¡Hola amigos! This week kicks off with a round of he said, she said, Mexico’s Navy will send aid to Cuba, Chinese automakers abruptly exit the country and leave car owners scrambling, and lawmakers approve a new 10-peso coin for 2026.

Also in this issue: how to replace stolen license plates, what to do if you’re denied a factura, the 1984 treaty that reshaped Mexico, and where to catch the wildest parades of the 2026 Carnaval season.

And if you're in the path of the cold front – stay warm, stay dry, and check on your vecinos.

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❓México Trivia

What iconic Carnaval dancers were created to secretly mock Spanish colonial elites and wealthy hacienda society?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.

📣 México News Roundup

🤝 President Sheinbaum acknowledged on Sunday that Mexico has halted oil shipments to Cuba, saying the Navy will provide food and supplies while Mexico works diplomatically to resolve oil deliveries for humanitarian reasons.

📞 President Sheinbaum said she did not discuss Cuba during a phone call with President Trump last Thursday, contradicting Trump’s claim that he told Mexico not to send oil to Cuba. 

🥶 Cold front No. 33 enters Mexico today and is expected to linger through the end of the week, bringing freezing temperatures, frost, rain, and strong winds to several regions.

🪙 Mexico will issue new 10-peso coins in 2026 after lawmakers approved changes to cut minting costs and improve anti-counterfeiting security.

🚗 Several Chinese automakers have pulled out of Mexico, leaving vehicle owners without access to spare parts, technical support, or aftersales service.

🌽 Mexico’s agricultural sector grew by 3.7% in 2025, outpacing the rest of the economy.

🚲 The State of Mexico will invest US$6.3 million in new bike lanes and existing cycling infrastructure across several municipalities.  

🚚 Transport operators and local authorities report rising cargo theft along routes serving Felipe Ángeles International Airport.

🎶 In her Monday mañanera, President Sheinbaum said South Korea’s president responded to her request for more BTS (the K-pop band) concerts in Mexico and has contacted the group’s production company.

🎟️ Mexico’s consumer protection agency Profeco initiated proceedings to fine Ticketmaster more than 5 million pesos over alleged irregularities in BTS concert ticket sales.

🍎 Your Health Pulse

What to Do If Your Doctor Refuses to Give You a Factura

When filing an international insurance, travel insurance, or medevac claim, you know the factura is everything. It’s the official electronic invoice required by law for any business transaction – whether you’re buying a coffee, a car, or paying for surgery.

Under Mexican tax law, any individual or business that receives payment for a product or service must issue a factura upon request.

To be clear, you MUST request the factura – they won’t automatically give it, and they don’t always offer it. This applies to every business in Mexico, including doctors, hospitals, and clinics.

To issue a factura, you’ll need an RFC number (Registro Federal de Contribuyentes). Always request your factura on the day of your appointment or within the same month, since businesses file taxes monthly to SAT (Mexico’s tax authority).

Many clinics generate their facturas through accountants, which is done either daily, weekly, or monthly. It’s best to request it immediately.

If your doctor or clinic refuses to issue one even when you requested it the month of your service, know this: it’s illegal.

You can report them to SAT online through the portal “Solicitud por la no emisión de factura” (sometimes listed under “Conciliación de Factura”) or by email at [email protected]. 

Include your information, proof of payment, dates, the amount paid, and the business’s RFC. You can also include your doctor’s license number (cédula profesional) if you have it – it’s usually listed on their letterhead.

No factura means no claim. So always ask, always document, and know your rights.

Need Health Insurance in Mexico?

Get connected with a vetted broker who knows the system. Whether the priority is private coverage, long-term insurance, medical evacuation, catastrophic care, or travel insurance – there’s a trusted professional ready to guide the search.

Find your broker

📍Immigration Essentials

How to Replace Lost or Stolen Car Plates

If your plates are lost or stolen, you’ll need to report it and request replacements at your state’s Control Vehicular office.

Steps to replace your plates…

• File a police report (acta de denuncia) if your plates were stolen.

• Visit your state’s Control Vehicular office or website. Just search “Reemplazo de placas en [Fill in the state you are in].”

• Submit required documents (tarjeta de circulación, residency documents, proof of address).

• Pay the fee (typically 1000–2,500 MXN; for example, Edomex charges ~1,500 MXN for replacements).

• Pick up your new plates. Note that some states require an appointment.

🇲🇽 Viva México

The Treaty That Reshaped Mexico

On February 2, 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed, forever altering Mexico’s border and its identity.

This pivotal treaty ended the U.S.-Mexico War but at a staggering cost. 

“Mexico lost over half its territory, including what is now California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, and parts of Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming, and relinquished its claim to Texas. In exchange, the United States agreed to pay Mexico $15 million and assume certain Mexican debts owed to U.S. citizens.

Practically overnight, approximately 80,000 to 100,000 Mexican citizens found themselves living in what was now foreign territory.

The treaty promised to protect the property and civil rights of the Mexican families who suddenly found themselves living under U.S. rule. Those guarantees were laid out in Articles VIII and IX. However, when the U.S. Senate ratified the treaty, it removed Article X – the provision that would have explicitly recognized Mexican land grants. 

Its removal opened the door to widespread legal challenges and the loss of Mexican-owned land across the U.S. Southwest.

For Indigenous communities like the Kumeyaay, Tohono O’odham, and Yaqui, the consequences were even more complex. 

These communities had never fully recognized the authority of either government. They were not consulted during the treaty negotiations, and the new border cut directly through their ancestral homelands.

What followed were decades of forced displacement, broken agreements, and deep disruption to cultural, spiritual, and familial ties on both sides of the line.

Mexico’s defeat, driven by internal political turmoil and the military strength of the U.S, left a lasting mark on the national identity.

It gave rise to the phrase commonly attributed to Porfirio Díaz, “Pobre México, tan lejos de Dios y tan cerca de Estados Unidos” (Poor Mexico, so far from God and so close to the United States).

And yet, out of this fracture came a resilient cultural fusion. It’s reflected in everything from corridos sung on both sides of the frontera, to the flavors of Tex-Mex and Cal-Mex cuisine, to community festivals where papel picado flutters beside the Stars and Stripes.

Although the treaty was signed on February 2, 1848, its effects unfolded over months: it was ratified between March and May of that year and officially proclaimed on July 4, 1848 – prolonging uncertainty for thousands of people whose lives had already been upended.

🪷 Viva Wellness

Estafiate: Mexico’s Bitter Healing Herb

Walk through almost any market in Mexico, and you’ll find bundles of a silvery-green herb known for its bitter tea and powerful healing reputation: estafiate.

In Nahuatl, it’s known as iztauhyatl, "bitter water," and for good reason. One sip is enough to make your face scrunch.

In Maya, it’s sometimes called zizm, and in English you may hear it referred to as white sagebrush or western mugwort. In Mexico, most people simply know it as estafiate (Artemisia ludoviciana).

It grows wild across much of the country and is easy to recognize by its slender stems and pale gray-green, velvety leaves.

Behind that bitter bite is a long history of traditional healing. For centuries, estafiate has been used to ease everything from stomach troubles to sore muscles. 

An infusion made from the stalks and leaves is commonly used for digestive woes, including nausea, diarrhea, gastritis, and even parasites.

It’s also a go-to for respiratory relief. The leaves are brewed and inhaled to ease coughs and congestion, and the liquid can be gargled for sore throats.

Topically, crushed leaves are used to calm bug bites, rashes, sore muscles, and the pain of arthritic joints.

Estafiate’s magic lies in naturally occurring compounds like camphor and thujone, which are known for their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties.

But its power goes beyond the physical. In spiritual limpias (cleansing rituals), bundles of the dried herb are burned to clear heavy energy, emotional distress, and lingering tension. The smoke is said to chase off bad thoughts and even nightmares. Some tuck a sprig under their pillow to keep the malas vibras at bay.

**Note: Because estafiate is traditionally used short-term and contains potent compounds, it’s not meant for daily use and should be avoided during pregnancy.

🎉 ¡Vamos! Events

Where to Carnaval in Mexico This Year 

Carnaval in Mexico is a nationwide explosion of music, dance, and unforgettable traditions. From coastal parades to historic battle reenactments, Carnaval in Mexico is anything but one-size-fits-all.

See the can’t-miss Carnavals of 2026.

💡 Say It in Spanish

Echar

Translation: To throw or to toss. 

But in Mexico, echar is a multi-purpose verb that shows up in all kinds of everyday situations that have nothing to do with throwing anything. 

Here are a few examples…

• Echarle ganas – Give it your all 

• Echar la mano – Lend a hand

• Echarse un taco – Grab a taco

• Echarse una siesta – Take a nap

• Echar la culpa – Place blame

• Echar relajo – Joke around or goof off

• Echar un vistazo – Take a look

• Echar a perder – To ruin or spoil (like milk... or your weekend)

The trick isn’t memorizing every version – it’s getting used to the rhythm. Echar is one of those words where meaning comes from context, tone, and how people actually use it.

If you’re studying Spanish (or want to), I highly recommend getting a copy of Easy Spanish Step-By-Step. Check it out here.

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🎯 Trivia Answer

The Chinelos of Morelos.

With their flowing velvet robes, towering embroidered hats, and exaggerated bearded masks, Chinelos are some of the most recognizable figures of Carnaval in Mexico – and some of the most rebellious.

The tradition emerged in the 19th century in what is now the state of Morelos, when Indigenous communities used Carnaval’s permission to disguise themselves as satire. Masked and anonymous, dancers exaggerated Spanish colonial features – pale skin, sharp noses, bushy beards, fine clothing, and arrogant posture – a parody of Spanish elites and wealthy hacienda owners.

The name chinelo comes from the Nahuatl word zineloquie, meaning “disguised” or “masked.” Their signature dance – the rhythmic brinco – is performed to the pounding sound of brass bands, often for hours at a time.

What began as mockery has become pride. Today, Chinelos anchor Carnaval celebrations in towns like Tlayacapan, Tepoztlán, Yautepec, and Jiutepec. Costumes can take months to make and cost thousands of pesos, with hand-stitched sequins and masks crafted with horsehair beards.

Watch the Chinelos in action here. 

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