How Guadalajara became a global city

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November 29, 2025

Guadalajara is a global city and has been for nearly 500 years. (Unsplash/Sergio Rodríguez)

The opening gong for the age of international trade was struck in 1522 when Juan Sebastián Elcano succeeded in sailing around the world. Elcano’s coat of arms bears a talking globe which says, in Latin, “you were the first to encircle me.”

Elcano’s achievement encouraged Spanish navigators to try to reach the Far East starting from Mexico’s Pacific coast.

Coat of arms of Juan Sebastián Elcano — “You were the first to encircle me,” reads the Latin inscription onJuan Sebastián Elcano’s coat of arms. (Public Domain)

The birth of the Far East trade

On November 21, 1564, a convoy of boats sailed from the port of Barra de Navidad, Jalisco, with the aim of reaching the Philippines, and then somehow finding their way back, a serious challenge due to unfavorable winds.

“Five boats started out from Barra de Navidad,” says Guadalajara’s award-winning historian, Padre Tomás de Hijar Ornelas, “but the first one of them to make it to the Philippines and back was a patache, a little sailboat named the San Lucas, piloted by Alonso de Arrellano. The San Lucas got separated from the convoy but made it to the Philippines, discovered several islands and then sailed back to Mexico, following a route plotted by Andrés de Urdaneta, which involved sailing northeast from Manila to Japan to catch the favorable Westerlies that brought the San Lucas to the shores of northern California, after which it followed the coast back down to Barra de Navidad.

The grueling voyage

For the next 250 years, the Manila galleon followed this route, making a round trip from Acapulco once a year. The grueling return typically lasted five or six months, and dozens of crew members would succumb to scurvy, dehydration, starvation or heat stroke.

Despite all this, the tornaviaje, as it was soon called, proved very profitable.

America was now linked, by trade, both to Europe and to the Far East. Globalization had become a reality.

Silver, vanilla and cacao for China

“The Manila Galleon was more popularly known as the Nao de China,” de Hijar told me. “From the new world it carried silver coins minted in Mexico City — it was the first dollar in the world! Then there was vanilla, cacao, tobacco and cochineal (carmine dye), which is made from insects found on the pads of prickly pear cacti.

Manila Galleons — In the 18th Century, Mexico was the center of a vast and powerful global trade network. (Elephango)

“One more important item was henequen. In seawater, the fibers would last ten times longer than hemp. So, henequen rope was invaluable for marine use. Believe me, if you were a Malay pirate, you had to have rigging made of henequen!”

Silk and spices to Mexico

To Mexico, the Nao de China brought the most prized goods of the Far East: silk, spices, porcelain, carved ivory and Asian lacquerware.

As far as spices go, a cursory examination of dishes popular in Guadalajara shows how radically Mexican cuisine was influenced by contact with the Far East.

Birria, mole and ponche

Birria, for example, is a rich, spiced meat stew that originated in Jalisco. While its base is Mexican, it includes:

Cinnamon – From Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), it adds a sweet-spicy undertone.
Cloves – Native to Indonesia and used in the marinade for their pungency.
Black Pepper – Now ubiquitous, it originated in India and is common in the spice rub.
Cumin – Though often associated with Middle Eastern cuisine, it was traded through Asia and adds earthy warmth.

Mole is a very Mexican sauce made with several spices that trace their origins to Asia. Like birria, it contains cloves, black pepper and cinnamon. Some regional variations also use star anise (from South China), which adds licorice-like sweetness.

Mexican mole — Mole belongs to Mexico, but some of its ingredients come from places very far away. (Shutterstock)

Ponche, Christmas punch, is as Mexican as can be, but again borrows from Asian spice traditions. In it, you’ll find cloves, which give it spicy warmth, and Ceylon cinnamon sticks. For tang, ponche has tamarind, now very popular in Mexico, but originally from tropical Africa and widely cultivated in India and Southeast Asia. Sometimes Mexicans add ginger to their ponche to give it a zesty kick. Ginger started out in Southern China and eventually spread all over Asia.

Guadalajara, the cultural sponge

The galleon created a culinary mestizaje — a fusion of Asian, indigenous and Spanish traditions that still flavors Mexican cuisine today.

Guadalajara became a cultural sponge, absorbing Asian aesthetics and flavors and blending them into its own vibrant identity. The great galleon — which could carry up to 2,000 tons of cargo plus a crew of over 400 — brought not only goods, but ideas and technology. It brought new techniques for weaving, for making lacquer and ceramics, for navigation, and for printing with woodblocks.

From coconut spirit to tequila

One example of a technique that revolutionized Mexico was the introduction of the Filipino alambique (still) to the Pacific coast of Colima to turn the fermented sweet sap of the coconut palm (tubâ) into a liquor known as lambanóg (palm spirit). This was so successful that the Spanish crown ordered all the coconut palms cut down.

Instead of buying Spanish brandy, the Colima Filipinos applied their alambiques to distilling the sweet juice of cooked agave fibers, giving birth to mezcal and tequila.

Note that neither Filipinos nor coconuts are native to Mexico, and probably reached Colima when the Manila galleon stopped off in Manzanillo.

Guadalajara, the global city as it looks today. (Unsplash/Roman Lopez)

“How did Guadalajara become a global city?” I asked de Hijar, when the destination of the Manila Galleon was Acapulco?”

Global, thanks to contraband

“In a word: contraband,” replied the padre. “Most of the cargo was bought and paid for in advance and ended up in Mexico City, but before reaching Acapulco, the Nao de China would stop off in San Blas and Manzanillo, where the crew did wonderful business. And from both of these ports there was a Camino Real, leading, of course, to the capital of New Galicia, Guadalajara.”

So, when you are next in Guadalajara and are served a very Mexican café con canela for breakfast, please note that the café came from Ethiopia and the canela from Ceylon. Welcome to the global city!

John Pint has lived near Guadalajara, Jalisco, for more than 30 years and is the author of “A Guide to West Mexico’s Guachimontones and Surrounding Area” and co-author of “Outdoors in Western Mexico.” More of his writing can be found on his website.

Looting at Land’s End: The history of pirates in Los Cabos

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Chris Sands

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November 29, 2025

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Piracy in Los Cabos — Chilean navy ships like these, under Lord Thomas Cochrane, would attack San José del Cabo in 1822. (Public Domain)

In early 1565, five ships commanded by Miguel López de Legazpi and navigated along a course plotted by Andrés de Urdaneta reached the Philippines after a three-month journey from Barra de Navidad, Jalisco. The tornaviaje, or return route, was even more difficult, since due to prevailing winds and currents, their previous route was impossible. Instead, they opted to head north towards Japan to make use of what would later be termed the Kuroshio Current, and by this means sail across to California, and thence down the coast to Mexico.

It was an amazing feat of seamanship and set the stage for what would become the first global trade route, one made possible by the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade, which, for 250 years, saw Asian silks, spices, gems and porcelain traded for Mexican silver. These yearly galleon ships, or Nao de China as they were known in Mexico, were laden with rich cargo and thus were immensely important to the Spanish imperial economy. Of course, they were also highly attractive to English pirates, or, as they were known during times of war, privateers.

Cabo San Lucas, a haven for pirate attacks

Land's End in Cabo San Lucas — The half-mile headland at Land’s End in Cabo San Lucas provided perfect cover for pirates waiting to attack Spanish galleons bound from Manila to Acapulco. (Pueblo Bonito Resorts)

Amazingly, two of the four successful pirate attacks against Manila Galleons during the centuries-long trade occurred in Cabo San Lucas. Amazing, because there were no permanent settlements anywhere on the Baja California peninsula when the trade began during the 16th century. Only Indigenous populations. So, why here?

The route from Manila to Acapulco took longer, so crews suffered from scurvy and often ran low on water when their stores ran out and they couldn’t collect enough rainwater. The solution to both maladies was a stop at San José del Cabo, to replenish water at the freshwater estuary, and feast on local fare. Indeed, for nearly the entirety of the 250-year galleon trade, what is now known as Los Cabos was a stop-off point. The battles with pirates or privateers took place in Cabo San Lucas Bay because the half-mile Land’s End headland provided perfect cover for them to lie in wait, and a handy hill (the 500-foot Cerro del Vigía) on which to post a lookout.

Cavendish takes an epic prize

The galleon Santa Ana was four months out of Manila when she was sighted by English privateers led by Thomas Cavendish aboard two vessels, Her Majesty’s Ships (HMS) Desire and Content, in November 1587. The battle that would follow in Cabo San Lucas Bay was an epic one, lasting nearly six hours. The galleon was much larger — in the range of 600 tons, as compared to the 80-ton Content and the 120-ton Desire — but the smaller ships were more maneuverable, and during hand-to-hand fighting with swords and bucklers, the English discovered they had another advantage. During a previous visit to Acapulco, Santa Ana’s cannons had been commandeered to protect the fort.

Santa Ana was thus defenseless for the bombardment that followed, as the English stood off and pounded the ship and her crew of 160, with a barrage of cannonfire. Once the Santa Ana was compromised and began to sink, Captain Tomás de Alzola surrendered her and the treasure was offloaded into the holds of the two English ships. It was an immense haul, 122,000 pesos in gold and booty worth nearly two million pesos in total. To put this amount in perspective in modern terms is impossible, except to say that it amounted to approximately 10% of the annual Spanish imperial budget for itself and its far-flung colonies.

If sending ships this valuable on long sea voyages seemed an enormous gamble, understand, writes Arturo Giraldez in “The Age of Trade: The Manila Galleon and the Dawn of the Global Economy,” that trade during this era was highly speculative and highly volatile, and that a “single ship was capable of making a difference in the value of goods or altering the price of bullion in a particular market.”

Cavendish, meanwhile, sailed back to England aboard Desire to be knighted by Queen Elizabeth. Content, which was separated from Desire immediately after leaving Cabo San Lucas, was never seen again and has been the source of more than 400 years of lost treasure rumors in Los Cabos.

Woodes Rogers and Robinson Crusoe capture another galleon

Pirates in Los Cabos — An illustration of a British ship under Captain Woodes Rogers attacking a Spanish galleon in Cabo San Lucas Bay in 1709. (Public Domain)

Over 120 years would separate the first successful capture of a Manila Galleon and the second. What these two attacks had in common, of course, was that both took place in Cabo San Lucas Bay and were instigated by English belligerents. The difference was that Woodes Rogers, captain of the British ships Duke, Duchess and Marquis that would attack the Manila galleons in 1709 — yes, there were two that year — was a pirate, not a privateer, as Spain and England were, for a change, not at war at that time.

Rogers had plenty of time to get ready, as after rescuing Alexander Selkirk, the inspiration for Robinson Crusoe, from a remote Pacific island, he and his crew spent two months in Cabo San Lucas waiting and getting to know the Indigenous Pericú. Finally, in December, they sighted the Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación y Desengaño, which had been separated from her sister ship en route, and whose guns had been placed in the hold to make room for more cargo. It was thus easy pickings for the pirates, who helped themselves to the immense treasure (170,000 English pounds worth) after a brief engagement during which 20 Spanish sailors and nine British were killed.

Rogers took a musket ball to the jaw during the fighting, and when the sister ship Begoña arrived days later, fully armed and ready for combat, he was injured again in an unsuccessful attempt to capture her, too. Still, it was a successful mission and a well-heeled crew who returned to England with the Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación y Desengaño, renamed the Bachelor, in tow.

Buccaneer days in old Los Cabos

Those weren’t the only attempts made by English sailors to capture the Nao de China, nor was England the only country hell-bent on loosening Spain’s colonial grip in the Americas by harassing Spanish ships, including those transiting via Los Cabos. French pirates also made raids in what is now Baja California Sur during the 17th century, and Dutch sailors were seen in the vicinity during the following century, although there is no evidence of them engaging in piracy.

Not that this more legal approach paid very good dividends. The Dutch ship Hervating famously anchored in 1746 off San José del Cabo, in its San Bernabé Bay, with hopes of trading with the Jesuit missionaries who had been there for over a decade. The Jesuits were game, writes author Harry W. Crosby in “Antigua California,” despite the Spanish ban on such trade. However, when the padres sent an emissary to the mainland to smooth the way for further trade, he was tortured and the Dutch ship that had followed in his wake was turned away, with its landing parties beaten back by force.

Thus, in the pirate annals of Los Cabos, while it wasn’t always the British who opposed the Spanish, it was they who proved the most enduring and obdurate foes. The last example of this occurred in 1822 and was somewhat unusual since it happened one year after Mexico had gained its independence from Spain, and the British commanders were serving a different nation than their native one.

Lord Cochrane’s fleet sacks San José del Cabo

Lord Thomas Cochrane, the dashing British aristocrat and naval hero who inspired literary creations like Horatio Hornblower and Jack Aubry, was finishing up a stint as vice admiral of the Chilean navy in its fight for independence from Spain in 1822 and seeking to sweep the Pacific clean of any remaining Spanish ships when he arrived with his fleet in Acapulco in February 1822.

That same month, two British captains under his command, William Wilkinson aboard the Independencia and Robert Simpson on the Araucano, sacked and looted the now Dominican mission at San José del Cabo, on the pretext that it still flew the Spanish flag. The Baja California peninsula was so remote at this point that it’s possible the friars didn’t know the war had ended five months earlier. In any case, there was no excuse for the banditry and destruction that followed, first at San José del Cabo, then later at Todos Santos and Loreto. Except that such depredations are the calling cards of pirates everywhere, even those who fly the flags of nations instead of a skull and crossbones.

The good news for Los Cabos, although no one knew it then, was that after nearly three centuries of piratical incursions, there would be no more, save a few scattered filibustering attempts later in the 19th century. Now, in the 21st century, the only pirate ships in local waters are those operated by tour companies, and the simulated sword fights are merely entertainment between cocktails and helpings at the buffet.

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

How Montse González is redefining tequila

By

Charlotte Smith

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November 29, 2025

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Montse González, co-founder of Leyenda 1925 tequila. (Leyenda 1925)

Beneath Mexico’s sprawling agave fields, where the plants sway gently in the breeze and golden light filters through, lies a story of passion, resilience and purpose; a story centered around Montse González. It’s a compelling narrative of how one woman’s unwavering dedication can reshape an industry deeply rooted in tradition and craft.

As a pioneering figure in the male-dominated tequila sector, González embodies leadership that’s authentic and committed to making a meaningful impact. Her brand, Leyenda 1925, reflects not only her love for craftsmanship and cultural heritage but also her conviction that true success surpasses mere profit. It’s about creating ripples of change that extend beyond the bottle.

Leyenda 1925 tequila bottle — Leyenda 1925 is elegant in the bottle, or on one’s palate. (Leyenda 1925)

Montse González’s journey compels us to reflect on how purpose and heart can shape a future where tradition and innovation coexist, inspiring others to pursue paths of integrity and empowerment.

Leyenda 1925, a story waiting to be told

Her entry into the tequila industry stemmed from a deep respect for the land and its traditions.

“I’ve always felt that tequila is much more than a drink,” she says. “It’s a story infused with identity, patience and reverence for the land. My vision was to honor the craftsmanship and integrity behind authentic tequila; it’s not just another label or brand, but a story waiting to be told.”

And what a story it is.

To González, tequila embodies “time, family and agave. It’s about the soul that embodies patience, land and legacy.” She perceives tequila not just as a beverage but as a living testament to cultural heritage and the craftsmanship passed through generations. Each sip tells a story that deserves to be shared with authenticity and respect.

Staking out a space in a male-dominated industry

Navigating the predominantly male tequila industry has tested her resilience and leadership. Her approach is anchored in empathy and genuine connection, which helps her carve out her space in a field often lacking diversity.

“It’s been challenging, but I believe leadership isn’t defined by gender but by direction,” she asserts. “When it’s about collaboration instead of competition, I find strength in infusing a more human quality into my work.”

For González, purpose is woven into every facet of Leyenda 1925, which she co-founded earlier this year with cousins Julio and Juan González.

“A brand without purpose lacks a real legacy,” she states. “From the start, I believed that success is measured not just in sales, but in what we give back. I didn’t want to redefine anything, but I aimed to create a bridge. Ensuring that each bottle contributes to building futures is vital to me.”

A commitment to change and supporting communities

Her commitment to social impact is a hallmark of her leadership. Every decision and every bottle is crafted with awareness and to support communities. She holds the belief that a brand’s true legacy lies in the positive change it fosters.

Beyond her work in spirits, González passionately advocates for women’s education in Mexico through her involvement with Jaltepec, an educational institution that equips young women from underserved, rural backgrounds with the skills required to forge their paths.

“The first time I witnessed the transformation education brings not just to individuals but also to families was unforgettable,” she recalls. “I saw young women dreaming bigger than their circumstances. Educating women strengthens families, as educated women raise responsible citizens and inspire others. That ripple effect can change entire communities, and it addresses root challenges in Mexican society.”

Agave fields near Tequila, Jalisco — Rural women in places like Tequila, Jalisco, often face insurmountable barriers when it comes to succeeding as leaders in business. (Wikimedia Commons/ Thomassin Mickaël)

Empowering women to break barriers

Her commitment to empowering women arises from a core belief that when women receive opportunities to learn and lead, entire communities thrive.

Many women in rural and vulnerable communities across Mexico face seemingly insurmountable barriers. Limited resources, societal expectations and cultural norms often deter them from aspiring to leadership or entrepreneurship.

“Many women in rural areas grow up believing that opportunities are scarce,” González explains. “Leadership and business seem out of reach, not just due to economic constraints, but also a lack of access. Jaltepec provides women with a sense of belonging and the ability to realize their potential. It alters their mindsets and attitudes by teaching them to discover their self-worth.”

Supporting Jaltepec and women in leadership positions

As the Jaltepec International Affairs Coordinator, she witnesses these transformations firsthand.

“It creates a multiplier effect,” she notes. “People observe these young women succeeding both personally and professionally, which allows them to see themselves as capable of achieving the same.”

Supporting Jaltepec is integral to González’s vision, and she engages with it sincerely and dedicatedly.

Jaltepec Jalisco — Jaltepec is an educational institution in Jalisco whose mission is to help women succeed in business and as entrepreneurs. (Jaltepec)

“I am actively involved in these educational centers,” she emphasizes. “I know the organization from within. Together with Leyenda 1925, we support entrepreneurial projects that ensure students translate their learning into real-world impacts, creating lasting change for themselves, their families and their communities. We commit long-term, viewing these women as assets and future leaders. We fund their education, mentor them, and ensure they are not just trained, but fully equipped to succeed. It’s all about building resilience and confidence so they can shape their futures and uplift those around them.”

It’s about more than just tequila

González’s work exemplifies how entrepreneurship, cultural tradition, and female empowerment intertwine to create meaningful change. Her vision for Leyenda 1925 goes beyond producing exceptional tequila; it serves as a beacon of purpose-driven leadership.

She hopes her example inspires young women across Mexico to recognize that leadership can be rooted in compassion, strength, and authenticity. Her message to them is simple yet profound.

“You already have what it takes; you just need to believe in it long enough to make it real. Often, you don’t realize your potential until you take the time to know yourself. Remember, your background doesn’t define you, your choices do.”

Montse González’s journey is larger than just tequila. It’s about crafting a future where women lead with integrity, where tradition and innovation coexist, and where the spirit of the land fuels a movement of empowerment, destined to change lives and reshape perceptions.

Her story serves as a powerful reminder that when leadership is grounded in purpose and driven by the heart, it has the potential to transform industries, communities, and lives in profound ways.

What Leyenda 1925 encapsulates, celebrates and honors

Each bottle of Leyenda 1925 encapsulates the essence of the land, family, and resilience, embodying the steadfast belief that purpose and authenticity can forge a lasting legacy.

Every drop of Leyenda 1925 celebrates the spirit of the land, the stories of those who cultivate it, and the resilience of communities striving for brighter futures.

Each sip honors a legacy of authenticity, compassion, and purpose, weaving a narrative that connects generations and fosters a sense of pride and responsibility.

Montse González stands as a testament to the powerful intersection of heritage, empowerment and innovation, illustrating how one woman’s vision can illuminate a path for many.

As we raise a glass to Montse and the ethos behind her brand, let us all be reminded that true greatness resides not only in success but also in the impact we have on the lives of others.

May her message and legacy inspire generations to come and encourage a collective effort toward a more equitable future.

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

Breakout cycling star Isaac del Toro is Mexico’s Sportsman of the Year

By

MND Staff

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November 28, 2025

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Isaac del Toro at ceremony — Isaac Del Toro received the 2025 National Sports Prize from President Claudia Sheinbaum with Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada and Copade director Rommel Pacheco also present. (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro.com)

Isaac del Toro, a 21-year-old cyclist from Baja California, capped a landmark year by receiving the 2025 National Sports Award, Mexico’s highest athletic honor, in a ceremony in Mexico City on Thursday.

President Claudia Sheinbaum presented the award — in Spanish, the Premio Nacional del Deporte — which is marking its 50th anniversary this year in recognizing the nation’s top sports contributors.

2025 sports award winners — Del Toro shared the spotlight with multiple other winners in seven different caregories, including amateur, Paralympic and career achievement. (Mario Jasso/Cuatoscuro.com)

Created in 1975, the award is given by the government through the Ministry of Public Education (SEP) and the National Commission for Physical Culture and Sport (Conade).

Del Toro, who was born in Ensenada, Baja California, ascended to international prominence in 2025 by winning 16 professional races, taking second place in the prestigious Giro d’Italia (after making history as the first Mexican cyclist to lead it at an earlier stage) and climbing to third in the world rankings.

As the sole honoree in the professional category, Del Toro was widely treated in the Mexican media as the headline or main winner, and informally as the Sportsman of the Year.

However, the award had multiple official winners across seven categories, including amateur, Paralympic, coaching, judging, sports promotion and career achievement. The awards were handed out at the National Center for the Development of Sports Talent and High Performance (CNAR), the main high‑performance sports complex operated by Conade in the capital.

The awards include a gold medal, a certificate signed by the president and a cash prize of 796,000 pesos (US $43,000), according to SEP and CONADE.

Separately, Del Toro also received the Sports Idol of the Year awarded at the Victory Prize Mexico 2025 gala, another event that also recognizes top Mexican athletes. It was held Tuesday at Jardín Santa Fe in Mexico City.

“Thank you to my family for being there for me during the difficult times and to everyone who believed in me, thank you,” Del Toro said at the Victory Prize ceremony. “I feel very privileged to share this experience with all of you.”

Del Toro’s 2025 included a victory at Milano-Torino, where he became both the first Mexican and the youngest rider ever to win the race. He also collected titles at the Clásica Terres de l’Ebre and the Tour of Austria, solidifying his breakout season.

Some of the big-name winners of previous National Sports Awards include golfing legend Lorena Ochoa, Major League pitcher Julio Urías (whose career later nosedived after a domestic-violence arrest), World Cup hero Hugo Sánchez, and Olympic divers Arantxa Chávez and Carlos Girón.

Other honorees this year included Andrea Maya Becerra (archery), Alegna González Muñoz (race-walking), Uziel Muñoz Galarza (shot put) and Osmar Olvera Ibarra (diving) in the amateur category; Luis Carlos López Valenzuela (discus and shotput) and Osiris Aneth Machado Silver (discus) for Paralympic sports; and Gabriela Agúndez García (diving), Donovan Carrillo Suazo (ice skating), José Arnulfo Castorena Vélez (Para swimming) and María Lorena Ramírez Nahueachi (ultramarathons) for lifetime achievements.

With reports from N+, Infobae, ESPN Deportes and El Universal

Chichén Itzá beats out Teotihuacán and Tulum as Mexico’s top draw in a banner year for cultural tourism

By

MND Staff

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November 28, 2025

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Homenaje Víctimas Pipazo — The Maya archaeological complex of Chichén Itzá in the state of Yucatán has been the most popular cultural site in Mexico so far this year, receiving 1.7 million tourists during the January-September period. (Martin Zetina/Cuartoscuro.com)

Mexico is experiencing historic growth in cultural tourism, underscoring the importance of its heritage not just for its intrinsic value but also as an economic and social driver of communities.

Tourism Minister Josefina Rodríguez this week reported that 15.9 million visitors toured museums and archaeological sites across the country during the first nine months of the year, generating opportunities for guides, artisans and local projects.

Teotihuacan — The pyramids of Teotihuacán in México state, predating the Aztecs by centuries, attracted 1.2 million tourists in the first three quarters of 2025, second only to Chichén Itzá. (@4gottn_History/on X)

“These spaces not only attract tourism, but also act as engines to boost local economies, expand benefits for communities and strengthen pride and cultural identity,” Rodríguez said.

Tourism Ministry (Sectur) officials said the surge consolidates Mexico’s position as one of the most dynamic global destinations, and it could break records in 2026 because of events such as the FIFA World Cup and FITUR 2026 (Spain’s international tourism fair, at which Mexico will be the featured guest).

The data compiled by the national statistics agency INEGI showed that 7.4 million tourists visited Mexico’s archaeological sites through the first nine months of 2025, a 2.6% increase over the same period in 2024. Nearly two-thirds of the visitors (64%) were Mexican nationals, while 36% were foreigners.

The Maya archaeological complex of Chichén Itzá in the state of Yucatán was the most popular site, receiving 1.7 million tourists during the January-September period.

The remains of a late Maya city combined with a beautiful beach resort, Jaguar National Park and nature reserves have made Tulum in Quntana Roo the third most popular cultural tourism site in Mexico, despite a recent downturn in visitors. (Gobierno de Quintana Roo/via Cuartoscuro.com)

The pyramids of Teotihuacán located 48 kilometers northeast of Mexico City in México state was the second-most visited site, attracting 1.2 million tourists. Tulum along the Caribbean coast in the state of Quintana Roo was third with 809,000 visitors.

Meanwhile, more than 8.5 million people visited Mexico’s museums, a 16.9% increase over the same period last year. The overwhelming majority (89%) of museum-goers were Mexican nationals.

Mexico City’s National Museum of Anthropology was by far the favorite, attracting 43% of all museum visits. The National Museum of History, aka Chapultepec Castle, was the second most-visited museum (24%), while the Templo Mayor Museum recorded just 4% of total museum visits.

Between January and September 2025, Mexico received 71 million visitors, representing a 13.9% increase compared to the same period of the previous year.

Maritime tourism also showed a positive trend: 8 million cruise ship passengers arrived at the country’s ports, generating US $668.9 million in foreign exchange, 11.6% more than 2024 and 51.1% above pre-pandemic levels.

By itself, September registered the arrival of 7.28 million international visitors, a 16 percent monthly increase. Sectur anticipates a further surge with the start of the winter season, expecting the annual influx of snowbirds from Canada and the U.S.

“Everything indicates that 2025 will close as a historic year, reflecting the sector’s commitment to positioning Mexico as a leading tourist and cultural destination,” Rodríguez said.

With reports from PubliMetro, Revista Fortuna and La Revista del Sureste

Attorney General’s Office must transform ‘for the good of Mexico,’ Sheinbaum says: Friday’s mañanera recapped

By

MND Staff

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November 28, 2025

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President Sheinbaum gestures as she speaks from behind her press conference podium — The president expressed her opinion that the Attorney General's Office needs to be more transparent moving forward, though she recognized the office's autonomy from the executive branch. (Mario Jasso / Cuartoscuro.com)

The resignation of Alejandro Gertz Manero as Mexico’s attorney general was a central focus of President Claudia Sheinbaum’s Friday morning press conference.

Sheinbaum also spoke about the woman who appears most likely to become the next federal attorney general.

In addition, she advocated for a more collaborative and transparent Federal Attorney General’s Office.

Sheinbaum offered attorney general an ambassadorship

Asked about the resignation of Gertz Manero, Sheinbaum told reporters that she had offered an ambassadorship to the 86-year-old and he accepted.

“Soon we’re going to say where he’s going because there has to be a process between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the [host] country,” she said.

“Until the credentials are accepted, [the host country] can’t be announced, that’s a rule,” Sheinbaum said.

Attorney General Gertz resigns after nearly 7 scandal-filled years on the job

According to media reports, Gertz — attorney general since January 2019 — will become Mexico’s ambassador to Germany.

Opposition politicians and media commentators have claimed that Gertz was pushed out of the attorney general’s role in a power grab by the Sheinbaum administration.

Among them was Senator Alejandro Moreno, national president of the Institutional Revolutionary Party.

“I deeply regret the coup movement that the narco-politicians of [the] Morena [party] launched against [Gertz]. It is yet another sign of the authoritarian face of this regime, which seeks to impose a terrorist and communist narco-dictatorship in Mexico,” he wrote on X.

Sheinbaum wants more coordination between her administration and the ‘autonomous’ FGR

Sheinbaum said she hopes there will be “even more coordination” between the different departments of her government and the Federal Attorney General’s Office (FGR) once a new attorney general has been appointed on a permanent basis.

Ernestina Godoy, a former Mexico City attorney general who served as Sheinbaum’s top legal adviser during the past year, has replaced Gertz on an interim basis. She is considered the favorite to become Mexico’s next chief law enforcement official. If appointed to the role on a permanent rather than interim basis, Godoy will become the country’s second female attorney general after Marisela Morales.

Sheinbaum said that the FGR and the Attorney General’s Offices in Mexico’s 32 federal entities are “fundamental” to the success of the federal government’s security strategy because it is “ultimately” up to them to initiate and carry out criminal investigations, and to request search and arrest warrants from judges.

“Even though the Attorney General’s Office is autonomous — I’ve always thought that — coordination between the Ministry of Public Security, the National Guard and the Attorney General’s Office is fundamental in order to continue making progress toward a safe country with justice,” she said.

“This coordination is very important for us. … It was already happening, but I hope that now, once the new attorney general is appointed, that there will be even more coordination, because it is the responsibility of the Mexican government, the [federal and state] Attorney General’s Offices, and the judiciary to advance security and peace in our country,” Sheinbaum said.

The judiciary now includes the judges, magistrates and Supreme Court justices who were elected in Mexico’s first ever judicial elections on June 1.

Godoy is ‘an extraordinary woman,’ says Sheinbaum

Asked whether she would like to see Godoy as Mexico’s next attorney general, Sheinbaum noted that it will be up to the Senate to decide.

The president, however, will submit a list of three candidates to the upper house of Congress, which will select a successor for Gertz via a two-thirds majority vote.

Sheinbaum indicated that she would very much like to see her erstwhile legal advisor as federal attorney general.

The president took time at her Friday morning conference to share a section of the Mexican Constitution guaranteeing the independent status of the federal Attorney General’s Office and the requirements to hold the position of attorney general. (Gabriel Monroy / Presidencia)

“Ernestina is an extraordinary woman,” she said of Godoy, who served as Mexico City attorney general during Sheinbaum’s 2018-23 mayorship in the capital.

The president also said that Godoy is an “honest” woman “of principles” and “many convictions.”

“She demonstrated her [ability to get] results when she was attorney general of Mexico City,” Sheinbaum said.

Among the high-profile unresolved cases Godoy inherits as acting attorney general — and which she will be tasked with advancing if she is appointed to the role on a more permanent basis — are those involving the disappearance of 43 teacher’s college students in Guerrero in 2014 and corruption allegations against former Pemex CEO Emilio Lozoya, who has been awaiting trial for years.

Sheinbaum: The FGR needs ‘a transformation for the good of Mexico’

Sheinbaum told reporters that her “personal opinion” is that the Federal Attorney General’s Office needs a “transformation for the good of Mexico.”

Such a transformation, she added, would entail the FGR becoming “more transparent.”

“I believe that will be up to the attorney general who … is appointed by the Senate,” Sheinbaum said.

She also said that it will be up to the next attorney general to decide what the FGR’s priorities will be.

Sheinbaum herself identified fuel smuggling as a crime she believes the FGR should focus on.

“It’s very important for all the investigations to continue and that those named in the investigation files be brought to justice,” she said.

Sheinbaum also indicated that the prosecution of “high-impact crimes” such as murder and kidnapping, as well as “white-collar crime,” should be a priority for the FGR.

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

Attorney General Gertz resigns after nearly 7 scandal-filled years on the job

By

MND Staff

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November 28, 2025

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Gertz 2025 — After a controversial retirement following a controversial tenure as Mexico's top prosecutor, Alejandro Gertz Manero, shown here in October delivering his department's Annual Report, will serve as Mexico's ambassador to Germany. (Galo Cañas/Cuartoscuro.com)

Mexico’s controversial attorney general, Alejandro Gertz Manero, resigned on Thursday and has been replaced on an interim basis by President Claudia Sheinbaum’s legal adviser, Ernestina Godoy.

In a Senate session, presiding officers read a letter by Gertz requesting that his resignation be accepted after Sheinbaum nominated him as “Mexico’s ambassador to a friendly country,” which was later revealed to be Germany.

Ernestina Godoy 2025 — Ernestina Godoy Ramos, President Sheinbaum’s legal counsel who served as her attorney general when she was mayor of Mexico City, will serve as the nation’s top prosecutor until the Senate chooses a replacement to fill out the term of retired AG Alejandro Gertz. (Andrea Murcia/Cuartoscuro.com)

Gertz, who had served as attorney general since January 2019, was appointed for a nine-year term, but his office has increasingly come under scrutiny for leaks involving sensitive case files and other missteps. He has also faced accusations that he used his position for personal and political gain.

The Senate approved his resignation 74 to 22, with no abstentions.

Immediately after the vote to accept the resignation, the Senate established procedures to appoint Mexico’s new top prosecutor and sent out a call for applications.

Sheinbaum will submit three candidates to the Senate, which will select a successor via a two-thirds majority vote.

Institutional Revolutionary Party Senator Manuel Añorve charged Sheinbaum and the ruling Morena party with poitical manipulation in its handling of the Gertz situation: “This isn’t a resignation, it’s a power grab.” (@manuelanorve)

Godoy, who served as Mexico City Attorney General when Sheinbaum was the mayor of the capital, is considered the favorite to serve out the remainder of Gertz’s term.

Controversy in the Senate

Opposition senators objected to Gertz’s removal, arguing that his resignation did not meet the terms established in Article 24 of the Law of the Federal Attorney General’s Office, which stipulates that the attorney general is only permitted to resign for “serious cause.”

Movimiento Ciudadano party Senator Clemente Castañeda, among others, argued that accepting an ambassadorial nomination is not “a serious cause,” insisting that physical and mental incapacity to continue serving as a prosecutor, having committed an administrative offense or a crime, or violating the Constitution were acceptable reasons to abdicate the office.

Institutional Revolutionary Party Senator Manuel Añorve charged Sheinbaum and the ruling Morena party with nefarious politics.

“This isn’t a resignation, it’s a power grab,” he said. “What we’re seeing is a prosecutor resigning to make way for a puppet prosecutor.”

Morena senators insisted that the resignation did comply with Article 24, and claimed that Gertz had violated the Constitution by failing to submit reports he is obligated to provide to Congress.

However, opposition senators said they were not privy to the resignation letter nor were they permitted to review the document sent to President Sheinbaum by Senate leadership on Wednesday advising her of the upcoming vote.

Afterward, Morena’s caucus leader in the Senate, Adán Augusto López, dismissed the accusations that he had orchestrated Gertz’s ouster, saying “media outlets were letting their imaginations run wild.”

López did not address the claims that Gertz had violated the Constitution, instead saying the resignation letter itself was reason enough to accept his departure.

“If someone holds a position of responsibility and says ‘I am retiring,’ that rises to the level of ‘a serious cause,’ because he is essentially abandoning his post,” López said.

Gertz’s past controversies

The resignation of the 86-year-old Gertz had been the subject of speculation amid what the news agency Reuters called, “scrutiny of Sheinbaum’s government over security issues,” especially as rumors about Mexico’s World Cup hosting duties made headlines.

Critics also argued that Gertz used his enormous influence to settle personal vendettas and protect alleged business interests.

Earlier this week, El Universal columnist Mario Maldonado attributed the effort to oust Gertz to repeated leaks of sensitive files that implicated former high-ranking government officials and members of the Navy as well as members of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s inner circle.

In 2022, Gertz was heavily criticized for trumping up charges against his in-laws who languished in prison for nearly 22 months. The Supreme Court bluntly rebuked the attorney general while ruling his efforts unconstitutional.

He also tried to lock up 31 academics on charges they improperly received about US $2.5 million in government science funding. The laws at the time allowed such funding, and the money was determined to have been spent properly. Gertz allegedly sought to jail the academics because they had declined to approve his request for formal recognition as a leading academic.

Gertz also came under heavy fire for summarily clearing former Defense Minister Salvador Cienfuegos of drug charges after he had been arrested in Los Angeles in 2020, claiming U.S. authorities had no evidence. Mexico then drew the ire of the U.S. government by releasing the entire case file in violation of a bilateral treaty.

With reports from Reforma, La Jornada, El Universal, Reuters, The Associated Press, El País and Infobae

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story said that the acceptable causes for an attorney general to resign were established in Article 24 of the Mexican Constitution. They are actually defined in Article 24 of the Law of the Federal Attorney General’s Office. Other conditions related to the attorney general’s responsibilities and terms of resignation are defined in Article 102 of the Constitution. The story has been corrected.

Truckers end blockades after marathon negotiation results in an accord

By

MND Staff

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November 28, 2025

2

ANTAC AND FNRCM — Representatives from ANTAC and FNRCM, the two organizations behind the four days of highway blockages, reached a settlement with the Interior Ministry Thursday evening after an all-day negotiating session. (Galo Cañas/Cuartoscuro.com)

Truckers have agreed to end highway blockades after a marathon negotiating session on Thursday produced preliminary agreement on the security, water and agricultural issues that had led to the protest.

The National Front for the Rescue of Mexican Farmland (FNRCM) and the National Association of Transporters (ANTAC) have begun to lift the blockades that snarled traffic on highways, obstructed access to toll booths and U.S. ports of entry, and brought customs offices to a standstill.

After 13 hours of talks, Interior Minister Rosa Icela Rodríguez announced that the government had agreed to address the demands of the producers and transporters by establishing several permanent working groups and to modify proposed reforms to the National Water Law.

Issues to be further resolved in the working groups, in addition to legal restrictions regarding water use, are guaranteed prices and loans for the agricultural sector and security on the nation’s highways.

“We will be following up on addressing the problems outlined by [producers] and transporters, while also delivering the corresponding support directly to each farmer,” Rodríguez said.

ANTAC leader David Estévez celebrated the “positive agreements” and thanked those who participated in the “struggle” while also expressing gratitude toward those who were impacted by the blockades.

Estevez said his group was pleased that the government will set up specialized prosecutors’ offices for highway crimes, saying that previous dependence on state security officials often included harassment and extortion of truckers on remote highways. He said state troopers will no longer deal with highway crime unless they in turn are overseen by the National Guard.

He also praised the government’s agreement to install security cameras on highways and ensure safe rest stops, though he did caution that his organization was willing to block highways again if the working groups don’t function adequately.

FNRCM spokesman Baltazar Valdés highlighted the government’s commitment to releasing outstanding payments for wheat and corn. He also emphasized the importance of reviewing farm loans and establishing guaranteed prices for agricultural products.

Eraclio Rodríguez, the leader of an association of farmers from the state of Sinaloa, said the National Water Commission (Conagua) had consented to amend the water bill, providing for the differentiated treatment for water used for agriculture purposes versus water used for industrial or other purposes. This modification is intended to maintain the principle of prioritizing domestic use of water extracted from wells.

Farmers also insisted that the government ensure that basic grains and oilseeds are excluded from any future review of the USMCA free trade pact.

With reports from La Jornada, El Universal, Milenio and Excelsior

Meet Mexico City’s newest taquera: Dua Lipa

By

MND Staff

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November 28, 2025

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Dua lipa in a white fuzzy coat and shiny bikini top — The British pop star will be in Mexico City starting Dec. 1 to wrap up her Radical Optimism world tour. (Warner Records Press)

Mexico-based fans of British singer Dua Lipa won’t want to miss her taquería in Mexico City, opening for a limited time Dec. 1 to 5.

Warner Music Mexico announced the opening of the British singer’s temporary taco shop, Tacos La Dua, on Wednesday. The pop-up celebrates Dua Lipa’s arrival in Mexico, the last stop on her international Radical Optimism Tour. La Dua, a collaboration with Los Caramelos taquería, will be located at Avenida Michoacán 93 in the trendy neighborhood of La Condesa. The pop-up will feature a special menu in honor of the singer, as well as souvenirs, artist merch and “photo ops,” all accompanied by the singer’s greatest hits.

¡la próxima semana tenemos planazo en Taquería La Dua!
vamos a celebrar en grande la llegada de @DUALIPA a la CDMX con el Radical Optimism Tour 🌮

nos vemos del 1 al 5 de diciembre
horario: 12:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
dirección: Av. Michoacán 93, Condesa pic.twitter.com/ISggc2UAZH

— Warner Music México (@warnermusicmex) November 26, 2025

The menu, dubbed the La Dua special package, costs 249 pesos (US $13) and includes the Radical Optimism Taco (a northern-style caramelo with beef barbacoa, cheese and beans), the Houdini (a crispy pork rind taco) and the María Taco (arranchera steak) along with themed drinks and soup.

Taquería La Dua will be open from noon to midnight, complementing the concert experience, as diners can enjoy tacos before or after the show while still immersed in the Dua Lipa world.

The singer’s other official CDMX pop-up will be a “Book Tasting” featuring cocktails and book discussions at La Americana book store, also in the Condesa neighborhood.

Mexican fans feel a special connection with Dua Lipa as she has publicly expressed her love for Mexico City, a place she has frequently visited. In her newsletter Service 95, the singer has said Mexico City is one of her “favorite places in the world,” while recommending her readers places to see in the capital.

This will not be Dua Lipa’s first tour in Mexico. In 2022, she performed before 65,000 fans in Mexico City’s Foro Sol, now called Estadio GNP Seguros. This time around, she’ll perform three nights on Dec. 1, 2 and 5 at the same venue, with ticket prices ranging from 829 to 3,880 pesos (US $45 to $211).

With reports from CDMX Secreta