¡Hola amigos! It’s a lighter issue this week with Semana Santa in full swing, but there’s still plenty happening. Volaris approved its merger with Viva, a major new infrastructure law is set to unlock billions in investment, and get ready for more government surveillance with AI-powered cameras. Oh, and Andrea Bocelli is giving a free concert in the Zócalo.

Also, how U.S. citizens can vote from abroad, the precision and tradition of escaramuza, and Spanish phrases that will save you in packed Semana Santa crowds.

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❓México Trivia

Which ancient treasure, considered a symbol of Mexican identity, has sparked a decades-long international dispute over where it belongs?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.

📣 México News Roundup

✈️ Mexico City International Airport (AICM) is preparing to deploy AI-powered surveillance with 3,629 cameras ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

✈️ Volaris shareholders approved a merger with Viva Aerobus to form Grupo Más Vuelos.

🛡️ Since President Sheinbaum took office in 2024, Mexico’s prison population has surged 11% as authorities ramp up arrests under a new security strategy.

🏗️ Mexico’s lower house approved a new infrastructure law to unlock MX$722 billion in private investment for energy, rail, and road projects.

⚖️ China warns of retaliation after Mexico imposes tariffs of up to 35% on imports from China.

📉 Mexico’s central bank cut its benchmark interest rate to 6.75% last week as it resumes efforts to support a slowing economy.

⛽ Mexico will require gas stations to issue new digital invoices starting April 24 to track fuel origin and crack down on illegal gasoline sales.

🎤 Andrea Bocelli will perform a free concert in Mexico City’s Zócalo on April 18 at 7pm, with a surprise guest expected to join him on stage. 

📍Immigration Essentials

The 30-Day Rule After Getting Residency in Mexico

If you’ve been approved for residency, the Mexican Consulate puts a visa sticker in your passport that gives you one-time entry into Mexico as a legal resident.

It is typically valid for up to 6 months, and you must enter Mexico before it expires.

When you enter Mexico, you’ll be admitted as a resident (not a tourist), and your entry stamp will be marked for “canje” (exchange). You cannot enter as a tourist and activate the visa later. Also, once the visa sticker is in your passport, you cannot enter Mexico as a visitor, leave, and return later to begin the exchange process – you must enter as a resident and start the canje process upon arrival.

Once you arrive, the clock starts.

You have 30 calendar days from your entry date to begin the process of exchanging that visa for your residency card (el canje). This must be done at your local immigration office. 

Note: you do not need to complete the process within 30 days, but you must start it within that window. If you don’t start the process within that timeframe, the visa becomes void – and you’ll need to restart the process at a Mexican consulate abroad.

Here’s what the exchange process involves:

• Completing an online application

• Writing a request letter (in Spanish)

• Visiting a local INM office

• Providing fingerprints and photos

• Paying the residency fee

This step must be completed in person in Mexico, and your residency is not finalized until the card is issued.

Many people choose to work with an immigration facilitator to handle the paperwork and appointments. But whether you do or not, the timeline is strict and missing it means starting over.

🧩 Life in México

In Case You Missed It

• You could be overpaying up to 9%+ every time you use your card in Mexico. It’s called dynamic currency conversion, and most people don’t realize it’s happening. Here’s how to avoid it.
  

• Mexico’s new phone registration rule is now in effect and scammers are already sending fake messages asking you to “verify” your number. Here’s what to watch for.
  

• In Mexico, hospitals rely on a replacement donor system – meaning if you need blood, family or friends are expected to replace it. This can become a serious issue in emergencies. Here’s how it works.

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🇲🇽 Viva México

The Art of Escaramuza Charra

Eight women. Eight horses. A whirlwind of colorful skirts, intricate choreography, and split-second timing. 

This is Escaramuza Charra, one of the most demanding disciplines in charrería, Mexico's national sport.

Riding sidesaddle, teams execute mirrored formations and daring crossovers. The most treacherous is the abanico (the fan), a spinning 360-degree turn in which horses and riders pass so close their stirrups sometimes clink. 

Performances also feature puntas, individual full-speed gallops ending in a dramatic sliding stop. While it’s an impressive show of precision today, the origins were tactical.

Escaramuza traces its roots to Las Adelitas, the soldaderas who fought alongside men in the Mexican Revolution. Known for their bravery and skill on horseback, their movements are often associated with the fast, agile riding used during the conflict. 

Escaramuza literally means skirmish.

And that legacy doesn’t just live in the riding, it’s stitched into every inch of the handmade uniform. Escaramuza attire is a living archive, strictly governed by the Federación Mexicana de Charrería. Zippers are forbidden; only bone or wood buttons are allowed. 

High-collared blouses feature ornate embroidery, while a starched crinoline gives the colorful skirt its dramatic volume on horseback. The sombrero charro, secured with a barbuquejo (chin strap) for high-speed maneuvers, completes the look.

Beyond the aesthetic, turnout is part of the score. Judges assess not only the riders’ timing and posture, but also the team's visual uniformity, down to matching saddles, cinches, and whips.

[You have to see this short escaramuza charra compilation – these ladies are amazing!]

The discipline was developed in the 1950s. What began as a mixed-gender performance before evolving into the all-female competition it is today. It remains a breathtaking blend of glamour, grit, and tradition shaped by generations of fearless riders.

Want to see escaramuza live? Check the Vamos Events section below for upcoming events across Mexico.

🪷 Viva Wellness

Mexico’s Go-To Remedy for Healing Skin

Tepezcohuite (Mimosa tenuiflora), known as the “skin tree,” has been used in traditional Mexican medicines for generations. It grows in southern Mexico as a small, thorny tree with fern-like leaves, delicate white flowers, and a deep reddish-brown bark.

Though modern science is still exploring its full potential, Tepezcohuite has long been valued for its ability to support the skin’s natural healing process.

It first gained national attention in 1984, when the Red Cross used it to help treat more than 5,000 burn victims after a major gas explosion in Mexico City. Since then, it’s been a go-to remedy in natural medicine cabinets across the country.

Tepezcohuite bark contains a powerful mix of plant compounds – including tannins, flavonoids, and saponins – that may:

• Promote skin regeneration and tissue repair

• Protect wounds from infection with natural antibacterial properties

• Reduce inflammation and soothe pain or redness

• Minimize scarring as skin heals

You can find Tepezcohuite in ointments, balms, and healing creams throughout Mexico. It's often applied directly to cuts, burns, abrasions, and post-surgical areas to support recovery and reduce long-term skin damage.

🎉 ¡Vamos! Events

Escaramuza events

Feria del Caballo – Now through April 12, Texcoco. Estado de México
The Lienzo Charro del Recinto Ferial hosts lively competitions, big crowds, and some of the most historic escaramuza lineages in the country. Expect plenty of energy, tradition, and edge-of-your-seat riding. More info here. 

104th Anniversary Asociación de Charros de Morelia – April 17–19, Morelia, Michoacán)
A historic celebration at one of Mexico’s most respected charro associations. Expect traditional charreada events, skilled escaramuza teams, and a more intimate, authentic atmosphere than the big ferias. It’s a fantastic opportunity to experience the heart of charrería in a setting that feels deeply rooted in tradition. Free entry. More info here. 

Feria Nacional de San Marcos – April 18–May 10, Aguascalientes
This is one of the biggest spring stages for escaramuza in Mexico. Arena San Marcos, a fully covered state-of-the-art lienzo, will host major national tournaments from April 22–30, drawing elite teams from across the country. If you want to see top-tier riders, high-stakes competition, and the sport at its most polished, this is the place. More info here. 

General Events

Semana Internacional de la Moto – Apr 8–11, Mazatlán, Sinaloa
Considered the most important motorcycle event in Mexico and Latin America, this four-day rally brings 25,000+ motorcyclists to Mazatlán for concerts, the massive biker parade, parties, races, and gatherings across the city, with major programming at the Mazatlán International Center. More info here.

Guanajuato Medieval Festival 2026 – April 10–12, Guanajuato
Step into the Middle Ages at this open-air festival at the Alhóndiga de Granaditas, featuring medieval music, performances, artisans, and cultural activities celebrating life from the 5th to 15th centuries. Free entry. More info here.

LIV Golf Mexico City 2026 – April 16–19, CDMX
World-class golf returns to Club de Golf Chapultepec as 57 of the world’s top players compete in this global LIV Golf event, blending elite competition with a high-energy team format and live music performances. Expect big crowds, big names, and a full weekend of sport and entertainment in the heart of CDMX. More info here.

Guadalajara International Film Festival (FICG) – April 17–25, Guadalajara
One of Latin America’s most important film festivals returns for its 41st edition, showcasing Mexican and Ibero-American cinema alongside international productions, industry events, and screenings across multiple venues in Guadalajara. More info here.

Water Lantern Festival – April 18–19, CDMX
Set at Lago Acitlalin in Xochimilco, this lantern festival invites guests to personalize and release lanterns onto the water at sunset, creating an illuminated display on the lake. The experience also features music, performances, food, and local artisans. More info here.

💡 Say It in Spanish

With Semana Santa in full swing, you’ll likely find yourself in packed plazas, processions, and restaurants. Here are a few phrases that come in handy as you move through it all:

¿Sí cabemos?  Do we fit? / Is there room for us?

¿Me permite pasar?  May I pass?

¿Me permite sentarme aquí?  May I sit here?

These are simple, polite, and incredibly useful when things get crowded.

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🎯 Trivia Answer

El penacho de Moctezuma (Moctezuma’s headdress)

One of the best-known surviving objects from the Aztec world isn’t in Mexico — it’s in Vienna, at the Weltmuseum.

The feathered piece is associated with Moctezuma, though there is no proof he ever wore it. Its formal name, the “Quetzal Feather Headdress,” comes from the rare, iridescent feathers used to create it. Objects like this were used by rulers, priests, warriors, and gods in the Mexica world, and featherwork was among the most prized art forms in Mesoamerica. Quetzal feathers were especially valuable.

The penacho likely dates to the early 16th century. No one knows exactly how or when it arrived in Austria, but it was listed in a 1596 inventory at Ambras Castle in Innsbruck.

Over time, the object was identified as everything from an apron to a military banner before being recognized as a headdress. Its original shape also changed. What survives today is a flattened, fan-like form made of hundreds of feathers and gold ornaments.

Mexico has sought its return for decades. But after restoration work by Austrian and Mexican specialists, it was determined that the piece is too fragile to transport.

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