Health Ministry gives progress report on US $10B hospitals investment: Tuesday’s mañanera recapped

By

MND Staff

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July 21, 2026

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In addition to the 1,474 hospital beds added since October 2024, an extra 1,163 are expected by the end of 2026. (Carlos Ramos Mamahua/Presidencia)

**Sheinbaum’s mañanera in 60 seconds**

🏥 Healthcare update takes center stage: Mexico’s Deputy Health Minister Eduardo Clark returned to the mañanera two months after unveiling his ministry’s plan to add over 9,000 public hospital beds during the government’s six-year term, this time with a progress report on the 181-billion-peso (US $10.4 billion) investment.
🛠️ 30 hospital projects already completed: Clark said 1,474 beds have been added since October 2024 across seven IMSS, 19 IMSS Bienestar and four ISSSTE hospitals, through new builds, replacements and expansions.
📅 33 more projects due this year across Mexico: Another 1,163 beds are set to be added in 2026, six from new hospital construction and 27 from replacements or expansions, with Clark stressing investments are underway “in all the federal entities.”
⚖️ No personal opinion on El Mayo’s life sentence: Asked about Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada’s life sentence handed down in Brooklyn, Sheinbaum said she had “no personal opinion about that.”
☮️ Sheinbaum agrees with Zambada’s anti-crime message: On Zambada’s courtroom message urging young people to avoid crime, Sheinbaum indicated she agreed, although she declined to explicitly endorse his words. The president spoke about her government’s efforts to address the root causes of crime.
🥬 Government says Mexican lettuce not the source of US Cyclosporiasis outbreak: Sheinbaum said a suspected link between the U.S. cyclosporiasis outbreak and Guanajuato lettuce had been ruled out, and Health Minister Kershenobich confirmed just three “ordinary” cases in Mexico.

**Why today’s mañanera matters**

Two months after announcing that the federal government is aiming to increase the number of public hospital beds in Mexico by more than 9,000 during its six-year term (October 2024 to September 2030), Deputy Health Minister Eduardo Clark returned to the mañanera to provide an update on the 181-billion-peso (US $10.4 billion initiative).

Federal officials have highlighted that the “fourth transformation” (4T) administrations led by ex-President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) and President Claudia Sheinbaum added — and are adding — significantly more beds to public hospitals than governments during the so-called “neoliberal period” between 1982 and 2018. Sheinbaum reiterated that point on Tuesday morning.

Sheinbaum shared figures on Tuesday indicating that between 1983 and 2018, only 4,300 hospital beds were incorporated into the national hospital system. (Carlos Ramos Mamahua/Presidencia)

Today’s mañanera was also significant as the president indicated that she agreed with a message Sinaloa Cartel kingpin Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada conveyed in U.S. court on Monday before he was sentenced to life imprisonment.

In addition, Health Minister David Kershenobich spoke about the presence in Mexico of cyclosporiasis, the intestinal illness that has recently sickened thousands of people in the United States.

33 hospital projects scheduled for completion in 2026

Deputy Minister Clark told reporters that 30 public hospital projects have been completed since the current government took office in October 2024. Those projects include the construction of new hospitals and the “replacement” and expansion of existing ones.

Clark said that the 30 projects added 1,474 beds across seven IMMS hospitals, 19 IMSS Bienestar hospitals and four ISSSTE hospitals.

The deputy minister said that 33 additional hospital projects are slated for completion this year. Those projects, Clark said, will add 1,163 beds to IMMS, IMSS Bienestar and ISSSTE hospitals.

Six of the 33 projects entail the construction of new hospitals. The other 27 projects are hospital replacements or expansions.

Clark stressed that hospital projects have been completed, and are being completed, across the entire country.

“In all the federal entities, we have hospital projects,” he said.

Sheinbaum says she has no ‘personal opinion’ about El Mayo’s life sentence

A reporter asked the president her opinion about Zambada’s life imprisonment sentence, handed down by Judge Brian Cogan in a U.S. federal court in Brooklyn, New York.

“There is no personal opinion about that,” Sheinbaum said. “It is what it is.”

The reporter noted that Zambada, in court, urged young people to steer clear of a life of crime.

Asked to offer her opinion about that advice, Sheinbaum said that “obviously coming from who it comes, it is difficult to quote him.”

“But, that’s the work we’re doing, … it’s attention to the [root] causes [of crime],” she said, referring to the government strategy of providing increased work and education opportunities to young people as a way to discourage them from joining criminal groups.

The attention to the root causes of crime via the provision of educational scholarships, employment programs and welfare schemes is essentially the “hugs” aspects of the so-called “hugs, not bullets” (abrazos, no balazos) security strategy implemented by AMLO’s government.

Sheinbaum practicing a boxing pose — One of Sheinbaum’s many anti-violence initiatives is called “Boxing for Peace” (Boxeando por la Paz), which provides financial support to 5,000 professional boxers while they work to keep young people engaged in positive activities across Mexico. (WBC)

Attention to the root causes of crime is one of the four core tenets of the Sheinbaum administration’s security strategy. Compared to the López Obrador administration, the current government has been more proactive in combating organized crime, an approach that has resulted in the arrest of almost 60,000 alleged perpetrators of serious crimes since Sheinbaum took office.

Health minister: 3 cyclosporiasis cases in Mexico

Asked whether it was true that the outbreak of cyclosporiasis in the United States was linked to lettuce from Guanajuato, Sheinbaum said that hypothesis had been ruled out.

Health Minister Kershenobich subsequently said that only three cases of cyclosporiasis had recently been detected in Mexico.

“Those cases are usual. In other words, they are not beyond ordinary epidemiology,” he said.

“Therefore, we don’t have an outbreak of cyclosporiasis,” Kershenobich said.

“In relation to the lettuce plant in Guanajuato, … a sample was taken that returned positive [for the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis], but the [U.S.] Food and Drug Administration retracted, saying it was a false positive,” he said.

Kershenobich said that Mexican authorities have also taken lettuce samples from Guanajuato as part of their own investigation. To date, he said, there is no evidence that the cyclosporiasis outbreak in the U.S. stems from lettuce grown in Guanajuato.

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

Mexico’s hosting of World Cup wins praise all around

By

MND Staff

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July 20, 2026

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The World Cup energy was high, up through the final match of the tournament at Mexico's fan festivals. (Estrella Jocento/Cuartoscuro)

During the FIFA men’s World Cup final in New Jersey on Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Spanish King Felipe VI praised Mexico as a host of the quadrennial soccer tournament and spoke glowingly about the Mexican team, according to President Claudia Sheinbaum.

Sheinbaum, who attended the match between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium near New York City after receiving an invitation from Trump, said that everyone she had the opportunity to speak to at the final, “from President Trump to [Prime] Minister Carney to the King of Spain,” spoke “wonders of la selección nacional.”

Sheinbaum presenting Spain team captain Rodri Hernández with the Golden Ball for the best player at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. (Presidencia)

The Mexican World Cup team won all three of its group stage matches, and its round of 32 clash against Ecuador, before losing 3-2 to England in a pulsating, nail-biting round of 16 game in Mexico City. El Tri’s four victories sparked jubilant — and very large — celebrations in Mexican towns and cities, especially the capital.

Sheinbaum said that world leaders and other officials she interacted with on Sunday — among whom were also Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, First Lady Melania Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino — also spoke wonders of Mexico as a co-host of the World Cup along with the United States, where the majority of the tournament’s 104 matches were played, and Canada.

“[They spoke about] how well Mexico did hosting the World Cup. Everyone was congratulating the fans [in Mexico],” she said, adding that her interlocutors at MetLife Stadium also mentioned “the happiness” with which the World Cup in Mexico was experienced.

Sheinbaum — who has asserted that Mexico had the best World Cup atmosphere of the three co-hosts — also said that Trump, Carney, King Felipe and others spoke about the warm way in which Mexico welcomed World Cup teams and tourists.

South Africa, Spain, Uruguay, Czechia, South Korea, Japan, Colombia, the Netherlands, Morocco, England and Sweden were among the teams that played matches in Mexico during the June 11-July 19 tournament. Another team, Iran, set up its base camp in Tijuana even though it played its three World Cup matches in the United States. The Iranian team received a very warm welcome from Tijuana locals. For his part, King Felipe watched Spain take on Uruguay in Guadalajara after meeting with Sheinbaum at the National Palace in Mexico City on June 25.

Sheinbaum reiterated at her Monday press conference that “everyone” at the stadium on Sunday congratulated her on the job Mexico did hosting the World Cup and spoke about “how well the Mexican team played.”

President Sheinbaum said that Trump, Carney, King Felipe VI and others spoke on Sunday about the warm way in which Mexico welcomed World Cup teams and tourists. (Presidencia/Cuartoscuro)

The president watched Spain defeat Argentina 1-0 in extra time from a glass-fronted stadium box filled with dignitaries. Mexican Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco attended the final with Sheinbaum, who presented the Golden Ball award to Spanish captain Rodri (Rodrigo Hernández), who was deemed the best player of the 2026 World Cup.

FIFA official: Mexico ‘was ready’ to host the World Cup; Mexican security team did an ‘excellent job’

Rodrigo Martínez-Celis, FIFA’s executive director for safety and security in Mexico, told the news agency EFE earlier this month that Mexico had “more than proven” that it was ready to host the World Cup despite a “narrative” of insecurity.

Before and during the tournament, Sheinbaum maintained that security in Mexico during the World Cup was guaranteed, and asserted that there was “no risk” for tourists who came to the country to attend matches in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey. In late February, Infantino expressed his support for Mexico continuing as a co-host of the World Cup, despite the outbreak of violence on Feb. 22 after Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera was fatally shot in an army operation in Jalisco.

None of the 13 matches played in Mexico was disrupted by security concerns, leading Martínez-Celis to say that “we can say that Mexico was indeed ready to host” the World Cup.

“The best indicator for us is that today the world is talking about how well the matches were organized in Mexico,” the FIFA official told EFE in Mexico City.

He also said that Jalisco — where the violence in late February was concentrated — proved itself to be a worthy World Cup host. Four matches were played in Guadalajara, the state capital.

Martínez-Celis said that the federal government’s security cabinet, which was responsible for executing Mexico’s World Cup security plan, did an “excellent job.” Security Minister Omar García Harfuch said last week that Mexico had demonstrated its “capacity to organize global events with professionalism, hospitality and close coordination between the three levels of government.”

Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada, accompanied by members of her cabinet, presided over the event “Mexico City, the Best World Cup Host City. Thanks to You,” on Sunday, where she presented awards to public safety, medical and construction staff for their work during the 2026 World Cup. (Andrea Murcia/Cuartoscuro)

“The organization of the tournament strengthened Mexico’s image around the world and confirmed that the institutions of the Mexican state have the capacities needed to plan and carry out large-scale security arrangements in a coordinated and effective way,” he said.

Martínez-Celis said that “the World Cup for Mexico was an issue of national security and an issue of national pride.” He highlighted that the opening ceremony and match of the tournament in Mexico City went off well despite “additional pressure” from things such as transport concerns and protests.

Turning his focus to a World Cup tragedy, Martínez-Celis acknowledged the deaths of four people in Mexico City in a crowd crush during celebrations following Mexico’s June 30 win over Ecuador. He described the deaths as “terrible” and said that FIFA would review and analyze what happened.

Despite that calamity, the FIFA official made it clear that soccer’s international governing body considered the World Cup in Mexico a success. Most Mexican fans — who bonded over an optimistic (but ultimately unfulfilled) dream that El Tri could go all the way in 2026 — would probably agree, although the vast majority of them were unable to afford a ticket to watch a match live.

With reports from EFE

Feds and Jalisco state are joining forces to tackle water contamination in greater Guadalajara

By

MND Staff

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July 20, 2026

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Barcena — Environment Minister Alicia Bárcena on Thursday explained that Guadalajara's water issues are also linked to industrial contamination, with discharges from industries polluting the Lerma River. (Presidencia)

The federal and Jalisco state governments are embarking on a joint effort to clean up the region’s rivers, improve wastewater treatment and fix the water distribution system in a long-awaited effort to end the water pollution crisis affecting millions of residents in the Guadalajara metropolitan area.

With federal technical support, the project will rehabilitate the antiquated Chapala aqueduct in Guadalajara, clean up the Lerma-Santiago river basin, increase enforcement against industrial polluters and increase investment under the National Water Plan.

Efrain MOrales — Efraín Morales López, director general of the National Water Commission, confirmed the federal government’s role in the cleanup of Guadalajara’s water supply: “We are doing our part from the Federation to provide technical support so that the project is a real solution to the problems experienced in the city of Guadalajara as well as its metropolitan area.” (Andrea Murcia/Cuartocuro)

At President Sheinbaum’s morning press conference Thursday, head of the National Water Commission (Conagua) Efraín Morales confirmed federal collaboration with Jalisco’s government to address the water quality crisis.

“We are doing our part from the Federation to provide technical support so that the project is a real solution to the problems experienced in the city of Guadalajara as well as its metropolitan area,” Morales said.

Morales attributed Jalisco’s water issues to the deterioration of the original Chapala aqueduct, which has long lacked adequate maintenance.

The Chapala-Guadalajara aqueduct carries water from Lake Chapala — the main source of supply for the Guadalajara metropolitan zone (ZMG) — to the city. The original pipeline is in a critical state, with leaks, internal corrosion and loss of capacity, which increases the risk of failures and leads to sediments and contaminants in the water that reaches the network.

Simultaneous with the pipeline rehabilitation will be an increased cleanup effort for the region’s rivers. Mexico’s Environment Ministry (Semarnat) said that the ZMG’s water issues are also linked to industrial contamination, with discharges from industries polluting the Lerma River.

“Industrial discharge is crucial as that’s where heavy metals and truly toxic products come from, and Lerma is one of the rivers presenting such a problem,” Semarnat Minister Alicia Bárcena said.

She added that companies thought to be responsible for discharging industrial waste have been identified and that inspections are underway that could lead to penalizing any proven to have violated environmental regulations.

She also explained that the federal government is implementing the 2024–2030 National Water Plan, a 20-billion-peso (US $1.15 billion) initiative that includes river cleanup programs and new wastewater treatment plants in the Atoyac, Lerma–Santiago and Tula river basins, Mexico’s most polluted rivers.

Although the federal government pledged technical support for the river cleanup efforts, experts argue that addressing Guadalajara’s water crisis will also require a stronger local strategy.

With reports from Zona Franca

Is iceberg lettuce from Mexico safe to eat?

By

MND Staff

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July 20, 2026

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pieces of lettuce — The Mexican Ministries of Health and Agriculture are collaborating with the U.S. in the investigation of a Cyclospora cayetanensis outbreak. (Unsplash)

Updated July 21, 2026:

Yes, at least according to available evidence.

So far, authorities in Mexico and the United States say there is no confirmed evidence that iceberg lettuce sourced in central Mexico was contaminated with Cyclospora cayetanensis, the parasite responsible for a multi-state outbreak of Cyclospora infections in the U.S. that is widely known for its unpleasant side effect of “explosive diarrhea.”

On July 21, Mexico’s Ministry of Health (SS) confirmed three cases of cyclosporiasis in Mexico, but described the cases as “usual” and ruled out a domestic outbreak.

The news development comes after a series of conflicting findings in the investigation, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) reversal on July 19th of a positive test result for the Cyclospora parasite, obtained from lettuce sourced from Taylor Farms in Guanajuato.

The false positive was revealed after the agency’s laboratory specialists reviewed the sample again and concluded that the initial result was incorrect.

Taylor Farms de Mexico echoed the FDA’s statement and acknowledged its correction. “To be clear, at this moment, FDA has not identified a single positive product test result for Cyclospora,” the company said.

US parasite outbreak leads to a Mexican advisory for US-bound travelers

Still, Taylor Farms maintains its voluntary recall of all iceberg lettuce produced in central Mexico, which was served at Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. Taco Bell also reported that it recalled lettuce sourced from Taylor Farms de Mexico starting on July 17. The products compromised are as follows:

Marketside-brand product available at Walmart described as “Iceberg Salad 12-oz or 24-oz” and “Shredded Lettuce 8-oz or 16-oz” with Best if Used By dates of 7/18/2026 to 8/3/2026 and July 18th to Aug 3rd 2026

Speaking at Tuesday’s presidential press conference, Health Minister David Kershenobich addressed the FDA’s correction and insisted that so far, there is no conclusive evidence of contaminated produce in Mexico.

Nonetheless, he said Mexican authorities have gone to Guanajuato to take samples and conduct their own research in collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In addition, the Mexican Ministries of Health and Agriculture activated an inter-institutional technical group led by the Federal Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris) and the General Directorate of Epidemiology (DGE) to collaborate with the U.S. in the investigation of the outbreak.

From the outset, the Mexican government clarified that the reference to the country of origin was a traceability measure, not conclusive proof that the contamination had occurred within Mexican territory.

Authorities in Mexico said they will continue working in coordination with the U.S. to determine the source of the outbreak and protect the population of both countries.

With reports from Bloomberg and El País

Nuevo León leads all Mexican states in announced investments so far this year

By

MND Staff

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July 20, 2026

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MOnterrey view — The Finance Ministry reports that the border state of Nuevo León is receiving US $5.58 billion of the cumulative $46.96 billion in pledged investment in Mexico so far in 2026. (Gabriela Pérez Montiel/Cuartoscuro)

Nuevo León ranks No. 1 in investment expectations this year, accumulating 12% of all investment announcements recorded by Mexico’s Finance Ministry through June.

The northern state received pledges for US $5.58 billion of the cumulative US $46.96 billion committed to Mexico through the first six months of 2026.

Nuevo León Economy Minister Betsabé Rocha Nieto was hardly surprised at her state’s top ranking: “There is no doubt about the strength and confidence of national and international companies in Nuevo León as a primary destination to develop new productive projects.” (NL.gob.mx)

The official data recognizes Nuevo León as the state with the highest expectations, followed by Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Hidalgo and México state.

According to information from the state and federal governments, the projects announced in Nuevo León will include the creation of 6,120 new jobs, primarily in advanced manufacturing, electromobility, technology, logistics, energy and innovation.

While acknowledging that the results reflect the joint effort of the state and federal governments, the business sector and universities, Nuevo León Economy Minister Betsabé Rocha Nieto said they also demonstrate the reputation the state enjoys.

“There is no doubt about the strength and confidence of national and international companies in Nuevo León as a primary destination to develop new productive projects,” she said.

Every new project “represents more opportunities for development, quality jobs and heightened welfare for Nuevo León families,” she said.

Recently, the national statistics institute INEGI reported that Nuevo León had also received the most investment in construction projects over the previous 20-month period.

In last week’s investment update, the Finance Ministry revealed that manufacturing remained the top recipient of announced investments during the first six months of the year.

Pharmaceutical companies — among them, Laboratorios Kener, Liomont, Bayer and Grupo Neolpharma — were among the leading investors, while automotive companies, as well as logistics and infrastructure companies, were also well represented.

graph announced investments — (Source: Federal Economy Ministry)

Investment expectations in Mexico’s automotive sector surpassed US $2 billion, heavily focused on electromobility, supply chain integration and regional production.

In early June, e-commerce and financial services platform Mercado Libre announced an investment of US $4.6 billion with a particular focus on logistics, development and technological innovation.

As for infrastructure investments, Vinci Airports provided US $800 million to modernize and expand the network of airports managed by Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte.

With reports from El Economista, MVS Noticias and Mexico Business News

6 celebrities who you might not realize are (kind of) Mexican

By

Ian Ostroff

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July 20, 2026

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Alan Cleland, proudly displaying the Mexican flag after a surfing victory. — When it comes to Mexican celebrities, everyone knows Luis Miguel and Salma Hayek. But we also came up with six who you might not even know are Mexican. (@alan_jr_cleland/Instagram)

What does it mean to be Mexican? It’s a complicated question — since not only are there more than 130 million native-born citizens, but a Mexican diaspora numbering over 40 million around the globe — making it nearly an impossible task to come up with a completely satisfying definition.

One thing is clear: Mexico is a very warm country, especially when it comes to welcoming those who embrace it with love. There’s even a popular saying that captures this idea: “Los Mexicanos nacemos donde se nos pega la gana,” which means that a Mexican can be born wherever they choose.

The nation is also a melting pot, having welcomed significant populations of Italians, Germans, Lebanese, Argentinians, Venezuelans, Japanese and Koreans into the country as immigrants since the late 19th century. President Claudia Sheinbaum comes from a family of European Jews who settled in Mexico, for example, and the many examples like this make the question of Mexican identity even more nuanced.

If we consider Mexican identity not only in the traditional sense (native-born citizens), but also more inclusively to include those with Mexican roots or heritage, there are more international Mexican celebrities than you might think. In fact, a few of the names on this list even surprised us.

Alan Cleland

A professional surfer who competed in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and won gold at the 2023 International Surfing Association (ISA) World Surfing Games, Alan has been making his mark in extreme sports. But with sandy blonde hair and a surfboard on him at all times, the average person may think he’s just another Californian who grew up near the beach.

Born to a Mexican mother and an American ex-pro surfer father in Boca de Pascuales, Colima, Alan learned to surf before he even learned to speak English. He later moved to San Diego to further develop his surfing skills and began competing in the World Surf League when he was only 13.

After he won gold in 2023, there was even a video of him carrying the Mexican flag and chanting “Viva Mexico” as any proud Mexican would in the same position. He completed the 2025 season ranked 19th in the World Surf League (WSL) tour.

Wee Man

Best known for his role in the “Jackass” movie franchise, Wee Man has made a name for himself by performing stunts on film that the average viewer should never try at home. In addition, he’s a pro skateboarder and was a host on the Fox Sports Net television show “54321.” Despite his impressive resume, his background is more diverse than most people would assume.

Wee Man’s legal name is Jason Shannon Acuña, and he is of Mexican and German descent. He’s spoken openly in the past about growing up eating tacos and menudo. The “Jackass” actor, idolized for getting into cages with bulls, bungee jumping and funny pranks, also has an entrepreneurial side, having been a long-time investor in the popular Mexican-American franchise Chronic Tacos.

Kat Von D

A well-known public figure in her niche, Kat Von D may look like the reincarnation of Amy Winehouse, yet is actually a Mexican-born tattoo artist from Nuevo León.

She’s most recognized for her work on the TLC reality show “LA Ink.” On the show, she set the record for the most tattoos done in 24 hours at 400 and was named to the Guinness Book of World Records for that milestone — a record that has since been surpassed.

In addition, Von D has also released a makeup collection with Sephora in 2008, released two studio albums and written two New York Times bestselling books.

Anthony Quinn

If you’re a fan of old movies and love trivia, Anthony Quinn could be defined as a legend of Hollywood. In the 1950s, he cleaned up at the Oscars — winning two Best Supporting Actor awards, one in 1952 for “Viva Zapata!” and another in 1956 for “Lust for Life.” What many U.S. audiences didn’t know at the time, however, was that he was also Mexican.

His legal name was Manuel Antonio Rodolfo Quinn Oaxaca. What’s also intriguing is the fact that he was born in Chihuahua at the midpoint of the Mexican Revolution in 1915. It’s said his father was Irish and his mother was from Mexico, yet in his biography, “The Original Sin: A Self-Portrait,” he claimed his Irish father was just a story made up by Hollywood publicists. In other words, he was as proud to be Mexican as they come. That alone deserves to be celebrated as much as his Oscars.

Hubertus von Hohenlohe-Langenburg

Hubertus von Hohenlohe at the Winter Olympics in his trademark "mariachi" suit — Born in Mexico but descended from European royalty, Hubertus von Hohenlohe has represented his native country six times in the Winter Olympics. (Olympics.com)

Most people know a famous Mexican soccer player or boxer, but what about one who’s a well-known skier? Hubertus Hohenlohe-Langenburg is a pioneer in niche sports in Mexico, having competed in six Winter Olympics as an alpine skier and founded the Mexican Ski Federation in 1981.

His family story is also one that could be turned into a scripted television series. Hohenlohe is a descendant of German royalty, being the son of Prince Alfonso of Hohenlohe-Langenburg and Princess Ira von Fürstenberg. He was born in Mexico City, moved to Spain and then eventually settled in Austria.

In addition, Hohenlohe is a photographer and businessman and was even a pop singer who went by the stage names Andy Himalaya and Royal Disaster.

Lupita Nyong’o

Having won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in the film “12 Years a Slave” in 2014, Lupita Nyong’o has gone on to be one of Hollywood’s brightest stars, appearing in “Black Panther” and “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” But the most intriguing thing about her is her cultural background. Not only does she hold U.S. and Kenyan citizenship, but she also carries Mexican citizenship.

Her father is a Kenyan politician who was teaching in Mexico City when she was born. Although she grew up in Kenya and later came over to the United States to study at Yale University, she has always maintained that she is Kenyan-Mexican.

So who else should have been mentioned on our list? Let us know in the comments below.

Ian Ostroff is an indie author, journalist, and copywriter from Montreal, Canada. You can find his work in various outlets, including Map Happy and The Suburban. When he’s not writing, you can find Ian at the gym, a café, or anywhere within Mexico visiting family and friends.

Zacatecas AG: Multihomicide of 10, including officials, may be linked to extortion and collusion

By

MND Staff

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July 20, 2026

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a National Guard truck in Zacatecas — Among the victims is the ex-mayor of Sombrerete, Ignacio Castrejón Valdez, and two officials from the municipality of Fresnillo. (Especial/Cuartoscuro)

The murders of 10 men whose bodies were found in three different municipalities in the state of Zacatecas on Saturday could be linked to extortion and collusion between criminals and public officials, the Zacatecas attorney general said Sunday.

The bodies — including that of Ignacio Castrejón Valdez, a former mayor of Sombrerete, Zacatecas — were found in the municipalities of Morelos, Pánuco and Saín Alto, all located north of Zacatecas City. Five of the bodies were found hanging from a bridge in Pánuco.

Among the other victims were Fidel Alvarado de la Torre, an official with the Fresnillo municipal government, and Andrés Vázquez Gurrola, an ex-councilor in the municipality of Canatlán, Durango.

In a video message on Sunday, Zacatecas Attorney General Cristian Paul Camacho said that “various pieces of evidence have been collected, which indicate that the main lines of investigation involve possible acts of extortion and collusion by public officials.”

“This investigation must be carried out in a very exhaustive and very professional way,” he said, adding that a financial probe could be part of it.

Camacho said that authorities had obtained video footage that allowed them to establish the vehicles that were used in “the criminal events” — i.e., those used to dump the bodies in public places.

“It is necessary to inform that at this time a search warrant is being executed at a property in the municipality of Fresnillo, where it has been determined at least two of the victims were there before they were killed,” he said.

“… At a different place, a vehicle related to the events was seized.”

Camacho said that eight of the victims were from Zacatecas and two were from the neighboring state of Durango.

“Among the victims is the ex-mayor of Sombrerete, Ignacio Castrejón Valdez, and two officials from the municipality of Fresnillo. One of them worked as the director of social development and one was a Civil Protection member,” he said.

Referring to ex-municipal councilor Andrés Vázquez Gurrola, Camacho said that another victim was a lawyer and former police officer from Durango. Six others were businessmen in various fields including agriculture, entertainment and construction. One of the businessmen owned a bar.

Camacho said that eight of the victims were strangled to death, while two others, including Alvarado, the social development director in Fresnillo, were shot. He said that bullet casings recovered by authorities were being subjected to an “exhaustive analysis” in order to establish whether perpetrators of the murders had used the same weapons in other crimes.

According to the attorney general, four of the victims stopped communicating with their families last Thursday, while five ceased communication last Friday. The other victim ceased contact with his family on Saturday.

Camacho said that the Zacatecas Attorney General’s Office didn’t receive any reports that the victims had been abducted.

Citing the results of toxicology tests, Camacho said that five of the victims, including the two municipal officials from Fresnillo, had recently consumed drugs.

In the same video message, Rodrigo Reyes Mugüerza, general secretary of the Zacatecas government, said that it had been a “weekend of uncertainty … fear and concern” for residents of the northern state.

Homicides declined by more than 60% annually in Zacatecas in the first six months of 2026, according to government data, but Reyes said that “days like Saturday … remind us that the process of pacification is a complex and continuous process.”

He said that state authorities were carrying out an operation aimed at detaining those responsible for the murders and were committed to “minimizing the possibility of these events being repeated.”

“From the state government, we once again confirm our commitment to peace, to security and above all to solidarity with all the people of Zacatecas,” Reyes said.

At a press conference on Monday, Governor David Monreal Ávila conveyed his condolences to the victims’ families and declared that there will be no impunity for the murders.

Governor of Zacatecas David Monreal Ávila — Governor David Monreal Ávila conveyed his condolences to the victims’ families on Monday. (David Monreal Avila/Facebook)

“Far from intimidating us, expressions of barbarity like those of last Saturday force us to redouble efforts. They oblige us not to let our guard down, not to take a backward step or fear groups that violate peace,” he said.

The Morena party governor said that his government is supported by the federal government, and stressed that the state of Zacatecas has sufficient technology, equipment and trained security personnel.

“We’ll put all this capacity in play to shed light on the events of Saturday and, above all, to guarantee that they are not repeated and to ensure that whoever committed this atrocity receives the appropriate punishment,” Monreal said.

With reports from Aristegui Noticias, Reforma, El Financiero and El Sol de Zacatecas

Pre-Columbian skeletal remains discovered in Playa del Carmen cenote

By

MND Staff

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July 20, 2026

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Researchers have identified long bones, the pelvis, a cranium and part of a mandible (seen here) with three molars. (INAH)

Deep in the underground waters of a cenote in Quintana Roo, divers have documented the skeletal remains of a young woman who may have lived in pre-Columbian times, Mexican authorities revealed last week.

Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) said custodians of the Yaakun cenote near Playa del Carmen reported the find after technical divers spotted submerged materials in late 2025.

The Yaakun cenote is located approximately 12 kilometers from downtown Playa del Carmen. (INAH)

Within months, underwater archaeologist Gustavo García García led a five-day survey, conducted at depths of 42 to 53 meters (138 to 174 feet), that confirmed a cluster of human bones and, about 30 meters away, ceramic vessels.

Preliminary analysis indicates the individual — who has been named Yatzil — was between 18 and 25 years old, based on skeletal features and limited dental wear.

Researchers have identified long bones, the pelvis, a cranium and part of a mandible with three molars.

Her remains, still submerged in a sloping chamber about 45 meters below the surface, are considered well preserved due to stable underwater conditions, including low light and temperature.

The ceramics — mostly globular pots likely used domestically in the eastern Maya region — may date to the Late Postclassic period (1200–1521 AD), according to INAH.

However, researchers are being cautious about assigning a precise date or cultural affiliation to Yatzil’s remains, noting that her chronology is still unknown despite the ceramics likely dating to the pre-Columbian period (before the Spanish conquest in the early 1500s).

Underwater archaeologist in a cenote — Underwater archaeologists also found ceramic vessels about 30 meters away from Yatzil’s remains. (INAH)

INAH specialists say they will wait for DNA from a tooth scheduled to be removed in a second field session in 2027 before drawing firmer conclusions.

Authorities have launched the Cenote Yaakun Research Project to document and protect the site. A perimeter has been established, and divers are urged not to disturb the materials.

Culture Minister Claudia Curiel de Icaza emphasized the importance of working with the local communities on discoveries such as this one.

“Each archaeological find that we manage to protect,” she said in a press release, “strengthens our knowledge about the cultures that inhabited this territory and reaffirms that heritage is a shared responsibility.”

The Yaakun project is the latest underwater discovery on Mexico’s Caribbean coast, where at least 11 prehistoric skeletons were found in flooded caves and cenotes between Playa del Carmen and Tulum in recent decades. One of them, reported earlier this year, may be around 8,000 years old.

With reports from Infobae and Informador

MND Local: Two art exhibits, a global diving competition and a comedy show in Guadalajara

By

Dawn Stoner

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July 20, 2026

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Guadalajara downtown city scene with people walking in the street — Looking for something to do in Guadalajara? Upcoming events include two art exhibitions, an international diving competition and a wine-related comedy show. (Roman Lopez/Unsplash)

This week, we take a look at two thought-provoking art exhibits now showing at the Museum of Art in Zapopan, an international diving competition and a comedian who brings joy and irreverence in wine drinking to the Guadalajara Metro Area (GMA).

Two exhibits at the Museum of Art Zapopan tackle timely themes

The current exhibition “Unlevel Playing Fields” (“Canchas Desiguales” in Spanish) by Costa Rican conceptual artist Priscilla Monge uses soccer to convey a deeper message about the human condition.

Priscilla Monge’s new art exhibit examines what an unlevel playing field means, in both art and life. (Museo de Arte de Zapopan)

Monge’s transformation of a traditional soccer field into a sloped, irregular surface is meant to highlight that not everyone in Latin America and the world starts on a level playing field.

The exhibition arrives at a time when Mexico is beset by enormous economic inequality, something that’s readily apparent with the World Cup currently underway. While the matches are attracting the attention of millions, the live experience in Mexico was restricted to the wealthy, who could afford to pay prices that often exceeded the average monthly salary of ordinary Mexicans.

This interactive work will tour each of Mexico’s 2026 World Cup host cities: Guadalajara, Monterrey and Mexico City. Despite the differences among the venues, the exhibition poses the same questions to all: How do we play, participate and share a space when the conditions of the game are not the same for everyone?

Priscilla Monge is known for her thought-provoking, interactive art installations. Her work explores the power struggles and inequality embedded in modern societies with a mixture of humor and cynicism. Previously, her art has been exhibited at the Rufino Tamayo Museum in Mexico City, the Venice Biennale and the Tate Modern in London.

Yukinori Yanagi exhibit at Estación MAZ

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A post shared by Nikkei Kai | Asociación México Japonesa Guadalajara (@nikkeikaimx)

Two blocks away in the brand-new Estación MAZ building across from the Line 3 light rail station, a new exhibit by Japanese artist Yukinori Yanagi, “The Pacific Ocean,” explores identity, nationalism and global conflict.

The Pacific Ocean’s name suggests peace and tranquility, but its history has been anything but. This vast sea has been the scene of some of the greatest violence of the twentieth century, from Japan’s imperial expansion across Asia to the Second World War, and the first use of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

A core part of Yanagi’s work consists of revisiting these human tragedies that changed the course of history. Works like “Absolute Dud” (2007-2016) and “From the Sky” (2024) serve as symbolic recollections of the dire consequences of the Second World War. At the same time, he incorporates reflections on the limits of international boundaries and the dangers of excess nationalism.

Dates and locations: “Unlevel Playing Fields” runs through July 31 at the Museum of Art Zapopan (MAZ), Andador 20 de Noviembre, Zapopan Center.

“The Pacific Ocean” runs through Aug. 9 at Estación MAZ, Avenida de las Américas, Zapopan Center.

Cost: The MAZ in Zapopan is always free. Check the website to plan your visit.

Laugh about wine? Innovative stand-up comedy plus wine tasting in Zapopan

Merrick Watts "An Idiot's Guide to Wine" — GMA residents don’t need to be wine connoisseurs to appreciate the wine-related comedic stylings of Australian Merrick Watts. (Feverup)

Who hasn’t had a good laugh about the pretentiousness of wine at some point in their life? Now, there’s a show where it’s safe to laugh and learn without fear of committing a social faux pas.

The brainchild of Australian comedian Merrick Watts, a certified wine taster, “An Idiot’s Guide to Wine: Comedy between Drinks” is a show that’s appeared at festivals, wineries and bars across Australia to sold-out crowds.

In Guadalajara, a new iteration of the show will feature a local comedian (and performed in Spanish), but the concept remains the same. During the set, the audience will enjoy wines from around the world, while learning about aromas, grape varieties and winemaking styles.

Your biggest challenge at this show won’t be trying to seem knowledgeable about wine but not spilling your glass while laughing. So don’t worry if you can distinguish between a Malbec and a Merlot. The point is no-pressure learning while having a good time.

For those who don’t wish to imbibe, non-alcoholic drinks will be available for an extra charge.

Date: Saturday, Oct. 10 and Saturday, Nov. 14 at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Location: A 70-minute set at Escenik Teatro Bar in Zapopan.

Cost: Available now from Feverup, starting from 570 pesos.

Quintana Roo moves to guarantee pet spaces at hurricane shelters

By

MND Staff

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July 20, 2026

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kitty cat — By calling for spaces for pets within hurricane shelters, Quintana Roo authorities seek to encourage greater participation in emergency evacuation protocols. (Rogelio Morales/Cuartsocuro)

Nearly two months into the tropical storm season, the Yucatán Peninsula state of Quintana Roo is now encouraging public hurricane shelters to feature specific provisions for pets.

The new recommendation — established in the Operating Guide for Public Temporary Shelters in Case of Hurricane, as published in the state government’s Official Gazette — is meant to guarantee adequate conditions for families who come to these spaces during an emergency.

dog seeking shelter — When an approaching hurricane triggers an evacuation protocol, families have sometimes had to face the impossible choice between exposing themselves to danger by refusing to resort to a shelter with no space for animals or leaving their pet behind to fend for itself. (Margarito Pérez Retana/Cuartoscuro)

“The guide is intended for state and municipal authorities … and for pet owners,” said Javier Carballar Osorio, director of the state’s Institute of Biodiversity and Protected Natural Areas of the State (Ibanqroo).

The measure acknowledges that many people are unwilling to leave their pets behind in risky situations, prompting state authorities to mandate the well-being of such animals in civil protection protocols.

Although officially just a recommendation, its inclusion in the Official Gazette establishes a criterion that state and municipal authorities must consider when selecting and preparing buildings that will function as shelters during the current hurricane season.

The new guidelines recommend that spaces for pets must be integrated within the same shelters intended for people. The document specifies the minimum requirements that buildings operating as temporary shelters must meet with regard to safety, accessibility and hygiene.

Supporters of the new guidelines say it addresses a reality that has become evident in recent emergencies — that many families prefer not to go to a shelter if they cannot bring their pets with them, effectively jeopardizing their own safety.

By calling for spaces for pets within the shelters, the authorities seek to reduce that impediment and encourage greater participation of the population in evacuation protocols.

Before this, Quintana Roo had opted to enable separate shelters for companion animals, especially after the passage of Beryl, a Category 5 hurricane, in 2024.

In 2025, Ibanqroo teamed up with the International Fund for Animal Welfare to prepare and distribute information packets to the state’s 11 municipalities for the implementation of temporary shelters for dogs and cats during a disruptive event or threat.

With reports from El Economista and Quadratín

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Two exhibits at the Museum of Art Zapopan tackle timely themes

Yukinori Yanagi exhibit at Estación MAZ

Laugh about wine? Innovative stand-up comedy plus wine tasting in Zapopan

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