This week, Trump’s threatening more tariffs, President Sheinbaum is suing Ovidio Guzmán’s lawyer for defamation, and Mexico’s new biometric CURP law just went into effect.

Plus: Five new airports, a historic UNESCO win for Indigenous Mexico, and the healthcare myths that could bankrupt you if you're not paying attention.

If it all feels a bit…está bien pesado, you’re not alone.

Let’s get into it.

❓Mexico Trivia

Which famous rock ’n’ roll song began as a traditional folk tune from Veracruz’s son jarocho music?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.

📣 Que Paso

📦 Trump announced a 30% tariff on Mexican imports starting August 1, citing Mexico’s response to fentanyl trafficking as “not enough.” The mention of "Sectoral Tariffs" in Trump's letter suggests that existing tariffs on specific sectors, including those under USMCA, might remain in place.

🤝 Mexico and the U.S. launched a permanent binational group to protect jobs and negotiate alternatives ahead of a proposed 30% U.S. tariff on Mexican imports.

⚖️ President Sheinbaum announced she will sue Ovidio Guzmán’s lawyer for defamation after he accused her of acting as a “public relations arm” for a cartel during Guzmán’s U.S. plea hearing.

🌴 Mexico hit a record US$2.6 billion in international tourism revenue this May – up 6.3% year-over-year – despite a drop in air arrivals due to a global aircraft shortage.

🪶 UNESCO added the Wixárika Route to Wirikuta to its World Heritage List — marking the first time a living Indigenous cultural tradition in Mexico has received this recognition.

🛫 Mexico announced five new airport projects in Ensenada, San Miguel de Allende, Isla Mujeres, Costa Alegre, and Lagos de Moreno, with the goal to boost tourism, regional economies, and green aviation infrastructure.

✈️ Starting Dec. 4, Copa Airlines will launch the first-ever direct flight from Los Cabos to Panama City, connecting Baja with over 20 Latin American cities via its Hub of the Americas.

🏥 President Sheinbaum opened the first phase of IMSS Hospital No. 23 in Ensenada, with 31 beds, 32 specialties, and Baja’s largest dialysis center.

🏥 President Sheinbaum inaugurated the IMSS-Bienestar Vícam Switch Rural Hospital in Sonora — calling it a step toward justice for the Yaqui people.

🏥 President Sheinbaum inaugurated a new hemodynamics room in La Paz and announced a $300 million peso investment to expand IMSS Bienestar services across Baja California Sur, including 14 operating rooms and new mobile medical units.

🍎 Your Health Pulse

7 Dangerous Healthcare Myths That Could Bankrupt You in Mexico

Are you walking into Mexico’s healthcare system convinced you know how it works?

You're not alone. Every week, we hear from foreigners who believed the myths…until it was too late.

Like the ones who thought:

– “Healthcare in Mexico is accessible to everyone, why pay for insurance?”
– “Private clinics are cheaper than back home.”
– “Medications are cheaper and easier to get — no questions asked.”
– “I’ll get coverage when I need it.”

That thinking has cost people tens of thousands of dollars – and in some cases, forced them to return to their passport country because they could no longer afford to stay in Mexico.

And the financial pressure is only growing:

– Medical inflation in Mexico is now 47.5% higher than the Latin American average

– Private hospitals often require $500 USD upfront…before treatment even begins

📅 Join us Wednesday, July 30 at 6pm CDMX for a 75-minute live online workshop that reveals the 7 most dangerous myths about healthcare in Mexico – and what you need to have in place before something goes wrong.

Use code SAVE10 at checkout and get lifetime access for just $19.97.

📍Immigration Essentials

Mexico’s New Biometric CURP Law

On July 1, Mexico passed sweeping reforms that will turn the CURP — the Clave Única de Registro de Población — into the country’s official biometric national ID.

This new CURP will no longer be just an alphanumeric code.

The biometric CURP will include the individual's full name, date of birth, sex, place of birth, nationality, fingerprints, and photograph.

It will be issued in both physical and digital formats and regulated by the Ministry of the Interior, with explicit consent required from data holders.

The goal is to modernize identity verification and streamline government services, while also giving authorities more effective tools to investigate missing persons cases.

Once the law is published in the Diario Oficial de la Federación, government agencies will have:

• 90 days to begin issuing biometric CURPs

• 180 days to integrate civil registry and forensic records into a new centralized system called the Plataforma Única de Identidad

This platform will connect civil records, forensic databases, and the National Missing Persons System to improve how the government tracks and identifies individuals.

It is estimated that the system will be fully implemented by February 2026. 

Once fully implemented, the biometric CURP will be the only official ID accepted for most public and private transactions in Mexico — including banking, healthcare, and other everyday administrative procedures.

🇲🇽 Viva México

Pancho Villa: The Revolution’s Wild Card 

This week marks the anniversary of one of Mexico’s most controversial assassinations – that of Pancho Villa, gunned down in a hail of bullets on July 20, 1923.

Born Doroteo Arango, Villa began as a bandit and fugitive before rising to lead the División del Norte, the largest and most feared cavalry in the Mexican Revolution. 

He joined forces with Francisco Madero in 1910 to overthrow the long-standing dictator Porfirio Díaz, helping ignite a civil war that would reshape the nation.

Villa's forces were instrumental in key victories against the brutal regime of Victoriano Huerta, and by 1914, he was one of the most powerful military leaders in the country. But when revolutionary alliances broke down, he clashed with fellow leader Venustiano Carranza and was ultimately defeated by Álvaro Obregón at the bloody Battle of Celaya in 1915.

Refusing to surrender, Villa launched a guerrilla campaign from the northern mountains, famously raiding Columbus, New Mexico in 1916. The U.S. responded with a failed military expedition led by General Pershing.

By 1920, Villa had accepted a government pardon and retired to a massive hacienda. But peace didn’t last. 

On July 20, 1923, he was assassinated in his car in Parral. Though Jesús Salas Barraza claimed responsibility, historians agree it was a conspiracy – likely backed by Obregón and Calles, who feared Villa’s enduring popularity could ignite another revolution.

Villa remains a national riddle: Freedom fighter or dangerous outlaw? Maybe both. 

But there’s no denying this…he changed the course of Mexican history.

🪷 Viva Wellness

Pulque: The Probiotic That Comes with a Buzz

Pulque isn’t just a drink – it’s a living culture. 

Fermented from fresh aguamiel, pulque is packed with naturally occurring lactobacilli and mucilage that support gut health, protect the stomach lining, and even help block harmful bacteria like C. difficile. 

It’s been used for centuries to ease digestive issues, support immunity, and promote overall gut resilience.

Pulque’s alcohol content (around 5–7%) comes from natural fermentation — the same process that preserves its probiotic profile. 

It delivers gut support and a slight buzz…all from the same fermentation. Unlike beer or mezcal, pulque retains its prebiotics, making it one of the only boozy beverages that actively feeds your gut flora while you sip.

Some drink it for the nutrients. Others for the buzz. And plenty for both. 

Either way, pulque reminds us that wellness in Mexico doesn’t always come in a capsule – sometimes, it comes in a cloudy, fizzy cup with a wild past and a living soul.

Click here for more pulque health benefits.

🎉 Vamos! Events

💃 Guelaguetza 2025 – July 21 & 28, Cerro del Fortín, Oaxaca City 
Oaxaca’s biggest cultural celebration is back — and bigger than ever. Guelaguetza brings together dancers, musicians, and artists from across the state’s 16 Indigenous communities and Afro-Mexican regions in a dazzling display of color, tradition, and joy. Expect traditional costumes, live music, parades, and street performances all month long, with the main events happening on the last two Mondays of July. Locals call it the “Lunes del Cerro,” and it’s a must-see. Full schedule and details here.

🎈 Festival Cantoya, Fiesta y Color – July 18–20, Paracho, Michoacán 
Experience a sky filled with vibrant paper lanterns at Paracho's annual Festival Cantoya. This free, family-friendly event features giant cantoya balloons, live performances, traditional Michoacán cuisine, and artisan workshops. More info here.

🍺 Tlaquepaque Beer Festival – July 19–20, Plaza de las Ciudades Hermanas, Jalisco
Head to the charming streets of Tlaquepaque for two frothy days of cerveza, music, and good vibes. Over a dozen Mexican breweries – including Loba, Stubborn, Demon, and The Bony Brewery – will be serving up their best pours alongside live bands, artisan bites, and local crafts. Entry is free with a donation of 3–5 non-perishable food items, or grab a VIP bracelet (MX$400) for full access. More info here.

🎈 Cantoya Fest – July 25–27, Pátzcuaro, Michoacán
The beloved Cantoya Fest returns to Pátzcuaro for a three-day celebration of floating lanterns, featuring handmade sky balloons from artisans across Mexico—and even Brazil, Colombia, and Italy. Expect glowing skies, artisan markets, workshops, and delicious Michoacán fare. More info here.

🦖 Carrera Jurassic Milco – July 20, Parque Ecológico de Xochimilco, CDMX 
Get ready to stomp through the jungle (okay, the park) with hundreds of dino-costumed runners at this family-friendly Jurassic-themed race! From tots running 100 meters to adults racing the full 5K, there’s a category for everyone. Register early for MX$390 or pay a bit more closer to the date. The fun kicks off at 8:00 AM — dino suits optional, but highly encouraged. More info here.

💡 Say It in Spanish

“Está bien pesado.”

Translation: That’s really heavy/intense.

Sometimes, you find yourself in a conversation that turns unexpectedly deep — like hearing a friend’s story about surviving a hurricane or dealing with medical red tape. 

In those moments, you don’t need perfect grammar. You just need heart.

“Uf… está bien pesado.” It’s how locals acknowledge: Whoa. That’s a lot. 💔

But if you're in a more formal setting, such as chatting with a new acquaintance, your doctor, or elderly neighbor, you’ll want to soften it up:

“Sí, es un tema muy delicado.”
(That’s a very delicate subject.)

It’s thoughtful, respectful, and shows you’re emotionally tuned in – without overstepping.

Whether you're comforting a friend or navigating a serious conversation with grace, knowing both versions makes your Spanish more human…and a whole lot more powerful. 

🎯 Mexico Trivia Answer

“La Bamba,” the infectious tune made famous by Ritchie Valens in 1958, actually began as a folk song from Veracruz, Mexico.

It dates back to the 17th or 18th century and comes from the son jarocho tradition. It was originally performed with instruments like the jarana and harp during festive fandangos, often at weddings.

Listen to an old recording here.

Why El Expat Insider Mexico? Life abroad isn’t just about relocating — it’s about reinventing. Every sunrise in Mexico brings new opportunities to explore, learn, and connect. Whether you’re here for a season or a lifetime, we’re your compass for making the most of every moment. Because life’s too short to live on autopilot.

Want to reach globally minded readers living in Mexico? To become an El Expat Insider Mexico partner, apply here.

Not Yet a Subscriber? Click Below to Get Our Newsletter Every Week — It’s FREE!