¡Hola amigos! This week, eggs and onions got pricier while avocados and tomatoes gave your grocery bill a break, dual nationals could be shut out of Mexico’s top political positions, and of all the things complicating U.S.-Mexico trade talks, we’re now squabbling over cheese names. 

Plus, how to save on prescription meds, the car insurance assumptions that can cost you in Mexico, and the midnight ride that helped change Mexican history.

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What giant religious statue in Mexico got a makeover because it looked too much like Phil Collins?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.

🛒 Egg prices jumped 7.9% from July to August. Onion prices surged 19.03% from late July to early August.

📉 On the bright side, potato, avocado and tomato prices dropped in early August.

🧀 Thanks to the new EU-Mexico trade deal protecting European cheese names, there’s now a U.S.-Mexico dispute over whether American cheesemakers will be able to sell cheeses in Mexico under names like parmesan and feta.

🥷 Mexico raised $1.78 billion by selling Samurai Bonds to investors in Japan in order to diversify its borrowing beyond U.S. and European markets.

♻️ Mexico’s first solar panel recycling plant opened in Jalisco.

📱 A security vulnerability in a mobile operator’s system for Mexico’s mandatory cellphone registration exposed the personal data of more than 13,000 users.

🏛️ President Sheinbaum presents her second Government Report today on Mexico’s progress and her administration’s record over the past year.

🔎 Foreign acquisitions of Mexican companies in industries such as AI, energy, and data could face national-security screening under a new proposal before the Senate.

🚗 Uber drivers are accusing the company of underreporting their earnings to IMSS by as much as 25%.

📦 Mexico’s exports hit a record US$81.4 billion in July, the highest monthly total ever.

🇲🇽 President Sheinbaum proposed a constitutional reform that would bar Mexicans with dual nationality from serving as president or state governor.

Prescription costs continue to climb in Mexico. Even as overall inflation fell to 3.12% in July, INEGI data shows several common medications – including antibiotics, cardiovascular drugs, gastrointestinal medications, and diabetes drugs – have been rising faster than inflation for months.

But where you fill your prescription can make a difference. Mexico’s major pharmacy chains offer some surprisingly good discounts and loyalty programs. If you take medication regularly, these can add up.

Read more

Let’s be honest. The CURP isn’t exactly the most exciting topic, but your CURP pops up in more places than you might realize – from banking and healthcare to taxes and government paperwork.

Whether you’re new to Mexico or could use a quick refresher, here’s what you need to know about your CURP, including the shift to a new biometric version. 

Read more 

Simply having a car insurance policy in Mexico doesn’t necessarily mean you have the protection you think you do.

From inadequate liability limits to legal assistance and bond coverage, what’s included in your policy can make a big difference after an accident.

And this matters whether you drive a Mexican-plated vehicle or have tourist insurance on a foreign-plated vehicle.

We asked Mexico insurance specialist Federico Ransom of Ransom Becker about the biggest mistakes and misconceptions he sees drivers make.

Here are 8 mistakes you need to know.

By September 1810, the secret plan to overthrow Spanish rule was unraveling.

Authorities had received multiple warnings about the planned uprising. A list of conspirators was in the viceroy’s hands, and the locations of hidden weapons had been exposed.

The rebels were running out of time.

Ignacio Pérez Álvarez was an alcaide, or jailer, of the city’s royal prison. But his loyalties lay with the independence cause.

Fellow conspirators Miguel Domínguez, Querétaro’s chief magistrate, and his wife, Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez, knew the plot had been exposed. Tasked with rounding up the rebels, Miguel deliberately stalled to buy them time.

Josefa was confined inside their home, but she found a way to contact Pérez. Through the keyhole of a locked door, she told him to find Ignacio Allende and warn the insurgent leaders.

Pérez mounted a horse and rode for San Miguel de Allende.

The full route from Querétaro to Dolores stretched roughly 110 kilometers, crossing trails, ravines, and hills. Pérez rode through the night, changing horses along the way. When Pérez reached San Miguel, Allende was already in Dolores with Miguel Hidalgo. 

What happened next depends on the historical account. 

Some versions say Pérez delivered Josefa’s warning to Juan Aldama, who carried it on to Dolores. Others say Pérez accompanied Aldama there himself. There is no definitive proof Pérez made that final leg of the journey.

What is clear is that Pérez had gotten the urgent warning out of Querétaro and into the hands of the insurgents. Authorities were already moving to arrest Allende and Aldama and were prepared to arrest Hidalgo if necessary. But word had reached the rebel leadership first.

Without Pérez’s warning, the authorities might have captured the insurgent leaders before they could ignite the rebellion. Mexico’s fight for independence might never have unfolded as it did, and Hidalgo’s historic El Grito might never have been heard.

Originally native to South America, bugambilia (Bougainvillea spp.) is a familiar sight across Mexico’s gardens, streets, and walls.

But those colorful, papery “flowers” aren’t what they seem. They’re bracts, or modified leaves that surround the tiny white or cream-colored blooms in the center.

Those bracts also have a long history of use in herbal medicine. Traditionally, they’ve been brewed into tea for coughs and other respiratory symptoms. Bugambilia is also used for digestive complaints, including diarrhea, nausea, and stomach discomfort.

Bugambilia contains flavonoids and betalains (the natural pigments behind the bracts’ vivid colors). Studies on bougainvillea extracts have found antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activity. Early research has explored potential effects on blood sugar and cholesterol. However, more evidence is needed.

If you’re picking your own, stick to the colorful bracts and watch out for the thorny stems—the sap can cause severe skin irritation.

Making bugambilia tea is simple:

Some Mexican preparations add orange, cinnamon, or thyme. And it doesn’t have to be hot. Let the infusion cool, pour it over ice, add fresh lemon, or top it with agua mineral for a little fizz.

Feria Nacional de Zacatecas 2026: September 4–20, Zacatecas City
Zacatecas marks its 480th anniversary with 17 days of festivities. The state’s biggest annual fair features free concerts, charrería, cultural shows, and family entertainment. Artisan exhibits and regional food round out the program. Special events also coincide with Mexico’s Independence celebrations. More info here.

Festival de Pan Dulce Mexicano 2026 – September 11–13, Coyoacán, Mexico City
Conchas, orejas, cocoles, and other Mexican favorites take center stage at this new three-day food festival. Sample traditional breads and explore a temporary museum dedicated to Mexican baking. The festival follows the recent recognition of pan dulce as part of Mexico City’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. More info here.

Fiestas Patrias 2026: September 11–27, Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato
Dolores Hidalgo is where the original Grito took place in 1810. Its Independence celebrations run for 17 days, with nightly concerts, a traditional fair, circus performances, and family events. September 15 is the centerpiece, when crowds fill the historic center for one of Mexico’s most symbolic Independence celebrations. More info here. 

Vans Warped Tour México 2026: September 12–13, Mexico City
Finally in Mexico after more than 30 years, the legendary Warped Tour arrives for two packed days. More than 80 bands are on the bill. Beyond the music, expect high-flying skate and BMX demos. There are also acoustic sets, artist meet-and-greets, and Record Label Row. More info here.

Échale Flores a México 2026: September 12–13, Jardines de México, Morelos
Chinelos, Morelos’ famously colorful masked dancers, join horse shows and live music for this Independence season celebration. Traditional cooks serve regional dishes, alongside a month-long chiles en nogada festival. The event also features artisan workshops, theater, and Mexican folk performances. Tlaltizapán de Zapata joins as this year’s special guest. More info here.

Festival Internacional del Globo de Papel 2026: September 12–16, San Andrés Tuxtla, Veracruz
Celebrating 112 years of tradition, this five-day festival showcases monumental handmade paper balloons. Watch the elaborate creations take flight during daytime and nighttime launches. Workshops, concerts, and a taco fair round out the program. On closing night, 10,000 smaller sky lanterns are released simultaneously. More info here.

Me vale cacahuate

What does a peanut have to do with not caring? Absolutely nothing. And that’s what makes this Mexican expression so good.

Me vale cacahuate is a colloquial way of saying “I don’t care” or “It doesn’t matter to me.”

Lo que diga la gente me vale cacahuate.
I don’t care what people say.

Want to keep building your Spanish?

Explore The Insider’s Guide to Spanish Teachers in Mexico and find trusted teachers and schools recommended by fellow readers.

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A: A giant Baby Jesus in Zóquite, Zacatecas.

Standing 6.58 meters (21ft) tall and weighing 750 kilos (1653 lb), the enormous Niño Dios towers over the Parish of the Epiphany of the Lord in Zóquite. It took a year to create, was made by artisans in Chimalhuacán, State of Mexico, and cost around 280,000 pesos. Local parishioners funded the statue.

Its unusual size was practical. The church has a roughly 8-meter-high ceiling, so parish priest Humberto Rodríguez wanted the statue to fit the scale of the space.

But when the Niño Dios was unveiled in 2019, photos went viral. People couldn’t get over its resemblance to Phil Collins. Some saw Nicolas Cage, too.

Before the church was consecrated in January 2020, the Niño Dios received a makeover. Its bright blue eyes were changed to brown, its abdomen reduced, its hair was restyled with short bangs, and its facial features were softened to better reflect the local population.

See what it looked like before the makeover and after. 

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