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Congress approves new tariffs on goods from China and non-FTA countries

By
MND Staff
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A person shopping at a Chinese market
The government is also aiming to reduce reliance on imports from Asian countries, especially China, a country with which Mexico has a significant trade imbalance. (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro)

Mexico’s lower house of Congress approved on Wednesday a bill that seeks to impose new or higher tariffs on imports from China and other countries with which Mexico doesn’t have free trade agreements.

Submitted to Congress by President Claudia Sheinbaum in September, the bill was significantly modified — i.e., softened — by a lower house committee before the full Chamber of Deputies voted on the initiative early Wednesday.

A total of 281 deputies from the Morena and Green parties voted in favor of the proposed reform to the Law on General Import and Export Taxes, while 24 Citizens Movement (MC) lawmakers opposed the bill. There were 149 abstentions, with deputies from the National Action Party (PAN), the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) and the Labor Party (PT) declining to support or oppose the bill. The PT, an ally of the ruling Morena party, didn’t back the bill as a show of solidarity with China, of which it is a strong supporter.

The legislation also passed the Chamber of Deputies en lo particular — i.e., after the consideration of individual articles of the bill. It will now be considered by the Senate, which is also dominated by Morena.

The bill proposes modifications to 1,463 tariff categories (or products) covering more than a dozen sectors, including auto parts, light vehicles, plastic, toys, textiles, furniture, footwear, clothing, aluminum and glass. The proposed tariffs range from 5% to 50%. Tariffs will be imposed on more than 300 products for the first time if the Senate approves the bill passed by the lower house.

The Mexican government is seeking to provide greater protection for Mexican industry — which includes sectors that struggle to compete with cheap imports — and increase domestic output.

“We believe that supporting [Mexican] industry is to create jobs,” said Deputy Ricardo Monreal, Morena’s leader in the Chamber of Deputies.

The government is also aiming to reduce reliance on imports from Asian countries, especially China, a country with which Mexico has a significant trade imbalance.

Among the other countries that will be affected by the proposed higher tariffs are India, South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, Brazil, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. The government estimated earlier this year that the proposed tariffs would generate additional revenue of 70 billion pesos (US $3.8 billion) per year.

Morena party lawmakers asserted that the higher tariffs won’t cause inflation to increase. Morena Deputy Claudia Selene Ávila said that the proposed tariffs only seek to protect goods that Mexican industry has the capacity to produce. She also said they comply with World Trade Organization rules.

“We’re looking after the internal market. Protectionism is necessary and is a temporary issue, subject to constant revision,” Ávila said.

“Trade is not being closed down, but a level playing field is being created in order to compete under symmetrical conditions,” she said.

Imposing higher tariffs on imports from China will likely go some way to appeasing the governments of the U.S. and Canada ahead of the 2026 review of the USMCA free trade pact. Both countries have critically questioned Mexico’s economic ties with the world’s second-largest economy.

China tariffs could backfire on Mexican industry, chamber warns

United States President Donald Trump has even accused Mexico of being a transshipment hub for Chinese goods — i.e., a tariff-free or low-tariff backdoor to the United States market. The Mexican government denies the allegation and has stressed that its proposed tariffs weren’t designed to specifically target China.

Horacio Saavedra, a Mexican diplomat, told the news outlet La Silla Rota that the proposal to increase tariffs on China and other countries with which Mexico doesn’t have free trade agreements represents “an alignment with U.S. trade policy” and will allow Mexico to be better positioned for next year’s USMCA review.

“China concentrates almost 70% of the trade deficit Mexico has with nations with which it doesn’t have trade agreements,” he said.

“The [tariff] measure responds to the shared concern of Mexico and the United States about practices that have affected national industries, especially textiles, clothing and certain manufacturing sectors,” Saavedra said.

Modifications to the bill 

Sheinbaum’s tariff bill was approved by the Chamber of Deputies’ Economy, Trade and Competitiveness Committee on Monday.

The president of the committee, PAN Deputy Miguel Ángel Salim Alle, said that around 60% of the bill was modified before its approval. Those changes softened the proposal originally put forth by Sheinbaum. However, the maximum tariff on cars imported from China and certain other Asian countries remains at 50%, as originally planned.

Chinese cars, including electric vehicles made by automakers such as BYD, have become very popular in Mexico in recent years. They currently face a 20% tariff when entering the country.

BYD building
Chinese BYD, the world’s largest manufacturer of electric vehicles, had announced in 2023 plans for a major factory in Mexico, but the plan never got off the ground. (Shutterstock)

The Mexican Auto Industry Association (AMIA) expressed support for the plan to increase the tariff on imported cars from China and certain other Asian countries, even though Chinese automakers may have the capacity to absorb and offset the higher duty their vehicles will be subject to.

“We completely agree [with the proposed increase],” said AMIA president Rogelio Garza.

“… For all those who invest in Mexico, produce in Mexico and create jobs in Mexico, this is very good news,” he said.

Some further modifications to the bill were made on the floor of the Chamber of Deputies, including one that would allow the Economy Ministry to intervene and modify the proposed tariffs if necessary in order to “guarantee the supply of inputs in Mexico in competitive conditions.”

Lawmakers said that additional modifications to the Law on General Import and Export Taxes could be made down the track if necessary.

Salim said that the committee he leads took into account feedback on the original bill from business groups and other representatives of strategic sectors. The Chinese government came out strongly against the tariff plan submitted by Sheinbaum and urged Mexico to reconsider it.

Concerns and criticism

Reginaldo Sandoval, the PT’s leader in the lower house, said that the legislation wouldn’t support the diversification of Mexico’s trade relationships — a goal of Sheinbaum — but rather lead to greater dependence on the United States for imported goods.

He also said that the higher tariffs could cause inflationary pressures in the short term and wouldn’t necessarily lead to a resurgence of Mexican industry, as such a development depends on a variety of factors, including investment and the availability of labor.

Adrián González Neveda, another PT deputy, was critical of the trade treatment Mexico has received from the United States, which this year has imposed tariffs on a range of Mexican goods. He said his party supports closer trade ties with the BRICS bloc, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (as well as six other countries).

“We don’t agree with increasing tariffs on China, Brazil, Taiwan, South Korea. At this time, we don’t think it’s the message we should send to the world and these possible partners,” González said.

PRI Deputy Erubiel Alonso said that higher tariffs will increase costs for everyday goods and hurt small and medium-sized businesses.

“How many producers, teachers, bureaucrats, taxi drivers, Uber and Didi drivers don’t have a light car and are seeking a loan [to get one]? Well, they now have the news that the vehicle will cost 35% more,” he said, referring to the proposed tariff on cars from countries such as China, South Korea and India.

PRI Deputy Erubiel Alonso
PRI Deputy Erubiel Alonso criticized the bill’s passage, saying in session that “Tonight, Morena is hitting Mexican families right in the pocketbook.” (@Erubiel_Alonso_/X)

PAN Deputy Marcelo Torres Cofiño pointed out that Mexico’s export industry — whose revenue exceeded US $600 billion in 2024 — is highly dependent on imported inputs, including from China and other Asian countries.

“Forty per cent of exports depend on imported inputs. With these high tariffs, you’re raising — without serious sectorial analysis — the price of auto parts, machinery, chemicals, textiles, electronics, steel and metal that are essential for the value chains in the north of the country,” he said in remarks directed at Morena lawmakers.

“Where’s your impact analysis for [small and medium businesses]? Where is the breakdown [on the impact] by region, by sector, by the size of the company? It doesn’t exist,” Torres said.

With reports from La Jornada, Reforma, Reuters, El Economista and Expansión

*Editor’s note: A previous version of this story reported that the maximum tariff on cars imported from China and other Asian countries was reduced from the 50% initially proposed to 35%. That is incorrect; the final, approved version of the bill sets auto tariffs at 50%.

Morena senator buys, distributes thousands of copies of AMLO’s book

By
MND Staff
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Senator Adán Augusto López, with AMLO's book "Grandeza"
Senator Adán Augusto López Hernández is seen here with former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador's new book, copies of which López Hernández distributed among his fellow Morena senators: “Others usually give turkeys . . . I give them books.” (Cuartoscuro)

Morena Senate coordinator, Adán Augusto López Hernández, came to the Senate bearing gifts this week, in the form of more than 17,000 copies of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s new book. 

Hundreds of white boxes filled with AMLO’s tome, “Grandeza” (“Greatness”), each contained a card with the message “With kind regards from Adán Augusto López Hernández, Senator of the Republic.”

Senator Adán López at 4T celebration.
Senator Adán Augusto López Hernández, recently bearded, attended Morena’s celebration of seven years in power last weekend in Mexico City’s Zócalo. López Hernández served as interior secretary in the López Obrador administration and as governor of AMLO’s home state of Tabasco. (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro)

“Others usually give turkeys and things like that; I give them books,” said the senator, who wore a Santa Claus cap for the occasion.

López Hernández only delivered books to senators from his (and AMLO’s) own party, Morena. He said that he had given 100 copies to each of the 69 Morena senators, although if each received 13 boxes of 20 copies, as reported, the figure would presumably be higher. 

The aim, according to López Hernández, is for senators to distribute the books to Morena supporters during their visits to their communities and districts.

The book’s publishing house, Planeta, set the retail price of “Grandeza” at 448 pesos (US $25), meaning that the total spent on the books could be as high as 7.6 million pesos ($417,500). 

Adán said he purchased the books with his own money, although he said in a statement that he didn’t keep track of the total amount he spent on them. One senator, Eugenio Segura, said he paid for the 10 boxes of books he received, which he intends to distribute in his state of Quintana Roo.

The aim of the distribution seems to be at least as much about party promotion as about the edification of constituents. “This is a show of support for President López Obrador, support for our President Claudia Sheinbaum, and support for our movement,” said Segura.

López Obrador introduced “Grandeza” on November 30 by video broadcast from his ranch in Palenque, in Mexico’s southern Chiapas state. The event marked his first significant public appearance since leaving the presidency in October 2024.

López Obrador said that the book aims to vindicate the Indigenous peoples of ancient Mexico, exalt their cultural legacy and challenge the official version of the Conquest.

“This book is the story of our cultures, of our civilizations,” he said. “The goal is to dismantle, to tear down the history created by the invaders and maintained during centuries of elite domination.”

During the presentation, AMLO reiterated his withdrawal from political life, with plans to continue writing. He said he would only return to public life under three conditions: to defend democracy, to support Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum in the event of a coup attempt or to protect national sovereignty.

The book has been in high demand since its release, with copies selling out within the first few days at the Guadalajara International Book Fair. 

 With reports from El Financiero and El Universal

MND Local: Press freedoms, public safety and urban development concerns in Puerto Vallarta

By
Charlotte Smith
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"A young boy skimboarding on a wave during a golden sunset, illustrating the active coastal lifestyle featured in Puerto Vallarta community news December 2025."
Some controversies have arisen in the beach paradise city this month. (Agencia Perspectiva/Cuartoscuro)

Puerto Vallarta is experiencing a period of heightened scrutiny as several unfolding events draw attention to the city’s security strategies, treatment of the press and rapid urban development. 

Incidents involving federal authorities, marine safety and controversial construction projects have intensified public debate about how the city is being managed and whether institutions are responding adequately to emerging challenges.

PV residents feel less safe, says federal survey

Attendees at the International Forum on Mexico and its Future in the Fight Against Crime, a security event in Puerto Vallarta in 2025, sit at conference tables in rows as a man in a suit speaks into a microphone.
U.S. specialists and federal security officials participated with Mexican authorities in a security forum on November 30 that was meant to exchange intelligence and information between the two countries. (US Embassy/Facebook)

At the November 30 Puerto Vallarta Security Forum, municipal, state and federal authorities convened to discuss the city’s changing security landscape.

Although Puerto Vallarta continues to rank favorably compared to other major tourist cities across the country, officials acknowledged that public confidence has declined. According to the latest National Survey of Urban Public Security (ENSU) conducted by Mexico’s national statistics agency, INEGI, the proportion of residents reporting feeling unsafe in their city has risen, causing Puerto Vallarta’s ranking among the urban areas in Mexico in which residents feel safest to drop from fifth to eighth place nationally.

Discussions at the security forum focused on rising reports of robberies, improved coordination among law enforcement agencies and concerns about criminal activity occurring on the outskirts of the metropolitan area. Tourism authorities urged greater visibility in preventive policing, arguing that even isolated incidents can affect Puerto Vallarta’s international reputation. 

The forum closed with commitments to expand patrols, enhance surveillance coordination and strengthen communication with residents, though many citizens continue to ask for more measurable follow-through.

Local reporters say PV National Guard didn’t respect basic press freedoms 

Members of the Mexican National Guard wearing Plan DN-III-E armbands standing in formation by a plane bearing machine guns and helmets on their heads.
Mexico’s National Guard has come under fire locally after members of the federal police force allegedly violated the rights of journalists trying to report on a Guard truck rollover in the Fluvial Vallarta area of the city. (Guardia Nacional/X.com)

Public safety issues have also collided with fears about deteriorating press freedom. A recent confrontation between reporters and National Guard members in the Fluvial Vallarta area has stirred widespread condemnation.

Journalists covering the rollover of a National Guard vehicle on December 2 said they were pushed back, threatened with equipment confiscation and falsely told they needed a federal license to report at the scene.

In response, the area organization GST Medios issued a strong public statement:

“At GST Medios, through our platforms Notiespacio PV and Vallarta Independiente, we strongly condemn the actions carried out this Tuesday by members of the National Guard in the Fluvial Vallarta area, where journalists were intimidated while covering the overturning of an official vehicle.

“We condemn any attempt to intimidate, obstruct, or condition the work of journalists, who have the responsibility and the right to freely inform the public. Attempting to confiscate cell phones, falsely stating that a ‘license’ is required to practice journalism without considering the media outlet’s accreditations, and trying to limit coverage of a public event constitutes a serious violation of journalistic practice and freedom of information.

“At GST Medios, we reaffirm our commitment to defending press freedom and demand that a safe and respectful environment be guaranteed for those who carry out this work daily in Puerto Vallarta. Free journalism is not intimidated and should not be obstructed by any authority.”

The incident has renewed pressure on local, state and federal officials to adopt clearer protocols protecting the rights of journalists during emergencies and public safety events.

Boat collides with whale in the Bay of Banderas

An American woman lost her life due to the crash, which occurred when a whale surfaced unexpectedly. The death occurred just a few days before the beginning of whale-watching season in Puerto Vallarta.

A deadly boating accident occurred late on Friday, December 5. A small vessel known as “Valentina” collided with a whale that surfaced unexpectedly.

The impact fatally injured a 72-year-old female American citizen who was also a Mexican resident. Another woman on board suffered head injuries and was transported to Medasist Hospital for treatment. A third passenger was treated for shock.

Authorities have reminded maritime operators that whales are currently active in the Bay. The official start date for whale-watching tours begins on December 8, and officials are urging all charter crews to reinforce wildlife distance protocols.

SEMARNAT files legal appeal against Harbor 2 project 

Urban growth continues to spark controversy, particularly surrounding the Harbor 2 megaproject, a massive development featuring six towers and nearly 1,000 planned apartments that has hit another legal speedbump.

The project — currently paused pending the appeal’s outcome — has become the center of a legal and environmental dispute after SEMARNAT, Mexico’s federal environmental agency, appealed a court ruling that allowed construction to proceed without a full environmental-impact assessment.

Environmental groups caution that the residential development project risks damaging coastal ecosystems as well as increasing pressure on local infrastructure. Critics also warn that allowing the project to bypass the environmental-impact process sets a dangerous precedent for future projects along the Bay.

Render drawing of proposed residential towers on beachfront property in Puerto Vallarta.
The project will feature six residential towers and 1,000 apartments. (Architectural rendering/Harbor 171.com)

At the same time, Puerto Vallarta recently recorded a historic 5 million visitors so far for 2025, signaling continuing economic growth. Still, local planners now face the challenge of balancing booming tourism with sustainable development, ensuring that roads, water systems, beaches, and natural habitats aren’t overwhelmed by rapid expansion.

From press-freedom disputes and marine-safety concerns to controversial development decisions, Puerto Vallarta is navigating a moment of heightened public attention. Residents, journalists, and community leaders are calling for stronger accountability measures, more transparent governance, and responsible planning that keeps pace with the city’s rapid growth.

How authorities respond in the coming months will help determine whether Puerto Vallarta can maintain a stable balance between vibrant tourism, environmental protection, and civic trust.

Charlotte Smith is a writer and journalist based in Mexico. Her work focuses on travel, politics, and community. You can follow along with her travel stories at www.salsaandserendipity.com.

Iztapalapa’s Passion Play of Christ gains UNESCO heritage status

By
MND Staff
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Iztapalapa's annual Passion Play involves over 5,000 people, with some 150 having speaking roles.
Iztapalapa's annual Passion Play involves over 5,000 people, with some 150 having speaking roles. (Rogelio Morales/Cuartoscuro)

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has added the Passion Play of Christ in the Iztapalapa borough of Mexico City to its Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. 

The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage selected the tradition from a pool of 788 practices from 150 countries. The Committee announced its decision on Wednesday during its 20th session, held in New Delhi, India. 

The recognition acknowledges the Passion of Christ’s exceptional value as a living, community-based tradition. 

“The reenactment of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ is a community tradition that brings together local residents in an expression of faith, identity and culture,” UNESCO said. “Beyond its religious roots, the [intergenerational exchange] promotes community cohesion, fosters solidarity and preserves cultural heritage thanks to its connection with traditional arts and crafts.”

Culture Minister Claudia Curiel de Icaza said that it is “a historic recognition that honors nearly two centuries of tradition, faith, identity and community organization.” 

Meanwhile, President Claudia Sheinbaum celebrated the announcement and congratulated everyone involved. 

“The practice has been going on for many years and is developed by an organizing committee of Holy Week — a community, social committee,” Sheinbaum said during her Dec. 10 press conference. “We congratulate [the committee] because they put a lot of effort into this celebration.” 

What’s the tradition about?

Iztapalapa’s annual reenactment of the Passion of Christ is one of Mexico’s most significant and sacred rituals during Holy Week. It is also one of the world’s largest representations of the Stations of the Cross.

Iztapalapa’s renowned Passion Play celebrates its 181st year

The practice began when the community vowed to organize a religious procession in gratitude for surviving a cholera epidemic in 1843. Over time, this reenactment has evolved into a major cultural event that attracts millions of visitors each year, making it one of the largest Catholic events of the season.

Although the performance takes place for a week, preparation for the event happens nearly year-round. Casting calls for actors begin in December, followed by the selection process and rehearsals, which start in January. Meanwhile, members of the community make arrangements for the processions, security, transportation, sets and sound systems.

Due to the holy nature of the roles actors play, those chosen to portray Jesus, the Virgin Mary, apostles, Roman soldiers and other relevant roles during the event must adhere to certain community guidelines stipulating conduct and commitment, as well as local residency.

With reports from La Jornada, Sin Embargo and ABC

MND Local: More flights, more unauthorized beach vendors and other seasonal news from Los Cabos

By
Chris Sands
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Los Cabos coastal view
Los Cabos always maintains its laid-back attitude, even when there’s breaking news. (Marco Samaniego/Unsplash)

“Few elements shape the development and sustainability of a tourism destination as decisively as air connectivity,” Rodrigo Esponda Cascajares, Managing Director of the Los Cabos Tourism Board, wrote in a recent article for Mexico Business News. “The destination’s capacity to connect with national and international markets determines not only how many visitors it attracts, but the very trajectory of its economic and social development. Connectivity is the bridge between opportunity and viability and, when managed strategically, the cornerstone of sustainable tourism.

“A widely held belief in the tourism industry is that airlines will only inaugurate a route once passenger demand justifies it. In practice, however, that view is overly simplistic. Air routes are not purely reactive outcomes of demand; they are strategic enablers of growth.”

2 new flights announced for Los Cabos 2026, and another is expected soon

Southwest plane pasted over Cabo San Lucas
Southwest Airlines is among the carriers offering new flights to Los Cabos in 2026. (Instagram)

Esponda’s belief in the power of connectivity as a driver for tourism in Los Cabos has long been evident. Since he assumed his current job nearly a decade ago, in October 2016, new flights connecting Los Cabos to the world have appeared with regularity. Currently, for example, there are flights to Los Cabos from 32 destinations in the U.S., 16 within Mexico, 11 in Canada, one in Europe, and one in Central America — the latter connecting to markets in the Caribbean and South America. And yes, more are on the way in 2026.

In fact, during the Los Cabos VIP Summit in November, the 19th edition of the business forum that brings together key players in the tourism sector, Esponda confirmed two new non-stop flights from Indianapolis and Las Vegas, via Southwest Airlines, that will begin service during the coming year. 

Non-stop flights from Indianapolis to Los Cabos on Southwest will commence on March 5, 2026, or just in time for Spring Break. Flights from Las Vegas, meanwhile, are slated to begin next June and will be notable as the only non-stop service available to Los Cabos from “Sin City.” Las Vegas to Puerto Vallarta flights start at the same time and are part of a broader strategy by Southwest to expand its international service.

A third new flight for 2026 should also be announced at some point, as Esponda told me during a recent interview that he’s expecting a flight from Boston to Los Cabos to be added by the end of next year. 

Out-of-control beach vendors in Cabo San Lucas 

Only a few months ago, during the summer, Los Cabos looked as if it had finally solved the problem of unauthorized vendors on Cabo San Lucas’ ever-popular Playa El Médano. At the time, it was reported that 300 unauthorized vendors had been swept from the pristine two-mile stretch of golden sand by municipal officials, and that only the 698 properly permitted vendors would remain to annoy tourists and locals alike. Not only that, but new uniforms and ID cards had been issued to avoid any future confusion.

However, on Nov. 10, when the Los Cabos Coordinating Council (CCC) called a press conference to announce that the problem of unauthorized vendors had increased, confusion once again seemed to reign. Although, to be clear, when they said the number of unpermitted vendors was 300 — the same number quoted just months earlier — it felt more like business as usual. 

Beach vendor in Los Cabos
Inspectors check a vendor at Médano Beach in Cabo San Lucas to make sure he’s properly permitted. His merchandise suggests he’s not.  (Ayuntamiento de Los Cabos)

An ongoing issue

Several groups have chimed in on the effects of the ongoing issue. The head of the CCC noted that unauthorized vendors were in effect taking money out of the pockets of those who are permitted, a point also made by the head of the Revolutionary Workers’ Confederation (COR), who, while speaking on behalf of the vendors, noted that Médano Beach has become oversaturated with unlicensed sandy salespeople. The head of the Hotel Association, meanwhile, reported the obvious: that tourists are complaining. Because … of course. No one’s idea of a great vacation is having to say “No, gracias,” every 30 seconds.

The problem was soon addressed, with a government representative saying that most of the unauthorized vendors have now been removed. But the odds of the problem popping up again in the near future seem pretty high, based on past results. As to why that is, Adrián Mendoza, leader of the COR, may have hit on the reason when he cited a lack of institutional control. Julio Castillo Gómez, president of the CCC, went even further, per Peninsular Digital, suggesting that “if any alleged collusion between officials and the unregulated vendors is confirmed, then complaints will be filed with the Public Prosecutor’s Office.” 

Los Cabos golf course wins prestigious award

Solmar Golf Links, the picturesque Greg Norman-designed course that originally premiered in 2020 on the Pacific Coast of Cabo San Lucas, has been named Latin America’s Best Course for 2025 by the World Golf Awards. It’s not the first layout on the Baja California peninsula to earn the distinguished title — Danzante Bay in Loreto won it in 2019. But it’s certainly a feather in the cap for one of Los Cabos’ best but most underrated courses. 

Known for Norman’s British-style revetted bunkering and the distinctive island green on the par-3 17th, Solmar Golf Links has also garnered good press for its environmentally responsible approach to course design. SeaDwarf Paspalum, in which the fairways and greens are covered, is a grass known to reduce water and fertilizer requirements. Solmar Golf Links is also one of two courses in Los Cabos certified by Audubon International for its wildlife and habitat management. (Fred Couples’ Twin Dolphin is the other.)

Of course, it bears noting that Solmar Golf Links isn’t the only local course to receive plaudits. Two local loops made Golf Digest’s list of the “World 100 Greatest Golf Courses” for 2024-2025: Jack Nicklaus-designed Cabo del Sol Cove Club (#100) and the Davis Love III-crafted Diamante Dunes Course (#47).

Chris Sands is the former Cabo San Lucas local expert for the USA Today travel website 10 Best and writer of Fodor’s Los Cabos travel guidebook. He’s also a contributor to numerous websites and publications, including Tasting Table, Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, Forbes Travel Guide, Porthole Cruise, Cabo Living and Mexico News Daily.

North American World Cup or Americana Fever Dream? After watching the 2026 draw, we’re confused

By
Ian Ostroff
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It was supposed to be a moment of trans-continental collaboration, but the 2026 World Cup draw perfectly demonstrated the imbalance in North American politics. (FIFA)

“I should not say soccer,” comedian Kevin Hart said at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw on Friday in Washington, D.C. “The rest of the world calls it football. I do know my Messi from my Michael Jordan. I know my Cristiano from my Steph Curry. And I know my Bellingham from my Tom Brady. I’m educated.”

Hart’s joke, whether he meant it to be or not, was a complex mix of humorous self-effacement on behalf of the United States for its reputation of ignorance about the world’s number-one sport, and a defensive — almost defiant — assurance that while soccer is generally the fifth most popular sport in the U.S. behind American football, basketball, baseball and ice hockey, the U.S. had done its homework and is fit to be running things.

President Sheinbaum on stage next to Trump and Carney, holding a paper reading Mexico
The three North American leaders shared the stage with FIFA chief Gianni Infantino (left), but despite the presence of all three countries at the draw, the proceedings felt deeply exclusionary to any nation that wasn’t the U.S. (Presidencia)

While Hart’s remarks were undoubtedly well-intentioned, they unintentionally captured the spirit of what, as a Mexican Canadian, I found problematic about this World Cup draw. This two-and-a-half-hour event to announce the details of the upcoming FIFA men’s soccer tournament, intended to evoke a spirit of collaboration between the three host countries — Mexico, the U.S. and Canada — instead felt like a greatly unbalanced ode to American greatness, one in which my two countries were treated like sideliners.

Sure, this event was held in Washington D.C., so the spectacle was bound to be a bit U.S.-centric. But was awarding U.S. President Donald Trump a newly created FIFA Peace Prize the best way to make fellow World Cup host leaders Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico and Mark Carney of Canada feel like equal players? The Village People, an iconic American band known for their hit “YMCA,” was also the main headliner — a longtime Trump rally anthem that has become something of a political signature. 

Claudia Sheinbaum and Mark Carney, on the other hand, were supporting characters at best to a show centered around the U.S. president.

Even the celebrities participating in the draw felt like tone-deaf choices. For example, Heidi Klum was Hart’s cohost, a German-American supermodel known for being one of the judges on the U.S. television show, “America’s Got Talent.” She’s a global icon, sure, but was she the best choice out of a plethora of Mexican, Mexican American and Canadian celebrities that would’ve done a great job hosting? The short answer is no. 

Salma Hayek, Eva Longoria, popular hosts like Mario Lopez and comedians like Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias would’ve made great picks to host the show. What about Mike Myers, a world-famous Canadian celebrity who’s a well-known soccer fan? Or Canadian women’s football legend Christine Sinclair, a CONCACAF champion who’s scored more international career goals than any male or female player? Pairing Toronto native and actor/comedian Russell Peters with a funny Mexican American like Fluffy (or, God forbid, an actual Mexican) would’ve been a chef’s kiss choice by representing all three host nations. 

But instead, an overwhelming number of American celebrities were highlighted in the draw: Shaquille O’Neal, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers — with MAGA-approved Wayne Gretzky as the token Canadian. It was obvious most of the presenters were kind of asked to do it at the last minute without having a general baseline knowledge of the beautiful game — and, in some cases, how to pronounce certain countries’ names. If you had asked most of these U.S. celebrities beforehand if they’re a fan of the game, they might’ve used the word “soccer” in their responses. 

What were you thinking, Mr. Infantino? (Gianni Infantino/Instagram)

Where were Mexican celebrities like football coach Rafa Marquez, boxer Canelo Alvarez, or singer Luis Miguel? What about Mexican American actress Jessica Alba or some top female Mexican footballers like Scarlett Camberos and Teresa Noyola, the latter a Mexican American footballer who’s played on the Mexican women’s team? A variety of these sorts of athletes and celebrity presenters would’ve given the show more life. 

Where there were fragments of Mexican and Canadian representation at the 2026 draw, it was deeply buried under Americana, to the point where it was confusing: The World Cup Draw is supposed to be about celebrating all the nations that have made it into the tournament; it’s supposed to be as inclusive as you can get, but this time, it seemed like Trump and the United States took the liberty of organizing the global event to be all about themselves. It was like being invited to a Day of the Dead event in Oaxaca and being offered hamburgers and milkshakes. 

After the draw concluded, I went on with my day, thinking about how we should’ve seen a deeper sense of collaboration. If this foreshadows what we’ll see in 2026, there’s a real fear it may turn into an overdone U.S.-style Super Bowl spectacle that’ll alienate fans and be about everything but watching the world’s game at the highest level. 

Case in point: FIFA has just announced that — for the first time ever — the final game will feature a Super Bowl-style halftime show. 

Ian Ostroff is an indie author, journalist, and copywriter from Montreal, Canada. You can find his work in various outlets, including Map Happy and The Suburban. When he’s not writing, you can find Ian at the gym, a café, or anywhere within Mexico visiting family and friends.

Homicides continue to drop across much of Mexico: Tuesday’s mañanera recapped

By
MND Staff
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President Sheinbaum smiles and gestures from the podium of her morning press conference
President Sheinbaum reported Tuesday that the downward trend in violence continues across the country. (Graciela López / Cuartoscuro.com)

Mexico’s security situation and a bilateral water dispute were the central focus of President Claudia Sheinbaum’s Tuesday morning press conference.

In the first half of the mañanera, security officials presented the latest data on homicides, arrests, firearm seizures and drug confiscations across Mexico.

The president on Tuesday discussed the circumstances surrounding Mexico’s late water deliveries to the U.S., and expressed confidence that a deal would be struck. (Juan Carlos Buenrostro/Presidencia)

Later in the presser, Sheinbaum expressed confidence that her government would reach a deal with its U.S. counterpart to stave off Donald Trump’s threat to impose a 5% tariff on Mexican goods if Mexico doesn’t promptly release a significant quantity of the water it owes to the United States under the terms of a 1944 treaty.

(Read MND’s story on Trump’s tariff threat and Sheinbaum’s response here.)

Here is a recap of the president’s Dec. 9 mañanera.

Homicides down 29% in 2025 

Marcela Figueroa Franco, head of the National Public Security System, presented preliminary data that showed there was an average of 65.1 homicides per day in Mexico during the first eleven months of the year.

The figure represents a decline of 29% compared to the daily average of 91.7 homicides across 2024.

Figueroa highlighted that the decline in homicides compared to 2018 — when former president Enrique Peña Nieto was in office for the first 11 months of the year — was 35%.

32 fewer murders per day in November than in the final month of AMLO’s presidency

At the start of her presentation, Figueroa reported that the average daily homicide rate in November was 37% lower than the average rate in September 2024, the final month of Andres Manuel López Obrador’s presidency.

There was an average of 54.7 homicides per day last month, according to preliminary data, whereas the daily average was 86.9 in September 2024.

The 37% reduction in homicides in November compared to September 2024 “is equivalent to 32 fewer homicides per day,” Figueroa noted.

Sheinbaum has attributed the decline in homicides during her presidency to the federal government’s security strategy, based on four key tenets, including the strengthening of intelligence and investigative practices and the enhancement of coordination between the different levels of government.

National Public Security System chief Marcela Figueroa Franco noted that the drop in homicides between September 2024 and November 2025 meant there were 32 fewer deaths per day on average last month. (Juan Carlos Buenrostro / Presidencia)

More than half of all murders in Mexico this year occurred in 7 states 

Figueroa presented data that showed there were 21,743 homicides across Mexico in the first 11 months of the year.

Just over half of those murders — 11,031 or 51% of the total — occurred in just seven states:

  1. Guanajuato: 2,388 murders were committed in the Bajío region state between January and November. The figure accounts for 11% of all homicides in the period. Guanajuato has led Mexico in homicides in recent years. A number of organized crime groups operate in the state, including the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel and its main rival, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
  2. Chihuahua: 1,661 homicides, accounting for 7.6% of the total between January and November. The northern border state’s largest city, Ciudad Juárez, is among Mexico’s 50 most violent municipalities.
  3. Baja California: 1,586 homicides, accounting for 7.3% of the total. This state’s largest city, Tijuana, is also among Mexico’s 50 most violent municipalities.
  4. Sinaloa: 1,541 homicides, accounting for 7.1% of the total. Rival factions of the Sinaloa Cartel have been engaged in a bloody war in the state for over a year.
  5. México state: 1,424 homicides, accounting for 6.5% of the total. México state is Mexico’s most populous state.
  6. Guerrero: 1,240 homicides, accounting for 5.7% of the total. The state’s largest city, Acapulco, is one of Mexico’s 50 most violent municipalities.
  7. Michoacán: 1,191 homicides, accounting for 5.5% of the total. The federal government last month presented “Plan Michoacán for Peace and Justice,” a 57-billion-peso (US $3.1 billion) initiative that the government devised in response to the murder of the mayor of Uruapan on Nov. 1 and general insecurity in the state.

Murders have declined in 26 of 32 states 

Figueroa also reported that homicides declined in 26 of Mexico’s 32 federal entities between January and November compared to the same period of last year.

Zacatecas recorded the largest decrease, with murders declining 70.5%. There were 137 homicides in Zacatecas between January and November, the eighth lowest count among Mexico’s 32 federal entities.

Four other states recorded year-over-year reductions above 50%. They were:

  • Chiapas: -57.9%
  • Quintana Roo: -56.7%
  • Nuevo León: -53.4%
  • San Luis Potosí: -51.8%

Among the other states that recorded a decline in homicides between January and November were the two most violent ones. Murders fell 15.9% in Guanajuato and 11.5% in Chihuahua.

The six federal entities where homicides increased in annual terms in the first 11 months of the year were Sinaloa, Campeche, Veracruz, Baja California Sur, Hidalgo and Nayarit.

4 states recorded fewer than 100 homicides between January and November 

The data presented by Figueroa also showed that four states recorded fewer than 100 murders in the first 11 months of the year. They were:

  • Yucatán: 28 homicides
  • Durango: 56
  • Coahuila: 73
  • Aguascalientes: 95

Seven other states recorded 200 homicides or fewer between January and November. They were:

  • Campeche: 108
  • Tlaxcala: 109
  • Baja California Sur: 127
  • Zacatecas: 137
  • Querétaro: 139
  • Nayarit: 176
  • San Luis Potosí: 200

Mexico City recorded the 14th highest number of homicides among the 32 federal entities, with 781 between January and November.

High-impact crimes down almost 14% this year 

Figueroa presented data that showed that an average of 518.2 “high-impact” crimes were reported on a daily basis in the first 11 months of 2025, a reduction of 13.8% compared to 2024.

High-impact crimes include homicide, kidnapping, extortion and violent robbery, among other offenses.

Men in dark uniforms load black bundles into a van labelled "Servicio médico forense"
Crime scene investigators pack up evidence found at a clandestine gravesite in Ciudad Juárez in September. Officials report that high impact crimes like murder and kidnapping are down over 10% so far this year. (Manuel Sánchez/Cuartoscuro.com)

Figueroa highlighted that the incidence of high-impact crimes is down 47% in 2025 compared to 2018. She noted that the incidence of most high-impact crimes, including femicide, kidnapping, burglary and violent vehicle theft, declined between 2019 and 2025, but acknowledged that reported acts of extortion increased 23.1% over the same period.

However, since the launch of the national strategy against extortion in July, reported acts of extortion have declined 20%, Figueroa said. She was referring to the reduction in extortion reports between July (an average of 32.03 per day) and November (25.6 per day).

Almost 39,000 arrests in 14 months

Federal Security Minister Omar García Harfuch reported that 1,761 people were arrested in November for allegedly committing high-impact crimes.

Since the current government took office on Oct. 1, 2024, a total of 38,773 people have been arrested for allegedly committing such crimes, according to data presented by García Harfuch.

The security minister didn’t say how many of those people have faced trial and been convicted of the crimes they allegedly committed. It is common for suspects in Mexico to remain in prison for extended periods of time before facing trial.

García Harfuch also presented data that showed that authorities have seized 311.7 tonnes of drugs over the past 14 months, including more than 4.3 million fentanyl pills, which are manufactured by Mexican crime groups with precursor chemicals illegally imported from China.

He said that 20,169 firearms were confiscated in the same period, and 1,760 methamphetamine laboratories were dismantled by the army and navy.

The dismantling of the clandestine drug labs “represents an economic impact of billions of pesos for organized crime,” García Harfuch said.

By Mexico News Daily chief staff writer Peter Davies (peter.davies@mexiconewsdaily.com)

Polls find optimism about Mexico’s World Cup performance — both as competitor and as host

By
MND Staff
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FIFA posters
WIth six months to go before the World Cup, Mexicans are feeling upbeat about their role as host, foreseeing adequate security and a positive image of their country before the world. (Crisanta Espinosa Aguilar/Cuartoscuro.com)

A pair of polls indicate that not only are Mexicans bullish on their team’s chances of advancing at next year’s World Cup, they also believe their country will feature the best environment of the tournament’s three hosts. 

The newspaper Reforma asked 320 adults from across the country how far they think El Tri will advance in the 2026 World Cup and 83% said Mexico will be one of the two national teams to advance out of Group A. Nearly half of those polled (49%) think Mexico will win its Round of 32 match to reach the Round of 16.

World Cup mascot
Spirits are high in Mexico six months before the World Cup, with polls showing that a solid majority of the population is confident that the team will do well and the nation will shine during its moment in the world’s spotlight. (Victoria Valltierra/Cuartoscuro)

Should Mexico reach the Round of 16, it would mark just the second time in El Tri’s 17 World Cup appearances that it played a fifth match. In 1986 — the last time Mexico hosted the global soccer tournament — El Tri reached the quarterfinals before losing to eventual finalist West Germany.

Nearly two-thirds of those polled by Reforma see Mexico defeating South Africa in the inaugural match in Mexico City and 83% think El Tri will either win or draw vs South Korea in its second group-stage match. The final member of Group A will be determined in March.

Whereas participants in the Reforma survey indicated mild confidence in Mexico’s coach Javier Aguirre (50% said they trust him, 45% said they don’t), another poll of 1,000 adults conducted by Mitofsky found that only 33% voiced satisfaction with Aguirre.

El Tri ended the year on a six-game winless streak (0 wins, four draws, two losses), prompting 70% of those asked to voice discontent with the team’s performance.

The polls also asked about conditions in Mexico for the World Cup (Mexico will host 13 matches in three cities: Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara). 

The Reforma poll found that roughly three-quarters think security will be more than adequate (76% — safe for teams; 74% — safe for foreign fans; 72% — safe for tourists in general). 

Nearly two-thirds (64%) of Reforma respondents said they believe Mexico will most benefit economically from playing host to the World Cup, while 23% said the biggest beneficiary will be Mexico’s reputation as a great country to visit.

The Mitofsky poll found that a whopping 70% believe Mexico will provide the best environment for World Cup fans (7.8% said the U.S., 1.7% said Canada). However, the survey also found that respondents believe the U.S. has more attractive stadiums and is likely to be better organized.

With regard to which inaugural game will be the most spectacular, nearly 39% told Mitofsky that the game at Mexico City Stadium on June 11 will be the best. Nearly 29% said the inaugural match in the U.S. on June 12 at So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles will be the most spectacular, while only 6% think the June 12 match at Toronto Stadium will be the best.

With reports from Reforma and Ovaciones

Former Chihuahua governor César Duarte arrested for embezzlement

By
MND Staff
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A man in a white shirt under arrest
Former Chihuahua governor César Duarte has been arrested by Mexican authorities on embezzlement and criminal association charges. (Cuartoscuro)

The long-running legal troubles of a former governor of the northern border state of Chihuahua have intensified.

César Duarte was detained on Monday on charges related to the use of ill-gotten resources, the Federal Attorney General’s Office (FGR) said, noting that a warrant for his arrest was issued in May 2024.

Duarte served as the governor of Chihuahua for the PRI party between 2010 and 2016. (Nacho Ruiz/Cuartoscuro)

Duarte, Institutional Revolutionary Party governor of Chihuahua between 2010 and 2016 and a federal and state lawmaker before that, was arrested in Chihuahua city and subsequently transferred to the Altiplano federal prison in México state, where he was scheduled to face an initial hearing on Tuesday.

He was taken into custody while awaiting trial on separate embezzlement and criminal association charges that are being prosecuted by the Chihuahua Attorney General’s Office, according to the FGR.

The FGR said in a statement that the ex-governor was arrested on Monday “for his probable responsibility in the crime of operations with resources of illicit origin.”

It is the first federal crime of which Duarte has been formally accused.

The Federal Attorney General’s Office, now led by new Attorney General Ernestina Godoy, pointed to Duarte’s “probable intervention as a public servant in Chihuahua in a money laundering scheme, in which he tried to hide resources of illicit origin diverted from state coffers, using the Mexican financial system for that purpose.”

The arrest of the ex-governor came more than three years after he was extradited to Mexico from the United States. Duarte was detained in Miami, Florida, in July 2020 on corruption charges. He had been working at an auto parts business in that city.

César Duarte disembarking from an aircraft in handcuffs
César Duarte was previously extradited to Mexico from the United States in 2020. (Cuartoscuro)

After his extradition, Duarte was held at a prison in Chihuahua until he was released pending trial in June 2024.

The FGR said that on Oct. 4, 2024, a request was submitted to the United States government for authorization to prosecute Duarte “for a crime distinct to those of embezzlement and criminal association.”

It said that the U.S. — which approved Duarte’s extradition to face embezzlement and criminal association charges in Chihuahua —  granted that authorization on Dec. 4, one year and two months after the request was submitted. Duarte’s arrest came just four days after the U.S. authorization.

The Reforma newspaper reported that “it’s the third time that the United States authorizes Mexico to initiate criminal proceedings … [against] Duarte, although on the two previous occasions the accusations were under common [state] jurisdiction.”

The FGR noted that Duarte “is considered innocent” until proven otherwise.

Triple jeopardy?

Among Duarte’s alleged crimes is the construction of illegal dams to irrigate his ranch in Chihuahua — making him a poster child for illicit water hoarding during recent congressional debates of Mexico’s national water law. (Daniel Agosto/Cuartoscuro)

Duarte’s lawyer, Juan Carlos Mendoza, asserted on Tuesday that his client was arrested on the same charges that are being prosecuted by the Chihuahua Attorney General’s Office.

He claimed that the prosecution of Duarte on what the FGR called a “distinct” federal charge amounts to “triple jeopardy.”

Mendoza also asserted that Godoy “is being misinformed” about his client’s legal situation.

The common jurisdiction charges Duarte faces are related to the alleged embezzlement of 96.6 million pesos (US $5.3 million at today’s exchange rate) from the Chihuahua government between 2011 and 2014.

“How is it possible that he’s now being arrested for events that are already being prosecuted here in Chihuahua,” Mendoza said, adding that a situation of “triple jeopardy” is “something” that he has never seen before.

Duarte is among a large group of former governors of Mexican states who have been accused of — and in various cases convicted of — corruption. They include Javier Duarte of Veracruz, Roberto Borge of Quintana Roo and Roberto Sandoval of Nayarit.

With reports from Milenio, El Universal, Reforma, Aristegui Noticias and El Financiero

Volunteers will rescue dogs abandoned during Virgin of Guadalupe pilgrimage

By
MND Staff
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dog rescuers
When millions of pilgrims descend on the Basilica in Mexico City, scores of dogs and other animals end up abandoned. Some were strays before the event, others became so, but all need care in the aftermath, which the city's animal care agency, AGATAN, will provide this week, with the help of volunteers. (Graciela López/Cuartoscuro.com)

As millions of pilgrims prepare to converge on the Basilica of Guadalupe this week, Mexico City officials have launched Operation Pilgrim Dog 2025 to rescue and care for the dozens of stray animals they expect to find around Tepeyac Hill.

Last year, nearly 12 million pilgrims visited the shrine on and around Dec. 12 — the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe (aka the Virgin Mary), one of the biggest dates on Mexico’s Catholic calendar.

stray dogs given food
Authorities reported 68 strays found near the Basilica after the pilgrimage last year, and 150 more some distance away, 15 in critical condition. (Graciela López/Cuartoscuro.com)

Rescuers found 68 abandoned dogs near the Basilica in 2024, according to the news outlet N+, while Mexico City’s Animal Care Agency (AGATAN) reported rescuing 150 animals throughout the capital around last year’s festivities, including 15 in critical condition.

Most of the dogs were already strays that had attached themselves to pilgrims on the road, then ended up in the Basilica area, got separated and started forming packs, according to N+.

However, some of the dogs were also owned by families that left them behind because of transportation limits or neglect, officials noted.

Ana Villagrán, head of AGATAN, said her office has coordinated with all 16 boroughs to provide shelter and food for those dogs this year.

“I already have a network in place with all the animal welfare officials in every district,” Villagrán told the newspaper El Sol de México.

Operation Pilgrim Dog 2025 invites citizens and organizations to volunteer, donate supplies and offer temporary homes. 

About 50 volunteers have already signed up to assist this week at the Basilica with veterinary care, feeding and adoptions.

“We are witnessing an act of faith and human migration involving millions of people, and with them come dogs seeking food, a family and help,” Villagrán said in the digital news outlet Animal Político.

The Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe this year marks the 494th anniversary of the purported apparition of the Virgin on Tepeyac Hill, located near the Basilica site. Juan Diego, an Indigenous convert to Catholicism, is said to have seen the Virgin Mary appear as Guadalupe on four occasions in December 1531.

An estimated 11 to 13 million pilgrims are expected to visit the Basilica this year, following more than 11 million last year, according to estimates from the National Chamber of Commerce (CanacoANACO).

The chamber is estimating that the pilgrims will generate 1.724 billion pesos (US $94.8  million) in economic activity, a 5.9% increase over last year.

With reports from Animal Político and El Sol de México

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