2025 is already off to a tricky start for Mexico. Here's a preview of some of the challenges that need to be faced this year. (Presidencia/Cuartoscuro)
Join our subscriber-exclusive podcast as our weekly discussion takes a look at the potential challenges facing Mexico in 2025 and how President Claudia Sheinbaum — and the country might react.
This year is shaping up to be an interesting year for Mexico, with a new president and the return of former President Trump to the White House. The team discuss Mexico News Daily CEO Travis Bembenek’s predictions on a wide array of topics including the Mexican economy, the drug cartels, Chinese investments, green energy projects, and tourism.Will his predictions prove to be true, and what lies in store for Mexico over the course of the next 12 months?
MND Perspectives: The economic problems facing Mexico
What are your predictions for Mexico in 2025? Let’s discuss.
This podcast was produced using AI tools. All information collected and discussed in this episode was investigated, written and edited by human journalists. Compiled from a Mexico News Daily article by Travis Bembenek. Edited by Rose Eglhoff. Podcast produced by Chris Havler-Barrett.
In recent years, Mexico has become the most popular destination for expat U.S. veterans living or traveling abroad, with tens of thousands now residing in Mexico full-time.
On Dec. 16, 2024, Congressman Nick Lalota (NY-1) introduced H.R. 10430, the Veterans Foreign Medical Coverage Equality and Modernization Act of 2024, onto the floor of the United States House of Representatives.
If enacted, this landmark legislation would drastically improve healthcare access for tens of thousands of expatriate U.S. military veterans who live or travel abroad, particularly in Mexico, which now boasts the largest population of expat (non-active duty) U.S. military veterans worldwide.
A critical need for change
The VA Foreign Medical Program (FMP) is often the primary healthcare option for expat U.S. military veterans living or traveling abroad who are not fully retired and therefore ineligible for Tricare. However, unlike Tricare, the FMP program only covers treatments for service-connected disabilities.
This leaves the 17,000 disabled veterans living abroad who are rated 100% Permanent & Total (P&T) without coverage for non-service connected conditions. As a result, these veterans are on the hook for a broken leg, COVID-19 testing & treatment or even a life-saving treatment for a heart attack while abroad. This limitation is in stark contrast to the VA’s CHAMPVA program, which currently provides comprehensive healthcare coverage both in the U.S. and abroad to the dependent spouses, children and caregivers of disabled veterans rated 100% P&T.
The proposed legislation seeks to amend Section 1724 of Title 38 of the U.S. Code to expand FMP’s coverage abroad for these veterans. This change would ensure that veterans rated as 100% P&T receive care for all healthcare needs abroad, regardless of whether the condition is service-connected.
Jesse Cole Rivera, Commander of American Legion Post 12 in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, first brought the FMP program to Congressman Lalota’s attention in the summer of 2023. “Disabled veterans rated 100% Permanent & Total who rely on the VA Foreign Medical Program while living or traveling abroad deserve to get coverage that is at least comparable to that of their dependents who have access to the CHAMPVA program abroad,” said Rivera.
Jesse Cole Rivera, Commander, American Legion Post 12 Banderas Bay, at an event in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco.
Modernizing the system
In addition to expanding coverage for disabled veterans rated 100% P&T, the VFMCE Act proposes modernizing the FMP’s payment and processing systems, which will benefit an additional 54,000 disabled veterans living abroad who also rely on the program, in addition to the 17,000 disabled veterans living abroad who are rated 100% P&T.
Under the legislation, all veterans and the healthcare providers treating them would benefit from the implementation of direct deposit payments and digital submission of claims, significantly reducing reimbursement times for veterans and healthcare providers abroad.
“The VFMCE Act will be a game-changer for veterans living abroad,” said Dr. Christina Boover-Lawrence of Lawrence Speech & Hearing, which operates speech & audiology clinics that treat veterans in the U.S. and Puerto Vallarta area. “By reducing reimbursement times for foreign providers, we create a system where more providers abroad are willing to treat veterans who rely on the FMP program. This increased access to care will improve patient outcomes and save lives by ensuring veterans receive timely and quality medical attention wherever they are in the world.”
George Stellweg, Commander of American Legion Post 2 in Mexico City, agreed: “Modernizing the Foreign Medical Program’s payment and processing systems isn’t just about convenience—it’s about creating a transparent and efficient system that works for veterans.”
George Stellweg, Commander, American Legion Post 2 Mexico City, attending a U.S. Coast Guard cutter tour in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, with his wife.
These upgrades are also expected to save U.S. taxpayers US $12-20 million annually, which will significantly offset the costs associated with the proposed coverage expansion.
Veterans in Mexico: A growing population
In recent years, Mexico has become the most popular destination for expat U.S. veterans living or traveling abroad, with tens of thousands now residing in Mexico full-time. Many are drawn by the low cost of living, proximity to the U.S., cultural similarities and access to quality and affordable healthcare in many of Mexico’s larger cities.
Cities like Puerto Vallarta and Lake Chapala attract a lot of veterans but tend to be more popular among veterans of different generations. Younger, post-9/11 era veterans — very often raising dual citizen families in Mexico — prefer Puerto Vallarta, while older, retired Vietnam-era veterans tend to favor Lake Chapala.
Mexico City’s Condesa neighborhood, which boasts one of the oldest American Legion posts in the world — first chartered in 1920 — also remains a popular destination among expat U.S. veterans due to the post’s on-site restaurant, bar and bookstore.
Jasper’s Restaurant, home of American Legion Post 2 Mexico City in Condesa, Mexico City.
Legion advocacy and community service in Mexico
American Legion posts in Mexico have been instrumental in advocating for the passage of H.R. 10430. These posts, in cities like Puerto Vallarta, Mexico City and Lake Chapala, provide not only community support but also a powerful voice for veterans abroad.
Randall Butler, a past commander of American Legion Post 7 in Lake Chapala and current Vice Commander of the Department of Latin America, expressed optimism about the bill’s prospects: “The [American Legion’s] Department of Latin America, Department of California and Department of France all look forward to seeing this bill get through the House and Senate in the 119th Congress and signed into law by President Trump.”
American Legion posts in Mexico are also deeply engaged in their local communities, often running toy drives, organizing blood drives and renovating local parks, clinics and libraries. Overall, the Legion’s work in Mexico reflects both its dedication to assisting fellow veterans and to serving others, regardless of nationality, in the local communities they now call home.
A path forward
H.R. 10430 represents a vital step toward equity for expat U.S. military veterans living abroad. By expanding coverage and modernizing payment systems, the bill promises to ensure that veterans rated as 100% P&T can access comprehensive healthcare no matter where they reside. With strong support from veterans and healthcare advocates in the U.S. and abroad, and with endorsements from large influential non-profit organizations in the U.S. like the League of Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the bill is poised to quickly make its way through the 119th Congress and deliver long-overdue justice to those who have sacrificed so much for their country.
As Commander Rivera succinctly stated, “This bill just makes sense.”
Disclaimer: The statements expressed above, by representatives of American Legion Post 12 Banderas Bay, American Legion Post 2 Mexico City and the American Legion’s Department of Latin America, should not be interpreted as statements made by or expressing the views of the American Legion’s National Executive Committee (NEC).
Low projected GDP growth is one of the most serious issues facing Mexico as Sheinbaum leads the country into a new year. (Margarito Pérez Retana/Cuartoscuro)
I have been optimistic about Claudia Sheinbaum as the new president. I think she has the personality, intellect and experience to be an strong leader. As I mentioned in a recent column “Claudia Sheinbaum, a case study,” she has an exceptionally difficult task to manage the initiatives begun under fromer President López Obrador, contend with a confrontational President-elect Trump, and work with Canada despite its current leadership situation. I have been more than willing to give her the benefit of the doubt so far in her presidency and recent polling with the Mexican population shows that her popularity is higher than ever.
I could go on at length about many of the important initiatives and decisions she has already made. Sheinbaum has managed the Trump and Trudeau relationships well thus far. She has taken a firm and necessary stance in several areas against China. She’s prioritized increasing minimum wage to keep up with inflation. And I like that she has started a pension program for elderly women regardless of if they worked in or out of the home. All great first steps. But this past week has brought a number of flashing red light warning signals on the economic front that concern me. I worry that the economic issues risk becoming much bigger problems if Sheinbaum doesn’t quickly take them head-on. The honeymoon is now over.
Sheinbaum has started off strong in her relationships with Canadian PM Trudeau and U.S. President-elect Trump, Travis Bembenek writes. (Cuartoscuro)
The first issue is Mexico’s gross domestic product (GDP) forecast for 2025. Both the World Bank and the United Nations predict Mexico’s GDP will grow 1.5% or less this year. (The United States GDP is projected to grow 2.5%.) Cepal, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, predicts Mexico’s GDP to be at only 1.2% this year. To put that in perspective, every single country in the region except for Cuba and Haiti are expected to have higher GDP growth than Mexico this year. Think about that for a moment, Mexico — which is hitting record highs of foreign direct investment, record highs of exports, a record share of U.S. imports, record tourist receipts and visitors and record remittances from Mexicans living abroad — is expected to have GDP growth this year similar to two of the slowest-growing economies on the planet.
Experts point to uncertainty from the Trump administration on the possibility of tariffs against Mexico, potential deportations, and concerns around the U.S. taking action against Mexican cartels as reasons for the low projections. All are valid concerns, but every country has their economic headwinds and yet are able to grow faster than 1%!
The second economic red light came with the terrible job creation numbers recently reported for 2024. The Mexican economy nationwide created only 214,000 jobs in the entire year — the worst since 2003 in a non-crisis year. In addition, the number of layoffs in December was the highest in three decades! Businesses clearly are not confident enough to hire right now and many are even reducing headcount.
Another economic red light came with the very sudden announcement this past weekend that Mexicana, the once-bankrupt airline resuscitated by AMLO, cut nearly 50% of its flights without warning after less than a year in business. It was a reminder of how absurd of an idea this was from the very beginning — a military-run, government-owned airline using leased airplanes in a very competitive market.
The military-run airline Mexicana’s decision to cut many of its routes could be an omen of a tough year ahead for the economy. (Senado de México via X)
In business it’s important to always ask, “What problem is my product or service looking to solve?” and clearly that question was never asked with Mexicana. Mexico already has three very agile, competitive, customer-focused, fast-growing national airlines in Aeroméxico, Volaris and Viva Aerobus. All three airlines have been rapidly adding capacity — new airplanes and new routes — in response to record customer demand. State-run airlines — outside of a few in the Middle East or China — have tended to not be competitive with private sector airlines. Then again, Cuba has a state-run airline…
Yet another red light came at the beginning of the week with the announcement from Sheinbaum that Mexico’s first electric car, the Olinia, would debut in time for the 2026 World Cup. The project is partly government funded, and has the potential to be the poster child of poor government policy. Mexico has a thriving, world-class auto sector with the top companies from around the world already producing in Mexico or planning to soon. Several companies have announced billion-dollar investments in electric car production in Mexico in just the past year. Why on Earth would the Mexican government think that it can take on the likes of Tesla, BYD and others in electric vehicles?
We all want clean, affordable electric vehicles — but to think that a government-funded manufacturing startup is the best way to get there is pure lunacy. It shows a lack of seriousness of the administration and a complete lack of understanding and appreciation of how the free market works. I cannot help but fear that the Olinia will be the next Saturday Night Live skit as a follow up to “The Adobe.”
The previously mentioned economic red lights, along with many others, are manifesting themselves as they often do, with a rapidly devaluing Mexican peso. In many ways, as I have discussed in previous articles, a weaker peso can in fact be quite good for the Mexican economy. But the speed at which the recent devaluation has occurred, and the sheer amount of the devaluation (25% and counting) is a clear sign that investors are quickly losing faith in the economic agenda of this new administration.
I would never contend that President Sheinbaum has an easy job, or that there are quick fixes, or that she wasn’t dealt a difficult hand by her predecessor. But there are some tangible things she can do in the short term to demonstrate that she is serious about getting the economy growing at the 3-5% rate that it can and should be growing at. One could argue that Mexicana and Olinia are not significant in terms of economic impact, but I think the bigger concern is that it shows a lack of focus of the administration on things that are far more important — like job creation and GDP growth! So here are a few ideas:
Very publicly acknowledge that 1% GDP growth is NOT acceptable and getting to 3-5% is a top priority.
Make the politically hard (but financially very easy) decision of shutting down Mexicana airlines to send a strong signal.
Do not get distracted with Olinia, but rather focus on supporting the automotive private sector with what they need to invest and grow in the country.
Find ways to fast track investment from the private sector in the energy industry — especially green energy. The world is quickly realizing that the combination of data centers, AI and EVs means increased energy capacity is an urgent priority. Countries that get this right will accelerate, those that don’t will fall behind.
Go on a very visible “listening tour” with top business leaders in the country. Secretary of Economy Marcelo Ebrard has been visibly doing this, but Sheinbaum has not made it clear that its a priority for her. Mexico has been attracting significant reinvestment foreign direct investment dollars, but new investment has been concerningly low. The administration needs to understand clearly what is needed to accelerate investments and take some tangible steps to work on those needs, ASAP.
Get the Morena-majority Congress under control and focused on issues that directly impact economic growth.
Balance the populist messages (many of which are good) with “Mexico is open for business and investment” messages. Populism without economic growth is a recipe for disaster.
A concern voiced by many was that Sheinbaum would end up staying in the shadow of AMLO and focusing on populist issues at the expense of economic growth. Mexico, despite all of its potential, continues to have a perception problem, appearing (to many investors) unable to get out of its own way and seize its economic opportunities. It is critical for President Sheinbaum to demonstrate otherwise quickly before the business and investment community loses its faith in the new administration.
Travis Bembenek is the CEO ofMexico News Daily and has been living, working or playing in Mexico for nearly 30 years.
Luxury living, pool included, is available in this residence at Las Ventanas al Paraíso. (Pacaso)
Resorts and real estate are the economic drivers in Los Cabos. For the former, the focus has increasingly been on luxury. Room rates have risen steadily in recent years as numerous high-profile hospitality brands have opened upscale resorts in the area. For the latter, luxury hasn’t necessarily been the trend. Yes, multi-million dollar ocean-view homes continue to be sold. However, the market has also seen more condo developments offering primary or secondary residences at lower prices.
How the Los Cabos real estate market is changing in 2025
A cooperative ownership share is available for this residence at Palmilla in Los Cabos. (Pacaso)
One of the more interesting new developments on the real estate side for 2025 and beyond is an attempt to make the luxury market more accessible in Los Cabos. Of course, what companies like Pacaso are doing — selling fractional shares in luxury properties — doesn’t just appeal to those who couldn’t otherwise afford a beachfront home or hilltop villa with world-class golf access.
As The Hollywood Reporter noted in an article profiling co-ownership marketplace Pacaso in 2024, celebrities and others with substantial wealth are also increasingly interested in fractional real estate ownership… at least regarding secondary or vacation homes where they may spend only a few weeks or a few months each year.
“Fractional ownership happens more often than you’d think would make sense with the uber-wealthy,” Josh Altman, realtor and star of the real estate reality series “Million Dollar Listing” pointed out in the piece. “It’s a money play. Maybe one of them didn’t want to drop US $108 million, even though they could any Tuesday of the year and not even care. It’s a way to make your money go further.”
Whether it’s celebrities, pro athletes or those who simply can’t afford to be the sole owner of a multi-million dollar vacation, the Pacaso model does seem to be gaining traction— and in exactly the kind of destinations one would suppose.
Fraction ownership is available at The Break, a residential building with spectacular terrace views in Los Cabos. (Ancana)
Los Cabos is among the top three most sought-after co-ownership destinations in North America
Pacaso, a relatively new real estate service that was the brainchild of former Zillow executives, reports that its top three most-searched-for markets for co-ownership opportunities are in the Lake Tahoe area, Vail and Los Cabos.
The enhanced interest in Los Cabos among worldwide real estate offerings that include properties in Paris, London and New York City may seem surprising. But its mostly year-round appeal — locals take their vacations in August and September for a reason — and lifestyle amenities like world-class golf, food and drink and abundant beaches have clearly caught the attention of those in the market for secondary homes.
The population of Cabo San Lucas alone more than tripled between 2010 and 2020. There are many reasons for this demographic explosion, including the need for a workforce to staff the many new luxury resort openings. However, a look at the real estate numbers through the first three quarters of 2024 — just under 1,000 new homes and condos moved with sale prices totaling 1.13 billion dollars — is ample evidence of how attractive Los Cabos is to home buyers right now.
What does co-ownership of a luxury property look like?
Elegant design for living at Villa Topaz, on Los Cabos’ East Cape. (Pacaso)
Ocean views and vantages are the gold standard in Los Cabos property, and not surprisingly, the number one factor sought out by prospective buyers. According to the latest statistics from Pacaso, the average annual stay in Los Cabos homes is 27 days per owner, with 90% occupancy, compared to 11% for traditionally owned vacation homes. One-eighth ownership is standard.
It’s a great way to enjoy a luxury asset you wouldn’t have been able to afford otherwise, but there are downsides. Pacaso’s fee —10 to 15% of the home value for putting the ownership group together and facilitating the sale — is one. Limited control is another. There is the potential for disagreements among owners regarding maintenance and improvements, especially if fellow owners aren’t family members or friends — or even if they are. Amenities will see greater use too, due to almost continuous occupancy. Of course, the cost of anything that needs to be replaced will be split.
Given the specialized niche as compared to more conventional real estate offerings, shares may be harder to sell than a wholly-owned home. However, owners are currently averaging a 14.7% profit upon selling.
Part of owning a Pacaso is having the flexibility to resell your home, the agency says. (Pacaso)
The upside is that the field of companies offering these kinds of cooperatively owned properties is growing, which means Pacaso is no longer the only option. Ancana and Lifestyle Asset Group now offer luxury fractionals in Mexico, although limited listings are available in Los Cabos, at least as of January 2025. Other companies, like Ember or Luxury Shares, specialize in similar services but have not yet expanded offerings from the U.S. to include Mexico.
Not everyone loves the model. The city of Sonoma, California, banned Pacaso’s business model. However, this kind of blowback seems unlikely in Los Cabos, where selling real estate, by any method, is a kind of secular religion.
What kind of co-ownership opportunities are available in Los Cabos and how much do they cost?
Pacaso is currently showcasing 23 listings in the Los Cabos area, all on the one-eighth ownership model. Shares are selling for as low as US $146,000 for the three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath Villa Topaz on the East Cape, and as high as $822,000 for a five-bedroom, five-bath luxury home in Palmilla or $869,000 for three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath residences at Las Ventanas al Paraíso, two sought-after locations in the Tourist Corridor that connect the cape cities.
Listings from Ancana and Lifestyle Asset Group are competitive on both the low and high end. Ancana has one listing in Los Cabos, a one-eighth ownership stake comprising six weeks of residence annually at The Break for US $227,500. The Break, located just outside San José del Cabo, features ocean views from its nine-residence building.
Lifestyle Asset Group, meanwhile, has sold its lone current Los Cabos listing, a three-bedroom, two-bath condo at Cascadas in Pedregal. The purchase price was advertised as US $825,000 for at least eight weeks of residence per year, with $9,000 in expenses estimated annually.
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. His specialty is travel-related content and lifestyle features focused on food, wine and golf.
Texas has a governor who is going to greater-than-ever extremes, and Mexico has a "hands-on" new president. What will become of their relationship this year? (NPS Photo/Wikimedia Commons)
Ah, Texas and Mexico. So close, and really, not all that different.
When other foreigners find out I’m from Texas — especially if they’re from a markedly liberal state or Canada — they pause. “Oh, so, did you bring your guns with you?”
Is it necessary to clarify that the gun-carrying thing is a stereotype? For both sides? (Brett Sayles/Pexels)
I’m pretty sure many of them start wondering right then and there if we can even be friends; they smile, but hesitantly. “Uh-oh, I hope she’s not a nut job.”
We Texans have a reputation. Our crazy government officials, mostly there through some Texas-sized gerrymandering and low voter turnout, certainly don’t help.Have you seen Districts 28, 15 and 34? They’re a real doozy.
But despite that, we’re friendly. Really, even the politically crazy ones, which, yes, I know is in the eye of the beholder. In fact, I routinely call Texans “the Mexicans of the U.S.”
Why? We are both unique in our friendliness and generally gregarious nature. We try to be hospitable and generous, though you wouldn’t know it with Governor Abbot’s border craziness. And we’re both proud of our Mexican food?
Friendly, family-oriented and kind of crazy, people from both Texas and Mexico have a lot in common. (Mario Amé/Pexels)
We also both produce people who are just a little crazy, in a kind of scary but mostly fun way.
In many ways, Texas and Mexico grew up together. Texas was Mexico, of course, until a bunch of American ruffians rode in and claimed it for themselves. It’sa part of Texas history I’m not proud of: playing dumb regarding Mexico’s abolitionist laws with the full intention of occupying its “backwoods” so they could get rich by way of slave labor. Honestly, it’s amazing Mexicans will even talk to Texans after Santa Ana was forced to sell.
But they do, because what choice is there? We’re right next to each other, and many of them stayed in Texas afterward, anyway. The border moved, but they stayed in place. Especially unfairly, some of them fought on the Texas side, but got labeled as “the enemy” anyway.
What will become of the Mexico-Texas relationship as we enter 2025 together?
I’m hoping to travel to the Texas border when I visit home in a couple of weeks. I’ve never been, believe it or not, but I have several connections in the area. And while the areas on both sides of the border might be demographically similar, I’m told that they look like different worlds. Mexico looks like, well, Mexico, while the US cities on the other side look like all the other U.S. cities.
The main reason for this is design. Mexican cities kept their traditional looks and urban setups. On the Texas side, communities “modernized” into what they are today. While sprawl and zoning are the name of the game in Texas, cities on the Mexican side have remained compact.
There’s also the question of language. I have heard some strange Spanish in Texas. Y’all ever heard someone say “wátchala”? It took me a while to realize they were saying, “watch her.” Cute, right? But I’ve also been rebuffed when I’ve tried to speak Spanish myself as someone who is clearly not Latino. “What, you don’t think I can speak English?”
Some of the most vehemently “anti-immigrant” people I’ve met in Texas are clearly Latino and have accents. (Pixabay)
I’ve found it’s best not to assume anything, and lead with English no matter what language you hear someone speaking. Also wise is to refrain from sounding like a know-it-all about Mexican culture and history.
So I push aside my desire to show off my Spanish now, and only pull it out if it’s really necessary. From my friends along the border, however, I’ve heard that Spanish is the primary language. Schools are bilingual, as are most businesses and government offices.
Is “the valley” the easy-going U.S. bilingual paradise I’ve always envisioned?
Much to my surprise, friends who live there told me that they were shocked to realize how many of their friends and neighbors voted for Trump. They liked his bravado, his open machismo. Indeed,Republicans in the U.S. gained mightily among Latinos in this last election, a traditionally Democratic group. Perhaps they found his irreverence attractive, too.
As we fight in the United States about immigration and the border, this is worth thinking about. It’s also worth noting that similar demographics do not directly translate to allies. Some of the most vehemently “anti-immigrant” people I’ve met in Texas are clearly Latino and have accents. I mean, I get it, I guess. I also make a show of being on the side of my hosts.
Still, my home state does seem a little crazier than usual lately. Mexico, on the other hand, seems like it’s being led by many level-headed people.
So what will become of us as we enter this new world together? We have a new U.S. president who believes he has a mandate to “ship out” uninvited immigrants and set tariffs galore. Texas has a governor who is going to greater-than-ever extremes to stop people who are quite similar to many native Texans from coming in. And in Mexico, we have a new president with a decidedly different style who must “make it work” no matter what.
Will our shared love of tortillas and norteña music be enough to keep us together?
The magic of Mexican street food extends beyond even the borders of the country. Look beyond traditional fillings to find something new and inspiring. (Canva)
I was born and raised in Mexico City, a place where the streets are alive with intense aromas, snack stands and street vendors offering a variety of treats. From the classic corn on the cob with chili and lime to more elaborate dishes like tacos de canasta and freshly made tlacoyos, there’s something for everyone. From a young age, I learned that every dish tells a story. Mexican cuisine is a rich mosaic of our pre-Columbian heritage and colonial influences — an ongoing blend that has been reinvented from generation to generation.
I’m currently on vacation in Los Angeles, and I can’t help but notice how daily life here mirrors the vibrant food culture of my hometown. On every corner, there are food trucks or stands selling tacos al pastor, carnitas and suadero, along with street vendors offering churros and freshly cut fruit. Seeing those chunks of watermelon, mango and cucumber sprinkled with chili powder, lime and salt instantly brings back memories of visiting Chapultepec Park or strolling around Parque España in La Condesa, where I could always find someone selling fruit. I’m also reminded of those Sundays when my family would take me to see “el Pecas,” my fruit vendor, who would prepare a cup of watermelon for me with just a little chili, and a generous amount of salt and lime.
Los Angeles’ food trucks are a reminder of street food vendors in the streets of every major town in Mexico. (Food Truck Connector)
Street food stalls have been a part of Mexico’s culture since pre-Columbian times. In markets like Tlatelolco, the Mexica were already selling fresh produce and ready-to-eat meals. Observing the diverse crowd in Los Angeles enjoying tacos, quesadillas, and fruit with chili demonstrates how this age-old practice has continued from Mesoamerica to the streets of California. It’s fascinating to hear people effortlessly switch between English and Spanish while discussing taco preparation; if it weren’t for the constant shifts in language, I could easily believe I was in a neighborhood in Mexico City.
During my visit, I was most surprised by the fusion of Mexican cuisine with Korean barbecue. When I first saw the words “taco” and “kimchi” side by side on the menu, I felt a mix of excitement and mild hesitation. Mexico is known for turning just about anything into a taco — whether it’s spaghetti, sushi, or even sweet treats like Nutella. In a playful act of irreverence, we sometimes called them “crepes,” but let’s keep that from our French friends!
So, I decided to take the plunge and order a bulgogi taco with kimchi. To my surprise, the combination of the fermented spiciness of the kimchi and the soft texture of the corn tortilla created a new flavor that still felt familiar. The spicy hint reminded me of the chilis we often use in Mexico, making the integration of the Korean ingredients feel almost natural.
This experience reaffirms my belief that cuisine is a universal language that connects cultures, customs and memories. Every fusion dish tells a story of encounters between communities, open dialogue and spontaneous adaptations that happen when people from different backgrounds share the same space. Personally, I have deep respect for the history embedded in each recipe, and I am also excited to see how these ancestral methods can be transformed into something new while retaining their essence.
The fermented heat of kimchi pairs perfectly with Mexican cuisine. (Jeremy Keith/CC 2.0)
To those who feel uncertain when faced with unfamiliar ingredients on a menu, I encourage you to take the leap and try them! While there are indeed challenging ingredients and dishes, I always remember what my mother used to say: “How do you know you don’t like it if you haven’t tried it?”
Even Mexicans can find it daunting to sample things like crickets or particularly spicy dishes for the first time. We also recognize that our stomachs might need time to adjust to new flavors when in foreign countries. However, every bite offers a glimpse into the history of the place, the culture and the person who prepared it, and you don’t want to miss out on that.
As we move into this new year, I want to challenge us to continue blending our heritage, creating new fusions, and telling stories through food. Within each flavor lies a piece of our past and our present.
So, as I continue exploring the museums and restaurants in L.A., I wish you a remarkable 2025 full of beautiful and exciting experiences, flavors and memories!
María Meléndez is a Mexico City food blogger and influencer.
President Sheinbaum shares economic data at her Friday morning press conference. (Presidencia)
Two big events — Mexico’s 2025 judicial elections and the 2026 FIFA World Cup — and the cost of preparing for them were among the topics discussed at President Claudia Sheinbaum’s Friday morning press conference.
Sheinbaum also took a moment to boast about her popularity, as yet another poll found she has a sky-high approval rating.
8-billion-peso investment in Mexico City airport ahead of 2026 World Cup
Adm. Juan José Padilla Olmos, general director of the Mexico City Airport Group (GACM), said that a “comprehensive remodeling” of the Mexico City International Airport (AICM) will be carried out with an investment of “approximately” 8 billion pesos (US $386.2 million).
Padilla said that the remodeling work is aimed at improving both the appearance and functionality of the airport. He said the work is scheduled to commence between April and June this year and conclude between April and May of 2026. The World Cup will start in June next year.
Both terminals at AICM will be remodeled and projects will also be carried out in other parts of the airport including the runways and control tower, according to the GACM chief.
The president looks on as Juan José Padilla Olmos, a Navy admiral and director of Mexico City Airport Group (GACM), presents the airport renovation plans. (Presidencia)
“It’s important to highlight that this remodeling won’t affect the routine operation of the airport as it will be carried out in stages,” Padilla said.
He also said that the 8-billion-peso outlay for the remodeling won’t come from the federal budget. The work will instead be carried out with the airport’s “self-generated resources,” Padilla said.
For her part, Sheinbuam stressed that the remodeling of AICM “is not just for the World Cup.”
The airport “needs remodeling,” she said.
Padilla said that the AICM as well as the Felipe Ángeles International Airport and the airports in Toluca and Cuernavaca have been designated “FIFA airports” as they will all receive flights carrying World Cup participants and spectators.
In addition to Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey will host matches during the 2026 World Cup, which will be the first to feature teams from 48 countries.
Sheinbaum: INE needs to say why it needs more money for judicial elections
Sheinbaum said she had a “very good meeting” on Thursday with the National Electoral Institute (INE) president Guadalupe Taddei and the electoral councilors.
“All the councilors, or the vast majority, spoke. In effect, their pitch was that … they need more resources” for the judicial elections, she said.
Mexico’s first ever judicial elections will be held on June 1 as a result of federal Congress’ approval of a judicial reform last September. INE proposed using 13.2 billion pesos for the organization, promotion and staging of the judicial elections, but was only allocated 7 billion pesos (US $337.9 million) for those purposes.
Sheinbaum had a “very good meeting” on Thursday meeting with INE chief Guadalupe Taddei and other electoral agency leaders, who seek more funds to organize Mexico’s first round of judicial elections this year. (Cuartoscuro)
“What I say in the mañanera, what I say publicly at events and what I say in private is the same, my position doesn’t change. [I told them] that transparency as to why they need more resources is very important,” she said.
“So I said to them, ‘Why don’t you send [a request for more funds] and make it public as well, [explain] why you need more resources’ because obviously 7 billion pesos is a lot of money,” Sheinbaum said.
“When one is doing well you have to [acknowledge it]. When one is doing bad as well, right?” she said.
“This is from El País: 80% [of respondents] approve. I want to thank citizens and say that we’re not going to fail, we’re not going to disappoint you,” Sheinbaum said.
Recent El Financiero and El Universal newspaper polls also found that around four in five Mexicans approve of Sheinbaum’s performance as president.
Firefighters battled the Palisades Fire, on the north side of Los Angeles, in a photo from early January. (CAL FIRE_Official/Flickr)
President Claudia Sheinbaum said Friday that Mexico was sending a team of firefighters and military personnel to Los Angeles to support the fight against the devastating fires.
Sheinbaum said that the decision to send the team to Los Angeles came after Foreign Affairs Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente spoke with U.S. and California government officials.
She said that the members of the team are completing the relevant immigration paperwork in order to enter the United States.
“We’re going to help, not just because the people and government of Mexico have always been generous, but also because there are a lot of Mexicans in this part of the United States,” Sheinbaum said.
The encroachment of wildfires from multiple directions around Los Angeles has left the city direly short on firefighting resources. Now, a team of Mexican firefighters is on its way to render assistance. (Cal FIRE_Official/Flickr)
“So we’re going to send a team, [the U.S. authorities] were very grateful and we’re doing the migratory paperwork that has to be done so they can arrive,” she said.
Fires across Los Angeles County had damaged or destroyed thousands of structures and claimed at least 10 lives as of Friday morning, according to officials in the U.S.
Firefighters have made some progress in containing the blazes, but “much of Los Angeles County remains under a red flag warning through Friday night,” according to the Los Angeles Times.
There have been no reports of any Mexicans having lost their lives due to the wildfires that have burned tens of thousands of acres in different areas of Los Angeles.
Mexico’s Consul General in Los Angeles advised any Mexicans who have been affected by the fires and require assistance to contact the Mexican Consulate.
“In case of requiring support or official information contact us on telephone 213-219-0175,” Carlos González Gutiérrez said in a video message on Thursday night.
He also advised Mexicans to obtain information about the fires only from “official sources” and to prepare an evacuation plan and a “kit” containing their essential documents such as passports.
Along with employees of the Mazatlán aquarium and agents from both the Environment Ministry (Semarnat) and the federal environmental protection agency (Profepa), the local authorities managed to remove the carcass.
The whale — presumed to be a young humpback as it was measured at 8 meters and 15 metric tons, whereas adults of that species can reach 18 meters in length and weigh up to 36 metric tons — was removed and buried in an unspecified location.
Semarnat and Profepa have begun an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the whale’s death.
Rescuers tried to free the humpback from the fishing net, but it was dead by the time Civil Protection officials arrived. (Profepa)
Initial suspicions are that the whale got entangled in gillnetting, a type of fishing gear that consists of a wall of netting that hangs in the water. Floats keep the net, typically made of monofilament or multifilament nylon, vertical at the top and weights hold the net down at the bottom.
Gillnets — which are illegal in specified Mexican waters including the upper Gulf of California — are used to catch fish by entangling their gills, fins, and spines. They are also a major source of mortality for all sea turtle species and can entangle a wide variety of marine mammals, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Depending on the mesh size of the gillnet, animals can become entangled around their necks, mouths, and flippers, NOAA warns. “Entanglement can prevent proper feeding, constrict growth, or cause infection after many months. Marine mammals entangled in set gillnets can drown while those entangled in drift gillnets can drag gear for miles as they migrate and forage, leading to extreme fatigue.”
Gillnets are frequently used by local fishermen according to the newspaper El Imparcial, and are a leading cause of death for cetaceans. The investigators will try to determine if the netting caused serious injury or led directly to the whale’s death.
Mazatlán Mayor Estrella Palacios said the type of gillnet involved, locally known as a chinchorro, is prohibited in Mexico and called on fishermen to properly dispose of their nets.
It’s necessary to “raise awareness so our fishermen understand they can’t leave behind these chinchorros because the whales get tangled in them, causing these regrettable losses,” she said.
The northern Gulf state of Tamaulipas had a strong 2024, attracting record numbers of tourists despite continuing problems with crime and security. (Mexico Desconocido)
Tourism in the northeastern border state of Tamaulipas has experienced significant growth in recent years, reaching record figures in 2024, according to Mexico’s Tourism Ministry (Sectur).
Tamaulipas received over 14 million tourists and economic revenue of over 13 billion pesos (US $633 million) over the course of the year, the state tourism ministry reported.
The city of Tampico was the second-most visited destination in Tamaulipas in 2024, with more than 1.5 million visitors last year. (Comisión Mexicana de Filmaciones/Wikimedia Commons)
Tamaulipas tourism minister, Benjamín Hernández Rodríguez, said that the current state government has allocated resources to enhance tourism infrastructure and boost surveillance efforts to ensure the safety of visitors.
Tourism growth in Tamaulipas
Official figures revealed that the most popular destination in the state was Ciudad Madero’s Miramar Beach, with over 3.1 million visitors generating over 2.1 billion pesos (US $102 million) in revenue. The figure represents an increase of 355% compared to 2023.
The city of Tampico ranked as the second-most-visited destination in Tamaulipas, with over 1.5 million visitors — a rise of 160% compared to 2023. Next was the Magical Town of Tula, with over 639,000 visitors — up 83% on the previous year — followed by Altamira with 346,000 visitors, which saw an 82% increase. Matamoros recorded 296,000 tourists throughout the year.
While no figures were released on the number of visitors, the ministry also reported that the border city of Nuevo Laredo recorded an increase of 61% compared to 2023.
Despite the increased number of tourists in Tamaulipas, the United States and Canada have warn visitors against unncessary travel in the state.
The U.S. has included Tamaulipas in its Do Not Travel list, because of high levels of crime and kidnapping in the state. Canada recommends avoiding non-essential travel to the state, except for the southern city of Tampico.
