Central and northern Mexico can expect freezing temperatures and frost in the first week of January. (Crisanta Espinosa Aguilar/Cuartoscuro)
The new year will see more icy weather in mountainous parts of northern and central Mexico, as cold front 24 moves in over Baja California.
According to the National Meteorological Service (SMN), minimum temperatures may reach -15 degrees Celsius on Wednesday in the mountains of Chihuahua and Durango, and -10 degrees Celsius in Baja California, Sonora and Zacatecas. In Baja California, snow and sleet are predicted, gradually moving west by Thursday.
Temperatures of freezing or just below 0 are also forecast throughout Mexico’s high-altitude regions, particularly in the central and northern states.
The SMN warns people throughout these regions to wrap up well, keep hydrated, look out for children, the elderly and the chronically ill, and stay alert to recommendations from Civil Protection and health sector authorities.
Meanwhile, cold front 24 will also cause wind gusts of up to 80 kilometers per hour in the Gulf of California, waves 2-4 meters high on the western coast of Baja California, and possible tornadoes in Baja California, Chihuahua and Sonora.
Gusts of up to 80 kilometers per hour and waves 1-3 meters high are forecast for the coasts of Tamaulipas and Veracruz, moving south towards the Isthmus and Gulf of Tehuantepec on Thursday. Further inland, gusts of up to 60 kilometers per hour and tornadoes are possible in Coahuila, Durango, Nuevo León and Tamaulipas.
Heavy rains (25-50mm) are forecast for parts of Chiapas, Oaxaca, Puebla and Veracruz, accompanied by lightning and possible flooding. Intermittent showers are likely in lower-altitude regions of central and northern Mexico, caused by the remnants of cold front 22 over the Gulf of Mexico.
At the other end of the spectrum, maximum temperatures could reach 40 degrees Celsius in low-lying regions of Campeche, Chiapas, Colima, Guerrero, Michoacán, Oaxaca, Tabasco and the south of Veracruz and Yucatán.
In Mexico City,temperatures on Wednesday will range between 8 and 23 degrees Celsius, with colder weather forecast for the far south and east of the city and frost in the surrounding mountains.
Mexicans living and working abroad sent a record high of US $57.79 billion to Mexico in the first 11 months of 2023, an 8.7% increase compared to the same period of 2022.
Last year was almost certainly Mexico’s best year ever for remittances given that the total for the January-November period is just $720 million lower than the record high $58.51 billion in inflows recorded in 2022.
Many Mexicans in rural areas are dependent on the funds sent by family members in the United States. The remittances that flow into the country are an important part of the Mexican economy. (Isabel Mateos/Cuartoscuro)
In 2023, remittances sent to Mexico averaged $5.25 billion per month between January and November, with most of the money coming from the United States, where millions of Mexicans live and work.
Remittances up in annual terms in November, but down compared to October
For the first time in eight months, remittances were below $5 billion in November.
A total of $4.9 billion in remittances arrived in Mexico, a 1.9% increase compared to November 2022, but a 15.5% decline compared to the previous month.
In seasonally adjusted terms, the month-over-month decline was a more modest 4.7%, Banxico said.
On the X social media platform, the director of economic analysis at Mexican bank Banco Base said that remittances tend to fall in November before rising in December as Mexicans abroad typically send more money to their families for the Christmas holiday season.
“However, the decline in November 2023 of 15.54% was very negative, given that during the past five years remittances in November have fallen on average 5.69% in month-over-month terms. The decline in November could have been due to the slowdown in private sector job creation in the United States,” Gabriela Siller wrote.
Banco Base analyst noted that remittances in November are usually much lower than in December, as families send home additional funds for the Christmas period. (Gabriela Siller)
“In annual terms, remittances grew 1.88%, showing a pronounced slowdown compared to previous months,” Siller said, adding that the year-over-year growth was the lowest since April 2020, when remittances “declined 2.04% due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Remittances exceed $63 billion in the 12 months to November
Banxico reported that $63.15 billion in remittances flowed into Mexico between December 2022 and November 2023. That figure is $90 million higher than the total for the 12 months to October.
Siller noted that the rolling 12-month remittances total exceeded $60 million for an eighth consecutive month in November. She also said that the rolling total has been on the rise for 43 months.
However, the increase of $90 million recorded in November was the lowest month-over-month gain in 3 1/2 years.
Strong peso and inflation ‘eat into’ the value of remittances
Siller published a graph that shows that the purchasing power of remittances had declined for 13 consecutive months due to the appreciation of the Mexican peso and high inflation.
The purchasing power of remittances was 12.73% lower in November than 12 months earlier, according to the graph, which was formulated using Banxico data.
Remittances were affected by the strength of the Mexican peso throughout 2023. (Graciela López Herrera/Cuartoscuro)
The peso appreciated by close to 15% in 2023 to end the year at around 17 to the US dollar. The USD:MXN exchange rate was just above 17 on Wednesday morning. Strong incoming flows of remittances have been cited as one factor that contributed to the appreciation of the peso in 2023.
Inflation declined steadily last year, but the headline rate remained above the central bank’s 3% target. Inflation was 4.46% in the first half of December, down from 7.91% in January 2023.
Inflation and the strong peso “continue to eat into remittances even though the increase in [consumer] prices has moderated,” said Jesús Cervantes González, director of economic statistics at the Center for Latin American Monetary Studies.
AMLO reacts to the latest data on remittances
At his morning press conference on Wednesday, President López Obrador declared that Mexicans abroad “are sending remittances like never before.”
He said the government has received an estimate that remittances to Mexico will total $63.2 billion in 2023, a figure that would exceed the 2022 record by 8%.
Cervantes predicted that final 2023 data will show that remittances reached $63.5 billion.
López Obrador frequently describes Mexican migrants as “heroes” in recognition of the substantial support they provide to the economy. Remittances were equivalent to 4.5% of Mexico’s GDP in 2022, with 95% of the money coming from the United States.
In 2022, Mexico was the world’s second largest recipient of remittances behind India, which had inflows of some $100 billion.
The newly-revived Mexicana airline is offering discounted tickets to selected new locations across Mexico. (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro)
Mexicana de Aviación, Mexico’s new state-run airline, has announced discounts on flights to some of its upcoming 14 domestic destinations, including tickets priced at less than 1,000 pesos (US $58).
Discounted destinations include cities in the states of Guerrero, Jalisco, and Tamaulipas, from Mexico City’s Felipe Angeles International Airport (AIFA).
Guadalajara is among the discounted destinations on offer. (Roman Lopez/Unsplash)
Flights to Acapulco start at 769 pesos (US $45), Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo at 572 pesos (US $34) and Guadalajara at 489 pesos (US $29), including taxes.
The airline, which is operated by the Defense Ministry (Sedena) – which also runs Tulum Airport, the Maya Train and the AIFA – is also offering free seat selection, drinks, carry-on luggage, personal items up to 10kg, and checked luggage up to 25kg. If you want to travel with your pet, either in the cabin or in the hold, there is an extra charge.
Mexicana, which was once the country’s flagship airline, re-launched operations on Dec. 26 with an inaugural flight to Tulum, Quintana Roo. President López Obrador’s government has said the airline will offer domestic flights at a lower cost than other commercial carriers.
Besides Tulum, Mexicana will fly to Tijuana, Monterrey, Puerto Vallarta, Mérida, Mazatlán, Campeche, Chetumal and Tulum from its Mexico City hub.
The airline also plans to offer travel to Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas; Uruapan, Michoacán; Huatulco, Oaxaca; and Ciudad Ixtepec, Oaxaca in the future.
Tickets are available directly on Mexicana’s website.
The lion cub was found wandering the streets of Xonacatlán, near state capital, Toluca. (Edoméx Ahora/X)
Authorities in México state faced an unusual challenge on the final day of 2023: catching a lion on the loose in a municipality near state capital Toluca.
The municipal government of Xonacatlán, located about 20 kilometers northeast of Toluca, reported on Facebook that firefighters and Civil Protection personnel had “rescued” an approximately one-year-old lion that was “generating fear” among residents of the Espino neighborhood.
Encuentran cachorro de león en #Xonacatlan, EDOMEX 🦁
– Vecinos advirtieron la presencia de un cachorro de León de un año de edad en la calle Campesinos, en la colonia El Espino
– Bomberos lo rescataron y será valorado en el Parque Ecológico Zacango
– Nadie lo ha reclamado pic.twitter.com/EIkgGiM8yb
The capture came after authorities received an “anonymous report” of the presence of a lion on the street. The animal – a male specimen – wasn’t aggressive and the authorities didn’t have any major problem catching him, according to reports.
The “fast action” of the firefighters and Civil Protection workers “guaranteed the safety of the area,” the local government said, adding that the lion would be immediately taken to the Zacango Ecological Park (also known as the Zacango Zoo) for a health assessment.
In a subsequent post on Facebook, the Xonacatlán government said that “the rescued feline” had indeed reached Zacango Zoo, which is located in the municipality of Calimaya.
“In the name of our Mayor Alfredo González we extend our recognition to the Xonacatlán Fire Brigade and Civil Protection [personnel] for their brave and prompt response to the [anonymous] call,” the post said.
It was unclear where the lion came from. It is illegal to keep wild animals in one’s home, but the law hasn’t stopped some people from keeping big cats as pets.
Thousands of vacationers descended upon Acapulco for the new year, with the resort city reaching 88% hotel occupancy. (Carlos Alberto Carbajal/Cuartoscuro)
The first day of 2024 saw Acapulco’s beaches bustling with tourists and a hotel occupancy of 87.5%, according to the state of Guerrero’s Tourism Ministry.
This statistic is based on the 4,534 available rooms that the port city managed to prepare for the holiday season despite the damage that Hurricane Otis caused to an estimated 80% of the city’s hotels in October.
After the destruction caused by Hurricane Otis in October, Acapulco is rebounding significantly harder than originally expected. (Carlos Alberto Carbajal/Cuartoscuro)
The Tourism Ministry reported hotel occupancy rates for three areas – “Traditional” (60.6%), “Golden” (97%) and “Diamond” (89.3%). The beaches that recorded the greatest number of tourists were Icacos Beach, Caleta y Caletilla, Tlacopanocha, Hornos and Papagayo.
On New Year’s Eve, hundreds of families gathered along the beaches and the Costera Miguel Alemán boardwalk to celebrate the arrival of 2024. They brought plastic chairs and tables to dine on, and a variety of home-cooked dishes including chicken, pasta, tamales, salad, corn pie and chilate, a cacao-based drink local to Guerrero.
Some others celebrated at the few restaurants that were open, such as the traditional eatery El Anzuelo, which is currently operating at a 20% capacity.
In her New Year’s Eve speech, Governor Evelyn Salgado Pineda encouraged everyone to approach the future with optimism.
The beaches of Acapulco have returned to life, as families spent the new year playing in the waves. (Sectur Guerrero/X)
“Once again, we demonstrated last year the resilience and strength that characterizes our people,” the governor said in her speech. “In times of challenge, we have found ways to stay united, to support each other and to move forward with hope and determination.”
After her speech, tourists and residents were treated to a fireworks and drone show that displayed messages of gratitude for those who chose Acapulco as their holiday destination in December. Some of these messages said, “I love Acapulco,” “Thank you for your support,” “Acapulco is a warrior,” and “Acapulco stands strong.”
Meanwhile, Guerrero’s Pueblos Mágicos of Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo and Taxco reported 94% and 98% hotel occupancy rates, respectively.
Acapulco is still in the process of recovering from the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Otis, the most powerful hurricane to ever hit Mexico’s Pacific coast. The hurricane caused significant damage throughout the port city when it made landfall on Oct. 25, resulting in the loss of 50 lives, with 31 people still missing according to government reports.
Prestigious universities and research centers have been working for years to unravel the mysteries of psilocybin and its impact on the human mind. (Igor Omilaev/Unsplash)
Psilocybin has been a trending topic in the wellness world for a few years now. At Mexico News Daily, we wrote about this topic from different angles last year. Here is a round-up of all our features on psilocybin, its legal status, origin and potential health benefits.
Psilocybin-containing fungi have a long history of traditional use in Mexico and have been integral to Indigenous life. Everything you need to know about Mexico’s long Indigenous history and traditional use of Psilocybin-containing fungi.
Prestigious research centers have been working for years to unravel the mysteries of psilocybin and its impact on the human mind. Discover what the scientific world has to say about this alternative healing approach.
Have you been thinking about trying a different healing style? Scientific research into the medical benefits of psilocybin sheds light on its potential to address mental health conditions.
Amanda Feilding, a top psychedelics researcher, talks about her projects for 2024 and we also look back into the Mexican origins of the psychedelic renaissance.
While “magic mushrooms” are illegal to consume today in Mexico, the interest in the therapeutic potential of psilocybin is growing. Read about some first-hand experiences of psilocybin users.
As scientific research continues to shed light on the medicinal properties of psilocybin, its legal status has become of interest. Can you legally consume psilocybin in Mexico?
Camila Sánchez Bolaño is a journalist, feminist, bookseller, lecturer, and cultural promoter and is Editor in Chief of Newsweek en Español magazine.
Mayapán was another international cultural center that traded with cities far and wide. (Eddie Bugajewski/Unsplash)
Our knowledge of the ancient Maya civilization is like a narrow flashlight in a darkened room, only allowing sight of some artifacts while hiding others. Yet, at the peak of Maya power and influence around the sixth century, hundreds of sprawling cities with colossal pyramids dotted the Yucatán Peninsula. Today, the lush jungle surrounding the state capital ofMérida still hides numerous ancient pyramids and other secrets waiting to be uncovered.
Dominating most of Mesoamerica for 3,000 years andwithout metal tools, wheels or beasts of burden, the Maya transformed hostile jungle landscapes into a network of major cities with interconnected road systems and mass agriculture. They formed an intricate religious system that involvedritual sacrifice, often in sacred freshwater sinkholes known ascenotes that lay close to their metropolises. Some archaeologists compare the complex social and political structures of the Classic Maya to those of Ancient Rome,including their eventual collapse.
While most visitors to the southeastern state tend to visit the world-famous Chichén Itzá archaeological site, many other ancient cities were just as important throughout different periods of history. With that in mind, here is a list of the top five hidden Maya ruins with pyramids near the colonial city of Mérida.
Yaxunah: An ancient powerhouse that built the 100-kilometer-long Great Sacbe (Maya Road)
Caught in a power struggle between two major city-states, Yaxunah was embroiled in a bloody war that would determine the ultimate ruler of Yucatán. Archaeologists believe that around 900 A.D., Chichén Itzá succeeded in crushing its main competitor, Cobá, to claim complete control over the peninsula and its trade routes. With the longest road in the ancient empire, measuring around 100 kilometers long, the capture of Yaxunah would have been a significant prize for the would-be rulers of Chichén Itzá. According to a study by American archaeologistDavid A. Freidel, Yaxunah may have been a mercantile border town between Cobá and the cities of the Puuc region for some time before it became embroiled in a war with Chichén Itzá.
Freidel said the rulers of Cobá commissioned a great sacbe (Maya road) directly in response to Itzá penetration from the coast into the central interior of the northern peninsula.
“While the allies of Cobá, including inhabitants of Yaxunah, put tremendous effort into the construction of the masonry road, their main objective, once they had thus declared the frontier with Chichén Itzá, was to establish an effective perimeter of satellite communities and prosecute the war against the Itzá,” the academic paper said.
Xcambó: An experience of a lifetime surrounded by swamp and sea
Xcambó was the main and largest commercial port on the north coast of the Classic period. (INAH)
A major trade port and salt production center, archaeologicalevidence found in pottery fragments suggests Xcambó imports and exports included regions as far as Veracruz, Belize and Guatemala. According to a 2014 study by Mexican archaeologistThelma Sierra Sosa, many burials in the location contained ceramic vessels imported from areas outside the Maya sphere. Xcambó is a marvel of ancient Maya engineering, sitting on top of a natural mound artificially expanded and raised above sea level by its settlers during the Classic period. There are also remnants of smaller sacbes demonstrating ample communication with inland communities and a pier connecting the city to the seaside marshland and the open sea.
“The site shows unquestionable evidence of the cultural influence of the Petén region in Guatemala, which was manifested in structures found all around the Maya region,” Sierra Sosa said.
Aké: A place where the ancient and modern worlds collided
Allegedly the site of thefirst major battle between the Spanish conquistadors and Indigenous Maya, Aké played a significant role in pre- and post-Columbian history. In 1528, Spanish conquistador Francisco de Montejo, who founded the ‘White City’ of Mérida, made his first move into the interior of Yucatán only to be met with fierce resistance. A report by colonial historian Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo described the event from the view of the conquistadors, where Montejo had anticipated the surprise attack of the Aké warriors. It was a massacre on the Maya side, which Spanish sources from the time say was soon followed by a call for peace.
“Those from Aké came for war, and as their advance came with a warning, he — Montejo- anticipated the defense like a good captain and right-hand man, causing great destruction to his opponents, who all perished,” Oviedo claimed. “Many chieftains and ambassadors were sent to ask him for peace and his friendship, and he granted it and gave them what he had, and from then on there was no more encounter or battle.”
Acanceh: A city brimming with fascinating ancient art and masonry
The pre-Columbian pyramid stepped on an ancient Mayan archaeological site in Acanceh, a small town in Yucatan. (Daniela Constantinescu/Shutterstock)
Giant stone masks measuring more than three meters high and friezes carved in minute detail suggest Acanceh was a cultural and religious hub for the Maya. Little is known of its pre-Columbian history, yet it was believed to have been founded in the Maya Pre-classic period (700–50 BC), making it one of the oldest cities on the peninsula.
The Acanceh masks are framed by two ear flaps, with three main designs repeated on each one. According to theMexican Ministry of Culture, these designs consist of knots shaped like corn leaves that could represent plant elements related to fertility and abundance. A headdress divided into three boxes with small scrolls inside rests on their foreheads.
“The main feature of the Acanceh masks is their animal-like heads which are decorated, modified and surrounded by symbolic elements that are related to the solar god (Kinich Ahau),” the Mexican Ministry of Culture said.
Mayapán: Known as Chichén Itzá’s little sister and the last Ancient Maya stronghold
Evidence suggests that Mayapán, the last Maya capital in Mexico, was another international cultural center that traded with cities far and wide, resembling the might of Chichén Itzá. A mixture of art inspired by Mixteca-Puebla, Puuc and Itzá heritages makes it a goldmine for archaeological study, and discoveries at the site have challenged traditional narratives about Maya history. There is still disagreement among academics on the real reasons behind the dramatic collapse of one of the largest and most prosperous empires to rule Mesoamerica.
According to a study published in Nature Communications, drought may have led to an increase in civil conflict followed by political collapse in Mayapán. Low rainfall levels could have impacted food production levels, which led to human migration, warfare and shifts in political power, but the Maya never disappeared completely and their descendants today number in the millions.
The Maya Train takes passengers around the Yucatán Peninsula. With the new funds, it will also be able to move cargo. (Tren Maya/X)
An additional stretch of the Maya Train railroad opened Sunday, allowing travelers to reach the city of Palenque in Chiapas from the Caribbean coast resort city of Cancún, Quintana Roo.
Section 1 of the 1,554-kilometer-long railroad – a 228 kilometer stretch between Escárcega, Campeche, and Palenque – is now operational.
President López Obrador and Quintana Roo state governor Mara Lezama rode the train together to inaugurate the new section of the line. (Tren Maya/X)
Sections 2, 3 and 4 of the railroad, which link Cancún to Escárcega, were inaugurated on Dec. 15.
President López Obrador – the proponent and foremost champion of the Maya Train project – was accompanied by state governors and other officials on the inaugural journey from Cancún to Palenque, where a Maya archaeological site of the same name is located.
In an eight-minute video filmed in the driver’s compartment and later posted to social media, López Obrador noted that Section 1 passes over the Usumacinta River, which he called “Mexico’s biggest river,” although it isn’t the longest in the country.
His video showed a section of the river as well as the nearby, as-yet-incomplete, Boca del Cerro station, at which passengers will be able to disembark to take boat trips along the Usumacinta – described by the president as “a natural beauty.”
Inauguración del tramo de Cancún a Palenque en el Tren Maya
Now that four sections of the railroad are open, there are just three left to be inaugurated.
They are Section 5 between Cancún and Tulum; Section 6 between Tulum and Chetumal; and Section 7 between Bacalar and Escárcega. The entire railroad is slated to be operational by the end of next month.
López Obrador’s trip between Cancún and Palenque on Sunday, a journey of close to 900 kilometers, took just under 11 hours, arriving in the latter destination in the late afternoon. The train returned to Cancún on Monday with paying passengers on board.
“Excellent first day of the year for the Maya Train. We began operations with the first passengers on the Palenque-Cancún route. The Maya Train is now in Palenque!,” read a post on the Tren Maya account on the X social media platform.
The project includes state-of-the-art new transport hubs, though several remain under construction. (Fonatur)
Including the stations in Palenque and Cancún, there are 22 stations along the sections of the railroad currently in operation. However, not all of them are complete or open.
Built by private companies and the Mexican army, the railroad has a total of 34 stations (including modest ones known as paraderos, or stops).
However, the project has faced a range of challenges, including court rulings that have temporarily halted work and ardent opposition from environmental groups, which say that the construction and operation of the railroad pose a threat to wildlife, subterranean rivers and the Maya jungle.
On Sunday, López Obrador said that the companies involved in the construction of the multi-billion-dollar railroad have built a “very good,” high-quality project in a short period of time without exceeding projected costs.
He asserts that the operation of the Maya Train will spur economic development in Mexico’s historically disadvantaged southeast, and increase tourism in parts of the region that are currently visited by a fairly small number of people, especially when compared with destinations such as Cancún and Tulum, where a new airport opened last month.
The project “is already taking prosperity to the entire Mexican southeast,” Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama said on X on Sunday.
“We shared the final day of the year with the best president this country has had, @lopezobrador_, in the first @TrenMayaMX trip from #Cancún to Palenque,” the Morena party governor said in another post.
“Thank you president for keeping your word and making this project a reality. In addition to being a means of transport, it symbolizes development with justice and prosperity for the Mexican southeast. At each station we passed, we saw how our regions are recovering their luster. We celebrate this milestone that fills Mexicans with hope,” Lezama said.
Mexico rung in 2024 with its usual color and spectacle, from Acapulco to Guadalajara. (Enrique Alfaro/X)
Happy 2024! A new calendar year commenced at 12 a.m. on Monday, and the world over celebrated with a tradition we can all agree on: fireworks!
Jazzy and jovial was the night in Mexico, where New Years celebrations sparkled bright, especially in places like Acapulco, which sent the message that it’s back on its feet into the sky.
As part of the new year’s eve festivities, drones displayed the message “Acapulco is on its feet” in the sky over the bay. (Sectur Guerrero/X)
See how cities across Mexico gave 2024 “la bienvenida!”
On Dec. 31, tourists and locals gathered for the annual Fireworks Gala, which felt all the more triumphant on the other side of tragedy.
The fireworks display in Acapulco was a colorful start to the year for the battered Pacific port city. (Sectur Guerrero/X)
Mexico City
The capital closed out 2023 to a symphony of salsa music performed by the legendary Rubén Blades and Roberto Delgado & Orquesta. A collective countdown to midnight was followed by a fireworks show over Reforma.
The concert resumed and at around 12:30 a.m., Blades treated captivated capitalinos to his classic hit, “Pedro Navaja.”
North of Mexico City, the first baby born in 2024 in Mexico was delivered at Tlalnepantla’s Hospital de Gineco Obstetricia con Medicina Familiar No. 60 at midnight sharp!
Downtown Guadalajara looked particularly picturesque on the final eve of 2023, which concluded 20 days of year-end festivities in the city’s historic center.
Celebrations in the Jalisco capital are always riotous and 2024 was no different. (Enrique Alfaro/X)
San Miguel de Allende
The center of San Miguel was alight in fireworks and fanfare on the last day of its “best year ever,” according to newspaper La Jornada. 2023 was a year of awards and record-breaking tourism for Mexico’s “crown jewel,” generating a whopping $6.8 billion pesos (US $400 million) in economic revenue for the town.
Mexico’s “crown jewel” was suitably picturesque as the clock ticked over to midnight. (Travis Bembenek)
Morelia
The animals of Morelia’s zoo got to play with piñatas on the first day of 2024! Instead of candy, these piñatas were filled with meat and other species-appropriate goodies.
Así recibieron el Año Nuevo 2024 los habitantes del Zoológico de Morelia, con piñatas elaboradas con materiales que no les causan ningún daño; en su interior se incorporaron porciones de su dieta. pic.twitter.com/KwpGTqr8gw
On the Colima coast, the seaside town of Manzanillo put on a pretty fireworks show from the bay.
State capital Manzanillo lit up Colima with a dazzling firework display. (AFmedios/X)
Veracruz
All-nighters and early-risers in Boca del Río admired the first rays of 2024 at 6:58 a.m.
Families gathered on the Veracruz coast to enjoy one of Mexico’s calmer New Year’s traditions. (Victoria Razo/Cuartoscuro)
Cancún
Early on Monday, thrill-chasers in Cancún took a dunk in the ocean in traditional polar plunge fashion.
Swimmers in the resort city of Cancún took a midwinter dip to mark the occasion. (Elizabeth Ruiz/Cuartoscuro)
Chiapas
On Jan. 1 in Chiapas, members of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN) celebrated the 30th anniversary of their armed uprising against the Mexican government in 1994.
Jan. 1 marked 30 years since the Zapatista uprising in Chiapas. (Isabel Mateos/Cuaroscuro)
A 22-year-old fisherman has been killed by a shark while fishing off the coast of Sonora. (Chase Baker/Unsplash)
A 22-year-old man was killed by a shark last Friday while diving for scallops off the coast of Sonora, Civil Protection authorities said.
The attack occurred in the Gulf of California near Playa Tojahui, a beach in the municipality of Huatabampo.
Images shared to social media showed medical teams at the dockside. (Eco1_LVM/X)
The victim, identified as Víctor Alejandro Soto García, was attacked by a great white shark and sustained a severe wound to his left leg, according to reports.
“The body of the young man was taken by his fishermen colleagues to the pier in Yavaros,” the Sonora Civil Protection agency CEPC said.
Yavaros is a fishing town about 20 kilometers southeast of the city of Huatabampo.
The CEPC said that the victim was a free-diving fisherman and wasn’t wearing a shark-repellant bracelet. State authorities last year distributed around 100 such bracelets to fisherman.
According to a report by the El Financiero newspaper, five fishermen were killed by sharks while diving for scallops off the coast of Sonora in 2022 and 2023.
The latest attack came just four weeks after a 26-year-old woman was killed by a shark while swimming at a beach in southern Jalisco.
A 76-year-old Belgian man died last month after he was attacked by either a shark or a crocodile at a beach in Ixtapa, Guerrero. Local officials issued a crocodile warning last week after videos of one wading in the surf and swimming near another beach in Ixtapa went viral.
