Víctor Rodríguez was arrested in the Narvarte neighborhood of Mexico City on Tuesday at 5:32 p.m. before he was officially booked in Cuernavaca. (Morelos Attorney General's Office/Cuartoscuro)
Víctor Rodríguez Padilla, the former CEO of Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex), was arrested in Mexico City on Tuesday following a domestic violence complaint filed by his wife, María Felicia Jiménez Lavie.
The arrest came after Jiménez posted a video on YouTube that shows Rodríguez hitting, pulling and pushing his wife at their home in the state of Morelos. The security camera video also shows the pair’s 6-year-old son fleeing the scene after the violence erupts.
Mexico’s National Arrest Registry indicates that Rodríguez’s arrest took place in the Narvarte neighborhood of the Benito Juárez borough on Tuesday afternoon at 5:32 p.m., after which he was handed over to the Morelos Public Prosecutor’s Office, where an investigation file for the crime of domestic violence was opened.
Following the release of the video, President Claudia Sheinbaum advocated for the full application of the law in the case involving Rodríguez and pledged that her government “wouldn’t protect anyone in the face of acts such as these.”
Jiménez told the newspaper El Universal that the actions observed in the video — which was recorded on March 15 — are not an isolated incident, “but the culmination of an escalation that began in 2022 with verbal and physical abuse,” including an incident where Rodríguez stabbed her in the hand with a pen.
Jiménez, who is originally from Cuba, told Noticias Telemundo that her decision to release the video followed Rodríguez’s threat to expel her from Mexico, despite the fact that she is a Mexican citizen, and her fear that he would take her son away from her.
“I just couldn’t take the humiliations anymore,” Jiménez said over the phone.
Days before the arrest and without denying the accusations, Rodríguez said he would step down from any public office so as not to obstruct the investigation, and reiterated his “absolute willingness to cooperate with the authorities.”
Reports of domestic violence in Mexico increased by 82% between July 2015 and June 2025.
According to official figures cited by Telemundo, between January and May this year, Mexico saw just above 25,000 reports of domestic violence, up 1,000 compared to the same period last year.
Paradoxically, the increase in the number of complaints is a positive development, as it may indicate that more women feel safe enough to report them.
“I am one of many women who have suffered domestic violence,” Rodríguez said. “The law must do what it has to do.”
Sheinbaum expressed optimism about recent economic indicators on Wednesday, saying that she believes the United States will eventually decide to renew the USMCA. (Saúl López/Presidencia)
Sheinbaum’s mañanera in 60 seconds
📈 Mexico ranks 10th globally for FDI: Finance Minister Édgar Amador Zamora cited a new UN Trade and Development report showing Mexico received roughly $41 billion in foreign direct investment in 2025, a 10.8% increase over 2024, placing it behind the US, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Brazil, the UK, Germany, Canada and the UAE. He also pointed to rising 2026 export revenue and headline inflation falling to 3.55% in the first half of June.
🇲🇽🇺🇸🇨🇦 USMCA: No 16-year renewal for now, but Sheinbaum expects one eventually: Sheinbaum noted the U.S. declined to extend the USMCA for 16 years, calling it a decision driven by President Trump’s “protectionist vision.” The pact will now run for 10 years with annual reviews, but Sheinbaum said she believes a 16-year renewal will still happen down the line — perhaps after Trump leaves office — given how deeply integrated the three economies are.
⚖️ Government to escalate response to ICE death of Mexican national: Asked about the fatal shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by an ICE officer in Houston, Sheinbaum called his death “regrettable” and said her government is preparing new legal measures — beyond diplomatic notes and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights filing — to respond to the deaths of Mexicans in ICE custody. She said Foreign Affairs Minister Roberto Velasco could present the measures on Thursday.
Why today’s mañanera matters
At President Claudia Sheinbaum’s Wednesday morning press conference, Finance Minister Édgar Amador Zamora took the opportunity to highlight some good economic news for Mexico that was included in a new United Nations report.
Although economic growth in Mexico has recently been sluggish, the federal government frequently asserts that the economy is strong, pointing to positive indicators such as record foreign investment and exports, low unemployment and a relatively strong peso.
Amador was on hand to do that again on Wednesday morning.
For her part, Sheinbaum expressed confidence that the USMCA free trade pact will be renewed for an additional 16 years at some point in the future, although the United States is not currently in support of such an extension. Her remarks about the future of the six-year-old trade agreement that superseded NAFTA in 2020 and which underpins Mexico’s commercial relationship with the U.S. and Canada were among the most important at today’s mañanera.
Also of note at the press conference was Sheinbaum’s announcement that her government is preparing an even stronger response to the death of Mexican nationals in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Mexico ranked No. 10 for FDI in 2025
Amador noted that the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) published a report this week that showed that Mexico was among the top 10 countries for foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in 2025.
Mexico was the world’s 10th largest recipient of FDI last year, according to UNCTAD, behind the United States, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada and the United Arab Emirates.
“It’s a sign of the confidence in the policies of the administration of President Sheinbaum, in the macroeconomic framework and in the stability of the country’s macro-financial variables,” he said.
The United States received $277 billion in FDI last year, while Singapore, Hong Kong and China received $151 billion, $116 billion and $105 billion, respectively. They were the only four territories that received more than $100 billion in FDI last year.
“… It’s a decision of President Trump for Canada and for Mexico related to a protectionist vision,” Sheinbaum said.
She noted that the USMCA is now slated to remain in place for the next 10 years, although the pact will be subject to annual reviews.
Sheinbaum highlighted that at some point in the coming 10 years, Mexico, the United States and Canada could reach an agreement to extend the USMCA for an additional 16 years.
“That can happen at any time,” she said.
“… The truth is I think it will be renewed for another 16 years, even if it takes four or five years, because the economic integration [in North America] is enormous,” Sheinbaum said.
“… Our economy is so integrated [with the United States] that even with the [U.S.] tariffs, we’re still exporting more to the United States and we’re buying more from the United States. We’re the top buyer from the United States,” she said.
🚨 Claudia Sheinbaum sostuvo que la revisión anual del T-MEC fue impulsada por Donald Trump como parte de una política de protección económica para Estados Unidos.
“I’ve said that to President Trump in the calls we’ve had. In other words, we’ve stopped buying from Asia, especially from the countries with which we don’t have trade agreements, and we’re buying more from the United States,” Sheinbaum said referring to a reduction in purchases from countries such as China rather than a complete halt on imports from Asia.
“And we’re also selling more to the United States. The economic integration that has occurred in the last 30 years is very difficult to break,” she said.
Sheinbaum acknowledges death of Mexican man shot by ICE
A reporter asked the president about the death on Tuesday of Mexican man Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, who was shot by an ICE officer in Houston, Texas.
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), of which ICE is part, at approximately 6:50 a.m. local time in Houston on Tuesday, “ICE law enforcement attempted to conduct a vehicle stop as part of a targeted enforcement operation to arrest an illegal alien.”
“The driver of the vehicle, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo — an illegal alien from Mexico — attempted to evade arrest. From the information we are receiving, he rammed an ICE law enforcement vehicle, refused to follow multiple verbal commands, and weaponized his vehicle in an attempt to run over an ICE law enforcement officer resulting in our officer firing his weapon in self-defense,” DHS said.
“The driver was struck, and emergency services were immediately contacted. The driver was transported to the hospital where he passed away from his injuries.”
Sheinbaum called the death of Salgado “regrettable” and said her government is preparing “legal measures” to express its condemnation of the deaths of Mexicans in incidents involving ICE.
“There is no reason for them to be in detention centers or for violence to be used against them,” she said.
“So we’re preparing more significant legal measures,” said Sheinbaum, who indicated that Foreign Affairs Minister Roberto Velasco could present the measures on Thursday.
By Mexico News Daily chief staff writer Peter Davies (peter.davies@mexiconewsdaily.com)
Toyota has been manufacturing the Tacoma in Tijuana since 2002. Production of the pickup truck will continue unchanged at its Guanajuato plant. (Omar Martínez/Cuartoscuro)
Japanese automaker Toyota announced on Monday that it will be moving production of its Tacoma model from the Baja California border city of Tijuana — where it has been assembling the midsize pickup for two decades — to its manufacturing campus in San Antonio, Texas.
The move out of Mexico is part of a US $3.6 billion investment by Toyota to greatly expand its San Antonio plant’s size and production capacity and create 2,000 new jobs in the U.S. city.
Toyota will continue Tijuana operations during a four-year transition period and then decide whether to liquidate or repurpose the plant. (Omar Martínez/Cuartoscuro)
It follows Toyota’s announcement that it will invest up to $10 billion more than previously anticipated in U.S. operations through 2030.
Mexico’s Economy Ministry (SE) confirmed Toyota’s plans and tried to put the best spin on the situation by explaining some details.
For one thing, Toyota will continue Tijuana operations during a four-year transition period and then decide what to do with the plant. Thus, it will not be abandoned soon and maybe not at all.
Also, production of the Tacoma will continue at Toyota’s Guanajuato plant, which, along with the Tijuana plant, has been the exclusive manufacturer of the model since 2024. The Guanajuato facility directly employs 2,800 people and supports thousands of indirect jobs in the El Bajío region.
Another piece of positive news offered by the SE, though somewhat mysteriously, is that President Sheinbaum indicated to the ministry that another automaker has expressed plans to invest US $500 million in Mexican operations. The name of the company was not given but the SE spokesperson indicated that an announcement was only a matter of days away.
Toyota’s Texas-sized US vision
Toyota had previously announced plans to invest $531 million to develop a 500-million-square-foot rear-axle plant on the San Antonio campus, with production expected to start in the fall. Toyota has reportedly invested $8.3 billion in its San Antonio plant since commencing operations there in 2003.
The San Antonio plant already manufactures Toyota’s Tundra full-size pickup truck and hybrid variant, as well as the Toyota Sequoia SUV hybrid.
The increased investment and rise in production capacity could propel Toyota to become the largest U.S. car seller, narrowing the gap in U.S. sales with America’s largest automaker, General Motors.
Toyota’s sales increased by 0.5% in the first half of the year compared to 2025, to 1.24 million. Meanwhile, GM’s sales fell by 6.8% to 1.34 million.
Such a sizable investment by Latin America's largest fintech is expected to create both direct and indirect jobs as well as boost technological innovation, financial inclusion and digitization of banking services. (Shutterstock)
President Claudia Sheinbaum on Monday announced that the fintech Nubank would be investing US $4.2 billion in the country over the next four years.
Sheinbaum revealed the news in a social media post after meeting with the company’s founder and CEO David Vélez Osorno and his team at the National Palace, where the Colombian businessman presented her with an investment plan aimed at strengthening the firm’s operations in Mexico.
President Sheinbaum received Nubank’s four-year investment plan in person during a visit to the National Palace by David Vélez Osorno, the fintech’s founder and CEO. (Claudia Sheinbaum/X)
The investment will expand Nubank’s presence in the country, strengthen its technological infrastructure, allow for the development of new digital solutions and broaden its services for millions of users.
The government expects the project to contribute to economic growth, boost technological innovation and financial inclusion and promote greater digitization of banking services. It will also stimulate competition in the financial sector and create conditions to attract new investments in sectors such as technology, financial services and the digital economy.
Known commercially as Nu in Mexico, Nubank currently serves more than 135 million customers in Latin America (with more than 15 million in Mexico), adding approximately 4 million new users in this year’s first quarter alone.
The company’s growth is expected to boost employment in the sector, particularly for professionals specializing in software engineering, mobile application development, artificial intelligence, science and data analysis, cybersecurity, cloud architecture and financial risk management.
Likewise, an investment of this magnitude usually generates indirect jobs through technology providers, consulting firms, digital infrastructure firms, data centers and specialized services.
The latest investment reflects the company’s recognition of the potential of the Mexican market, where millions of people remain outside the traditional financial system, many of whom are seeking more agile and digital alternatives to manage their money.
Nubank has a banking license in Mexico, but lacks final approval to begin operations as a bank, though the approval process is said to be in its final phase.
The Security Ministry announced the arrest of three suspects in the armed ambush of a marine patrol on Saturday that left one soldier dead. (SSPC/Cuartoscuro)
The Security Ministry (SSPC) has confirmed the death of one marine when his company was ambushed by armed criminals on Saturday in the municipality of Mazatlán, Sinaloa.
Three other marines were injured during a subsequent confrontation in the northwestern state that left 10 criminals dead. The authorities reported that three Colombian nationals were arrested afterward, and weapons, ammunition and tactical equipment were seized.
Con relación a los hechos ocurridos en Sinaloa referidos durante la conferencia de prensa “Las Mañaneras del Pueblo”, se informa que, en seguimiento a una agresión contra personal naval que realizaba labores preventivas en la comunidad San Marcos de Mazatlán, donde un elemento… pic.twitter.com/zMn3Vc3q1M
— Gabinete de Seguridad de México (@GabSeguridadMX) July 6, 2026
In a joint statement issued along with the Navy Ministry, the SSPC said two of the wounded marines are out of danger but the other is in serious condition. The statement also attributed the ambush to the “Los Chapitos” faction of the Sinaloa Cartel.
Following the initial incident, the authorities increased security in the region, leading to the second clash which took place in the municipality of El Rosario, about 180 kilometers north of Mazatlán.
In describing the initial attack, the Navy said its personnel were on a routine patrol while surveying and monitoring rivers and dams as part of preventive actions to identify possible sudden increases in water levels during the rainy season.
The unidentified attackers surprised the marines in San Marcos, using improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the ambush.
Although the company of marines that were ambushed was not on a search and destroy mission, the confrontation occurred in a context of intensified security operations tasked to the Navy and other security forces to combat organized crime and drug trafficking.
Afterward, in what has been described as a second tactical deployment, federal forces engaged a group of armed men, killing 10 and arrested the three others.
In a social media post outlining the weekend events, Mexico’s Security Cabinet expressed condolences and solidarity to the family, loved ones and colleagues of the marine who was killed.
Sinaloa has been in turmoil since drug lord Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada was handed over to U.S. authorities by cartel rival Joaquín Guzmán López, son of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán in July 2024.
On Monday, “El Mayo” announced through his lawyers that he will accept the life sentence he faces, while requesting that his health condition be guaranteed during the fulfillment of the sentence.
Ford (the parent automaker of Lincoln) saw its exports drop 10.4% in the first semester of 2026. (Unsplash)
Exports of light vehicles made in Mexico increased slightly in the first half of 2026, despite the United States’ imposition of tariffs on Mexican autos last year and a sharp decline in exports in June.
The national statistics agency INEGI reported Tuesday that Mexico exported just under 1.69 million light vehicles (light trucks and cars) between January and June, a 1.4% increase compared to the same period of last year.
INEGI also reported that light vehicle exports declined 9.2% annually in June to 301,009 units. The newspaper El Economista attributed the decline in June to the U.S. tariffs, which aim to protect the U.S. auto industry and which took effect in April 2025. U.S. content in Mexican vehicles is exempt from the 25% duty, lowering the effective tariff for virtually all cars shipped north.
The United States is easily the largest market for light vehicles exported from Mexico. In the first six months of 2026, 75.9% of the approximately 1.69 million light vehicles Mexico exported went to the United States, according to INEGI. El Economista reported that the figure is down from 85% prior to the imposition of the U.S. tariffs.
The next biggest export markets for Mexican light vehicles were Canada (12.5%), Germany (2.8%) and Brazil (1.7%). The remaining 7.1% of exported light vehicles went to other countries around the world.
The automakers whose exports from Mexico increased in the first half of 2026 were Stellantis (+51.3%), Volkswagen (+37.4%), Acura (+13.4%), Audi (+13.4%), Kia (+10.8%) and General Motors (+0.8%).
Those whose exports from Mexico declined in the period were Nissan (-29.2%), Mazda (-14.9%), Ford (-10.4%), BMW (-8.6%), Honda (-8.1%), Mercedes Benz (-6.4%) and Toyota (-4.2%).
Light vehicle production fell slightly between January and June
INEGI reported that just over 1.99 million light vehicles were made in Mexico in the first six months of 2026, a decline of 0.4% compared to the same period of last year. It was the lowest output for light vehicles in Mexico in the first six months of a year since 2023.
General Motors was the largest manufacturer of light vehicles in Mexico between January and June, with a total of 445,658 units rolling off production lines. That figure represented an annual increase of 2.2%.
After GM came Nissan, which made 253,572 light vehicles in Mexico between January and July, an annual decrease of 25.8%.
Stellantis was the third-largest manufacturer of light vehicles in Mexico in the period, assembling 242,228 units, a 34.9% production increase. That was the largest production increase of any automaker. Stellantis announced plans in December to expand operations at its plants in Coahuila and México state.
The production of light vehicles in Mexico by Nissan, Mazda and Mercedes Benz declined by more than 20% annually in all three cases in the first six months of 2026. BMW’s light vehicle production fell by 14.6%, while Ford’s manufacturing output in Mexico declined 6.8% compared to the first six months of 2025.
Light vehicle sales increase 5.3% in Mexico in first half of 2026
INEGI also reported on Tuesday that domestic sales of light vehicles increased 5.3% annually in the first half of 2026 to reach 754,418 units.
Nissan was the top automaker for sales in Mexico, selling 127,099 light vehicles between January and June. That figure represented a decline of 0.9% compared to the first six months of 2025.
After Nissan, the best-selling light vehicles in Mexico between January and June were made by:
General Motors: 96,921 units (+2.5%)
Volkswagen: 65,565 units (+1.5%)
Toyota: 62,129 units (+3.1%)
Kia: 54,852 units (+3.6%).
INEGI reported sales for various Chinese automakers, but not BYD, the world’s largest manufacturer of electric vehicles. Among the Chinese brands whose sales in Mexico were reported, Geely was the top performer, moving 21,121 light vehicles in the first six months of 2026, an annual increase of 250.5%.
Wherever you go in San Miguel de Allende these days, you're bound to find a community gathering of some sort. (Mark de Jong/Unsplash)
The summer rain keeps more tourists away, but San Miguel de Allende still has no shortage of community events — from thousands descending on Centro to watch Mexico face England, to hundreds admiring local art at the Fábrica La Aurora and a dozen more participating in a ritual Shabbat dinner — as we share in our latest community roundup.
Thousands gather to watch Mexico vs. England
San Miguel de Allende mayor Mauricio Trejo Pureco and the department of tourism set up a giant screen and a tent in front of the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel on Sunday, July 5, where thousands gathered to enthusiastically cheer on Mexico in its round of 16 World Cup knockout clash against England.
Thousands of guanajuatenses showed up for a public viewing of the World Cup game between Mexico and England, screened in San Miguel de Allende’s El Jardín Principal. (Edgar Negrete Lira/Cuartoscuro)
San Miguel previously set up screens for Mexico’s round of 32 win over Ecuador on June 30.
Attendees ranged from toddlers being lifted on their parents’ shoulders to elderly residents taking in the scene. Fans waved Mexico flags and lit colored smoke sticks after Mexico’s national anthem, after goals and at the start of the second half.
Other fans brought drums to lead the crowd in chants and keep the energy high. Attendees chanted for almost the entirety of the 90-minute game, raising their hands to shout “Sí se puede” to will El Tri on after they fell behind England.
Mexico’s loss didn’t stop the party
The energy began to dissipate midway through the opening half when England star Jude Bellingham struck, scoring two goals in two minutes to give England a commanding lead. The lull was short-lived, however, as Mexican forward Julian Quiñones reignited the crowd with a 42nd-minute goal.
The large overhead tent, which was erected to keep spectators dry, kept most of the ground noise in, making big cheers deafening.
Despite a red card for England early in the second half and a Raúl Jiménez penalty goal in the 69th minute, it wasn’t enough for Mexico, who bowed out in the round of 16 for the eighth time in the last nine World Cups.
Regardless of the result, the party did not stop, as supporters continued to dance long after the final whistle in celebration of one of Mexico’s most successful World Cup outings.
Artists show off work at Fábrica La Aurora art center
The Fábrica La Aurora, an old textile mill converted into hundreds of art galleries, welcomed hundreds of visitors on Saturday, July 4, allowing local artists to show off and sell their work to members of the community.
One of the many exhibits included the Healing Words Project by Kate Van Doren, which showed powerful portraits of women fighting for their rights, including victims of cancer and sexual assault.
Others included a public gallery from the Coordination for the Promotion of Foreign Trade of the State of Guanajuato, which featured artisan products from local artists all around Guanajuato.
Yesenia Olivares, who was working at the COFOCE gallery on Saturday, pointed out its benefits for the community.
“This is the first time I’ve seen this event. It strikes me as a great idea for getting more people acquainted with the gallery,” she said. “The hope is that this month-to-month initiative to further support the artisans’ work can lead to it being more highly valued.”
Fábrica La Aurora is home to hundreds of art galleries where local artists and artisans can sell their works. (Fábrica La Aurora/Instagram)
A boon to local artists
Guests admiring the artwork could pick up food from Café de la Aurora or Geek and Coffee, and food was available at Grand Pa & Son Burgers and Los Conspiradores. Fábrica La Aurora also features La Santísima Trinidad, a wine tasting room.
Francoise Yohalem, a former art curator who has been living in San Miguel de Allende for 12 years, mentioned the importance of the Fábrica La Aurora for community members and local artists alike.
“This event is an opportunity to see the work of local artists,” she said. “We have a lot of very good local artists … They can show their work and hopefully make some sales.”
Yohalem mentioned that the San Francisco Gallery, which features work across mediums from local artists, stood out to her at the event.
Weekly Shabbat dinners provide community for Jewish expats
Mayim Aversa, a lifelong Jewish woman born in Mexico City, hosts weekly Shabbat dinners in her San Rafael Home for the local Jewish population in San Miguel de Allende on Friday nights. Shabbat is the weekly Jewish day of rest, observed from sunset on Friday until sunset on Saturday.
“When we host these Shabbat dinners, there are always the most interesting and colorful people,” Aversa said. “I’ll take every color, every flavor, every background … If you’re Jewish, come and eat my food.”
The dinners are open to the community regardless of religious denomination. Aversa and her husband, Adam Ben-Abraham, are Orthodox and observe the day of rest by keeping lights off, turning off phones and not completing any work until after sunset Saturday. Others, like first-time attendee Kim Eisenberg, were searching for a sense of community while being just culturally Jewish.
“I don’t even have a community of people that are Jewish (in the U.S.),” Eisenberg said. “(Being Jewish in Mexico) is not something I’ve experienced. I just see myself as a human.”
Lively dinner conversations
All of the food is kosher and is homemade by Aversa and her guests. Prayers are said over the food and drink before guests dive in. Attendees were expected to turn their phones off before the meal to respect the day of rest.
Conversations at a Shabbat dinner on Friday, June 26, with around 10 guests ranged from artificial intelligence to Jewish identity and to life in San Miguel. All of the conversation worked to build community and give Jewish expats in San Miguel a slice of home.
“I lived in very heavily Jewish areas in the United States … and then I had to come to Mexico to find my Jewish community,” Shabbat attendee Robin Stacey said.
For more information about attending a Shabbat dinner, reach out to Aversa through WhatsApp at +1 (617) 501-6275.
Jared Tucker is a summer intern at Mexico News Daily in San Miguel de Allende and a rising senior at the University of Washington in Seattle, where he is the sports editor for The Daily UW. He was previously a fellow at TheFulcrum.us, where he covered public participation in American democracy.
Despite a heartbreaking loss in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Mexico remains a country of incurable optimism. (Estrella Josento/Cuartoscuro)
Amigos, the silence after England’s goals hit like a bucket of cold water. The hope we felt again when the Mexican national team scored two goals kept us on the edge of our seats for 100 minutes. And when the match ended, through tears, we applauded the players, ourselves and the incurable optimism that makes us believe that, whatever the circumstances, everything is going to be okay. What might look, at first glance, like a coping mechanism for our reality is actually proof of Mexicans’ resilience.
Solidarity in the face of tragedy (or in this case, soccer) isn’t unique to Mexico. After an earthquake, a hurricane or a war, people everywhere tend to organize and help each other — that’s simply the human condition. What does seem distinctly Mexican is what comes after that first instinct: the collective conviction that if we all pitch in — le echamos ganas — things will get better. That extra layer of shared optimism, I suspect, is what explains why we’re happier than economies far richer than ours. And this is where the numbers start talking.
An optimism you can actually measure
“He wants to fly!” Fans celebrating in Tlaxcala after Mexico’s World Cup victory over Ecuador. (Alain Hernández/Cuartoscuro)
I went to the Mexico-Ecuador match. The energy in the stadium was unlike anything I’d experienced, and it wasn’t just me being dramatic — international commentators kept saying the same thing. Those of us who work in the arts know the phenomenon, where a piece moves you so deeply that you cry, your blood pressure drops or you feel lightheaded — it’s known as Stendhal syndrome. It’s the only way I can explain what nearly 80,000 people singing the national anthem with that kind of raw, overflowing passion feels like. I cried. I spent more than 90 minutes screaming, cheering on the national team and booing Ecuador.
But walking out, I saw dozens of my fellow Mexicans hoisting Ecuadorian, Korean, South African and Czech fans up on their hands and tossing them into the air to the cry of “¡quiere volar!” — loosely, “they want to fly!” — a boisterous, half-teasing ritual usually reserved for our own celebrations, now flooding social media this tournament. Even in defeat, we figured a little airborne send-off might lift a losing fan’s spirits. Days earlier, at the Ángel de la Independencia after the opening match, all it took was one person, soaked like everyone else, shouting “¡México, México!” for the chant to become communal.
Mexico’s communal spirit in action
I’d seen that same instinct before, under far harder circumstances. In 2017, when I was living in Colonia Roma, an earthquake shook Mexico City. Within 30 minutes, Hospital Obregón had set up a fully functioning operating room in the middle of the street, with help from whoever happened to be passing by. I watched people fall into complete silence, so rescue workers could listen for sounds beneath the rubble, and thousands of volunteers organize within minutes to cook, care for the injured and spread information — no one coordinating it from the top. It just happened.
It wasn’t the first time. Thirty-two years earlier, the 1985 earthquake killed thousands and left the government paralyzed for 36 hours — so ordinary citizens and university students organized themselves into rescue brigades instead, pulling close to 4,000 people out alive. That spontaneous response gave birth to the Topos Tlatelolco rescue brigade, which four decades later still travels the world to help wherever disaster strikes — the same brigadistas who were on the ground helping in Venezuela this year. Many trace the birth of Mexico’s modern civil society back to that day.
Forty-one years after 1985, that same reflex switched on again — not for a tragedy this time, but for a party.
By the numbers
Mexico hosted only 13 of the tournament’s 104 matches — the honest disclaimer behind everything that follows. And yet, in just the first 20 days, the three host cities generated an estimated 45 billion pesos in economic activity, with Concanaco Servytur projecting a final total above 65 billion pesos (or US $3.71 billion).
Over 60 million people were watching as Mexico lost a tense, hard-fought game to England during the World Cup. (Edgar Negrete Lira/Cuartoscuro)
The England-Mexico match broke national viewership records with 60 million people watching. The night I screamed myself hoarse at the Ángel, it turns out, wasn’t just me getting carried away: we broke the record for the largest crowd ever gathered in the capital, 1.4 million people chanting “México” in the rain. Adidas sold more than 5 million Mexico jerseys worldwide, half of them here at home — and roughly 5 million more were counterfeit. It’s nothing to be proud of, but proof of just how many people wanted in on the party.
Being a World Cup host felt like opening the door of your own home for a party: not the biggest house, nor the fanciest one, but shared with all the enthusiasm and warmth we had. We don’t need to be the ones who profit the most to be the ones who enjoy it the most — and spread it to everyone around us.
How do we do it?
Being hosts made me ask: How, despite all our problems and shortcomings — the ones we’re painfully aware of — do we still find the energy to be happy, and to want to spread that happiness to whoever is standing next to us? Mexico ranks 12th in the 2026 World Happiness Report, an annual measure of self-perceived well-being from the Gallup World Poll and the University of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre. By that ranking, we sit above the United States (23rd), Canada (25th) and the United Kingdom (29th).
The report is honest about why: It isn’t gross domestic product. It’s family ties, a social support network we can actually lean on, and a cultural resilience that carries us through hard times better than richer nations manage. Other countries on the list lean on strong institutions. We lean on each other.
Optimism undergirded by realism … or surrealism
But there might be a simpler explanation too, and it has nothing to do with surveys: We are painfully aware that there’s only one life, and it’s meant to be lived, not managed. That awareness expresses itself as something close to surrealism — not metaphorically, but the way André Breton meant it when he called Mexico “the most surrealist country in the world” after visiting in 1938. (The line is often misattributed to Salvador Dalí, but no historian has ever found it in anything he wrote, and there’s no record he ever set foot here.)
You see it everywhere: a goat and a dog headbutting each other at the Zócalo Fan Fest and nobody blinking twice. A duck strutting down the street in a national team jersey. A mascot dressed as a doctor turning up at a funeral one day, a religious procession the next and playing with a stranger’s dog the day after that. It isn’t chaos. It’s a kind of joy that doesn’t ask permission — the same joy that lets us fall hard for a duck, a Dr. Simi or a soccer team.
Closing
Mexico’s solidarity is its strength, whether it wins or loses in the World Cup. (Estrella Josento/Cuartoscuro)
We lost the World Cup, yes. But there’s always a hug waiting. And that hug always carries the same words, the ones we’ve repeated across generations, between neighbors and strangers alike, after a tragedy or after a goal: “Everything is going to be okay,” because we have each other. We go back to facing all the problems that weigh on us — and there are many — but with the certainty that we are a nation that truly knows solidarity.
And if you, like me, are sitting with that post-World Cup emptiness today, let me tell you what someone told me: “What if we actually do it in Morocco 2030? What if it’s the women’s national team that finally does it?” If 11 players can move us like this, what else could we do? What other reasons could get us shouting “México” together? ¿Y si sí? What if this time, we do?
Maria Meléndez writes for Mexico News Daily in Mexico City.
Besides screening more films than any one person could watch in nine days, the GIFF will be offering conferences and panel discussions on movie-related topics such as emerging technologies in filmmaking and industry figures who are either luminaries, mavericks or disrupters. (@FilmotecaUNAM/X)
This year’s Guanajuato International Film Festival (GIFF) will present 203 films from 55 countries, while spotlighting women who have reshaped Mexican cinema, organizers announced Monday.
The 29th edition of the festival — whose theme last year was inspired by Alfred Hitchcock’s 1958 “Vertigo” — will run July 24 to 27 at nine venues in the historic city of Guanajuato, then continue July 29 to Aug. 2 at 10 venues in the expat hub of San Miguel de Allende in the same state.
Backed by Mexico’s Culture Ministry through its Profest festival support program, the nine-day event will offer a mostly free lineup of screenings along with talks, workshops and other activities.
In a press release, GIFF director Sarah Hoch said the festival will honor actresses Marina de Tavira and Cecilia Suárez and producer Inna Payán, highlighting a broader push toward gender equity in the industry.
The honorees will receive Más Cine awards, while Suárez — who starred in Netflix’s “La casa de las flores” (“House of Flowers”) — will also be recognized by the film archive of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).
“I can only express my gratitude for this beautiful and utterly unexpected recognition,” said De Tavira, whose performance as Sofia in the 2018 drama “Roma” earned her an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actress and a Silver Ariel, Mexico’s top film prize, for the same role.
“Films made by women haven’t had the same level of recognition as they are getting now, and it continues to grow,” she added.
Payán, who has produced more than 30 films and six TV series over two decades, said she felt very honored “that it is my fellow women who are giving me this recognition.”
She is vice president of the Mexican Academy of Film Arts and Sciences and a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which present the Ariel Awards and Oscars, respectively.
The festival will also include a posthumous tribute to Spanish actress Marisa Paredes with a screening of her final film, the surrealist road movie “Emergency Exit.”
Paredes, who died in 2024, acted in more than 75 films across a six-decade career and was known for collaborations with director Pedro Almodóvar, notably “All About My Mother” in 1999.
Organizers said 155 of the selected films will compete in various categories. This includes 14 Mexican features, 10 of them world premieres.
An emphasis on emerging technologies — a GIFF trend over the past few years — will continue with panels and discussions on artificial intelligence. New programs will spotlight mavericks and luminaries, as well as filmmakers who are disruptive and push boundaries.
The festival will also include an eight-film showcase from Qatar as part of a bilateral cultural initiative.
Screenings are set for iconic venues such as the Teatro Juárez in Guanajuato city and Teatro Ángela Peralta in San Miguel de Allende, along with outdoor squares and unconventional spaces.
Most screenings are expected to be free on a first-come, first-served basis. For more details, visit the festival website in English or Spanish.
From wellness retreats to colonial streets, the country garnered numerous accolades in one of the most influential rankings in the tourism industry, compiled from the opinions of thousands of the magazine’s readers.
Here are notable Mexican properties and destinations that made the list.
Best wellness retreat
Rancho La Puerta topped the list as the best wellness retreat in the world thanks to its holistic approach. Located in a lush valley in Tecate, Baja California, it combines thousands of acres of natural surroundings with mountain trails, landscaped gardens and an organic farm offering healthy cooking classes.
100 best hotels in the world
Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo, in Jalisco’s coastal Costalegre region, ranked as the No. 1 resort in Mexico and No. 31 in the world thanks to the hotel’s personalized service, the quality of its culinary offerings and balance between exclusivity and sustainability.
Next is Susurros del Corazón, Auberge Collection, which came in as Mexico’s second-best resort and No. 37 in the world. Located in Punta Mita, the resort offers an intimate and sophisticated experience featuring contemporary architecture inspired by the Pacific landscape.
Coming in at No. 3 is Zadun Los Cabos, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, the brand’s first resort of this collection in Mexico. With an architecture that blurs the lines between indoors and outdoors, the property blends Mexican artisanal details with modern designs to offer guests an immersive and exclusive experience.
Moving to city hotels, Casa de Sierra Nevada, a Belmond Hotel, San Miguel de Allende, came in as Mexico’s No. 1 city hotel and No. 96 in the world. With 37 rooms spread across six colonial properties, this luxury boutique hotel stands out for its remarkable service and the exquisite way it blends history and modernity. Rosewood San Miguel de Allende also made the list of Mexico’s best city hotels, followed by Alexander in Mexico City, Four Seasons Mexico City and JW Marriott Hotel Mexico City Polanco.
4 Mexican cities among the top 15 in the world
Topping the list of the best cities in the world is once again San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, a city that continuously appears in the world’s most coveted rankings thanks to its colonial appeal, gastronomic offering and rich cultural heritage.
San Miguel de Allende has repeatedly won Best City in the World from Travel + Leisure, among other accolades. (Travis Bembenek)
Coming in at No. 5 is the city of Oaxaca, Oaxaca, popular among readers for its rich cuisine, colorful festivals, artisanal markets and colonial architecture.
Next is Mexico City, which came in at No. 9 for its museums, cultural experiences, top-rated hotels and dynamic food scene.
Finally, coming in at No. 15 is Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico’s second-largest city, known for its contribution to Mexican culture – think mariachi, tequila and charrería – historical architecture and growing creative scene.
