The Dance of El Pochó is the highlight of Carnival celebrations in Tenosique, Tabasco. (Gobierno de Tabasco)
A tiny municipality in Tabasco, southern Mexico, might just be the home of one of the world’s most unique festivals: attendees end up covered in flour, eggs and water, and dance dressed up as jaguars and wooden figures.
In Tenosique, Carnival centers on the dance of El Pochó, which symbolizes the eternal struggle between good and evil. Involving different characters, floats, dances, live performances and rituals, this celebration is rooted in Maya traditions dating back to pre-Columbian times.
Cojóe dancers at the Carnaval of Tenosique. (David Oliva/CC BY 2.0)
Tenosique is a municipality in the southernmost part of Tabasco, bordering Guatemala. It is home to Maya ruins like the Pomoná Archaeological Zone, which contains six architectural complexes surrounded by a lush tropical forest.
The festival takes place every year from Jan. 19 until Shrove Tuesday, which is the Tuesday following the second Saturday in February, also known as Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras. Carnaval follows the lunar calendar, meaning the festival’s length varies each year.
Like most traditions in Mexico, the Tenosique Carnival is an example of syncretism between pre-Columbian and Catholic traditions. It begins with families gathering in the central park of Tenosique, where they pray in honor of Saint Sebastian before throwing flour at one another, as a symbol of hope that there will be a good wheat harvest. This peculiar practice originates from an old religious custom of sprinkling flour at the feet of the image of Saint Sebastian during pilgrimages.
Following the inaugural ritual comes the dance of El Pochó, which happens over the weekends. In Tabasco, El Pochó is regarded as one of the most meaningful dances from the pre-Columbian era.
LA DANZA MAYA DEL DIOS POCHÓ / THE MAYA DANCE OF THE GOD POCHÓ
“It is a unique spectacle,” Tomás Pérez Suárez, a renowned archeologist from Tabasco has said regarding the dance. “[El Pochó] is the highlight of the carnival: is the myth of eternal return, the belief that one born, grows, ages, dies and is reborn.”
Although it has evolved over the years, the dance of El Pochó has maintained its rich cultural roots, including its characters and the costumes they wear. It has remained a symbol of identity for the people of Tenosique.
The dance starts with participants dancing through the town’s streets dressed up, representing three characters: Cojóes, Pochoveras and jaguars.
Cojóes are men born from corn pulp. According to legend, they offended the god Pochó, who turned them into wooden figures.Their costumes feature a skirt made of chestnut leaves, boots made from dried banana leaves and a henequen sack covering the torso. They also wear a wooden mask, a hat covered in foliage and flowers and a white cloak and carry a rainstick called a shiquish. They’re regarded as the life of the party and the central character of the carnival.
Pochoveras, on the other hand, are the flower maidens and priestesses of the god Pochó. They’re responsible for keeping the fire lit and watching over his altar. While dancing, they carry a red flag decorated with tulips that represents Pochó himself.
Finally, jaguars are adults and children that dress up as — you guessed it —jaguars. Also called tigers, they cover their bodies with a white earthy sand called sascab, on which they paint black spots with charcoal that resemble jaguar fur. They also cover their backs with jaguar or deer skin. The story says that jaguars were sent to earth by the god Pochó to maintain equilibrium on earth.
The narrative of the dance tells of an alliance between these three groups to defeat Pochó, who symbolizes death. It begins with the Pochovera priestesses, who keep watch over the Cojóes on behalf of the god. The irreverent Wooden Men challenge Pochó’s power, swaying the priestesses. The god sends the jaguars to restore order, but they are defeated by the Cojóes and turned into allies in the fight to overcome Pochó. On Shrove Tuesday, the Cojóes burn Pochó in effigy, symbolizing the final triumph of good over evi.
Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard said on Tuesday that the United States putting tariffs on Mexican steel and aluminum would be "very unusual" given that the U.S. sells more of those metals to Mexico than it buys from its southern neighbor. (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro)
The 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports announced by United States President Donald Trump on Monday are illogical and a “bad idea” with regard to Mexico, Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard said Tuesday.
Speaking at President Claudia Sheinbaum’s morning press conference, Ebrard said he will present Mexico’s case against the imposition of the tariffs on Mexican steel and aluminum to U.S. officials next week.
President Trump signed an executive order imposing 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum.
This is an America First policy that will strengthen American manufacturing, protect workers, safeguard our national security, and help MAKE AMERICA RICH AGAIN. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/zgUhcxXB2g
The tariffs are set to take effect on March 12 and, as things stand, will apply to all countries’ steel and aluminum exports to the United States.
“It’s a big deal. This is the beginning of making America rich again,” Trump said Monday as he signed a proclamation restoring section 232 (national security) tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports regardless of where they come from.
“… Our nation requires steel and aluminum to be made in America, not in foreign lands,” he said.
Trump said in his proclamation that his nominee for commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick, had informed him that “imports of steel articles from Canada and Mexico have increased significantly to levels that once again threaten to impair U.S. national security.”
He also said that an increase in Mexico’s steel imports from China “support a conclusion that there is transshipment” of Chinese steel to the United States via Mexico.
On Tuesday morning, Ebrard presented data that showed that Mexico imports more steel and aluminum from the United States than it exports to the U.S. He rejected the assertion that Mexican exports of steel have increased significantly, displaying a graph that showed that the volume of the alloy shipped to the United States from Mexico last year was the same as that sent north between 2015 and 2017.
The 25% tariff will apply to Mexico’s steel and aluminum exports to the United States starting on March 12. (Unsplash)
The United States had a surplus with Mexico of just under US $6.9 billion on steel and aluminum trade in 2024, according to U.S. Census Bureau data presented by the economy minister.
“Therefore their balance is favorable. … The numbers are in their favor. We import more than we export,” Ebrard said before pointing out that the United States has deficits on steel and aluminum trade with Australia, Canada and China.
He said that putting tariffs on Mexican steel and aluminum would be “very unusual” given that the United States sells more of those metals to Mexico than it buys from its southern neighbor.
“This tariff is not justified,” Ebrard said.
“… If we have more imports of steel and aluminum from the United States [than exports] what is being argued as the reason to impose tariffs is not logical,” he said.
“… These tariffs are a bad idea … because the three countries are integrated,” Ebrard said, referring to Mexico, the United States and Canada — free trade partners for more than 30 years — and the integration of their economies across various sectors, especially the automotive industry.
If Mexico doesn’t succeed in winning an exemption to the tariffs through dialogue, Sheinbaum could announce reciprocal duties on U.S. steel and aluminum. (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro)
“So what is Mexico going to do? … The instruction we have from President Sheinbaum is: Number 1 — consultations with the new [U.S.] administration to present the information we have,” he said.
Ebrard said he will be able to “officially meet” with Lutnick and Jamieson Greer, Trump’s nominee for United States trade representative, once their appointments have been ratified by the U.S. Senate, which could happen this week.
“So next week I’m going to have personal communication … with both of them to present Mexico’s arguments [against the tariffs]. What are Mexico’s arguments? Those which I have just presented,” he said.
“Sometimes President Trump speaks about common sense, we’ll take him at his word — common sense, not a shot in the foot, not destroying what we have built in the past 40 years,” Ebrard said.
Sheinbaum said Monday morning that her government would respond to the U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum once an official announcement had been made. If Mexico doesn’t succeed in winning an exemption to the tariffs through dialogue, it could implement its own reciprocal duties on U.S. steel and aluminum and/or other U.S. imports.
Mexico City is ripe with investment opportunities this year. Where will you find yours? (Santiago Ruiz/ Flickr)
Mexico City is still in vogue as a real estate destination, and its property supply is expected to remain sustainable until 2026. In fact, the demand for housing is so high that there has been a significant increase in the second-hand sector. According to Marisol Becerra, Regional Partner for Mexico-Centro at 4S Real Estate, 52% of the sales transactions registered in the city involve second (or third) hand properties.
According to Federico Taboada, director of Mexico City’s Institute for Democratic and Prospective Planning, the city’s peripheral boroughs are emerging as key hubs to address the growing demand for housing in a structured and sustainable way. Areas like Tláhuac, Gustavo A. Madero, Magdalena Contreras, and even Iztapalapa are increasingly capturing attention as promising urban expansion zones.
Mexico City is full of possibilities, from period buildings to ultra-modern apartments. (César Suárez Hernández/Wikimedia Commons – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0)
But what do the figures indicate? Currently, boroughs such as Cuauhtémoc and Benito Juárez are experiencing the greatest growth, accordingto information collected by DD360, a financing platform for residential projects. Most of the city’s rental supply is also concentrated in areas such as Miguel Hidalgo, Cuauhtémoc, Cuajimalpa, Benito Juárez, Álvaro Obregón and Coyoacán.
Several factors, such as new housing developments, accessibility and connectivity, dining and entertainment options, security, the cost-benefit ratio of rent, and proximity to amenities, contribute to the increased value and real estate opportunities in a given area. In this sense, Mexico City is undergoing a transformation in its housing supply.
Neighborhoods on the rise and new promises
There are new points of interest on the CDMX property map. “Emerging areas combine modern infrastructure, quality of life and options for different stages of life, from young people becoming independent to families seeking larger and safer spaces,” explains Melisa Gaitán, Director of Growth and Sales at Homie.mx.
All 16 boroughs of Mexico City have shown an increase in rental housing value over the last five years. (Evan Wise/Unsplash)
According to the specialized website Propiedades.com, the 16 boroughs of Mexico City have shown an increasein rental housing value over the last five years. However, some areas are experiencing extraordinary growth, including Iztacalco (22%), Cuajimalpa (22%), Xochimilco (21%) and Iztapalapa (19%). Additionally, Azcapotzalco and Venustiano Carranza have each seen a 15% increase, along with Magdalena Contreras.
Iztacalco
Iztacalco borough is home to the iconic Palacio de los Deportes complex. (Cristian Jair Avila/Wikimedia Commons – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0)
This residential area is characterized by the presence of the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, the venue for the Mexico City Grand Prix, and the Palacio de los Deportes, a large indoor stadium built for the 1968 Olympic Games. It is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Mexico City, even predating the city center, and boasts significant historical heritage with buildings dating back to the 16th century.
Its booming neighborhoods in terms of property value include Agrícola Oriental, which has excellent connections to the rest of the city through Eje 4 Sur, Eje 4 Oriente, Eje 5, Eje 6 and Viaducto: In recent years, a large number of condominiums have been built there. Agrícola Pantitlán, located southeast of Mexico City International Airport, and Granjas México, characterized by an abundance of small shops, warehouses, and apartment blocks, also boast good security.
Cuajimalpa
Cuajimalpa borough is known for its forested hills, which strongly contrast with the hyper-urbanized area of Santa Fe, the business hub of Mexico City. (Ximesmp/Wikimedia Commons – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0)
Located to the west of the Mexican capital, Cuajimalpa is known for its low, forested hills within the Desierto de los Leones National Park, as well as the modern area of Lomas de Santa Fe. Its booming neighborhoods include Lomas de San Pedro, which is known for its quality of life, safety, and family-friendly atmosphere. San Lorenzo Acopilco is surrounded by nature and historic buildings and San Mateo Tlaltenango combines the comforts of urban life with the tranquility of nature, as does San Pablo Chimalpa, which offers a cool climate and scenic forests.
Xochimilco
Xochimilco preserves its pre-Hispanic agriculture method, known as chinampería. (DEZALB/Pixabay)
Xochimilco is famous for its canals — the last vestiges of the extensive transportation system created by the Mexicas — and for its chinampas, an intricate system of water-based agriculture. Its most promising neighborhoods are San Lucas Xochimanca and Lomas de Tonalco, both close to natural beauty and charming villages.
The area’s real estate growth is closely linked to its economic development. One advantage of buying here is that property offerings primarily consist of houses rather than apartments. Furthermore, the prices of these homes are generally on the lower end of the scale, ranging from four to five million pesos (US $195.000-$242,000).
Azcapotzalco
Azcapotcalco has a suburban feel, while retaining great amenties and connections to the city center. (Oasis Hoteles)
Located in the northwestern part of Mexico City, this district is home to Tezozómoc Park, Bicentenario Park, and Arena Mexico City, a venue that hosts a wide variety of shows, concerts, and sporting events. El Rosario neighborhood features a large concentration of residential units, whose construction adheres to the standards proposed by renowned architects Teodoro González de León and Pedro Ramírez Vázquez. Other neighborhoods experiencing an increase in property values include Colonia Pasteros Clavería, known for its quiet environment and proximity to Bicentennial Park, just 10 minutes away, and Colonia Arenal, recognized for its family-friendly atmosphere and well-planned urban design.
Azcapotzalco has hospitals, public and private clinics, reliable basic services, several universities, and is safe in general, making it a great real estate option outside of the usual expat areas.
Magdalena Contreras
Magdalena Contreras is perfect for those looking for some nature with their side of metropolitican capital. (Mr.PMCP/Wikimedia Commons – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0)
This borough is rich in natural beauty and is home to the magnificent Dinamos Park and the Cumbres del Ajusco National Park. The San Jerónimo Lídice neighborhood is characterized by its quality of life and proximity to nature. Las Cruces is also on the rise, primarily due to its safety and pleasant climate.
Like Azcapotzalco, Magdalena Contreras has plenty of amenities as well as access to some of Mexico’s most exclusive and prestigious international schools. The borough also offers a signficant range of properties, meaning that whether you’re looking for a regular apartment or a spacious property within a gated community, Magdalena Contreras is sure to have something for you.
Venustiano Carranza
Great transport links and impressive new developments make Venustiano Carranza a borough to watch in 2025. (Edgor Tovar/Vmzp85/Wikimedia Commons)
This borough is located in the center-east of Mexico City and is home to the capital’s International Airport. The Civil Aviation Extension neighborhood sees new real estate developments every year, thanks to its affordable prices. Also, Jardín Balbuena is an easily accessible area whose greatest advantage is its central location; here, you will find the markets of La Merced and Sonora, as well as the Ciudad Deportiva in the southern part.
While some districts of the borough have less than stellar reputations, there has been extensive development on the western edge of the area. Prices for new apartments in the region, which borders both the historic center and Benito Juárez districts, begin at around two million pesos (US $96,000).
What about capital gains?
The borough of Venustiano Carranza has experienced the fastest growth in property value over the last five years, with a remarkable 55% increase. According to 4S Real Estate, Iztacalco has achieved 30% capital gains.
Focusing on specific neighborhoods, the specialized real estate site Houm reported that the area with the highest capital gains in the capital is Del Valle Norte, with an impressive 31%, followed by Narvarte (29%), Roma Norte (28.97%), Escandón (26.69%), and Anzures (17.48%).
Other up-and-coming neighborhoods include Santa María la Ribera, which features many houses of significant historical value and was considered one of the first modern neighborhoods in Mexico City. Additionally, Portales, located in the southeast of the borough of Benito Juárez, is gaining attention.
What other areas in Mexico City do you think show potential for organized growth?
Ana Paula de la Torre is a Mexican journalist and collaborator for various outlets including Milenio, Animal Político, Vice, Newsweek en Español, Televisa and Mexico News Daily.
At her Monday press conference, President Sheinbaum touched on various topics including drug trafficking, arms trafficking, international trade and public security. (Presidencia)
United States President Donald Trump said Sunday that his administration would impose 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports, including those from Mexico and Canada.
“Any steel coming into the United States is going to have a 25% tariff. Aluminum too,” he said.
At her Monday morning press conference, President Claudia Sheinbaum acknowledged Trump’s remarks, but said that her government was waiting for a formal announcement on the proposed tariffs from the U.S. government.
At her Monday mañanera, Sheinbaum also spoke about the United States’ responsibility in the joint fight against drugs, and stressed that her government wouldn’t “distance” itself from its predecessor.
Sheinbaum tight-lipped on how Mexico will respond to US tariffs on steel, aluminum
A reporter asked the president about Trump’s declaration on Sunday that the United States would impose 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports.
“We’re going to wait for the announcement … and from there we’ll take our decisions,” Sheinbaum said.
She said she would keep a “cool head” as she waited for Trump’s formal tariff announcement.
During his first term, Trump imposed 25% tariffs on Mexican steel. Similar import duties have returned as of Monday afternoon. (Ricardo Gómez Ángel/Unsplash)
Sheinbaum: The US ‘has to do its part’ in the fight against drugs
“Drug trafficking has to do with demand,” Sheinbaum told reporters when asked a question about fentanyl production in Mexico.
“In other words, there is demand for … a drug and there are those who supply that drug,” she said.
“… Our objective is to reduce violence in the country and in that process also reduce the production and distribution of drugs. … The United States has to do its part in the United States: attend to the public health issue of the use of drugs and also deal with the distribution of drugs in their territory,” Sheinbaum said.
The president also wants action from the United States to stem the flow of firearms to Mexico.
As part of the deal she reached with Trump last Monday, Sheinbaum said that the United States had committed to “work to avoid the trafficking of high-powered weapons to Mexico.”
The United States has committed to working to reduce arms trafficking to Mexico, Sheinbaum said last week. (Defensa/Cuartoscuro)
‘We won’t distance ourselves from’ the López Obrador administration, president says
Asked about former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s “hugs, not bullets” security strategy and whether her government was continuing it, Sheinbaum jumped to the defense of her political mentor.
“We’re always going to defend President López Obrador, no one should have the slightest doubt,” the president said.
“Why? Because he was, he is, … a great president. We’re always going to defend him, let no one be mistaken. We’re part of the same movement,” Sheinbaum said.
She said that opposition parties want her government to distance itself from its predecessor, but pledged it wouldn’t do so.
“We won’t distance ourselves,” Sheinbaum said.
She declined to say that her government is perpetuating the “hugs, not bullets” security approach, but noted that attention to the root causes of crime through welfare and social programs — the “hugs” part of López Obrador’s strategy — is one of the four pillars of the federal security strategy.
President Sheinbaum dodged questions about whether her administration is continuing her predecessor’s “hugs not bullets” security strategy. (Cuartoscuro)
Probed as to whether the current strategy is “different” from that of AMLO, Sheinbaum responded:
“You want to get a declaration out of me that I’m not going to give you.”
The president said Monday that her government is providing “education, culture, sport, employment and rights” to young people and is not engaging in “wars, like those of Calderón.”
That was a reference to the militarized war on drug cartels that former president Felipe Calderón launched shortly after he took office in 2006.
Sheinbaum, like López Obrador, blames the Calderón administration for unleashing, with its war on cartels, the high levels of violence that continue to plague Mexico today.
Mexico's immigration institute (INM) and refugee agency (COMAR) have both received significant budget increases, even as President Sheinbaum pushes to reduce the national deficit. (Damián Sánchez/Cuartoscuro)
Since taking office on Jan. 20, U.S. President Donald Trump has continued to threaten mass deportations as efforts to round up undocumented migrants continue apace, forcing Mexico’s government to redirect funds to agencies that handle migrants and refugees.
The newspaper El Universal reported on Monday that the Finance Ministry (Hacienda) has increased the National Migration Institute (INM) budget by 489% as compared to a year ago, shuffling funds from emblematic public works projects such as the Maya Train.
Part of the INM budget increase has gone towards building temporary migrant shelters along the northern border, like this one in Mexicali. (Jack Álvarez/Cuartoscuro)
Although President Claudia Sheinbaum had insisted in December that her government was prepared to handle the mass deportations promised by Trump, El Universal said she had quietly been taking action to prioritize attention to migrants and refugees.
Hacienda’s fourth-quarter report indicates that the INM budget was hiked from 1.9 billion pesos (US $92 million) at the outset of 2024 to 11 billion pesos (US $532 million) by December 2024 and that Sheinbaum had overseen an injection of 4 billion pesos (US $193 million) in the fourth quarter alone.
The budget for the Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance (COMAR) also more than doubled over the course of 2024, its funding increasing from an initial allotment of 51.2 million pesos (US $2.5 million) to 107.6 million pesos (US $5.2 million) by the end of the year.
Among other things, the extra money has gone toward funding the México te Abraza program (“Mexico embraces you”) which comprises 10 welcome centers across the six states bordering the United States, each having the capacity to harbor 2,500 people.
Asylum seekers wait outside an office of the refugee agency COMAR in Tapachula, Chiapas. The COMAR budget has also seen a significant increase. (File photo)
On Jan. 15, the INM advertised a 179 million-peso contract (US $8.6 million) to provide food for foreign and national migrants who are deported from the United States to Mexico.
The budget increase comes as little surprise after two Mexican government sources involved in the early planning around possible deportations voiced concerns in December about the country’s preparedness.
“We are not going to have much room to maneuver to deal with such a large flow [of migrants] with such a reduced budget,” one of the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the news agency Reuters.
In recent years, Mexico has received upwards of 200,000 Mexicans a year deported from the U.S., Reuters reported.
Sheinbaum, who took office on Oct. 1, 2024, inherited a budget deficit of nearly 6%, the highest since the 1980s, and had vowed to bring public finances under control.
In December, the president dismissed the notion that the INM would require a bigger budget, saying it only required administrative reorganization to carry out its functions.
A memorial at the site of the fatal bus crash in Campeche. (Michael Balam/Cuartoscuro)
A traffic accident involving a passenger bus killed at least 41 people early Saturday morning in the southern state of Campeche, Mexico.
The news agency Reuters reported that the bus, which was carrying 48 people, collided with a truck, resulting in the deaths of 38 passengers and the bus’s two drivers. The driver of the truck also died in the accident.
The accident occurred near Escárcega, Campeche, approximately 300 kilometers east of the bus’s final destination of Villahermosa, Tabasco. (@enlabarra/X)
The two vehicles involved burst into flames and the quick-burning inferno prevented passers-by and emergency personnel from rescuing more people.
The bus, operated by Tour’s Acosta, left from the Caribbean resort city of Cancún on Friday night. It was traveling west across the Yucatán Peninsula on federal highway 186 with the Gulf coast city of Villahermosa, Tabasco, as its final destination.
Reuters images show the bus completely burned out following the collision, with just the skeletal remains of the metal frame left standing.
Officials from the neighboring state of Tabasco said recovery work is continuing, including efforts to identify those killed in the crash.
“So far, only 18 [bodies] have been confirmed, but much more is missing,” Tabasco sources told Reuters on condition of anonymity, adding that recovery work continued.
The bus company, based out of Quintana Roo, said it was “profoundly sorry about what happened” in a post on Facebook, adding that it was working with authorities to find out what happened and if the bus had been traveling within the speed limit.
“The local prosecutor’s office has informed us that the investigation will be taking effect in … the municipality of Candelaria, Campeche,” Tour’s Acosta wrote, advising relatives of the passengers to get in contact with the authorities there “to perform the relevant procedures.”
In a social media post, the governor of Campeche, Layda Sansores, extended condolences to the families and friends of the victims.
“We are working … in coordination with the government of Tabasco, federal authorities and the mayor of Escárcega, Juan Carlos Hernández Rath, to provide as much support as possible to the victims of this unfortunate accident,” she wrote.
In a statement posted to Facebook, Campeche Government Minister Liz Hernández said that Mayor Hernández Rath had stepped in to provide food and lodging to the families of those involved in the tragic accident.
Sweet, light and oh-so-delicious, these sopaipilla cheesecake cookie bites will leave your mouth watering. (Canva)
Sopapillas are light, airy pastries, fried in oil and dusted with cinnamon and/or sugar, and served warm accompanied by honey or syrup. And they are delicious — a traditional Mexican dessert, served alongside savory dishes, or with coffee, or just as dessert — a succulent fried pastry, sweet, little “puffs” — that are enjoyed by all. If that weren’t enough, these sopaipilla cheesecake bars are even better still.
The indigenous peoples of Mexico were making dough and frying it as far back as 2500 BCE and continued the practice until the arrival of Spanish colonizers. But here’s the difference. They made dough from maize and other grains and then fried it. The Spaniards introduced wheat flour and sugar to Mexico, therefore changing the whole dynamic. They became sweet.
Our recipe for Sopapilla Cheesecake Cookie Bars makes things easy. We are not going to make dough, or fry it, but rather we’re going to achieve the pastry’s crispy texture by using puff pastry, and by pre-baking the crust. We are then going to kick-it-up with the addition of a cream-cheese layer, and top it with another sheet of puff pastry, sprinkled with cinnamon, sugar and butter, baked once again until browned and crispy.
We have now turned the traditional Mexican sopapilla into a crunchy, creamy, cheesecake filled cookie-bar, a pick-me-up-with-your-fingers delight to tantalize the tastebuds!
Sopapilla Cheesecake Cookie-Bars:
Recipe adapted: littlespicejar.com (Canva)
Ingredients:
2 – (10″ x 15″) puff-pastry sheets (1 or 2 boxes) (hojaldre)
2 (8 ounce or 227 g) bricks of full-fat cream-cheese, room temperature (queso crema)
¼ Cup (61.3 g) sour cream, room temperature (crema)
NOTE: Mexican crema is not exactly like U.S. sour cream. To mimic the taste of sour cream, add a squeeze of lime to crema (as sour cream is more acidic) and a pinch of salt. I, however, prefer the taste and flavor of crema. But that’s a personal choice.
2 tsp. (8.67 g) vanilla extract* (extracto de vainilla)
Mexican brands noted for intense flavor: Villa Vainilla; Vainilla Totonac’s; Molina Vainilla.
*Best Mexican brands: Lala; Gloria; Alpura; Aguascalientes; Flor de Alfalfa.
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400F (204C).
Put a rack in the center of the oven.
Spray a 9“x 13” baking dish with cooking spray.
Next:
Take a sheet of puff pastry and lay it flat in the baking dish, pressing the extra pastry against the sides of the dish. Using a fork, poke holes all over the dough (to prevent it from puffing).
Bake the crust for 15 minutes.
Next:
Prepare the cheesecake filling:
Beat cream-cheese and 1 Cup of sugar for 2 minutes.
Add egg, sour cream, and vanilla, and mix until *just* combined, about 5-10 seconds.
Remove the crust from the oven.
NOTE: If it has puffed, let it sit for 5 minutes to deflate.
Next:
Spread the cheesecake filling onto crust.
Top with another sheet of puff pastry and gently tuck in.
With a pastry brush, brush half the melted butter onto the puff-pastry.
Next:
Combine remaining ¼ Cup of sugar and cinnamon in a bowl.
Sprinkle the puff pastry with cinnamon sugar.
Drizzle the remaining butter over the top.
Next:
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the puff-pastry (on top) cooks through.
NOTE: Don’t worry if the crust puffed, it will release steam as it cools, or you can use a paring knife to poke a small hole so steam escapes.
Next:
Let cool for 20 minutes.
Transfer to the refrigerator to cool completely for several hours, or overnight, so the bars have a chance to set.
Slice the bars using a clean knife, wiping the knife after each slice, so the bars are cleanly cut.
Disfruta!
Deborah McCoy is the one-time author of mainstream, bridal-reference books who has turned her attention to food, particularly sweets, desserts and fruits. She is the founder of CakeChatter™ on FaceBook and X (Twitter), and the author of four baking books for “Dough Punchers” via CakeChatter (available @amazon.com). She is also the president of The American Academy of Wedding Professionals™ (aa-wp.com).
Cancún's Casa Maya hotel, built in 1980, has reopened after a major renovation. (TripAdvisor)
Meliá Hotels International on Saturday announced plans to invest over US $60 million in Mexico in 2025. The Spanish hotel group expects to nearly double its presence in Mexico to reach 14 hotels within the next three years.
During the reopening of Meliá’s Casa Maya hotel in Cancún on Saturday, company CEO Gabriel Escarrer said that nearly $50 million of this investment will support the remodeling of its Paradisus hotel in Cancún, with works planned to commence in June.
The lion’s share of the investment funds will go toward a major overhaul of the Paradisus hotel in Cancún, the company CEO said. (Meliá Hotels)
With the multi-million-dollar renovation, Meliá aims to make Paradisus “the best hotel in the destination by March 2027,” Escarrer said.
Mexico is Meliá’s second biggest investment market after Spain, with over $1.2 billion worth of property investment in the country. Quintana Roo state on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula represents 70% of this value, with a total of 3,000 rooms.
The Casa Maya hotel was one of the early hotels to be built in Cancun, in 1980, and the recently completed $26 million renovation was the result of a partnership between Meliá and the Mexican firm Grupo Protexa.
Around 1,200 construction workers helped to modernize the hotel, and it is expected to directly support 750 long-term jobs, as well as hundreds more indirect jobs.
The architect Álvaro Sans, who managed the renovation, said he aimed to respect the pre-Columbian elements of the original design while adapting the property to today’s needs.
“We opened the building to the sea, creating an amphitheater that connects naturally with the beach,” said Sans during the hotel’s relaunch on Saturday.
Escarrer, Meliá’s CEO, also shared details about the upcoming remodel of Paradisus hotel. The company plans to provide first-class gastronomic offerings, remodel its 800 rooms and deliver top quality experiences for conference groups while maintaining the hotel’s family-friendly atmosphere.
The CEO also emphasized the importance of sustainable development, stating aims to incorporate materials and technologies to help protect the environment, such as those that enhance energy efficiency.
Quintana Roo Gov. Mara Lezama speaks at the reopening of Casa Maya in Cancún on Saturday. (Mara Lezama/X)
Meliá currently operates eight properties in Mexico, with plans to develop new hotels in the popular destinations of Sayulita, San Miguel de Allende, Guadalajara and Mexico City.
Although Meliá is a publicly traded company, it remains under family control, with the family holding over 51% of the shares.
The importance of public-private partnerships
Escarrer stressed the importance of working closely with Mexico’s state governments to develop its properties.
“The [Quintana Roo] governor has always been proactive in helping us in everything, in speeding up permits and guaranteeing legal security,” Escarrer said during the reopening of the Casa Maya hotel.
Quintana Roo’s Governor Mara Lezama highlighted the importance of hotel investments to strengthen the state’s tourism infrastructure, as well as to support job creation. She also emphasized the government’s commitment to promoting policies that strengthen the tourism sector, attract new investments and create opportunities.
“In this new stage of state tourism, sustainability is a priority, and we are proud that companies such as Meliá Hotels International share this perspective, promoting responsible actions that safeguard our natural resources and enhance the well-being of the local community,” stated Lezama.
Authorities maintain that many of the businesses closed in México state were linked to organized crime. (X)
Hundreds of barbers and beauty salon workers from México state took to the streets of Mexico City on Monday to protest against what they call abuses committed during Operation Atarraya, a large-scale anti-crime raid carried out Friday.
The demonstrators, who marched from the Monument to the Revolution to the National Palace, are demanding justice and the reopening of over 300 barbershops and beauty salons shut down by authorities.
Protesters allege that agents from the prosecutor’s office of México state (FGJEM) planted drugs in their establishments to justify the closures.
Executed on Feb. 7, Operación Atarraya(atarraya means a cast net) was aimed at dismantling criminal networks that allegedly used barbershops and beauty salons as fronts for drug trafficking, extortion and other illicit activities.
According to the FGJEM, more than 2,200 federal and state security agents raided 404 establishments across 20 municipalities, closing 312 of them. The municipalities included Ecatepec (population 1.6 million), Nezahualcóyotl (1.1 million) and Naucalpan (834,000).
Officials claim the operation was based on intelligence, citizen complaints and field investigations, with 84 court-approved search warrants executed.
Hundreds of beauty salon workers marched in Mexico City on Monday to demand that authorities let them reopen their businesses. (Moisés Pablo/Cuartoscuro)
These allegations fueled public outrage, leading barbers in Ecatepec to block the Morelos Highway in protest Monday. While that blockade was lifted mid-morning, traffic congestion persisted for hours.
Authorities maintain that many of the closed businesses were linked to organized crime.
Citing a constant flow of complaints from residents and community organizations, officials said they have evidence indicating that a significant percentage of barbershops in high-crime areas were used for illegal activities, including extortion and the sale of drugs and alcohol, even to minors.
Reports, officials said, suggest that some establishments served as meeting points for criminal cells and were connected to violent incidents, including homicides.
In response to mounting accusations, FGJEM announced an internal investigation into possible misconduct by its agents. Officials have acknowledged the existence of at least three cases where irregularities were detected and have urged citizens to report any abuses to (800) 702-8770 or [email protected].
The operation aims to intervene in establishments used by criminal groups for the promotion, consumption or trafficking of illicit substances, as well as for activities related to the commission of other criminal acts.
PwC is one of the Big Four — the world's four largest global accounting networks. (Shutterstock)
Mexico is set to be one of the world’s top 10 investment destinations in 2025, according to the results of a survey by professional services company PwC.
For its 28th annual Global CEO Survey, PwC surveyed 4,701 company leaders across 109 countries and territories in late 2024.
Mexico tied for eighth place in a survey of the world’s top investment destinations for 2025. (Shutterstock)
One of the questions the CEOs were asked was: Which three countries or territories, excluding your own, will receive the greatest proportion of capital expenditure from your company in the next 12 months?
One in 20 CEOs mentioned Mexico, making it the equal eighth most-cited country.
Three in 10 CEOs said that the United States was among the three countries where their companies will invest the most in 2025, making it the world’s top investment destination.
The top 10 global investment destinations, according to those surveyed, is as follows:
United States: 30% of CEOs cited the country as one of their company’s top three investment destinations in 2025.
As part of the ambitious Plan México economic roadmap presented last month, Mexico is seeking to boost domestic manufacturing production in order to reduce reliance on imports from China and other Asian countries.
PwC surveyed 75 CEOs in Mexico for its most recent Global CEO Survey. The company summarized their views in the Mexico chapter of its survey report.
The survey found that just 31% of CEOs in Mexico are confident that their company’s revenue will increase in the next 12 months. That percentage is seven points lower than the 38% of CEOs around the world who expect their companies’ income to increase this year.
A majority of Mexican CEOs see macroeconomic volatility, inflation and geopolitical conflicts as major challenges for their companies this year.
Many Mexican CEOs expect their companies to face challenges related to inflation and macroeconomic volatility this year. (Cuartoscuro)
Almost three-quarters of Mexican CEOs — 74% — said their companies were vulnerable to macroeconomic volatility, compared to a 70% overall result among the survey participants.
Inflation is trending down, but 62% of CEOs in Mexico said their companies were susceptible to higher prices, while 52% expressed concern about geopolitical conflicts, such as the ongoing war in Ukraine.
