Plastic surgery in Mexico: Board-certified, safe, and cost effective

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November 16, 2023

A hand marks a woman's stomach for plastic surgery — Plastic surgery and other elective procedures are significantly cheaper in Mexico than in the U.S., though problems with unlicensed practitioners deter some would-be medical tourists. (Freepik)

You may find yourself in search of cosmetic surgery – that “mommy makeover”, tummy tuck, or breast lift – that is safe, affordable, and of the highest standard. We met Dr. Roberto Galaso Trujillo from the prestigious ABC Medical Center in Mexico City, who told us what you need to know to trust the process for a procedure from start to finish.

What academic training and experience should you look for as a patient seeking the best plastic surgery in Mexico?

“In Mexico, you have to train in general surgery for 3 years in order to become a plastic surgeon”, says Dr. Roberto Galaso, a smart, young, professional surgeon who runs his cosmetic and plastic surgery practice out of ABC Medical Center, CDMX, one of the most esteemed hospitals in the country. He furthered his studies in reconstructive and plastic surgery for 4 years at the Hospital Dr. Manuel Gea González, considered one of best in Latin America, under the mentorship of Dr. Fernando Ortiz Monasterio, a renowned surgeon and the first to perform cleft palate surgery and other craniofacial malformations successfully. “I also learned how to perform breast augmentation and aesthetic surgery with this doctor and witnessed the flood of international patients.” It is highly competitive to be accepted into this program.

After completing this 7-year training, Dr. Galaso traveled to the US, Turkey, Spain, and Colombia to improve his expertise in breast surgery and liposculpture surgery, which has become his specialty. In Mexico, in addition to training, it’s a requirement for a doctor’s thesis to be validated by top surgeons. Alongside this critical training – necessary for safe and successful outcomes -Dr. Galaso went on to receive his board certification from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS).

When exploring your options for medical tourism, researching a doctor’s training thoroughly is imperative. Double-check that a doctor is certified to practice in Mexico, like Dr. Galaso.

How safe is plastic surgery in Mexico?

Dr. Galaso tells us that attending the professional international conference circuit helps him keep abreast of the latest information and technology from other experts, as well as being able to contribute his own advancements.

Last year, at the large gathering for The American Society of Plastic Surgeons, aka “The Meeting,” he presented on rhinoplasty. This year’s meeting will be held in Austin in late October. He already attended the International Society of Aesthetic Surgeons conference that took place in Athens, Greece.

“And the year before that, I gave a presentation in Seoul about reconstructive jaw surgery. It’s very common to have malformations in Mexico.” Next year in February, he will attend IMCAS, aka “the congress,” the most important annual gathering of aesthetic and plastic surgeons and dermatologists, to be held in Paris. “The truth is, aestheticians in Mexico have been known to administer procedures that should be done by plastic surgeons, so it’s really important to work with a board-certified doctor that absolutely knows what they’re doing”, he tells MND.

Why choose a hospital for cosmetic or plastic surgery?

Dr. Galaso’s office at ABC Hospital, Mexico City.

“You need rigorous health checks, and I am careful to say yes to a patient,” Dr. Galaso states. Naturally, peace of mind around your procedure is of utmost importance, and the environment you choose will be key. For the last 4 years, Dr. Galaso has been proud to have been granted space for his surgery and office at ABC Medical Center, one of the most respected hospitals in Mexico. In order to practice there, a committee has to validate the doctor’s 7-year training results, and it’s a requirement to have 5 published peer-reviewed medical articles. Every 2 years, doctors will go through a further review process.

What is “mommy makeover” surgery?

Trending right now is Dr. Galaso’s specialty surgery, ‘body contouring,’ commonly known as the ‘Mommy makeover.’ “It’s very popular,” he tells MND. But not just for Moms; women who feel unhappy about having loose or lax skin are investing in this procedure for impressive and delightful results. “Tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty (aka ‘the corset waist’) and breast lifts are really popular right now, as well as breast reduction and shaping.” The majority of his patients are Mexican, but he’s now seeing a rise in international clients, especially from the US.

“I’m finding men are currently looking for liposuction and facial reconstruction, like rhinoplasty. They want to look well-formed and strong, often with a six-pack!”

What to expect before your plastic or cosmetic surgery in Mexico

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Una publicación compartida por Dr. Roberto Galaso (@drgalaso)

Patients don’t often have a lot of time to spare when they travel to Mexico for surgery. “We have expert protocols around pre-operative care and post-operative recovery. We usually need 2 weeks maximum to feel confident sending patients home,” Dr. Galaso says. The International Plastic Surgery Program by Dr. Galaso offers a VIP package, where clients can stay at the St Regis nearby, which includes chauffeur service from the airport to the hotel, a 24/7 butler, meals according to dietary requirements, nurses, therapists and follow-up appointments with Dr. Galaso. The regular package offers standard rooms at the Hyatt House hotel, which connects via a bridge to the ABC Medical Center. Transport, meals, and after are included. The only additional patient expense is the plane fare. Dr. Galaso’s team of therapists and nurses provide daily follow-up care and are mostly bilingual, Dr. Galaso is on call and close by for any questions or needs.

He reiterates the importance of the preoperative process and much communication with the patient’s doctor, garnering a thorough preoperative analysis through examination of all medical reports. A patient typically arrives for surgery with Dr. Galaso 2 days prior.

Cosmetic procedures in Mexico can be as safe and effective as in the US, under the right care – and easier on the wallet.

“So many people were traveling to Colombia from the US and Mexico for body contouring. It was an overlooked niche that I felt qualified to offer in Mexico.” Now, about 20% of his patients are coming from America, and of course, it’s far less expensive than in the US. The cost for a liposuction procedure, and other procedures, in Mexico is typically 20% less than the same treatment in the US, depending on the patient and personal requirements for the procedure, according to data search on Treatment Abroad.

You can benefit from the exchange rate and cost of living, but Dr. Galaso recommends not searching for a deal when researching plastic surgery in Mexico. “We offer packages for international patients,” he tells me. “You’re paying a bit more, but still a lot less than in the US, for the hospital environment and the additional services.”

If you’re serious about that plastic surgery you’ve been thinking about and researching, a 2-week trip to CDMX will get you the cutting-edge techniques available to plastic surgeons today, as well as Dr. Galaso’s commitment to professional ethics. Far more cost-effective than the same procedure in the US, his work can change the way you see yourself.

This article is sponsored by Dr. Roberto Galaso Trujillo, an accomplished Board Certified Plastic, Aesthetic, and Reconstructive Surgeon practicing in Mexico.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or medical advice. Individuals should always consult with qualified professionals regarding medical procedures, including plastic and/or cosmetic surgery, and medical aesthetic treatments, as well as consider their jurisdiction’s applicable laws and regulations.

Federal highway tolls increase: What you need to know

By

Cat Rainsford

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November 16, 2023

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919646_Tarifas Autopista del Sol-10_impreso — The Federal Roads and Bridges authority will increase itolls on highways and bridges, to fund repair and maintenance works. (Dassaev Téllez Adame/Cuartoscuro)

The Federal Roads and Bridges Authority (Capufe) has announced an increase in tolls on highways and bridges, with the extra proceeds going towards highway operation and maintenance.

Which highways are affected?

The increase applies to the highway network concessioned to the National Infrastructure Fund (Fonadin), which operates throughout Mexico. It includes the major highways in and out of Mexico City, such as the Mexico City-Puebla, and Mexico City-Querétaro routes.

Many of these highways are divided into multiple sections, with a toll booth in each. For instance, the Mexico-Querétaro highway has six booths, with the toll paid at each one.

Although the Cuernavaca-Acapulco road was originally included in the toll increase, President López Obrador announced that tolls on the road would remain unchanged, as the government seeks to stimulate the local economy after Hurricane Otis.

How much is the increase?

Guadalajara–Puerto Vallarta highway — Mexico’s toll roads are kept in good condition thanks to the tolls charged to road users. (SICT)

The tolls will go up by an average of 3%, although the exact figure will vary slightly due to rounding effects on the different vehicle rates. The increase keeps the tolls in line with Mexico’s inflation rate, which stood at 4.26% in October.

On the Mexico City-Puebla Highway, the rate for a car will increase from 198 pesos (US $11.48) to 204 pesos (US $11.83), while the motorcycle rate will go up from 99 pesos (US $5.70) to 102 pesos (US $5.91).

On the Mexico City-Cuernavaca highway, the car rate will go from 136 pesos (US $7.89) to 140 pesos (US $8.12), and the motorcycle rate will go from 68 pesos (US $3.95) to 70 pesos (US $4.06).

When does the increase take effect?

The increase took effect on Wednesday, Nov. 15.

This is the second change in toll costs this year, after the Infrastructure, Communications and Transport Ministry (SICT) hiked the rates by 7.82% in March, reflecting 2022’s higher rate of inflation.

With reports from El Economista, El País and Expansión

Cold front recedes, but chilly weather still forecast in some states

By

MND Staff

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November 16, 2023

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Woman with an umbrella in Toluca — As one cold front recedes and another arrives, some areas of Mexico will experience heavy rain or freezing conditions. (Crisanta Espinosa Aguilar/Cuartoscuro)

A massive cold front that dropped temperatures in parts of Mexico to -10° Celsius has moved toward the Caribbean Sea on Thursday, prompting the National Meteorological Service (SMN) to predict better weather for much of the country.

SMN said the departure of cold front number 9 could lead to Thursday highs of 35° C to 40° C in 13 states: Baja California Sur, Sonora, Sinaloa, Nayarit, Jalisco, Colima, Michoacán, Guerrero, Oaxaca (coast), Chiapas (coast), Campeche, Yucatán and Quintana Roo.

TIjuana weather — While skies will brighten, temperatures across the country may remain lower than average, warn forecasters. (Omar Martínez/Cuartoscuro)

Chihuahua (southwest), Durango (west), Morelos, Puebla (southwest) and Tabasco are predicted temperatures in the range of 30° C to 35° C.

However, because one cold front is being replaced by another one — or maybe even two — there could be frost and temperatures down to -5° C to 0° C in the mountains of Chihuahua and Durango over the next few days. Many other areas in the northern and highland regions of Mexico may also experience lows from 0° C to 5° C.

The departure of cold front number 9 led to a decrease in rain across Mexico, although the National Water Commission (Conagua) did issue a Thursday morning prediction of heavy rains in Sonora, Oaxaca, Baja California and Chiapas due to a subtropical jet stream and instability at high levels of the atmosphere.

Isolated showers and rains were expected in Baja California Sur, Michoacán, Guerrero, Puebla, Veracruz, Tabasco, Campeche, Chihuahua, Jalisco, Colima, Yucatán and Quintana Roo.

Five cold fronts are expected in November, with another eight in December. (@meteored/X)

In all cases, the SMN warned that thunderstorms and hail were possibilities.

This winter, according to Conagua, Mexico will experience 56 cold fronts — banks of cold air that move down from Canada and the United States — causing temperatures to drop and precipitation to increase across the country.

Conagua predicted that five of these winter storms will hit Mexico in November, with eight more coming in December.

Cold fronts numbers 10 and 11 are said to be on their way to the northern part of the country, with authorities warning that each “will take a toll” on Mexico.

Cold front number 10 will begin to be felt on Friday. The next day, lows down to -5 °C could be experienced in some northern states.

With reports from Infobae and Medio Tiempo

Need some energy? Mexican coffee will do the trick

By

Diana Serratos

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November 16, 2023

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Untitled design (1) — coffee is the second largest world commodity after petroleum. (Canva)

Coffee is the second most consumed beverage in the world, surpassed only by water, according to data provided by Mexican coffee expert José de Jesús Olvera.

Though coffee’s origins are distant and uncertain, there are stories of Ethiopian Bedouins observing goats eating the berries of certain bushes and demonstrating greater energy levels and a certain excitability. The goat herders’ curiosity led to the first human consumption of coffee. The way coffee is consumed has changed greatly since then, evolving from an Arabic preparation called Qahwah, which is made with turmeric to Turkish coffee, arguably the beverage’s most sophisticated preparation.

Coffee’s arrival in Italy was a watershed moment for its growing popularity. In Italy, coffee started to be prepared differently and from there it went on to conquer the rest of Europe. In the Arab world, coffee was considered the drink of the elites of intellectuals, stimulating reflection and conversation. European cafés were the beginning of coffee’s conquest of the rest of the world. Today, espresso is one of the most popular drinks among coffee purists.

In Mexico, coffee plants were brought by the French and they soon adapted to favorable climates in Córdoba, Veracruz, an area that quickly became an exporter of coffee and is today one of the most important coffee regions both in Mexico and globally. Coffee production requires many hands and has become a source of income for entire families.

Today, Mexico’s coffee-producing regions are found mostly in the central and southern parts of the country.

“Coffee is a good business, and it represents 867 million dollars of the Mexican economy in exports. Three million people work in the coffee industry. In the area around the Gulf, it is produced in San Luis Potosí, Hidalgo, Puebla, México, Veracruz and Tabasco. On the Pacific Ocean, you will find coffee in Colima, Guerrero, Jalisco, Nayarit and Oaxaca. In the southwest, you’ll find coffee production in Chiapas,” said Olvera, who has a doctorate in social anthropology.

Mexico currently has three denomination de origin regions for coffee production: one in Veracruz, one in Oaxaca and one in Chiapas. A fourth region, Puebla, looks likely to join them. Mexico is the world’s ninth-largest coffee producer.

Mexicans have also made coffee their own, creating café de olla, an extremely popular coffee variation that is sweetened with unrefined brown sugar and can include cinnamon as well. In almost every small town throughout the country, you can wake up to the delightful smell of café de olla. Though café de olla is one of coffee’s most popular ways to prepare coffee in Mexico, in the past decades the trend of specialty coffee has made its way into homes, cafes and restaurants across the country.

What is specialty coffee?

Specialty coffee is divided by different levels of bean quality, region, level of acidity, roast type and, obviously, the type of bean. Arabica beans are the most-consumed bean, popular for their smooth flavor. This is both the most-cultivated type of coffee on the planet and the type used to make specialty coffee. Robusta beans, as their name implies, are more resistant to infestations and to difficult climates. Coffee brewed from robusta beans is generally more bitter, has a higher concentration of caffeine and is usually used in blends and instant coffees. A third type of bean called Liberica is cultivated and consumed at a much lower rate.

Today, drinking specialty coffee is more common in Mexico. (Canva)

The process of making coffee has become simple, and there are various methods to make it at home. Specialized coffee machines, like the French press or the Italian moka pot, each require different size grinds and provide slightly different results.

In national competitions, which are more and more common in Mexico, coffee is judged by its acidity, sweetness and general balance of aromas across many cups from the same batch of beans to ensure quality across the board. Judged coffee is usually awarded points on a scale between 6 and 9, with the idea that the coffee in competition already has a certain basic standard level. A 10 is awarded very infrequently and only in exceptional cases.

No coffee is the same, and it’s difficult to compare coffee from distinct types of beans or growing regions. It must be understood that each is an expression of its terroir (a concept that describes how local environmental factors affect a crop, usually applied to wine) as well as the techniques used in its fermentation and roasting.

Today in Mexico you can find coffee from around the world, imported from South America, Asia, or Africa, but my recommendation is to buy Mexican-grown coffee; There is a price point and type for every palate.

Coffee and the palate of its Mexican consumers have certainly changed over time, I think for the positive, and even though Mexicans have yet to be great consumers of this beverage, we produce high-quality beans. Today, drinking specialty coffee is more common. It’s clear that waking up to a cup of Mexican coffee is the best way to start your day right.

Sommelier Diana Serratos writes from Mexico City.

Is the new Mexicana airline closer to take off?

By

MND Staff

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November 16, 2023

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942884_CEA62213-4951-4E90-8D1A-6028AF1BA0EF_web (2) — The new Mexicana airline has acquired aircraft - but when can travelers purchase tickets? (Cuartoscuro)

What’s going on with the revived Mexicana de Aviación airline?

The new government-operated airline was forced to suspend ticket sales while awaiting its Air Services Operator Certificate (AOC) from Mexico’s Federal Aviation Agency (AFAC), but was granted the certificate on Oct. 30.

Mexicana announcement — The announcement as it appeared on the Mexicana website. (Mexicana de Aviación)

When will online reservations go live?

The online ticketing system briefly operated between Oct. 3-18, but was taken offline after AFAC ruled the airline could not sell seats without an operating license. Those who had reserved a seat on the airline were unable to pay.

Mexicana has now contacted these ticketholders, with details on how to complete their purchases.

“From November 25, you will receive an email where you can conclude the reservation and payment process for your trip,” said the airline.

Mexicana will reportedly begin operations with a fleet of aircraft leased from Querétaro airline TAR. (Querétaro Turismo/X)

When will flights begin?

The airline has said it will begin operations on Saturday, Dec. 2 this year, with 19 flights to 13 destinations within Mexico scheduled for the first day.

While Mexicana had announced their intention to use a fleet of Boeing 737-800s, website Aviación 21 reported last week that the airline will now lease a series of Embraer E145 instead, due to a shortage of available aircraft to lease from Boeing.

The flights will be operated under the Mexicana brand by Transportes Aéreos Regionales, the Querétaro-based airline TAR that owns them.

Mexicana Embraer — The Embraer E145 aircraft are being repainted in the new Mexicana livery. (Xime Garmendia/X)

Which destinations are included?

Destinations from Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) in Mexico City currently include:

Acapulco
Guadalajara
Huatulco
Monterrey
Mazatalán
Oaxaca
Puerto Vallarta
Villahermosa
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo

While the airline has announced operations to 11 other destinations, tickets are not currently available to purchase for those routes. Travelers who have already reserved tickets will be compensated, according to the airline.

Tulum, which the airline had previously announced as an operational hub, is no longer mentioned on the website and does not appear on any maps published by the airline.

Puerto Vallarta is among the destinations offered by Mexicana. (Taylor Beach/Unsplash)

How much will tickets cost?

Based on an October price check by MND, a Mexicana flight from AIFA to Cancún departing on Dec. 5 costs 1,447 pesos (US $80), including Airport Use Fee (TUA) and additional taxes, seat selection, checked baggage of up to 15 kilograms, one piece of carry-on luggage and a 10-kilogram personal item.

The same flight, including one checked baggage of up to 25 kilograms, costs 6,669 pesos (US $371) at Aeroméxico and 6,013 pesos (US $334) at Volaris.

With reports from Milenio and Simple Flying

Peso reaches best position against US dollar since September

By

MND Staff

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November 16, 2023

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US dollars and Mexican pesos — The peso continued its hot streak over the weekend, trading at 16.30 before closing at 16.33 to the dollar on Monday. (Shutterstock)

The Mexican peso extended its winning streak to five days in Thursday morning trading to reach its strongest position against the US dollar since late September.

Bloomberg data shows that the peso appreciated to 17.22 to the dollar just before 8 a.m. Mexico City time. The last time the peso was stronger than that level was Sept. 22 when it closed at 17.20 to the greenback.

At 10 a.m., the peso was trading at a slightly weaker 17.26 to the dollar.

The peso closed at 17.82 to the greenback last Thursday but has appreciated every trading day since then. It reached 17.65 last Friday, 17.61 on Monday, 17.34 on Tuesday and 17.30 on Wednesday, according to Bloomberg.

The peso’s latest winning streak began last Friday with a general weakening of the US dollar.

The DXY index, which measures the value of the dollar against a basket of foreign currencies, also fell on Thursday morning after data showed that claims for unemployment benefits in the United States increased to a three-month high last week.

AMLO shows inflation data — The president shows the steady decline in inflation since June. (Gob MX)

“The dollar edged lower on Thursday after US jobless claims rose more than expected last week, indicating a cooling labor market that could prompt the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates in early 2024 and engineer an economic soft landing,” Reuters reported.

In Mexico, inflation declined for a ninth consecutive month in October, but the Bank of Mexico has maintained its benchmark interest rate at a record high 11.25% since March as the headline inflation rate remains above its 3% target.

The Mexican peso, which was trading at about 19.5 to the dollar at the start of 2023, has benefited this year from the significant difference between interest rates here and those in the US, which are currently set at a 5.25%-5.5% range.

Bank of Mexico Governor Victoria Rodríguez told the El Financiero newspaper earlier this week that “the improvement in the inflationary outlook we’re anticipating could allow us to begin discussing in future [monetary policy] meetings the possibility of adjusting our reference rate downwards.”

Bank of Mexico Governor Victoria Rodriguez Ceja — Victoria Rodríguez Ceja, head of the Bank of Mexico. (Presidencia)

She said that cuts to the key interest rate will occur when macroeconomic conditions allow them, adding that “we do not see that for the rest of this year.”

The Bank of Mexico (Banxico) board will hold its final monetary policy meeting of the year on Dec. 14, but based on Rodríguez’s remarks an initial cut to the 11.25% rate appears unlikely before 2024.

The central bank governor also said that interest rate cuts, when they come, will be “gradual” and won’t necessarily be “continuous,” indicating that the benchmark rate could be lowered and then held at the new level through subsequent monetary policy meetings.

Facade of the Bank of Mexico — The Bank of Mexico has maintained a high key interest rate of 11.25% to put downward pressure on inflation. (Cuartoscuro)

Banxico raised its benchmark rate by 725 basis points during a hiking cycle that began in June 2021 and concluded in May with the decision to hold the rate at 11.25%.

The peso was trading at close to 20 to the US dollar when the tightening cycle began and below 18 when it ended.

The currency reached its strongest position of 2023 – and in almost eight years – in late July when it traded at 16.62 pesos to the dollar.

In addition to the difference between interest rates in Mexico and the United States, strong incoming flows of foreign capital and remittances are among the factors analysts have cited for the strengthening of the peso this year.

With reports from La Jornada

Government reports Mexico had its least violent October in 7 years

By

MND Staff

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November 15, 2023

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Asesinan Mujer Policía-5 — Homicides in Mexico declined in October, showing a more than 13% drop compared to October 2022. (Omar Martínez/Cuartoscuro)

Last month was the least violent October since 2016, according to federal government data on homicides.

Security Minister Rosa Icela Rodríguez presented statistics at President López Obrador’s Tuesday press conference that showed there were 2,404 homicides last month, a 13.2% decline compared to October 2022.

October 2023 was the least violent October in seven years, according to Security Minister Rodríguez. (Margarito Pérez Retana/Cuartoscuro)

She noted that it was the lowest homicide count for the month of October in seven years.

Homicides fell 4.7% compared to September, during which 2,524 murders were recorded.

Data showed that there were 25,004 homicides between January and October, a 4.2% decline compared to the 26,092 recorded in the first 10 months of last year.

Just over 47% of the homicides this year occurred in just six states. Guanajuato was the most violent, followed by México state, Baja California, Chihuahua, Jalisco and Michoacán.

México state was the second most violent state in the country last month. (Rogelio Morales/Cuartoscuro)

Murder numbers have declined on an annual basis in four of those states.

Homicides in Guanajuato, which has been Mexico’s most violent state in recent years, fell 1.8% between January and October compared to the same period of 2022, while Baja California recorded an 11.1% drop. Murders decreased 6.4% in Jalisco and fell 29.5% in Michoacán.

México state and Chihuahua were the only states among the six most violent where homicides increased in the first 10 months of 2023. The former recorded a 1.4% increase while murders rose 2.2% in the latter.

Baja California Sur recorded the lowest number of homicides among Mexico’s 32 federal entities in the first 10 months of the year with just 22. Four other states recorded fewer than 100 murders between January and October: Yucatán (28); Aguascalientes (74); Durango (83); and Campeche (87).

Baja California Sur, home to Los Cabos, had the lowest murder rate in October according to official figures. (Sectur/Twitter)

Rodríguez highlighted that homicide numbers have trended downwards during the current government’s six-year term, whereas they increased while former presidents Vicente Fox (2000-2006), Felipe Calderón (2006-12) and Enrique Peña Nieto (2012-18) were in office.

Homicides are down 18% in 2023 compared to the first full year of López Obrador’s presidency, according to the data she presented, whereas murder numbers increased 1.6% between the first and last years of Fox’s administration, 192.8% during the Calderón-led government and 59% during Peña Nieto’s rule.

Despite the downward trend recorded since the current government took office in late 2018, López Obrador’s six-term will go down as the most violent on record, with almost 172,000 homicides to date.

Security minister with President López Obrador — Security minister Rosa Icela Rodríguez speaks at the president’s morning press conference about homicide rates. (Rosa Icela Rodríguez/X)

Rodríguez also presented data for a range of other crimes. Among those whose incidence declined in the first 10 months of 2023 compared to the same period of last year were people smuggling, financial crimes, femicides, organized crime offenses, kidnappings, cattle theft, muggings, robberies of businesses and home burglaries.

Among those whose incidence increased were firearm offenses, tax crimes and truck robberies.

“Almost all federal jurisdiction crimes declined significantly,” Rodríguez said, adding that the “majority” of common jurisdiction offenses also decreased.

Mexico News Daily

Humility, kindness and humor can make expats and locals connect

By

Janet Blaser

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November 15, 2023

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OnMyMind_Oct-Lorena in her store (1) — Lorena in her store (Janet Blaser)

Summer usually brings rain in Mexico, and lots of it in some places (like where I live). Because Mazatlán is an old town, the streets and drains in its Centro Histórico struggle mightily with these tropical deluges. After a big storm, depending on where you live or want to go, it can be challenging to get around; not to speak of dealing with a house that’s suddenly full of water.

That happened to me a few months ago, when a storm blew in with what authorities would later say was about five inches of rain in three hours. I heard it blustering outside in the wee hours of the morning, but since my computer, phone, and TV were unplugged and all the windows were closed, I didn’t worry about it. In the three years I’ve lived here, my first-floor apartment on the edge of Centro Historico has never flooded.

Well.

When I got up at 5:30, my feet hit the floor with a splash. Not quite awake, my brain couldn’t register what was happening. I switched on the light and saw water rippling into the living room. The entire apartment was filled with about two inches of water: rugs soaked, cats up on the dining room table meowing in confusion.

There was nothing to be done but switch gears for the day. I commiserated with a few friends through WhatsApp who were in similar situations and got to work.

Once an initial clean-up was completed, I made coffee and took it to the balcony, where there’s a small but pretty view of the ocean and the malecón. The iconic oceanfront boulevard has drain grates that clog when water fills the nearby streets. I sat sipping my coffee, chuckling at drivers trying to navigate through water up to their car windows.

Suddenly, a trio of taxi drivers came wading through the dirty brown water. They got to the drain and started pulling out the flotsam and jetsam blocking it: trash and plastic bags, handfuls of who-knows-what, big palm fronds. A car stalled; they laughed with the driver and pushed him slowly clear of the water. There was lots of splashing.

Janet at the beach in Mazatlán (Janet Blaser)

I was struck by their kindness and what we would call in the U.S. their “sense of community.” Rather than wait hours for the city to take care of it, they took matters into their own hands and did what needed to be done, even though it meant sodden shoes and clothes drenched in filthy water. And they did it with smiles and laughter, the joy of “being in this together,” for better, or in this case, for worse.

This sort of attitude is part of what drew me to move to Mexico; it felt kinder and more caring than the U.S. That’s not to say I didn’t love my life in Santa Cruz, California, or that I didn’t have a big warm community there—I did (and to some degree still do). But here, I find more of an openness to interact, a more ready willingness to reach out and be in the moment, even with us foreigners. Another thing is that as a single older female, in the U.S. I’m often invisible. In Mexico, that’s not usually the case. I’m acknowledged, assisted, and – dare I say – respected. My age is simply a fact of life, not something to be embarrassed by.

I think we are curiosities to our Mexican neighbors. With so much hype from the U.S. about it being “the greatest country in the world,” they rightly wonder why we are here. In this new life, kindness and connection become essential because, as strangers in a strange land, we need as much help as we can get from wherever it can come from. I’ve learned to be humble and grateful and that sometimes all that’s needed is a deep breath, eye contact, and a smile.

Lorena at the corner store is another example. I probably met her 15 years ago when I lived two doors down from her little store. To say that I quickly became a regular customer is an understatement. I could — and did –buy everything there, from one band-aid to a handful of cilantro to a round of delicious farm-fresh queso fresco. She introduced me to many things specific to Mexican cuisine and life in Mazatlán. She was a patient Spanish teacher as I stumbled with pronunciation, usage, and knowing the right word. Together, with lots of smiles and laughter, we figured out what we were trying to do.

It’s the same with the vendors at the mercado where I do my weekly shopping, the owner of the pensión (lot) where I park my car, and the neighbor whose cat likes to sit on my balcony. All of them stretch out of their comfort zone to help me find a comfortable way to be – a comfortable me to be – in this new place I’m calling home.

Janet Blaser is the author of the best-selling book, Why We Left: An Anthology of American Women Expats, featured on CNBC and MarketWatch. She has lived in Mexico since 2006. You can find her on Facebook.

What’s in a name? López Obrador calls to rename the Sea of Cortés

By

MND Staff

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November 15, 2023

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mario-mendez-9QiVX_bl95U-unsplash — President López Obrador has expressed his preference for officially designating the body of water between northern Mexico and Baja California as the "Gulf of California." (Mario Mendez/Unsplash)

Pico de Orizaba or Citlaltépetl? Mexico or the United Mexican States? The Gulf of California or the Sea of Cortés?

In the final case, President López Obrador has a clear preference – and if you’ve heard him speak about what he has called the “atrocities committed in the colonial invasion” by Spanish conquistadores, you can probably guess what it is.

The gulf, named for Spanish conqueror Hernán Cortés, is an important fishing ground for much of the country. (Secretarías del Estado/Cuartoscuro)

“On Saturday I went to Mexicali, to San Felipe on the Gulf of California,” he said in Culiacán, Sinaloa, on Tuesday.

“It was called the Sea of Cortés before, but we’re going to change the name [to] the Gulf of California. Sea of Cortés, my foot!”

AMLO’s pledge to change the name of the small sea between the Baja California peninsula and the Mexican mainland – which is also less commonly called the Vermillion Sea – comes two years after former Baja California governor Jaime Bonilla issued a decree to officially rename it the Gulf of California.

López Obrador appears determined to do something similar at the federal level.

Baja California governor Jaime Bonilla officially renamed the body of water as the “Gulf of California” two years ago. (Presidencia/Cuartoscuro)

The name Sea of Cortés (sometimes spelled Cortéz) dates back to the 16th century when the land now known as Mexico made up part of the territory of the Viceroyalty of New Spain.

According to one version of events, conquistador Hernán Cortés bestowed the name on the sea when he arrived there by ship in the 1530s.

According to another version, Spanish seafarer Francisco de Ulloa, who was commissioned by Cortés to explore the Pacific coast of New Spain, named the body of water the Sea of Cortés in 1539 in honor of the conquistador who led an army that conquered Tenochtitlán in 1521.

Dubbed “the world’s aquarium” by French oceanographer Jacques–Yves Cousteau due to its immense marine diversity, the Gulf of California is bordered by four states: Sinaloa, Sonora, Baja California and Baja California Sur. That name, derived from its location, and the Sea of Cortés are both frequently used.

In a similar move, the gardens in the National Palace were renamed “Jardín Nezahualcóyotl” in honor of the 15th century king of Texcoco.

López Obrador – who in 2019 wrote to the king of Spain to request an apology for the conquest – noted on Tuesday that his government has already changed the name of a garden in the National Palace from “Jardín de la Emperatriz” (The Empress’s Garden), named after the wife of Emperor Maximilian I, Charlotte of Belgium (also known as Carlota de México), to “Jardín Nezahualcóyotl” in recognition of the 15th century ruler of the city-state of Texcoco.

He is not the only Mexican president to propose making a name change not long before the end of his term. In November 2012, just over a week before he left office, Felipe Calderón sent a proposal to Congress to change the official name of the country he was governing from the United Mexican States (Estados Unidos Mexicanos) to plain old Mexico.

His last-ditch attempt “to get the United States out of Mexico,” as the Associated Press reported at the time, was unsuccessful, and Mexico today is still officially called the United Mexican States, a name that is rarely used except on government documents and other official material.

With reports from El Universal and Excélsior

Cultural appropriation in Mexican fashion: The ‘Original’ revolution

By

Leigh Thelmadatter

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November 15, 2023

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01 Foto_Secretaría de Cultura (3) — Culture Minister Alejandra Frausto Guerrero marches along a street in the historic center of Mexico City with artisans participating in this year’s Original congress. (credit Ministry of Culture)

Several years ago, internationally renowned singer Susana Harp called out French designer Isabel Marant for selling a blouse that was essentially a copy of that worn in the village of Santa María Tlahuitoltepec in Oaxaca. The resulting controversy shone a spotlight on a practice that while legal, has significant cultural, political, and diplomatic repercussions.

The use of Mexican designs and motifs is a practice that long precedes the Marant incident, and there have been denouncements of both Mexican and foreign fashion houses such as Ralph Lauren, Shein, Zara, Mango and Louis Vuitton since. These denouncements are more political and social, rather than legal in nature because almost all Indigenous and traditional designs are in the public domain – at least for now.

Michoacán huipil and rebozo on the catwalk in Los Pinos (Sec de Cultura)

Mexico and its artisans consider their unregulated use as a threat to their culture, identity and yes, their economy. One federal response has been the founding of “Original” by the Ministry of Culture in 2021. Original calls itself a “…cultural movement that strives to protect and preserve traditional designs and symbols of artisan communities in the nation’s territory.” It is a collaboration among the federal government, experts and an advisory committee of artisans from all over the country.

Its events in 2021 and 2022 caught the attention of the international press both because the controversy was still fresh and the program’s novel use of fashion marketing strategies.

These strategies include various presentations on catwalks at the former presidential residential complex of Los Pinos in Mexico City. Both artisans and professional models demonstrate traditional and innovative designs, with celebrities as hosts. Press conferences in places like the Palace of Fine Arts and photoshoots among various iconic locations in Mexico City augment these shows. The message is clear – the works of the artisans themselves are the source of value and prestige – not who puts a label on the garment.

But Los Pinos hosts more than just catwalk struts. There are conferences and talks, which can be emotionally charged as speakers discuss the problems artisans and Indigenous communities face over the appropriation of their symbols and dress. Last year, they provided examples not only of blatant copying but very poor adaptations (like Carolina Herrera’s hideous sarape ball gown) and even worse, traditionally meaningful symbols plastered over inappropriate parts of the body.

Participating artisans pose outside the House of Tiles, a famous landmark in the historic center of Mexico City. (credit Ministry of Culture)

Although these issues are serious enough, there are economic concerns as well. Culture minister Alejandra Fraust states. “Taking [Indigenous designs] as if they were an object to be copied, that can be robbed and replicated simply by putting a label as if I created it corresponds to a totally individualistic vision superseding [that of the] community, respect and a recognition of those who have conserved this cultural wealth.”

Public domain laws do require attribution (which is almost never done) but also stipulate that they can be used without permission or payment of royalties. The government and artisan communities want to change this, especially considering the huge difference between what the fashion houses can charge and what artisans earn.

Last, but certainly not least, Original is one of the best sales venues for Mexican handcrafts – and textiles in particular. All of the major textile traditions are represented alongside more than a few of the less-known. Even if you manage to leave without buying something (nearly impossible), the myriad of garments for sale is an education on the richness of traditional Mexican traditional clothing.

This year’s event is scheduled for November 16-19, at Los Pinos. Now a cultural center open to the public, the site will host representatives from 349 communities from all 32 states, with new additions from Campeche, Chihuahua, Guanajuato and Hidalgo.

Garments from Yucatán and Chiapas are on display in Los Pinos at the 2022 edition. (credit Leigh Thelmadatter)

Original is more than an annual event in the capital. Over the past years, its advisory committees have visited over 1,000 craftspeople to hear their concerns, many of which relate to competing in the global market. It has sponsored marketing workshops reaching over 125,000 artisans so far. This year, it announced a partnership with Google to train artisans in using tools like Google, Google Maps and YouTube, as well as provide free formal websites.

Advisory committee member Amanda Beatriz Tah Arana of Felipe Carrillo Puerto states that “Original for me has been inspiring and beautiful, but most of all family because we continue to get to know each other, sharing experiences and knowledge with our associates and most importantly, we value the work that we do…”

But the program faces challenges. Changing laws related to the public domain is not easy – and likely not possible in many countries. Changes in Mexico have had some unforeseen consequences. At one conference last year, a Tlaxcalan potter complained that efforts to restrict “Talavera” to only that made in Puebla threatened his family’s business even though their work has been accepted as Talavara for more than 30 years. Lastly, an anonymous source told me some conservative communities are unhappy with male models in women’s traditional huipiles.

It is clear that certain uses of Mexican designs and motifs are disrespectful at the very least. Even if laws cannot be changed dramatically, efforts like Original are still as important as consumer education. No one realized that Marant had copied the Oaxacan blouses because the world was not aware of the original. Such knowledge, paired with efforts to raise the prestige of owning something made by the “original” hands (rather than a machine copy) is likely to do whatever (international) law cannot. Many of these garments were (and are) luxury items historically. Raising them back to that status may be the best bet for artisans in the long run.

Frausto acknowledges this when she says “You want to buy Mexican art? Buy [Original], which is alive.”

Leigh Thelmadatter arrived in Mexico over 20 years ago and fell in love with the land and the culture in particular its handcrafts and art. She is the author of Mexican Cartonería: Paper, Paste and Fiesta (Schiffer 2019). Her culture column appears regularly on Mexico News Daily.