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6 celebrities who you might not realize are (kind of) Mexican

By
Ian Ostroff
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Alan Cleland, proudly displaying the Mexican flag after a surfing victory.
When it comes to Mexican celebrities, everyone knows Luis Miguel and Salma Hayek. But we also came up with six who you might not even know are Mexican. (@alan_jr_cleland/Instagram)

What does it mean to be Mexican? It’s a complicated question — since not only are there more than 130 million native-born citizens, but a Mexican diaspora numbering over 40 million around the globe — making it nearly an impossible task to come up with a completely satisfying definition.

One thing is clear: Mexico is a very warm country, especially when it comes to welcoming those who embrace it with love. There’s even a popular saying that captures this idea: “Los Mexicanos nacemos donde se nos pega la gana,” which means that a Mexican can be born wherever they choose.

The nation is also a melting pot, having welcomed significant populations of Italians, Germans, Lebanese, Argentinians, Venezuelans, Japanese and Koreans into the country as immigrants since the late 19th century. President Claudia Sheinbaum comes from a family of European Jews who settled in Mexico, for example, and the many examples like this make the question of Mexican identity even more nuanced.

If we consider Mexican identity not only in the traditional sense (native-born citizens), but also more inclusively to include those with Mexican roots or heritage, there are more international Mexican celebrities than you might think. In fact, a few of the names on this list even surprised us.

Alan Cleland

Alan Cleland paddling out to catch a wave in the 2024 Paris Olympics
Surfer Alan Cleland grew up in the state of Colima and has never been shy about sharing his pride in his Mexican heritage. (Olympics.com)

A professional surfer who competed in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and won gold at the 2023 International Surfing Association (ISA) World Surfing Games, Alan has been making his mark in extreme sports. But with sandy blonde hair and a surfboard on him at all times, the average person may think he’s just another Californian who grew up near the beach.

Born to a Mexican mother and an American ex-pro surfer father in Boca de Pascuales, Colima, Alan learned to surf before he even learned to speak English. He later moved to San Diego to further develop his surfing skills and began competing in the World Surf League when he was only 13.

After he won gold in 2023, there was even a video of him carrying the Mexican flag and chanting “Viva Mexico” as any proud Mexican would in the same position. He completed the 2025 season ranked 19th in the World Surf League (WSL) tour.

Wee Man

Jason "Wee Man" Acuña with his latest skateboard
Best known for his role in the “Jackass” film series, Jason “Wee Man” Acuña boasts Mexican heritage and an enduring love of tacos. (@iamweeman/Instagram)

Best known for his role in the “Jackass” movie franchise, Wee Man has made a name for himself by performing stunts on film that the average viewer should never try at home. In addition, he’s a pro skateboarder and was a host on the Fox Sports Net television show “54321.” Despite his impressive resume, his background is more diverse than most people would assume.

Wee Man’s legal name is Jason Shannon Acuña, and he is of Mexican and German descent. He’s spoken openly in the past about growing up eating tacos and menudo. The “Jackass” actor, idolized for getting into cages with bulls, bungee jumping and funny pranks, also has an entrepreneurial side, having been a long-time investor in the popular Mexican-American franchise Chronic Tacos.

Kat Von D

Kat Von D in black leather outfit
Kat Von D achieved fame as a tattoo artist, but the Nuevo León native has also become increasingly popular for her music and books. (@thekatvond/Instagram)

A well-known public figure in her niche, Kat Von D may look like the reincarnation of Amy Winehouse, yet is actually a Mexican-born tattoo artist from Nuevo León.

She’s most recognized for her work on the TLC reality show “LA Ink.” On the show, she set the record for the most tattoos done in 24 hours at 400 and was named to the Guinness Book of World Records for that milestone — a record that has since been surpassed.

In addition, Von D has also released a makeup collection with Sephora in 2008, released two studio albums and written two New York Times bestselling books.

Anthony Quinn

Anthony Quinn with Maureen O'Hara in "Sinbad the Sailor" (1947)
Born in Chihuahua, Anthony Quinn became famous as a Hollywood actor, winning two Academy Awards. This still is from “Sinbad the Sailor” with Maureen O’Hara, circa 1947. (Public Domain)

If you’re a fan of old movies and love trivia, Anthony Quinn could be defined as a legend of Hollywood. In the 1950s, he cleaned up at the Oscars — winning two Best Supporting Actor awards, one in 1952 for “Viva Zapata!” and another in 1956 for “Lust for Life.” What many U.S. audiences didn’t know at the time, however, was that he was also Mexican.

His legal name was Manuel Antonio Rodolfo Quinn Oaxaca. What’s also intriguing is the fact that he was born in Chihuahua at the midpoint of the Mexican Revolution in 1915. It’s said his father was Irish and his mother was from Mexico, yet in his biography, “The Original Sin: A Self-Portrait,” he claimed his Irish father was just a story made up by Hollywood publicists. In other words, he was as proud to be Mexican as they come. That alone deserves to be celebrated as much as his Oscars.

Hubertus von Hohenlohe-Langenburg

Hubertus von Hohenlohe at the Winter Olympics in his trademark "mariachi" suit
Born in Mexico but descended from European royalty, Hubertus von Hohenlohe has represented his native country six times in the Winter Olympics. (Olympics.com)

Most people know a famous Mexican soccer player or boxer, but what about one who’s a well-known skier? Hubertus Hohenlohe-Langenburg is a pioneer in niche sports in Mexico, having competed in six Winter Olympics as an alpine skier and founded the Mexican Ski Federation in 1981.

His family story is also one that could be turned into a scripted television series. Hohenlohe is a descendant of German royalty, being the son of Prince Alfonso of Hohenlohe-Langenburg and Princess Ira von Fürstenberg. He was born in Mexico City, moved to Spain and then eventually settled in Austria.

In addition, Hohenlohe is a photographer and businessman and was even a pop singer who went by the stage names Andy Himalaya and Royal Disaster.

Lupita Nyong’o

Lupita Nyong’o at CinemaCon in 2024
Born in Mexico City to a Kenyan father teaching at a local university, Lupita Nyong’o has gone on to Hollywood stardom, earning an Oscar in the process. (Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Commons)

Having won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in the film “12 Years a Slave” in 2014, Lupita Nyong’o has gone on to be one of Hollywood’s brightest stars, appearing in “Black Panther” and “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” But the most intriguing thing about her is her cultural background. Not only does she hold U.S. and Kenyan citizenship, but she also carries Mexican citizenship.

Her father is a Kenyan politician who was teaching in Mexico City when she was born. Although she grew up in Kenya and later came over to the United States to study at Yale University, she has always maintained that she is Kenyan-Mexican.

So who else should have been mentioned on our list? Let us know in the comments below.

Ian Ostroff is an indie author, journalist, and copywriter from Montreal, Canada. You can find his work in various outlets, including Map Happy and The Suburban. When he’s not writing, you can find Ian at the gym, a café, or anywhere within Mexico visiting family and friends.

Zacatecas AG: Multihomicide of 10, including officials, may be linked to extortion and collusion

By
MND Staff
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a National Guard truck in Zacatecas
Among the victims is the ex-mayor of Sombrerete, Ignacio Castrejón Valdez, and two officials from the municipality of Fresnillo. (Especial/Cuartoscuro)

The murders of 10 men whose bodies were found in three different municipalities in the state of Zacatecas on Saturday could be linked to extortion and collusion between criminals and public officials, the Zacatecas attorney general said Sunday. 

The bodies — including that of Ignacio Castrejón Valdez, a former mayor of Sombrerete, Zacatecas — were found in the municipalities of Morelos, Pánuco and Saín Alto, all located north of Zacatecas City. Five of the bodies were found hanging from a bridge in Pánuco.

Among the other victims were Fidel Alvarado de la Torre, an official with the Fresnillo municipal government, and Andrés Vázquez Gurrola, an ex-councilor in the municipality of Canatlán, Durango. 

In a video message on Sunday, Zacatecas Attorney General Cristian Paul Camacho said that “various pieces of evidence have been collected, which indicate that the main lines of investigation involve possible acts of extortion and collusion by public officials.”   

“This investigation must be carried out in a very exhaustive and very professional way,” he said, adding that a financial probe could be part of it.

Camacho said that authorities had obtained video footage that allowed them to establish the vehicles that were used in “the criminal events” — i.e., those used to dump the bodies in public places.

“It is necessary to inform that at this time a search warrant is being executed at a property in the municipality of Fresnillo, where it has been determined at least two of the victims were there before they were killed,” he said.

“… At a different place, a vehicle related to the events was seized.”

Camacho said that eight of the victims were from Zacatecas and two were from the neighboring state of Durango. 

“Among the victims is the ex-mayor of Sombrerete, Ignacio Castrejón Valdez, and two officials from the municipality of Fresnillo. One of them worked as the director of social development and one was a Civil Protection member,” he said. 

Referring to ex-municipal councilor Andrés Vázquez Gurrola, Camacho said that another victim was a lawyer and former police officer from Durango. Six others were businessmen in various fields including agriculture, entertainment and construction. One of the businessmen owned a bar. 

Camacho said that eight of the victims were strangled to death, while two others, including Alvarado, the social development director in Fresnillo, were shot. He said that bullet casings recovered by authorities were being subjected to an “exhaustive analysis” in order to establish whether perpetrators of the murders had used the same weapons in other crimes. 

According to the attorney general, four of the victims stopped communicating with their families last Thursday, while five ceased communication last Friday. The other victim ceased contact with his family on Saturday.

Camacho said that the Zacatecas Attorney General’s Office didn’t receive any reports that the victims had been abducted.

Citing the results of toxicology tests, Camacho said that five of the victims, including the two municipal officials from Fresnillo, had recently consumed drugs.

In the same video message, Rodrigo Reyes Mugüerza, general secretary of the Zacatecas government, said that it had been a “weekend of uncertainty … fear and concern” for residents of the northern state.

Homicides declined by more than 60% annually in Zacatecas in the first six months of 2026, according to government data, but Reyes said that “days like Saturday … remind us that the process of pacification is a complex and continuous process.”

He said that state authorities were carrying out an operation aimed at detaining those responsible for the murders and were committed to “minimizing the possibility of these events being repeated.”

“From the state government, we once again confirm our commitment to peace, to security and above all to solidarity with all the people of Zacatecas,” Reyes said.

At a press conference on Monday, Governor David Monreal Ávila conveyed his condolences to the victims’ families and declared that there will be no impunity for the murders.

Governor of Zacatecas David Monreal Ávila
Governor David Monreal Ávila conveyed his condolences to the victims’ families on Monday. (David Monreal Avila/Facebook)

“Far from intimidating us, expressions of barbarity like those of last Saturday force us to redouble efforts. They oblige us not to let our guard down, not to take a backward step or fear groups that violate peace,” he said.

The Morena party governor said that his government is supported by the federal government, and stressed that the state of Zacatecas has sufficient technology, equipment and trained security personnel.

“We’ll put all this capacity in play to shed light on the events of Saturday and, above all, to guarantee that they are not repeated and to ensure that whoever committed this atrocity receives the appropriate punishment,” Monreal said.

With reports from Aristegui Noticias, Reforma, El Financiero and El Sol de Zacatecas

Pre-Columbian skeletal remains discovered in Playa del Carmen cenote

By
MND Staff
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a cranium and part of a mandible (seen here) with three molars.
Researchers have identified long bones, the pelvis, a cranium and part of a mandible (seen here) with three molars. (INAH)

Deep in the underground waters of a cenote in Quintana Roo, divers have documented the skeletal remains of a young woman who may have lived in pre-Columbian times, Mexican authorities revealed last week.

Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) said custodians of the Yaakun cenote near Playa del Carmen reported the find after technical divers spotted submerged materials in late 2025.

The Yaakun cenote is located approximately 12 kilometers from downtown Playa del Carmen. (INAH)

Within months, underwater archaeologist Gustavo García García led a five-day survey, conducted at depths of 42 to 53 meters (138 to 174 feet), that confirmed a cluster of human bones and, about 30 meters away, ceramic vessels.

Preliminary analysis indicates the individual — who has been named Yatzil — was between 18 and 25 years old, based on skeletal features and limited dental wear.

Researchers have identified long bones, the pelvis, a cranium and part of a mandible with three molars.

Her remains, still submerged in a sloping chamber about 45 meters below the surface, are considered well preserved due to stable underwater conditions, including low light and temperature.

The ceramics — mostly globular pots likely used domestically in the eastern Maya region — may date to the Late Postclassic period (1200–1521 AD), according to INAH.

However, researchers are being cautious about assigning a precise date or cultural affiliation to Yatzil’s remains, noting that her chronology is still unknown despite the ceramics likely dating to the pre-Columbian period (before the Spanish conquest in the early 1500s).

Underwater archaeologist in a cenote
Underwater archaeologists also found ceramic vessels about 30 meters away from Yatzil’s remains. (INAH)

INAH specialists say they will wait for DNA from a tooth scheduled to be removed in a second field session in 2027 before drawing firmer conclusions.

Authorities have launched the Cenote Yaakun Research Project to document and protect the site. A perimeter has been established, and divers are urged not to disturb the materials.

Culture Minister Claudia Curiel de Icaza emphasized the importance of working with the local communities on discoveries such as this one.

“Each archaeological find that we manage to protect,” she said in a press release, “strengthens our knowledge about the cultures that inhabited this territory and reaffirms that heritage is a shared responsibility.”

The Yaakun project is the latest underwater discovery on Mexico’s Caribbean coast, where at least 11 prehistoric skeletons were found in flooded caves and cenotes between Playa del Carmen and Tulum in recent decades. One of them, reported earlier this year, may be around 8,000 years old.

With reports from Infobae and Informador

MND Local: Two art exhibits, a global diving competition and a comedy show in Guadalajara

By
Dawn Stoner
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Guadalajara downtown city scene with people walking in the street
Looking for something to do in Guadalajara? Upcoming events include two art exhibitions, an international diving competition and a wine-related comedy show. (Roman Lopez/Unsplash)

This week, we take a look at two thought-provoking art exhibits now showing at the Museum of Art in Zapopan, an international diving competition and a comedian who brings joy and irreverence in wine drinking to the Guadalajara Metro Area (GMA).  

Two exhibits at the Museum of Art Zapopan tackle timely themes

The current exhibition “Unlevel Playing Fields” (“Canchas Desiguales” in Spanish) by Costa Rican conceptual artist Priscilla Monge uses soccer to convey a deeper message about the human condition.

Priscilla Monge’s new art exhibit examines what an unlevel playing field means, in both art and life. (Museo de Arte de Zapopan)

Monge’s transformation of a traditional soccer field into a sloped, irregular surface is meant to highlight that not everyone in Latin America and the world starts on a level playing field. 

The exhibition arrives at a time when Mexico is beset by enormous economic inequality, something that’s readily apparent with the World Cup currently underway. While the matches are attracting the attention of millions, the live experience in Mexico was restricted to the wealthy, who could afford to pay prices that often exceeded the average monthly salary of ordinary Mexicans.

This interactive work will tour each of Mexico’s 2026 World Cup host cities: Guadalajara, Monterrey and Mexico City. Despite the differences among the venues, the exhibition poses the same questions to all: How do we play, participate and share a space when the conditions of the game are not the same for everyone?

Priscilla Monge is known for her thought-provoking, interactive art installations. Her work explores the power struggles and inequality embedded in modern societies with a mixture of humor and cynicism. Previously, her art has been exhibited at the Rufino Tamayo Museum in Mexico City, the Venice Biennale and the Tate Modern in London.

Yukinori Yanagi exhibit at Estación MAZ

Two blocks away in the brand-new Estación MAZ building across from the Line 3 light rail station, a new exhibit by Japanese artist Yukinori Yanagi, “The Pacific Ocean,” explores identity, nationalism and global conflict.

The Pacific Ocean’s name suggests peace and tranquility, but its history has been anything but. This vast sea has been the scene of some of the greatest violence of the twentieth century, from Japan’s imperial expansion across Asia to the Second World War, and the first use of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

A core part of Yanagi’s work consists of revisiting these human tragedies that changed the course of history. Works like “Absolute Dud” (2007-2016) and “From the Sky” (2024) serve as symbolic recollections of the dire consequences of the Second World War. At the same time, he incorporates reflections on the limits of international boundaries and the dangers of excess nationalism.

Dates and locations: “Unlevel Playing Fields” runs through July 31 at the Museum of Art Zapopan (MAZ), Andador 20 de Noviembre, Zapopan Center. 

“The Pacific Ocean” runs through Aug. 9 at Estación MAZ, Avenida de las Américas, Zapopan Center.

Cost: The MAZ in Zapopan is always free. Check the website to plan your visit.

Laugh about wine? Innovative stand-up comedy plus wine tasting in Zapopan

Merrick Watts "An Idiot's Guide to Wine"
GMA residents don’t need to be wine connoisseurs to appreciate the wine-related comedic stylings of Australian Merrick Watts. (Feverup)

Who hasn’t had a good laugh about the pretentiousness of wine at some point in their life? Now, there’s a show where it’s safe to laugh and learn without fear of committing a social faux pas.

The brainchild of Australian comedian Merrick Watts, a certified wine taster, “An Idiot’s Guide to Wine: Comedy between Drinks” is a show that’s appeared at festivals, wineries and bars across Australia to sold-out crowds. 

In Guadalajara, a new iteration of the show will feature a local comedian (and performed in Spanish), but the concept remains the same. During the set, the audience will enjoy wines from around the world, while learning about aromas, grape varieties and winemaking styles.

Your biggest challenge at this show won’t be trying to seem knowledgeable about wine but not spilling your glass while laughing. So don’t worry if you can distinguish between a Malbec and a Merlot. The point is no-pressure learning while having a good time.

For those who don’t wish to imbibe, non-alcoholic drinks will be available for an extra charge.

Date: Saturday, Oct. 10 and Saturday, Nov. 14 at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Location: A 70-minute set at Escenik Teatro Bar in Zapopan.

Cost: Available now from Feverup, starting from 570 pesos.

Quintana Roo moves to guarantee pet spaces at hurricane shelters

By
MND Staff
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kitty cat
By calling for spaces for pets within hurricane shelters, Quintana Roo authorities seek to encourage greater participation in emergency evacuation protocols. (Rogelio Morales/Cuartsocuro)

Nearly two months into the tropical storm season, the Yucatán Peninsula state of Quintana Roo is now encouraging public hurricane shelters to feature specific provisions for pets.

The new recommendation — established in the Operating Guide for Public Temporary Shelters in Case of Hurricane, as published in the state government’s Official Gazette — is meant to guarantee adequate conditions for families who come to these spaces during an emergency.

dog seeking shelter
When an approaching hurricane triggers an evacuation protocol, families have sometimes had to face the impossible choice between exposing themselves to danger by refusing to resort to a shelter with no space for animals or leaving their pet behind to fend for itself. (Margarito Pérez Retana/Cuartoscuro)

“The guide is intended for state and municipal authorities … and for pet owners,” said Javier Carballar Osorio, director of the state’s Institute of Biodiversity and Protected Natural Areas of the State (Ibanqroo).

The measure acknowledges that many people are unwilling to leave their pets behind in risky situations, prompting state authorities to mandate the well-being of such animals in civil protection protocols.

Although officially just a recommendation, its inclusion in the Official Gazette establishes a criterion that state and municipal authorities must consider when selecting and preparing buildings that will function as shelters during the current hurricane season.

The new guidelines recommend that spaces for pets must be integrated within the same shelters intended for people. The document specifies the minimum requirements that buildings operating as temporary shelters must meet with regard to safety, accessibility and hygiene.

Supporters of the new guidelines say it addresses a reality that has become evident in recent emergencies — that many families prefer not to go to a shelter if they cannot bring their pets with them, effectively jeopardizing their own safety.

By calling for spaces for pets within the shelters, the authorities seek to reduce that impediment and encourage greater participation of the population in evacuation protocols.

Before this, Quintana Roo had opted to enable separate shelters for companion animals, especially after the passage of Beryl, a Category 5 hurricane, in 2024.

In 2025, Ibanqroo teamed up with the International Fund for Animal Welfare to prepare and distribute information packets to the state’s 11 municipalities for the implementation of temporary shelters for dogs and cats during a disruptive event or threat.

With reports from El Economista and Quadratín

Farmacias Similares, Stori launch credit card featuring Dr. Simi

By
MND Staff
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Dr. Simi Stori credit card
Unhealthy purchases made using the card will be between the debtor and Dr. Simi. (Stori)

The Mexican pharmacy chain Farmacias Similares and fintech firm Stori have launched a new co-branded credit card, which is expected to help millions of Mexicans who are not enrolled in the formal financial system access credit. 

The card is adorned with the Farmacias Similares mascot, Dr. Simi, a mustachioed character wearing a white lab coat, who has become a Mexican cultural icon. 

Farmacias Similares is one of the most important pharmaceutical chains in the country, covering the health of thousands of Mexicans at an affordable cost. (Dr. Simi/Instagram) 

The Farmacias Similares x Stori card is the company’s latest effort to connect its credit products with a retailer following the 2024 launch of Stori SHEIN, expanding the ultra-fast-fashion brand’s reach in the Mexican market. It also aims to provide credit for people who cannot easily access traditional financial institutions.  

Around 51% of Mexico’s population is unbanked, according to the 2023 World Bank Financial Inclusion National Survey. This is largely because Mexico continues to have a large informal workforce, at almost 55% of workers, who contribute around 25.4% of GDP, according to Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI). 

“We want to tear down the barriers that separate Mexicans from credit and demonstrate that money can also be on the ‌side ⁠of the most important thing we have, which is health,” said Stori’s co-founder and chief governance officer, Marlene Garayzar.

The card offers users a 25% discount on their first purchase and a monthly discount of up to 10% on purchases at Farmacias Similares’s physical and online stores, so long as the card was used as payment elsewhere during the previous month.

Farmacias Similares is popular for offering a wide range of low-cost generic medicines and is now one of Mexico’s most well-known retail brands, operating over 11,000 stores across the country and launching in Texas in 2025. 

Stori was founded in Mexico in 2018 and has expanded rapidly by offering credit products ⁠to people with limited or no formal credit history, with a customer base of around 5 million. 

With reports from Reuters, El Economista and PCMI

Sheinbaum highlights opportunities for diplomacy at Sunday’s World Cup final: Monday’s mañanera recapped

By
MND Staff
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Sheinbaum July 20, 2026
Sheinbaum said that whether she went to the World Cup final or not, she would have faced criticism. (Juan Carlos Buenrostro/Presidencia)

Sheinbaum’s mañanera in 60 seconds 

  • ⚽ World Cup final attendance takes center stage: Monday’s mañanera came a day after President Sheinbaum attended the FIFA World Cup final in New Jersey, seated with President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and Prime Minister Carney — a trip with added weight given the tense state of the Mexico-U.S. relationship.
  • ✈️ A last-minute military flight to NYC: Sheinbaum said she’d planned to skip the final until Trump personally invited her by phone on Friday. A canceled commercial flight forced a military flight instead, landing the delegation in the northeastern U.S. at 2 a.m. Sunday.
  • 🤝 Brief chats with Trump’s cabinet: Sheinbaum said she spoke with Commerce Secretary Lutnick, U.S. Trade Representative Greer and Secretary of State Rubio at the match, describing the exchanges as short but cordial. Greer is expected in Mexico City Wednesday or Thursday.
  • 🇲🇽🇺🇸 USMCA talks resume: Sheinbaum confirmed a new round of Mexico-U.S. USMCA review talks begins Monday, saying she’d also briefly discussed trade with Trump and Carney at the stadium and hopes for agreements this week.
  • 🏛🦅 Defending the relationship with Trump: Asked about her personal rapport with Trump, Sheinbaum said Mexico must always seek good relations with the U.S. president, citing shared geography, diplomacy and the 40 million Mexicans living in the U.S., while stressing disagreements needn’t become personal.
  • 🎤 Pushing back on critics: Sheinbaum argued she’d have been criticized either way — for skipping the final or for attending it — and noted neither Trump nor Carney attended their own countries’ World Cup openers. She framed the closing as a joint moment for the three co-hosts.

Why today’s mañanera matters 

Today’s mañanera came a day after President Claudia Sheinbaum attended the FIFA men’s World Cup final between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, just west of New York City.

Sheinbaum was seated with U.S. President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, among other officials, and participated in the post-match trophy ceremony.

The Mexican president’s attendance at the match, which Spain won 1-0 in extra time, was significant as it came at a crucial time in the Mexico-U.S. relationship. Sheinbaum’s brief visit to the U.S. came ahead of the commencement on Monday of a new round of trade talks between Mexico and the United States, which announced at the start of July that it had declined to extend the USMCA for an additional 16 years.

Beyond trade, there are tensions in the Mexico-U.S. security relationship for a range of reasons, including the CIA’s alleged participation in a drug lab raid in Chihuahua in April without the knowledge or authorization of the Mexican government, and U.S. prosecutors’ drug trafficking accusations against Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya and nine other current and former Sinaloa-based officials.

In addition, the Mexican government recently filed criminal complaints in the United States as it seeks thorough investigations into the deaths of Mexicans in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers and in ICE operations.

Therefore, Sheinbaum’s remarks on Monday morning about her face-to-face interactions with U.S. officials, including Trump, took on added significance, even though she didn’t provide many details about them.

Sheinbaum explains why she decided to attend the World Cup final  

Sheinbaum told reporters that before Friday, the only invitation she had received to attend the World Cup final was from FIFA.

“I was weighing up whether to go or not, but I had thought I wouldn’t attend,” she said.

Sheinbaum alongside U.S. President Trump, Canadian President Mark Carney and Spanish King Felipe VI at Sunday's World Cup final ceremony.
Sheinbaum alongside U.S. President Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Spanish King Felipe VI at Sunday’s World Cup final ceremony. (@Claudiashein/X)

Sheinbaum said she spoke by telephone to Trump on Friday and he personally invited her to attend the final.

“He said, ‘Claudia, are you going to come?’ And I said, ‘Well, if you invite me, President Trump.’ And he said, ‘Yes, you’re invited. Come. You’re going to be seated with us,’” she explained.

Sheinbaum said she consequently decided to go to the match. She noted that she and five aides got tickets to fly to New York from Cancún, but their flight was canceled due to stormy weather in New York.

Sheinbaum said she spoke to Defense Minister Ricardo Trevilla Trejo and organized a military flight to the United States.

“We arrived at about 2 in the morning [on Sunday]. Thank you to all the compatriots who waited for us outside the hotel. And early [on Sunday] we went to the stadium,” she said.

Sheinbaum: ‘I had the opportunity to speak to some Trump administration secretaries’

Sheinbaum said she had the opportunity to speak to some Trump administration secretaries who attended the World Cup final on Sunday.

She said she spoke to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

“In reality, they were little moments,” Sheinbaum said without providing details of the conversations.

She said that all the U.S. officials at the stadium were “very respectful” and “pleasant.”

“[There was] an atmosphere of a lot of cordiality, also with the King of Spain, … with the Prime Minister of Spain,” Sheinbaum said.

“It was a good environment,” she said.

Sheinbaum says she spoke about trade with Trump and Carney 

Sheinbaum said that she, Trump and Carney had the opportunity to briefly discuss trade, but didn’t provide many details of the conversation.

“With Canada [the United States] has other issues, the issue of security, because Canada belongs to NATO,” she said.

“… Remember that today this second round of conversations about the review of the USMCA begins and we hope to be able to reach some agreements this week,” Sheinbaum added.

She said she would welcome Ambassador Greer to Mexico City on Wednesday or Thursday.

In remarks early in her press conference, Sheinbaum also highlighted her social media post on Sunday after the completion of the World Cup.

In that post, she congratulated Spain and said that the three World Cup host countries — Mexico, the United States and Canada — showed that “when we work together, we are capable of making great projects reality and leaving a legacy of cooperation, friendship and hope for the world.”

Later in the press conference, when asked about her personal relationship with the U.S. president, Sheinbaum said that she and Trump “have sought a good relationship.”

“I think that Mexico must always seek a good relationship with the president of the United States and his government,” she said.

“First of all because we’re neighbors. Secondly because we always have to prioritize diplomatic relationships and promote a good-neighbor policy. And thirdly because there are 40 million Mexicans who live in the United States,” Sheinbaum said.

“In addition, there has to be respect between people. We can disagree with President Trump on issues, but we have no reason to make this a personal matter,” she said.

Sheinbaum said she spoke to Trump on Sunday about the aim of “reaching an agreement” regarding USMCA at this week’s bilateral trade talks.

“We didn’t go much beyond that,” she said.

“… And I raised other issues we want to talk about. Obviously we referred to Mexicans in the United States and other issues,” Sheinbaum said.

Damned if you do and damned if you don’t

Sheinbaum said that whether she went to the World Cup final or not, she would have faced criticism.

“If we hadn’t gone, what would they have said?” she asked, referring to government critics.

“How is it possible that they leave Mexico’s position in a World Cup empty? Sheinbaum said.

“… If we go, [they say] ‘Why is she going? How is it possible?’” she said.

“‘What lack of coherence! How is it possible that she smiles alongside President Trump? … Why did she go to the closing [of the World Cup], but not the opening?’” Sheinbaum said before noting that neither Trump nor Carney attended the opening matches of the tournament in their respective countries.

“The closing was a matter of the three of us being together because the three of us, North America, organized [the World Cup],” she said.

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

*Editor’s note: An earlier version of this article misidentified Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in a photo caption.

El Jalapeño: President Sheinbaum recreates Tom Hanks in ‘The Terminal’ at the Cancún airport on the way to the World Cup final

By
El Jalapeno
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9
In a situation similar to the 2004 Steven Spielberg comedy-drama, "The Terminal," Mexico's President, Claudia, Sheinbaum found herself trapped in the Cancún airport for several hours yesterday. (This image was generated by AI tools)

All stories in El Jalapeño are satire and not real news. Check out the original article here.

President Claudia Sheinbaum was briefly stranded at Cancún International Airport on Saturday after the commercial flight she was expected to take to the World Cup final in New Jersey at Donald Trump’s invitation was delayed and later canceled in favor of military jet, prompting witnesses to report that she spent several hours moving through Terminal 4 like Tom Hanks in “The Terminal,” but with a larger security detail and significantly more exposure to confused passengers in matching resort wristbands.

Airport sources said the terminal adjusted quickly to the unusual overlap of presidential scheduling and peak vacation disorientation, as travelers dragging inflatable neck pillows, duty-free tequila and unresolved check-in grievances repeatedly stopped federal aides to ask whether “this line” was for New York, customs, lounge access or “just kind of life now.” One tourist, still clutching a family-sized sunscreen bottle, said he assumed the president was part of a new premium airport experience. “We thought maybe Cancún had introduced roaming government for elite passengers.”

President Sheinbaum shops for gifts at the Cancún airport to bring fellow North American leaders Donald Trump and Mark Carney at the World Cup final in New Jersey. (This image was generated using AI tools)

Officials said Sheinbaum remained calm as the terminal continued to function as the country’s most honest model of national administration: fully staffed, widely announced and governed largely by the principle that everyone should remain attentive for further information that may or may not arrive.

The comparison to “The Terminal” intensified after the president was seen seated near a charging station, reviewing options while surrounded by sleeping passengers, abandoned frappes and a child using a carry-on suitcase as a percussion instrument. Airport concession workers said the atmosphere shifted once travelers realized that the president herself was waiting for updates from a departure screen, and was thus in the same situation as everyone else.

In fact, several passengers said the experience had given them their first meaningful cultural immersion of the trip, as they were forced to spend more than 40 consecutive minutes in Mexico without being handed a welcome cocktail.

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El Jalapeño: In a historic first, Mexico warns its citizens against US travel due to explosive diarrhea risks

By
El Jalapeno
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1
Mexican health officials have issued a warning to those traveling to the U.S., based on an outbreak of gastrointestinal ailments across 34 U.S. states. (This image was generated by AI tools)

All stories in El Jalapeño are satire and not real news. Check out the original article here.

In a historic and utterly unprecedented shift in cross-border health politics, Mexico’s National Epidemiological Surveillance System (Sinave) issued an urgent, high-alert travel advisory on Friday. The directive officially cautions its citizens against the rapidly rising risks of contracting severe, explosive diarrhea while visiting the United States.

For decades, American tourists have fretted over “Montezuma’s Revenge” when traveling south of the border. Now, in a spectacular turning of the biochemical tables, Mexico is issuing its own warning for those heading north.

Health advisory issued in response to diarrhea outbreak

Iceberg lettuce used in fast food tacos in the U.S. has been linked to a stomach ailment that causes explosive diarrhea. (This image was generated using AI tools)

The official health advisory specifically targets a highly disruptive condition called cyclosporiasis — colloquially dubbed by Mexican health officials as “yankee doodle doo-doo.” This sudden, violent stomach ailment is reportedly triggered by feces-contaminated food and water supply chains across the American culinary landscape.

A recent massive outbreak has already swept through 34 U.S. states. Epidemiologists have directly linked the epicenter of the crisis to the popular American fast-food giant, Taco Bell.

According to Mexican health officials, the warning was prompted by a notable and alarming uptick in Mexican tourists returning from major U.S. destinations — such as Disneyland, Times Square and various strip malls — with severely compromised digestive systems. They emphasize that while the United States boasts a visionary ambition for drive-thru convenience and late-night value menus, there is often an “eruptive” penalty to be paid for indulging in such pleasures.

A ‘recipe for gastrointestinal disaster’

The advisory notes that American fast food relies heavily on highly processed, industrialized food that the Mexican stomach was simply not designed to handle.

“We want our citizens to experience the massive portion sizes and oversized theme parks of our northern neighbors,” said Dr. Alejandro Cruz, a risk assessment specialist for Sinave. “However, the domestic flora of the Mexican digestive tract is finely tuned to fresh, natural ingredients, real limes and actual spices. Introducing a pristine stomach to hard-shell tortillas and mass-produced, factory-shredded, chlorine-washed fast-food iceberg lettuce is a surefire recipe for gastrointestinal disaster.”

Dr. Cruz further explained that Mexican guts react to synthetic cheese sauce and highly preserved “seasoned beef” as if they were foreign invaders, resulting in what he described as “Uncle Sam’s revenge.”

“If you want tacos,” he added, “just wait until you get home.”

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Here’s how to beat the hyperinflation gripping Mexico’s private health insurance market

By
Dawn Stoner
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13
Mexico's private healthcare system is getting increasingly expensive. How can you keep your bills down? (Caglar Oskay/Unsplash)

Last month, I received a renewal notice for my private health insurance plan with MetLife Mexico. At first glance, the premium seemed high, so I dug up my paperwork from last year to compare the numbers.

I was shocked to discover that the new premium had surged 24% year over year, even though I’d filed no claims in the past 12 months and made no changes to my coverage. With Mexico’s overall inflation trending at 3.37% as of June 2026, the cost of my health insurance policy was rising many times faster. 

Tijuana's New Medical Plaza
Luxury healthcare developments are increasingly common in Mexico, but they come at a steep price. (Bellphoria)

What’s going on here? 

Key factors driving up health insurance premiums in 2026

The massive inflation in Mexico’s private health insurance market is currently being driven by four main factors.

A surge in health claims

Mexican insurers are under financial strain right now due to high loss ratios (siniestralidad), which in plain English means they’re paying out more in claims than they’re collecting in premiums. 

The big uptick in claims has resulted from a greater volume of elective surgeries, as people who had postponed procedures during the pandemic decided to get them done. Higher claims are also the result of an aging insurance pool with a higher prevalence of chronic medical conditions. 

These trends are precipitating a dangerous phenomenon private insurers refer to as the “death spiral.” In essence, as health premiums surge, younger and healthier people opt out of the system, leaving a greater concentration of older and sicker individuals in the insurance pool, which pushes costs (and premiums) ever higher.

Tax policy changes

In a major shift under the 2026 Federal Revenue Law, the Mexican Tax Administration Service (SAT) eliminated the ability of insurance companies to claim a tax credit for the 16% value-added tax paid on medical claims. 

Instead of incentivizing private health spending to alleviate the burden on an overwhelmed public system, the new tax policy essentially treats private health insurance as a luxury good. As a result, the industry is attempting to shift this cost burden back onto its customers. 

But there’s good news for policyholders who file taxes in Mexico — they’re entitled to deduct the cost of insurance premiums on their annual tax return. 

For policyholders like me who don’t file taxes in Mexico, there is no relief.  

Office of the Mexico tax authority (SAT)
Changes to Mexico’s tax system mean hospitals are passing costs on to patients, although if you file your taxes in the country, you may be eligible for a discount. (Daniel Augusto/Cuartoscuro)

Skyrocketing hospital costs

Private hospitals are passing along rapidly rising costs for imported medical technology, advanced diagnostics and specialized biological drugs, such as those used in cancer treatments. Additionally, hospital markups on some basic supplies and other essential medicines have spiked recently.

Besides rising product and technology costs, Mexico’s major private hospital networks (e.g., Grupo Angeles, Star Medica) have been consolidating lately, which in turn reduces competition and increases their pricing power. 

Shifting demand from public to private providers 

Worsening bottlenecks in Mexico’s public health system (IMSS), along with specialized medicine shortages, have driven thousands of Mexican households to rely more heavily on private providers than in years past. 

This increased demand for private health services, on top of rising demand from legacy participants, is yet another factor driving up prices.

Looking for more insights on these market dynamics, I spoke with my local insurance broker, Veronica Renner, who happens to use the same MetLife plan that I do. In addition to the factors described above, she reminded me that my age (another year older!) was also contributing to my rising premium.

It turns out that women my age file a lot of health claims. 

From her perspective, MetLife’s 24% premium hike wasn’t so bad given that other Mexican insurers have raised their rates by as much as 80% this year. 

The financial impact on US residents in Mexico 

For U.S. expats buying private health insurance in the Mexican market, the sting from hyper-inflation is twofold. 

Residents who generate their income from U.S. dollar investments or pensions were already looking at a 10% cost increase before medical inflation, given the peso’s roughly 10% rise against the U.S. dollar over the past year.

The combined impact of dollar devaluation and medical inflation this year means the real increase in my private health insurance premium is more like 34%. 

What residents can do to lessen the impact of rising premiums

Medical inflation is prompting many people in the private insurance market to look for ways to restructure their coverage and reduce the sting. Below are several options.

One of the easiest ways to reduce premium costs is to increase your deductible. Tactically, you could consider using your health policy strictly for catastrophic events, while paying for minor, everyday medical needs out of pocket, as these costs are still very reasonable in Mexico. This move alone could significantly reduce your annual bill. 

Eliminate top-tier hospitals from your coverage

Instead, opt to receive care from local clinics or mid-tier hospitals near where you live. This isn’t something I’d want to do, but if your finances demand a lower premium, it’s another straightforward adjustment.

Increase your co-insurance obligation 

Co-insurance refers to the percentage of the total medical bill you split with your insurance company after paying the deductible. If the customer increases the co-insurance percentage, say from 10% to 20%, they will pay a larger share of the bill following a health event, but less in premiums. 

If you go this route, be sure to keep “topes de seguro” (a defined maximum payout per event) in place to ensure that a catastrophic medical need doesn’t bury you in unlimited medical bills.

Scrutinize any optional coverage in your plan

Many plans contain optional coverage that can jack up the annual premium. This could include international coverage when you travel, emergency dental care or a zero-deductible for accidents. Reducing or eliminating these optional coverages can also lower your annual premium. 

Changes coming to the public health system may also help

President Sheinbaum shares an image of a Universal Health Service ID at a press conference
Mexico’s Universal Health Service could offer respite in the face of rising prices, although the rollout is limited to Mexican citizens to begin with(Presidencia)

Alongside this turmoil in the private health insurance market, President Claudia Sheinbaum has announced plans to implement a Universal Health Service (Servicio Universal de Salud) that will guarantee free, integrated healthcare for all Mexican citizens, starting in 2027. 

The public initiative, perhaps a tacit acknowledgement of the untenable situation in the private market, aims to unify the myriad public health systems — IMSS, ISSSTE and IMSS-Bienestar — and enable any citizen to receive care at any public facility, regardless of their insurance status. 

The move is also designed to improve the efficiency of health care delivery in the public sector. If successful, this could reduce some of the demand shifting from public to private providers — and alleviate some inflationary pressures.

MND Writer Dawn Stoner is reporting from Guadalajara.

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