Between Columbus and Cortés — How Spain encountered Mexico

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December 7, 2025

Painting of the Cortés led conquest of Mexico. (Public Domain)

It all started with a wedding. In 1469, Isabella I of Castile married Ferdinand II of Aragon, uniting their two kingdoms and laying the foundation of modern Spain. The kingdom expanded further in 1492 when it forced the Muslims out of Granada. That same year, a self-educated visionary from Genoa came peddling his idea for finding a route to the wealth of Asia, not by rounding Africa, but by sailing westwards. Isabella I, seeing this as a way to circumvent the Portuguese monopoly on the eastern route, sponsored Christopher Columbus’s first Atlantic voyage.

Columbus indeed found land on the far side of the Atlantic, and he returned in 1493. This time, he established a settlement on the island of Hispaniola (modern Haiti and the Dominican Republic), creating a small foothold in a new world that still required exploration and mapping. It was, for example, uncertain if neighbouring Cuba was an island or, as Columbus believed, the most easterly point of mainland Asia. This would not be settled until 1508, when Sebastián de Ocampo finally circumnavigated the island.

Ferdinand and Isabella, the Spanish king and queen who made Christopher Columbus’ voyages possible. (Public Domain)

The final voyage of Columbus

In 1502, Christopher Columbus’ fourth and final voyage brought him to the American mainland, and he sailed as far north as modern Belize. On July 30, 1502, his party spotted a large canoe approaching from the west. The canoe was carved from one large tree trunk and was powered by 25 nude rowers. As far as we can tell from the limited accounts, this was a Maya trading canoe from the Yucatán, carrying a cargo of trading goods that included ceramics, cotton, copper, and stone axes, war clubs and cacao. It was not a friendly first interaction. The Europeans looted whatever took their interest from the cargo and seized the elderly Maya captain to serve as their guide.

It had been a difficult trip, noted for unhelpful winds and currents, shallow reefs and sudden storms, and it ended with the crew being marooned on Jamaica for several months. Columbus had not rounded the eastern point of the Yucatán. Had he done so, he would have been the first European to see the great Maya cities. He had, however, seen enough to convince himself that they had been sailing along the shores of a continent, and one that was home to people far more technically advanced than the small villages encountered on the Caribbean islands. Columbus was more certain than ever that he had reached the eastern shores of Asia.

Spanish advances in the Americas

In 1510, the Spaniards made their first attempt to establish a settlement on the South American mainland, founding the colony of Santa María la Antigua del Darién in Colombia. The following year, a ship sailing out of this colony hit a sandbar off the coast of Jamaica. Most of the crew and passengers took to a small boat, but unable to combat the current and wind, they were swept westwards to the Yucatán and captured by the Maya. Somehow, two of them, a friar called Jerónimo de Aguilar and Gonzalo Guerrero, who was probably a sailor, escaped into the jungle.

In 1511, Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar arrived in Cuba with instructions to bring the island more firmly under Spanish rule. The island proved far more welcoming to the Spanish than Hispaniola had been. The Indigenous Taínos, Ciboneys and the Guanajatabeyes, having generally been left alone by neighbouring islanders, had neither weapons nor a warlike culture. The forests and beaches provided sources of food, such as cassava, large lizards, turtles and wild birds, that offered a more varied and therefore healthier diet. Although the rumours of gold were greatly exaggerated, the Spanish brought in settlers to populate the small towns that Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar established around the island.

The Spanish settlement of Havana

One of these new settlements was Havana. Built around a natural bay, it lay to the north of the island at the entrance to the Gulf of Mexico. This gave easy access to the Gulf Stream, the main ocean current that navigators followed when returning to Europe, so it rapidly developed as an important port. By 1515, Cuba was largely pacified and already becoming the heart of Spanish interest in the Americas.

The first years of Spanish exploration and settlement had not produced any significant quantities of gold. Neither had ships been able to discover a trade route to Asia. Instead, it was plantations, particularly the growing of sugar and tobacco, that were proving the most profitable business. However, plantations were dependent on enslaved labor, and the Spaniards had brought new diseases with them, which had decimated the local Indigenous populations. Exploring the still uncharted lands to the west was increasingly motivated by the search for more people to enslave, and while ships leaving from Hispaniola had tended to head towards South America, the ever more important harbour of Havana was far closer to the Yucatán. The Spanish were about to turn their attention to Mexico.

The first Spanish voyages to Mexico

Mexica smallpox victims — The Mexica were not the first to acquire the European-brought disease of smallpox. The Maya did so as early as 1515. (Public Domain)

Around 1515, or perhaps the following year, the Maya were hit by a great plague. The sickness caused large, rotting pustules and is thought likely to have been smallpox. Whether it was carried by those handful of shipwrecked prisoners or brought overland by Indigenous peoples trading with the Spanish settlement in Panama is uncertain. Whatever the source, this was the Maya’s first experience of the European diseases that would take such a terrible toll in the years ahead.

In February 1517, 25 years after Columbus first sailed to the Americas, Francisco Hernández de Córdoba set out from Cuba with a small fleet of three ships. Little is known of Córdoba’s life before this. He had been born in Spain, had acquired land and wealth in Cuba, and was sailing in search of gold and people to enslave. These waters were stormy and dangerous, but at least the Spaniards now had some knowledge of what to expect. Antón de Alaminos, who had served as pilot under Christopher Columbus, was sailing with Córdoba, and three weeks after leaving Cuba, having survived a two-day storm, they sighted the northeastern tip of the Yucatán Peninsula. Here they saw a Maya city upon a low hill, which they called Gran Cairo, due to its size and its pyramids. As far as can be ascertained, they had reached Isla Mujeres.

Córdoba’s explorations of the Yucatán Peninsula

The initial reaction of the Maya was aggressive, and a Spanish party that went ashore at Chakán Putum was ambushed by a large group of warriors. Several Spaniards were killed, and others were wounded during the attack. However, the Spanish were able to continue into the city, reaching a small plaza, where they looted the temples.

They also captured two Mayas to be used as guides. One man injured in the attack was the future historian Bernal Díaz del Castillo, who returned to the ship with three wounds. One of these, an arrow that had pierced his ribs, was quite serious, but he survived. Bernal Díaz del Castillo’s story is typical of a Spanish adventurer of this age. Born in Spain to a modestly wealthy family, he had schooling and a talent for languages but few prospects. As a young man, he had sailed for the new colonies, but here, too, there seemed to be limited opportunities for the later arrivals. He turned to soldiering, sailing first with Córdoba and later with Hernán Cortés. Many years later, he would write an account of these events in “Historia Verdadera de la Conquista de la Nueva España.”

Over the next fifteen days, Córdoba’s fleet slowly followed the coastline west and then south, but they were running into problems. The poor quality Cuban water casks were leaking, and the need to find fresh water became critical. Another problem was that the Maya stone arrows tended to shatter on impact, and some of the wounds that had seemed minor were now becoming infected. Córdoba headed north for Florida, where they were again attacked, at which point the expedition was abandoned and they headed back for Cuba.

Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar’s fleet arrives in the Yucatán

The following year, spurred in part by the gold Córdoba had looted from the temple at Chakán Putum, Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar assembled a fleet of four ships and placed it under the command of Juan de Grijalva. They departed Cuba in April with Antón de Alaminos, now a veteran of these waters, once again the pilot. They also carried the two Indigenous peoples captured at Chakán Putum. These men had been given Spanish names, being known as Julianillo and Melchorejo, and presumably had learnt a fair bit of Spanish. They would act as both guides and interpreters.

Maya attacking Spanish in boats. — The Mayas of Chakán Putum attack the retreating Spaniards. (Public Domain)

The fleet rounded Cuba and reached the east coast of the Yucatán, where they became the first Europeans to see Cozumel. Turning north and following the coastline, they reached Chakán Putum. where they were again attacked. A few crew members were killed, and many, including the captain, were injured. They were attacked again at San Juan de Ulúa, this time by Indigenous people in canoes. Maya aggression prevented de Grijalva from establishing a small garrison and claiming these lands for Spain.

In other places, they were able to trade, acquiring some jewellery and “low-grade” gold items. One ship returned to Cuba to seek reinforcements, and the rest pushed on. They reached Tabasco, where they named the local river the Río Grijalva after their captain. It was around this time that they became the first Spaniards to encounter the Mexica, coming across a man called Pinotl, a representative of the great Moctezuma II. The Spaniards heard of a great inland city, while Pintol returned to Tenochtitlán with news of these strange foreigners, men with beards who sailed the seas in their great white ships.

Cortés comes to Mexico

On their return, the rumors of gold once again spurred excitement, and Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar selected Hernán Cortés to lead the next expedition. A decade of soldiering in the New World had seen Cortés grow rich in land and government positions, and he gathered a force of 11 ships, 500 men, as well as 13 horses. Backed by such an army, Cortés could be far more aggressive with the local Yucatán chieftains.

While on Cozumel, a canoe arrived with three men, one of whom rushed up to the sailors and asked in Spanish who they were and who their king was. This was Jerónimo de Aguilar, one of the last two survivors from the lifeboat the tides had swept here in 1510. Gonzalo Guerrero had also survived but had assimilated into Maya life and now had tattoos, piercings, a wife and several children. He would stay in the service of his Maya lord. Jerónimo de Aguilar, however, being a religious man, had rejected such temptations and sailed with Cortés as he departed for the north and his conquest of the great Mexica empire.

Bob Pateman is a Mexico-based historian, librarian and a life-term hasher. He is editor of On On Magazine, the international history magazine of hashing.

What makes Mérida Mexico’s cutest city: 8 architectural secrets revealed

By

Bethany Platanella

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December 7, 2025

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It should come as a surprise to no one that my recent trip to Mérida left me enamored. The Yucatán capital has been recognized as Mexico’s safest city since 2015 and the world’s best small city by Condé Nast in its Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.

This charming hub blends the region’s rich Maya heritage with elegant colonial architecture, accented by bright colors and geometric patterns, soaring ceilings and pillared courtyards. The sun-drenched streets and the plazas are artfully landscaped. As my iPhone’s collection of photos grew, I wondered aloud and often: Why is Mérida so darn cute?

The city’s combination of European and Maya styles

Casas Gemelas in Mérida — One of the Casas Gemelas on Mérida’s Paseo de Montejo, this mansion undeniably shows its European influence; in this case, French Revival. (Matthew T Rader/Wikimedia Commons)

The city of Mérida was created in 1542, when the Spanish initiated its construction over the ancient Maya city of T’hó. The location was ideal to establish a colonial stronghold, with its established trade routes and freshwater accessibility, as well as its reasonable distance from the coast. Preexisting infrastructure provided workers with building materials, such as the repurposed stones you can see today in Catedral de San Ildefonso and Casa de Montejo.

Over the years, Mérida served as New Spain’s administrative seat in the Yucatán. For this reason, it was sometimes the site of Indigenous uprisings.

Once the 20th century rolled around, Mérida’s economy exploded, thanks to the henequén trade, further developing the capital. Henequén, a plant native to the Yucatán Peninsula, produces a famously sturdy fiber of the same name that’s used in rope, sacks and fabrics. It is still essential today in the agriculture and shipping industries.

The product was largely exported to the United States for twine in the second decade of the 1900s, averaging a regional income of US $24 million per year. Much of that wealth surge was redirected into beautifying the city. Today, Mérida’s unique look marries European elegance and Maya design.

Here are the details that make it so cute.

Its colonial-era architecture

If you’ve entered any of the museum mansions, you’ve probably noticed ceilings that soar up to 6 meters (20 feet) high. These airy abodes served two purposes: showcasing a family’s societal status and adapting to the regional climate. Yucatán summers can be stifling. Before air conditioning was standard, high ceilings were used to trap the heat, keeping interiors cool and improving airflow.

Plaza Grande in — Framed by the cathedral and government palace, Plaza Grande is one of the wonders of Mérida. (Visit Mérida MX)

Additionally, thick walls, central courtyards and large doors and windows were also constructed within these colonial villas to facilitate cross-breezes and provide shade and maintain a pleasant indoor temperature.

Most of Mérida’s neighborhoods are marked by their own leafy square, reminiscent of both Mayan markets and Europe’s outdoor central plazas. Each is lined with a church, some with government offices. All are meticulously landscaped with trees and flower beds. You’ll also notice sets of “lover’s chairs,” romantic double-seated benches said to have been commissioned by a protective father so his daughter and suitor could converse with some physical distance built in.

The crown jewel of Merida’s squares, Plaza Grande, is framed by the cathedral, Casa de Montejo, and the government palace. Archaeological excavations have revealed Maya structures and colonial paving stones beneath, making the main square a living testament to the city’s multilayered history.

The henequén boom era: Turning local fiber into fortunes

Colorful and geometric, these cement squares are called pasta for the paste they’re made from. Originally a tradition brought over to the Yucatán from Barcelona starting in the mid-1800s, pasta tiles were extremely durable, lasting a century or more, and were revered as a symbol of status and wealth.

During the 20th-century economic boom, 60 small factories were built here to satisfy an ever-increasing demand, where skilled artisans made each tile by hand. A single worker, known as a ladrillero, could make between 80 and 130 tiles per day, pouring colored cement into an iron mold, pressing them into shape, then leaving them to dry for a week.
Most tiles were crafted in floral or geometric patterns, though it was rare to see identical motifs as neighbors competed to install the most unique designs.

Perhaps the grandest display of henequén wealth in Mérida was Paseo de Montejo. Built between 1888 and 1904 and inspired by Parisian boulevards, this tree-lined avenue was designed by city authorities and wealthy aristocrats to display their newfound prosperity.

Pasta tiles in Mérida — Pasta tile floors are a signature visual accent in Mérida. (Mexico in My Pocket)

Named after the Spanish conquistador who founded Mérida, the boulevard features wide sidewalks, landscaped plazas and roundabouts called glorietas. The historic center is another example of European-style urban planning, where a distinctive grid layout features sidewalks dotted with lampposts and wrought-iron balconies imported from Europe.

Barons who capitalized on the henequén trade commissioned grand casonas that emulated Beaux-Arts, French and Italianate architecture, such as manicured gardens, porticos, Carrera marble floors and pasta tiles. Many of these old mansions can be found today on Paseo de Montejo, where they’ve been converted into museums, restaurants and hotels.

One such mansion-turned-museum, Quinta Montes Molina, retained many of its original accents — stained glass from Tiffany’s and Limoges china — including, so they say, the owner’s spirit: Local legend claims Avelino Montes Linaje, who bought the mansion from a Cuban businessman during the Mexican Revolution, continues to wander the halls.

Embracing Indigenous identity

After the Mexican Revolution, Mérida embraced its Indigenous identity by incorporating architectural details inspired by Uxmal and Chichen Itzá. Starting in 1915, architects began integrating Maya elements into new construction — think serpent motifs, corbeled archways, geometric fretwork and traditional mask features. This style came to be known in Mexico as Neomaya.

Rendón Peniche Sanatorium, which currently houses UNAM’s Peninsular Center for Humanities and Social Sciences, is a great example of Neomaya — also known as Maya Revival— architecture. Maya-related decorative elements were also making a comeback, and many houses were outfitted with hammocks for sleeping in the traditional Yucatán style.

It’s a living canvas

Much of Mérida’s charm lies in the weathered paint layers on many of its colonial facades. The tropical sun, seasonal rains and humidity cause exterior paint to fade and flake while newer coats are applied over older layers. The result is numerous textured walls where blue, pink, ochre and turquoise overlap, with slabs of plaster and brick revealed beneath.

Maya couple in Mérida — Maya culture and the Neomaya architectural style reflect Indigenous roots in Mérida. (Matt Hanns Schroeter/Unsplash)

Historic restoration projects are tasked with intentionally preserving this “palimpsest” quality, highlighting the city’s ability to continuously adapt and showcasing its timeworn character.

Speaking of layered paint, the colors themselves cover a spectrum of hues, from soft pastels like teal, rose and yellow to intense shades of azure blue and brilliant magenta. Vibrant colors reflect the region’s tropical climate and Caribbean influence, often inspired by the Yucatán sea, sky and bright-red flamboyán trees. Historically, specific colors were used for their spiritual significance rooted in Maya beliefs and Catholic traditions, such as blue representing safety and red conveying vitality.

Mérida’s colorful buildings also serve a practical purpose: Unlike white or stone facades, colors help to diffuse the strong Yucatán sunlight and diminish the glare, enhancing the city’s vibrant street life.

So why is Mérida so cute? It’s the perfect storm of history, culture and climate creating something entirely unique. Maya foundations, Spanish colonialism, henequén wealth and tropical weathering have all left their mark, yet somehow Mérida has blended these influences into its own distinct character. The result is a city that wears it beautifully, charming every visitor who discovers its colorful streets.

Bethany Platanella is a travel planner and lifestyle writer based in Mexico City. She lives for the dopamine hit that comes directly after booking a plane ticket, exploring local markets, practicing yoga and munching on fresh tortillas. Sign up to receive her Sunday Love Letters to your inbox, peruse her blog or follow her on Instagram.

Mexico’s week in review: Sheinbaum draws Mexico’s World Cup fate — and Trump’s praise

By

MND Staff

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December 6, 2025

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Sheinbaum holds up a small ribbon with the word Mexico at the World Cup draw on Dec. 5 — At the World Cup draw, President Sheinbaum celebrated Mexico's "extraordinary, hard-working" people, a message reinforced by her government's pro-labor announcements days earlier: a 13% minimum wage hike for 2026 and plans to roll out a 40-hour workweek. (Presidencia/Cuartoscuro)

The week of Dec. 1-5 marked several milestones for Claudia Sheinbaum’s presidency, from announcing significant labor reforms to making her first visit to Washington as Mexico’s president. Meanwhile, contentious water legislation sparked nationwide protests, and the government moved to replace its attorney general, closing a controversial chapter in Mexican law enforcement.

As the ruling Morena party celebrated the seventh anniversary of the “fourth transformation” political project on Dec. 1, former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador broke his months-long public silence to promote his new book and offer support for his successor, declaring he would only return to activism in three cases: if democracy, Sheinbaum’s presidency or Mexico’s sovereignty came under threat.

Didn’t have time to read this week’s top stories? Here’s what you missed.

Sheinbaum’s historic Washington visit: World Cup draw and first Trump meeting

President Sheinbaum made history with her first U.S. visit as Mexico’s president on Friday, traveling to Washington, D.C., for the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw.

The event marked the first time the leaders of all three co-host nations met in person, with Sheinbaum joining U.S. President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on stage at the Kennedy Center.

During the ceremony, FIFA president Gianni Infantino summoned the three leaders to participate as draw assistants. Sheinbaum drew Group A for Mexico, setting up a tournament-opening match against South Africa at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca on June 11, 2026. Mexico will also face South Korea and a European playoff winner in group play.

The Mexican president took the opportunity to highlight her country’s unique distinction, noting that “Mexico is an exceptional country, beautiful and magical” and emphasizing that Mexicans have enjoyed playing ball games for centuries, referencing the ancient Mesoamerican ritual sport.

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A post shared by Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo (@claudia_shein)

In a surprising moment captured by TV Azteca, Trump praised Sheinbaum when asked about the ceremony, saying, “Your president is here and she’s doing a very good job. She’s a good woman, doing very excellent work.” The brief interaction marked the first in-person meeting between the two leaders, who had previously only spoken by phone about tariffs and the binational issue of fentanyl trafficking.

Following the draw, the three North American leaders held a private mini-summit where trade was expected to dominate discussions. The USMCA free trade agreement enters its mandatory review period in 2026, and Trump had recently mused about letting the agreement expire.

Water law sparks new blockades

On Wednesday, the Chamber of Deputies approved legislation to establish tighter controls on water use, with 328 deputies voting in favor and 131 opposed.

The new General Water Law seeks to transform water from a tradable commodity into a recognized human right, with the federal government as the sole authority to issue concessions. The legislation also aims to combat water theft, prevent hoarding and create a national water reserve.

However, farmers mobilized across the country to oppose the measure, blocking highways in states including Zacatecas, Guanajuato, and Chihuahua, and stopping traffic at international bridges between Ciudad Juárez and El Paso.

Critics argue that the law threatens agricultural production by potentially reducing farmers’ access to water and creating uncertainty about whether concessions can be inherited. Elena Burns, a former Conagua official-turned-water-activist, warned that the law could result in farmers losing concessions if water goes unused for two years, effectively transferring agricultural water to government reserves.

The government made several modifications to address farmers’ concerns before the Chamber of Deputies approved the bill on Thursday. The Senate then fast-tracked the legislation, weathering criticism from opposition parties before voting 85-36 to approve the new water law Thursday night, sending it to President Sheinbaum for signing.

Following the Senate vote, protest leaders agreed to temporarily suspend their blockades after meeting with Conagua representatives early Friday, though they expressed reservations about the final version.

Interior Minister Rosa Icela Rodríguez warned that discontent with the legislation could lead to future demonstrations, while some farmer groups, including the National Front for the Rescue of the Mexican Countryside, threatened to return “with greater strength and better organization” if implementation proves problematic.

Ernestina Godoy becomes attorney general

In a swift transition following Alejandro Gertz Manero’s surprise resignation, the Senate confirmed Ernestina Godoy as Mexico’s new attorney general on Wednesday, with 97 senators voting in favor, 19 opposed, and 11 casting invalid votes.

Godoy, a longtime ally of President Sheinbaum who served as Mexico City attorney general during Sheinbaum’s mayorship and more recently as the president’s legal advisor, becomes only the second woman to hold the position. In her confirmation hearing, she pledged an Attorney General’s Office with “open doors” that would avoid fabricating culprits or engaging in political persecution, while vowing “there will be no impunity.”

The 71-year-old attorney general emphasized coordination with federal and state authorities, security forces, and human rights organizations, though she stressed the FGR’s autonomy would remain intact. “Justice is not negotiated,” Godoy declared, adding that rebuilding public confidence requires transparency, accountability, evidence-based decisions, and respect for human rights.

Ernestina Godoy at her confirmation hearing as attorney general — The Mexican Senate confirmed Ernestina Godoy as federal attorney general on Wednesday, with 97 votes in favor, 19 opposed and 11 abstentions. (Cuartoscuro)

Opposition senators questioned Godoy’s close ties to Morena and Sheinbaum, with some characterizing the selection process as a simulation designed to install a government-friendly attorney general. The appointment means Godoy will inherit high-profile unresolved cases, including the 2014 disappearance of 43 students in Guerrero and corruption allegations against former Pemex CEO Emilio Lozoya.

Gertz Manero served nearly seven scandal-filled years as attorney general, during which he faced accusations of political persecution, particularly regarding the case of a woman accused of killing his niece. His tenure was marked by controversies over the handling of several high-profile investigations and his relationship with the previous administration.

Economic outlook and pro-labor announcements

This week, the OECD lowered its 2025 GDP growth projection following Mexico’s tepid 0.4% growth in the first nine months of the year, though the country continues to benefit from nearshoring trends.

On the positive side, Mexico set a record for exports and became the top buyer of U.S. goods, surpassing Canada for the first time in history. Between January and August, Mexico imported $226.4 billion worth of American products, underscoring the deep integration of the two economies.

Labor Minister Marath Bolaños unveiled two significant initiatives at Wednesday’s press conference. The minimum wage will increase 13% to 315 pesos daily in 2026, Sheinbaum’s second wage hike since taking office and part of her goal to set the minimum at 2.5 “basic baskets” of essential food items per month by 2030. Additionally, the Labor Ministry proposed gradually reducing the standard workweek to 40 hours by 2030, with mandatory two-hour reductions each year starting in 2027.

The announcement drew mixed reactions, with labor advocates celebrating the reforms while business groups expressed concerns about implementation challenges. The government emphasized that the changes would be phased in gradually to allow businesses time to adjust.

Other news to know

Plan Michoacán — under which additional federal troops were deployed to the state in early November — has reduced homicides by half, according to security officials.
A son of drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán admitted to kidnapping Sinaloa Cartel leader Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, providing new details about the July 2024 incident that led to both men’s detention in the United States.
The inflow of remittances to Mexico declined in annual terms for a seventh consecutive month in October, while income from the international monetary transfers was also down in the first ten months of 2025.
Financial institutions reported rising defaults on credit cards and personal loans, with unpaid balances reaching their highest level on record.
Mexican women are making gains in business leadership, according to a new IMCO report, though significant gender gaps remain.

Looking ahead

President Sheinbaum’s successful Washington visit, where Trump praised her performance and the three North American leaders demonstrated unity ahead of crucial USMCA negotiations, provided a diplomatic bright spot for the administration.

The water law’s passage represents a significant legislative victory, but ongoing tensions with agricultural producers suggest the issue remains far from resolved. As Godoy takes the reins of the Attorney General’s Office, her approach to high-profile cases and ability to rebuild public confidence in the justice system will be closely watched.

With the seventh anniversary of the “fourth transformation” freshly marked and former President López Obrador’s conditional endorsement still resonating, Sheinbaum faces the challenge of converting strong approval ratings into tangible improvements that can quiet critics and demonstrate the movement’s continued relevance.

The World Cup draw not only set Mexico’s path to soccer glory but also showcased the president’s growing comfort on the international stage at a critical moment for the bilateral relationship with the United States.

Mexico News Daily

This story contains summaries of original Mexico News Daily articles. The summaries were generated by Claude, then revised and fact-checked by a Mexico News Daily staff editor.

Confidently Wrong about Water in Mexico: A new podcast from our CEO

By

Travis Bembenek

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December 6, 2025

2

Water drips from an outdoor spigot — From agriculture to industry to drinking water, water usage is an increasingly urgent issue in Mexico. This week, Travis Bembenek tackles the topic in a new episode of "Confidently Wrong." (Luis Tosta/Unsplash)

Perhaps the most common piece of advice one is given when traveling to Mexico is, “Don’t drink the water!” Other common advice includes not having ice in your drinks, or not eating salads or not brushing your teeth with tap water. I have even heard people say that you must make sure to keep your mouth closed in the shower.

So are these pieces of advice still relevant today? And if so, why? What’s so different and unique about water in Mexico?

I have worked in the water business for over 15 years in Mexico and have seen hundreds of water systems in businesses across the country. Although I am not a technical water expert, I do have a perspective that I think can help people make sense of the water situation in the country.

Other than crime issues, I would say that water is the biggest concern that I hear people talking about. Some people ask about the impact of nearshoring or new factories on the water supply. Others lament new home construction and the lack of water availability. And still others worry about all of the greenhouses popping up in many parts of the country, using precious water to grow crops for export to relatively water-rich countries like the U.S. and Canada.

With so much to learn on the topic, MND has created a separate content section called “Water in Mexico” and our site has constant coverage on the issues facing the country. You can see the articles here.

I also have written several articles with my perspective on the issue:

In this week’s episode of MND’s Confidently Wrong podcast, we tackle the issue of Water in Mexico. Not just the dos and don’ts of drinking water, but also the things you need to know if you are looking at buying or building a house in most parts of the country. Water is not a straightforward issue in Mexico, so it’s important to be educated and informed on the topic.

Check out this week’s episode here on our Youtube channel or on Spotify here.

Confidently wrong about water in Mexico - Episode 11

Watch this video on YouTube

Travis Bembenek is the CEO of Mexico News Daily and has been living, working or playing in Mexico for nearly 30 years.

Everything in store for Los Cabos in 2026

By

Chris Sands

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December 6, 2025

2

Los Cabos coastline — Los Cabos will see more flights and new hotels, resorts and golf courses in 2026, adding more luster to an already sparkling destination. (Marriott)

Rodrigo Esponda Cascajares is a tireless promoter of Los Cabos tourism, and a big reason the destination has seen such remarkable growth over the past decade. When I last caught up with the managing director of FITURCA (the Los Cabos Tourism Board) in early November, he was at the World Travel Market in London, a three-day gathering that brought together over 46,500 attendees from 182 countries.

Esponda, the only representative from a Mexican destination in attendance, was trying to raise Los Cabos’ profile in the British market — the source of only a little over 5,000 tourists annually — and to strengthen future connectivity in Europe, a subject addressed in conversations with continental airline companies.

But despite his busy schedule, he still had time to connect via a Microsoft Teams meeting call and discuss what’s next for Los Cabos in 2026.

Is your strategy in 2025 similar to the one for 2026?

Well, it’s been a very interesting year in 2025, because we’ve been growing a little. We believe we will end the year with some growth compared to last year, probably 2.5% overall, which is very good given the context in which the tourism industry is moving forward.

Especially since we’ve been focused on quality, not quantity. That’s something we’ve discussed before. So, in that sense, having travelers stay longer and spend more at the destination is more important than having a lot more passengers.

That loyalty base makes Los Cabos unique. So we believe we need to continue that strategy in 2026. We have some exciting additions in terms of connectivity in the United States and other markets.

This year, we’re growing in some cities we’ve been targeting in the United States, like Nashville, Tennessee, and Kansas City. These are secondary markets in the U.S. for Los Cabos. But they’re important. It’s part of the destination’s evolutionary nature, in the sense that once we gain a solid understanding of the primary markets — Chicago, Los Angeles and New York — then we have to add more secondary markets.

Nashville, Tennessee, is one of them. Ontario, California, is another, which, although close to Los Angeles, is a secondary market that can add some additional travelers to our destination. Indianapolis is another market that’s constantly growing.

Copa Airlines jets on tarmac — Copa Airlines will begin flights to Los Cabos from Panama, with connections from Central and South America in December 2025. (Copa Airlines)

And as you know, we’ve just started our second season of nonstop service to Frankfurt with Condor. And in December, we’ll have Copa Airlines’ flight from Panama with connections to Central and South America. So these markets are an important complement to the mix of travelers arriving at the destination.

And that focus on connectivity will continue in 2026?

We believe that will continue. We have some markets in the United States that we will continue to focus on, such as Boston, which is an affluent market in the Northeast, but it’s a long journey with a six-hour flight. So it’s been a process getting airlines to commit to that, but we believe that by the end of 2026, we’ll be able to have that route added.

And we need to consolidate those two important milestones we have with the Copa and Condor flights in the third season, as the European market is very well advanced. So we know that, for example, some groups are looking at the next season of Condor flights from Europe. So we’ve been working on it.

And we had a couple of interesting conversations with tour operators about that. Our priority for this year is to finalize things, to make sure that everyone in the local industry is aware of the relevance and focuses more on quality and consistency. That, well, you grew a little, but you achieved a lot because you didn’t have to discard a product, you didn’t have to do anything wrong, and you can diversify.

And so, for next year, we believe it will be the same, that in 2026 we will probably close with a little over 3% growth in international visitors. And it’s the same, with some interesting additions in terms of hotels, in terms of the destination, but we need to be more concerned with the visitor experience, rather than just seeking growth, because the nature of the destination isn’t mass tourism.

Last year, Los Cabos topped four million visitors, correct?

We closed last year with 3.7 million visitors. Of those, 2.3 million were international visitors, and the rest were domestic visitors. However, of those domestic visitors, 25% were international visitors connecting through Mexico.

Cabo San Lucas Bay and marina — Los Cabos, the municipality that’s home to Cabo San Lucas, receives nearly four million visitors annually. (Cabo Adventures)

We’ll close with a very similar number this year. Last year it was 3.7 million, so this year we’ll probably get to 3.8 million.

You mentioned Boston. Are there other areas in the U.S. or Canada where you feel you could improve or are trying to increase connectivity?

Well, in Canada, we’re growing by 20% this year. But last year we had 200,000 Canadian travelers. So 40,000, that’s the additional number we’ll have this year in terms of Canada. It’s significant, but it doesn’t make up 10% of the 2.3 million (international visitors). So those additional 40,000 out of the 2.3 million are part of that mix we have.

We’ve been growing in Canada from Toronto, not Vancouver, which is the natural market, but Toronto, which is the most affluent market in Canada. And we’re trying to get a flight from Florida. We have a good number of travelers coming from various Florida cities: Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Tampa.

Orlando is interesting because there would be some travelers from Los Cabos who would want to go to Orlando for Disneyland, the parks and the entertainment.

So it wouldn’t just be travelers from Florida, but also some travelers from Los Cabos and La Paz who wanted to go to Orlando. So we’re trying to make it happen. However, we don’t have a very clear path forward with the airlines as to whether it will happen in 2026.

We do in Boston. They mention that they expect to have that nonstop flight by winter 2026. But that’s a key market for us that we’re looking to secure.

Can you tell me a little bit about the resorts and golf courses that might be opening next year and beyond?

Oleada golf course — Oleada’s golf course, designed by four-time major champion Ernie Els, is expected to open in 2026. (Oleada Los Cabos)

This Nov. 16 is the opening of the Park Hyatt. So that will happen this year. And then, in 2026, we have three new resorts that are opening: Amanvari, St. Regis and Soho House. We’ve been meeting with the teams from all three brands. Amanvari is very excited and already has a GM, a sales director, and, as you know, they’re doing a lot of work. St Regis, the same. Soho House will probably be later in 2026.

And then, in 2027, we have the SIRO Palmilla, which is part of Kerzner International. There are also two projects on the Pacific coast. One is connected to a golf resort, which is the Conrad Los Cabos at the Oleada resort. It’s about 10 minutes from Diamante towards Todos Santos. That’s where it’s being developed. I visited it the other day.

The residential project is further along, but the golf course is still in development. There are three golf courses coming in addition to the one in Oleada. There’s another one in Quivira. That would be an interesting project because it would complement what they already have.

There’s also another one coming at Diamante, which is a Tiger Woods course (Legacy Club). Those three are already under construction. We don’t know if it will be in 2026 or more towards 2027, but the fact that we have three golf courses so far along is very good, and as you know, we’re also hosting the World Wide Technology Championship, the only PGA Tour event in Los Cabos.

It all started today. Michael Phelps (the Olympic swimmer who won a record 23 gold medals) played in the Pro-Am yesterday, and everyone was very happy to be there. He (Phelps) has a house at Diamante.

I should also mention there are two properties, from Raffles and Delano, in development on the East Cape. The Delano was the most recent hotel to be announced. It will probably be a long-term development, like the Amanvari, for example, which has been under construction for six years.

What are you trying to improve for next year?

Service at resorts like One&Only Palmilla is spectacular, and Los Cabos as a whole is seeking to bring its service to another level. (One&Only Palmilla)

A big concern we have is training in terms of the hospitality standards we need to offer.

We have a partnership with a tour guide specializing in quality and service standards. We just completed a full week of training with them on these standards, and I believe it is crucial that we maintain and manage this level of service. To achieve this, we need to ensure we’re covering various areas.

We need to make sure people understand the importance of service, and that word of mouth remains the number one element for travelers visiting Los Cabos. Let’s put it in the context that everything we do in marketing is about reaching different markets, meeting with colleagues, explaining the destination, doing activations, and all that, and recommending the destination to them. I think that’s incredibly powerful.

The most important thing is how to ensure that when travelers leave the destination, they are completely satisfied.

Is the hotel tax that funds FITURCA also helping to pay for infrastructure projects like the downtown renovation in Cabo San Lucas? How does this work?

Of that 4% hotel tax, which funds FITURCA, 1% is earmarked for the Urban Infrastructure Trust (FOIS), which amounts to approximately 275 million pesos this year. This is directly related to the number of tourists visiting the destination.

And that’s a very strong point. Let’s say we bring in more tourists, and those tourists are staying in hotels or Airbnbs. So, that hotel tax is added to the infrastructure fund. And that’s a very good point because someone might say, “Oh, why not use FITURCA’s financing to pay for roads or build some infrastructure projects?” And we’re already contributing directly to infrastructure projects.

So that 1% is connected because the more tourists we bring, the more funding they (the local government) have, but we don’t participate in that decision-making process. We only contribute to the activities so they have more funding, which is good, but we don’t know the process for how they address infrastructure needs or how they would directly use those 275 million pesos.

Is there anything else you’d like to add for our readers’ benefit?

Anyone who stays at a hotel or resort in Los Cabos helps to fund not only FITURCA, but also infrastructure projects designed to improve the destination as a whole. (Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve)

Yes, I have one final point, which we discussed last time, and that is that tourism is truly providing a very positive source of income and improving conditions for the community in Los Cabos. And I think we need to make sure everyone understands the importance of that and that we’re not just looking to bring tourists; we’re looking to bring the right tourists to the destination.

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.

VidantaWorld becomes Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta’s latest international attraction

By

Meagan Drillinger

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December 6, 2025

9

BON Luxury Theme Park is part of VidantaWorld's ambitious new expansion. (VidantaWorld)

Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta have spent the last decade evolving from long-loved Pacific escapes into one of Mexico’s most-visited tourism corridors. That evolution is now accelerating at a pace the region has never experienced before. International attention is climbing sharply, major brands are debuting high-end developments, and the city is positioning itself as the de facto beach destination for fans attending matches in Guadalajara, placing the bay in front of a global audience months before the first whistle blows for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Into this moment arrives the next major chapter: VidantaWorld‘s long-anticipated expansion, which debuts in phases this month. Although the hotel complex itself is not new, the opening of a luxury hotel, Cirque du Soleil’s LÚDÕ, and the BON Luxury Theme Park represents one of the most significant hospitality investments the region has seen. It is development on a scale that signals that Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta are well past the stage of rising contenders.

Tourism upgrades in Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit

To understand the significance of Vidanta’s expansion, it must be viewed against the backdrop of what is happening across the bay. The tourism landscape here is transforming far broader than any single project.

In the north, the opening of Siari, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, has introduced one of Marriott’s most exclusive brands to the region. Set within a remote Pacific enclave and limited to fewer than 60 residences, its arrival places Riviera Nayarit among the small handful of destinations worldwide with a Reserve-level offering.

South of the Ameca River, Puerto Vallarta’s hotel infrastructure is undergoing its own recalibration. The long-standing Westin Resort & Spa, Puerto Vallarta, is converting to an all-inclusive model in May, an indicator of shifting guest behavior and of global brands rebalancing inventory to meet that demand. Meanwhile, construction continues on Garza Blanca’s Sanctuary Tower, slated to open in 2026.

This rapid pipeline of openings has created a foundation for the region to begin courting a new tier of traveler, one driven by design, exclusivity and amenities that compete directly with Cabo and Mayakoba in Riviera Maya. Against this backdrop, VidantaWorld’s expansion lands at a pivotal moment.

The expansion of VidantaWorld

Vidanta’s new development phase has been more than 10 years in the making, according to Iván Chávez, executive vice president of Grupo Vidanta. He noted that the company’s original ambition was never to expand incrementally, but to leap into the global entertainment and luxury landscape. “We knew in order to compete globally (in the) luxury market, we needed to do much more than pools, sand and margaritas. That wasn’t going to cut it,” he said. “Travelers want a much more sophisticated offering.”

The first piece guests will encounter is Cirque du Soleil’s LÚDÕ, which premieres this month in a US $200 million aquatic theater custom-built for the show. The production brings together a 360-degree water stage, a wraparound aquarium and elaborate, cascading set pieces.

Cirque du Soleil en Nayarit — Cirque du Soleil’s custom-built water theater is located in the BON Luxury Theme Park, which will open within VidantaWorld in Nuevo Nayarit. (X, formerly Twitter)

Outside the theater, BON Luxury Theme Park begins to take shape — the anchor attraction of VidantaWorld’s next era and the most ambitious piece of the expansion. Inspired by nature, the park will feature 23 attractions, themed areas, spa services, luxury restaurants and movable bar carts for cocktails-on-the-go. Guests will move through a sequence of distinct precincts, including BON Plaza, Fantasy Gardens, Empire of Light and the Cirque du Soleil Zone. These areas will house a mix of thrill rides, family attractions, and media-based experiences developed with globally recognized industry partners.

Food and beverage play an equally prominent role. Chávez said the company tested “luxury low-density” concepts at Jungala Aqua Experience in Riviera Maya — VIP cabanas, mixologist-run bar carts and full-service dining — and found that the model was not only commercially successful but elevated the guest experience. Those same ideas inform BON’s offerings. The park will feature more than two dozen restaurants, many full-service rather than quick-service, blurring the line between theme park and resort.

BON Luxury Theme Park’s steep price of admission

Admission, however, will come at a premium: roughly US $150 per person per day. While comparable to U.S. theme-park pricing, it is effectively cost-prohibitive for many people who live in the Puerto Vallarta–Bahía de Banderas region. That reality makes the park’s target audience clear. BON is being designed as a destination for high-spend international visitors rather than a local recreational space, a distinction that is likely to shape how residents perceive the project in the years to come.

Underlying the park’s operations is a strict attendance cap. While the physical footprint could accommodate far more guests, Vidanta plans to limit entry to around 10,000 people per day, depending on attractions in operation. The cap is central to the company’s philosophy of “luxury, not lines” — a theme reinforced throughout the property’s design.

The destination is preparing for an exceptionally busy winter, with its airport already operating at near-historic levels. Through the end of October, Puerto Vallarta International Airport handled 5.62 million passengers — a 1.6% increase over the same period in 2024, according to airport operator GAP. International arrivals have dipped slightly, but domestic travel is up more than 10% so far this year, helping keep overall volumes firmly in positive territory.

The winter high season will bring as many as 54 routes and more than 1,000 weekly flights, placing Vallarta among Mexico’s most active terminals. The new terminal building, now past the halfway point of construction, is expected to double capacity and introduce energy-efficient systems, expanded gates, and streamlined passenger flow once it opens next year.

Puerto Vallarta International Airport is receiving more than 1,000 flights weekly from 54 routes during the winter season. (@EsDeVoladaMX/X)

All of this feeds into the region’s interconnected tourism economy. As Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta prepare for an influx of global visibility next summer through the FIFA World Cup, new luxury entrants and VidantaWorld’s expansion, the region finds itself at an inflection point. Growth is accelerating, investment is increasing and projects like BON Luxury Theme Park signal that the bay is no longer simply competing within Mexico, but positioning itself to compete with some of the world’s most recognized leisure markets.

Whether residents welcome every aspect of that shift is another question. But the direction is unmistakable. Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit are not here to play small.

Meagan Drillinger is a New York native who has spent the past 15 years traveling around and writing about Mexico. While she’s on the road for assignments most of the time, Puerto Vallarta is her home base. Follow her travels on Instagram at @drillinjourneys or through her blog at drillinjourneys.com.

How a Soviet genius cracked the uncrackable Maya code

By

Bethany Platanella

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December 6, 2025

6

Yuri Knorozov at his desk — Yuri Knorozov's seminal 1963 work, "The Writing of the Maya Indians," cracked the code of how to decipher Mayan writing. (TASS)

It’s 1952, and Western archaeologists are trekking through lush Central American jungles, searching for clues to unlock centuries of mystery surrounding the Maya civilization. Yuri Knorozov is sitting at his desk in a chilly Moscow, poring over ancient hieroglyphic texts and images, on the verge of a monumental breakthrough that would change history forever.

The Soviet linguist, known for his unconventional mind, had never seen a Maya ruin, never felt the humid air of the Yucatán, never touched an ancient stone carving. But from his remote office more than 10,000 kilometers away, Knorozov managed to crack the Mesoamerican code that had stumped scholars for centuries.

Part of a Mayan codex that helped Yuri Knorozov crack the linguistic code. (Lacambalam/Wikimedia Commons)

From WWII Berlin to Moscow: How war led to a breakthrough

Born in the Soviet Union in 1922, Knorozov, a fair-skinned, dark-haired intellectual, spent his early 20s at the start of World War II hopping from village to village to avoid army conscription. Between relocations, Knorozov studied Egyptology at the local university.

He was eventually conscripted and sent as a Soviet artillery spotter to Berlin, where he stumbled upon something precious. Inside a crate of Nazi materials marked for destruction, Knorozov found a collection of rare reproductions containing three Maya codices. He took them home.

The codices consisted of three screenfold books with bark paper and coated with stucco. The Dresden Codex, at 74 pages, contained precise Venus tables, lunar eclipse cycles and ritual almanacs demonstrating the Maya’s sophisticated understanding of celestial mechanics. The Madrid Codex, the longest of the three at 112 pages, featured extensive almanacs and divinatory texts that showed the intertwining of Maya daily life with their complex calendar systems. The fragmentary Paris Codex, at just over 20 pages, offered crucial references to Maya mythology and new year ceremonies.

Back in Moscow after the war, Knorozov also worked extensively with a Spanish manuscript by Franciscan bishop Diego de Landa, called “Relación de las cosas de Yucatán.” This text, written in 1566, attempted to document Maya culture and writing by assigning each glyph to a letter of the Spanish alphabet.

While studying these materials, Knorozov came across an article by the German scholar Paul Schellhas entitled “Deciphering Mayan Hieroglyphs: An Unsolvable Problem?” The author dismissed Mayan written language as indecipherable. Many academics of the time accepted Schellhas’s conclusion.

Knorozov saw it as a challenge.

The mathematical method that decoded Maya hieroglyphs

Mayan symbols could not be decoded by assigning each one to a letter in the Spanish alphabet, as Diego de Landa had tried in the 16th century. (Public Domain)

Studying the codices in Moscow, Knorozov began to question the prevailing assumptions about Mayan writing. How could a civilization capable of producing such detailed celestial calculations possess an unsophisticated writing system? His in-depth analysis of de Landa’s work revealed two crucial errors. First, de Landa had tried to match Mayan symbols to Spanish letters, but with 355 symbols, it was clear that Mayan writing didn’t work like a simple alphabet. Second, he’d missed that the system was mixed: symbols could represent entire words (logograms) or syllabic sounds, depending on their position.

Knorozov developed a statistical approach that was revolutionary for its time: Working methodically through the codices, he counted symbol frequencies and tracked their positions. How many times did each symbol appear? Where in the text — at word beginnings, middles or ends? This positional analysis revealed patterns that previous scholars had overlooked, patterns that would prove crucial to unlocking the meaning behind Maya script.

His mathematical approach gave him confidence in his conclusions, but convincing the academic world would prove a different challenge entirely.

When Soviet science met Western skepticism

The academic establishment of the 1960s was in no way ready for a Soviet solution to their Western puzzle. Eric Thompson, the leading British Maya expert, blatantly dismissed Knorozov’s 1963 book “The Writing of the Maya Indians” as fundamentally flawed. Thompson’s skepticism carried weight, as he was the Western authority on Maya studies.

But this wasn’t just scholarly disagreement. Cold War tensions made Western academics suspicious of Soviet research. How could a linguist who’d never set foot in Maya territory, who worked from reproductions rather than original stones, crack a code that had stumped generations of field researchers? To many Western scholars, the idea seemed implausible.

Vindication finally came in 1973 at the Palenque Round Table conference. Thirty researchers — including art instructor Linda Schele and undergraduate epigrapher Peter Mathews — gathered to work on Mayan inscriptions. When they applied Knorozov’s methods to the Tablet of the 96 Glyphs, they achieved something remarkable: they deciphered actual names of Maya rulers, including the great king K’inich Janaab’ Pakal. Suddenly, the stories on Maya stones made sense, and the dates, dynasties and personal names would change the course of Mexican history. Thompson, his biggest rival, would die two years later without acknowledging Knorozov’s revolutionary contributions.

The man behind the discovery: Academic quirks and scholarly focus

Yuri Knorozov stamp in Russia — Knorozov was justly lauded for his achievement, being received as a hero in Mexico and Guatemala, and remembered with a stamp in his native Russia. (Public Domain)

Beyond his groundbreaking scholarship, Knorozov was a figure of fascinating contradictions. Described by colleagues as an introvert, he possessed a sense of humor that manifested in unexpected ways. His most famous quirk — it has been said that he listed his Siamese cat, Asya, as coauthor on academic papers — reflected the scholar’s playful approach to rigid academic conventions.

Knorozov maintained an intense work ethic, spending countless hours studying in institutions like the Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography in Leningrad and the University of Moscow. His motivation came from intellectual challenge rather than conventional academic pathways, and when faced with the widespread idea that Mayan hieroglyphs couldn’t be cracked, he decided to solve an unsolvable problem.

Despite his revolutionary discoveries, he remained remarkably modest about his achievements. His personal life reflected the focused lifestyle typical of Soviet intellectuals: He got married, had a daughter named Ekaterina and a granddaughter named Anna and lived a life largely dedicated to his scholarly work. When he finally visited Mexico in the 1990s, colleagues noted his surprise at being received as a hero, suggesting a man more comfortable with codices than celebrity.

Knorozov’s triumphant Mexico visits

In 1990, nearly 40 years after his discovery, Knorozov finally traveled to see the Maya lands that had consumed his career.

Invited personally by the President of Guatemala, Vinicio Cerezo, Knorozov traveled first to Guatemala and then made three subsequent visits to Mexico, visiting the Maya ruins of Palenque, Mérida, Uxmal and Dzibilchaltún. He was greeted with great admiration and respect, celebrated as a hero for having unlocked one of the greatest historical and linguistic mysteries of the Americas.

The man who had given a voice back to the ancient Maya civilization was embraced by modern Maya communities and Mexican scholars. The Mexican government awarded him the Order of the Aztec Eagle in 1994, making him an honorary Mexican — a fitting honor for someone whose heart, he said, “always remained with Mexico.”

Knorozov died in Saint Petersburg in 1999.

Bethany Platanella is a travel planner and lifestyle writer based in Mexico City. She lives for the dopamine hit that comes directly after booking a plane ticket, exploring local markets, practicing yoga and munching on fresh tortillas. Sign up to receive her Sunday Love Letters to your inbox, peruse her blog or follow her on Instagram.

Mexico’s business elite presents President Sheinbaum with a US $40 billion investment package

By

MND Staff

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December 5, 2025

0

Sheinbaum at Business COuncil luncheon 2025 — President Sheinbaum is surrounded by journalists and business leaders as she makes her exit from the Mexican Business Council luncheon. (Galo Cañas/Cuartoscuro.com)

Mexico’s top tier business leaders have presented President Claudia Sheinbaum with a package of 38 proposed investments for 2026 that could exceed US $40 billion and go a long way toward meeting the investment goals of the administration’s Plan Mexico.

The proposal came during Thursday’s annual end-of.the.year luncheon at Mexico City’s Kaluz Museum with the president and the Mexican Business Council (CMN), consisting of the crème de la crème of Mexican empresarios. CMN members in attendance included Carlos Slim (Telmex), Emilio Azcárraga (Televisa), Germán Larrea (Grupo México), Claudio X. González (Kimberly Clark), Daniel Servitje (Bimbo) and Eduardo Tricio Haro (Lala).

Mexicna Business Council luncheon 2025 — Francisco Cervantes president of the CCE (Business Coordinating Council) arrives at the annual Mexican Business Council luncheon at Mexico City’s Kaluz Museum. (Galo Cañas/Cuartoscuro.com)

Details of the individual projects were not given, but they are known to be focused on infrastructure, energy, agribusiness, commerce, mining and services. Sheinbaum said that further details regarding the projects would be announced at Monday’s mañanera, the president’s daily morning press conference.

The president received the proposal warmly but did point out that a mixed investment scheme would have to be sought for such projects as roads, ports, airports and trains in order to maintain government authority. That would involve a combination of public and private financing.

At the same time, Sheinbaum is said to have pledged to halve the implementation of regulations for opening businesses, reducing the timeframe from 2.5 years to one year in order to generate economic growth.

With reports from El Economista

Sheinbaum joins US President Trump and Canada PM Carney at the FIFA World Cup draw

By

MND Staff

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December 5, 2025

16

President Sheinbaum on stage next to Trump and Carney, holding a paper reading Mexico — President Sheinbaum drew group A at Friday's draw. As a result, Mexico will kick off the 2026 World Cup with a match against South Africa, set for June 11 in Mexico City. (Presidencia)

President Claudia Sheinbaum graced the stage of the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., on Friday to take part in the FIFA World Cup draw, where the Mexican national team found out who it will face in the group stage of next year’s global soccer tournament.

During the event, FIFA president Gianni Infantino summoned Sheinbaum, U.S. President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to the stage to participate as draw assistants.

BREAKING NEWS: Trump, Sheinbaum, Carney Draw World Cup Groups For Their Respective Nations

Watch this video on YouTube

The three leaders — representing the co-hosts of the 23rd World Cup — reached into separate glass bowls and selected balls with their respective countries which were designated as group leaders.

Mexico was drawn into a Group A with South Africa, South Korea and the winner of the European playoff involving the Czech Republic, Denmark, North Macedonia and Republic of Ireland. The Czech Republic faces Denmark and Ireland meets North Macedonia on March 26 with the winners squaring off on March 31 for the final spot in Group A.

The U.S. was drawn into Group D along with Australia, Paraguay and the winner of the European playoffs involving Slovakia, Kosovo, Turkey and Romania, while Canada will top Group B where it will face Switzerland, Qatar and the winner of the European playoffs involving Wales, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Italy and Northern Ireland.

El Tri will kick off the tournament against South Africa at Estadio Azteca on June 11, 2026. During a visit to Mexico City in August, Infantino gifted Sheinbaum a complimentary ticket to the inaugural match which the Mexican president announced she will give to a young girl.

During Friday’s ceremony, Infantino asked Sheinbaum what it meant to Mexico to be the first country to host three editions of the World Cup. “We are very proud to be three-time hosts,” she said.

Standing between Trump and Carney, Sheinbaum went on to say “Mexico is an exceptional country, beautiful and magical … Mexicans are extraordinary, hard-working and we have enjoyed playing the ball game for centuries,” making reference to the ancient Mesoamerican ritual sport known as “juego de pelota” that was played for over 3,000 years.

Sheinbaum traveled to Washington with Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada, Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus and Nuevo León Governor Samuel García, in representation of the three locations where World Cup matches will be played: Mexico City, Guadalajara (the Jalisco state capital) and Monterrey (the Nuevo León state capital).

The event marked the first time that the leaders of the three co-hosts had met in person. While Carney has met with Trump on two occasions and visited Sheinbaum in Mexico City on Sept. 18, the brief interaction marked Trump’s first meeting with Sheinbaum.

JAJAJAJAJAJAJAJJAJAJAJAJA. TV AZTECA ENTREVISTÓ A TRUMP Y TRUMP DIJO QUE CLAUDIA SHEINBAUM ES UNA GRAN PRESIDENTA.😂 pic.twitter.com/eRZNYC3Ad0

— Manuel Pedrero (@YosoyPedrero) December 5, 2025

When asked by a TV Azteca reporter what it meant to participate in the World Cup ceremony, Trump praised Sheinbaum, though the question was not focused on her.

“Yes, your president is here and she’s doing a very good job,” he said. “She’s a good woman, doing very excellent work.”

Trump and Sheinbaum have spoken by phone, discussing tariffs and Mexican efforts to help combat the trafficking of fentanyl into the U.S.

After the World Cup ceremony, the three North American leaders held a private mini-summit where trade was expected to be a prominent topic of discussion.

“Yeah, we’re going to discuss trade,” Trump said when asked what the three leaders would talk about.

Trade relations between the three nations were upended earlier this year by Trump’s sweeping sectoral tariffs.

The meeting will also be the first between Carney and Trump since the U.S. president abruptly ended trade talks between the neighbors in October.

The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement on trade, known as USMCA, has shielded Canada and Mexico from broad-based tariffs, but the agreement enters its mandatory review period next year.

On Wednesday, Trump mused about the USMCA expiring next year even off-handedly suggesting he might let it die.

With reports from The Washington Post, Infobae, Reforma, El Financiero, North Shore News and The Associated Press