Mexico to send more National Guard troops to the southern border

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May 11, 2023

US CBP at the border — Members of the US Customs and Border Patrol assembled at the San Ysidro border crossing for a practice drill, in preparation fro the repeal of Title 42. (Omar Martínez/Cuartoscuro)

With the expiration of the United States’ Title 42 migration policy approaching, Mexico has decided to send additional National Guard troops to its southern border.

The Title 42 rule, which for the past three years has allowed U.S. authorities to quickly expel asylum seekers as part of measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, ends at 11:59 p.m. Thursday.

Migrants at the Mexico-US border — Migrants gathered at the U.S. border, mistakenly believing that the expiry of Title 42 will make it easier for them to enter the country. (Cuartoscuro)

Large numbers of migrants are in Mexican border cities and preparing to cross into the United States to seek asylum once the rule becomes inoperative.

The end of the pandemic-era policy is also expected to encourage more people to leave their countries of origin to travel to the Mexico-United States border, even as the U.S. attempts to dissuade such journeys by opening up new legal pathways for some migrants and preparing a new more restrictive migration rule that will take effect at midnight Friday.

“The rule presumes those who do not use lawful pathways to enter the United States are ineligible for asylum and allows the United States to remove individuals who do not establish a reasonable fear of persecution or torture in the country of removal,” the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Wednesday.

“Noncitizens can rebut this presumption based only on exceptionally compelling circumstances.”

Title 42 was designed to allow the U.S. to deport illegal migrants more quickly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that the rule has been repealed, both Mexico and the U.S. are preparing for increased numbers of migrants attempting to enter the United States. (Omar Martínez/Cuartoscuro)

At his regular news conference on Thursday morning, President López Obrador was asked whether he had come to an agreement with U.S. President Joe Biden to send additional National Guard (GN) troops to the southern border to stem the northward flow of migrants.

“Not with him, we didn’t agree on that. We took the decision,” he responded.

López Obrador, who spoke with Biden on Tuesday, said there would be a “reinforcement” of the southern border but stressed that the GN members would be instructed to “not use force” against migrants. He said he was unsure of the size of the new deployment.

The Ministry of National Defense, which has had full control over the GN since 2022, said last month that over 25,000 troops were carrying out migration-related tasks on the southern and northern borders.

The government has used the National Guard to detain migrants since early in its six year term, which began in late 2018. The security force’s members have been involved in clashes with migrants and accused of using undue force.

López Obrador said Thursday that Mexico would cooperate with the United States to avoid chaos and violence on the northern border as Title 42 comes to an end. In the south of the country, the government is working to protect migrants, he said, adding that his administration has received information that there are a lot of polleros, or people smugglers, there.

funeral for migrants who were killed trying to cross into the US — In a desperate attempt to enter the U.S., some migrants turn to “polleros” — people traffickers. Unfortunately, many of those smuggled in are killed in the process. Here a village mourns the death of three young migrants, who were found dead in the back of a trailer, in Texas. (Yerania Rolón/Cuartoscuro)

The deployment of the additional GN troops could feasibly be aimed at combatting the smugglers, although the president didn’t disclose such a plan.

He did say that there are lot of “human traffickers who are offering to take migrants to the [northern] border for US $8,000 or $10,000.”

They tell migrants that “starting today, they can freely enter” the U.S., “but it’s a lie, it’s manipulation,” López Obrador said.

The president highlighted the risks migrants face traveling through the country, noting that they could be forced to endure stifling conditions in crowded tractor-trailers or involved in accidents caused by “improvised, irresponsible drivers.”

He also warned of the risk of migrants being kidnapped by organized crime groups and emphasized the need to address the root causes that force people to migrate.

“We’ve already spoken about this a lot, about the need to help people. … There is a lot of desperation among the people of Central America, Latin America and the Caribbean. There is a lot of poverty, a lot of abandonment, and something has to be done to attend to the causes [of migration]. A lot of desperation, a lot of poverty — that’s the cause of the migration phenomenon,” López Obrador said.

“… President Biden is a well-intentioned person, he is our friend, he’s doing his part under heavy pressure,” he added.

“… There is a conservative bloc … [in the United States], a lot of hawks, but President Biden already accepted … to increase the resources to support the people of Latin America and the Caribbean more.”

With reports from El Universal, Aristegui Noticias and El Financiero

INAH close to approving all Maya Train construction

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Cat Rainsford

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May 11, 2023

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Tren Maya excavation — Construction of the Maya Train has led to a wealth of new archeological discoveries, many of which will be housed in a purpose-built museum in Mérida. (INAH/Cuartoscuro)

The National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) is close to announcing the clearance of the final archaeological obstacles facing the construction of the Maya Train project.

INAH general director Diego Prieto Hernández said at President López Obrador’s morning press conference that sections 1 to 5 (from Palenque to Tulum) and 7 (from Chetumal to Escárcega) already have approval for construction by INAH. Section 6’s review is 95.5% complete, with only two locations left to inspect.

INAH has completed excavation and restoration work on sections 1–5 and section 7 of the Maya Train and cleared them for construction. (Martín Zetina/Cuartoscuro)

“This means that work can advance while we continue rescue tasks regarding the collection, cleaning and classification of archaeological materials, restoration of pieces to be put into museums, and, of course, the preparation of academic reports…” Prieto said.

A vast archaeological rescue program has preceded the construction of the Maya Train, presided over by INAH and employing around 500 archaeologists. It aims to ensure the major new railroad loop on the Yucatán Peninsula — a flagship project of President López Obrador’s administration — does not damage the region’s rich material heritage.

To date, Prieto said, the program had registered and preserved:

56,034 structures, including dwellings, foundations and roads
927,162 ceramic fragments
1,817 relatively intact artifacts
741 artifacts under restoration
527 human remains
1,307 natural features associated with human groups

The next stage of the project will focus on improving infrastructure and services in existing archaeological zones, preparing them for the rise in tourism expected as a result of the train.

Two museums – one restored, and one purpose-built for Maya Train finds – are being developed near Mérida, to house the archeological pieces recovered by the program.

The Maya Train is due to begin operations on Dec. 1, three and a half years after construction officially began in May 2020. However, the project has faced serious obstacles and delays due to engineering issues, lack of materials and legal challenges by environmental groups.

With reports from La Jornada Maya

Microquake with CDMX epicenter shakes up capital neighborhoods

By

MND Staff

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May 11, 2023

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A seismic alert loudspeaker in Mexico City on Reforma Avenue. (Moises Pablo Nava/Cuartoscuro.

An earthquake with an epicenter in Mexico City rocked parts of the capital on Wednesday night, but there were no reports of injuries or material damage.

A magnitude 3.0 quake whose epicenter was 3 kilometers northeast of the southwestern borough of La Magdalena Contreras struck at 10:20 p.m., according to the National Seismological Service (SSN).

The newspaper Reforma reported that the coordinates given by the SSN placed the epicenter in the borough of Álvaro Obregón.

There have been several low-magnitude aftershocks, including many reported Thursday morning by the SSN with epicenters in the area of the Álvaro Obregón and the La Magdalena Contreras boroughs. The shocks ranged in magnitude from 1.2 to 2.2, according to the federal seismological authority. The latest SSN report as of 1 p.m. was a 1.2 magnitude aftershock that occurred at 10:55 a.m. It’s epicenter was reported as 3 km northeast of La Magdalena Contreras.

Residents of the Álvaro Obregón, Coyoacán, Benito Juárez and Cuauhtémoc boroughs reported feeling the initial quake, which caused some people to rush out of their homes.

“It shook horribly on Insurgentes [Avenue],” one Twitter user said. “It lasted seconds, but it felt very strong.”

Location of — The original quake Wednesday night had an epicenter 3 kilometers northeast of the La Magdalena Contreras borough. Since then, capital residents have been hit with several aftershocks, including the latest 1.2 magnitude aftershock, whose epicenter was in the same location as the original. It occurred Thursday morning at 10:55 a.m. (SSN)

“I was lying down, looking at my phone, when my bed suddenly moved,” Adrian Linares, a resident of the Navarte neighborhood, told Reforma.

The Mexico City Ministry of Risk Management and Civil Protection said on Twitter late Wednesday that there were no reports of damage caused by the quake.

The earthquake alarm wasn’t activated because the epicenter was within Mexico City, the ministry said.

The alarm, amplified through loudspeakers situated across the capital, usually sounds about a minute before an earthquake begins to be felt, but it is dependent on sensors in the state of Guerrero. It can give residents a brief window of opportunity to evacuate to the safety of the street and thus avoid the risk of being caught in a building that collapses.

Microsismos, or microquakes, with epicenters in Mexico City are relatively common, but the one that occurred Wednesday night felt significantly stronger than most others, many of which are imperceptible.

The last earthquake that caused significant damage in Mexico City was that on Sep. 19, 2017, the 32nd anniversary of an even more devastating temblor.

The 7.1 magnitude 2017 quake, whose epicenter was in the state of Puebla, claimed about 370 lives in Mexico City and other parts of central Mexico.

With reports from El Financiero, Reforma, Marca and TV Azteca

Record cruise arrivals reported in Puerto Vallarta this quarter

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MND Staff

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May 10, 2023

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Puerto_vallarta_850 — The tourist port of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco saw 223,000 international cruise passengers in the first quarter of 2023. (Gob MX)

Puerto Vallarta received almost 223,000 international cruise passengers in the first quarter of 2023, as reported by the National Port System Administration (Asipona). This is more than double the number of passengers registered in the same period of 2022 (103,644 passengers, from 57 cruises).

In January alone, the port saw the arrival of 32 cruise ships, bringing traffic of around 90,000 passengers. In February, 19 cruise ships brought just over 60,000 passengers to Puerto Vallarta. And in March, Asipona registered 72,537 tourists on 22 ships.

The Boy on the Seahorse Statue on the Puerto Vallarta Malecón. — In addition to ranking 5th in terms of ports receiving international cruise passengers in 2022, Puerto Vallarta ranked 4th in the country for international visitors arriving through airports in January and February this year. (@SECTUR_mx/Twitter)

The average passenger spends US $120 during their stay in the city, according to data

At this year’s Seatrade Cruise Global – the cruise industry’s leading annual convention – Puerto Vallarta’s representatives announced they expect a total of 200 cruise ships to arrive during the 2023 cruise season. Puerto Vallarta is a port of call for Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Celebrity Cruises and Disney Cruise Line, among other cruise lines.

Puerto Vallarta is one of the most popular beach destinations in Mexico, ranking third in arrivals by air to Mexico during January and February this year, just behind Cancún and Mexico City.

According to data from the Tourism Ministry, in 2022 the Pacific coast city ranked fifth in number of cruise passenger arrivals, after the ports of Cozumel, Majahual, Ensenada and Los Cabos.

These five ports receive 94.6% of all cruise ship passengers arriving in Mexico.

With reports from Líder Empresarial, Secretaría de Turismo, Tribuna de la Bahía

Mérida’s jam-packed Noche Blanca fest makes it tough to choose

By

Ethan Jacobs

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May 10, 2023

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Festival in Merida with nighttime bike tour. — The festival will feature everything from theatre to art to music and literary events. There'll also be tours of Merida, including this nighttime bike tour of the city on Friday. (Photos courtesy of Mérida City Government )

This weekend, Mérida will host the 15th edition of La Noche Blanca, or The White Night. For two nights, the capital of Yucatán will put on a cultural showcase that boasts over 250 events spread out over 90 venues in 10 different neighborhoods in and around the city’s historic center.

The event is expected to welcome over 1,400 participants, including comedians, artists, musicians and dancers from around the country.

"Birdmen: the mysterious luminous birds" larger than life puppets on display — The larger than life display, “Birdmen,” a show featuring enormous luminous puppets, will be on display on Friday at the Zona Paseo Monte.

Among the cultural offerings are 83 art exhibits, 53 concerts, 15 theatrical presentations, 10 dance performances, and a handful of film, comedy, and food popups. This is to say nothing of the creative collectives that will be hosting bazaars, the district-centric walking tours and the interdisciplinary shows featuring some of Mérida’s most promising youth talent.

In other words, for visitors to this year’s Noche Blanca, the issue won’t be finding something of interest, but having to choose.

Getting Started

In contrast to other Noches en Blanco events around the world, which usually only open their doors to the public for one night, Mérida’s celebration takes place over two. The Víspera night kicks things off on Friday, May 12, in what can be thought of as a soft opening.

Conexion Cubana is one of the many Cuban groups scheduled to perform during La Noche Blanca. Enjoy the show at Parque de Santiago on Saturday, May 13 at 8 p.m. (merida.gob.mx)

Though the visual arts exhibits will only be open to the public on a limited basis, guests can still check out a number of acts, ranging from swing dance and ballet to blues, samba and acoustics. Parcústicos, a local collective of yucateco musicians, is a great option for the latter. They’ll be performing at the Paseo Montejo at 8 p.m.

Aside from performances, the Víspera offers participants an opportunity to get to know Mérida inside and out, with recorridos, or walking tours, of different neighborhoods. Among the areas featured will be La Mejorada, Santiago, Parque Santa Lucia and Santa Ana.

Guests who prefer to check out their surroundings at their own pace (and perhaps without struggling to understand a guide who doesn’t speak their native language) have the option of doing the biciruta: cruising the scenic Paseo Montejo by bicycle and stopping along the way to indulge in an array of gastronomic, musical and theatrical offerings at their leisure.

The Main Event

Events on Saturday kick off at 7 p.m. One of the major draws of the early offerings is the chance to check out some of the Yucatán’s top youth talent in a variety of art forms.

In the Santa Lucia neighborhood, the Autonomous University of Yucatán (UADY) will host the university’s jazz dance company, whose performance will pay tribute to Abba’s Mamma Mia! It’ll be followed by performances by high schoolers in a variety of genres. Elsewhere, at the Plaza Grande, the city’s youth orchestra will perform at 8 p.m., interpreting songs by Frank Sinatra, Michael Bublé and many more.

Louis Carreon, Yucatan artist — There will also be plenty of art exhibitions, most of which are free. Yucatán artist Louis Carreon’s “Redenciones” exhibit can be seen at the Teatro José Peón Contrera on Calle 60.

Also worth noting about the second night is the massive influx of visual art around the city. From 8 p.m. onward, Plaza Grande, Santa Ana, Santa Lucia, La Mejorada, Santiago, La Ermita, Paseo Montejo and a handful of venues outside of the city center will host exhibits tackling themes as diverse as social media, violence, urban vortexes and Da Vinci. With offerings in over 30 different galleries, these visually stunning showcases afford visitors an excellent opportunity to check out several venues in close proximity while admiring some truly impressive pieces in the process.

For guests who prefer the performing arts, there is no shortage of spectacles on offer. In addition to the aforementioned Abba tribute by the UADY Jazz Dance Company, Noche Blanca boasts a gamut of other dance showcases that feature the best in interpretive, flamenco, contemporary and Latin movements.

One performance of particular note will be “Danza México en la piel” by Companía Artística Inclusiva, which will place in the Museo de la Canción Yucateca in the Mejorada neighborhood. In an initiative by the city’s government to create more inclusive spaces, the performance will feature young artists with intellectual disabilities, offering them a stage to share their talent and passion for dance.

Theater productions also abound. Guests at this weekend’s Noche Blanca will find clowns, impressionists, comedians and puppeteers. There will also be critical works that address themes such as sex work and the dangers of social media, as well as monologues and interpretations of literary classics, such as Ernest Hemingway’s “The Old Man and the Sea.”

The San Juan and Mejorada neighborhoods will put on a number of these shows, the most anticipated being the comedic performance of Ruperta Pérez Sosa at 1 a.m. Drink lots of coffee.

Finally, the crown jewel of Noche Blanca is by far the music. There will be more concerts than there is time to attend them all, though the proximity of the venues will make it slightly more practical for musicophiles to bounce around and take in a bit of everything.

Orquestra Infantil y Juvenil de Ayutanmiento de Merida — The Orquestra Infantil y Juvenil of the Government of Mérida, a youth orchestra directed by by Malú Farías, will offer a pops program featuring the music of Sinatra, Michael Bublé and more on Saturday night.

Those seeking regional sounds will do well to check out one or two Trova shows — it’s hard to get much more yucateco than a soothing serenade against the backdrop of an acoustic guitar.

Two acts worth checking out for traditional Yucatán music are Las Trovadoras del Mayab at 10:30 p.m. and Tres Grandes de La Trova at 11:30 p.m., fortunately, both taking place in La Mejorada’s Museo de la Canción Yucateca.

Guests hoping for something more international are in luck, particularly if you have a soft spot for the Cuban canon: this weekend’s festivities feature local favorite Alina Vila; the acclaimed Cuban orchestra Juan Fromell y Los Van Van; the salsa collaborative Conexión Cubana; and Cuban singer Eme Alfonso, whose album “Ancestros Sinfónicos” won a Latin Grammy in 2022.

As the night goes on, a handful of jazz and blues bands will grace stages in Santa Ana, Santa Lucia and Santiago, while guests in search of more Latin rhythms will find what they’re looking for in the form of La Sonora Santanera, who will play at Parque San Juan at 11 p.m..

Revelers still awake can end the night with the high-energy dance music stylings of Colombian supergroup Systema Solar, who will light up Parque Santa Ana just after midnight.

With so many artistic events in a span of 48 hours, Mérida’s Noche Blanca truly has something for everyone. And with countless venues in close proximity, you’re sure to find something you love just around the corner.

With reports from La Revista and Diario de Yucatán

Want to move to Mexico? Consult your CEO of Dreams

By

Debbie Slobe

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May 10, 2023

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Brian Slobe with his daughter — The writer's husband and daughter climbed the Nevado de Colima volcano in Jalisco last summer, one of their many travel adventures since moving to Mexico. (Courtesy)

About 10 years ago, I was sitting on the couch with my husband. After another long day at work and putting our toddler to bed, we were exhausted. I went to turn on the TV and zone out like we usually did those days, when Brian took the remote and said, “If we keep pushing play on this version of our life, I can’t be the father or husband I want to be. I’m drained. We need to slow things down, shake things up and get traveling again.”

We’d always been avid travelers and had lived abroad on several occasions, but it had been years since our last big adventure.

When we became parents, we vowed that having a child wouldn’t keep us from seeing the world. So when the travel bug began to gnaw at us again, we knew it was time to get going. We hatched a plan, and a few years later became permanent residents of Mexico.

Moving to a new country — or making any major life change — doesn’t just require navigating logistics like visas, housing and what to do with all your stuff. Logistical planning is necessary, but it’s not what drives big life change.

Big life change begins with identifying what matters most to you and learning to not spend energy and resources on what doesn’t. It also starts with dedicating time to dream, and it means not letting your fears (or those of others) guide your decision-making.

My husband could teach a master class on Big Life Change. I call him my “CEO of Dreams.” In our 30 years together, he’s been our conscience, alarm bell, dreamer, doer and overall chief executive of our big life changes.

Debbie and Brian Slobe in Mexico — Three years of saving meant that the author and her family were able to live in Mexico for one year without working. (Courtesy)

I’ve learned a lot from him over the years that I think would benefit others. So, without further ado, I offer up some advice from what I call “The CEO of Dreams’ Guide to Big Life Change.”

Zero in on what matters most

We often say that our families, friendships and health are what matter most to us, but are we really investing the time necessary to honor those things?

Take a good look at what matters most to you and ask yourself: am I investing my time and energy in those things? Or do I need to make a change to free up energy and resources to focus on what matters most?

What would be required to make that change? Reducing your work schedule? Taking an extended break from work/school as a family? Figure out what you need to make happen in order to focus on what matters most.

Our two top priorities were being the parents we wanted to be for Maya, our young daughter, and the partners we wanted to be for each other. Both were higher priorities than any ladder we could climb in our careers.

We also craved to travel again and improve our Spanish. Quitting our jobs to live in Mexico for a year was a big step toward focusing on what mattered most.

Now, as permanent residents of Mexico, we work differently, live more simply and have far more time as a family and as a couple than we ever had as full-time working parents in the U.S.

Chacala Bay, Nayarit. — The ocean bay of Chacala, Nayarit, where the author and her husband and daughter made their second home. (Djmoca/Wikimedia Commons)

Dedicate time and space to dream

This literally means scheduling the time you need to map out a plan for achieving your dreams, not just thinking about it in your car or shower or making a “dream board.” Set aside a specific time and place every week or once a month where there’ll be no distractions where you or you and your partner can talk through your goals and what it’ll take to make them a reality.

Brian and I mustered up the courage to leave our jobs, and the confidence that we could support ourselves, during hot tub sessions in Colorado. In Chacala Bay, our new home, we still have paddleboard “meetings” out on the water where we reflect on the life we have created and how to keep it going as long as possible.

Cut out unnecessary spending

This is nuts-and-bolts stuff, but it’s a crucial piece of advice for anyone wanting to break free of the rat race: you don’t have to be uber-wealthy to break free.

If you have a middle-class income (Brian was a schoolteacher and I work in the nonprofit sector) and can lay down some spending rules, you can fund your big life change.

Take a look at your monthly spending. Instead of buying clothes at department stores, go to thrift and consignment shops; instead of paying for all those streaming services, pick just one; cook at home most of the time; host potlucks instead of fancy parties; reduce your meat consumption; buy food staples in bulk. There are lots of things you can do to reduce your monthly spending that can add up to thousands of dollars a year. It took us about three years to save enough money to go a year in Mexico without working.

On a deeper level, think carefully about your big investments: do you really need a bigger home, a new car or the latest and greatest tech? You might be better served by buying a smaller home, keeping your cars, computers and smartphones longer or by buying used or refurbished products. It’s not about what the Joneses think, it’s about what YOU want.

Consignment shop stock image — To save up for your big adventure, buy in bulk, buy used and, if you don’t really need it, don’t buy it at all. (Kaylin Pacheco/Unsplash)

Make big life decisions from a place of hope, not fear

Another important thing we’ve learned is to never make big life decisions when you are in a place of anxiety. When you think about moving to a new country, and even after you’ve landed in one, you worry a lot: about what you will do for work, where you will live, will you make friends and more.

This mental state is the worst for making big life decisions. You’ll only end up limiting your options and keeping yourself stuck in place.

Whether it’s moving to a new country, quitting your job or taking another kind of leap, make your decision when you’re feeling most hopeful and joyful about that idea. Focus on the freedom, time and new connections and experiences you’ll gain from the change, not on what you might lose.

I’ve never regretted making a big life change that was in line with my priorities, even if it didn’t turn out the way I’d envisioned. I’ve only felt regret when I haven’t made a change I really wanted.

Debbie Slobe is a writer and communications strategist based in Chacala, Nayarit. She blogs at Mexpatmama.com and is a senior program director at Resource Media. Find her on Instagram and Facebook.

What’s Daft Punk doing in CDMX?

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MND Staff

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May 10, 2023

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Daft Punk in their trademark helmets — The French dance legends are offering Mexican fans the chance to unlock exclusive content in a Zócalo "treasure hunt" on May 11. (Sony Music)

French electronic music superstars Daft Punk are up to something in Mexico City. Although their plans are shrouded in mystery, fans will soon discover exactly what the artists have in store for them.

On the eve of the 10th anniversary of their four-time platinum-selling album “Random Access Memories,” the masked dance duo have been leaving a trail of digital clues for fans in celebration of the extended re-release of their classic album.

The mysterious Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo — who wore futuristic space helmets while performing to conceal their faces — rose to fame in the 1990s as part of the French house music scene.

Their fourth and final studio album “Random Access Memories” was a worldwide hit, with the single “Get Lucky” — featuring rapper and producer Pharrell Williams on vocals — reaching No. 1 in 31 countries.

Following the world tour for the album in 2014, the group stopped producing new music, eventually disbanding in 2021. For fans of French electro-pop, Daft Punk’s breakup signaled the end of an era marked by musical influences, including Justice and Digitalism.

The “Daft Punk: Memories Unlocked” experience allows visitors to Mexico City’s central Zócalo square to take part in a series of Snapchat experiences. From May 10 onward, app users will be able to access new filters featuring the iconic Daft Punk helmets and listen to the track “Horizon,” previously exclusive to Japan.

A billboard unlocking Daft Punk content via snapchat — Fans can scan special promotional billboards in the historic center of Mexico City. (Snapchat)

On May 11, 10 cities around the world, including Mexico City, will be part of a Daft Punk “treasure hunt.”

After enabling the location feature on their smartphones, fans will be able to search the Zócalo for “treasures” hidden around the square. Exactly what these treasures might be remains unknown, but the chance to experience something new from the duo after two years is an experience few fans of the band thought they would get to enjoy again.

To cap off the event, from May 12 to 28, visitors to the Zócalo can scan a special promotional poster to access hidden surprises in the Snapchat app.

Sadly for fans, Daft Punk won’t be performing a Rosalia-style free concert in the city center, but the chance to be one of the few chosen cities to take part in the treasure hunt is sure to make up for the disappointment.

With reporting by Forbes and Marca

Guanajuato largest recipient of foreign direct investment from Asia

By

MND Staff

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May 10, 2023

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Japan's ambassador to Mexico, right, at event in leon, Mexico — Katsumi Itagaki, Japan's ambassador to Mexico, right, at a formal event in León, Guanajuato. Japan was the state's second highest foreign investor nation in 2022. (Twitter)

Guanajuato received US $832.8 million in foreign direct investment (FDI) from Asian countries in 2022, making the state the largest recipient of Asian FDI nationwide.

According to the Economy Ministry, 53.2% of the state’s overall investment came from Asia. US $819.2 million of that came from Japan and US $13.6 million from China.

The candy manufacturer and distributor Grupo Ferrero announced that they planned to invest US $50 million to expand their industrial operations in Guanajuato, on the Bajío states. — Several international corporations, including the Ferrero Group, have chosen Guanajuato as a manufacturing hub. (State of Guanajuato)

In 2021, Guanajuato saw US $666 million in foreign investment, a growth figure of 25% compared to 2022.

Héctor Magaña, an academic at the Tech de Monterrey-México state, told the newspaper El Economista that Guanajuato was one of the first states to take advantage of the North American Free Trade Agreement, particularly in the automotive sector. This has created an auto sector workforce with more experience than competitors.

“While other states in the Bajío and northern Mexico have become attractive, Guanajuato’s skilled workforce and years of experience have been essential in it continuing to be one of the main recipients of FDI,” he said.

The presence of Asian companies in the state, Magaña added, could be a sign that foreign money will continue to flow, although he acknowledged that its ranking does not necessarily mean Guanajuato is well-positioned for nearshoring opportunities — the latest trend in manufacturing, in which manufacturers wishing to be physically near the U.S market open facilities in Mexico.

Guanajuato city, Mexico — Despite its current investment boom, Guanajuato state may be too far from the U.S. border to take advantage of the nearshoring boom, according to economist Hector Magaña. (Alex Person/Unsplash)

Guanajuato isn’t close enough to the Mexico-U.S. border to be a good candidate for nearshoring opportunities, he said.

During 2022, the top three countries worldwide that invested the most money in Guanajuato were the U.S., with US $646 million; Japan, with US $639 million; and France, with US $119 million.

With reports from El Economista and Data Mexico.

Ebrard meets with South Korean foreign minister to discuss trade

By

MND Staff

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May 10, 2023

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FvujjxsXwAEoNc1 — Ebrard and Park Jin, the South Korean Foreign Minister met to discuss a potential trade deal between the two nations. South Korea is Mexico's third-largest trading partner. (Marcelo Ebrard/Twitter)

Mexico and South Korea have committed to strengthening their relationship five months after their negotiations to reach a free trade agreement (FTA) were put on ice.

Foreign Affairs Minister Marcelo Ebrard met with his South Korean counterpart Park Jin in Mexico City on Tuesday, and the two officials reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the 18-year-old broad-based Strategic Partnership for Mutual Prosperity, according to a statement released by Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE).

Park also met with Energy Minister Rocío Nahle, to discuss the energy needs of the two nations. (Rocío Nahle/Twitter)

The aim of that commitment, the SRE said, is to ensure that the bilateral relationship — which formally began 61 years ago — “reaches its full potential in all areas.”

Citing the South Korean Foreign Ministry, the Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency reported that Park, in his meeting with Ebrard, “stressed the importance of forging an FTA to promote strategic cooperative ties between the countries.”

The Korean foreign minister “requested Ebrard’s support to resume related discussions,” the news agency said.

Ebrard said late last year that Mexico had decided to put negotiations with South Korea on hold as it worked out what it wanted to gain from an FTA with the East Asian nation.

A trade deal was not the only thing on the menu – with fish tacos and salsa roja being enjoyed by the South Korean delegation. (Marcelo Ebrard/Twitter)

The foreign minister traveled to South Korea last July, and he and Park committed at the time to work toward a bilateral free trade agreement.

On Tuesday, the two men “highlighted the importance of the growth in bilateral trade and investment,” according to the SRE, and noted that Korean companies are participating in important infrastructure projects in Mexico.

Samsung, South Korea’s largest company, is contributing to the construction of the new Pemex refinery on the Tabasco coast.

Ebrard and Park also agreed to deepen technical-scientific and educational-cultural cooperation and to collaborate on health and aerospace matters, the SRE said.

In addition, the two foreign ministers agreed to “intensify their work” in multilateral forums in which both Mexico and South Korea participate, including the G20 and the MIKTA alliance, which also includes Indonesia, Turkey and Australia.

The aim, the SRE said, is to “capitalize on the broad areas of agreement between both countries.”

The Foreign Affairs Ministry noted that South Korea is Mexico’s third largest trading partner in the world (after the United States and China), with bilateral trade of US $27.7 billion in 2022.

Among Mexico’s exports to South Korea are crude oil and a range of food and beverage products including pork, avocados and tequila. South Korean imports include electronics and cars.

The SRE also noted that South Korea is the 13th largest source of foreign direct investment in Mexico, and reported that there are 2,059 Korean companies that operate here.

Park also attended meetings with Economy Minister Raquel Buenrostro and Energy Minister Rocío Nahle in Mexico City on Tuesday. On Twitter, the foreign minister declared his love for tacos with salsa roja, posting a photo of himself at a restaurant in the capital that specializes in fish tacos.

With reports from El Economista and Yonhap News Agency

Design that transcends time: Meet Karima Dipp

By

Henrietta Weekes

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May 10, 2023

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Designer Karima Dipp — Guadalajara-born interior designer Karima Dipp brings a worldly aesthetic to her work after completing 77 projects around the globe. (Courtesy: Karima Dipp)

“We have to know, in depth, what the intention is for the use of space … the art of organizing space according to utility, comfort and – above all – ease of movement, is essential to achieving the best aesthetic.”

This is Karima Dipp, Mexican interior designer, on her philosophy of space.

Karima Dipp Atemporal design — (Courtesy: Karima Dipp)

Dipp has opened three design store locations in San Miguel de Allende under the name Atemporal. This embodies Dipp’s approach, focusing on “all that is eternal and transcends time”, whether working on the construction or the design of a home interior.

Dipp’s work is celebrated for crossing cultural boundaries by collaborating with a diversity of artists, integrating design elements from Asia, Europe and Latin America.

Dipp was born to Lebanese immigrant parents in Guadalajara and grew up immersed in the arts. She was also influenced by her grandmother’s work ethic – she worked until 104 years old – and thirst for knowledge.

Dipp spent time living in Italy, and had the opportunity to work as a licensee for Benetton, India. This thrust her into the rich Indian world of textile and design, which still very much informs her aesthetic.

Benetton’s challenge was the need to fabricate all their materials in India, while staying true to the brand’s global standards. For Dipp, this meant improvising and traveling across India, visiting t-shirt factories, sleeping on wood cots and keeping a journal with textile samples and vivid descriptions.

Returning to Italy with her newfound Indian sensibility, she fused two passions: textiles and design. “Living in Italy, you breathe design” Dipp says.

Inspired by these experiences, she opened her first studio, ESENCIAL, in Guadalajara in 2001. It was the the first of its kind, housing a collection of reinterpreted Indian objets d’arts and renowned Italian furniture brands such as B&B, Flexform, Casamilano, Living Divani, as well as work from French designers like Christian Liaigre and Jerome Able Seguin.

Dipp made a design trip to Argentina in 2005, which sparked a collaboration with furniture designer Laura O. Dipp fell in love with her working materials – wood, iron and canvas.

Today, Dipp’s community-minded spirit continues to foster deeply creative relationships with local artisans and craftsmen in Mexico, while showcasing a collection that represents the arts of India, Italy, Spain and Argentina.

Dipp says that it is not enough to focus on the aesthetic elements of a space as an interior designer: the other critical elements are intention, lighting, use of materials, and how to enhance both the physical and emotional well-being of the client.

“Interior design is an art that allows us to completely embrace the different sensations we perceive, whether entering a home or an office. I think we are able to face life in a more positive and balanced way in many aspects,” she says.

Having completed more than 77 projects in multiple countries and landscapes, Dipp believes that a project must adapt and blend into its natural surroundings. Every home is a unique, bespoke creation. No design should be replicated. On average, she takes on 12 projects at a time.

Her latest project, Casa Surco in San Miguel de Allende, is a collaboration with architects Elías and Alejandro Rizo.

The house is a fine example of her favorite working methodology, which she calls “trio”, where space is sculpted through the shared vision of architects, builders and designers.

“Everything has to be expertly made. It is actually very technical,” she explains. “For example, the double pane windows are constructed from steel so that the metal helps retain heat. Aiming to be as ecological as we can is important. There would be no need for dryers due to the very dry weather we have year round.”

“One first needs to creatively interpret the client’s dreams and desires, and how they want to inhabit a space. Atemporal integrates all these ways of living,” says Dipp. “Design is much more than furniture or style. It’s a devotion to the client who, after all, will spend many hours in the space. Completion of a house design project takes an average of two years. Often, at the reveal, there are many tears of joy and awe!”

Dipp’s next big ambition is launching the “Design Route” in San Miguel de Allende. With a team of other designers, she will offer a plan for the curious visiting buyer, which will include a map of design shops, shipping of goods and services, and a personalized consultation with her crew of designers.