¡Hola amigos! This week, Mexico's economy delivered a surprise, electricity demand hit a record high, hundreds took to the streets in Guadalajara over concerns about contaminated tap water, and Baja California is getting Latin America's largest desalination plant.
Plus, three ways couples can apply for Permanent Residency, what insurance covers when medical tourism leads to complications, and a closer look at Mexico’s most iconic landmark.
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❓México Trivia
Q: What Mexican dish looks like an old regional tradition, but was only invented just three years ago?
Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.
📣 México News Roundup
📊 Mexico’s economy rebounded in the second quarter, growing 1.4% – its fastest quarterly pace since 2022.
✈️ Aeromexico plans to launch nonstop flights from Mexico City to Milan next March.
🌎 U.S.-Mexico air travel fell nearly 6% in June, while Mexico-France travel jumped 14%.
💻 Federal government websites went offline for about 90 minutes after a connectivity outage took down sites across the gob.mx domain.
⚡ Mexico’s electricity demand hit a record 54,300 megawatts in July, breaking the previous high set in 2023.
💧 A $304 million desalination plant will be built in Rosarito. Once complete, it will be Latin America’s largest desalination facility for human consumption.
📈 Mexico’s annual headline inflation rose to 3.26% in early August, up from 3.10% a month earlier.
💰 Mexico’s central bank says inflation may not return to its 3% target until late 2027.
🚰 Hundreds protested in Guadalajara demanding clean water after studies found E. coli and heavy metals in tap water.
🚙 Mexico unveiled its Olinia electric mini-truck, expected to go on sale for around 150,000 pesos in late 2027. Check out this cutie.
🌳 Mexico City plans to plant 1 million native trees by 2030.
🍓 The U.S. hit Mexican strawberries with preliminary tariffs over claims they were being sold below fair value.
🐮 Mexican cattle imports to the U.S. finally resumed yesterday after a yearlong ban.
🍎 Your Health Pulse
What Exactly Is Medical Tourism Insurance?
Whether it’s dental implants in Mexico, cosmetic surgery in Turkey, or stem cell treatment in Bulgaria, traveling abroad for medical care has become an option for everything from major dental work to elective procedures.
But what happens if you have a complication?
If you think travel insurance picks up the tab, think again. Traditional travel insurance is generally designed for unexpected events that happen while you're traveling.
That’s where medical tourism insurance comes in.
It’s designed specifically for medical and dental procedures outside your home country and can cover eligible complications related to your treatment – including, in some cases, complications diagnosed after you’ve returned home.
📍Immigration Essentials
3 Ways Couples Can Apply for Permanent Residency in Mexico
Applying for Permanent Residency as a couple doesn’t automatically mean both partners will receive the same residency status.
Whether you’re married or common-law partners, the deciding factor is whether you both qualify independently or one partner’s application depends on the other.
🇲🇽 Viva México
A Closer Look at the Angel of Independence
Instantly recognizable, the golden figure of the Angel of Independence has stood above Paseo de la Reforma since 1910. The monument was inaugurated on September 16, 1910, for the centennial of Mexican Independence. She has since become one of Mexico City's most beloved symbols.
Despite her nickname, she isn’t actually an angel. The sculpture is a Victoria Alada (Winged Victory), representing Nike, the Greek goddess of victory. “El Ángel” is the popular nickname that stuck.
She stands atop the 36-meter column of the Monument to Independence. Inside, a 200-step staircase leads to an observation deck near the top.
In her raised right hand, she holds a laurel wreath to crown the triumphant insurgents; from her left hangs a broken three-link chain, symbolizing three centuries of Spanish rule. At the base are allegorical figures representing Law, War, Justice and Peace, along with a lion led by a child, representing strength in war and intelligence.
The monument is also a mausoleum.
Fourteen heroes of Mexican Independence are entombed inside, including Miguel Hidalgo, José María Morelos and Vicente Guerrero. Leona Vicario, a journalist who helped finance the independence movement, is the only woman among them.
Mexican architect Antonio Rivas Mercado designed the monument, drawing inspiration from European monumental columns including Trajan’s Column in Rome and the Victory Column in Berlin. Italian artist Enrique Alciati created its bas-reliefs and sculptures, including the Angel herself. Cast in bronze and covered in gold, she stands 6.7 meters (22 feet) tall and weighs seven tons.
She remained atop the column for nearly five decades.
Then, on July 28, 1957, a powerful earthquake sent her crashing to the ground.
El Ángel broke into pieces. Over the next 14 months, the monument was restored and reinforced, then re-inaugurated in September 1958.
One piece of Alciati’s original never returned to Reforma: her battered bronze head. Today, it is displayed at the entrance to the Archivo Histórico de la Ciudad de México in the Centro Histórico.
Oh And…
An urban legend claims El Ángel was modeled after Rivas Mercado’s daughter Antonieta. But she was still a child when El Ángel was created.
The truth about Antonieta is far more interesting than the legend. She became a patron of Mexican artists, supported women’s rights, and lived through a remarkable period in Mexico’s history.
A reader recommended In the Shadow of the Angel by Kathryn S. Blair, and I’m so glad she did. It’s a fascinating read.
Find it and more of our favorite reads on our Best of Mexico Book List.
🪷 Viva Wellness
The Health Benefits Behind Those Ruby Seeds
Granada season is in full swing, with Mexico’s harvest running from roughly July through early October. Known botanically as Punica granatum, granada originated in a region stretching from Iran into parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Spanish missionaries brought it to Mexico, where it became established in central Mexico. Puebla is believed to be where the first crops took hold, with Tehuacán becoming an important production area.
Long before modern researchers became interested in granada, different parts of the fruit and plant were traditionally used to treat diarrhea, intestinal parasites, sore throats, and other ailments.
Modern research has focused heavily on its polyphenols, naturally occurring plant compounds known for their antioxidant activity. It also provides vitamin C, folate, potassium, and fiber.
A 2024 analysis of 22 randomized clinical trials found granada consumption significantly reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, although researchers noted considerable differences among the studies.
Research also suggests it may modestly lower blood glucose. Granada's polyphenols also interact with gut bacteria, which convert some of them into compounds called urolithins currently being studied for their potential effects on intestinal health.
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🎉 ¡Vamos! Events
Gran Fiesta Franco-Mexicana – September 1–November 29, 21 Cities Across Mexico
Mexico and France mark 200 years of diplomatic relations with a major cultural program across 21 Mexican cities. Nearly 200 events are planned. The program spans exhibitions, theater, dance, film, literature, and gastronomy. Major French participants include the Centre Pompidou and Comédie-Française. More info here.
Copa Internacional de Natación – September 3–6, Santiago de Querétaro, Querétaro
Some of the world’s leading swimmers head to Querétaro for four days of international competition. Olympic champions Adam Peaty, Kyle Chalmers, and Thomas Ceccon are among the headline athletes. Tickets are available to the public. More info here.
Festival Cultural del Hongo – September 4–6, San José del Pacífico, Oaxaca
San José del Pacífico celebrates its mushroom traditions for three days in Oaxaca’s Sierra Sur. Forest walks focus on observing and identifying local fungi. Talks cover mushrooms, conservation, and traditional medicine. The program also includes food and artisan markets, live music, and the festival’s first trail run. More info here.
Cocinarte 2026 – September 5, Tecate, Baja California
Around 20,500 tastings are planned for the 21st edition of Tecate’s long-running food festival. More than 35 exhibitors showcase Baja California flavors, from BajaMed cuisine to regional wines and craft beer. Seventeen Tecate chefs also take part in live cooking demonstrations using local ingredients. More info here.
XXV Campeonato Charro – September 5, Guadalajara, Jalisco
The International Mariachi and Charrería Festival closes with a celebration of Mexico’s national sport. The 25th Campeonato Charro brings nine teams to the Lienzo Charro “Nito” Aceves for three competitions. Escaramuzas and live international mariachis add to the atmosphere throughout the day. More info here.
Baja’s Best Arts & Crafts Festival – September 5–6, Playas de Rosarito, Baja California
CEART Rosarito hosts more than 60 artists from Mexico and the United States for this free festival. Meet the artists and browse original work available for sale. Local wineries, craft beer, food stalls, and live music add to the weekend atmosphere. More info here.
Feria Artesanal del Café y Chocolate – September 11–13, Coyoacán, Mexico City
Coffee and cacao take center stage at this free three-day fair in Coyoacán. Producers from across Mexico showcase artisanal coffee and chocolate, with tastings and products available to buy. Visitors can also discover Mexican crafts and enjoy live music and cultural experiences. More info here.
💡 Say It in Spanish
¿Con quién podría hablar para resolver esto?
Translation: Who can I speak with to get this resolved?
Ever tried fixing a billing issue only to get passed around like a hot potato? This is a polite way to skip the runaround and ask for the person who can help resolve the problem.
Use it at the bank, a doctor’s office, with your internet provider, or anytime you need to get to the right person without sounding demanding.
🎯 Trivia Answer
A: Chile Chontal.
Chile Chontal was created in 2023 after Tabasco was invited to participate in the first International Chile en Nogada Festival in Mexico City. Chef Jorge Orozco challenged the state to create its own version of chile en nogada using regional ingredients.
Tabasco turned to chef Alfonso Castañeda, who created a poblano chile stuffed with buffalo rib eye, pork, plantain, regional fruit sweets, almonds and capers. It’s covered in a sauce made with four cheeses, cashews and 70% chocolate, then topped with candied cacao nibs.
The result was Chile Chontal – a Tabasco-style version of chile en nogada designed to showcase the flavors and ingredients of Tabasco, including the cacao and chocolate for which the state is famous.
Chontal is a Nahuatl word meaning “foreigner.” The Maya-Chontal people of Tabasco actually call themselves Yokot'anob or Yokot'an, or “the people who speak the true language.”
See the full recipe here.
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