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Reflections from our CEO on 10 years of Mexico News Daily

By
Travis Bembenek
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Travis Bembenek standing next to giant stone statues
Mexico News Daily CEO Travis Bembenek reflects on MND’s future in a world of media giants. (Courtesy)

I would like to take a moment to thank all of our readers and reflect on 10 years of Mexico News Daily.

Over these past 10 years, MND has published over 16,000 articles on news, business, politics, culture and more, to give you a front-row seat to Mexico. Our team is deeply committed to helping positively contribute to the future of Mexico. We believe in the very bright future of the people and the country, and we are certain that we can have an important impact on that future by providing balanced news and information and inspiring informed and objective debate.

This will bring better economic and political decisions, which in turn will bring more investment and confidence in the country. And that will lead to better outcomes for everyone — better education, better healthcare, better infrastructure, etc.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 65% of new businesses fail by their tenth anniversary, and in Mexico, reportedly 75% of small businesses fail within two years of launching. I am sure that the percentage is even higher for media companies like MND. So with that backdrop, our team wants to celebrate this milestone and take a moment to share with you why we think what we do is more important and more relevant than ever.

We are living in dynamic times — to say the least. We are all struggling with an information overload, and the frustrations of having to sort through a highly polarized and often ultra-opinionated news feed. As I spend an average of 4-5 hours per day reading news from throughout Mexico, the U.S. and the world, I must say I am increasingly shocked and saddened by the state of the news today. Most mainstream media outlets don’t even attempt to present an unbiased, balanced perspective in their coverage of Mexico.

To make matters worse, it has become far too easy to scroll our way through Facebook, Instagram or X feeds to get our “news.”  The problem is, as we know, it often is not news, but opinions — and usually highly divisive ones that we get “fed.”

We increasingly don’t even understand why we are even being shown the stream that we get.

Just recently, Jack Dorsey, the remorseful founder of Twitter, expressed how conflicted he felt about his creation and said: “Five companies are building tools that we will all become entirely dependent upon. And because they’re so complicated, we have no idea how to verify the correctness, we have no idea how to verify how they work, or what they’re actually doing.”

He went on: “Because people have become so dependent on it, it’s actually changing and impacted the agency we have. We can resist it all we want, but it knows us better than we know us, because we tell it our preferences implicitly and explicitly all of the time, and it just feels super dangerous to continue to rely on that.”

We at Mexico News Daily are deeply concerned about the world Dorsey describes, which arguably is one we already live in.

We are a team of 50+ passionate, motivated and inspired professionals committed to Mexico — committed to providing our readers with the best platform to learn about this country and its people.

Our team has a culture of doing the best we can to bring you objective reporting on the news and allow you, the reader, to come to your own conclusions.

We are not perfect at this, but it’s important for you to know that we take the issue very seriously and work very hard at it.

I guess you could think of us a little bit in a Star Wars context…we are The Resistance. The Resistance to being told what to think. The Resistance to being told how to think. The Resistance to being told what to read. The Resistance to media outlets that prioritize click-bait over real news. The Resistance, as Dorsey said, “to being programmed” by the media giants.

Here’s to another 10 years of MND and beyond! We feel that we are just getting started and have lots of great improvements coming soon. Thank you for being a reader and please support us by becoming a paid subscriber.

Travis Bembenek is the CEO of Mexico News Daily and has been living, working or playing in Mexico for over 27 years.

Everything you need to know about rental cars, taxis, Uber, and buses in Los Cabos

By
Chris Sands
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If you want to see all the sights that Los Cabos has to offer, you'll need to know how to get there. Cabo expert Chris Sands has the details. (Priss Enri/Unsplash)

The once sleepy Baja California Sur beach town has seen explosive growth in recent years, in terms of population, resorts, and available services. As a result, there is now a wealth of transportation options for visitors to Los Cabos, from rental cars and various types of airport shuttles and vans to Uber, bus, taxi, and water taxi services.

Which option is most practical or affordable often depends on the situation, unless of course one immediately acquires a rental car, in which case the only worries are navigating local traffic (and Spanish language street signs) and figuring out where to park when in busy downtown areas of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo. Over a dozen car rental brands, including Avis, Budget, and Hertz, offer service at the Los Cabos International Airport.

Driving is always a possibility when visiting Los Cabos, although the usual challenges of driving abroad may apply. (Ayuntamiento de Los Cabos)

It bears noting, though, that renting cars for the entirety of one’s stay can be expensive, even when factoring in the money that would have been spent on other forms of transportation. Most visitors thus opt for a mix-and-match approach, choosing transportation services as needed based on factors like price, comfort, safety, and convenience.

Taxis vs. Uber

Uber is often the best option to get around Los Cabos. The service is as comfortable and secure as that provided by local taxis but you can track when your driver will arrive and the rides are much cheaper. Going from Cabo San Lucas to San José del Cabo, a 20-mile ride, costs US $50 (800 pesos) and up via taxi. The same ride with Uber will be about US $20 to $30 It’s hard to be precise since like in the U.S., Uber uses dynamic pricing that raises rates during rush hour and other high usage times. But even with this variability, it’s still much more affordable. 

However, Uber service isn’t available in all circumstances. The local taxi unions have political power and consistently seek to block competition, even when legal. A favored tactic, for example, is a blockade to prevent anyone from getting in or out of local hotels and resorts whose policies they disagree with. As a result of this hard-line approach, many resorts have caved and won’t allow Uber to pick up from their property. Confirm details with your driver to ensure onsite pickup is possible. 

For several years after Uber arrived in the area in 2018, drivers were allowed to drop off passengers but not pick them up from the airport. That’s no longer the case — both services are now permitted — allowing visitors to choose what is by far the cheaper option. An airport run from Cabo San Lucas will cost US $50 or so from Uber but US $80 to $100 via taxi.

Other airport transportation options

Airport shuttles are easy to book, and usually cheaper than taxis. (Los Cabos Tourism Board)

You can’t visit Los Cabos without going to and from the airport to your hotel or resort. As a rule, you should ask your lodging provider what method they recommend, as some local luxury properties provide this service free or at a very reasonable cost for their guests. If you find the cost quoted excessive you may opt for an alternative. But it’s advisable to check first. 

There are many private transport providers in Los Cabos. Shared shuttles are affordable at US $20 to $25 per person from downtown Cabo San Lucas — typically the farthest point served — and are fine when going to the airport for departure. But the service isn’t as enjoyable when arriving. Often you’ll have to wait at least half an hour for other passengers to clear customs, then the ride (with frequent stops) will take another hour or more to reach Cabo San Lucas. 

Private cars, SUVs, vans, or limos are thus preferred for comfort and expedience, but these are naturally more expensive. Expert to pay US $85 or more for a private SUV, for example, although if you’re traveling with family or friends, this option may not cost much more than you would have paid collectively for a shared shuttle. 

Buses vs. rental cars

Los Cabos offers great public transport options to help the budget traveler on their way. (Ruta del Desierto)

The cheapest way to get around Los Cabos is via local buses. Everyone but the most adventurous will want to avoid the white buses, Transportes Colectivos, without creature comforts (sometimes it feels like the shocks are missing, too). These are for residents and visit off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods. The purple buses, Ruta del Desierto, are extremely comfortable and a good way to get from Cabo San Lucas to San José del Cabo for about US $4 to $5, or to resorts in the Tourist Corridor. This coastal corridor connects the cape cities and is home to many popular lodgings. 

For longer trips, Autobuses Águila charges extremely low fares for super comfy buses that show movies en route. Naturally, they’ll be in Spanish, but tickets are only about US $11 from Cabo San Lucas to Todos Santos, US $12 to Los Barriles, and US $22 to La Paz, with bus depots located centrally, for the most part. The Cabo San Lucas terminal is at Plaza Golden Palace.

The only issue with Águila is that once you get to road trip destination favorites like Todos Santos or La Paz, you’ll be back to square one in terms of getting around. Uber or taxis are again an option if you want to visit, for example, beautiful beaches in La Paz like Balandra or El Tecolote. But rental cars, which allow you to take road trips or see attractions on your schedule, are far preferable, if a bit more expensive. Yes, a U.S. driver’s license is acceptable for local driving. 

It’s important to note that the rate prices posted do not include insurance, which is highly recommended for driving in México. That will add another US $20 or so per day. If you’re staying at a small, budget-friendly hotel, you’ll also want to confirm that overnight parking is available. Local gas stations, meanwhile, are full service and tips are appropriate. There are no mileage charges but renters must refill the tank before returning the car.

Walking vs. water taxis

Beach hoppers can hire a water taxi to find the best spots to relax. (Pinterest)

Walking is a great way to see the downtown areas of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo. In the former, the city’s marina and Playa El Médano, its most popular beach, are centrally located and easily accessible on foot. However, walking from one end of the marina boardwalk to the other takes about 30 minutes. This is a particularly relevant fact for cruise ship passengers, who are ferried via tenders to the main dock (muelle principal), which is a very long walk from Médano Beach. 

Water taxi drivers are often seen soliciting fares on the marina boardwalk for those who’d like to take a shortcut. These small outboard-powered boats (called pangas locally) also provide a lower-priced albeit bare-bones alternative for Land’s End tours or trips to Playa del Amor (Lover’s Beach), which is only reachable via boat. 

Chris Sands is the Cabo San Lucas local expert for the USA Today travel website 10 Best, writer of Fodor’s Los Cabos travel guidebook, and a contributor to numerous websites and publications, including Tasting Table, Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, Forbes Travel Guide, Porthole Cruise, Cabo Living and Mexico News Daily. His specialty is travel-related content and lifestyle features focused on food, wine and golf.

Trouble in paradise: What happens when you break up in Mexico?

By
Sarah DeVries
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Couple kissing each other, but the photo is broken in half because they broke up
Breakups in Mexico contain all the usual drama, but amplified to 1000. Sarah Devries discusses her experience of divorce in the tropics. (Galo Cañas/Cuartoscuro)

My personal story of breaking up in Mexico is absolutely one worth telling. I can still remember the first time I saw my now ex-husband as he walked through the door. I liked him immediately, and the attraction only grew as the evening wore on.

There was only one problem. The door he’d walked through was my friend’s, and my friend was his girlfriend.

It’s hard to not get wrapped up in the romance of the country (and the men) at first. (Travis Grossen/Unsplash)

You can probably imagine the breakup: it was messy. It was dramatic. Lies, intrigue, attempts at sweet, sweet revenge. It ran the gamut, and by the time we were “officially” together, it could have inspired a telenovela.

This was the beginning of one fairly normal relationship in Mexico, my friends. Yikes.

All I can say for myself is that we were very young, and that I’d felt fate tugging at me. Indeed, I would not have my beautiful daughter today had the moral character I thought I had turned up.

Bethany Platanella’s great article a while back about dating in Mexico inspired me. Why not talk about the end of romance, too?

Because in Mexico, ending things can get pretty dramatic. I mean, humans as a species love drama and hate being blamed for things (even when they should be). But in as passionate a place as Mexico, those tendencies can get you to some pretty unexpected places!

Breaking Up is Hard to Do ― So Why Do It?

When most people enter a romantic relationship, they do so assuming that it will last for a long, long time. If we didn’t believe that, we’d never do it, after all.

The reality, of course, is that almost all romantic relationships we enter will end at some point. Spoiler alert: it’s not usually because one of you dies.

So how do most of these relationships in Mexico end?

Of course, not everything is plain sailing however. (Kelly Sikkema/Unsplash)

Many of them come to end as a result of infidelity, or suspicions of infidelity, or just plain jealousy. Mexican men, especially, are not known for their sexual loyalty. It’s a stereotype that not all fit, of course. But it’s common and widespread enough that the trope of “the other family” is still alive and well. I can’t imagine how anyone could hide something like that in our surveillance society!

As you might guess, women are generally quicker to forgive cheating than men. Often, this is for practical rather than sentimental reasons, as women tend to be less economically independent. The opposite, of course, is not often true. What kind of macho forgives such an insult? Not many, is the answer.

As Platanella wrote, trust tends to spring from cheating opportunity rather than behavior. And unless you’re with your significant other all the time, well… Fidelity is hard to prove.

Another reason for breakups? In a culture where passion rules the day, some people are just plain crazy when it comes to romance. You guessed it ― crazy, usually, with jealousy. There’s also a tendency for abusive men especially to accuse their exes of being crazy. New partners mostly believe them ― oh, the stories! ― until they themselves turn out to be the “crazy ex.”

Guy cheating on his girlfriend
There are stereotypes about Mexican men… though they are not universally deserved, of course. (Social Media)

Who’d have thought there’d be so many crazy people out there, eh? When crazy means “they didn’t think I was right all the time,” quite a lot, it turns out.

Closing Ranks

When a romantic relationship in Mexico ends for whatever reason, all bets are off.

Mutual friends need to choose a side fast. Ex-partners are often deleted and blocked on social media. The friends above might serve as spies, and new relationships will be bitterly criticized and scrutinized. It’s a delicious process if the heat’s not on you.

As you might have guessed by now, “staying friends” after a relationship in Mexico is rare indeed.

Worse, divorce can only happen in one of two ways. You can come to an agreement through a state-sponsored mediation service, or you must sue your ex for divorce.

Take a wild guess about which of those options is more common.

And if the couple is older and has children, things can get really complicated. First, you aren’t allowed to divorce until the state is satisfied regarding the arrangements for their care. Unfortunately, that’s usually the least of it.

Parental alienation and even kidnappings in these cases are not unheard of. The justice system is not always just, and anger toward one’s ex has ruined lives. The stories I’ve heard and witnessed among friends would make your skin crawl.

People around here might be slow to anger, but when they do, watch out. I’ll never forget the words of a friend when I was trudging through the indignities of divorce. She thought I was being much too accommodating, and was exasperated at my unwillingness to strike like a snake. “I’d take everything from him; even the damn smile off of his face.”

Come back to me, baby!

You’d think that after all that drama, ex-partners would want to avoid each other forever. But in more cases than you might suspect, you’d be wrong.

After the explosion come the attempts at reconciliation. (Freepik)

Get a few sad songs and some alcohol in their system, and watch the “Baby, come back” messages bloom like roses. Gifts, promises to change, a heightened sense of romance and urgency ― it’s all intoxicating.

In the end, of course, true change is hard-won, and uncommon enough for people not to believe in it. Maya Angelou had it right: “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.”

The End of the Affair

The ending of my own marriage was not easy. If the beginning had been fun and exciting, the ending was an absolute dumpster fire. It was not quiet, or chill. It took so much longer than I thought it would. Worst of all, our kid was devastated. Kids are made to create drama, not live through it.

But we made it. We’re not what you’d call friends; we cooperate because we have to. We were both good enough people, or not psychopathic enough, to not try to take the other for everything we could. Our kid is okay.

With my current partner ― we are not married ― we’ve got a plan. If we get married (it’s true, I don’t learn), it will be with a clear prenup. “Better to create these emergency triggers now when we love and want the best for each other,” my partner says.

Fantastic idea.

Sarah DeVries is a writer and translator based in Xalapa, Veracruz. She can be reached through her website, sarahedevries.substack.com.

15 best games to improve your Spanish and strengthen your friendships

By
Bethany Platanella
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Loteria cards
Cards. Dice. Controversy. Clue. Bethany Platanella has it all. (Lorenza Ochoa/Shutterstock)

Hosting or attending another dinner party? Feeling anxious that with an increased intake of mezcal come increased opportunities for conversations to wind their way to the unmentionables? If you want to have a good time and avoid debbie downers like politics, health scares, or family drama, there’s nothing like a good board game to keep the momentum high and the fiery interactions low.

In addition to distracting from past or upcoming elections, board games are an excellent way to improve your Spanish. In order to compile the following list of language-strengthening entertainment tools, I’ve consulted my all-knowing Spanish teacher, Pao Arley, a friend who works in Mexico’s monstrous toy industry, and my own past experiences attending bilingual game nights right here in Mexico City.

Friends playing poker together
With this guide to the best Spanish board games, you’ll never need to discuss AMLO or Trump ever again. (Freepik)

There are plenty of game options for all levels of Spanish speakers. For ease, I’ve divided the list into beginner, intermediate, and advanced, and some can be easily adapted to accommodate Spanglish.

The benefits of game night far surpass language comprehension. With the right attendees, cuisine, and beverages, you’re guaranteed an evening of non-stop laughter and, dare I be so cursí (corny), group bonding.

Beginner

¿Adivina quién?
If you’re a party of 2, break out the trusty Spanish language edition of “Guess Who?” You’ll never be at a loss in describing your latest Tinder date to your Mexican girlfriends over coffee and chisme (gossip) again.

Basta
Despite its high-anxiety timer, Mexico’s version of Scattergories is a great way to get you thinking, quickly, in Spanish.

Is this a timeless classic or a great way to gossip about your most recent date? Why not both!(Hasbro)

Pictionary
Accomplish two skills as you channel your inner sketch artist and learn new nouns and verbs.

Charadas
What we call Charades is a fun, easy, and often embarrassing way to build your vocabulary and remember it with more precision. Download an app like this for themes.

La Lotería

The Mexican “lottery” is everyone else’s “bingo”, with slightly different rules, dried beans instead of chips, and much more colorful, and cultural, characters. 

Intermediate

Cranium Spanish edition
This is a wonderful group game where you can practice spelling, answer trivia, and define words in Spanish. 

Table game cards
Cards Against Humanity, Mexican style. (Dios Mío)

¡Dios mío! 

This bilingual version of Cards Against Humanity was created especially for the Latin community and is weirdly advertised toward families. In fact, there is a Mexicana version that is already in my virtual shopping cart. 

Scrabble Spanish edition
Word lovers will delight in the knowledge that there is, indeed, a Spanish edition of Scrabble, complete with ñ’s and accents.

Maratón
A trivia-style group game where players can choose to answer questions in categories like sports, entertainment, history, or science. It will improve your pronunciation, comprehension, and overall level of useless knowledge. 

100 Mexicanos Dijeron

If you’ve ever dreamed of having your turn on Family Feud, this is your chance to accomplish that dream, in Spanish!

100 Mexicanos dijeron game
100 Mexicans say Mexico News Daily is the best place to get important lifestyle tips. Probably. You’ll have to buy the game to find out. (eBay)

Advanced

Mejor – Peor Amigo
This game should be played in a group of very close friends who can answer questions like “Who did you have a bad impression of?” or “Who here is the most beautiful?” without getting offended by the answers.

Clue
At some point in the last 30 years since I played Clue, about 475 new versions came out. Thankfully, one of them is in Spanish and proves useful in improving your conversational (and detective!) skills.

Preguntas de MIERDA
A fun group game where players must answer what they would do in horrific scenarios. It will keep everyone laughing and will definitely help you conquer slang.

Trivial Pursuit Spanish edition
Nothing like a good round of Trivial Pursuit to turn you into a fluent Spanish-speaker. Anyone who missed the boat as a contestant on Jeopardy will likely win this game, so it’s up to you to identify an optimal prize before playing.

Poker

You might be thinking “huh? Numbers for advanced speakers?” To which I say yes, because anyone who has played poker knows it’s so much more than that. It’s numbers, commands, trash talking, and the ability to participate in the gossipy side conversations that occur between sets.

Have more to add? Let us know in the comments below!

Bethany Platanella is a travel planner and lifestyle writer based in Mexico City. She lives for the dopamine hit that comes directly after booking a plane ticket, exploring local markets, practicing yoga and munching on fresh tortillas. Sign up to receive her Sunday Love Letters to your inbox, peruse her blog, or follow her on Instagram.

US announces new sanctions targeting members of La Nueva Familia Michoacana

By
MND Staff
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U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen announces the new sanctions against La Nueva Familia Michoacana, speaking at a podium
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen announced the new sanctions on Thursday at a press conference in Atlanta. (U.S. Treasury/YouTube)

The United States government has imposed sanctions on eight members of the Mexico-based La Nueva Familia Michoacana (LNFM) drug cartel for trafficking illicit drugs in the U.S. including fentanyl.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen announced the sanctions at a press conference in Atlanta on Thursday.

“Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control [OFAC] has sanctioned eight targets affiliated with La Nueva Familia Michoacana, a notorious Mexican criminal organization that traffics fentanyl and other lethal drugs into the United States — including to Georgia,” Yellen said.

The Department of the Treasury (USDT) said in a statement that the sanctioned individuals include “top leaders” of the organization, which it described as “one of the most powerful and violent cartels in Mexico.”

One of the men is Rodolfo Maldonado Bustos, who the USDT said is “a powerful and trusted member of La Nueva Familia Michoacana cartel and is next-in-line to Johnny Hurtado Olascoaga and Jose Alfredo Hurtado Olascoaga, the two co-leaders of La Nueva Familia Michoacana, both of whom OFAC designated in November 2022.”

Another is Josue Ramírez Carrera, described as “a financial leader and third-in-line in the leadership of La Nueva Familia Michoacana,” which has a strong presence in states such as Guerrero, Michoacán, Morelos and México state.

A chart showing eight sanctioned members of La Nueva Familia Michoacana
The U.S. Treasury said the newly announced sanction targets include leaders, lieutenants and an assassin belonging to the criminal organization La Nueva Familia Michoacana. (U.S. OFAC)

The USDT said four of the six other designated individuals are “key lieutenants,” while another is “a sicario, or assassin, that works directly for Johnny Hurtado Olascoaga and Jose Alfredo Hurtado Olascoaga.”

The eighth man is Euclides Camacho Goicochea, who the USDT said “moves a significant amount of drugs, particularly methamphetamine, to Houston, Texas, and Atlanta, Georgia, among other areas.”

Camacho and Maldonado were indicted on heroin trafficking charges by separate federal grand juries in the United States in 2017. The two fugitives are believed to be living in Mexico.

Five of the eight sanctioned individuals are Guerrero natives, according to U.S. authorities, while the other three are from Mexico City, Veracruz and Querétaro.

The sanctions announced by Yellen on Thursday cut the men off from the United States financial system and freeze any assets they may have in the U.S.

The USDT said that LNFM “historically” trafficked mostly methamphetamine, but expanded into the illegal fentanyl trade in recent years.

It has obtained “the necessary precursor chemicals” — most of which come into Mexico from China — purchased “critical pill press machines” and is producing fentanyl “throughout Mexico,” the department said.

A chart shows members of La Nueva Familia Michoacana targeted by U.S. sanctions in 2022
The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) had already sanctioned top LNFM brass in 2022. (Under Secretary Brian Nelson/X)

The USDT said that the cartel ships fentanyl and other drugs across the border between Texas and Tamaulipas on buses, “among other modes of transport.”

“Once the drugs are in the United States, the drugs are then sent to multiple cities across the United States, including Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Tulsa, Chicago, and Charlotte,” it added.

Human smuggling and La Nueva Familia Michoacana

The USDT said LNFM also profits from human smuggling.

“For instance, La Nueva Familia Michoacana members stage photos and videos in which individuals appear under interrogation or at risk of being murdered,” it said.

“With these photos or videos in hand, the individuals will then falsely claim to United States immigration officials their purported need to seek asylum in the United States,” the USDT said.

Migrants on top of a freight train
The U.S. Treasury said LNFM is implicated in human trafficking of migrants seeking to enter the United States. (Cuartoscuro)

“In return for this service, the individuals pay La Nueva Familia Michoacana money.”

The USDT also said that LNFM is “known for forcing individuals to enter the United States illegally with drugs for the purpose of selling narcotics in the United States.”

“If the individuals do not comply with the order to sell the drugs provided by La Nueva Familia Michoacana, they are informed that they and their families will be killed,” it said.

US issues advisory to help banks detect drug-related transactions

Yellen also announced Thursday that the USDT’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network had issued “a new advisory for financial institutions to help them detect financial flows that fuel the illicit fentanyl supply chain.”

“This is critical to enabling law enforcement and sanctions actions against fentanyl traffickers,” she said.

The USDT said that the advisory “includes new trends and red flags that can be indicators of activity associated with the procurement of precursor chemicals and manufacturing equipment used for the synthesis of illicit fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.”

The red flags and other information will “assist financial institutions in identifying and reporting suspicious transactions potentially related to Mexico-based transnational criminal organizations and their illicit procurement of fentanyl precursor chemicals and manufacturing equipment from People’s Republic of China-based suppliers,” the department said.

It added that Mexican criminal organizations have become “the predominant suppliers of illicit fentanyl and other synthetic opioids into the United States since 2019.”

Fentanyl pills in bags
Mexican drug trafficking organizations are leading suppliers of fentanyl and other synthetic drugs sold illegally in the United States. (CBP Troy Miller/X)

Yellen acknowledged that combating the trafficking of fentanyl — in which Mexico is a key partner of the U.S. — is a “significant challenge.”

However, she pledged that she and U.S. President Joe Biden would do “everything” they can to “combat this crisis.”

Yellen — who traveled to Mexico late last year and announced sanctions against the Beltrán Leyva criminal organization while she was here — also said that collaboration with Mexico is “crucial.”

“… Treasury is committed to sharing more information, including with financial institutions on both sides of the border, and we will emphasize the need for even greater cooperation as we engage with President-elect Sheinbaum,” she said.

Mexico News Daily 

Paul McCartney is coming back to Mexico for 3 shows

By
MND Staff
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Paul McCartney performs at the Mexico City Foro Sol in 2023, his most recent concert tour dates in Mexico
Paul McCartney's last performances in Mexico were at the Mexico City Foro Sol in 2023. (Paul McCartney/Facebook)

Songwriter and performer extraordinaire Paul McCartney will be returning to Mexico in November for three more dates on his Got Back tour.

The former Beatles bass player and vocalist, who just turned 82 on Tuesday, will play on Nov. 8 in Monterrey and on Nov. 12 and Nov. 17 in Mexico City.

The last of those will be in the three-day Corona Capital music festival, where Sir Paul will be one of the headliners along with Green Day, Shawn Mendes and Queens of the Stone Age. Others in the lineup include Beck, Iggy Pop and New Order.

The indefatigable McCartney played Mexico City last year, also in November. His two shows at Foro Sol — a stadium recently rebranded Estadio GNP Seguros — was also part of the colossal Got Back tour, which started in April 2022 and is set to end on Dec. 19 of this year in London, England.

“The shows at Foro Sol were a highlight of last year for me,” McCartney wrote on his official website. “The Mexican public is very special. We always throw an amazing party together. I really want to come back to rock and roll with all of you. I am also excited about my first visit to Monterrey.”

The upcoming shows will mark McCartney’s sixth visit to Mexico, but the first time he will play outside of the capital and at a Mexican music festival.

Paul McCartney on tour at in Mexico City
Paul McCartney has visited the Mexican capital several times, including this trip in 2012. (Sara Ortíz/Cuartoscuro)

The Beatles, who were at the height of Beatlemania 60 years ago after performing on “The Ed Sullivan Show” in February 1964, never gave a concert in Mexico during their time together.

One was planned in Mexico City in 1965, but it got canceled due to the influence of politician Ernesto Uruchurtu, who felt the mop-topped rock ’n’ rollers would be a bad influence on young people.

McCartney’s upcoming shows are part of the Latin American leg of the Got Back tour.

The first tour date is set for Nov. 8 at Monterrey’s BBVA Stadium at 9 p.m.  Ticket pre-sales will begin at 9 a.m. Mexico City time on Monday, with general sales set to launch at 1 p.m. on Friday, June 28.

He will then perform at 9 p.m. on Nov. 12 at GNP Seguros Stadium, with ticket sales set for the same times as above.

His trip to Mexico will end on Nov. 17 at the Corona Capital festival at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez — site of Formula 1’s Mexico City Grand Prix on Oct. 27. For this show, expected to last two hours, pre-sales will begin at 2 p.m. on Monday with general sales starting at 2 p.m. on Tuesday.

The cost of tickets for his solo presentations has not been announced. Tickets for Corona Capital runs from 4,490 pesos (US $246) for general admission to 8,780 pesos (US $482) for VIP passes.

Chemical brothers play at Corona Capital music festival in Mexico City in 2023
McCartney will also play Corona Capital, one of Latin America’s biggest rock and alternative music festivals. (Corona Capital)

Last year, McCartney captivated his two Mexico City audiences for nearly three hours as he played some of his biggest hits from a 60-year repertoire that includes The Beatles, Wings and a solo career. When he performed “The Back Seat of My Car,” a track from his 1971 album “Ram,” he included a line about Mexico City.

The newspaper El País noted that “although the singer’s voice no longer reaches the notes that on other tours made every part of the forum resound, he still maintains an electric energy, worthy of someone who loves to play live and has done so since 1957.”

McCartney has performed in Mexico City six times, in 1993, 2002, 2010, 2012, 2017 and 2023.

With reports from El País, Forbes and Infobae

Churning ‘water eye’ appears off coast of Cozumel Island in Quintana Roo

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MND Staff
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A fisherman points out the bubbling "water eye" in the ocean off Cozumel Island, with a cruise ship and another fishing boat in the background.
A fisherman points out the "water eye" near Cozumel Island in Quintana Roo.

After images of a bubbling disturbance in the ocean near Cozumel went viral on social media, scientists have found and documented the source of the unusual phenomenon, known as an ojo de mar (sea eye).

The disturbance was first seen by a local fisherman near the San Miguel Pier on Cozumel Island, roughly 40 kilometers off the coast of the state of Quintana Roo in southeastern Mexico.

An underwater view of the “water eye.”

Fisherman José Luis Méndez was not alarmed, however, explaining to the newspaper Riviera Maya News that the churning water was a common occurrence after torrential rains.

The anomaly, known locally as a water eye or sea eye, is caused by water escaping from underwater caves and cenotes that are filled to capacity by heavy rainfall.

The Yucatán Peninsula is composed almost entirely of porous limestone, resulting in what’s known as a karst landscape in which the dissolving of the bedrock creates sinkholes (cenotes), sinking streams, caves, springs, and other characteristic features that typically drain into the sea.

After the passage of Tropical Storm Alberto earlier this week, the area’s cenotes and underground rivers were full to capacity and the excess water was seeking a natural outlet. In this particular instance, the cold storm waters were being pushed out of an underwater cave.

People walk holding umbrellas in the rain in a Mexican city
Tropical Storm Alberto left Quintana Roo’s limestone caves and cenotes filled with rainwater. (X)

Germán Yáñez Mendoza, Cozumel’s deputy director of ecology, and Rafael López, a karst investigator at Mexico’s National Autonomous University (UNAM), were the divers who investigated this week’s sea eye. The pair took videos of the phenomenon to document how rainwater makes its way through the state’s underground formations.

Afterward, Yáñez told Riviera Maya News that these processes, called upwellings, come from inland caves that drain into the sea. In most cases, the natural outlets are in deep water and do not result in sea eyes.

“Most of the caves … have an internal drainage system,” he said. “They capture rainwater and drain it into the sea … in some cases [escape] holes are covered by sediment, rocks and sand.”

Yáñez explained that the churning water was coming from a perforation hole in shallow waters that had been clogged, and as the excess water strained to find an exit, it burst through the seabed causing the disturbance at the surface.

Yáñez and López also explored a second ojo de mar near the Aldora Ferry Boat dock just 400 meters northeast of the San Miguel Pier, both of which are on the northwestern side of the island.

With reports from Riviera Maya News, La Jornada Maya and Por Esto!

A week into USDA pause, avocado and mango inspections remain suspended in Michoacán

By
MND Staff
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Mangoes growing on a tree
The USDA has suspended inspections of avocados and mangoes grown in Michoacán until further notice. (Rajendra Biswal/Unsplash)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will resume inspections of avocados and mangoes from the Mexican state of Michoacán as “quickly as possible,” according to a USDA spokesperson quoted by Reuters. However, the anonymous source said last week’s ban would remain in effect until “protocols and safeguards are established.”

A suspension of inspections — and thus a halt to exports — was imposed on June 14, following an incident in which two USDA employees were attacked and detained in a rural part of Michoacán, according to a statement from U.S. Ambassador Ken Salazar. The Mexican avocado export association APEAM confirmed that the USDA had also halted exports of avocados that already passed inspection.

A packing house prepares avocados for export in Peribán, Michoacán.
Even avocados that have already been inspected are stuck in Mexico until further notice. (Juan José Estrada Serafín/Cuartoscuro)

Salazar made clear that no other Mexican exports were blocked and the pause would not affect avocados and mangoes already in transit.

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador addressed the issue at his Wednesday morning press conference, saying that Mexico would not file a complaint under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), and that Mexico’s Foreign Relations Minister Alicia Bárcena is holding consultations with Salazar.

Michoacán Governor Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla told reporters on Monday that Mexican authorities were working with U.S. officials to resolve the situation. Ramírez is scheduled to meet with Salazar on Monday.

Meanwhile, farmers from the state are lobbying U.S. officials to allow avocados that had already been inspected to be exported, according to the newspaper La Voz de Michoacán.

US ambassador Ken Salazar, who announced the export ban on Michoacán avocados, at a press conference
U.S. ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar’s office told farmers that no exports would be permitted until new security protocols were established. (Galo Cañas Rodríguez / Cuartoscuro.com)

The association representing the farmers met with Salazar on Thursday, but the ambassador and his team told them no action would be taken until new security protocols were established. U.S. officials told the farmers that the safeguards established in a 2022 agreement have not been met.

The state of Michoacán produces the majority of Mexico’s avocados and is one of Mexico’s primary avocado exporters. However, the state has suffered from cartel violence and widespread extortion, as organized crime groups fight for control of the state’s agricultural production and drug-trafficking routes.

The cartels are known to force farmers to pay protection money and avocado- and lime-producers have been especially hard hit. Mexico is the world’s leading producer of avocados and exports in 2023 to the United States were worth US $2.7 billion, according to California Fruit & Vegetable Magazine.

An April USDA report forecast Mexico’s 2024 avocado production at 2.77 million metric tons (MMT), a 5% increase over 2023 on strong export demand.

Two years ago, the U.S. briefly banned avocado imports from Mexico following threats to a USDA inspector in Michoacán.

With reports from Milenio, CNN and La Voz de Michoacán

Heat-related death toll climbs to 155, more than doubling in 3 weeks

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MND Staff
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A person pours water on his face under blazing sun
Heat-related deaths in Mexico have increased rapidly this month, more than doubling between the end of May and this week. (File photo)

The number of heat-related deaths in Mexico this year has more than doubled in just three weeks.

The federal Health Ministry reported Thursday that 155 heat-related deaths had been recorded to June 18, an increase of 154% compared to the 61 fatalities registered to May 28.

In the most recent “epidemiological week,” an additional 30 people succumbed to heat-related illnesses, the Health Ministry reported.

Around nine in every 10 heat-related deaths since the commencement of this year’s “hot season” on March 17 were attributed to heat stroke. All told 138 people have succumbed to that illness in the past three months.

The other 17 heat-related fatalities were attributed to dehydration.

A total of 2,567 cases of heat-related illnesses have been reported this year, resulting in a case-fatality rate of 6%.

The National Meteorological Service (SMN) forecast there will be five heat waves in Mexico this year. (CONAGUA)

Mexico has had three heat waves so far this year. The first lasted nine days between April 13 and 21, while the second lasted 10 days between May 3 and 13.

The most recent heat wave lasted 16 days between May 20 and June 4.

Almost half of all heat-related deaths occurred in just 2 states 

Veracruz has recorded 56 heat-related fatalities this year, while 18 occurred in the neighboring state of Tabasco. The combined 74 deaths in those two states account for 48% of all heat-related fatalities in Mexico so far this year.

The only other states with double-digit heat-related death tolls this year are Tamaulipas (17); Nuevo León (12); and San Luis Potosí (11).

Fifteen other states including Oaxaca (9), Yucatán (8) and Hidalgo (6) have recorded at least one-heat related death this year.

Mexico recorded 421 heat related deaths last year, a figure 10 times higher than the previous year.

Dengue deaths also on the rise 

In a separate report also published on Thursday, the Health Ministry said that dengue had caused 26 deaths in Mexico to June 18.

Public health anti-dengue campaign
Public health authorities have stepped up their campaigns to reduce mosquito populations across the country. (Damián Sanchez/Cuartoscuro)

That number hasn’t risen in the past two weeks, but is more than five times higher than that recorded in the first 24 weeks of last year.

Mexico has recorded a total of 17,106 confirmed dengue cases this year, an increase of 388% compared to the same time last year.

Guerrero ranks first for both cases of dengue and deaths caused by the mosquito-borne tropical disease. The southern state has recorded 3,483 confirmed cases of dengue and 8 deaths.

Five other states have recorded at least 1,000 dengue cases this year: Tabasco, Veracruz, Michoacán, Chiapas and Colima.

Morelos ranks second for deaths with five, followed by Quintana Roo with four and Tabasco with three.

With reports from France 24 and EFE

Tropical Storm Alberto replenishes dams in Nuevo León and Tamaulipas

By
MND Staff
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El Cuchillo dam in Nuevo León
Tropical Storm Alberto brought heavy rains in the northern states of Nuevo León and Tamaulipas, helping to refill dams that were at low capacity just a week ago. Pictured is El Cuchillo reservoir in Nuevo León, which Governor Samuel García reported on Friday midday is now at over 50% capacity. (Samuel García/X)

Tropical Storm Alberto was a godsend for water supply in Mexico’s northern states of Nuevo León and Tamaulipas, bringing rain that caused dam levels to rise significantly this week.

Alberto, which made landfall in Tamaulipas early Thursday morning and quickly downgraded to a tropical depression, brought extremely heavy rain to northeastern Mexico.

Santa Catarina river in Monterrey
The Santa Catarina river in Monterrey is overflowing after the rains from Tropical Storm Alberto. (Cuartoscuro)

The three reservoirs that supply water to the city of Monterrey were among those that benefited from the much-needed precipitation.

In a post to X on Monday morning, the National Water Commission’s general director for the Rio Grande Basin reported that the La Boca Dam was at 36.95% of capacity, while the El Cuchillo Dam was at 31.67% and the Cerro Prieto Dam was at just 4.96%.

“Good morning, cheer up! We’re relying on a cyclone,” Luis Carlos Alatorre wrote at the top of his post, referring to the storm that was flagged as a potential tropical cyclone as it moved through the Gulf of Mexico earlier this week.

At 9 a.m. Friday morning, about 28 hours after Alberto made landfall, Alatorre said that La Boca was at 104.19% of capacity, while El Cuchillo was at 49.21% and Cerro Prieto was at 29.83%.

Floodgates at La Boca Dam, where water levels rose to over 100% capacity, were opened on Thursday.

 

Thus, water levels in La Boca have increased by more than 67 percentage points since Monday morning, while those in El Cuchillo and Cerro Prieto have risen by 17.5 points and 25 points, respectively.

Floodgates were opened at La Boca on Thursday, allowing water to run to the El Cuchillo Dam.

Alatorre also reported on Friday that the recently-built La Libertad Dam in Nuevo León was at 12% of capacity.

“The new Libertad Dam is now a reality,” Nuevo León Governor Samuel García said in a video message during a visit to the dam on Thursday.

He noted that Alberto had brought “a tremendous downpour” to Nuevo León, which went through a water crisis in 2022.

In the neighboring state of Tamaulipas, Governor Américo Villareal also took to social media to comment on the “great benefits” brought by Tropical Storm Alberto.

“In different municipalities between 200 and 350 millimeters of rain has been recorded. Some streams and rivers continue to fill up, which is beneficial to increase the [water level] percentages of our reservoirs and lagoon systems, which is so needed at this time,” he wrote on X on Thursday afternoon.

River in Tamaulipas under a highway bridge
Governor Américo Villarreal of Tamaulipas wrote on X on Thursday night that it was continuing to rain in the state, and shared photos of the swelling Corona and Purificación rivers. (Américo Villarreal/X)

The Vicente Guerrero Dam in the municipality of Padilla — whose water levels had declined significantly — is one of the dams in Tamaulipas that benefited from the rain.

Reservoirs in Veracruz, San Luis Potosí and Coahuila also received significant amounts of rain brought by Alberto.

Villareal reported that the torrential rain had caused flooding in some parts of Tamaulipas, which has recently suffered from water supply shortages. He noted that the Corona River had broken its banks and that some families in the municipality of Güémez were being evacuated.

Four deaths in Nuevo León have been attributed to the tropical storm. Three of the victims were children.

A 16-year-old in Monterrey died in a river, trapped by the currents when he attempted to retrieve a soccer ball, and two 12-year-olds in the state were electrocuted in the municipality of Allende when they rode their bikes through a large puddle that was in contact with a live wire.

Mexico News Daily 

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