Another factor that could affect the value f the peso this week is the upcoming U.S. Federal Reserve interest rate announcement. (Cuartoscuro)
The Mexican peso was trading at just above 16.5 to the US dollar early last week, but on Wednesday morning, it flirted with going above the 17-to-the-dollar mark for the first time this month — a depreciation of the peso that indicates market caution as Mexico’s presidential election approaches Sunday, some economists said.
Bloomberg data shows that the peso depreciated to a low of 16.98 to the greenback on Wednesday morning before strengthening slightly. The depreciation compared to Tuesday’s closing rate of 16.79 pesos to the dollar was 1.1%.
Citibanamex attributes the peso’s stability this electoral season to the expectation that Morena candidate Claudia Sheinbaum, center foreground, will win the June 2 election and continue the current government’s agenda. But an upset victory could lead to temporary volatility in the Mexican peso. (Fernando Carranza García/Cuartoscuro)
At 2 p.m. Mexico City time, the USD:MXN exchange rate was 16.93.
The Wednesday morning low represents a 2.5% peso depreciation compared to the currency’s strongest level this month — 16.55 to the dollar on May 20. It was the Mexican peso’s weakest position since April 30, when it closed at 17.14 to the dollar, according to Bloomberg.
Mexican bank Banco Base said it was “probable” that “positions in favor of the peso” would decline ahead of the elections due to the risk of “volatility” after preliminary results are announced Sunday night.
“Even though the exchange rate has shown stability during the electoral period, an increase in volatility at the end of the elections cannot be ruled out,” the bank said, adding that the situation will be influenced by “the first statement from the winner.”
On Wednesday, Gabriela Siller, Banco Base’s director of economic analysis, said on the X social media platform that “the impact of the elections on the exchange rate will depend on” five things.
Among the factors that will determine the peso’s value immediately after the election is how exiting President Andrés Manuel López Obrador reacts to the outcome. (Lopezobrador.org)
The winner of the presidential election and her/his “initial speech.”
The makeup of the Congress (a “majority of one party will be conducive to fear about Mexico”).
The position of the other [losing] candidates about the election result.
The reaction of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
“Possible changes in societal stability.”
Siller didn’t offer specific predictions about what will happen to the USD:MXN exchange rate if Claudia Sheinbaum wins — as polls indicate will happen — or if her main rival, Xóchitl Gálvez, scores an upset victory.
Citibanamex recently attributed the stability of the peso to the expectation that Sheinbaum will win and thus continue the current government’s agenda — the so-called “fourth transformation” — after she is sworn in as president on Oct. 1.
The peso has benefited for an extended period from the large gap between the Bank of Mexico’s benchmark interest rate (11%) and that of the U.S. Federal Reserve (5.25% – 5.5%). It has also received a boost from strong incoming flows of remittances and foreign investment.
The board of Mexico’s central bank will hold its next monetary policy meeting on June 27.
Mobile monkey care units have so far been deployed in Tabasco and Campeche. (Xevt 104.1 fm/Facebook)
One hundred and fifty-seven howler monkeys have died in the southern states of Chiapas and Tabasco as of May 22, according to Mexico’s Environment Ministry (Semarnat). Of those, 125 were in Tabasco, while 32 deaths were reported in Chiapas.
Reports of wild howler monkeys falling dead from trees in Mexico’s tropical forests began at the onset of the season’s second heat wave, at the beginning of May. While initial reports came from Tabasco and Chiapas, cases of animals suffering from heat exhaustion are also being reported in Veracruz and Campeche.
The Natural Protected Areas Commission (Conanp) also activated an emergency fund that will be used for community and academic initiatives in support of the monkeys. (Comunicación Asertiva – Campeche/Facebook)
Semarnat stressed that actions are being taken to prevent more animal deaths. In the municipalities of Hueyapan and Catemaco in the state of Veracruz, the ministry said officials are installing water fountains for monkeys. It also noted that assistance in Tabasco includes mobile care units made up of volunteers from civil society and wildlife experts. The Juárez Autonomous University of Tabasco (UJAT) reported that it would enable an additional mobile unit on its campus in Comalcalco to extend care in the region.
The Natural Protected Areas Commission (Conanp) also activated an emergency fund that will be used for community and academic initiatives in support of the monkeys.
As for Campeche, authorities established two aid brigades in the towns of Miguel Colorado and Felipe Carrillo Puerto.
High temperatures are causing monkey deaths
On Sunday, Semarnat reported that it conducted an emergency operation to determine the cause of the monkey deaths occurring in Mexico’s southern jungles.
In addition, the United States-Mexico Commission for the Prevention of Foot and Mouth Disease and Other Exotic Animal Diseases (CPA) conducted a clinical inspection of sick specimens, including some that had recently died. After taking biological samples and sending them to various laboratories for analysis, scientists ruled out emerging diseases or toxicological elements to be the cause.
Semarnat confirmed that the monkeys in Tabasco and Chiapas are dying due to heat stroke caused by the scorching temperatures suffocating Mexico. A lack of rainfall has also led to water shortages in streams and springs, the main sources of water where Mexico’s monkeys live.
How many monkeys have been rescued?
Specialists and members of various communities in Tabasco, with help from the Federal Attorney General for Environmental Protection (Profepa), assisted seven monkeys in critical condition. They have since been reintroduced to their natural habitat after returning to good health.
Modern Mexico offers a weath of fantastic retirements options, to cater to almost any taste, budget or medical need. Here are some of the very best the country has to offer. (Dämadi)
If you imagine the perfect place to retire, what comes to mind? For most people, beauty, nature, creativity, nice people, cleanliness, safety, and comfort are all important considerations. Retirement homes in Mexico offer all of these — and more.
Specialized guides like Condé Nast Traveler list Mexico as one of the best places to retire. The country is increasingly filled with dream options that combine its best qualities while offering a heavy dose of luxury living. Options such as cohousing are also becoming an attractive choice for people who want to live with privacy but at the same time enjoy the psychological and emotional benefitsof living in a community. As a result of this demand, Mexico is increasingly creating groundbreaking retirement projects focused on collaborative housing specialized for the needs of modern life.
But what is really on offer if you are considering making Mexico your retirement destination? Here are some of the best retirement homes currently available for those looking to move:
The Belmont Village is the perfect fusion of luxury living and ideal location. (Belmont Village)
The Belmont is located in Santa Fe, one of the most exclusive areas of Mexico City. This luxury condominium tower offers the possibility of independent living, specialist care and Alzheimer’s specialists. On the first floor, you’ll find shops and restaurants, a signature dining room, an all-day bistro, a full-service salon and a professionally staffed fitness center. Additionally, there is a library and even an on-site chef.
“Basically, it is an all-inclusive hotel concept, with services, facilities, and activities available from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., such as painting, yoga and gym,” The Belmont explained to Mexico News Daily.
“We offer two programs tailored to the cognitive state of our residents, with 4 levels of attention, as well as a medical area with 24-hour services. We also provide a free chauffeur service that can take residents within a 5 km radius, whether it be to the beautiful La Mexicana park or the shopping center in Santa Fe, or wherever they prefer.”
Most importantly, there is a pedestrian bridge connecting the tower to the emergency room of the ABC Medical Center, and 24-hour medical and specialized care services are available on-site.
Find the perfect balance between city and country living in leafy Huixquilucan, on the edge of the capital. (Le Grand)
Le Grand, located on the edge of Mexico City in tranquil Huixquilucan, prioritizes an “Active Living” approach. They promote a meaningful, quality experience based on happiness through neurostimulation, physical and emotional care, motivation, well-being, socialization, life purpose, and legacy. Residents at Le Grand can enjoy a diverse range of activities, including communication and public speaking, acting and comedy, music therapy, reading circles, crafts and concerts. The facility also aims to promote the personal autonomy of older adults.
Huixquilucan, where the facility is located, is known for being highly exclusive. It is surrounded by popular destinations such as the Interlomas Shopping Centre and Paseo Interlomas, both of which offer a wide range of shops, restaurants, and amenities for residents to enjoy a relaxing stroll.
The Gardens of Matzatlán offer the chance to retire in comfort on the shores of the Pacific ocean. (Gardens of Mazatlán)
Retire in style with the Gardens of Mazatlán. The retirement complex has an onsite chef who prepares meals according to each resident’s individual preferences. When it comes to healthcare, every floor of the building has its own dedicated nurse to ensure the best care is always available. The Gardens also offer emotional support and lifestyle activities. Pets and plants are also allowed!
The suites come with a delightful ocean view, allowing residents to take in the stunning Pacific sunsets in all their glory. Mazatlán is an ideal choice for senior expats seeking a place to enjoy their retirement due to its proximity to the border, natural beauty and pleasant weather, with an average annual temperature of 25 degrees Celsius (78 F). The town also has over 50 miles of beaches. One of the main attractions of The Garden of Mazatlán is the surrounding beauty, including the historic downtown area, the Mazatlán Lighthouse, the picturesque Malecón (considered the largest in Mexico and one of the largest in the world), the impressive Aquarium, opportunities for whale watching, the renowned Witches’ Beach, the Mazatlán Marina, and much more.
With beautiful facilities, including a pool, this place is known for adapting its activities to the personal needs and preferences of its residents, offering options such as tennis, thermal pools, a gym, and other amenities. They also have specialists in medical and cognitive conditions, including dementias such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Vascular Dementia, Aphasia, and others.
Undoubtedly, one of the best features of this property is its location — in beautiful San Miguel de Allende. The city has been consistently voted as the Best Small City by Condé Nast Traveler for several years. It is a top choice for expats and tourists worldwide due to its climate, rich history, vibrant colors, cleanliness, and safety.
In the land of eternal spring, Edén really feels like a little piece of… well, Eden. (Edén Residencia)
This place feels like a vacation, with 56 suites and an on-site chef. Edén aims for the perfect balance of emotional, mental, and physical health. Staff include specialists such as gerontologists, psychologists, therapists and orthopedic surgeons. The home also offers services such as mental gymnastics, physiotherapy and rehabilitation, holistic massage, social integration activities, board games, yoga, Chi-Kung, laughter therapy, singing classes, reading circles and much more.
“Cuernavaca is a great place for the elderly because of several qualities,” explained José Alberto Benítez, Edén’s commercial director. “The city boasts one of the best climates in the world due to its altitude, which is highly beneficial for the cardiovascular system.”
“We emphasize a holistic approach that promotes stimulation for our residents, as we aim for them to enjoy fulfilling lives through various forms of care.” Benítez continued. “We provide holistic care because we believe that the human being requires diverse types of care.”
The result of a 30-year dream, this retirement home is every bit as caring as Alicia herself. (Alicia’s Convalescent Nursing Home)
The extraordinary story of this project begins with Alicia. After 30 years of service, the experienced geriatric nurse decided to open her own residential home for retirees. Now, Alicia operates 4 homes in La Floresta, Ajijic, a peaceful area that is totally surrounded by nature. All four homes are decorated with immaculate taste, and feel like an authentic Mexican country house. In terms of care, a staff of nurses and maids are available to take care of clients. The houses are designed for ambulatory guests and are fully equipped with a kitchen, laundry, and other facilities for group living.
Ajijic, situated on Lake Chapala, has emerged as one of the most sought-after Pueblos Mágicos in Jalisco. Renowned for its murals, cobbled streets, restaurants, galleries, clothing stores and cafes, it is an ideal destination to savor the pleasant weather, tranquility, and enchanting ambiance of the small town.
Mexico City living can be yours, with these modern, stylish group homes on the edge of the capital. (Dämadi)
Dämadi operates several different locations across the capital, including the southern suburbs of Tlalpan and El Pedregal. The activities on offer are varied and include gardening, yoga and therapeutic gymnastics, art, technology, spirituality, spa and aromatherapy. Aspiring cooks can work alongside the chef to create breakfasts, meals, desserts, and snacks. Dämadi also offers 24/7 medical care, physiotherapy and beauty services such as manicures, podiatry, hairstyling, and makeup. Residents will never be bored here.
The Jardines del Pedregal neighborhood is a stunning area filled with work by renowned architects Luis Barragán and Max Cetto. This neighborhood is famed for its collection of beautiful designer houses dating back to the 1950s, set in the picturesque south of Mexico City.
Tips for choosing the best retirement home
One important factor to consider when choosing a retirement home is to look for references. The experiences of others are key to getting an idea of the quality of the place. Another aspect to consider is the institution’s vision of care for the elderly. It’s important to remember that people are aging later in life, and places must adapt to this new reality by providing spaces and services that make residents feel free and alive.
Always visit the facilities before making a decision, and remember that green spaces are essential for quality of life. Cleanliness is important, but also consider the overall atmosphere – do people seem happy?
Are there any other places that you would recommend?
Ana Paula de la Torre is a Mexican journalist and collaborator for various outlets including Milenio, Animal Político, Vice, Newsweek en Español, Televisa and Mexico News Daily.
These luxurious boutique hotels are begging you to stay next time you come to Mexico City. (Nima Local House)
I am of the unwavering opinion that Mexico City is one of the best urban sprawls in the world. There is something for everyone to do at any time of day – the capital’s museum count sits somewhere around 150, the culinary scene is bursting with flavor thanks to a slew of chic restaurants that regularly make the “World’s Best” list; there is great shopping, quaint cafes, vibrant squares, lively markets.
The vibe here is colorful, smiles and laughter abound, street corners are a crossroads of aromatic taco stands and flower stalls. Above all, Mexico City’s vast square footage indicates a lifetime of exploration here still wouldn’t be enough.
The buzz of Mexico City is hard to beat anywhere else in the world. (toursenbici/Instagram)
But you’ve got to start somewhere.
A weekend away in Mexico City is, as they say, always a good idea. It’s true that costs are rising, compounded by an ever-strengthening peso. Despite all that, Mexico offers a benefit that most places do not.
Value.
It’s hard to complain about prices when the value is there. The service here is so attentive that your plate is often removed before you’ve swallowed your final bite. Every hotel staff member seems to remember your name. Baristas know how you take your coffee, even if it’s only your second visit.
Nowhere is this more evident than hotel stays. For some, a hotel is a place to sleep and nothing more. For others, like yours truly, your lodging experience is the key to an unforgettable getaway. A little investment in a high quality hotel can go a long way.
The (almost) perfect city demands equally outstanding accommodation, so choose your accomodation wisely. (Casa Emilia)
Don’t let your perfectly crafted itinerary be tainted by a poor lodging choice. Browse this list of hotels that will take your weekend getaway in Mexico City from good to hands-down magical. These spots all have something unique to offer – historical significance, top-notch staff, seductive design, or optimal location – and run the gamut of pricing, from budget to luxury.
Cuauhtémoc
Am I biased in introducing this list with Colonia Cuauhtemoc? 100%. This is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Mexico City. Sitting adjacent to the graceful Torre del Angel, one would think it has already been washed out by visitors. Yet, it remains quite undiscovered. With Avenida Reforma serving as a protective barrier, Cuauhtémoc has maintained a local lifestyle while still warmly welcoming the daring tourists who cross the impressive multi-laned boulevard.
Its location is ideal – walk to Chapultepec Park in 15 minutes, Roma or Condesa in 30 minutes, Polanco in 50, and Centro in 60. It might not have the jaw-dropping facades of Roma and Condesa, but it’s a lively place where you will get the feeling that you’re actually in Mexico.
Casa Emilia Río Ebro 51 – standard room rate: US$145
Hotel Carlota Río Amazonas 73 – standard room rate: US$150
The central Cuauhtémoc district is home to some fantastic boutiques – if you dare to cross Reforma Avenue. (Hotel Carlota)
Don’t miss: Somma Wine Bar on Calle Lerma for its diverse wine list and excellent people-watching opportunities.
Roma Norte
It’s one of the most frequented sections of Mexico City and that’s because it’s simply beautiful. Roma Norte is separated from Roma Sur by Calle Coahuila and was built in the early 20th Century during the Porfiriato, resulting in its French-style facades and bountiful green parks. The area saw major damage during the 1985 earthquake but quickly regained its footing, flourishing as an aesthetic enclave of trendy restaurants, art galleries, boutique shops, and the much-appreciated recreation of a rather shapely David in Parque Rio de Janeiro.
Casa Goliana Guanajuato 199 – standard room rate: US$230
Don’t miss: Casa Guillermo Tovar de Teresa, a gem of a museum with a romantic garden courtyard and the standard free entry expected from a Carlos Slim institution.
Location and chic combine to produce Colima 71, in the heart of the city. (Colima 71)
Centro Histórico
I once described Mexico City as “a chaotic mess of human existence but everyone seems to be having fun” and nowhere is this more apparent than in Centro. No matter the hour, you’ll find within its populous streets a frenzy of activity. It’s the seat of modern-day CDMX as we know it, with life spiraling outwards from two significant sites: the ruins of Templo Mayor, and the Metropolitan Cathedral which was constructed from the bricks of Templo Mayor.
Flooding the area are sage-burning “shamans”, vendors selling colorful trinkets you’ll buy and never use, dimly-lit cantinas, museums, and optimal backdrops for a hashtag-just-another-Saturday-in-Mexico-City selfie, like La Casa de los Azulejos.
Círculo Mexicano República de Guatemala 20 – standard room rate: US$200
They don’t call it the Historic Center for nothing. Soak up centuries of heritage in comfort when you choose to stay downtown. (Hotel Casa de la Luz)
Don’t miss: A pop into the Museo Archivo de la Fotografía for a dreamy photography exhibit of life in Mexico.
Polanco
It’s fancy. It’s wealthy. And while many people want to knock it, it cannot be denied that Polanco is really, really lovely. Ornate Spanish-style family homes encase a hub of award-winning restaurants, art galleries, trendy bars, and luxury shops. It’s the perfect place to casually sip on an almond milk cappuccino with a foam flower under a willowing jacaranda while wearing your Sunday’s best…on a Tuesday.
The modest number of historical attractions in this part of town gives you the chance to see real-life locals in action. Staying here is a splurge, but if the thought of spending a weekend in the Mexican mansion of your dreams makes your heart flutter, it’s a splurge to consider.
Las Alcobas Av. Pdte. Masaryk 390 – standard room rate: US$500
Orchid House Campos Elíseos 76 – standard room rate: US$200
The Wild Oscar Lamartine 516 – standard room rate: US$300
Casa Polanco Luis G. Urbina 84 – standard room rate: US$550
Campos Polanco Campos Elíseos 361 – standard room rate: US$275
As you would expect from a hotel in one of the capital’s most exclusive neighborhoods, Orchid House has a lot to offer the luxury traveler. (Orchid House Mexico City)
La Condesa
Named after Countess (La Condesa) María Magdalena Dávalos y Orosco, born in 1701, what was once an ever-expanding hacienda became the bohemian, tree-lined neighborhood we hear about so often today. Condesa is known for its leafy boulevards, abundant parks, charming cafes, boutique shops, and the famous Avenida Amsterdam that loops along Parque México and was once a horse track.
Expect a high concentration of expats and an almost shocking abundance of English, ideal for travelers who haven’t yet mastered the Spanish language.
Stayed in all of the above and want something different? Here are a few more options to consider.
San Rafael
Grab yourself a bargain stay at El Patio 77, in one of Mexico’s best preserved late Victorian neighborhoods. (El Patio 77)
It was considered one of the first “modern” neighborhoods in Mexico City when its gridlike layout was brought to life in 1891. The architecture here is eclectic, with Arabic features intertwined with Mexican colors and a strong Porfiriato influence. It’s truly a step into the past and a practical base for exploring colonias like Santa Maria la Ribera and Juarez.
El Patio 77 Joaquin Garcia Icazbalceta 77 – standard room rate: US$90
Don’t miss: The dreamy arched alleyway inside La Privada Roja, a historical building made of red brick that houses galleries, restaurants, and apartments.
Coyoacán
Obviously, Coyoacán is famous for Frida, but it is so much more. The neighborhood is a captivating world of its own. Visit the central market, sit in the bustling squares, check out the fascinating museums, and allow yourself to get lost within its quiet, winding streets.
Don’t miss: Diego Rivera’s collection of pre-hispanic works at the Anahuacalli Museum, a collection which comes second to the design of the space itself.
Finally, Hoteles MX has various locations in CDMX which hover around US$70 per night.
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.
The aim of the law — known in Mexico as la ley seca — is to keep the peace as millions of Mexicans go to the polls to elect federal, state and municipal representatives.
In order to keep the peace, many cities and states in Mexico routinely institute temporary alcohol sales bans on Election Day or throughout Election Day weekend. (Rogelio Morales Ponce/Cuartoscuro.com)
According to the General Law of Electoral Institutions and Procedures, Mexico’s 32 federal entities can ban or restrict alcohol sales on Election Day and in the days leading up to it.
State authorities can also mandate a temporary ban on alcohol consumption, although people who have stocked up beforehand are unlikely to be fined or arrested if they are not caught committing another illegal act.
Will la ley seca apply in your part of Mexico?
Check out the details below (states listed in alphabetical order).
NOTE: as of early Wednesday, information about election-related temporary dry laws was not available for all states.
In some states, la ley seca will apply in some municipalities but not others. In some states with dry laws, restaurants will still be permitted to serve alcohol with food.
Some states have already announced where and when alcohol sales will prohibited. (Shutterstock)
Aguascalientes
A dry law will apply from 12 a.m. on Sunday, June 2, until 11:59 p.m. the same day.
Baja California
Authorities have not yet announced whether la ley seca will apply.
Baja California Sur
In the municipality of La Paz, alcohol sales will be banned between 6 p.m. on June 1 and 8 a.m. on June 3. Authorities in Los Cabos have not yet announced whether a dry law will apply in their city.
It is confirmed that an alcohol sales ban will apply this weekend in the municipality of Tonalá. Alcohol sales will likely be banned or restricted in other municipalities in the southern state.
Authorities in some municipalities have announced that a dry law will apply. They include Tonalá and El Salto, both in the metropolitan area of Guadalajara.
A dry law will be in effect on both June 1 and June 2, but restaurants will be able to serve alcohol with food.
Michoacán
Authorities in most municipalities have not yet announced whether la ley seca will apply. A decision regarding the state capital Morelia is set to be announced on Wednesday.
Stores often warn customers about an impending alcohol ban for Mexico’s elections with signs advising them to stock up before the prohibition takes effect. (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro)
On Sunday, members of a youth "get out the vote" group gathered in Mexico City to encourage citizens to participate in Mexico's 2024 elections. (Cuartoscuro)
Mexico’s 2024 elections will be held this Sunday, giving around 100 million eligible voters the opportunity to elect nearly 20,000 municipal, state and federal representatives.
In addition to voting for the next president, voters will choose new governors in nine federal entities, as well as lawmakers and officials for other federal and local positions in Mexico’s 2024 elections. (Cuartoscuro)
In this guide, Mexico News Daily gives you all the essential information about the June 2 elections: What positions are up for grabs? Who are the presidential candidates? When do the polls open and close? And more.
What are Mexicans voting for this Sunday?
According to the INE, more than 19,000 positions are up for grabs in Mexico’s 2024 elections.
Federal elections:
At the federal level, Mexicans will elect a new president to replace Andrés Manuel López Obrador, as well as 500 deputies to the Chamber of Deputies and 128 senators to the Senate.
State elections:
Voters in eight states will elect new governors: Chiapas; Guanajuato; Jalisco; Morelos; (click here to see our guide to those contests) Puebla; Tabasco; Veracruz and Yucatán (click here to see our guide to those contests).
The three candidates running for mayor of Mexico City are (from left to right): Clara Brugada of Morena, Santiago Taboada of the PAN-PRI-PRD coalition and Salomón Chertorivski of the Citizens Movement party. (Cuartoscuro/X)
In Mexico City, which has state-like status, voters will elect a new mayor (jefe/a de gobierno). Click here to see who is contesting that election.
Voters in the capital will also elect deputies to the Mexico City Congress.
In each of the 31 states, voters will elect deputies to their respective state congresses.
Municipal elections:
The total number of positions up for grabs is as high as it is largely because citizens will elect thousands upon thousands of municipal representatives on Sunday.
In Puebla alone, for example, voters will elect 1,818 councilors across 217 municipalities.
Municipal elections will be held in every state in the country except Durango and Veracruz.
Voters will elect mayors, councilors and trustees in the majority of Mexico’s almost 2,500 municipalities. Guadalajara and Monterrey are among the major cities holding municipal elections this Sunday.
Three candidates are competing in Mexico’s 2024 presidential elections: from left, Xóchitl Gálvez (PAN-PRI-PRD), Claudia Sheinbaum (Morena-PT-PVEM) and Jorge Álvarez Máynez (MC). (MND)
Who are the presidential candidates?
Two women and one man are vying to become the next president of Mexico. If either of the women win, Mexico will get a female president for the first time ever. The three candidates are:
Bertha Xóchitl Gálvez Ruiz, candidate for the Strength and Heart for Mexico (Fuerza y Corazón por México) alliance, made up of the National Action Party (PAN), Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) and the Democratic Revolution Party (PRD).
Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, candidate for the Let’s Keep Making History (Sigamos Haciendo Historia) coalition, made up of the ruling Morena party, the Labor Party (PT) and the Ecological Green Party of Mexico (PVEM).
Separate poll results published by the El Universal, El Economista and El País newspapers on Monday and Tuesday showed that the Morena candidate has a lead of 20 points or more over Gálvez. Álvarez Máynez is in a distant third place.
Unless the election is extremely close, the winner will be known sometime on Sunday night.
Did the presidential candidates face off in debates?
Gálvez, Sheinbaum and Álvarez Máynez participated in three debates during the campaign period, each of which was held in Mexico City. They engaged on key issues for voters including the economy, security, education, health, poverty and inequality.
Mexico’s presidential candidates (from left, Xóchitl Gálvez, Claudia Sheinbaum and Jorge Álvarez Máynez) at the second presidential debate on April 28. (Cuartoscuro)
Links to MND’s reviews of the three debates are below.
In the presidential election, the candidate with the highest number of votes wins even if she or he doesn’t receive majority support. In other words, there is no second round, or runoff.
In the congressional elections, deputies and senators are elected directly and via a proportional representation system.
In the Chamber of Deputies, 200 of the 500 seats are allocated to parties depending on the level of support they receive, while 32 of the Senate positions are allocated in that way.
The representatives elected via the proportional representation system are known as plurinominal deputies and senators.
Candidates are prohibited from holding events or campaigning in any other way during the final three days before election day.
When do polls open and close?
Polls will open at 8 a.m. local time Sunday in each of Mexico’s 32 federal entities. They will close at 6 p.m.
According to INE, more than 170,000 casillas, or voting booths, will be set up for the elections.
Will international observers monitor the elections?
The INE announced Sunday that it had accredited 1,309 of 1,355 foreigners who requested to observe Mexico’s 2024 elections.
Among the international observers will be representatives from the Organization of American States and the United States, Canadian and British embassies in Mexico.
Can Mexicans vote from outside Mexico?
According to the INE, Mexican citizens have/have had the opportunity to vote from abroad by mail, online or in person at approved consular offices.
The New York Times reported last week that an analysis it conducted found that “at least 36 people seeking office have been killed since last June.”
There have been dozens of other killings linked in one way or another to the elections this Sunday.
Chiapas is one of the states that has seen an increase in electoral violence, leading to candidates – like this aspiring senator, Willy Ochoa (center) – relying on armed protection while canvassing. (Cuartoscuro)
“The surge in [electoral] violence plaguing Mexico,” the Times reported, “can largely be traced to local criminal groups, according to security analysts and law enforcement officials.”
When will the new president and federal lawmakers take office?
The new president will be sworn in for a six-year term on Oct. 1.
The federal deputies and senators elected this Sunday will start their terms one month earlier on Sept. 1.
The mummies are a historic collection of bodies that were accidentally mummified after they were dug up from their graves during the 19th century. (INAH)
The federal government and the city of Guanajuato are squaring off — over the alleged mistreatment of the city’s famous mummies.
The National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), a federal agency, has accused the city of Guanajuato of causing damage to one of the historic 19th-century mummified corpses, which is displayed in the Guanajuato Mummy Museum.
INAH also raised concerns about the treatment of the Guanajuato mummies at a Mexican tourism fair last year. INAH questioned whether their glass display cases were airtight, given that one mummy had what INAH said looked like fungal growth on it. (Guanajuato Mummy Museum/X)
Following a complaint, INAH was made aware of damage to one of the Guanajuato mummies while it was being moved during museum renovations. The mummy’s right arm reportedly fell off.
Last week, INAH sent experts to the museum to document the damage and investigate what permits were obtained and what procedures were followed during the museum renovations.
On Monday, the institute issued a statement declaring that the museum’s mummy collection was being handled improperly and that “far from applying proper corrective and conservation strategies, the actions carried out caused damages.”
INAH criticized the museum proprietors for their alleged “lack of knowledge about proper protocols and the lack of training of personnel in charge of carrying out these tasks.” It also accused museum officials of ignoring an agreement to consult with the agency’s experts before beginning renovations.
The Associated Press characterized the dispute as “a turf battle between the INAH, which believes it has jurisdiction over the Guanajuato mummies because it says they are ‘national patrimony,’ and the city of Guanajuato, which considers them a tourist attraction.”
An undated photo of a visitor to the Guanajuato Mummies Museum before the museum began displaying the bodies behind glass to protect them from deterioration. The museum has existed since 1969. (Guanajuato Mummy Museum/Instagram)
INAH has demanded that it be given oversight of the renovation project while promising to work in conjunction with municipal authorities. The institute warned that ignoring INAH proposals could result in permanent damage, if not complete destruction, of the historic artifacts.
Last year, INAH expressed concerns about an exhibition of six of the Guanajuato mummies at a Mexico City tourism fair, arguing that the 190-year-old corpses might have posed a public health risk because one of them appeared to have fungal growth, raising concerns about whether the glass display cases they were in were airtight.
On that occasion, INAH also said that museum officials had not consulted them about the transfer and handling of the mummies.
Mexico's Finance Minister Rogelio Ramírez de la O said at the data center's inauguration last week that the new Microsoft facility demonstrates that Mexico can host high-tech industries. (Hacienda/Twitter)
Microsoft’s new Hyperscale Cloud Data Center Region in the state of Querétaro, the first data center of its kind in Spanish-speaking Latin America, is now operational.
Microsoft’s new hyperscale data region in Querétaro will give companies in Mexico access to higher speeds, lower latency and more secure connectivity, especially aiding businesses with data-heavy activities like process automation and data analytics. (Microsoft)
Kuri celebrated the launch of what he called one of the largest cloud infrastructures in the world with a message on social media.
“Thanks to the culture of entrepreneurship, talent and innovation, the Microsoft corporation begins operations in Querétaro,” Kuri said. “With the start-up of the Hyperscale Cloud Centers, all small and medium-sized companies and entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to modernize their databases.”
In prepared remarks at the inauguration, Ramírez de la O said the new Microsoft data center in Querétaro demonstrates that Mexico can host high-tech industries.
“Companies looking to relocate to Mexico can count on secure, state-of-the-art infrastructure that will improve efficiency and add value to their operations,” he said.
Ramírez de la O added that not only has Microsoft strengthened Mexico’s position as a center of innovation and investment but also has catalyzed the development of a digital ecosystem that will promote economic growth and job creation.
Hyperscale data regions like the one Microsoft just opened in Querétaro are massive business-critical facilities designed to efficiently support robust, scalable applications and typically exceed 5,000 servers and 10,000 square feet. Querétaro will also be the site of an investment of over $5 billion by Amazon Web Services in a cluster of data centers, which was announced in February.
Among the attendees at the Microsoft data center’s inauguration last week was U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar, second from right, highlighting Mexico’s northern neighbor’s interest in expanding capacity here to host business data needs. (X/@USAmbMex)
Ambassador Salazar also praised the new project on social media.
“The $1.1 billion investment will help advance Mexico’s digital transition and boost North America’s competitiveness,” Salazar said.
Earlier this month, Microsoft announced that its new Querétaro data center will “provide local access to scalable, highly available and resilient cloud services while confirming its commitment to promoting digital transformation and sustainable innovation in Mexico.”
The multinational further said that Mexico Central will “help drive economic growth and contribute to the creation of job opportunities to sustain digital innovation, generating more than 110,000 opportunities for professional services, including jobs directly in their own organizations and jobs generated indirectly in other organizations.”
The business magazine “Mexico Now reported that the center offers small and medium-sized companies, as well as entrepreneurs, the opportunity to modernize in key technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, payments and streaming.”
Mexico Central “will provide security, privacy, and performance and will contribute to the acceleration of the digital transition of organizations and public entities in Latin America,” Microsoft said.
Hidden in plain sight are many things that tell the story of Mexico’s multicultural history.
While we tend to think of the country as having a monolithic mestizo heritage (a blend of Indigenous and Spanish), there are important additions left behind by groups of immigrants that have shaped the country’s culture, art and its cuisine.
Middle Eastern immigrants brought tacos árabes to Puebla which would go on to become Mexico’s most ubiquitous taco — tacosal pastor. Lebanese immigrants brought the kibbe to the Yucatan, now a popular roadside street food, and in Mexico City, one Japanese immigrant invented what would become one of Mexico’s most beloved snacks — cacahuates japoneses or Japanese peanuts.
Yashigei Nakatani: From Japan to Mexico
Japan and Mexico have diplomatic ties stretching back to the 1800s when both countries signed a Treaty of Friendship, Trade and Navigation. By the time World War II rolled around, there was already a nascent Japanese population in Mexico — in Manzanillo, many were fishermen, in Guadalajara Japanese workers came to work on the railroad, and of course, many arrived in Mexico City, the country’s capital which held the most economic opportunities for recent immigrants.
When Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, the United States pressured the Mexican government to move Japanese immigrants away from the ports and the borders, and many in the community were deported on the alleged suspicion that they were spies.
That was the case with Heijiro Kato, the factory owner and boss of Yoshigei Nakatani Moriguchi, a young immigrant working in Kato’s button factory in Mexico City.
Yoshigei Nakatani and wife Emma Ávila Espinoza. (KiddysplaceMx/X)
Nakatani had been in Mexico since 1932. He arrived and rented a room in the capital from his future mother-in-law, in the downtown neighborhood of La Merced, determined to make something of himself in his new adoptive city.
Nakatani soon met and fell in love with his landlady’s daughter Emma Ávila, who spied him singing on the rooftop of the building they shared and began to teach him Spanish. By 1941, they had five children and when Nakatani lost his job at the factory, he needed to find a way to make an income fast.
A new variation on a Japanese confection
Growing up in his hometown of Sumotoshi, Nakatani had learned how to make traditional Japanese sweets and candies. He figured he would try his hand at selling confections, so he and his wife started making muéganos, a Mexican candy made from flour, nuts, and coated in honey. Selling them out of their house on Carretones Street in the Merced, the candies were a hit, so they decided to expand and try to replicate a popular snack from Nakatani’s childhood — peanuts covered in a coating made from rice flour with soy sauce, and a touch of sugar.
Rice flour wasn’t available, so he replaced it with wheat flour, but the resulting snack was as good as the original — slow-toasted until perfectly golden brown, with slight salty spice and a hint of sweetness.
The original Niṕon brand of Japanese peanuts, which was bought in 2017 by Totis. (Amazon)
Everyone in the family eventually formed part of the business — his children helped to design the logo, pack the peanuts into their tiny cellophane bags, and run the machinery that they would eventually acquire to keep up with demand. In the neighborhood they were known as “the Japanese guy’s” peanuts and so Nakatani decided to name his business Cacahuate Nipón in the 1950s.
A family business and legacy
Business boomed and by 1970, Cacahuate Nipón officially incorporated and moved out of their space in the Merced neighborhood to produce on a larger scale. Unfortunately, the recipe for Japanese peanuts was never patented and during the 1980s, Cacahuate Nipon faced competition from big industrial corporations that were also making the snack, placing them in some of the country’s biggest convenience store chains.
The family overcame this challenge by expanding production to other popular sweets, like chamoy candies. They were extremely successful and were bought by Totis (part of La Costeña) in 2017, after which they started a new company called Dulces Komiru.
More recently, continuing the culinary legacy of his family, chef Eno Nakatani, grandson of Yashigei Nakatani, opened Fideo Gordo, a Japanese-Mexican noodle shop in Mexico City’s fashionable Colonia Roma.
Here he makes fusion dishes like ramen in birria broth and pork chicharrón topped with shrimp ceviche. Fideo Gordo is just one of the newest examples of Mexico’s great gastronomic melting pot, inspired by the many cultures that have expanded the country’s palate to the delight of locals and visitors alike.
Lydia Carey is a freelance writer and translator based out of Mexico City. She has been published widely both online and in print, writing about Mexico for over a decade. She lives a double life as a local tour guide and is the author of Mexico City Streets: La Roma. Follow her urban adventures on Instagram and see more of her work at www.mexicocitystreets.com.
This article is part of Mexico News Daily’s “Japan in Focus” series. Read the other articles from the series here.
Mexico is obsessed with anime. How did the art of Japanese animation come to be so appreciated on the other side of the world? (Reddit)
Mexican popular culture has had a love affair with anime, a highly stylized form of Japanese illustration and animation, over the last five decades. Subjects can range from the childish to the serious, and many of the most popular stories are tales of superheroes and fantastic adventures, similar to popular series and movies in the United States.
Today, 50 years after the first episodes were shown on Mexican television, anime has become an important part of Mexican culture. Anime streaming giant Crunchyroll estimates Mexico to be its fourth largest market worldwide. The country was an early adopter of the art form and has developed an intense cultural obsession that continues to this day.
How did anime first come to Mexico?
Astroboy was one of the first series to air in Mexico, back in the 1970s. (MUBI)
While Mexico and Japan have diplomatic ties dating back centuries, the story behind how anime first arrived in Mexico is rather simple. In the 1970s, then Televisa president Emilio Azcárraga Milmo bought the rights to show Japanese cartoons in Mexico because it was the cheapest option. With no domestic animation industry and the cost of importing cartoons from giants Warner Brothers and Hanna Barbera eye-wateringly high, Milmo looked across the Pacific for content.
These early titles included classic Japanese series such as Astroboy, Kimba the White Lion and Mazinger Z. The imported cartoons proved extremely popular, and Mexican interest in anime grew.
Fast forward a decade to the 1980s and toy giant Bandai decided to take a chance on this new Mexican market. Fresh off the success of exporting “Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac” to the Spanish market, Bandai hoped to reproduce this success in Latin America. They exported action figures and merchandise from Europe to Mexico, offering TV Azteca the chance to air the series for free, as long as they agreed to run commercials for the new toys alongside. This was a riotous success.
Mexico’s undisputed champion: Dragon Ball Z
The rush to show the best anime was now on. TV Azteca offered classic series like Sailor Moon, while Televisa imported Ranma ½ — but the biggest hit of all was Dragon Ball Z. The classic show arrived in 1996, and quickly became Mexico’s anime of choice. Thanks to a Latin American Spanish dub, it was possible for audiences across Mexico to enjoy the show without the need for subtitles, which further enhanced its popularity. There have been suggestions that Dragon Ball Z is more popular in Mexico than in its native Japan. Regardless of whether that is true, Dragon Ball, and its subsequent spin-off series, have become one of the most ubiquitous elements of Mexican popular culture today.
La Cumbia de Gokú - Los Weyes Que Tocan ft. Cañada de la Cumbia | QueParió!
It is hard to overstate the subsequent effect that Dragon Ball has had. Taquerías, microbuses and street stalls across the country are bedecked in merchandise to this day. Popular images from the show have become memes. Characters’ catchphrases are used in conversation. When creator Akira Toriyama died earlier this year, there were rumors that warring cartels had ceased hostilities to honor the legendary animator (which turned out to be false). However, large crowds did gather to perform signature “spirit bomb” moves from the show in Toriyama’s honor.
When the show ended in 2018, the city of Ciudad Juárez attempted to broadcast the finale to a gathering of 15,000 people. The event caused a diplomatic spat between Mexico and Japan after animation studio Toei — and the Japanese Embassy in Mexico — denounced the events for copyright infringement. Fortunately, Mayor Armando Cabada stepped in and reached an agreement with Toei, and the day was saved.
While globally, Dragon Ball Z has been superseded by smash hits like Pokémon, Naruto, Bleach and One Piece, Akira Toriyama’s classic series remains etched in the national psyche.
How Mexico has influenced anime
Mexico’s infatuation with Japanese culture is not just a one-way street. There are several anime series that either feature or take place in Mexico.
Seis Manos tells the tale of a battle between drug cartels and martial artists. (Netflix)
Netflix’s Seis Manos is set in 1970s Mexico and follows the story of a group of martial artists who take on the cartel in the fictional town of San Simon. The series also stars voice acting from veteran Danny Trejo.
El Cazador de la Bruja, the story of two girls traveling south to Peru to avenge a murder,primarily takes place in Mexico. The Japanese-made series is considered a homage to Mexican culture, with several songs about tacos. While there is no Spanish language dub, El Cazador de la Bruja is available to watch on Crunchyroll.
A story of pre-Columbian Mexico, Onyx Equinox follows the story of Izel and her sister Nelli, who are tasked by the gods to save the city from falling into the underworld. The show is a Crunchyroll exclusive.
With shows of all types continuing to be smash hits with audiences, it is unlikely Mexico will tire of this popular Japanese cultural export any time soon.
