which a person greatly enjoys. Also used reflexively for any subject, i.e. Me mama, Te mama, Le mama, Nos mama, etc.
e.g. Me mama jugar futbol.
I love playing football.
Palero – noun An individual who is quick, or easily convinced, to change their allegiances. A “fairweather fan,” in the context of sport, but can also be used in any other context; i.e. politics, socially, etc. Also Piquetero.
Pelmazo – noun An incorrigable idiot.
e.g. Que pelmazo ese portero!
What an idiot that goalkeeper is!
Porra – noun A chant, or cheer.
Different sporting institutions often have their own specific chants, sung by the crowd at their events, but the most common Mexican porra goes:
Chi-qui-ti-bom, a la bim-bom ba!
A la bio, a la bao, a la bim-bom-ba!
Person’s name! Person’s name!
Ra! Ra! Ra!
Tener la Estafeta – expression To be in charge. Literally, to be “holding the baton.” A team captain does so for his team.
Vergeada – noun A decisive victory, or pummeling. Literally, a “dicking.”
e.g. Nos metieron siete goles, fue una vergeada!
They scored seven goals, it was a thrashing!
If you want to brush up on more than your sports, you can buy The Mexican Slang Dictionary on Amazon in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Alisdair Baverstock is the Mexico City based author of The Mexican Slang Dictionary.
Cancún officials on Delfines Beach, digging up sea turtle nests ahead of Hurricane Beryl to move the eggs to a safe location. (Benito Juárez City Council/X)
With Hurricane Beryl bearing down on the Yucatán Peninsula, Cancún officials are moving to protect residents from the oncoming hurricane — even Cancun’s resident sea turtle eggs.
Municipal workers canvassed Playa Delfines — a beach in Cancún that is a protected area for sea turtles, who lay their eggs there — and dug up 93 nests, collecting approximately 10,400 eggs, according to a statement posted on social media.
Cancún officials carefully placed the sea turtle eggs in coolers for transport. (Benito Juárez City Council/X)
In late spring/early summer, several protected species of sea turtles come ashore in the Cancún area to lay their eggs in the sand. People are warned not to disturb the sea turtle nests, as the sand keeps the eggs at ideal hatching temperature.
The eggs collected Wednesday were placed in dozens of coolers and covered with sand before being moved to safer spots. Municipal officials did not say where the eggs would be stored during the storm, which is expected to arrive on Thursday night or early Friday.
Biologist Graciela Tiburcio, one of Mexico’s foremost sea turtle experts, told the Associated Press that the removal operation was risky. However, she recognized that the situation is an extraordinary one.
“In a normal situation, this would not be right, because [Hurricane Beryl] will surely cause mortality,” Tiburcio said. “There will be a lower rate of hatched eggs; that is the reality. But it’s also a reality that if the nests are left there, they’ll all be lost.”
In other areas of the beach, teams were using sandbags to build corrals around the nesting sites to protect them against the expected strong waves and the storm surge.
Cancún officials being extra cautious
After facing criticism for failing to prepare adequately for previous hurricanes — Mexico was faulted for doing very little to warn or evacuate residents of the Pacific coast resort of Acapulco ahead of Hurricane Otis last October — the federal government is being more proactive.
Although government officials in beach destinations along Mexico’s Caribbean have issued warnings for people to evacuate to shelters ahead of Hurricane Beryl, those warnings are not always being heeded, as this photo taken on Thursday on a beach in Cancún attests. (Elizabeth Ruiz/Cuartoscuro)
Soldiers, police and marines were actively encouraging residents along the Caribbean coast to evacuate their homes and head to government shelters.
Not everyone was heeding the advice, however. The Associated Press reported that half of the population of Punta Allen, south of the resort of Tulum, were ignoring the suggestion to evacuate.
“They’re asking everyone to get out of Punta Allen … but people don’t want to leave,” said a resident who asked to remain anonymous. “They don’t have any money, and they don’t want to leave their possessions.”
One reason for resisting the advice, the same resident said, is that the government allegedly offers transportation to the shelters further inland but does not provide transportation back home.
The Mexican peso fell after June's federal elections, but has appreciated in recent days. (Cuartoscuro)
The Mexican peso appreciated against the US dollar for a third consecutive day on Thursday, but the currency remains above 18 to the greenback.
Bloomberg data shows that the peso was trading at 18.10 to the dollar at 3:30 p.m. Mexico City time.
It was slightly stronger earlier in the day, reaching 18.06 peso to the dollar.
The peso closed at 18.37 to the dollar on Monday before appreciating on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The currency has gained around 1.5% since its closing position on Monday and 0.4% since its closing position on Wednesday.
There was little change in the USD:MXN exchange rate after President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum announced four additional cabinet appointments on Thursday.
The Monex financial group said Thursday morning that the peso had strengthened on the back of economic data out of the United States and the impact of that data on expectations about a future interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve.
Monex attributed the peso’s appreciation to the expectation that the U.S. Federal Reserve will soon cut interest rates for Mexico’s northern neighbor. (Kurtis Garbutt/Flickr)
U.S. company Automatic Data Processing released a National Employment Report on Wednesday showing that private sector employment in the U.S. increased by 150,000 jobs in June. That provided a sign that the U.S. economy is slowing and increased expectations that the Fed could cut its federal funds rate in the not-too-distant future.
In addition, minutes released on Wednesday from the Fed’s June 11-12 monetary policy session showed that Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) members acknowledged the U.S. economy appeared to be slowing and that “price pressures were diminishing.”
Mexico’s Banco Base said that it expects the Fed to announce an interest rate cut on Sept. 18, although Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Tuesday that more data showing the U.S. is on a “disinflationary path” is needed before a cut can occur.
The FOMC members will meet on July 30 and 31, and again on Sept. 17 and 18.
The peso has benefited for an extended period from the significant difference between the Bank of Mexico’s benchmark interest rate, currently set at 11%, and the Fed’s federal funds rate, set at a 5.25%–5.5% range.
The peso has recovered somewhat after depreciating to 18.99 to the dollar last month, but at 18.10 to the greenback it remains about 6% weaker than it was just before the elections.
This week, President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum, center, named — from left to right — Omar García Harfuch, Rosa Icela Rodríguez, Ariadna Montiel and Mario Delgado for some of the most powerful positions in the federal government. (Galo Cañas Rodríguez/Cuartoscuro)
President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo has announced cabinet appointments for some of the top posts in Mexico. Among the names is current Security Minister Rosa Icela Rodríguez Velázquez for Interior Minister, a position usually considered the second most powerful in the Mexican government.
Sheinbaum, who won Mexico’s presidential election on June 2 for the Morena Party, will take office on Oct. 2.
Sheinbaum also announced Thursday that Omar García Harfuch will be her security minister, Ariadna Montiel Reyes will remain in her current position as welfare minister and Mario Delgado Carillo will be Mexico’s education minister.
García served as security minister in Mexico City between 2019 and 2023 while Sheinbaum was mayor. Delgado has been the national president of the Morena party since 2020.
With the four new appointees seated behind her at the Interactive Museum of the Economy in Mexico City, Sheinbaum said that Rodríguez, García, Montiel and Delgado are “honest and professional women and men who are part of the fourth transformation.”
The fourth transformation, or 4T, is the name of the political project initiated by current President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and the ruling Morena party.
Current Security Minister Rosa Icela Rodríguez will take the helm of the powerful Interior Ministry in Sheinbaum’s incoming administration. (CC BY-SA 4.0)
She also said it’s a “privilege” to “walk side by side” with Sheinbaum, who will be the first female president of Mexico.
“With you, all women arrive — grandmothers, mothers and daughters,” Rodríguez said.
As interior minister, she pledged to work “with efficacy and sensibility” in responding to “citizens’ demands.”
García, appointed as security minister at a time when Mexico continues to record very high homicide numbers, pledged to “work tirelessly” to build “a stronger, safer, fairer and more prosperous Mexico for everyone.”
Omar García started his career as a federal police officer but quickly rose through the ranks into leadership roles. (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro)
He said that his Security Ministry will work in “absolute coordination” with the Mexican military — which is heavily involved in public security operations — and the governments of Mexico’s 32 federal entities.
The current government’s welfare and social programs, including employment schemes, “will have a long life,” she said.
“… For the good of all, the poor come first,” Montiel concluded, quoting President López Obrador, who uttered the phrase at his presidential inauguration in 2018.
In his brief address, Delgado said, “There is nothing more exciting than working in education because there is the possibility to change destinies, to change lives.”
With his appointment and those of Rodríguez, García and Montiel, Sheinbaum has now named 16 members of her cabinet.
Sheinbaum also announced a batch of new cabinet appointments last Thursday, including health minister, public administration minister and energy minister. (Cuartoscuro)
She has not yet announced who her labor, tourism, culture, national defense and navy ministers will be.
Based on the announcements made to date, Sheinabum’s cabinet — made up of eight men and eight women — is as follows:
Environment and Natural Resources Minister: Alicia Bárcena
Finance Minister: Rogelio Ramírez de la O
Minister for Science, Humanities, Technology and Innovation: Rosaura Ruiz
Foreign Affairs Minister: Juan Ramón de la Fuente
Legal Counsel to the President: Ernestina Godoy
Agriculture and Rural Development Minister: Julio Berdegué
Energy Minister: Luz Elena González Escobar
Health Minister: David Kershenobich Stalnikowitz
Public Administration Minister: Raquel Buenrostro
Infrastructure, Communications and Transport Minister: Jesús Antonio Esteva Medina
Agrarian, Land and Urban Development Minister: Edna Elena Vega Rangel
What are the backgrounds of Sheinbaum’s new cabinet appointees?
Rosa Icela Rodríguez Velázquez
The soon-to-be interior minister has served as federal security minister since late 2020.
She is Mexico’s first female security minister, and will remain in the role until the end of López Obrador’s presidency.
Homicides have decreased during her time as security minister, reaching their lowest level since 2016 last year. However, insecurity remains a significant problem in various parts of the country.
Before becoming security minister, Rodríguez was general coordinator of ports, a position within the federal Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation. Before that, she was government secretary in Sheinbaum’s Mexico City administration.
As security minister for the current administration, Rosa Icela Rodríguez is often seen at President López Obrador’s side. (lopezobrador.org.mx)
Rodríguez has a journalism degree and is currently studying for a master’s in crime science. She will succeed Luisa María Alcalde as interior minister.
Omar García Harfuch
Mexico’s next security minister was Mexico City security minister between late 2019 and last September.
Sheinbaum said Thursday that homicides in the capital declined 50% during the period García was security minister and she was mayor. While he was in that position, García survived an armed attack allegedly perpetrated by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
Before serving as Mexico City security minister, the 42-year-old Cuernavaca native was head of the federal Criminal Investigation Agency for two years. He has degrees in law and public security.
García will succeed Rosa Icela Rodríguez as security minister.
Ariadna Montiel Reyes
Montiel has been welfare minister since January 2022 and will remain in the position after Oct. 1. She previously served as a deputy minister for social and human development in the current federal government.
Montiel has also been a federal and Mexico City lawmaker and was public transport chief during the 2006–2012 Mexico City mayorship of Marcelo Ebrard, who will be Mexico’s next economy minister.
Ariadna Montiel Reyes will continue as federal welfare minister in Sheinbaum’s cabinet while Morena party president Mario Delgado will head the Education Ministry. (claudiasheinbaumpardo.mx)
Mario Delgado
The future education minister gave up his position as a lawmaker and leader of the Morena party in the lower house of Congress in November 2020 to become the ruling party’s national president. This year, he also worked as the general coordinator of Sheinbaum’s successful presidential campaign.
Earlier in his political career, Delgado was a federal senator and served as finance minister and education minister during Ebrard’s Mexico City mayorship. He has undergraduate and master’s degrees in economics.
Delgado will succeed Leticia Ramírez Amaya as education minister.
Residents in Zapopan, part of the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area, duck under downed power lines and skirt debris. A storm on Tuesday left thousands in the Metro area without power. About 15,000 still remain without electricity as of Thursday. (Fernando Carranza García/Cuartoscuro)
Guadalajara is digging itself out after intense storms that battered the city’s metropolitan area (ZMG) on Tuesday and Wednesday caused flooding in city streets, outages that continue to leave thousands without electricity, and the downing of over 180 trees.
More heavy rains appear on the way as Jalisco residents awoke Thursday to the news that a small disturbance near the Jalisco and Colima coastlines “began to undergo tropical cyclogenesis, with models showing a potential tropical depression.”
Authorities were busy through Wednesday night and Thursday morning working to remove over 180 downed trees in the city. (Civil Protection Jalisco/X)
Although Mexico’s attention is currently focused on its Caribbean and Gulf coasts to the east — where Hurricane Beryl is expected to make landfall as early as Friday — the nation’s western coast is now preparing for the season’s first tropical cyclone of the Pacific season.
Tuesday’s storm brought winds as strong as 100 km/h (61 mph) and caused flooding in Guadalajara’s tunnels and streets. Several vehicles were carried away by the roiling waters.
Emergency personnel were out in force to rescue stranded motorists and to assist residents whose houses flooded as the rain continued through Wednesday afternoon. At least 50 homes in Guadalajara’s Villa Fontana neighborhood were reportedly filled with mud and water on Wednesday morning after the El Seco stormwater canal overflowed.
About 15,000 ZMG residents have also been without power since Tuesday’s storm, El Informador reported.
In the face of widespread power outages in the city on Tuesday, a woman in Zapopan took it upon herself to direct traffic at the intersection of Tepayac and Dr. Mateo del Regil avenues. Zapopan is part of the Guadalajara Metro Area.
The first fatality of the summer storm season, the 62-year-old man had fallen into a stormwater canal. Initial rescue efforts were unsuccessful. Emergency personnel recovered his body 133 hours after the fact.
On Wednesday, state authorities also confirmed reports of another storm-related death — not in Guadalajara but about 55 km north of the capital, in San Cristobal de la Barranca. The newspaper La Jornada reported a 15-year-old boy had been swept into a gully during a rainstorm on Sunday.
Civil Protection personnel reminded the public to avoid trying to walk through rushing water and to avoid crossing canals, gullies and dams.
Tropical Depression One-E approaching Mexico’s Pacific states
According to the NHC, the Pacific cyclone will remain a tropical depression until Friday afternoon, continuing to produce rain and thunderstorms through Saturday.
Tropical Depression One-E is moving northeast toward the Colima coast at 15 km/hour with sustained winds of 55 km/h (34 mph) and gusts reaching 75 km/h (47 mph). The storm is producing waves of 1 to 3 meters in the Pacific and could produce waterspouts, said the NHC.
Its cloud bands are expected to produce severe storms in Jalisco, Colima and Michoacán, dumping 25 to 50 mm of rainwater. The NHC warned of lightning and thunderstorms and, potentially, hailstorms.
Authorities have warned residents to be on the lookout for landslides and additional flooding.
Mexico's exports to the U.S. hit another record in May. (Cuartoscuro)
Mexico’s revenue from exports to the United States hit an all-time high in May, increasing 6.1% in annual terms to almost US $44 billion.
United States government data also shows that Mexico has consolidated its position as the world’s top exporter to the U.S.
The value of Mexican exports to the United States increased 6.2% in the first five months of the year, while China — which Mexico surpassed last year to become the No. 1 exporter to the U.S. — lost ground.
A record-breaking May
Data published by the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis on Wednesday shows that Mexican exports to the U.S. were worth $43.88 billion in May, the highest monthly amount on record.
While the value of Mexico’s exports to the U.S. increased 6.1% annually in May, the second and third largest exporters to the world’s largest economy both saw their revenue decline.
Mexico’s exports to the U.S. were worth over US $200 billion in the first five months of the year. (Lloyds)
Canada shipped goods worth $35.66 billion to its southern neighbor in May, a 2.5% decline compared to the same month last year.
China’s exports to the U.S. were worth $35.03 billion in May, a 2.3% decline compared to a year earlier.
Mexico had a 15.9% share of the United States’ market for imports in May, ahead of Canada on 13% and China on 12.7%.
Mexican exports to the U.S. exceeded $200 billion between January and May
Mexico shipped products worth $206.79 billion to the United States in the first five months of the year, a record for the period.
Agricultural produce is among Mexico’s largest exports – including avocados. (Cuartoscuro)
The value of Mexico’s exports to its neighbor increased every month this year compared to the previous month. Vehicles, electronic goods including computers and crude oil were among Mexico’s biggest export revenue earners. Exports generate around 40% of Mexico’s total GDP.
The value of Canadian and Chinese exports to the U.S. declined on an annual basis in the first five months of the year.
Canadian exports were worth $171.45 billion between January and May, a 1.2% decline compared to the same period last year. Chinese exports to the U.S. fell 2.5% to $164.29 billion.
Mexico had a 15.9% share of the United States’ $1.3 trillion import market in the first five months of the year, ahead of Canada on 13.2% and China on 12.6%.
In 2023, Mexico’s share of the U.S. import market was 15.4%, ahead of China on 13.9% and Canada on 13.7%.
Mexico has thus increased its share of the market by 0.5 points this year, while Canada’s share has decreased by 0.5 points and China’s share has declined 1.3 points.
One of Mexico’s top sources of export revenue is cars and car parts. (File photo)
Mexico’s “lead” over Canada in terms of market share has increased from 1.7 points in 2023 to 2.7 points this year, while its advantage over China has increased to 3.3 points from 1.5 points in 2023.
Mexico has benefited from a “decoupling” of the world’s two largest economies amid the ongoing China-United States trade war, as well as the relocation of foreign companies here as part of the nearshoring trend.
It also benefits from the USMCA free trade pact, which superseded NAFTA in 2020. Mexico, the United States and Canada are scheduled to review the agreement in 2026.
Mexico remains the United States’ top trade partner
Trade between Mexico and the United States totaled $345.45 billion in the first five months of the year, according to the U.S. government data.
That amount is 8.6% higher than the $317.96 billion in trade between the United States and Canada, which was the No. 2 trade partner of the U.S. between January and May.
In 2023, Mexico dislodged Canada as the United States’ largest trade partner after Canada claimed the top spot in 2022.
Mexico became the top trade partner of the U.S. in 2023, and has continued the trend in 2024. (Infographic by Statista)
Mexican exports to the United States — worth $206.79 billion between January and May — accounted for just under 60% of trade Mexico-U.S. trade in the first five months of the year.
U.S. exports to Mexico — worth $138.65 billion between January and May — accounted for just over 40% of two-way trade. U.S. exports to Mexico include refined fuel, auto parts and consumer goods.
Mexico had a trade surplus of $68.14 billion with the United States in the first five months of 2024.
NAFTA altered the trade balance between Mexico and the U.S.
The El Economista newspaper reported Wednesday that the United States had a US $1.7 billion trade surplus with Mexico in 1993, the year before NAFTA took effect.
In the period after the free trade came into force, the growth of Mexico’s exports to the United States outpaced the growth of U.S. exports to Mexico.
In 2023, the United States had a trade deficit of more than $152 billion with Mexico, and it is on track to record another sizable deficit this year.
The value of Mexico’s exports to the U.S. has increased exponentially since NAFTA took effect, and reached $475.6 billion in 2023.
The economies of the three North American trade partners have become highly integrated over the past 30 years. One of the most integrated sectors is the automotive industry, with automakers in the three countries frequently using auto parts made in one of the other USMCA nations.
Help the planet, impoverished communities and each other by supporting these up and coming sustainable Mexican businesses. (Someone Somewhere)
The red alert for climate change has sounded. If corrective actions aren’t taken, the damage to the planet will be irreversible. By choosing to purchase environmentally responsible products, we can all help contribute to a better future. That’s why we’re introducing you to five sustainable Mexican companies that are working to make a difference in the fight against climate change.
Buen Rollo is committed to environmental conservation with its100 percent bamboo toilet paper. Every year, millions of healthy trees are cut down to produce toilet paper. Bamboo, in contrast, is a grass and one of the fastest-growing plants on the planet, making it a renewable and easily replenished resource.
Although not trained biologists, Buen Rollo founders Jerónimo Sánchez and Emiliano Rosell researched bamboo until they had become masters in the subject. Their commitment to the planet runs so deep that their packaging uses soy ink and has a Forest Stewardship Council certification, which indicates that the packaging of the product that carries it was made with resources from forests managed in an environmentally responsible way.
Today, Buen Rollo’s business model is e-commerce through its website. Compared to other bamboo-based toilet paper companies, one of its major distinguishing features is its subscription program. To tackle the common problem of running out of toilet paper in homes or offices, this tool allows customers to receive their products every four, six or eight weeks.
Gebak
Family run Gebak sells environmentally friendly cleaning products. (Gebak)
This family brand is committed to sustainable and ecological cleaning products in the form of effervescent tablets that significantly reduce the environmental impact and carbon footprint of the usual liquid products thanks to efficient transport and storage.Gebak’s product range includes laundry detergents, hand and dish soaps and all-purpose cleaners.
All of their products are designed to dissolve in water, ensuring effective and environmentally friendly cleaning. Ingredients are selected using strict biodegradability criteria. Gebak favors locally sourced ingredients and ensures that each product is not only effective but does not harm the environment.
Adaptogens are plants used in herbal medicine to help the body maintain balance. Commons creates Mexico’s most potent and concentrated adaptogen products to prevent and cope with physical, mental, and emotional stress. All of their extracts are 100 percent organic, plant-based, non-GMO, dairy-free, gluten-free, and free of harmful artificial substances such as dyes or preservatives.
Their glass packaging is earth-friendly and reusable. On their website, you can find a glossary of products and their function and a list of health professionals who work with adaptogens.
Someone Somewhere
Lifting artisans out of poverty and making you look stylish at the same time, Someone Somewhere showcases the best of Mexican sustainability. (Someone Somewhere)
This brand integrates craftsmanship with innovative materials to create functional and sustainable products. The brand’s mission is to provide fair and consistent work to artisan communities in Mexico while protecting the planet by ensuring a responsible supply chain. Each product carries a label signed by the artisan and a QR code that allows you to learn their story and send them a message, creating a meaningful interaction between artisan and consumer.
Someone Somewhere offers a wide range of products that combine functionality, design and impact. Their clothes use sustainable materials such as recycled cotton and polyester and artisanal techniques like pedal loom weaving and hand embroidery. They have implemented innovations in their design process, using AI technologies to create concepts and validate designs, as well as incorporated textile waste to close the loop and reduce their environmental impact. Their focus on circularity and sustainability has been recognized with B Corp and Climate Neutral certifications.
Muyme
Muyme is positioning itself as the eBay of Mexican sustainability, allowing businesses to buy and sell through their digital platform. (Screen capture)
Muyme focuses on the personal care market, developing solid products such as shampoos, conditioners, creams and, notably, its innovative toothpaste in tablets. Its products are certified by Cofepris and the FDA, complying with quality and safety standards and promoting responsible and conscious consumption. None of its products are tested on animals and all are designed to minimize environmental impact, from raw materials selection to packaging. In addition, the company has recently adopted an effective online marketplace model that allows other Mexican brands with a sustainable philosophy to join its platform and reach a larger number of potential customers.
Sustainability has become a fundamental pillar for modern companies, not only as a means of social responsibility but also as a key strategy for long-term growth.
Organic production processes improve the care of our natural environment, thus avoiding contamination of land, water and soil. Investing in organic food ultimately improves the well-being of our planet, in addition to the numerous short and long term benefits of organic products for you.
Camila Sánchez Bolaño is a journalist, feminist, bookseller, lecturer, and cultural promoter and is Editor in Chief of Newsweek en Español magazine.
Public service announcement: The diet is canceled. Get a load of this tasty, gooey, cheesy feast. (Goya)
In the Mexican restaurants of my native small town Kentucky, the Tex-Mex version of melted cheese reigns supreme among dips. Deeply flavorful and rich, it’s also quite thin, like a cheesy soup for your unlimited free tortilla chips. After moving to Mexico, I realized this dip still had its training wheels on. There was a much better recipe for this satisfying appetizer right where I was: queso fundido.
The origins of queso fundido go back to the northern regions of Mexico, particularly the states of Chihuahua and Coahuila, where dairy farming and cheese production have long been prevalent. The introduction of cattle and cheese making techniques by Spanish settlers in the 16th century played a significant role in shaping the dish. Over time, Mexican cooks adapted these techniques, incorporating local ingredients to create what we now know as queso fundido. Cheese and Mexican food are by now almost impossible to imagine without the other, especially in the recipe I want to share today, where dairy takes a front row seat.
A ball of delicious, fresh Oaxaca cheese is the secret to an outstanding queso fundido. (Ingredienta)
Queso fundido gained popularity in Mexican households and restaurants, eventually becoming a staple at celebrations and gatherings. Today, queso fundido continues to be a beloved part of Mexican cuisine, symbolizing the fusion of cultural influences and the enduring appeal of simple comfort food.
I’d like to share a recipe that packs a punch in terms of flavor, using caramelized onions and chorizo to scale up the savory meter even further on this already delicious dish.
Here’s a delicious recipe for queso fundido with caramelized onions:
Ingredients:
1 tbsp olive oil
2 large onions, thinly sliced
1 tbsp butter
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 pound Mexican chorizo, casing removed
2 cups shredded Oaxaca or mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
Warm tortillas or tortilla chips for serving
Instructions:
Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions, salt, and sugar. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are golden brown and caramelized, about 25-30 minutes. If the onions start to stick, add a splash of water.
In a separate skillet, cook the chorizo over medium heat, breaking it up with a spatula, until fully cooked and browned, about 7-10 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a large cast iron skillet, spread an even layer of the cooked chorizo. Top with the caramelized onions and sprinkle the shredded cheeses evenly over the top. Pro tip: Shred your own cheese to make sure it melts properly!
Place the skillet or baking dish in the preheated oven and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 10-15 minutes.
Remove from the oven and sprinkle with chopped cilantro if desired. Serve immediately with warm tortillas or tortilla chips for dipping.
Enjoy this queso fundido recipe with caramelized onions as an appetizer at your next dinner party or eat it all by yourself shamefully with all the lights turned off, binge watching “Baby Reindeer”!
Stephen Randall has lived in Mexico since 2018 by way of Kentucky, and before that, Germany. He’s an enthusiastic amateur chef who takes inspiration from many different cuisines, with favorites including Mexican and Mediterranean.
Eight winners in Michoacán's local elections last month who all registered as trans women.
Eight male political candidates who won local elections in Michoacán last month registered as trans women have prompted state electoral officials to launch an investigation.
The Electoral Institute of Michoacán (IEM) says it’s investigating the cases of eight municipal positions intended for women under gender parity laws that were won by male candidates posing as transgender women.
Claudia Zavala Pérez, advisor to the National Electoral Institute (INE), called the male candidates’ actions “unacceptable and unworthy” while speaking in front of the INE’s Gender Equality and Non-Discrimination Commission in June. (@INEMexico/X)
Despite their fraudulent actions, the winning male candidates could take office unless their cases are pursued in court, said Claudia Zavala Pérez, an advisor to the National Electoral Institute (INE). They were elected on June 2.
Zavala Pérez condemned the acts of “identity theft” and called the men’s actions “unacceptable and unworthy” while speaking in front of the INE’s Gender Equality and Non-Discrimination Commission.
“Society must be outraged,” she declared. “We must raise our voices because what happened cannot be allowed.”
She highlighted that these men dishonestly took positions meant for individuals who have historically faced discrimination. In at least one case, the cisgender man who registered as a trans woman candidate never even stopped referring to himself with male pronouns.
The controversy brings to light the misuse of affirmative action policies designed to provide marginalized groups with political representation.
In Mexico, parity laws have been in place since 2021 to ensure diverse representation in elected positions, including candidates from sexually diverse groups, people with disabilities, Afro-Mexicans and Indigenous people.
Zavala Pérez pointed out that requiring proof of sexual identity was considered discriminatory, a stance upheld by the Electoral Tribunal of the Judicial Branch of the Federation (TEPJF). Thus, the cisgender men did not have to certify their transgender status in any way when registering as candidates.
The fraudulent activities were first flagged by LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, which accused multiple political parties of manipulating the system.
Octavio Chávez Aguirre, who registered as a trans woman, was confirmed the winning candidate for mayor in Lagunillas, Michoacán on Tuesday by the state’s electoral court. (Octavio Chávez Aguirre/Facebook)
Despite the complaints, Ignacio Hurtado, president of the IEM, noted that the annulment of the elections requires appeals to the electoral courts, a process that has seen limited action.
According to a report from the digital news outlet Infobae, the elected men who are accused are:
Alberto Orobio Arriaga, elected mayor of Charapan
Martín Alexander Escalera Bautista, elected mayor of Peribán
Daniel Herrera Martín del Campo, elected mayor of Tanhuato
José Enrique Mora Cárdenas, elected mayor of Purépero
Octavio Chávez Aguirre, elected mayor of Lagunillas,
Rubén Torres García, elected to the city council of Charapan
Apolonio Ureña Martínez, elected to the city council of Tumbiscatío
Jorge Luis Estrada Garibary, elected to the city council of Ecuandureo
Their political parties include the National Action Party (PAN), the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), the National Regeneration Movement (Morena), the Labor Party (PT), the Green Ecologist Party of Mexico (PVEM), the Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD) and the Solidarity Encounter Party (PES), along with various coalitions.
The use of gender quotas — which require parties to choose a certain number of women as candidates in various races — has been responsible for bringing more women than ever into Mexican politics since the electoral reform of 2014.
But Zavala Pérez underscored the importance of the Michoacán electoral commission taking action in order to prevent future fraudulent cases.
The abuses of 2024 have led to calls for legislative reform.
Councilor Rita Bell López Vences criticized the fraudulent actions, stating, “There is fraud against the law when in fact there are [diverse] people who want to have a political career … It is important to [penalize] all the people involved in these cases, including the parties themselves.”
Sheinbaum has proposed the construction of more than 100 new industrial parks. (Thor Urbana)
The Mexican real estate investment and development firm Thor Urbana announced the acquisition of nine industrial park properties in Saltillo and Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila, which is said is part of its strategic growth plan to invest in the industrial real estate sector.
The purchases — which add more than 1.6 million square feet (148,644 square meters) to Thor Urbana’s real estate portfolio — come at a time when the Mexican industrial sector is recording historic growth thanks to nearshoring.
Thor Urbana is known in Mexico for owning malls and other commercial properties like the Montage hotel in Los Cabos, seen here. Before the Coahuila purchase, Thor Urbana owned about 30 hectares of industrial property in Guanajuato, acquired in 2023. (Thor Urbana)
The vast majority of Thor Urbana’s properties to date are hotels and residential properties and large shopping destinations, including Mexico City’s Ritz-Carlton Hotel, the Landmark residential/commercial property complex in Guadalajara, and The Harbor mall in Mérida and the Puerto Marina Cancún mall.
However, with the nearshoring trend, more than 60 million square feet of land in Mexico became industrial property in 2023, demonstrating an increasing demand for industrial and logistics spaces in the country that Thor Urbana seeks to take advantage of.
“The future is industrial!” Thor Urbana said in a statement about its Coahuila purchases on their social networks last week.
In December, Thor Equities founder and Chairman Joseph Sitt told Bloomberg that Mexico has become the alternative to China and currently represents a “golden” opportunity for investment.
Mexico’s proximity to the United States and its competitive workforce has turned Mexico into an attractive place for companies seeking to optimize their operations and reduce supply-chain risks.
In that same Bloomberg interview, Sitt also highlighted Mexico’s “sophisticated” advanced manufacturing capacity — a sector that Thor Urbana said last week in a statement that it is looking to strengthen.
“Offering flexibility, proximity, key locations and an institutional-quality operation will allow Thor Urbana to enhance business networks for the manufacturing and logistics sectors,” the company said in a statement.
According to Mexico’s Economy Ministry (SE), Mexico saw 20.3 billion of FDI in 2024’s first quarter, which was a 9% increase over the first quarter of 2023. It was also the highest first-quarter FDI amount for Mexico since it began keeping records in 2006, according to the SE.
Thor Urbana has a portfolio of more than 2.7 million square meters across the country, in cities such as Saltillo, Querétaro, Guanajuato, Mexico City, Guadalajara, Playa del Carmen, Cancún, Mérida, Metepec, Los Cabos, Tulum, San Luis Potosí, Tijuana, and Riviera Nayarit, among others.
The firm was born in 2012, the result of a joint venture between real estate development firm Thor Equities and GFA, one of Mexico’s leading firms in the real estate and development industry. Today, the company has over 20 projects in Mexico and Latin America.
