How to stop a speeding ‘super peso’: A perspective from our CEO

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July 12, 2023

Mexico's central bank (Banxico) must decide whether to begin lowering high interest rates as inflation continues to slow. (Moisés Pablo Nava / Cuartoscuro.com)

In just the past few weeks, I have written about the benefits of a stronger peso and also the perils of the peso becoming too strong. With this morning’s jump in the peso to US dollar exchange rate to 16.82, Mexico is getting into a possibly problematic zone. This morning’s move was linked directly to the publication of U.S. inflation numbers, which came in at 0.2% for the month of June, up only 3% from a year ago, and below expectations.

This data would imply that the U.S. Federal Reserve can slow down or stop interest rate increases (which are currently near 5%), and depending on the data, maybe even start to reduce them later in the year.

Mexico is also seeing a dramatic reduction in inflation rates, with the most recent data coming in at 5%.

But, Mexico’s central bank (Banxico) reacted much more forcefully, and has raised its interest rate all the way to 11.25% and held it there. This has been a major factor in the strengthening of the peso, as I recently explained.

The risk that Mexico could soon face from a “too strong too fast peso”, is a political one in addition to an economic one. The ruling Morena political party is increasingly linking the strong peso directly to the administration’s policies. There is no doubt that President López Obrador’s policies have positively influenced the strengthening peso, but we cannot disregard the many external factors that also are having a significant impact.

Factors such as strong remittances from Mexicans working abroad, a post-pandemic rebound in tourism, and the nearshoring boom resulting from supply chain disruptions and China’s tensions with the United States.

If the Morena party continues to link “a strong peso with a strong Mexico”, without recognizing the risks, there is a real danger of misleading the public. An analogy that many U.S. citizens might recognize is when President Donald Trump took credit for a rapidly rising U.S. stock market. His policies were partly responsible, but they came with risks that were not being talked about by Mr. Trump.

In Mexico, as in most parts of the world, the central bank is independent from the executive branch, and this independence is vital to a consistent, reliable, trustworthy economy. Again using the Trump analogy, when the U.S. stock market was going up quickly, and there was pressure on the U.S. Federal Reserve to cool things down, Mr. Trump was very vocal in his strong criticism of the chairman, even threatening to get rid of him and not renew his term if he raised rates.

If Mexico’s central bank is pressured (publicly or privately) by the current administration to keep interest rates high based on an incomplete narrative that “the stronger the peso is, the stronger Mexico is”, there is a real risk of significant economic damage from a slowdown that could happen. Many investors and businesses are finding that their Mexican costs are dramatically increasing, and they are getting worried. With the significant nearshoring opportunity for Mexico, why would the country want to take any risk by promoting an overly strong currency? It’s a golden time for Mexico, if those in power get the policy right.

Inflation is coming down rapidly in Mexico, the U.S., and around the world. Banxico has done well to guide the economy through the devastation of the pandemic. However, in my opinion, it is time to take urgent action to lower the interest rate from 11.25%, and demonstrate independence and an understanding of the dangers. The risks of a sharp economic slowdown are increasing each day, versus the risks of continued inflation. The central bank still has significant room to move on driving down inflation with a gap between interest rates and inflation.

I hope that Mexico’s central bank recognizes the perils of the current situation, and demonstrates “superhero” abilities to guide Mexico’s economy through this challenge.

En Breve: Oaxaca, best city in the world; Mexico wins big in travel survey

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MND Staff

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July 12, 2023

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City of Oaxaca, Mexico — Oaxaca, long considered one of Mexico's best destinations, has now been recognized as the best city in the world by Travel + Leisure. (traveltooaxaca.com)

The annual Travel + Leisure magazine trends survey is out, and Mexico’s performance in it is outstanding.

Five Mexican cities were on the magazine’s Top 25 cities in the world list — Oaxaca city nabbed the No. 1 spot. Mexico also had eight of the globe’s 100 best hotels and claimed the world’s No. 4 spa destination.

The city of San Miguel de Allende, Travel + Leisure’s world’s best city in 2021, came in No. 5 this year but contains the two best city hotels in Mexico. (Kayak)

It perhaps comes as little surprise that Travel + Leisure named Mexico “readers’ favorite country in the world.”

So what exactly brought home the awards for Mexico? Here’s a quick look:

Oaxaca, the world’s best city

Oaxaca city centre — Oaxaca was declared the best city in the world by readers thanks to its mix of culture and history. (El Ágora/Wikimedia)

According to the survey, large and mid-size cities with an immersive cultural experience are high on travelers’ destination wish lists, which made Oaxaca city — a UNESCO World Heritage site — a natural choice for readers to vote as the world’s best city.

“Widely considered one of Mexico’s cultural capitals, Oaxaca is a maze of historical monuments, lively street markets, stunning churches, contemporary art galleries, colorful street art, and charming plazas,” the magazine said.

The city is also a “foodies’ mecca,” a reader highlighted, home to award-winning restaurants like Criollo, created by Chef Enrique Olvera, and world-class accommodations like Escondido Oaxaca and Hotel Sin Nombre.

The survey ranked 100 cities worldwide. Mexico was the only country with five cities on the list — and the only one with two cities in the Top 5. Behind Mexico was Japan with three cities, and Italy, Thailand and Portugal with two each. Other Mexican cities on the list were San Miguel de Allende (No. 5), Mexico City (No. 6), Mérida (No. 16) and Guadalajara (No. 23).

Casa de Sierra Nevada Hotel in San Miguel de Allende in Mexico — Casa de Sierra Nevada, a Belmond hotel in San Miguel de Allende, took the crown this year for the best city hotel in Mexico. (Casa de Sierra Nevada)

San Miguel de Allende takes top 2 spots in the best Mexico hotels category

On Travel and Leisure’s favorite city hotels list, the small city of San Miguel de Allende in Guanajuato took the top 2 spots: the Casa de Sierra Nevada, a Belmond hotel, took the crown, unseating last year’s No. 1 winner, the hacienda-style Rosewood San Miguel de Allende, which slipped to No. 2 this year.

Casa de Sierra Nevada, which made a leap to take the crown this year from its No. 5 spot last year, was described by one guest as “a fantastic hotel with outstanding service.”

Located in San Miguel de Allende’s historic center and within easy walking distance to the scenic Jardín Allende and Parque Benito Juárez, the colonial property houses 37 rooms and suites across four mansions, built in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Guests can immerse themselves in the local culture both on- and off-site through experiences that include cooking classes, craft workshops with an artist-in-residence and horseback rides through the countryside.

Come sunset, travelers can take in the rose-hued rooftops of the city from the hotel’s cocktail bar, and for live music, dine at the Restaurante del Parque adjacent to the hotel’s garden.

Rosewood Hotel San Miguel de Allende in Mexico — Readers cited San Miguel de Allende’s Rosewood Hotel for, among other amenities, its sunset rooftop views from the Luna tapas bar and its “one-of-a-kind” Sunday brunches. (Rosewood)

Despite its slight drop on the list, Rosewood San Miguel de Allende still received strong praise from readers, one of whom called it a “wonderful oasis.”

Features that kept the Rosewood in the Top 5 included sunset views from Luna, the rooftop tapas bar, and its Sunday brunch.

“Don’t miss it,” wrote one guest of the brunch. “It is one of a kind.”

For those passionate about art, the hotel offers painting and craft workshops, as well as an art concierge who can arrange personalized excursions.

The two hotels were in good company: rounding out the top 5 were three heavy-hitters, all in Mexico City: the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, the St. Regis Hotel and the Four Seasons Hotel.

Baja California has the world’s No. 4 spa destination

Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Mexico — Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Baja California, was voted the No. 4 spa destination on the planet. (Rancho La Puerta)

According to Travel and Leisure, in a world recovering from a global pandemic, the number of people traveling for self-care is only growing. Delivering personalized wellness experiences in the mountains of Baja California, Rancho La Puerta in Tecate was picked by the magazine’s readers as the world’s No. 4 spa destination.

“They are perpetually looking at what they provide and how to do so better,” shared one reader, while another mentioned feeling “rejuvenated” after a week of treatment there.

A big attraction is its activities, ranging from craft workshops to cooking classes that teach healthy recipes to guests so that they can continue eating healthily at home.

8 Mexico hotels are among the world’s 100 best

Xcaret Arte, Playa del Carmen — The Xcaret Arte, in Quintana Roo, was the highest-rated hotel in Mexico, and No. 4 in the world. (Urban Traveler)

The magazine’s 100 Best Hotels in the World list this year spans over 30 countries and five continents. Eight are in Mexico, the country with the second highest number of hotels on the list, just after Italy, which had nine.

From city resorts to beach hotels, these are the eight hotels in Mexico considered by Travel + Leisure readers among the world’s best:

Hotel Xcaret Arte: Playa del Carmen, Yucatán (No. 4)
Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal: Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur (No. 41)
Casa de Sierra Nevada, A Belmond Hotel, San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato (No. 51)
Las Ventanas al Paraíso, A Rosewood Resort: San José del Cabo, Baja California Sur (No. 55)
Grand Velas Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, Yucatán (No. 75)
Etéreo, Auberge Resorts Collection: Punta Maroma, Quintana Roo (No. 78)
Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve: San José del Cabo, Baja California Sur (No. 83)
One & Only Palmilla: San José del Cabo, Baja California Sur (No. 91)

With reports from Travel and Leisure

PRI-PAN-PRD coalition registers 13 presidential hopefuls

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MND Staff

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July 12, 2023

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Silvano Aueroles displays registration for Frente Amplio por Mexico — Former Michoacán governor Silvano Aueroles shows off his request to be a candidate. He was one of the lucky 13 who was accepted. (Silvano Aueroles/Twitter)

Thirteen men and women are vying to become the 2024 presidential candidate for the coalition made up of Mexico’s main opposition parties.

A total of 33 people submitted documents expressing their interest in representing the Broad Front for Mexico (Frente Amplio por México) at the June 2, 2024, election, but the bloc — consisting of the National Action Party (PAN), the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), the Democratic Revolution Party (PRD) and some 250 allied citizens’ groups — only accepted the registration of 13.

Candidates for the Frente Amplio por Mexico coordinator — Accepted candidates for the Broad Front for Mexico coordinator position pose with their registration certificates. (Santiago Creel/Twitter)

“After reviewing the documents and seeing which of them met the guidelines, we’ve accepted the registration of 13 of them,” Juan Manuel Herrero, a member of the Broad Front’s organizing committee, told a press conference.

The 13 registered aspirants are:

Silvano Aureoles, governor of Michoacán between 2015 and 2021.
Deputy Santiago Creel, interior minister in the 2000-2006 government led by Vicente Fox.
Enrique de la Madrid, tourism minister in the 2012-18 government led by Enrique Peña Nieto and son of former president Miguel de la Madrid.
José Jaime Enrique Félix, one of three “ordinary citizens” whose registration was accepted.
Senator Xóchitl Gálvez Ruiz, the leading opposition aspirant, according to polls, and “the chosen one,” according to President López Obrador.
Francisco Javier García Cabeza de Vaca, governor of Tamaulipas between 2016 and 2022 and the subject of a federal criminal investigation.
Deputy Ignacio Loyola Vera, governor of Querétaro between 1997 and 2003.
Senator Miguel Ángel Mancera, mayor of Mexico City between 2012 and 2018.
Senator Beatriz Paredes, a former ambassador to Brazil who served as PRI national president between 2007 and 2011.
Jorge Luis Preciado Rodríguez, a former federal deputy and senator from Colima.
Deputy Gabriel Quadri de la Torre, candidate for the New Alliance party at the 2012 presidential election.
Israel Rivas, spokesperson for an organization of parents of children with cancer and another of the “ordinary citizen” aspirants.
Sergio Ibán Torres, president of the National Network of Police Associations and the third “ordinary citizen” contender.

In order to pass to the next stage of the Broad Front’s candidate selection process, the 13 aspirants must collect 150,000 signatures of support across at least 17 states by August 5.

Deputy Santiago Creel and his wife — Federal deputy Santiago Creel arrives with his wife to register as a candidate for the coordinator position of the Broad Front for Mexico on July 4. (Daniel Augusto/Cuartoscuro)

The presidential hopefuls who reach the second stage will be required to participate in a “great forum” to “discuss and analyze” their vision for Mexico, according to a Broad Front for Mexico announcement in late June.

The aspirants will subsequently be included in “public opinion studies” — polling, in other words — that will determine the three contenders with the greatest support.

The three “finalists” will progress to the third stage, during which more forums will take place, additional polling will be conducted and a “direct” vote will be held on Sept. 3 ahead of an announcement of the victor the same day.

The Broad Front filed paperwork for its registration with the National Electoral Institute (INE) on Sunday, PRD Deputy Luis Espinosa Cházaro told a press conference on Monday.

Both the ruling Morena party and its allies, and the Broad Front, have begun their presidential candidate selection processes ahead of the timeframe established by the INE.

In an attempt to avoid violating the permitted timeframe for “pre-campaigns” and thus evade sanctions, Morena and the three-party opposition bloc are using alternative terms to describe the person who will become their presidential candidate.

Mexico presidential hopeful Xochitl Galvez — Poll show that National Action Party Deputy and former Mexico City borough mayor Xóchitl Gálvez is currently the favorite to win the opposition coalition’s candidacy. (Cuartoscuro)

The winner of Morena’s selection process — to be announced Sept. 6 — will initially be called “the coordinator of the defense of the transformation” of Mexico that President López Obrador asserts his government is carrying out.

The opposition alliance’s candidate will first be known as the “person responsible for the construction of the Broad Front for Mexico.”

The primary-style selection processes that Morena and the opposition bloc have decided to use represent a break from the past, in which parties appointed their presidential candidates without any public contest between aspirants.

The presidential candidate for the PRI — which was in office for 71 uninterrupted years before the PAN won the 2000 election — was traditionally chosen by the sitting president, a decision colloquially known as the dedazo (big finger).

Polls indicate that Morena is likely to win next year’s presidential election regardless of who the ruling party’s candidate is. Former Mexico City mayor Claudia Sheinbaum and ex-foreign minister Marcelo Ebrard are the top contenders to win Morena’s nomination.

The Citizens Movement party has also indicated that it will field a candidate at the election, and one or more independent hopefuls could appear on ballot papers as well.

With reports from El País, El Economista and Expansión

‘Super peso’ strikes again, reaching 16.82 to the US dollar

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MND Staff

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July 12, 2023

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The Mexican peso strengthened to 16.82 to the US dollar on Wednesday morning on the back of data that showed that annual inflation in the United States slowed to 3% in June, its lowest level in over two years.

It’s the second time in a week that the USD-MXN exchange rate has dipped below 17 after the greenback briefly went under that level last Wednesday.

According to data from the financial and media company Bloomberg, the 16.82 rate – the peso’s strongest position since December 2015 – was reached at 8 a.m. Mexico City time.

The peso had weakened slightly by 9 a.m. to trade at 16.83 to the dollar.

Gabriela Siller, director of economic analysis at the Mexican bank Banco Base, noted on Twitter that the peso strengthened following the publication of U.S. inflation data that showed a rate in June “below the expectations of the market.”

The decline in the inflation rate in the United States makes it less likely that the U.S. Federal Reserve will raise interest rates later this month. The dollar strengthened last week after positive private employment data in the U.S. raised expectations that the Fed would increase its interest rate from the current 5% to 5.25% range.

Analysts cite the Bank of Mexico’s high benchmark interest rate – currently 11.25% – and the significant difference between that rate and that of the Fed as one factor in the current strength of the peso. Strong incoming flows of foreign capital and remittances are among the other factors cited.

Mexico’s currency has appreciated significantly this year after starting 2023 at about 19.5 to the U.S. dollar.

President López Obrador has celebrated the success of the peso in 2023, and asserts that his government’s management of the economy is a major reason for the gains it has made.

When the greenback dipped below 17 last week, he said he was “very happy” because a stronger peso reduces public debt contracted in dollars.

With reports from El Financiero

Highway blockade outside Chilpancingo ends; hostages released

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Cat Rainsford

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July 11, 2023

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an APC — Protestors released the weapons and hostages seized on Monday. (Dassaev Téllez Adame/Cuartoscuro)

Protestors in Guerrero who had blockaded the Autopista del Sol highway on the southern outskirts of state capital Chilpancingo intermittently since Monday agreed to end their protest on Tuesday afternoon, releasing their 13 hostages and returning weapons, handcuffs and an armored troop carrier they’d seized from their law enforcement captives.

After a brief respite from another blockade yesterday, the highway was blocked again in both directions by 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, according to the federal roads and bridges agency Capufe. Media reports said the protesters used stones, tires and vehicles to block the highway.

Images of protestors driving the seized Black Mamba around the city were circulated on social media. (Vianey Ponce Gómez/Twitter)

The protesters were mostly residents of the nearby mountain communities of San Miguel Totolapan and Heliodoro Castillo. They said they want the government to fulfill a promise to invest 5 million pesos (US $293,000) to improve local roads, of which they say only 500,000 pesos (US $29,000) have been delivered.

However, authorities claim that Monday’s protest was in fact sparked by the arrest of two members of the Los Ardillos criminal group.

“Yesterday in Chilpancingo, there was a demonstration initiated at the will of two people identified as criminal leaders, who were arrested in possession of cartridges, magazines and drugs and linked to various crimes in this region,” said Rosa Icela Rodríguez, head of the Ministry of Citizen Security and Protection (SSPC) at President López Obrador’s daily press conference Tuesday morning.

Rodríguez condemned the actions of protestors and claimed that many had been forced to demonstrate by criminal groups. Footage on social media appeared to show a large crowd cheering, as a “Black Mamba” troop carrier was used to break open a gate. At around 11 a.m. local time, Guerrero Minister of Government Ludwig Reynoso Núñez initiated talks with community leaders to discuss their demands.

Protestors said they were protesting a promised 4.5 million peso infrastructure project yet to materialize. (Dassaev Téllez Adame/Cuartoscuro)

While the highway was cleared around 7 p.m. on Monday, protestors left with 13 captives and the armored vehicle belonging to the Public Security Ministry. The captives — five members of the National Guard, five state policemen and one federal and two local government officials — were released early Tuesday afternoon after lengthy negotiations.

It is unclear what protesters were promised in return.

In his Tuesday morning press conference, President López Obrador called on locals “not to allow themselves to be manipulated by those who direct these gangs that are linked to crime.” He insisted that the disturbance would be resolved without force.

During the second protest, most businesses in Chilpancingo were shut, public transport was reduced, and state Education Minister Marcial Rodríguez Saldaña said schools would remain closed as there was no way to ensure pupils’ safety.

Chilpancingo protestors with weapons — Security forces say that the protests were a reprisal for the arrest of two local gang leaders. (Dassaev Téllez Adame/Cuartoscuro)

The protests ended peacefully, and the road is once again open as normal.

The Defense Ministry has identified 16 criminal groups operating in Guerrero, including Los Ardillos. These groups are competing for control of drug sales, extortion and kidnapping rackets and control of opium production in the area, competition that has driven a wave of homicides in the area.

In June of 2022, local taxi drivers blocked the Autopista del Sol highway in the same area to protest the state government’s failure to provide security for transport workers.

With reports from Milenio and El Financiero

Expat Insider survey ranks Mexico as world’s top living destination

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MND Staff

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July 11, 2023

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Man working by the pool — Mexico has scored in the top rankings of the annual expat survey for five years. (Humphrey Muleba/Unsplash)

Mexico has once again ranked highly as a place for expats to live and work.

According to the Expat Insider 2023 survey by global expat network Internations, 90% of expats living in Mexico say they’re happy with their life in the country, compared to 72% of expats living in other locations around the world.

While Mexico has long been considered a retirement hub for U.S. expats, respondents in the new survey average 54.6 years old, suggesting that the digital nomad trend has attracted a greater number of younger, working expats than in the past. (Internations)

The survey, launched in 2014, ranks 53 destinations based on five indicators: quality of life, ease of settling in, working abroad, personal finance and an “expat essentials” index, which covers housing, administration, language and digital life.

Over the last decade, expats in Mexico have consistently ranked the country among the Top 5 in the world, mainly due to the ease of settling in, locals’ friendliness to foreigners and the ease of building one’s own community.

Mexico expats said they found it easy to settle in (the nation ranked at the top of this list for the fifth consecutive year) due to locals’ friendliness and the ease of building friendships with Mexicans. Around three out of four expats (74%) said they find it easy to make friends with local residents compared to the global average of 43%.

This result could explain why foreigners in Mexico said they have a personal support network in the country — it ranked No. 2 on this survey question — and why Mexico ranked No. 4 for expats reporting that they’re overall happy with their social lives.

Mexico’s outstanding food and drink options helped contribute to its continued success as an expat destination. (Unsplash)

Mexico secures another number-one ranking for welcoming expats. Many expats cited how simple it was to get used to Mexican culture.

Mexico ranked No. 6 in the affordable-living category, with respondents saying it was easy to find housing that’s affordable. According to Expat Insider, 71% of expats in Mexico are happy with the general cost of living here — compared to only 44% globally. Unsurprisingly, a whopping 80% reported being satisfied with their financial situation, compared to 58% globally.

Expats here also said they felt satisfied with their work-life balance living in Mexico. The country ranked No. 1 on how expats here feel about their personal career opportunities here. Mexico also ranked the country high among others for fair pay: it ranked No. 5.

However, going deeper, the quality of life questions revealed mixed results. While the highest-ranking answer that Mexico expats gave for moving here was for a better quality of life (16%), Mexico ranked No. 45 among countries on a question about how expats felt about political stability in their adopted country. In addition, 18% of respondents who live in Mexico said they don’t feel safe here. That was more than double the global average of 8%.

Zipolite, Oaxaca — Mexican weather and culture scored highly in the survey. (Delfina Beach Club)

On the positive side, Mexico expats gave high ratings to the country’s leisure options: it ranked No. 2. Expats reported loving Mexico’s culinary variety and its wealth of dining options, which sent Mexico to the top of the class with a number-one ranking. It ranked slightly lower on its culture and nightlife options (No. 3).

Where do most respondents hail from? Unsurprisingly, the United States (45%) topped the list. Coming in second was Canada, at a much lower 6%, which tied with Germany, also comprising 6%.

Among respondents, Mexico expats average out to 54.6 years old, possibly suggesting that the digital nomad trend may be changing Mexico’s expats demographics, attracting a greater number of younger, working expats than before. Expats here were also split nearly down the middle in terms of gender, with men making up 52% and women 48% of respondents.

While the survey saw responses from 171 different nationalities in 172 counties, the ties between Mexico and the United States may well have helped Mexico’s rankings, thanks to geographical and cultural closeness between the two nations. Expat Insider claims that the survey reflects expat attitudes in each country rather than a concrete ranking of international destinations.

To round out the Top 5, Spain came in second, followed by Panama, Malaysia and Taiwan.

With reports from CNBC and Internations.

Maya moon goddess Ixchel: a benevolent deity with a dark side

By

Sheryl Losser

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July 11, 2023

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Statue of goddess Ixchel — Rainbow woman Ixchel rules the cycles of the moon and the harvest, making her one of the most revered — and feared — deity in Mayan pantheon. (Twitter)

One of Mayan mythology’s most important deities is the moon goddess Ixchel, or Ix Chel (pronounced Ishchel). Ixchel’s powers include everything governed by the cycles of the moon — water, fertility, harvests, pregnancy — as well as love and sexuality. She is also the patroness of the arts, textiles, painting, medicine and healing.

The Maya believe in the duality of the universe. Reflecting this duality, Ixchel is benevolent but can also be powerful and destructive. With her power, she can give life; but she can also take it away. She provides both rain for the harvests and medicines for healing, but she is also destructive, sending floods, diseases and curses that can affect the harvests and endanger people’s lives.

A ceramic artifact depicts Ixchel with a rabbit, representative of the moon in Mayan culture. (INAH)

The story of Ixchel originated in the Yucatán Peninsula and Guatemala in 1500 B.C. Part of her power comes from controlling the cycles of the moon which govern sowing and harvesting. She is often pictured alongside Chaac (the god of rain) because of their shared association with rain and crops. But she is depicted in many different incarnations.

In some paintings, Ixchel is depicted as a beautiful young maiden accompanied by a rabbit (who has his own place in Mayan mythology and also represents the moon). In other images, she is a woman weaving on a waist loom that represents the thread of life — it symbolizes the umbilical cord and the placenta. At times, she is also portrayed as a fierce older woman emptying a jug of water onto the earth, resulting in storms and devastation that destroys crops and ends lives.

In her role as a “punisher,” Ixchel is shown with symbols of death and destruction around her: a snake wrapped around her neck; her feet transformed into menacing claws and her skirt made of bones that form crosses.

She is also known by several different names, among them are Rainbow Woman (Ixchel), Big Rainbow (Chak Chel), White Moon Lady (Sak U’Ixik), Lady of the First Brush (Ix Chebel Yax) and Goddess of Childbirth (Sinal).

Isla Mujeres, highly-ranked island destination. — Isla Mujeres, an island destination off the coast of Cancún, was named Island of Women by the Spanish after they saw all of the statues to Ixchel. (Archive)

As the moon waxes and wanes, Ixchel changes from a young maiden to an old woman. It is said that with each cycle, she is reborn and allows the maidens (the stars) to fall in love.

Ixchel’s origin myth says that she was weaving on her waist loom one day when she caught the eye of Itzamná (the god of heaven and wisdom who would become her husband). As he is said to reside in the sky, Itzamná is sometimes referred to as the Sun King. According to myth, he’s the son of the creator god Hunab Ku and created the Mayan calendar, as well as the Mayan hieroglyphic writing system.

Together, Ixchel and Itzamná created Bacab — the four deities that hold up the corners of creation.

Their 13 children included Hun Hunahpu (the god of maize), Yum Kaax (the god of wild plants and animals who protected the harvest from predators), Ek Chuah (the god of cocoa and war and the patron of merchants), other sons who were gods of sacrifices and stars, and daughters who were goddesses of water, night and paradise.

Ixchel was such an important goddess that festivities celebrating her role in childbirth and medicine take place in the Mayan “zip” month of Aug. 21 to Sept. 13. She has two important temples: one on the island of Cozumel and one on a high cliff on the southern tip of Isla Mujeres, where it is said you can see a beautiful rainbow. In fact, the island was named Isla Mujeres by the Spanish, who saw all the statues to Ixchel and — not understanding the symbolism — called it the Island of Women.

Pilgrims in canoes travel from the port of Xcaret to the island of Cozumel, also known as the Mayan Sacred Journey, in honor of Ixchel. (Elizabeth Ruiz/Cuartoscuro)

Historically, Maya women and girls would make a pilgrimage to Ixchel’s temple on Cozumel twice in their lives, leaving in canoes from Puerto de Poló (today the site of the Xcaret theme park and resorts). The first trip took place when a girl’s mother took her to the temple; then, when the girl became a mother, she took her daughter to the temple.

Once there, they would leave offerings of flowers and food and images of the goddess. This ceremony would be accompanied by dancing and singing.

This Mayan sacred journey is still enacted every year on May 26. Beginning at Xcaret, hundreds of Mayan canoes filled with pilgrims cross the Caribbean Sea to the island of Cozumel to visit Ixchel’s temple and receive her blessings.

Uxmal, located 50 miles from Mérida, also has a large temple dedicated to Ixchel: the Pyramid of the Magician, a reference to her magical ability to turn the Sun King’s favor into a bountiful harvest.

According to myth, when Ixchel dies, dragonflies sing over her for 183 days, after which she comes back to life and goes to find her husband in his palace. On the way there, she flirts with his brother Morningstar. Itzamná responds by flying into a jealous rage, and Ixchel hides from him in her Temple of Night. From there, she continues to nurture Earth’s pregnant women.

As the goddess of fertility and childbirth, Ixchel is responsible for the formation of the baby in the womb and decides whether the child will be male or female. To ensure a successful birth, Maya midwives place Ixchel’s image under the birthing bed.

Dancers honor Ixchel in Cozumel as part of an annual pilgrimage to her temple on the island. (Elizabeth Ruiz/Cuartoscuro)

Due to the importance of Ixchel to the Maya — especially to women — the Pueblo del Maíz theme park has organized a festival to celebrate the goddess since 2018. There is also a celebration on the island of Cozumel.

The Walk to Ixchel is held each year on the full moon in June, and consists of a 7-km walk across the island, ending at the effigy of Ixchel, where they leave offerings and sing and dance to the goddess.

Sheryl Losser is a former public relations executive and professional researcher. She spent 45 years in national politics in the United States. She moved to Mazatlán in 2021 and works part-time doing freelance research and writing.

453 new foreign businesses expected to arrive in Mexico within 2 years

By

MND Staff

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July 11, 2023

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trucks — A recent survey of industrial park owners found that overall warehouse space in such parks is nearing 100% occupancy, as more and more foreign companies relocate to Mexico. (Nigel Tadyanehondo/Unsplash)

A survey conducted by BBVA Research and the Mexican Association of Private Industrial Parks (AMPIP) has forecast that by 2025, 453 new foreign companies will relocate to Mexico as nearshoring in Mexico continues to prove an attractive option for international manufacturers.

But to seize the opportunity, the report suggests, Mexico must improve its energy policy, ensure water supply and reduce bureaucracy.

Queretaro industrial part — From 2018-2022, 830 foreign companies relocated here, says the report, which found that at least 453 more foreign businesses are planning to relocate by 2025. (NAI Mexico)

The report anticipates and quantifies the effects of nearshoring in the country, as well as outlining Mexico’s industrial investment future. If the study’s predictions come true, that would be a 9.1% increase over the previous cycle studied by the report — 2018–2022.

During that earlier period, 830 new foreign companies relocated to Mexico, says the report, or an average of 17 companies per month. This was in part due to tensions between the United States and China. Also during that period, 21% of companies surveyed by BBVA and AMPIP said they expanded their premises in Mexico within an industrial park.

Only 1.4% of respondents said they reduced their space.

As of March, AMPIP members operated a total 430 industrial parks in 21 Mexican states, hosting more than 3,800 companies. Of these companies, some 80% were foreign firms. AMPIP parks also reported an occupancy rate of 97.9% — an increase of 1.8% over 2019 — and a 30% average growth in inventories.

The northern and Bajío-west markets reported the most dynamic growth: by the end of 2022, inventory in the two markets had grown at an average rate of 35%, while the Mexico City metropolitan area reported a 17% growth during the same period.

Brembo Bergamo with Samuel Garcia — Brembo was among the first international companies to nearshore in Mexico. (Gobierno de Nuevo León/Cuartoscuro)

The only major challenges facing foreign companies looking to relocate here are infrastructure constraints — such as the supply of clean electricity at competitive prices, drainage system capacity, water supply, public safety and efficiency in legal proceedings.

When asked about specific problems hindering nearshoring, 91% of those surveyed reported energy-supply issues. Other concerns cited by survey respondents include water scarcity (63%) and bureaucracy (74%).

The report concludes that Mexico must focus on developing renewable energies — not only for more efficiency and cost-effectiveness but also to improve Mexico’s emissions record. In the medium term, this could increasingly become a nonnegotiable requirement for companies in considering relocation.

The report concludes that addressing these issues “would favor Mexico both in terms of competitiveness and in compliance with international agreements related to climate change.”

In the same way,” it also said, “a regulatory improvement in terms of procedures and permits could be an initial step to reduce the number of drawbacks [to nearshoring].”

With reports from Forbes Online

Heavy rains forecast to continue across Mexico

By

Cat Rainsford

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July 11, 2023

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Woman in the rain — Despite high temperatures in the north of the country, much of Mexico is facing heavy rain, say authorities. (Victoria Valtierra/Cuartoscuro)

Heavy-to-intense rains are expected across Mexico this Tuesday, according to the National Meteorological Service (SMN), while temperatures remain very high in the north.

The conditions are caused by Tropical Wave 11, a low-pressure zone currently sweeping the west of Mexico and which has a high probability of cyclonic development, will bring heavy rains, thunderstorms and strong gusts of wind in Jalisco and Guerrero, the SMN said.

Flooding in Morelos — Heavy rains have been forecast across much of Mexico, including Morelos, which has already seen torrential downpours related to unpredictable weather conditions in the Pacific. (Margarito Pérez Retaño/Cuartoscuro)

“Higher intensity rainfall could be accompanied by lightning, strong gusts of wind and hailstorms and cause landslides, increased levels of rivers and streams, overflows and flooding in low-lying areas,” the SNM warned in a statement.

Heavy rains area also predicted in many parts of the country on Tuesday afternoon:

50 to 75 millimeters are predicted for Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Nayarit, Michoacán, Oaxaca y Chiapas
Torrential cloudbursts bringing 25 to 50 millimeters of rain are predicted for Sonora, Durango, Zacatecas, Colima, Guanajuato, México state, Mexico City, Morelos, Tlaxcala, Puebla, Veracruz y Campeche

The rest of the country will see lighter showers, the SMN said.

People walking in heavy rains in Mexico City — Temperatures in the valley of Mexico are expected to remain cool, even in the face of a heatwave in the north of the country. (Victor Valtierra/Cuartoscuro)

During Tuesday afternoon, a new Tropical Wave 12 is expected to enter over the Yucatán Peninsula and interact with existing low pressure zones to cause heavy rains in Oaxaca and Chiapas.

Despite the rain, high temperatures will prevail across much of the country, with temperatures as high as 40 to 45 degrees Celsius (104 F to 113 F) in Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas and Yucatán.

Temperatures of 35 C–40 C (95 F–104 F) are forecast for the states of Baja California Sur, Sinaloa, Nayarit, Jalisco, Durango, San Luis Potosí, Veracruz, Tabasco, Campeche and Quintana Roo.

At the other extreme, temperatures as low as 0 to 5 degrees Celsius (32 F to 41 F) are predicted for some mountain areas of Baja California, Hidalgo, Puebla and Tlaxcala.

The Valley of Mexico will likely remain temperate, with some rains on Tuesday afternoon.

With reports from Proceso and El Universal

5 Mexican citizens die in helicopter crash near Mount Everest

By

Cat Rainsford

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July 11, 2023

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helicopter on mountain — The victims were aboard a sightseeing helicopter in Nepal that takes people to Nepal's impressive mountain peaks, including Everest. (Manang Air)

Five Mexican tourists died on Tuesday in a helicopter crash near Mount Everest, in Nepal.

The crash occurred in the Lamajura area as the helicopter was returning to Kathmandu after a sightseeing trip to the world’s highest mountain. There were no survivors.

Instagram post of woman standing in front of Taj Mahal — One of the victims, Abril Sifuentes González, posted a photo of herself in front of the Taj Mahal days before the accident. (Instagram)

The five passengers killed in the crash — all of them Mexican nationals — were identified as Fernando Sifuentes, Abril Sifuentes González, Luz González Olacio, María José Sifuentes and Ismael Rincón. The Nepalese pilot, identified in a Manang Air press release as Chet B. Gurug, also died.

Mexico’s Ambassdor to India Federico Salas told the news outlet Infobae that the victims were family members originally from Nuevo León.

Nepal’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAN) reported that the helicopter went missing at 10:13 a.m. local time, eight minutes after takeoff, but did not specify what caused the crash. Lhakpa Sherpa, a resident of the area who joined the search and rescue operation, told local media that the helicopter had hit a tree and then crashed to the ground.

A local airport official said that the helicopter’s flight path had been changed due to bad weather, which also delayed the rescue mission.

According to Mexico Ambassador to India Federico Salas, the five victims besides the pilot, who also died, were from a Nuevo León family. (Federico Salas/Twitter)

“Due to adverse weather conditions, helicopters could not land at the crash site [and] have now landed at Bhakanje … which is the nearest appropriate place to the crash site,” CAAN said in a statement.

A few hours later, CAAN confirmed that all six bodies had been airlifted to Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu for an autopsy before they would be handed over to next of kin.

The Mexican Embassy in India said on Twitter that its officials were “in continual communication with the authorities of Nepal regarding the tragic helicopter accident.”

Tourist flights to Everest are uncommon after the mountaineering season ends in May, as the monsoon season brings heavy rains, poor visibility and unpredictable weather conditions.

All six victims were taken to the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Katmandu for autopsies. (Tribhuvan University)

Nepal’s challenging terrain, coupled with a lack of pilot training and with maintenance issues, have given the country a reputation for poor aviation safety.

This crash is the latest in a series of helicopter and airplane accidents in the country over recent years.

With reports from Associated Press, Infobae and Reforma