¡Hola amigos! This week, we’re digging into the shakeups you can’t afford to ignore — from a biometric ID that’ll soon be required for everything, to Congress fast-tracking 14 reforms that modified 25 laws in just 9 days (yes, really).

Also: why food prices are soaring (limes up 38.9%!), how the Guardia Nacional just became a military force, and the quiet extinction threat facing Mexico’s most iconic creature – the axolotl.

Plus, workarounds for real estate payments after U.S. sanctions—and what you can learn from my very expensive immigration screw-up.

Take a deep breath… and let’s get to it.

❓Mexico Triva

Which legendary Mexican general lost his leg in battle…only to have it captured and displayed like a war trophy in the U.S.?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.

📣 Que Paso

🥑 Food prices in Mexico rose 5.1% in May – up from 3.6% in April – putting the country among the top 10 OECD nations for food inflation. In 2025, limes jumped 38.9%, avocados 28.6%, and chicken 12%. President Sheinbaum is now considering expanding price controls to stabilize beef, chicken, and pork costs.

📜 In just 9 days, Mexico’s Congress passed 14 reform packages affecting 25 laws – including a new biometric ID requirement, expanded surveillance powers, and the dissolution of the telecom regulator. Critics warn the rushed process lacked transparency and enabled controversial changes before the next session starts in September.

🪖 Mexico passed a new law placing the Guardia Nacional under full military command (Sedena). It authorizes undercover operations, simulated user activity, and access to private data, enables active military participation in civilian politics, and formally converts the Guardia into a military entity – marking a structural shift in Mexico’s internal security model.

🪪 Mexico enacted the National Law for the Elimination of Bureaucratic Procedures, requiring a new biometric CURP linked to the “Llave MX” digital key. The ID will store fingerprints, a photo, and personal data – and will soon be mandatory for all official procedures.

🍅 Mexico is still negotiating with the U.S. to stop a planned withdrawal from the Tomato Suspension Agreement on July 14, which would slap tariffs of 17 - 21% on Mexican tomatoes.

🏘️ On July 4, protesters in Mexico City marched against gentrification, blaming digital nomads and Airbnb for rising rents. Some vandalized businesses, prompting President Sheinbaum to denounce xenophobia.

🇲🇽 Mexico sent rescue personnel from Coahuila’s Civil Protection Water Rescue Team and CURE firefighters to Kerrville, Texas on Sunday to assist with search efforts after deadly flooding.

🍎 Your Health Pulse

Healthcare in Mexico: Costs and Coverage Options

Healthcare in Mexico is still more affordable than in many countries, but that gap is closing fast.

Rising medical inflation, out-of-pocket prescription costs, and inflated rates in tourist zones are making coverage less optional and more essential.

Whether you're here for a few months or planning to stay long-term, the right insurance option depends on how – and where – you live.

Keep reading for a clear breakdown of the main coverage types, who qualifies, and what each actually protects you from.

Fact-based news without bias awaits. Make 1440 your choice today.

Overwhelmed by biased news? Cut through the clutter and get straight facts with your daily 1440 digest. From politics to sports, join millions who start their day informed.

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🏠 Real Estate Roundup 

_{In partnership with MexEdge}

Alternatives to for Real Estate Payments After U.S. Sanctions

U.S. sanctions have changed the game for many people buying or building property in Mexico. But they don’t have to derail your purchase.

If you're under contract, making progress payments on a build, or preparing for closing, this can (and will) trigger delays, penalties, and unexpected costs from fees and poor exchange rates.

Yes, you can choose an alternative Mexican bank, but you may still face poor exchange rates, long delays, and no protection against rate swings. 

A better alternative is finding a specialized currency broker. 

Unlike banks, currency brokers often have more flexibility in routing payments. But beware: Not all brokers have experience with Mexican real estate transactions or can lock rates for weeks or months in advance.

Then there’s MexEdge for real estate transfers. 

They offer a simple, secure, and fully compliant way to move large payments from the U.S. or Canada to Mexico.

Key benefits include…

• Guaranteed exchange rates locked in advance

• Fast, tracked transfers through trusted banking partners

• Full support for real estate payments, escrow deposits, and progress payments on builds

• Transparent pricing without hidden fees

Whether you’re wiring a single closing payment or managing monthly or milestone payments on a construction project, they make sure your funds arrive on time, every time.

Don’t let wire issues or hidden fees disrupt your build or delay your closing.

Schedule a free consultation with MexEdge to get a secure, compliant plan tailored to your real estate transaction.

📍Immigration Essentials

A Hard Lesson in Immigration Compliance

This week we’re breaking from our usual hyper-focused immigration tip to share a personal experience – because sometimes, a real-life debacle is the best reminder that we’re all responsible for getting it right.

We’ve worked with a wonderful woman for years who helps my family with all of our immigration paperwork. She’s kind, reliable, and knows the system. 

During a recent visa renewal under the "family unit" residency status, our consultant gave us two options for appointment dates. We booked the later one, assuming it would be fine – after all, it was just a straightforward renewal. We’d done it before. 

But what she didn’t flag (and what we didn’t double-check) was a recent change in INM protocol that happened a week before our appointment. 

The new rules include a surprise INM home visit. And it can happen anytime from 8 am to 8 pm, seven days a week. Oh, and they have up to 30 days to do it.

Annoying? Yes. Inconvenient? You bet.

But the bigger issue was that we had travel plans. Expensive ones. 

We had to cancel travel plans, rebook, and juggle the fallout — all because we didn’t confirm the update ourselves.

In the end, it worked out. But I broke my own golden rule: Do your own research – no matter how much you trust the professionals helping you. Had I done my own research, we could’ve booked the earlier appointment and avoided the whole mess.

So here’s the takeaway: Hire someone who knows the system, yes. But also do your own research. Go straight to the source. 

Check www.gob.mx sites for the latest rules and regulations. Ask a lot of questions. And confirm the details yourself.

🇲🇽 Viva México

The Axolotl: Mexico's Endangered Wonder

Revered in Aztec mythology, featured on currency, and beloved in modern pop culture, the ajolote is one of Mexico’s most iconic symbols.

With its wide-eyed expression and perpetual half-smile, this strange amphibian has captivated the world. But behind the charm is a story of survival, science, and sacred legend.

Before we go further, let’s clarify the name:

AXOLOTL is the English spelling and the scientific name, directly taken from the original Nahuatl (Aztec) word āxōlōtl.

AJOLOTE is the Spanish spelling, commonly used in Mexico and throughout Latin America.

The axolotl is unlike any other amphibian.

Instead of undergoing metamorphosis, it remains in a juvenile state. It’s a phenomenon known as neoteny. Despite being fully aquatic, it has both external gills and functioning lungs, allowing it to breathe underwater and at the surface.

Even more extraordinarily, it can regenerate entire limbs, spinal cords, lungs, hearts, and even parts of its brain.

And it’s these abilities that have made axolotls invaluable to medical research. Some scientists believe unlocking its regenerative powers could one day help us repair human organs and treat neurological diseases.

But in Mexico, the axolotl is more than a biological marvel – it holds a sacred place in Aztec mythology. According to legend, the god Xólotl transformed into an axolotl to escape sacrifice, making it a powerful emblem of survival and transformation.

In recent years, the axolotl has become a pop culture favorite, inspiring Pokémon characters, appearing on T-shirts, in Happy Meals, and even on Mexico’s 50-peso bill.

But while its image is everywhere, the real animal is disappearing fast. Pollution, urban development, and invasive species have devastated their Xochimilco habitat.

It’s estimated that there are currently between just 50 and 1,000 axolotls left in the wild. This marks a dramatic decline from thousands just decades ago.

But there’s still hope. Researchers and conservationists are fighting back with habitat restoration, breeding programs, and a grassroots conservation movement to protect this national treasure.

🪷 Viva Wellness

Your Guide to Foraging Mexican Mushrooms

As the rainy season rolls in, Mexico’s forests come alive — and not just with greenery. Beneath the misty canopies and towering pines, an underground kingdom reveals itself: the magical world of mushrooms.

With over 7,000 species (and around 400 edible varieties), Mexico is a fungi forager’s paradise.

From June to October, the high-altitude forests of Oaxaca, Hidalgo, Puebla, and Veracruz burst with wild mushrooms, some edible, some medicinal, all mysterious.

Among the most prized? The Mexican matsutake (Tricholoma mesoamericanum), a rare aromatic mushroom so sought-after, it can fetch up to 40,000 pesos per kilo in Japan. Now that’s one valuable toadstool.

Top Mexican Mushroom Foraging Regions 

• Oaxaca (Sierra Norte & San José del Pacífico): Mexico’s undisputed mushroom capital, home to festivals, cloud forests, and deep mycological traditions

• Hidalgo (La Malinche & surrounding areas): Volcanic soil supports a wide range of edible species

• Puebla (Cuetzalan, Zacatlán): Known for traditional foraging and community knowledge

• Veracruz (Los Tuxtlas): High humidity in the cloud forests fosters wild oyster mushrooms and rare medicinal fungi

• Valle de Bravo (State of Mexico): Lush pine-oak forests, ecotourism retreats, and the annual Festival del Hongo in late August make this a rising destination for culinary and cultural mushroom lovers

• Forests near CDMX (Ajusco): Easily accessible and popular with local mushroom clubs

For those eager to explore, going with a local or Indigenous guide is highly recommended. It’s the safest way to avoid toxic lookalikes and the most respectful way to engage with the landscape. 

In many communities, mushroom gathering is deeply tied to ancestral land practices, seasonal rituals, and ecological stewardship. 

So, please follow these responsible foraging guidelines:

• Only harvest a third of any given patch – leave the rest for regrowth and local wildlife.

• Do not forage alone, and never consume mushrooms you can’t confidently identify.

• Understand that foraging here is often part of a cultural legacy, not just a culinary adventure.

This rainy season, if you're drawn to the woods, go with curiosity, intention, and a deep respect for the ecosystems and communities that have lived in harmony with them for centuries.

Click here for more info on Mexican mushrooms.

🎉 Vamos! Events

🎡 Feria Rosarito 2025 – July 3–27, Playas de Rosarito, Baja California 
One of Baja’s biggest summer fiestas is back! Held at Plaza San Fernando, this 25-day fair brings carnival rides, regional food, charreadas, and a concert lineup packed with stars like Lenin Ramírez, El Komander, and Los Plebes del Rancho. Mondays are free, and Tuesdays are 2x1 entry. More info 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

“¡Sí, se puede!”

Translation: “Yes, it can be done!” or “Yes, we can!”

You’ve probably heard this rallying cry at protests, in political speeches, or even from your yoga instructor trying to get you into crow pose.

But in Mexico, “¡Sí, se puede!” is more than just motivational fluff – it’s a powerful mantra of resilience and possibility.

Whether you're navigating your residency paperwork or facing your third trip to CFE this week with a stack of photocopies and a prayer, remember this: ¡Sí, se puede! You got this, amigo. 

🎯 Mexico Trivia Answer

General Antonio López de Santa Anna, one of Mexico’s most infamous military and political figures, lost his left leg in 1838 during the Pastry War against France (which we wrote about in a past issue).

He later used a prosthetic leg made of cork, wood, and leather – which became legendary in its own right. In 1847, during the Battle of Cerro Gordo in the Mexican-American War, Santa Anna fled the battlefield. He left behind his carriage, personal belongings, and prosthetic leg.

Illinois soldiers seized the leg as a war trophy, and it remains on display today at the Illinois State Military Museum in Springfield.

Check out General Santa Anna’s leg on display here.

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