Thursday, April 24, 2025

Two Mexicans among the injured in New Orleans New Year’s attack

By
MND Staff
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0
A busy New Orleans street in the French Quarter, shortly before a terrorist attack that killed 15 and injured 30, including two Mexicans
New Years revelers crowd Bourbon Street in the New Orleans French Quarter, shortly before the attack. (Chef Rocky/Twitter)

The Mexican government said Wednesday that two Mexicans were injured in the New Year’s Day truck attack in New Orleans that claimed the lives of 15 people.

In a post to social media on Wednesday night, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) said that United States authorities had confirmed that “two Mexican people were affected by the terrible attack in the early hours of today in New Orleans.”

The ministry said that both Mexican victims were reported in “stable” condition. It didn’t identify the victims or say what injuries they sustained.

President Claudia Sheinbaum said Thursday that the two Mexicans were visiting New Orleans.

The SRE said that the Mexican Consulate in New Orleans is in contact with the families of the Mexican victims and is providing them with the assistance they require.

The two Mexicans are among more than 30 people who were injured when a man drove a pickup truck into a crowd on New Orleans’ famous Bourbon Street in the city’s French Quarter.

Among those killed were “an 18-year-old girl dreaming of becoming a nurse, a single mother, a father of two and a former Princeton football star,” according to the Associated Press.

The suspect, identified as 42-year-old U.S. citizen Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar of Texas, was killed in a shootout with police.

U.S. President Joe Biden said Wednesday that the FBI had informed him that “mere hours before the attack,” the suspect “posted videos on social media indicating that he was inspired by ISIS,” the Islamic State terrorist organization.

The FBI said in a statement that “an ISIS flag was located in the vehicle” — a Ford pickup truck.

“The FBI is working to determine the subject’s potential associations and affiliations with terrorist organizations. Weapons and a potential IED [improvised explosive device] were located in the subject’s vehicle,” the statement said.

Sheinbaum condemned the attack in a social media post on Wednesday and at her morning press conference on Thursday.

“Our solidarity with the families of the victims and with the people of the United States,” she said Wednesday.

With reports from El Universal and Reforma  

A gringo guide to Mexican heartthrobs — the must-listen pop stars

By
James Monack
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15
A young girl named Susy poses with her favorite vinyls of Mexican pop stars.
Passionate, disheartening and melancholy-infused: that's the Mexican pop star modus operandi. Oh, and stunningly good-looking. That too.

Michael Jackson, Leif Garrat, Justin Timberlake, Justin Bieber, Harry Styles. The list has as many names as the number of posters that have decorated the walls of teenage fans. Sure, some were more talented than others, but here’s the question: how many expats can name one Mexican pop star who was once a teen idol and is now a legend?

It would be easier to name the artists who had hits before they were thirty years old and who faded rather quickly. But how does one go from teenybopper to superstar?

If, freshly moved to Mexico, you want to impress their new native friends, you’ll need to know these three idols who did. Drop these names — along with some song titles — into a cocktail chat and poof: you’re the coolest gringo at the party.

José José

José José - Él (Video Oficial)

If Frank Sinatra invites you to sing a duet, you’re the real deal. While the duet never took place due to contractual obligations, José José, undoubtedly flattered, burst into the pop stratosphere. Later, he repaid the compliment by recording a Spanish version of “New York, New York.”

Perhaps the best way to understand José José is to enjoy the covers that helped make him famous. Remember the “Pina Colada” song? The writer, Rubert Holmes, also wrote another wonderfully cheesy song entitled “Him” in 1980 about a jealous lover. José José, clearly seeing the heartthrobiness, created a Spanish version of equal yearning. Both songs are terrifically swoony and set the stage for a career seemingly aimed at teary adolescent girls.

Person holding a copy of My Life (1982) in its LP version, photographed in 2019.
José José mania. It’s like the Beatles but distinctly Mexican. (Secretaría de Cultura de México/MX MM KARAOKE JOSÉ JOSÉ/Wikimedia Commons)

In a way, José José is the quintessential heartthrob. That is, if the goal is to have audience members sway back and forth and get pissed off that their boyfriends can’t be more like him. Just mention his name at a gathering and women of a certain age and you will get wanting looks in their eyes while men will roll theirs. Classic idol.

  • Nickname: El príncipe de la canción, Mr. Sold Out
  • Comparable Idol: Engelbert Humperdinck 

Luis Miguel

Luis Miguel - "Ahora te puedes marchar" (Video Oficial)

Selling out an 80,000-seat stadium is just another day in the office for Luis Miguel. Ex-girlfriend Mariah Carey stood in awe of his ability to do so. He sold 2.2 million concert tickets… this year. That’s Taylor Swift territory. 

Despite being born in Puerto Rico in 1970, Luis Miguel is now a Mexican citizen. But, if you were to ask for the most romantic boleros ever sung, Luis Miguel’s name would come up. This Puerto Rican is about as Mexican as one can get. 

  • Nickname: El Sol de México
  • Comparable Idol: George Michael

Juan Gabriel

Juan Gabriel - El Noa Noa (En Vivo Desde Bellas Artes, México/ 2013)

To put Juan Gabriel in the category of heartthrob is almost disrespectful. To be sure, he was outrageously handsome in his early years and could easily qualify as a teen idol. Yet, it would be like calling Paul McCartney a former Mop Top or labeling Stevie Wonder “that cute kid from Motown.” Juan Gabriel is, quite simply, a national treasure.  

The main characteristic that differentiates Mr. Gabriel from the other two artists is the fact that he wrote most of his own songs. This hardly disqualifies singers from being idols or heartthrobs. After all, Sinatra didn’t write his own songs.

But for the sake of comparison, José José claimed he was an interpreter of songs and was fortunate to work with talented writers. Luis Miguel wrote just a handful; four or five. Juan Gabriel reportedly wrote 1800 songs, and this puts him in a category that very few can claim company. Paul McCartney, by comparison, has written 1,059 to date.

Juan Gabriel in a 2014 concert at the Pepsi Center in Mexico City
Juan Gabriel reportedly wrote 1800 songs, making him one of the most prolific songwriters in history. (Julio Enriquez/Wikimedia Commons)

His songs, like the others, range from all that Mexican music has to offer with its myriad styles and traditions. But the proof of his command of melody cannot be ignored when hearing his hit “Querida.” Or, for pop sensibilities with a hint of country, his hit about a favorite disco, “Noa Noa” is impossible not sing along. Think “Copacabana” in Spanish and without a story about a guy getting shot.

If there is any doubt about how deeply Mexicans hail this outrageously talented composer, one only needs to watch his overwhelming 2013 performance at Bellas Artes. Afterwards, you won’t want to be a specialist on Mexican music. You will want to be Mexican.

  • Nickname: El Divo de Juárez
  • Comparable Idol: There is only one Juan Gabriel.

Certainly, there are more names that could be added to the list: Alejandro Fernández, Lorenzo Antonio, Jorge Negrete and more. But ask any local over the age of 40 to name the Three Kings of Mexican Pop and more than likely, these are on top of nearly everyone’s list.

How did we do? Leave your suggestions in the comments section and expand all our playlists.

Jimmy Monack is a teacher, photographer and award-winning writer. He profiles interesting people all around the world as well as writing about and photographing rock concerts. He lives in Mexico City. www.jimmymonack.com

The coolest bars in Guadalajara’s Colonia Americana

By
MND Staff
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5
El Gallo Altanero, Guadalajara
Guadalajara's ulta-cool Colonia Americana is a hotbed for amazing nightlife. Our local guide has selected the best places to go. (El Gallo Altanero/Instagram)

The Colonia Americana in Guadalajara is having a moment. 

In 2023, Time Out magazine named Colonia Americana the best neighborhood in the world, and just recently, the Ministry of Tourism recognized Colonia Americana as the city’s first Barrio Mágico (Magical Neighborhood). 

Aerial view of Colonia Americana neighborhood of Guadalajara. Skyline with multiple skyscrapers and a long avenue in the center, with a mountain range far in the background of the photo.
Guadalajara’s Colonia Americana neighborhood is the best neighborhood in the world. Officially.  (Ricardo Pacheco/Shutterstock)

I’m very fond of this neighborhood as my mom grew up there in the 1970s when it was exclusively a residential area. Today, many of the 19th century facades house some of the city’s — and even the world’s — best bars, restaurants and a diverse range of nightlife entertainment. 

So as a Tapatía native, here is my guide to the Best Bars in Colonia Americana. 

Bar Américas

 

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Bar Américas is a classic spot in Guadalajara for electro-music lovers. My friends and I used to go there in our university years when we wanted an alternative to the trendy nightclubs in the city. Unlike many other nightclubs which have disappeared, Bar Américas continues to thrive as a popular spot. 

Known for exclusively playing electronic music, Bar Américas is one of the few bars in the area that remains open until 5 am. National and international DJs frequently perform there, and it’s widely recognized as the best club in Guadalajara — probably even in Mexico. 

Where? Av. Chapultepec Sur 507.

El Gallo Altanero

 

Coming in at No. 48 in the World’s 50 Best Bars 2024 list, El Gallo Altanero is a tribute to the agave culture of Jalisco. The bar’s cocktail menu boasts agave spirits exclusively, combining commercial brands and a large selection of independent producers. 

Adapting to seasonal fruits and focusing on regional pairings, the menu changes every two months. Some of its current seasonal drinks include the Negroni No. 14, Mango Viejo and Chabacano Jaibol. 

Each month, the bar’s owners invite guest bartenders from Europe, the United States or Latin America to go to Guadalajara and take over the bar.

Where? Calle Marsella 126

Matilde Mi Amor

Despite only having four years under its belt, Matilde Mi Amor has become a favorite spot amongst Tapatíos. Its casual dining menu features Mexican spirits, fine cocktails, tapas and pizzas. 

The bar’s interiors are designed with lively green tones, evoking a tropical ambience. Additionally, its terrace offers panoramic views and is pet friendly. 

Old favorites include the “Amiga Date Cuenta” cocktail and the signature “Matilde Mi Amor.”

Where? Calle Colonias 221. 

Farmacia Rita Pérez

Another entry in the World’s 50 Best Bars Discovery list, Farmacia Rita Pérez is a metaphor for overcoming a sickness after buying medicine at a pharmacy. As a nod to the bar’s name, its cocktail menu highlights the region’s agave spirits using various traditional herbs and spices that have been historically used medicinally. 

The 50 Best described it as “the perfect place to drink as a local.” In the afternoon, the bar’s pace is easy and relaxed. At nightfall, the pace quickens at the beat of everything from cumbia to norteño to Queen.    

The food menu includes aguachile in the afternoon and tacos at night.  

Where? Calle Colonias, 79. 

Pare de Sufrir

A bar that promises to stop suffering — what more of an invitation do you need to stop by? Its full name is “Pare de Sufrir… Tome Mezcal,” or “Stop Suffering… Drink Mezcal,” which probably needs no further explanation.

Pare de Sufrir has won itself a place in the heart of Guadalajarans due to its wide selection of agave spirits and other traditional Mexican drinks. More than a bar, it describes itself as a “cultural center for music, mezcal and drinks.” 

The bar’s interiors are bright with murals, string lights, and a live DJ catering to every taste. 

Where? Calle Argentina 66 

De La O Cantina

 

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This is yet another entry on the World’s 50 Best Bars Discovery list. The fact that this keeps happening should probably be an indicator of the quality of nightlife in Colonia Americana.

With a white brick wall decorated with framed images of the Mexican revolution, De la O Cantina draws inspiration from Mexico’s traditional cantinas, serving cocktails made up from traditional drinks like tepache, a fermented pineapple drink, and pulque, fermented sap from the agave plant which was a popular pre-Hispanic alcoholic beverage. 

The bar’s namesake is Mexican revolutionary Genovevo de la O, to whom a section of the cocktail menu is devoted. 

Besides drinks, the place offers a small selection of food too. 

Where? Calle Argentina 70.

El Habanero Negro

 

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Offering a tropical vibe year-round inspired by Yucatán Península, El Habanero Negro is more than just a bar. With a food menu that includes small plates — of tacos of cochinita pibil, plátano, pepita hummus and pork belly — this place satisfies those craving a light meal paired with good drinks. 

Its drink menu includes original drinks like the chejuino, which combines tejuino – a traditional drink in Jalisco made of fermented corn – and beer (also dubbed chela), gin tonics and carajillos. But the house’s staple is the fruity Bagaloo cocktail. 

Where? Calle Manuel López Cotilla 1228A.

Gabriela Solis is a Mexican lawyer turned full-time writer. She was born and raised in Guadalajara and covers business, culture, lifestyle and travel for Mexico News Daily. You can follow her lifestyle blog Dunas y Palmeras.

2025 will see Mexico shine on boxing’s biggest stages

By
Ajay Smith
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Mexican Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela celebrates victory over Australian Steve Spark, during a boxing match held at the Akron Stadium in Zapopan.
Mexico, regarded by many as the superstar of world boxing, is ready to knock out all comers in 2025. (Fernando Carranza García/Cuartoscuro)

In a competitive field, boxing could make a strong claim to the status of Mexico’s proudest cultural export. The sport may not actually originate here but it has enjoyed a place of social and sporting consequence since arriving in the early 20th century. It has been adopted and adapted with such fervor that the unique “Mexican style” of fighting and many of its practitioners are revered across the globe.

Fighters like Rubén ‘El Púas’ Olivares, Salvador Sánchez and Julio César Chávez have enchanted generations of fans worldwide. These men have jabbed, slipped and often bludgeoned their way into the pantheon of boxing deities. Only the United States has produced more world champions than Mexico throughout the entire history of professional boxing.

World champion Julio César Chávez participated in the second edition of the Mass Boxing Class in the Zócalo
Icons like Julio César Chávez remain as relevant to boxing today as they did in their prime. (Galo Cañas/Cuartoscuro)

The impact is conspicuous. The dates of Cinco de Mayo and Mexican Independence Day are indelibly etched into the boxing calendar, thanks first to Chávez, who began marking their concomitant weekends with ritual violence in the 1990s, and subsequently to Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez — the man currently recognized by most fans, pundits and even fellow fighters as the ‘Face of Boxing’ — who has since made the holidays his own.

And while the 34-year-old edges toward the end of a storied career, Mexican boxing is enjoying its ascendancy on the world stage. The tale of Mexican fighters traveling to the U.S. to achieve glory — and earn their fortunes — is one that dates back to the first professional bouts. But high level matchups are not the preserve of the U.S., and the past 18 months have seen an influx of prominent events within Mexico itself.

In terms of prestige, the most significant of these fights came from Canelo; in the summer of 2023, he took a break from his 16-fight Vegas residency to defend the world title in his hometown of Guadalajara. The fiery haired wrecking ball left millions of dollars on the table to bring the fight for divisional supremacy to Jalisco, where he sold out the 46,000-seater Estadio Akron on his way to comfortably beating British opponent John Ryder and retaining his standing as undisputed king of the super middleweights.

But the domestic boxing scene can do more than bask in Canelo’s successes. Elsewhere, renowned British promoters Matchroom Boxing have signed an array of Mexican prospects and begun hosting their own fight nights across the country. The super featherweight world title fight between O’Shaquie Foster and Eduardo “Rocky” Hernández in Cancún produced the most theatrical end to any contest in 2023, albeit not the finish Mexican fans were hoping for, as Foster dramatically rescued a losing position by knocking Hernández out in the dying seconds of the final round.

Mexican Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela and Australian Steve Spark, face each other in a boxing match that takes place at the Akron Stadium in Zapopan.
Mexico’s domestic boxing scene is about so much more than just Canelo Álvarez. (Cuartoscuro)

Hernández sees this heightened activity as the key to his redemption. Once more, the Mexico City fighter is touted for a shot at the title and a chance to become the next Mexican world champion. Significantly, all of these events have been televised worldwide on the DAZN channel, before the eyes of a global audience. Hernández is one of many Mexican fighters hoping to benefit from this exposure and Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn has promised more to come in 2025.

Mexican boxers knocking out the global scene

Beyond Mexico itself, Mexican boxers continue to impress audiences abroad. November’s shambolic contest between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson was partially salvaged by an undercard containing the WBC welterweight championship fight between the Mexican-Americans Mario Barrios and Abel Ramos. Barrios retained the title after an action-packed draw that contained good moments for both fighters. The competitive, 12-round affair was conducted before an attendance narrowly shy of the US record for an indoor boxing event — the 72,300 spectators in AT&T Stadium falling just short of the 73,126 who witnessed Canelo’s victory over Billy Joe Saunders in the same Texas arena in May 2021.

The night after Netflix’s questionable foray into combat sports, more appealing viewing could be found at the inaugural Riyadh Season Latino Night in Saudi Arabia. An evening of high-quality, well-matched fights was a perfect salve for the anticlimactic finale that had dogged the previous night. In stark contrast to the Paul-Tyson farce, Latino Night was topped by a career-best performance from Mexico’s Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramírez, who comprehensively battered British opponent Chris Billam-Smith on the way to winning a unanimous decision and the WBO and WBA cruiserweight titles.

Boxers Rashib Martínez and Alfonso Campos faced each other in the bantamweight category during the Box Azteca event, which took place at the TV Azteca Ajusco facilities.
The inaugural Riyadh Season Latino Night was a huge success, showcasing Mexican talent at the highest level. (Edgar Negrete Lira/Cuartoscuro)

The following month, legendary U.S. promoters Top Rank closed out their 2024 schedule with an all-Mexican affair, as Emanuel Navarrete defended his WBO junior lightweight title with a decisive sixth-round knockout of Óscar Valdez. The enraptured crowd in Phoenix, Arizona witnessed little caution from either fighter as both men unrelentingly sought to out-land each other. Ultimately, Navarrete proved too much for his opponent, knocking Valdez down three times on the way to an impressive victory.

The future of a recent Canelo opponent, however, is more uncertain. After losing a shot at Canelo’s belts on Cinco de Mayo weekend, Tijuana’s Jaime Munguía was admirably active, bouncing back with an assured knockout win over Erik Bazinyan before taking his own homecoming fight to close out the year. 

Munguía headlined Tijuana’s Estadio Caliente, less than three miles from the music hall where he made his debut as a 16-year-old. The comeback was on, right up until the moment that he dropped his left hand and was knocked out in the dying seconds of the sixth round. Besides delighting the bookmakers, the powerful straight-right transformed winner Bruno Surace’s life in seconds but left Munguía with a long journey back to title contention.

Boxers Ivan Cortés and Christian Burgos faced each other in the super welterweight category during the Box Azteca event, which took place at the Azteca Ajusco facilities.
Mexico has no shortage of great prospects for 2025. (Edgar Negrete Lira/Cuartoscuro)

But, while it was an occasion to forget for one of Mexico’s most prominent fighters, there remains some symbolic importance to that mid-December night in Tijuana; Munguía’s determination to fight again, before the pressure of a hometown crowd, and just months after losing on the biggest stage of his career, is reflective of the spirit so prized in Mexican boxers; and the staging of the fight, south of the desert frontier across which the sport first entered this country, is a recognition that Mexico — a nation of boxing fanatics — is not just here to create boxing’s biggest stars, but to give them a platform upon which to shine.

Munguía will return. And, whether to witness redemption or verify the death of his career, fans will watch with interest.

2025 Should be a fascinating year for Mexican boxing. The world waits in anticipation.

Ajay Smith is a freelance journalist and ghostwriter from Manchester, England, now based in Mexico City. His areas of specialization include boxing, soccer, political history, and current affairs. Samples of his work can be found at ajaysmith.com/portfolio.

The best drinks in Ensenada and Valle de Guadalupe

By
Lydia Carey
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A wine selection at Bloodlust, one of the best drinks in Ensenada
It's proper Mexican wine country, which means that the Ensenada and Valle de Guadalupe region is the ideal spot for a quality tipple. (Bloodlust/Instagram)

On every trip I make to Valle de Guadalupe, I am blown away by the quality and variety of the wine being produced in this tiny region. For wine fans who haven’t yet been, this is an obligatory stop in Mexico. But wine isn’t all there is. As Valle has become a buzzy food destination over the years, its options for imbibing have rounded out to include excellent cocktail bars, mezcal dives and craft breweries that compete with many across the border for prominence. Outside of the valley, some of the best drinks in the region can be found in Ensenada too, making the area a must visit for anyone looking to experience the bredth of Mexico’s alcohol heritage.

In addition, most of the high-end dining options I wrote about in a previous piece on Baja have an excellent non-wine selection. If you get the chance to visit northern Baja I recommend trying the following places for a sampling of all the good libations on the menu.

Wineries

Vena Cava

 

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The tasting room is cool — its roof is made of the innards of an old wooden ship — but the party is really going on outside at Troika, the winery’s food truck, open for lunch and early dinner. Here, a handful of picnic tables painted in bright yellow, aqua and pink are filled with wine drinkers sipping on Vena Cava’s cool and fruity rosé or their new line of minimal intervention wine— the Pet Nat is fab. The menu’s star is the pork belly in a miso and beer glaze with tzatziki and flour tortillas, but everything was good. This place is perfect for day drinking, especially if all you have to do is walk up the hill to your room at their hotel, Villa de Valle.

Rancho San Marcos, Toros Pintos S/N, Ejido Francisco Zarco, Ensenada 

Clos de Tres Cantos

Tres Cantos is like a trip to see your philosophical aunt and uncle who have renounced city life and now tipsily recite poetry in the middle of the afternoon. Owners María and Joaquín are relative newbies in Valle de Guadalupe, but their space — built beautifully with recycled materials and following all kinds of esoteric architectural principles — feels authentically Valle. A tasting on the back patio while metallic ribbons flutter in the vineyard is almost magical. Try the Chenin Blanc, which is a burst of salty sunshine, or a bottle of Tu Mismo, a red blend with hints of tobacco and smoke. They also have a small restaurant on-site that I didn’t get to try but have heard is fantastic.

Carretera Tecate-Ensenada Km 89.5 S/N, Villa de Juárez

Bruma Wine Garden Tasting Room

 

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This tasting room has just opened, and while it’s not as well-known as some of the others in town, if Bruma’s other eating and drinking establishments are the measure, it’s going to be a thing. It feels like a bar for rich equestrians: leather couches, a long wooden bar, cozy lighting, giant stainless steel tanks to one side. You can try the whole of Bruma’s incredible line here and if you get through them all they have additional bottles from around the valley because they like to spread the love.

Carretera Tecate–Ensenada, Km 73.5, Francisco Zarco, Ensenada

Vinos Pijoan

 

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The Pijoan tasting room in the vineyard is the most low-key of any that I found in Valle and maybe that’s one of the reasons I loved it so much. A million dogs follow you to your seat on the covered back patio and you can have a languid afternoon-long tasting with no one pushing you to go. 

Pijoan boasts old-school blends that are big and bold and new minimal intervention wines that are young and fresh. I loved the entire line, but it was the vermouth that blew me away. Mistela, made from a collection of wild herbs from the area, is like taking a direct sip of Valle de Guadalupe, while Vermouth Pijoan is made in a classic style that is warm, cinnamony and just right for sipping on the rocks.

Carretera El Tigre Km.13.5, Rancho San Marcos, Poblado Francisco Zarco

Finca la Carrodilla

This absolutely stunning vineyard way out in the middle of nowhere has a tasting area that includes ground level tables amid the vines as well as an upper deck overflowing with greenery and a long family-style table under an arbor of plant life as well as a handful of high-back tables. You can do a quick tasting of their line of fully organic wine for about US $30 and the views of the surrounding organic vineyards are stunning.

Parcela 99 Z1 P14 Ejido El Porvenir, Francisco Zarco

Cocktail and mezcal bars

Matilda

 

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Without a doubt, the best cocktails I had in Ensenada were found in this tiny bistro-style dining room with photos of famous women on the walls and red-checked tablecloths. The La Princesa y El Sapo is the perfect balance between buttery and sweet with sage and huacatay — a South American marigold — and a garnish of spicy nasturtium leaf. The Sakura, which comes with a pea sprout balanced on the rim, is tart with a bit of bitterness and musky with rose water. Matilda Mi Corazon is creamy and smoky… I could go on.

Avenida Octava 106, Zona Centro, Ensenada

Santo Tomas Plaza

 

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Now a collection of restaurants, shops and bars, the Santo Tomas plaza once housed part of the winery’s facilities that was subsequently moved outside of the city limits. There’s a bevy of places here that I like: the moody Loca bar with high ceilings and low neon lighting, and La Bête Noire which feels like a bar just appeared inside a thrift store. Tanto Santo is the place for a slice and a beer, and the Alta Baja Ceveceria has a dozen or so craft beers on tap.

Avenida Miramar 666, Zona Centro, Ensenada

Bloodlust

The ultimate Baja setting, with outdoor fire pits roaring, picnic tables and an outdoor stage that hosts local music acts. The main bar and restaurant area is supposed to look like a drop of wine, but the locals call it the “garlic building.” Its bulbous, organic lines reminded me a little of the Smurf village.

Inside are window seats stuffed with pillows and tapestries, as well as regular tables for sipping a cocktail or getting a small bite. These are the second-best cocktails in Ensenada for me: the Whyskey Sour and El Conde Nado with Pijoan vermouth! were two of my favorites.

Doña Emilia LT 13-2 San Marcos, Ensenada

Hussong’s Cantina

 

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It’s kind of a shame more visitors to Valle de Guadalupe don’t hang out in Ensenada. There are a handful of great bars and restaurants there that are endlessly more economical than Valle and still stellar. One such place is Hussong’s, which definitely has a little old-school cheesiness to it, but the kind that I love. 

Hussong’s is famous for its margaritas, but even more famous for being a good hangout for everyone: young, old, local and tourist. The musical trios that roam the bar hall can help you fall in love or drown your sorrows depending on the tune you choose. As one of the oldest establishments in town, it’s an obligatory stop.

Avenida Ruiz 113, Zona Centro, Ensenada

Lydia Carey is a freelance writer and translator based out of Mexico City. She has been published widely both online and in print, writing about Mexico for over a decade. She lives a double life as a local tour guide and is the author of Mexico City Streets: La Roma. Follow her urban adventures on Instagram and see more of her work at www.mexicocitystreets.com.

Mark your calendar: Here are all the 2025 Mexican public holidays

By
MND Staff
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2
Mexican woman dressed as a Catrina and in white skeletal makeup holding Mexican marigolds
Is Day of the Dead a holiday in Mexico? Depends on whose calendar you go by. Read our rundown to find out more. (Marco Ortiz-MOF/Shutterstock)

2025 is already upon us, and if you haven’t already marked your calendars, here’s a reminder that Mexico has seven official public holidays in 2025.

Also worth keeping in mind is that there are a total of 11 bank holidays (which includes the official public holidays) that will occur in the upcoming year.

Municipal workers in bright green hazmat like jumpsuits sitting in a truck bed as they are driven on a Mexico City street on an official holiday
Those in Mexico who must work on official holidays, like these folks working on Christmas Day, are entitled to double-time pay. (Edgar Negrete Lira/Cuartoscuro)

According to Mexico’s Federal Labor Law, on the seven official holidays of 2025, employees required to work must receive double-time pay, or 100% overtime pay. 

Mexico’s official national holidays are as follows (with the actual date of the holiday in parentheses where appropriate):

  • Wednesday, Jan. 1: New Year’s Day 
  • Monday, Feb. 3: Constitution Day, observed (actual date: Feb. 5)
  • Monday, March 17:  Benito Juárez’s birthday, observed (actual date: March 21)
  • Thursday, May 1: Labor Day, or Worker’s Day, as it’s named in Mexico
  • Tuesday, Sept. 16: Independence Day
  • Monday, Nov. 17: Mexican Revolution Day, observed (actual date: Nov. 20)
  • Thursday, Dec. 25: Christmas Day

Although some people might think that May 5, or Cinco de Mayo, is an official holiday in Mexico, that is not the case. 

Although Mexico’s victory over France’s invading forces at the 1862 Battle of Puebla is celebrated and public schools are closed nationwide on May 5, only the state of Puebla and its neighbor state, Veracruz, observe Cinco de Mayo as an official holiday.

Some might recall that there were nine official holidays in 2024. Those extra two days were linked to the federal election cycle, which occurs every six years. 

Huejotzingo Carnival
Parade commemorating the Battle of Puebla, with participants in faux-Middle Eastern garb, a nod to the fact that Turkish mercenaries fought Mexico’s armies for France. May 5 is not an official holiday, although schools nationwide have it off.

June 2, 2024, was Election Day, on which the president and both houses of Congress were elected. Although Election Day in Mexico is always on Sunday, it was declared an official holiday.

And earlier this year, Congress declared Oct. 1, 2024, to be a national holiday — Inauguration Day. The law establishes that every six years (presidents serve six-year terms in Mexico), Oct. 1 will be an official public holiday. Prior to 2024, presidents were sworn in on Dec. 1 and Inauguration Day was celebrated every six years on that date.

New holidays coming in 2025?

The newspaper El Financiero reported that there could be two new additional public holidays approved for 2025. Congress is considering making Dec. 12, the Catholic feast day of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

The shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe in Mexico City is the most visited Catholic pilgrimage destination in the world

Congress also might declare June 1 a holiday as well — but only for this year: Mexico holds its first-ever nationwide election of judges and magistrates on Sunday, June 1, 2025. 

In addition to the seven official public holidays, Mexico’s banks, currency exchanges and financial markets observe four other holidays.

  • April 17: Holy Thursday
  • April 18:Good Friday 
  • Nov. 3: Day of the Dead (although this falls on a Sunday in 2025) 
  • Dec. 12: Virgin of Guadalupe feast day 

With reports from El Financiero, Debate and TV Azteca

Por fin! After 13 years, GDL-Puerto Vallarta highway project finishes

By
MND Staff
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Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum cutting a ribbon to open the completed Guadalajara-Puerto Vallarta highway
President Sheinbaum and members of her cabinet inaugurated the highway on Saturday in Bahía de Banderas, Nayarit. (Cuartoscuro)

The long-awaited Guadalajara-Puerto Vallarta highway, which makes it easier and faster to reach the Pacific resort cities of Puerto Vallarta and Bahía de Banderas by car, is finally fully open — 13 years after work on the 310-kilometer roadway was first approved.

An inaugural ceremony on Satuday in Bahía de Banderas led by President Claudia Sheinbaum and members of her cabinet celebrated the opening of the final stretch of the highway — a 33-kilometer segment along the Pacific Coast that extends from Bucerías, Nayarit, to Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco.

Map showing the trajectory of the new Guadalajara-Puerto Vallarta highway in Mexico
The highway makes travel between the two cities much shorter and provides increased access to Puerto Vallarta’s airport. it is expected to increase domestic tourism in the region. (SICT)

The new roadway also provides a direct link between Tepic, the Nayarit state capital, and the beach resorts in and around Puerto Vallarta, reducing travel time from three hours to 90 minutes.

The strategic infrastructure project has been delayed multiple times over its 13-year duration due to budget constraints — outlasting three of Mexico’s presidents and even more governors of Jalisco and Nayarit.

It was set to open in 2014, but by the time President Enrique Peña Nieto left office in 2018, only two sections of the highway project had opened. Progress on its construction continued on a slow drip in the following years, with sections opening one at a time. 

The road loops northwest from the state capital around the Sierra de Vallejo Biosphere Reserve in southern Nayarit, then curves southwest toward the Pacific Ocean, traversing along the coast for nearly 100 kilometers.

The new toll road will reduce travel time between Guadalajara and the coast in half, from five hours to two and a half hours, according to Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT) Minister Jesús Antonio Esteva. It also benefits travelers farther north along the Jalisco coast, giving them a more direct route to Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara.

Sheinbaum also announced on Saturday other infrastructure and social projects benefitting the region, including scholarships for children in Nayarit and Jalisco and funding to renovate schools in both states. 

Sheinbaum also took advantage of the highway’s inauguration to announce new funding for upcoming infrastructure and projects to benefit citizens in the two states.

Among the new public works to be constructed are a bridge between Bahía de Banderas and Puerto Vallarta, a freshwater aqueduct in southern Nayarit and several scenic highways — known as caminos artesanales — in the Indigenous Wixárica region of northwestern Jalisco. 

The caminos artesanales project seeks to connect Indigenous communities in rural areas and will use local materials. It will also provide temporary jobs to residents.

“We are demonstrating that nobody will be left behind in Mexico,” Sheinbaum said Saturday.

Welfare Minister Ariadna Montiel said that the new highway and the projects Sheinbaum announced demonstrate that the administration is determined to improve the quality of life of Mexico’s marginalized citizens.

The final stretch of highway, which cost 2 billion pesos (US $98 million), features eight bridges — with the longest being 300 meters in length — three overpasses, a trunk road to the Puerto Vallarta airport and one toll booth, according to SICT Minister Esteva.

The entire toll highway has six toll booths and costs as much as 1,300 pesos (US $63) to travel its entire length, according to the newspaper Informador.

With reports from Debate and NTV+

Mexico City will cut its reliance on water from the Cutzamala System by 50%, mayor announces

By
MND Staff
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A tiered water collection system in the Cutzamala water system for Mexico City
The Cutzamala basin transfer system supplies over a quarter of the water used by Mexico City's 22.5 million residents. (ObservaValle/Twitter)

In an effort to address the problem of severe water shortages in Mexico City, Mayor Clara Brugada announced this week a plan calling for the metropolis of 22.5 million people to halve its reliance on the Cutzamala reservoir system for the next two years.

Elected to office on June 2 and sworn in on Oct. 5, Brugada announced the strategy during the inauguration of the city’s first Agua Bienestar purification plant in the Coyoacán borough on Monday.

Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada and other officials on stage with 20-liter jugs of water and a banner reading "Agua Bienestar"
Brugada inaugurated the Coyoacán Agua Bienestar purification plant on Monday. (Clara Brugada/Twitter)

The plant is going to help solve water problems, as well, the Morena party member noted. Starting next Monday, 19-liter garrafones (jugs) of purified water will be sold mainly to low-income residents and those in areas that suffer from chronic shortages — for only five pesos (US 24 cents) each, with an additional 80 pesos (US $3.83) up-front cost for the reusable plastic jug.

A filled 19- or 20-liter garrafón in Mexico generally retails for 48 to 60 pesos (US $2.30 to $2.87), although self-fill purification stations can cut the cost to about 13 to 26 pesos (US 62 cents to $1.24).

This part of the strategy aims to alleviate financial strain on families who are hit harder than others because of repeated water woes in their areas. The program will initially serve 738 neighborhoods and districts lacking sufficient water infrastructure that are sometimes subject to rationing.

“I want to make it very clear that Agua Bienestar solves part of the problem, but the underlying problem — the problem of water scarcity — will be addressed with sectorization, redistribution, infrastructure, water balance and sustainability,” Brugada said. “That is the way we are going to solve things.”

Brugada said a good start is reducing by 50% the city’s reliance on water from the Cutzamala System, so the three main reservoirs that feed it can recover.

Though abundant July rains in Michoacán and México state — home to Cutzamala’s largest reservoirs — helped boost CDMX’s water supply, drought conditions persist and the Cutzamala System currently is operating at 65% capacity.

The National Water Commission (Conagua) has noted that the Cutzamala System supplies around 28% of the capital’s water. This summer, the system was briefly shut off for repairs.

“At least for two years, we will receive only half of what Cutzamala supplied us last year, ensuring its long-term viability,” the mayor said.

Some dams in Mexico maintain historic lows, due to the extended drought in the country.
Two years of reduced withdrawals will allow the Cutzamala System’s reservoirs to recover from the extended drought, Brugada said. (Crisanta Espinosa Aguilar/Cuartoscuro)

Brugada also detailed plans to infiltrate more rainwater into aquifers, which supply 70% of Mexico City’s water.

She said investment will focus on reviewing, maintaining and improving well infrastructure; setting up water-treatment facilities in more communities; and implementing automated systems to monitor and resolve water supply issues promptly.

Brugada said 15 billion pesos (US $718.5 million) will be allocated for these water initiatives; that’s out of the 291.5 billion pesos (US $13.98 billion) that she proposed last week for Mexico City’s overall 2025 budget.

“A large part of the resources will be used to guarantee that the existing wells function and provide the amount of water that should be,” she said.

Brugada’s government aims to construct at least one purification plant in each of CDMX’s 16 boroughs, with some areas receiving up to four. This expansion, supported by 30 million pesos (US $1.45 million) at the outset, is expected to produce 200,000 jugs per month by the end of 2025.

“We’re prioritizing areas where water scarcity and poverty intersect,” Brugada said, adding that no individual application process is required. “This is about addressing systemic inequality in water access.”

“This is an immediate step to support those who need it most while we work on long-term solutions,” added Mario Esparza, Mexico City’s minister of water management. He also assured residents that the purified water meets the highest quality standards.

Brugada said her administration is committed to resolving water shortages citywide by 2027, in equitable and sustainable ways.

With reports from El Universal and La Jornada

New tax rule for foreign e-commerce sites selling in Mexico takes effect

By
MND Staff
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A hand holding a blank Master Card credit card in front of a laptop screen with the Amazon logo in white and orange.
Foreign e-commerce companies like Amazon and Temu must now pay Mexico's IVA tax on sales to shoppers in Mexico, even when the platform deposits to a seller's bank account outside the country. (Fabio Principe/Shutterstock)

Foreign e-commerce companies such as Amazon and Temu will now have to pay Mexico’s 16% value-added tax (IVA) on products they export to and sell in Mexico.

The requirement is outlined in the Resolución Miscelánea Fiscal 2025 (2025 Miscellaneous Tax Resolution), which Mexico’s Finance Ministry published in the federal government’s official gazette on Monday.

Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum and its Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard stand at a press conference in front of a long, thin table. Together they are holding up a portfolio cover with the document they signed to expand a 35% tariff on textile imports.
The tax requirement on foreign e-commerce companies comes on the heels of a decree signed earlier this month by President Claudia Sheinbaum, left, and Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard, right, that placed a 35% tariff on foreign clothing imports. The tariff didn’t apply to countries that have a free trade agreement with Mexico. (Marcelo Ebrard/X)

In accordance with the new rule, digital platforms including Amazon and the Chinese companies Temu, Shein and Alibaba will have to pay the IVA to federal tax agency SAT even when payment for products is deposited into foreign accounts. IVA payments must be made on a monthly basis before the 17th of any given month.

E-commerce companies are now also obliged to enroll in Mexico’s Federal Taxpayer Registry as part of efforts to ensure they comply with all relevant tax obligations in the country.

To avoid falling afoul of tax laws in Mexico, such companies will have to collect a range of information including bank account details and location from all third parties selling products on their sites. In addition, foreign e-commerce companies will have to provide electronic receipts to third parties that detail tax payments that have been withheld.

The stricter tax rules come as Mexico is seeking to reduce its reliance on imports from China and other Asian countries. Chinese e-commerce sites (and brick-and-mortar stores in Mexico) sell a wide range of Chinese goods at prices that are significantly lower than those made in Mexico, raising concerns about the ongoing viability of various Mexican industries.

Earlier this month, the federal government announced new tariffs on imported clothes and textiles in order to protect the Mexican textile/clothing industry, which the Mexican government says is losing jobs due to, in large part, unfair competition from underpriced Chinese imports. Mexican authorities have also raided stores in Mexico to seize counterfeit Chinese goods as well as products for which applicable import fees were not paid.

Obliging foreign e-commerce companies to pay IVA on products they sell in Mexico will create a more level playing field between foreign and Mexican businesses — and thus should make locally made goods more competitive.

Mexican tax revenue agency
Foreign e-commerce companies are now also obliged to enroll in Mexico’s Federal Taxpayer Registry, administered by the federal tax agency known colloquially as the SAT. (Internet)

In 2025, the government expects to collect an additional 15 billion pesos (US $719.2 million) in tax revenue as a result of e-commerce companies’ payment of the IVA.

Who will really end up paying?

According to media reports, there are concerns that e-commerce companies — whose sales in Mexico are on the rise — will pass on the new tax burden to their customers, even though it’s the companies’ obligation to pay the IVA.

“Although the 16% IVA is solely directed at digital platforms, concerns remain as to how the indirect transfer of this tax to the final consumer will be avoided,” reported the news website Debate.

“While the authorities have said that the 16% IVA will only be charged to the e-commerce platforms and not to customers, there are still doubts about how to prevent final consumers from paying it,” the newspaper El Economista said.

With reports from Debate, El Economista and Infobae

Staff picks 2024: Best listens of the year

By
MND Staff
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A man listens to headphones in a city, to illustrate the best Mexican msuic and podcasts of 2024
From Latin rock to rap to podcasts, here are Mexico News Daily's top audio recommendations from 2024. (Henry Be/Unsplash)

From underground rock to podcasts exploring Mexican history, our team at Mexico News Daily brings you some of our favorite audio storytelling and musical discoveries of 2024. Whether you’re looking for fresh perspectives on Mexico or hunting for your next favorite band, this eclectic mix has something for every listener. For more recommendations, don’t forget to check out our staff’s favorite books, series and movies of the past year.

Podcasts

The rise of the Aztec empire: Ed Barnhart and Lex Fridman

Ed Barnhart wears a wide-brimmed hat and work shirt with forest and Mexican pyramids in the background
Archaeologist Ed Barnhart is known for leading the 1998-2000 Palenque Mapping Project, at the invitation of the Mexican government. (Ed Barnhart)

Ed Barnhart, an archeologist and explorer specializing in ancient civilizations of the Americas, guest stars on the Lex Fridman Podcast. —Tamanna Bembenek, Mexico News Daily co-owner and product manager

The Sounds of Mexico City

Organ-grinders in Mexico City
The melodies of organ grinders are one of Mexico City’s many distinctive sounds. (Mario Jasso/Cuartoscuro)

While not exactly a podcast, this audio story delivers you from wherever you are to the bustling, boisterous streets of Mexico City. Very innovative! —Peter Davies, chief staff writer

Radiolab’s Border Trilogy

A dark-skinned young woman pushing a child in a stroller leads a group of migrants down a Mexican street, part of a migrant caravan
The trilogy follows the impact of border policies on not just migrants but also border region residents and families of missing people. (Damián Sánchez/Cuartoscuro)

Though this series first aired in 2018, Radiolab released an updated version last year. In the aftermath of U.S. President Biden’s crackdown on asylum seekers, it’s more relevant than ever. —Rose Egelhoff, senior news editor

Music

The Warning

A woman plays a set of drums labelled "The Warning," to represent one of the best Mexican music or podcasts that MND staff discovered in 2024.
Sisters Daniela, Paulina and Alejandra Villarreal Vélez make up The Warning, founded in Monterrey in 2013. (The Warning)

I recently discovered The Warning, a rock band formed by three sisters from Monterrey. They started playing Metallica covers together when they were little. Now, they have achieved so much success that they fill the Auditorio Nacional. If you are a rock lover I highly recommend this super girl band! —María Ruiz, assistant editor

Peso Pluma

Peso Pluma "Rubicon" (Video Musical)

Mexican regional musician Peso Pluma’s chart-topping hits have helped bring the genre of corridos tumbados to the ears of listeners around the world. His ties to narco-culture make this artist controversial, especially in his home country — but you’re still likely to hear these earworms playing around town almost anywhere in Mexico. Check out his songs “Rubicon” and “Nueva Vida” for an irresistible introduction to modern-day corridos. —Tamanna Bembenek, Mexico News Daily co-owner and product manager

Kittyponeo by Bellakath

The cover of the music album Kittyponeo by Bellakath, showing a dark-haired woman in a pink bikini and dramatic makeup
Katherinne Huerta, known professionally as Bellakath, hails from the Iztacalco borough of Mexico City. (Bellakath)

Mexico City’s alternative reggaetonera Bellakath first went viral in 2022 with her hit single “Gatita.” Her first studio album, “Kittyponeo,” came out in 2023 and the top song, “Reggaeton Champagne,” continued to chart globally into early 2024. —Felicity Bradstock, news writer

KEVIN PÓRTATE BIEN by Robot95

Kevin Gutiérrez, aka Robot95 (Robot95)

Mexicali rapper Kevin Gutiérrez, aka Robot95, has won fans over with R&B-influenced “smooth, West Coast hip hop,” according to Remezcla. His most recent album, “Kevin pórtate bien” (“Kevin, behave yourself”) came out in 2024. —Bethany Platanella, features writer

Mexico News Daily

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