The Economy Ministry's recent provisional tariff on Chinese steel nails is the second tariff Mexico has imposed on Chinese steel this month. (Liucija Liu/Shutterstock)
Steel-related issues are not weighing on Mexico’s trade relationships with the world’s two largest economies, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said Monday.
Speaking at his morning press conference, López Obrador said that Mexico has “very good” trade relationships with both China and the United States, although the federal government recently imposed tariffs on different Chinese steel products and the U.S. is concerned about a “surge” in steel exports from Mexico.
Earlier this month, the Economy Ministry (SE) imposed 31% provisional compensatory tariffs on steel nails from China. That move came after the SE placed 3-12% tariffs on steel balls from China at the start of March. The imposition of the trade barriers came after Mexico concluded separate anti-dumping investigations.
That move came after United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai met with Mexican Economy Minister Raquel Buenrostro and “stressed the urgent need for Mexico to take immediate and meaningful steps to address the ongoing surge of Mexican steel and aluminum exports to the United States and the lack of transparency regarding Mexico’s steel and aluminum imports from third countries.”
Buenrostro subsequently said that Mexico is not receiving exports from China only to ship them on to the United States. She said late last month that Mexico would impose retaliatory tariffs on United States steel if the U.S. was to enact such a measure first.
Economy Minister Raquel Buenrostro warned the U.S. against imposing steel tariffs on Mexico last month. (Secretaría de Economía/X)
On Monday morning, a reporter asked López Obrador about “trade policy with China” and the “steel dispute” as well as Donald Trump’s plan to impose a 100% tariff on cars made in Mexico by Chinese companies if he wins the U.S. presidential election in November and returns to the White House.
The president said that the SE is looking at the issues before declaring that Mexico doesn’t want to get involved in any kind of “war, not even a trade one.”
The government, he said, is seeking to maintain Mexico’s good trade relationships with the United States and Canada — the country’s two USMCA partners — and China.
Chinese investment in Mexico “will continue,” López Obrador said when a reporter questioned whether that would be the case.
There is no dispute with China, he stressed, explaining that there had not been any “protest” from the East Asian economic powerhouse on the steel issue.
“The trade relations with the United States” — Mexico’s largest trade partner — “and with China, are very good,” López Obrador said.
President López Obrador met with Chinese President Xi Jinping for the first time in November, as Chinese investment in Mexico grows. (Andrés Manuel López Obrador/X)
“The relationship [with China] is good,” he added.
As Mexico-China relations develop, concern is growing in the United States about Chinese investment in Mexico, especially in the auto sector, as companies such as BYD and Jaecoo prepare to open plants here.
The plan appeared to be motivated to a large degree by a desire to stop problematic Chinese investment in Mexico, although United States Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen said at the time that her investment screening talks with Mexican Finance Minister Rogelio Ramírez de la O were “not just China-focused.”
The presence of Chinese companies in Mexico is likely to become an even bigger bilateral issue in coming years as investment from China continues to grow.
S&P Global said in a recent report that “Chinese investment and exports to Mexico are highly likely to become a headline issue ahead of the 2026 scheduled review of the USMCA,” the North American free trade pact that superseded NAFTA in 2020.
Playa del Carmen offers the bustle of other Quintana Roo resort towns, with the option to escape into nature at a moments notice. (Remax Maya)
Playa del Carmen is quickly becoming one of Mexico’s most attractive spots for tourism and real estate. It’s a place that has it all: a beautiful, light blue ocean and white sand beaches, a fun social and party scene anywhere you turn, and a vibrant cultural and gastronomic landscape. Given it’s proximity to Cancún, the city is also quite cosmopolitan and international. When you walk through the streets of Playa del Carmen, you find yourself surrounded by people and languages from all over the world.
According to the federal tourism ministry, Sedetur, around 23 million people visited the Mexican Caribbean in 2019. Many of these visitors look for housing options outside of staying at a hotel, renting condos, or using apps like Airbnb.With 50 airlines and 100 international destinations, Playa del Carmen’s proximity to Cancún International Airport makes it an accessible destination, easy to fly to and from. Additionally, the Riviera Maya is amongst the 10 real estate markets with the most growth in the world, according to the Financial Times, growing 20% per year.
Tourists from across the world flock to Playa del Carmen, and it isn’t hard to see why. (Alisa Matthews/Unsplash)
Alongside Cancún and Tulum, Playa del Carmen real estate offers a return on investment (ROI) of 11.5%, an impressive number and one of the highest in the country. To put it in comparison, a similarly vibrant city with an equally high tourist influx, Miami, hovers around 5.1% ROI.
And, because this Riviera Maya town remains in constant growth, capital gains on a property do as well.
Now that you’ve seen the financial opportunity of investing in Playa del Carmen, let’s look at some specific neighborhoods that you could one day be a part of:
What are the best neighborhoods to invest in real estate in Playa del Carmen?
Centro
Between the ferry dock to Cozumel and fashionable Constituyentes street, lies the lively downtown neighborhood of Centro. It’s the most vivid and colorful part of the famous Quinta Avenida, with the highest concentration of stores, restaurants and bars. Here, you can eat delicious meals, go shopping and have a good time with your friends in the same block, while being just an 8-minute walk from the beach.
Its bus station also provides easy access to transportation to and from the area.
The Gallery Condos Studio, in the bustling Centro neighborhood. (Remax Maya)
You can find smaller, one-bedroom condos for US $170,000, or 2-bedroom properties from US $320,000 to $485,000. If you’re feeling fancy, penthouses can range from US $220,000 to $580,000.
Playacar
Playacar is a more exclusive area next to Playa del Carmen with a number of luxury all-inclusive resorts. It’s a more relaxing place where you can make the most out of the beautiful beaches, but still no more than a few minutes from the vibrant heart of Playa del Carmen.
There are plenty of investment opportunities in condos and apartments in Playacar. Because of its luxury level and exclusivity, it’s on the more expensive side of Playa.
A cool US$ 2.5 million can get you a stunning beachfront property in the Playacar area. (Remax Maya)
However, non-beachfront condos with 2-3 bedrooms are more affordable, listed between US $400,000 and $1 million.
Playa Mamitas:
Located a little north of downtown, Mamitas Beach is one of the most attractive and famous destinations in Playa del Carmen. Apart from easy access to the ocean, where the waves are gentle and inviting, this beach has countless bars and restaurants. This area is particularly alluring for people looking to be where things are always happening while keeping close to the Caribbean shores.
Mayakoba:
Mayakoba is located north of Playa del Carmen and has a similar exclusivity to Playacar. It hasn’t yet experienced a boom in tourism though, one of its most appealing qualities. The most attractive feature of Mayakoba is that its real estate is relatively modern, but still maintains a respectful relationship with the surrounding natural environment. Thanks to its exclusivity and distance away from the noise and activity of bustling Playa del Carmen, this area is ideal for rest and relaxation.
The Reserve at Mayakoba is the perfect destination for those looking to live in the heart of nature while retaining access to the amenities of a major beach city. (The Reserve at Mayakoba)
Luxury condos, such as The Reserve at Mayakoba, offer 2, 3 and 4 bedroom apartments, ranging from US $1.2 to $4 million. While these are high in price, the development includes multiple amenities that are increasingly in demand as part of modern luxury complexes, with access to yoga rooms, gym, spas and food shops.
Playa del Carmen’s proximity to other attractive destinations in the Riviera Maya makes it an ideal midpoint. Additionally, tourism is the main pillar of the local economy, making it one of the 15 most popular destinations globally according to the Riviera Maya Hotel Association. Because of its high influx of tourists who rent as an alternative to staying at hotels or resorts, the real estate market offers some outstanding opportunities for investors.
Torreón, Coahuila, is officially the best place to see the upcoming solar eclipse, says NASA. (Mathew Schwartz/Unsplash)
Mark your calendars because, on April 8, 2024, the Earth will experience a total solar eclipse, making it an unforgettable day for skywatchers across North America!
A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon positions itself perfectly between the Earth and the Sun, casting its shadow onto our planet. As the Moon completely covers the Sun, it unveils the Sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the corona, creating a mesmerizing display of ethereal light. For those lucky enough to be within the path of totality, the sky will darken, as day turns into night.
The path of the eclipse will make the totality (when the moon blocks the sun entirely) visible in Mexico, the United States and Canada. (NASA)
The upcoming total solar eclipse is set to journey across Mexico, the United States, and Canada, offering many opportunities for enthusiasts to witness this awe-inspiring event. Within the United States, individuals situated along the eclipse’s path from Texas to Maine will have the chance to experience this celestial phenomenon firsthand, provided that weather conditions allow.
Where is the best place to see the total eclipse in Mexico?
In Mexico, the standout location to experience totality is Torreón, located in the northern state of Coahuila. Torreón was chosen by NASA as the official location where to observe and broadcast the celestial event to the world thanks to the minimal probability of clouds in the Laguna de Coahuila region, meaning the city is perfectly positioned to provide an excellent view of the eclipse.
This location caught the attention of scientists due to an exciting perk – everyone here, close to the centerline, will experience an extra 14 seconds of totality compared to other areas. In Torreón, the total solar eclipse kicks off just before 12:17 pm CST, treating witnesses to an impressive total of 4 minutes and 28 seconds of eclipse.
For this eclipse, the path of totality, the area where the Moon completely obscures the Sun, is significantly broader than its 2017 predecessor. This phenomenon is due to the Moon’s closer proximity to Earth, resulting in a path width ranging from 108 to 122 miles across North America, compared to the narrower 62 to 71 miles observed in 2017. An estimated 31.6 million people live within the path of totality, compared to 12 million in 2017, with an additional 150 million people living within 200 miles of the path.
Torreón was selected as the ideal location due to low cloud cover. (Mexico Desconocido)
The state-of-the-art planetarium in Torreón further solidified its appeal as the chosen location for NASA’s observation. The planetarium will serve as the hub for broadcasting the phenomenon to the world, highlighting Torreón’s technological capabilities and dedication to promoting scientific education and outreach. Additionally, the friendliness of the local community played a significant role in NASA’s decision, reflecting the warm hospitality and support that Torreón offers to visitors and researchers.
For would-be eclipse chasers who prefer a touch of oceanside charm, however, Mazatlán is another favored destination for observing the phenomenon. The Sinaloa resort city will also offer excellent views of the totality, and is expecting 120,000 visitors.
Can I visit Torreón to see the total eclipse?
As a result, Torreón is gearing up to host over 50,000 guests! The anticipation is so intense that hotels in the Torreón area are already fully booked. With this overwhelming demand, alternative lodging options are expected to emerge through Airbnb, and local golf courses are exploring the possibility of renting out their green areas for camping.
Furthermore, the Coahuila Ministry of Education and the Torreón Planetarium have collaborated to transform at least 150 schools into observatories for this astronomical event. These educational centers have been carefully selected for their open spaces and suitable conditions to observe the celestial spectacle, aiming to engage students and the broader community in firsthand observation of this extraordinary phenomenon.
Visitors are also planning to stay in the neighboring cities of Gomez Palacio and Lerdo, in the state of Durango. The Torreón International Airport is serviced by all major Mexican airlines and Delta and American Airlines from the US.
Should I take precautions when staring at the sun?
To safely view the astral phenomenon, experts say eclipse glasses are a must. (Adolfo Vladimir/Cuartoscuro)
Safety is paramount when witnessing such a breathtaking event. While watching a solar eclipse is an exhilarating experience, it’s crucial to prioritize safety to protect your vision. Without proper eye protection, such as solar eclipse glasses or solar filters for telescopes and binoculars, looking directly at the sun during an eclipse can lead to severe eye damage, including permanent blindness. It’s essential to use specialized safety gear that meets international safety standards, like ISO 12312-2, to ensure adequate protection from the sun’s harmful rays. By taking the necessary precautions, you can enjoy the awe-inspiring beauty of a solar eclipse while safeguarding your eyesight.
As the eclipse day approaches, let’s all remember to pause, let the temporary darkness embrace us, and revel in the unique ballet our planet dances in the sky. In this beautiful reminder of our precious place in the cosmos, let’s come together to celebrate, feeling a little closer to the stars and each other, marveling at the wonders of our universe.
Sandra Gancz Kahan is a Mexican writer and translator based in San Miguel de Allende who specializes in mental health and humanitarian aid. She believes in the power of language to foster compassion and understanding across cultures. She can be reached at: sandragancz@gmail.com
Mexico won't see another total solar eclipse until 2052. (Justin Dickey/Unsplash)
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador revealed on Monday that he’ll be in Mazatlán for the solar eclipse on April 8.
So will thousands of others.
The metropolis on the coast of Sinaloa happens to be one of the best places in the world to experience the upcoming phenomenon — which is why thousands of eclipse-chasers, amateur astronomers and even NASA officials will be there along with the president.
And come mid-morning on April 8, the city and nearby areas will be plunged into darkness for 4 minutes and 17 seconds as the eclipse first hits land on a path that will continue northeasterly over Torreón, Coahuila; then Dallas, Texas; then Cleveland, Ohio; and eventually Maine and Canada.
López Obrador made his plans known during his Monday mañanera, or morning press conference, noting that Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya invited him.
“It will look very good,” AMLO said of the eclipse in Mazatlán. “A very good experience — like seeing a comet.”
Mazatlán, Sinaloa, is in a prime position for viewing the eclipse. (Great American Eclipse)
According to NASA, the United States’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration, “The Great Mexican Eclipse” — as the Mexican media have taken to calling it — will be the last full eclipse in the region until 2044.
After starting over the Pacific Ocean, the eclipse will begin at 9:51 a.m. in Mazatlán, where they are on Pacific Daylight Time. In much of Mexico, the time will be one hour later, 10:51 Mountain Daylight Time.
The total eclipse in Mazatlán, with the sun at its apex, will be from 11:07 to 11:11 a.m. PDT.
According to the Institute of Geophysics of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), other excellent viewing areas in Mexico include Durango city in the state of Durango, and Torreón and Monclova in Coahuila, although the period of darkness will be slightly shorter than in Mazatlán.
Weather permitting, people in these areas will be able to see the sun’s corona, or gaseous outer ring, which is usually obscured by the star’s brightness.
Most of Mexico will see the phenomenon as a partial eclipse. In Mexico City, for example, the moon will cover 79% of the sun.
Wherever you are, NASA warns that it is not safe to look directly at the sun without specialized eye protection.
Experts say eclipse glasses are a must for safe viewing. (Wikimedia Commons)
Sinaloa tourism officials have said they are expecting 120,000 visitors and an economic influx of more than 500 million pesos (US $30 million) for the eclipse. Last week, they were reporting April 8 occupancy of nearly 100% in Mazatlán’s 300 main hotels.
Moisés Ríos, deputy director of Sinaloa’s Tourism Planning and Development office, said two nights at double occupancy in four- and five-star hotels had been going for 35,000 to 40,000 pesos (US $2,100 to $2,700).
With Easter break also in full swing, it should be quite a financial boon for Mazatlán.
“At the end of Holy Week [this week], Easter Week begins, and at the end of that, the eclipse will arrive,” Ríos said. “Mazatlán will be busy like never before.”
The train derailed near Tixkokob station in Yucatán. (Screenshot)
A single car of a train operating on the Maya Train railroad derailed in the state of Yucatán on Monday. No injuries were reported, but the service was suspended and passengers were forced to backtrack to the Teya station near Mérida on another train.
The derailment occurred Monday morning near the Tixkokob station, located east of Mérida, the state capital. The Maya Train service departed Campeche at 7 a.m. and was headed to Cancún, the resort city on the northeast coast of the state of Quintana Roo.
🚨🔴 Reportan el descarrilamiento de cuando menos un vagón del #TrenMaya en inmediaciones de la estación ubicada en la localidad de #Tixkokob, Yucatán, cuando se dirigía de Campeche a Cancún. No se reportan lesionados. 📹@barrazzazpic.twitter.com/uPMiTbDmlx
A video posted to social media showed that some of the wheels of the final car of a train left the tracks near a railway junction.
The Maya Train, which is government-operated, said in a press release the derailment occurred as the train passed over a change of tracks near the entrance to Tixkokob station, at a velocity of 10 km/h. A committee has been organized to investigate the cause of the incident and to determine steps to prevent similar issues in the future, the press release stated.
The Tixkokob station is located on Section 3 of the Maya Train, one of three sections on which operations began in December. Sections 1-4 of the 1,554-kilometer-long railroad and the northern part of Section 5 between Cancún and Playa del Carmen in Quintana Roo are now open. It is thus possible to travel from Palenque, Chiapas, to Playa del Carmen by train.
The southern part of Section 5 from Playa del Carmen to Tulum, as well as Section 6 from Tulum to Chetumal and Section 7 from Bacalar, Quintana Roo, to Escárcega, Campeche, are slated to begin operations later this year.
Journalist Sharyn Alfonsi talked with the president in the National Palace for an interview broadcast by CBS on Sunday.(Screenshot)
The border wall. The migration crisis. His doxing of a foreign journalist. The fight against organized crime. The production of fentanyl. United States politicians’ use of Mexico as a scapegoat.
They are among the issues President Andrés Manuel López Obrador discusses in an interview with 60 Minutes, the long-running CBS program that dubs itself the United States’ “most watched newsmagazine show.”
Broadcast on Sunday, the interview was conducted by journalist Sharyn Alfonsi, who met with the president commonly known as AMLO in the National Palace, Mexico’s seat of executive power. Here is an overview of the key points.
The border wall, Donald Trump and the Mexico-U.S. relationship
López Obrador dismissed Trump’s declarations that he will proceed with the construction of a wall on the Mexico-United States border as mere campaign rhetoric, asserting that if he wins the election he won’t follow through because of the close economic ties between the two countries.
“We signed an economic, a commercial agreement that has been favorable for both peoples, for both nations. He knows it. And President Biden, the same,” he said, referring to the USMCA trade pact, which superseded NAFTA in 2020.
AMLO said Trump would not follow through on continued border wall construction if he wins a second term. (Omar Martínez/Cuartoscuro)
López Obrador also asserted that the border wall “doesn’t work,” and recalled a telephone conversation he had with Trump during which he spoke about the former president’s pet infrastructure project, despite an agreement to not discuss it.
“I told him, ‘I am going to send you, Mr. President, some videos of tunnels from Tijuana up to San Diego, that passed right under U.S. Customs.’ He stayed quiet, and then he started laughing and told me ‘I can’t win with you,’ said AMLO, whose remarks were broadcast in English.
In a “60 Minutes” addendum to the main interview package, López Obrador said that Trump was “respectful” of Mexico’s sovereignty, and that current U.S. President Joe Biden is as well.
The United States and Mexico have “had differences,” but the two nations “have been able to put first the general interests of both peoples,” he said.
“And we would like to continue that way, because we need each other,” he said.
How Mexico helped curb migration into the United States in early 2023
Asked what Mexico did “between December and January” to precipitate a 50% reduction in border crossings by migrants, López Obrador responded:
“We were more careful about our southern border. We spoke with the presidents of Central America, with the president of Venezuela and with the president of Cuba. We asked them for help in curbing the flow of migrants.”
He said that the strategy adopted by Mexico “is a short-term solution” and reiterated that the federal government wants “the root causes” of migration “to be attended to.”
The president said Mexico will cooperate to reduce numbers of migrants trying to cross the northern border, but that what is really needed is to address the driving factors that lead migrants to leave their homes. (Cuartoscuro)
AMLO said that Mexico will continue to implement actions to curb northward migration, but stressed that “the flow of migrants will continue” unless the root causes — things such as crime and lack of opportunity — are addressed.
López Obrador — who has urged the United States Congress to approve a US $20 billion “plan of cooperation for development and well-being” in Western Hemisphere countries — added that Mexico will cooperate on migration even if the U.S. doesn’t increase its funding for regional projects as the bilateral relationship “is very important.”
The president’s disclosure of a New York Times’ journalist’s phone number
“It looks like you were threatening that reporter,” Alfonsi said to AMLO.
“I didn’t do it with the intention of harming her. She, like yourself, are public figures, and I am as well,” López Obrador responded.
The president sparked a minor scandal when he publicly shared Times journalist Natalie Kitroeff’s phone number at a press conference. (The New York Times)
After Alfonsi noted that Mexico is a dangerous country for journalists and that “threats often come in text and phones,” AMLO said that all he was doing was responding to the “libel” published by the Times.
“Imagine what it means for this reporter to write that the president of Mexico has connections with drug traffickers. … And without having any proof. That is a vile slander,” he said.
The government’s ‘hugs, not bullets’ security strategy
López Obrador declared that his security strategy that favors addressing the root causes of crime over confronting cartels is working out “very well,” although — as the interviewer pointed out — there were still close to 30,000 homicides in Mexico last year.
He disagreed that “very few” homicides are prosecuted and that “lawlessness” prevails in Mexico.
“Of course we prosecute .. [homicides]. There is no impunity in Mexico. They all get prosecuted,” AMLO said.
When Alfonsi countered that only “a small percent” of murders are in fact prosecuted, López Obrador said that the figure is higher “than before.”
“What you have to do with the criminals is apply the law. But I’m not going to establish contact, communication with a criminal, the president of Mexico. … You cannot negotiate with criminals,” he said.
President López Obrador asserted that fentanyl production isn’t just happening in Mexico, but also in the U.S. and Canada. (FGR/Cuartoscuro)
When Alfonsi asked whether United States authorities were wrong to say that Mexican cartels are mass producing fentanyl and that most fentanyl in the U.S. comes from Mexico, AMLO responded:
“Yes. Or rather, they don’t have all the information, because fentanyl is also produced in the United States. … Fentanyl is produced in the United States, in Canada, and in Mexico. And the chemical precursors come from Asia.”
López Obrador also reiterated his view that there is “very little” drug use in Mexico, attributing violence in the country to “drug trafficking” rather than the consumption of narcotics.
AMLO responds to U.S. politicians’ disparaging attitude toward Mexico
Asked to comment on United States House of Representative’s Speaker Mike Johnson’s recent assertion that he told President Biden that “Mexico will do what we say” with regard to immigration policy, López Obrador responded:
“No. No. The legislator is disrespectful. We are an independent, free, sovereign country. We are not a colony. We are not a protectorate of any foreign country. We have a very good relationship with the United States, but not one of subordination.”
AMLO accused certain U.S. politicians of using Mexico as a scapegoat for “the migration problem” and other bilateral issues.
The Texas National Guard reinforces barriers in the border city of Eagle Pass, part of a strategy designed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott and condemned by President López Obrador as a political ploy. (Gov. Greg Abbot/X)
“The governor of Texas, in order to make propaganda, because I think he wants to be a candidate for the vice presidency of the United States, goes to the Rio Grande and puts barbed wire and makes a spectacle. That is opportunism. With all due respect, that is cheap politicking. That is not serious,” López Obrador said.
The Tokyo-based Yokohama Rubber Co. is one of the oldest companies in Asia's automotive sector. (Shutterstock)
Foreign investment in Mexico continues to arrive as tire manufacturer Yokohama Rubber announces a US $380 million investment to build a passenger car tire plant.
The new plant, located in the northern city of Saltillo, Coahuila, is expected to begin construction in Q2 of this year and production in Q1 of 2027, with an annual output of 5 million tires.
“This is a clear signal that Yokohama is committed to the North American market,” said Jeff Barna, president and CEO of Yokohama Tire Corporation, the company’s North American branch. “The increased production capabilities will supplement existing global capacity for tires destined for our region,” Barna added.
The new plant will reportedly have access to a major rail line and highway, enabling the timely supply of tires to customers across North America. It will be built on a 610,000-square-meter site, Alianza Industrial Park, and allow for future expansions.
Yokohama Rubber’s new three-year (2024 to 2026) medium-term management plan, Yokohama Transformation 2026, focuses on maximizing the sales of high-value-added tires by expanding the global sales of its flagship brands: Yokohama, Advan, and Geolandar (designed for pickup trucks).
Saltillo, Coahuila, is a popular destination for foreign manufacturing companies looking to establish operations in Mexico. (Sachavir/Wikimedia)
Additionally, the plan includes “Regional and Product Strategies” to enhance the development, supply, and sales of tires tailored to specific trends in each regional market.
Yokohama Tire Corporation is the North American manufacturing and marketing arm of The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., based in Tokyo, Japan. The company has been a global manufacturing and sales leader in premium tires since 1917. It is one of the oldest companies in the automotive sector in Asia and is the result of a joint venture between Yokohama Cable Manufacturing and B.F. Goodrich.
With an extensive sales network throughout the U.S., the company’s product line includes tires for high-performance vehicles, light trucks, passenger cars, and commercial trucks and buses.
A rendering of the Royal Caribbean International Beach Club which is supposed to open in Cozumel in 2026. (Royal Caribbean International)
Royal Caribbean International announced an expansion of its Royal Beach Club Collection with plans to build a beach club in Cozumel, Quintana Roo, scheduled to open in 2026.
Royal Beach Club Cozumel will feature swimming pools, private cabanas, swim-up bars, various restaurants, a market, and experiences like kayaking, snorkeling, tequila tastings and cooking classes for cruise passengers. The company will invest over US $75 million in developing the club, according to a post on X by the governor of Quintana Roo, Mara Lezama.
The world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, docked in Mahahual – another Quintana Roo port – in January. (Cuartoscuro)
Located about 20 kilometers east of the coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in the Caribbean Sea, Cozumel is Mexico’s third-largest island and a major destination for cruise ships, receiving nearly 4 million cruise passengers last year, 43.89% more than the year before. In February, Cozumel was awarded the Pueblo Mágico recognition and is known for its reefs, white sand beaches, crystal-clear waters and pre-Columbian ruins.
“Cozumel is an incredible destination, and the beach club will perfectly complement everything the island offers as an experience that combines familiar touches of Royal Caribbean with the energy of Mexico, along with amenities and activities for every type of vacationer,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International in a statement.
The Royal Beach Club collection also includes a 17-acre beach club on Nassau’s Paradise Island, set to open in 2025.
Governor Mara Lezama said the state is “very proud” to be home to Royal Caribbean International’s new destination.
“These types of projects reaffirm our commitment to continuing to be the main port of call in Latin America,” she said.
With 50 years on the market and featuring 300 destinations in 80 countries across all seven continents, Royal Caribbean has been voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 21 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers’ Choice Awards.
Mexico City Diablos Rojos pitcher Trevor Bauer opens the game against the New York Yankees. (Daniel Augusto/Cuartoscuro)
Though the vast majority of the 59,471 fans at the game were in their corner on Sunday night, the players on the Mexican men’s national team were unable to stop the United States from achieving a three-peat.
Team USA took down Mexico 2-0 for its third straight championship in the Concacaf Nations League — a competition for teams in North America, Central America and the Caribbean.
Mexico entered the final at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on a high, a 3-0 win over Panama in the semifinals on Thursday, but the match against the U.S. turned out to be more of the same.
Mexico leads all-time with 36 wins, 17 draws and 24 losses, but the U.S. has a 19-8-9 edge since 2000.
Team USA entered the game ranked 13th and Mexico was 15th in the FIFA world rankings, but the difference looked a bit more pronounced. The U.S. outplayed Mexico, had better offensive bursts and continually denied Mexico good scoring opportunities.
U.S. midfielder Gio Reyna makes a run for the ball during the Nations League final on Sunday. (Concacaf)
A booming goal from more than 30 meters out by Tyler Adams in the 45th minute of the first half propelled the U.S. to the win. Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo “Memo” Ochoa dove perhaps a millisecond too late and the surprising, curling blast just eluded his right hand. Eighteen minutes into the second half, the U.S. added another goal by Gio Reyna.
Mexico didn’t play terribly for head coach Jaime Lozano, and though his job appears to be safe — never a certainty after Mexico loses a big game — Claro Sports after the game was quick to post the headline “Should Jimmy Lozano continue leading the Mexican team?”
Late in the second half, the match was suspended twice by Canadian referee Drew Fischer because of homophobic chants from the crowd. He stopped play in the 88th minute, restarted it, then halted it eight minutes later; play restarted 90 seconds after that and the game ended.
Last year, a Nations League semifinal in Las Vegas was halted four minutes early because of “puto” chants from Mexican fans, who for years have yelled the slur when the opposing team takes a goal kick.
The North America, Central America and Caribbean Football Association (Concacaf) issued a statement after the game saying that it “condemns the discriminatory chanting” and that “security staff in the stadium identified and ejected a significant number of fans.” It noted that its “What’s Wrong Is Wrong campaign,” launched in 2021, has “consistently urged fans to cease the chant, with regular digital communications and significant in-stadium messaging before and during all Concacaf events.
“It is extremely disappointing that this matter continues to be an issue at some matches, particularly in the context of the next two years presenting such a tremendous opportunity to grow the sport in our region,” Concacaf said.
Though the Nations League finals took place in the U.S., most attendees came out for Mexico’s El Tri. (Selección Nacional/X)
Next up for Mexico will be Copa America, an intense competition involving men’s national teams from South America and the top six finishers in the Nations League. The tournament will be held June 20 to July 14 in the United States.
New York Yankees visit Mexico City
An enthusiastic crowd of 20,735 packed Mexico City’s Alfredo Harp Helú Stadium to watch the visiting New York Yankees play the Mexico City Diablos Rojos in a spring training game on Sunday afternoon.
The Yankees, who left most of their star players back in Florida for an additional exhibition game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, were defeated 4-3 in the contest, the Yankees’ first in Mexico City since the days of Mickey Mantle in 1968.
Tickets for both games sold out a month ago in less than an hour, and for Sunday’s game, prices in the resale market ranged from US $130 in the bleachers to US $2,000 behind home plate.
It was a full house at Harp Stadium on Sunday afternoon, as fans packed in to see the Diablos Rojos face off against the Yankees. (Diablos Rojos/X)
“To me the price is reasonable,” said Armando Arce, a 45-year-businessman who bought a $250 ticket for Sunday’s game. “It’s not every day that you can watch your two favorite teams playing against each other.”
Both teams will open their regular seasons soon, the Yankees on Thursday at Houston, and Mexico City on April 11 at Puebla in the Mexican League (LMB).
Major League Baseball (MLB) will return to Harp Helú Stadium on April 27 and 28 for two regular-season games between the Houston Astros and Colorado Rockies.
Last year, the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres met in Mexico City for a pair of regular-season games, with the Padres winning both, 16-11 and 6-4 before a combined attendance of over 39,000.
‘Checo’ Pérez places fifth in Australia
When his teammate, three-time defending world champion Max Verstappen, had to leave Formula 1’s Australian Grand Prix on Sunday after sustaining a fiery mechanical failure on lap four, Sergio “Checo” Pérez of Mexico seemed to have a golden opportunity.
Checo Pérez’s teammate Max Verstappen led the first lap but was quickly sidelined by engine problems. (Formula 1/X)
The practically unbeatable Verstappen had won nine races in a row, and 19 of his last 20, and Pérez hadn’t won in a long 11 months.
However, the 34-year-old Guadalajara native finished in fifth place after starting the race in Melbourne from sixth on the grid.
Afterward, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner explained that Pérez’s car suffered slight damage from Verstappen’s mishap, which hindered his efforts to pass other drivers.
Not seeing Red Bull on the podium was a rarity. Verstappen had won the first two races of the 2024 season, and Perez was second in both, in the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian grands prix.
The Melbourne winner was Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz followed by teammate Charles Leclerc, giving Ferrari its first 1-2 result since the start of the 2022 season. McLaren’s Lando Norris was third.
Early symptoms of Guillain-Barré Syndrome are tingling in the arms, feet and face. The disease can advance to include muscle weakness and coordination problems. (Shutterstock)
Tlaxcala state officials on Monday reported a third death attributed to acute flaccid paralysis linked to Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a rare disease whose cause is not fully understood.
The state Health Ministry also reported that 35 additional patients diagnosed with GBS are currently hospitalized, eight of whom are in critical condition and remain in intensive care. Nine of the 35 patients are deemed cured but remain in hospital under observation as of Monday morning.
The ministry has confirmed 76 GBS cases in the small state northeast of Mexico City, with 38 patients having been treated and released.
The ministry made a public plea to state residents to take preventive measures, urging regular washing of hands with soap and water, while also taking all hygienic precautions handling and preparing foods, especially meats.
A World Health Organization (WHO) fact sheet on GBS explains that the disease typically appears after an infection due to a virus or bacteria. This prompts the immune system to attack the body itself and this “can affect the nerves that control muscle movement as well as those that transmit pain, temperature and touch sensations. This can result in muscle weakness, loss of sensation in the legs and/or arms, and problems swallowing or breathing.”
Most victims of GBS recover without long-term neurological complications.
Of 76 patients identified so far, 35 remain hospitalized. (IMSS)
Symptoms, which include tingling sensations often beginning in the legs but advancing to the arms and face, typically last a few weeks.
The symptoms can advance to include weakness in legs, arms and torso, soreness similar to muscle cramps, loss of motor coordination which can lead to falls, and blurred vision. Severe symptoms include paralysis, low blood pressure and cardiac arrhythmia.
The WHO recommends hospitalization of victims exhibiting such symptoms so they can be monitored closely. Cases become life-threatening when affected individuals have difficulty speaking and swallowing.
On March 22, Social Security Institute (IMSS) hospitals across Tlaxcala received an extra supply of antibody mixtures for use in immunoglobulin therapy. Human immunoglobulins are blood derivative substances with a high immunomodulation power and they are used to treat severe antibody deficiencies.
Though there is no known cure for GBS, immunotherapy treatments can modulate symptoms and shorten its duration.
