The program involves the construction of five roads to link 10 communities across the municipalities of Mezquitic and Tuxpan de Bolaños. It will require an investment of 159 million pesos (US $8.6 million).
Five new roads are being built in Northern Jalisco to connect Indigenous communities. (Ruta Wixárika).
Artisanal roads to connect Indigenous Wixárika
The agency explained that this initiative is part of a federal program dubbed the Artisanal Trails Program carried out by the National Institute of Indigenous Peoples (INPI), which seeks to connect Indigenous and highly marginalized communities through the rehabilitation of roads.
The five rural roads in the northern part of the state will total 20.5 kilometers in length. The planned roads will be known as Tezompa-Nueva Colonia, Cerro de la Puerta-Santa Catarina Cuescomatitlán, Cerro del Niño-San Miguel Huaixtita, Cerro del Pescado-Ocota de la Sierra and Bajío de las Gallinas-San Sebastián.
The federal government has named these roads “artisanal roads” as they connect rural and Indigenous communities and will be constructed primarily by the residents who benefit from them, with government resources provided to allow locals to manage the construction themselves. SICT will offer support of machinery for the more challenging sections.
As of August, the Artisanal Trails Program had rehabilitated 432 kilometers across 135 artisanal roads in 11 states. The program plan is to complete a total of 2,232 kilometers of artisanal trails across Mexico, representing an investment of 15.5 billion pesos (US $843 million) between 2025 and 2030.
Who are the Wixárika?
The Wixárika is an Indigenous community that lives in Northern Jalisco and in areas of the states of Nayarit, Durango, Zacatecas and San Luis Potosí. According to the Jalisco government, the highest density of the Wixárika community resides in its state, in the municipalities of Mezquitic, Bolaños and Huejuquilla.
The Wixárika recently made headlines worldwide after a route through 20 sites that they consider sacred was recently added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, becoming the first such recognition for a living Indigenous tradition in Latin America. The route, dubbed by UNESCO as The Wixárika Route through the Sacred Sites to Wirikuta, extends from west to northwest for more than 500 kilometers between the states of Jalisco, Nayarit, Durango, Zacatecas and San Luis Potosí.
Wixárika cosmology, as illustrated through traditional artwork. (Gobierno de Mexico)
The Wixárika people have managed to preserve their traditions largely due to the location of their communities: For centuries during Spanish colonization, they lived in inaccessible mountainous areas, which significantly contributed to the preservation of their culture.
Gabriela Solis is a Mexican lawyer turned full-time writer. She was born and raised in Guadalajara and covers business, culture, lifestyle and travel for Mexico News Daily. You can follow her lifestyle blog Dunas y Palmeras.
The president also addressed the results of Chile's presidential election on Sunday, saying that she believes "it's a time of reflection for progressive movements in Latin America." (Gabriel Monroy/Presidencia)
The resurgence of the political right in Latin America and Mexico’s recently approved tariffs were among the issues spoken about at President Claudia Sheinbaum’s Monday morning press conference.
Here is a recap of the president’s Dec. 15 mañanera.
Sheinbaum: Shift to the right won’t happen in Mexico
Sheinbaum responded that the situation in “each country” would need to be analyzed to determine why voters in some Latin American nations have recently supported right-wing candidates and parties in large numbers.
“Obviously, we want there to be more governments [that are] close to the people, but decisions must always be made democratically,” she added.
“In the case of Chile, it was a democratic vote. The people of Chile decided who they want to govern them,” said Sheinbaum, who congratulated Kast in a social media post.
Felicitamos al pueblo chileno por una jornada electoral pacífica y democrática. También a José Antonio Kast, próximo presidente de Chile.
Confío en que ambos gobiernos seguiremos trabajando por el bien de nuestros países y de la región.
She also said she believes that “it’s a time of reflection for progressive movements in Latin America,” a time to examine why “these circumstances” occur.
Sheinbaum subsequently said that she doesn’t believe there will be a shift to the right among Mexican voters, who supported both the current president and her predecessor in large numbers at the 2018 and 2024 presidential elections.
The reasons she cited for her belief were that “there is a lot of popular support for the government,” and the movement she leads is getting “results.”
Seeking to explain the high levels of support for her administration, Sheinbaum said that it is fulfilling its promises.
With regard to “results,” she cited the reduction in poverty and inequality that has been achieved in Mexico since former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador — the founder of the “fourth transformation” (4T) political movement — took office in late 2018.
“The majority of the Mexicans agree with the transformation that our country is going through,” said Sheinbaum, who now leads the 4T.
“And, in addition, there is unity here. Sometimes, when there isn’t unity in [political] movements, this reduction in support occurs. But not here. What we always seek here is unity in our movement and results,” she said.
“… And we’ll never abandon what we committed to or the vision that the government is there to serve the people. That’s why the government has a lot of popular support,” Sheinbaum said.
On Jan. 1, 2026, tariffs will be increased, or imposed for the first time, on more than 1,400 products from countries with which Mexico doesn’t have trade agreements, including China, South Korea and India. Products across more than a dozen sectors will be affected by the changes, including textiles, auto parts and cars.
Ebrard said that the “objective” of the “tariff package” is, “in short,” to protect 350,000 jobs in Mexico. That number of jobs across sectors including textiles, clothing, footwear, steel and automotive are at risk of being lost within a year due to the influx of cheap exports, he said.
“When the playing field is uneven, you have to correct it, remedy that disadvantage or injustice,” Ebrard said on Monday. (Gabriel Monroy/Presidencia)
“We have the demand, the point of view, the insistence of the textile and clothing industry, the footwear industry, the steel industry, and now I’ll also mention the automotive industry [to increase tariffs] … not because they can’t compete, but because products are being brought in at prices below international reference levels,” Ebrard said.
“In other words, there isn’t a level playing field, because if there were, applying a tariff wouldn’t be justified. But when the playing field is uneven, you have to correct it, remedy that disadvantage or injustice,” he said.
Among other remarks, the economy minister said that:
Mexico is the world’s fifth-largest vehicle manufacturer and wants to maintain that position.
Mexico’s objective is to increase by 15% the “national content” in goods made in Mexico.
Mexico is not specifically targeting any one country with the tariffs, but rather imposing them on goods from all countries with which it doesn’t have trade agreements.
The tariffs will only add 0.2 percentage points to Mexico’s inflation rate.
Sheinbaum said last week that the tariffs weren’t specifically aimed at China, even though it seems they are. The East Asian economic powerhouse is easily the largest supplier to Mexico among the countries targeted and has a large trade surplus with Mexico. After the Mexican Congress’s approval of the tariffs, the Chinese government urged Mexico to “correct its wrong practices of unilateralism and protectionism” as soon as possible.
While the Mexican government says that the main purpose of the tariffs is to protect Mexican industry and jobs, the decision to impose them is widely seen as an effort to appease the United States ahead of next year’s UMSCA review.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals was enthusiastic in its praise for the Mexican president: “If more leaders followed President Sheinbaum’s compassionate steps and treated animal abuse as the serious threat to society that it is, the world would be a more humane place." (Cuartoscuro)
PETA Latino, the Latin American branch of the renowned animal rights organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, has named President Claudia Sheinbaum as its first Person of the Year for her campaigns to support animal welfare, including her animal protection reforms in the Mexican Constitution.
“If more leaders followed President Sheinbaum’s compassionate steps and treated animal abuse as the serious threat to society that it is, the world would be a more humane place,” said Alicia Aguayo, director of PETA Latino. “PETA Latino is grateful to have an ally like President Sheinbaum, and we look forward to celebrating many more victories for animals during her administration.”
Sheinbaum’s leadership role in banning the exploitation of captive marine animals for entertainment was a major accomplishment cited by PETA. (Elizabeth Ruiz/Cuartoscuro)
During her first year in office, Sheinbaum shepherded through a law to prevent dolphins in Mexico from being forced to live in confined spaces and perform tricks for humans, as well as placed a ban on breeding dolphins in captivity for entertainment purposes.
The Mexican Senate unanimously approved a nationwide ban on dolphin and other marine mammal shows in June, after a three-year legislative process that was sparked by public outrage over animal welfare violations. It resulted in the closure of Mexico’s dolphinariums.
A ban on bullfighting was also introduced in Mexico City in March, bringing an end to the torture and killing of bulls for the purpose of entertainment in bullrings. The legislation was approved by a 61-1 vote.
Michoacán followed suit by banning bullfighting across the state. The sport is now banned in six Mexican states.
Sheinbaum has also championed unprecedented constitutional reforms on animal welfare, which spurred a change in Mexico’s supreme law. Article 4 of the Constitution now states: “Animal abuse is prohibited. The Mexican State must guarantee the protection, proper treatment, conservation, and care of animals, as specified by the corresponding laws.”
“By prioritizing animal protection in the constitution, Sheinbaum has set a powerful example of a government that values the lives and well-being of all individuals,” PETA said in a statement. “Her leadership shows that progress is not measured solely in human terms, because every animal is a being with its own life, feelings and relationships.”
PETA, known for its aggressive activism, has taken credit for laying the groundwork for Sheinbaum’s reforms. “We have sparked waves of action, contributed to the closure of facilities that exploit animals, such as the Dolphinarium at the Barceló Hotel in Mexico, and mobilized tens of thousands of supporters against bullfighting,” it said in announcing the Person of the Year award.
Cadillac driver Sergio "Checo" Pérez talks with Tommy Hilfiger and wife Dee Hilfiger at the 2025 U.S. Open. (@checofav11/X)
Tommy Hilfiger has named Sergio “Checo” Pérez as its new global menswear ambassador, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to Formula 1 and its connection to fashion, sport and pop culture.
The announcement, made in Amsterdam last week, marks a new stage in Tommy Hilfiger’s relationship with Formula 1, continuing a legacy that has included world-class sporting figures such as Lewis Hamilton, Rafael Nadal and Thierry Henry.
“We have long championed drivers’ freedom to express themselves through style and, as Formula 1 continues to embrace fashion and entertainment, its stars have become truly global figures,” Tommy Hilfiger said.
The brand described Pérez as a global icon who embodies a relaxed, timeless and confident style, capable of inspiring new generations through his talent and authentic personality.
Being a global menswear ambassador means that Checo becomes one of Tommy Hilfiger’s main male faces worldwide, starring in campaigns, public appearances and digital content associated with Tommy Hilfiger menswear. The collaboration includes sophisticated menswear collections, F1-inspired fanwear, refined designer watches, as well as the Mexican driver’s participation in global campaigns, digital content and exclusive brand events.
For Pérez, this new collaboration reinforces Tommy Hilfiger’s relevance beyond the track.
“Tommy brought style to the paddock and gave drivers the confidence to show who they are away from the track. He has always been at the center of the action,” Pérez said.
The Guadalajara-born driver said joining Cadillac is an “incredibly exciting new chapter” in his career.
As a new Tommy Hilfiger ambassador, Pérez described his return to competition with the brand as an exciting new phase that he welcomes with enthusiasm and commitment, in line with his preparations for the upcoming sporting season.
Pérez, 35, started to kart competitively at age six. At just 21 years old, Pérez signed for the midfield Sauber team, making him the first Mexican to drive in F1 since Hector Rebaque, some 20 years earlier.
Organizers of the Mexican Grand Prix have pointed out that Checo is “very popular with Mexican fans,” with some 88% of Mexicans knowing who he is. He is also credited with reviving interest in Formula 1 among Mexicans.
The appreciation has occurred despite ongoing trade tensions with the United States, which in 2025 has imposed tariffs on a range of imports from Mexico, including steel, aluminum and light and heavy vehicles.
Analysts from the Monex financial group attributed the appreciation of the peso on Monday to the “continued decline” of the greenback.
The peso has appreciated around 16% this year, after closing 2024 at 20.88 to the dollar, according to the Bank of Mexico. (María Ruiz)
The value of the US dollar fell on Monday morning on the DXY index, which measures the greenback against a basket of foreign currencies, including the euro, the Japanese yen and the British pound.
Monex analysts also said that the peso benefited from the “resolution of tensions between Mexico and the United States thanks to the agreement that puts an end to a water dispute.”
The appreciation of the peso on Monday morning comes ahead of the final monetary policy meeting of the Bank of Mexico (Banxico) board, which will convene this Thursday.
The Maya Train has been fully operational since last December and has been carrying passengers to a number of tourist destinations in southeastern Mexico for two years now. However, in the words of one analyst, it's "a losing project." (@TrenMayaMX/X)
One year after becoming fully operational, and two years after it was inaugurated, the Maya Train is hemorrhaging funds and is likely to require government support for up to 20 years before it becomes profitable.
During the first nine months of 2025, total Maya Train income covered a mere 12.6% of its operating expenses, with the remainder coming from government subsidies and resources from a public trust fund.
🚆 Hace dos años, iniciamos nuestro primer viaje. Éramos una promesa ✨
🌱 Hace dos años, éramos el sueño de un pueblo. Y despertamos para vivir la aventura 🌄
💪 Hace dos años, parecíamos algo imposible. Y aun así, nacimos, avanzamos y vencimos la duda 🌿
According to the company’s January-September financial statements, the Maya Train — with operating costs of 3.068 billion pesos (US $170.6 million) — received 3.345 billion pesos ($186 million) in public funding. During this time, it earned only 387 million pesos ($21.5 million) in ticket sales, souvenirs and other revenue streams.
“From a financial standpoint, this is a losing project,” Iberoamericana University professor Gerardo Herrera told the newspaper Reforma, adding that though passenger traffic is rising, it is not rising fast enough.
“The government has no choice but to subsidize it since at the current rate it will take between 10 and 20 years to become profitable,” he said, pointing out that this could come at a cost of 25 billion pesos (nearly US $1.4 billion) over the next decade.
Railroad consultant Carlos Barreda told Reforma that the sustainability of the Maya Train subsidies is a concern, contrasting what he called “a high-cost, tourism-focused service” with the benefits of an urban transportation system that “generates real economic development in the community.”
“Such economic benefits have not materialized,” he said.
Former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador inaugurated the Cancún-to-Campeche section of the Maya Train on Dec. 15, 2023, and the entire 1,554-kilometer-long railroad line was pronounced fully operational in December a year ago.
Conceived as a mega-project that would benefit tourism, the railway was built at a cost of roughly 500 billion pesos (US $27.8 billion), nearly four times the original estimate.
Also promoted as a project that would address the economic and social backwardness of southeastern Mexico, the train operated at a significant loss last year. Maya Train general director Óscar David Lozano reported that revenues in 2024 represented just 9.6% of operating costs, leaving the company US $133 million in the red.
Still, proponents urge patience, insisting that the financial success of the train hinges on freight operations that are set to begin either late next year or in 2027, even as critics continue to question the viability of the project and demand that the environmental damage be repaired.
The train has experienced various mechanical failures, delays, air conditioning problems and unexpected stops due to insufficient operational testing.
Initial reviews have also highlighted the inconveniences. Most Maya Train stations are located far outside the main towns and tourist areas, requiring additional time and cost for a shuttle or taxi to reach the final destination.
Bus services have proven to be less costly, more reliable and more convenient, particularly since bus stations are located in city centers.
Mexico only has internationally recognized control in the Gulf of California 12 nautical miles from either shore and the upper one-third of the body of water. (Presidencia/Cuartoscuro)
The map might lend the impression that the Gulf of California is Mexican territory, but that’s not the case.
People may consider the Gulf of California to be as Mexican as mariachis and nopales, but legally, that mostly applies to the northern third of the Gulf, the “Alto Golfo,” where Indigenous fishermen have traditionally made a living. (Cuartoscuro)
In an essay titled “Geostrategic Importance of the Gulf of California: A Vision Towards the Historic Bay,” Naval Captain Carlos Alejandro Sans Aguilar suggests petitioning the International Maritime Organization to reclassify that area as a “historic bay,” a designation that would allow Mexico to treat it like land territory and enforce its own laws.
A “historic bay” is a body of water that a coastal nation claims as its internal waters, despite not meeting standard geographical criteria. The claim is based on the nation having traditionally and openly exercised continuous, long-term control with the implicit or explicit acquiescence of other nations.
The entire Gulf — an area of approximately 50,000 square nautical miles — is considered a marginal sea of the Pacific Ocean and Mexico’s national waters only extend 12 nautical miles from its coastlines on either side of the 700-mile-long body of water.
The upper part of the Gulf — el Alto Golfo de California — is the only section designated as internal waters, meaning Mexico formally has control of only the northern third of the Gulf.
According to the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the central and southern thirds are international waters.
The rationale for the author’s request is to rid the Gulf of foreign powers as well as organized crime gangs that use the waters for illegal activities, such as piracy, poaching, human trafficking and drug trafficking.
The essay argues that the current condition “undermines Mexico’s sovereignty and national security due to the implicit freedom of navigation and overflight.” The legal status of the southern two-thirds of that part of the sea “allows various socioeconomic activities to be carried out, without the Mexican State being able to do anything about it.”
One recent incident cited by advocates for this change is a U.S. spy flight that took place on Feb. 2.
A U.S. Air Force plane entered the Gulf from the Pacific Ocean and flew north about 370 miles before turning around and flying south along the same track.
In March, Deputy Gustavo de Hoyos presented legislation to reform Mexico’s Federal Law of the Sea and to petition for the reclassification of the Gulf as “a historic bay or inland sea,” while saying “the lack of absolute control represents a strategic vulnerability for Mexico’s foreign policy.”
“Mexico meets the standards of international law to justify this reclassification, as it has exercised effective sovereignty over the region for centuries, without objection from the international community,” the bill states, “and consolidating sovereignty over the Gulf will strengthen national security, the protection of maritime resources, and geopolitical stability in the region.”
The outcome of the new bilateral agreement allows Mexico more time to make its required water deliveries, though President Sheinbaum emphasized on Monday that Mexico is not handing over water that "we don't have." (@conagua_mx/X)
Mexico has committed to releasing more than 200,000 acre-feet of water to the United States starting this week, averting the threatened imposition of an additional U.S. tariff on Mexican goods.
The Mexican and U.S. governments announced on Friday that they had “reached an understanding on water management for the current cycle and the previous cycle’s water deficit under the 1944 Water Treaty.”
The third of five points in a “Mexico-U.S. Joint Communiqué on Water Distribution” states that “Mexico intends to release 202,000 acre-feet of water to the United States with deliveries expected to commence the week of December 15, 2025.”
It was unclear when the delivery of the 202,000 acre-feet of water would be completed.
The 2020-25 cycle of the bilateral 1944 Water Treaty concluded in late October with Mexico still owing the U.S. just over 865,000 acre-feet of water, an amount equivalent to almost 50% of the 1.75 million acre-feet of water it is required to send across the northern border every five years from six tributaries of the Rio Grande.
Mexico will need to make up the shortfall in the 2025-30 cycle of the treaty. Its capacity to meet its treaty obligations in the past five-year cycle was hindered by drought conditions that were particularly severe in the north of the country.
The understanding the Mexican and U.S. governments reached on Friday came four days after U.S. President Donald Trump noted in a social media post that “Mexico still owes the U.S over 800,000 acre-feet of water for failing to comply with our Treaty over the past five years.”
He wrote that “the U.S needs Mexico to release 200,000 acre-feet of water before December 31st,” before making one of his trademark tariff threats.
“As of now, Mexico is not responding, and it is very unfair to our U.S. Farmers who deserve this much needed water. That is why I have authorized documentation to impose a 5% Tariff on Mexico if this water isn’t released, IMMEDIATELY,” wrote Trump, whose administration has already imposed tariffs on a range of Mexican products.
After the tariff threat, Mexican officials engaged with Trump administration representatives in a series of meetings.
In a statement, Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) said that “in recent weeks, both countries have worked intensively and in coordination to establish a technical roadmap that improves management of the current [treaty] cycle and addresses the deficit from the previous cycle.”
In the same statement, which includes the text of the Joint Communiqué, the SRE said that “Mexico reached an agreement with the United States to strengthen water management in the Rio Grande basin under the 1944 Water Treaty.”
“The Government of Mexico emphasizes that it has not violated any of its provisions,” the SRE said, adding that “during a period marked by an extraordinary and unprecedented drought that has affected users in both countries, Mexico has made additional deliveries, always in accordance with the Treaty, water availability, and the operational and infrastructure limitations of the region.”
“… The actions taken over the past year demonstrate that Mexico is meeting its obligations according to actual water availability, without affecting the human right to water and food production, and will continue to do so under the Treaty and through binational cooperation,” the ministry said.
For her part, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins portrayed Mexico’s commitment to promptly begin transferring 202,000 acre-feet of water to the U.S. as a significant win for American farmers.
The 1944 Water Treaty was among Secretary Brooke Rollins’ priority issues during a November agribusiness trade mission to Mexico City and Chiapas. (@SecRollins/X)
“President Trump continues to put American farmers first and is finally holding our international partners accountable to their obligations and commitments. Once again, America is being treated fairly,” she said.
“Farmers across South Texas have been reeling from the uncertainty caused by the lack of water. Now they can expect the resources promised to them, thanks to President Trump’s leadership,” Rollins said.
She thanked Mexico “for their willingness to abide by the treaty and return to good standing with their past obligations,” but added that:
“President Trump has been very clear: if Mexico continues to violate its commitments, the United States reserves the right and will impose 5% tariffs on Mexican products.”
Bilateral water negotiations are ongoing
The Mexico-U.S. Joint Communiqué also states that “both countries acknowledge the critical importance of water sharing obligations under the 1944 Treaty and their impact on our citizens, and reaffirm the need to increase engagement to improve timely management of water.”
It says that “a series of actions to meet the treaty obligations have been reviewed, including timely repayment of the outstanding deficit from the previous water cycle, in accordance to the 1944 Water Treaty.”
“The two governments are in negotiations and intend to finalize the plan by January 31, 2026,” the communiqué adds.
The fifth and final point of the communiqué reads:
“Both countries concur on the importance of continuing to work cooperatively within the framework of the 1944 Water Treaty and the CILA/IBWC. In the event of noncompliance, each country can act sovereignly, in accordance to its national interests, subject to its international treaty obligations.”
The acronyms CILA (Spanish) and IBWC refer to the International Boundary and Water Commission, a 136-year-old body that is responsible for applying the boundary and water treaties between the United States and Mexico and settling differences that may arise in their application.
Sheinbaum: Water deliveries to US won’t adversely affect Mexico
At her morning press conference on Monday, President Claudia Sheinbaum told reporters that Mexico is not handing over water that “we don’t have” or whose delivery to the U.S. will affect availability for human consumption and agricultural purposes.
💧”No es que estemos entregando más de lo que dice el tratado y tampoco estamos dando el agua eh que no tenemos o afectando al consumo humano y a la agricultura en México”, la presidenta Sheinbaum señala que con EU se logró un acuerdo para entregar el agua en más tiempo y en el… pic.twitter.com/5FcXo9Wc8q
The president of Mexico’s National Agriculture Council, Jorge Esteve, has raised concerns about the risk water deliveries to the U.S. pose to water availability for human consumption and agriculture in Mexico.
Sheinbaum emphasized that Mexico is not delivering more water than is required under the terms of the 1944 treaty.
Sheinbaum indicated that the delivery of the 202,000 acre-feet of water to the U.S. won’t be completed until next year, as she said it wasn’t possible to transfer such a quantity of water by Dec. 31, the deadline set by Trump in his social media post.
“An agreement was reached to deliver it in more time,” she said.
Sheinbaum also said that Mexican officials had pointed out to their U.S. counterparts that Mexico’s failure to meet its treaty obligations during the previous five-year cycle wasn’t due to a lack of will but rather a lack of rain.
Pujol, a world-renowned, low-key Mexico City fine dining restaurant in the tony Polanco neighborhood. Olvera made a name for himself here, with modern yet traditional Mexican cuisine made with garden-fresh ingredients. (Pujol/Instagram)
After more than a decade holding a prominent position on Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants list, Mexico City’s Pujol no longer ranks among the region’s top 50 for 2025.
Credited for bringing Mexican cuisine into the world of fine dining, Pujol, by Mexican chef Enrique Olvera, dropped from spot No. 24 in 2024 to spot No. 51, narrowly missing this year’s ranking.
Still, Olvera’s restaurant maintains its prestige in other ways. Along with Quintonil, Pujol is the only restaurant in Mexico to have received two Michelin stars in the guide’s first edition in the country, an accolade that both restaurants reaffirmed this year.
Since debuting on the list at No. 3 in 2013, Pujol’s influence on Mexican high-end cuisine is undisputed. Even though it wasn’t the first Mexican high-end restaurant in the country — Olvera built on earlier efforts by chefs like Patricia Quintana and Monica Patiño in the late 90s — it was Pujol that put Mexican cuisine on the global culinary map.
As chef Jorge Vallejo, co-founder of Quintonil, noted: “[Olvera] was a trailblazer for flipping the coin to do things differently and believing in the power of Mexican gastronomy.”
Which other Mexican restaurants made the regional list this year?
This year’s edition featured fewer Mexican restaurants than in previous years — the list included 12 in 2022. Still, a few newer names stood out in this year’s ranking. Here is the full list.
Quintonil Mexico City
Quintonil, also in Mexico City, came in as the region’s No. 7 best restaurant on this year’s ranking. Led by Vallejo and his wife Alejandra Flores, the dynamic couple met while working at Pujol under the leadership of Olvera.
According to the 50 Best, Quintonil “is fast becoming a classic.”
“Focused on fresh, local ingredients and traditional Mexican flavours and techniques weaved [sic] into modern preparations […] Quintonil brings a unique brand of creativity to the plate,” 50 Best remarked.
Coming in at No. 15, Alcalde in Guadalajara made the list for its local flavors that highlight Jalisco heritage.
“Alcalde makes diners want to return again and again with its menu, which is deeply connected to the natural rhythms of the land,” 50 Best said.
Villa Torél Ensenada
Located in Ensenada, No. 16 Villa Torél is the hyper-local farm-to-table restaurant of the Santo Tomás vineyard.
According to 50 Best, Villa Torél “is a restaurant with no fine dining pretensions, focusing instead on a short, well-thought [sic] menu served in a lovely venue, showing utmost respect to the producers and neighbouring Valle de Guadalupe food projects.”
Fauna Valle de Guadalupe
50 Best describes Fauna as “boundary-breaking cooking from Mexico’s most exciting culinary duo,” chef David Castro Hussong and pastry chef Maribel Aldaco Silva.
Located on the site of Valle de Guadalupe’s Bruma Winery, the restaurant offers Pacific-inspired plates like tuna fin and beef trotter tostada and sea snail with peanuts and shiitake mushrooms.
At No. 22, Arca is celebrated for a bar program that “works in symbiosis with the kitchen, crafting cocktails with all-natural ingredients and a lot of personality.”
Máximo Mexico City
Ranked No. 30, Máximo was also co-founded by two former Pujol employees: Eduardo “Lalo” Garcia and Gaby López. The restaurant earned a place on the list thanks to its blend of “refined French technique with locally sourced ingredients, Mexican elements and methodologies.”
Huniik Mérida
With only 16 seats, Huniik is the younger sibling of the restaurant Néctar by chef Carlos Roberto Solís Azarcoya. “Solís and his team present a 10-course tasting menu from the open kitchen that marries punchy Mexican flavours with contemporary presentations,” which, in the words of 50 Best, makes Huniik an important agent of new Yucatecan cuisine.
Rosetta Mexico City
Founded by chef Elena Reygadas, Rosetta landed at No. 39 for its innovative approach to traditional Mexican dishes. Even though it began with a strong Italian influence, Reygada’s restaurant has transformed into a cuisine more firmly rooted in Mexico. Rosetta now focuses “on presenting traditional dishes in a new light,” 50 Best said.
The new species of gecko, a kind of lizard, is endemic to Mexico and officially called Phyllodactylus ngiwa. (CONANP)
Scientists have confirmed a new species of gecko endemic to the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve, a major biocultural region spanning the states of Puebla and Oaxaca, environmental authorities reported last week.
The nocturnal lizard — now officially named Phyllodactylus ngiwa and commonly known as the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley gecko — was first documented in 2020.
It required years of further study to verify that the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley gecko is a distinct species from the Upper Balsas gecko (Phyllodactylus bordai). (CONANP)
At the time, images captured by community biological surveillance and monitoring brigades were believed to show the Upper Balsas gecko (Phyllodactylus bordai), a visually similar species.
Subsequent research confirmed the new animal was distinct.
Academics from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and the Autonomous University of Nuevo León (UANL) conducted molecular, morphological and climatic analyses under a project funded by the Ministry of Science, Humanities, Technology and Innovation.
Fernando Reyes Flores, director of the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve, said in a press release that the confirmation followed years of coordinated work involving scientists, technicians and community brigades.
The early photographic records were shared through the iNaturalistMX platform, triggering further interest.
Because the research involved the collection and handling of wildlife within a protected natural area — one that was declared a mixed heritage site by UNESCO in 2018 — the scientists obtained permits from the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP).
The findings were published in November in the journal Zootaxa.
CONANP said the discovery strengthens conservation and habitat management strategies in the reserve, which was decreed a protected area in 1998.
