¡Hola amigos! There’s a lot going on this week: Sheinbaum marked her 11 months in office, Mexico swore in 881 judges, the U.S. granted another 90-day tariff extension, and Correos de México suspended mail to the U.S. after Washington scrapped its de minimis rule.

Also, Binance is putting $53M into fintech, and billions are being invested to modernize Mexico’s power grid. Plus, we’re covering expat banking headaches, what your permanent resident card really gets you, and an alternative to ask for what you need.

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❓México Trivia

Whose heads hung from Guanajuato’s Alhóndiga for 10 years after Mexico’s first battle of independence?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.

📣 Qué Paso

🛃 The U.S. has offered to extend a 90-day tariff deadline, giving Mexico more time to avoid hikes on steel, cars, and copper that don’t meet USMCA rules — as Mexico plans its own tariff hikes on China under pressure from Trump.

🇲🇽 President Sheinbaum delivered her first address after 11 months in office, defending her record amid tensions with Trump and highlighting progress on poverty, migrant protections, and a crackdown on cartels. Listen to it here.

📮 Correos de México, the country’s national mail service, has temporarily suspended postal and parcel shipments to the United States, citing new tariff rules that made customs treatment unclear. The move comes after Washington eliminated its de minimis exemption, which previously allowed packages under $800 USD to enter duty-free.

⚖️ On September 1, Mexico inaugurated 881 elected judges – including nine Supreme Court justices – officially launching the world’s first fully voter-elected judiciary Judges Inaugurations.

💸 Binance launched Medá, a regulated Electronic Payment Institution in Mexico, investing $53M to expand peso-based deposits, boost fintech access, and position the country as a digital finance hub in Latin America.

🚛 Mexico is battling a cargo theft surge and severe truck driver shortage, with a transport vehicle stolen every 38 minutes. This is a huge problem considering trucking is responsible for 3.78% of Mexico’s GDP and 81% of land cargo transport.

⚡ Mexico is investing $8.18B to expand its power grid with 275 lines and 524 substations, aiming to boost energy access, ease renewable bottlenecks, and roll out smart tech like drones, AI, and fiber optics.

🍫 Consumer group El Poder del Consumidor is filing an injunction over Mexico’s 2025 food label update, accusing companies of hiding health warnings with tiny fonts and poor placement – and slamming regulators for ignoring transparency in the review process.

🛢️ Pemex must invest 1.8 trillion pesos to meet its 6-year production goals, including 1.8M barrels of oil and 5B cubic feet of gas per day — nearly four times this year’s federal support. Of that, 238B pesos will fund four major gas projects expected to deliver 54% of Pemex’s future gas production.

⚽ Mexico City signed a labor pact with the International Transport Workers’ Federation to protect 500,000 workers in tourism, transport, and service sectors ahead of the 2026 World Cup, including training, inspections, and anti-human trafficking protections.

🍎 Your Health Pulse

Why Medevac Isn’t a Free Ride Home

Medical evacuation sounds like the ultimate safety net. If something goes wrong, just hop a flight back to the U.S. or Canada, right?

Not exactly.

Medevac is only an option after you’ve been stabilized. No flight will accept you until you're cleared, and those first few days in a local hospital can cost thousands — and that’s on you to pay.

Also, not all medevac plans will fly you to where you want to go.

Some will only take you to the nearest adequate facility — maybe a regional hospital a few hours away, but not your preferred clinic in the U.S. or Canada. Others allow “destination of choice” evacuation, but those plans are more expensive and less common.

Some international health insurance policies include evacuation benefits. Others require you to buy a separate medevac plan, which can be worth it if you want control over where you go.

One plus is that medevac policies typically apply anywhere in the world. Whether you’re in Mexico or Madagascar, you’ll still have access to evacuation… if your condition qualifies and you’ve followed the necessary steps for evacuation.

Don’t assume a medevac policy means a flight home. Read more.

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🧩 Life in México

Are Banking Issues on the Rise?

We’ve recently heard from several U.S. readers about problems getting replacement bank cards into Mexico using both DHL and FedEx.

In multiple cases, cards sent by major banks — or forwarded by family members — ran into trouble at customs. Some were marked “Returned to Sender” without explanation, while others sat held up in customs in Mexico for days.

At the same time, readers tell us that money transfer apps are starting to flag transactions and ask for extra documentation, adding another layer of frustration.

These sorts of delays can be especially risky for expats and tourists. If your wallet is lost or stolen, how do you get by without quick access to a replacement card?

Freaky stuff.

We’ve done some digging and can’t find anything from Mexican customs or the couriers explaining why this is happening. And when it comes to customs, what the institutions promise on paper often doesn’t match the reality on the ground.

That’s why we’re asking the community to put our heads together. Are these isolated cases, or a larger pattern emerging?

Take this quick poll and leave us a comment as well. Just make sure not to share sensitive banking information please! 

📍Immigration Essentials

Know Your Rights as a Permanent Resident

Last week, we broke down the perks and limits of temporary residency in Mexico. But what about permanent status?

Holding a Residente Permanente card gives you indefinite legal status in Mexico, with fewer strings attached. Here’s what you get (and what you don’t).

Rights and obligations of permanent residents include:

• Living in Mexico full - or part-time with no renewal requirements

• Working in any legal job without needing permission from immigration

• Traveling freely in and out of the country

• Opening bank accounts and registering a Mexican-plated car

• Applying for public healthcare (IMSS)

• Importing household goods duty-free (one time)

• Owning property directly, if it’s outside restricted zones

There’s also no rule about how long you have to stay in Mexico to maintain your status – extended time abroad won’t affect it.

Just like temporary residents, you’ll receive a CURP, which you’ll need for banking, taxes, and other official matters.”

But some limits still apply. 

You can’t vote, and foreign-plated vehicles aren’t allowed unless you’re living in a Free Zone (like parts of Sonora or Baja). That’s a big shift from temporary status, where a TIP was still an option.

And don’t forget: Just like temporary residents, you’re required to notify INM within 90 days of big life changes – new job, marriage, divorce, address, nationality – or risk paying a fine.

🇲🇽 Viva México

El Pípila’s Torch That Shook an Empire

On September 28, 1810 – twelve days after Father Miguel Hidalgo gave the Grito de Dolores – the struggle for independence reached Guanajuato. 

Spanish authorities, soldiers, and wealthy families fortified themselves in the Alhóndiga de Granaditas, a massive granary with three-foot-thick stone walls and a wooden main gate accessible only by a single causeway.

Hidalgo’s force of peasants, miners, and farmers – numbering between 20,000 and 50,000 and armed mostly with machetes and clubs – surrounded the building but could not break through. Musketeers positioned above the causeway shot down anyone who tried to reach the gate.

As dusk approached, a miner named Juan José de los Reyes Martínez Amaro stepped forward. Sources differ: Some call him Juan Amaro, others say he was born in San Miguel de Allende in 1782 or 1783. 

His nickname, El Pípila, has been explained in various ways – his uneven gait, freckles, or even a laugh compared to a turkey’s squawk.

He asked fellow miners to strap a large stone slab to his back as a shield. With a jug of tar and a torch, he crawled across the causeway under fire, smeared the gate with tar, and set it ablaze. 

The flames weakened the door, and insurgents forced it open, flooding inside. The entry led to a bloody massacre of soldiers and civilians, followed by looting of the city’s wealth. The violence horrified leaders such as Ignacio Allende, who distanced himself from Hidalgo after the event.

Historian José María de Bustamante first published the account in the 1840s. However, some historians later questioned whether El Pípila was a single individual or a symbolic figure. 

Today, a monumental statue of El Pípila overlooks Guanajuato, torch in hand. Its base bears the inscription: “Aún hay otras Alhóndigas que quemar.”

🪷 Viva Wellness

6,000 Years of Squash Blossom Magic 

Long before edible flowers became trendy, indigenous communities across Mexico were savoring something most of the world still throws away: Squash flowers.

These golden blooms, known as flor de calabaza in Spanish and ayoxochitl in Nahuatl, have been treasured in Mexico since at least 6,000 BCE. 

Symbolizing fertility, feminine energy, and seasonal abundance, the Aztecs honored every part of the squash plant. The blossoms were even used in offerings to deities like Tlazōlteōtl, goddess of purification and rebirth. 

Beyond their spiritual importance, flor de calabaza also serves a vital role in traditional medicine and nutrition. 

Traditional healers use them to support digestion and soothe inflammation, and modern research suggests they may contain compounds that help regulate blood sugar levels. 

Their natural fiber and anti-inflammatory properties are said to help ease joint pain and soothe irritated skin.

They are low in calories but loaded with vitamins A, C, and K, along with essential minerals like calcium, iron, and potassium. 

And more than medicine, they're magic in the kitchen. 

Cooked in quesadillas, added to soups, or stuffed with queso fresco and epazote before being lightly battered and fried, flor de calabaza is culinary gold.

The flowers are typically harvested in the early morning when they're fully open. They’re so delicate that they must be cooked the same day. You'll find them at mercados across Mexico, especially during the rainy season when they bloom in abundance. 

🎉 ¡Vamos! Events

🏃 Maratón León 2025 – September 21, León, Guanajuato
Whether you're gearing up for a 10K, half marathon, or the full 42K, join runners from across Mexico in one of the country’s most beloved endurance races. Starting and finishing at Distrito León MX, the certified course weaves through leafy parks and city streets. More info here.

🎸 Festival Internacional de Guitarra – Sept 24–26, Morelia, Michoacán 
The 35th edition of this world-class classical guitar festival brings international talent to the Michoacán capital. Expect concerts, master classes, cultural activities, and more, with invited artists from Colombia, Italy, the Czech Republic, and Mexico. Now in its 35th year, it’s one of Mexico’s most enduring music traditions. More info here.

🎨 Feria Xcaret de Arte Popular Mexicano – September 25–28, Xcaret, Quintana Roo Celebrate Mexican folk art in all its color and craftsmanship at the 15th annual Xcaret Art Fair. Over 140 artisans from across Mexico gather to showcase textiles, pottery, woodwork, jewelry, and more. Expect live demos, regional cuisine, and cultural performances. More info here.

🏊‍♀️ AsTri Cozumel Triathlon – September 27, Cozumel, Q. Roo
Athletes take on land and sea in this island triathlon featuring Olympic, Sprint, and Solo Novatas categories. Swim from Chankanaab Park, cycle the fast coastal highway, and finish with a downtown run ending at the Palacio Municipal. Kids ages 6–13 can join the action in the “3-Kids” triathlon. Races begin at 6:30 a.m., with separate relays for each category. More info here. 

📱 Pokémon GO City Safari – Sept 27–28, Cancún, Quintana Roo 
Grab your phone and your sense of play as City Safari turns all of Cancún into your Pokémon playground. Catch exclusive creatures like Eevee in explorer hats, explore special experience zones across the city, and connect with local Trainer communities. The event runs all day (times vary by location), and tickets are still available. More info here.

🎪 Fiestas del Sol Mexicali – Sept 26 to Oct 12, Mexicali, B.C.
Seventeen days of culture and celebration at Centro FEX, featuring headliners at the Palenque (Luis R. Conríquez, Edén Muñoz, Christian Nodal, Carín León, Grupo Firme) alongside 17 nights of free concerts at the Isla de las Estrellas. You’ll also find rides, regional food stalls, artisan pavilions, charrería, and street art. Weekday hours are 5 pm–midnight; weekends extend until 1  am. More info here.

🎨 Museo Casa Kahlo – Opening September 27, Coyoacán, CDMX
A new museum dedicated to Frida Kahlo is opening in Casa Roja — the longtime family home of Kahlo’s parents and sister — just steps from Casa Azul in Coyoacán. Run by her descendants for the first time, Museo Casa Kahlo will showcase personal artifacts, clothing, dolls, letters, and never-before-seen photos from the family archive. The museum also includes rotating exhibitions and photography by Kahlo’s father, Guillermo. More info here.

💡 Say It in Spanish

Ocupar vs. Necesitar

In Spanish 101, we’re taught to use necesitar when asking if someone needs something. But in much of Mexico – especially in central and northern states – you’ll often hear ocupar instead.

Ocupar is frequently used to mean "to need" or "to require," similar to the verb necesitar. So ¿Ocupa ayuda? is just a more local, casual way to offer help — and totally polite.

But ocupar still keeps its other meanings. It can mean “to take up” space or time (Los juguetes de mi hijo ocupan todo su cuarto), or “to occupy” a place or position (El ejército ocupó la ciudad).

And when it comes to day-to-day conversation — need a ride? help? a charger? — you’re more likely to hear ocupar than necesitar.

Try it. It’s one of those small swaps that makes you sound way more local.

🎯 Trivia Answer

Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, Ignacio Allende, Juan Aldama, and Mariano Jiménez.

The Alhóndiga de Granaditas, once a simple warehouse in Guanajuato City, became a grim symbol of Spain's brutality during Mexico's fight for independence. On June 26, 1811, Ignacio Allende, Juan Aldama, and Mariano Jiménez were executed by firing squad in the city of Chihuahua. Hildago was executed in Chihuahua on July 30, 1811. 

The decapitated heads of these four men were sent to Guanajuato and hung in iron cages at each corner of the Alhóndiga de Granaditas – a chilling warning to those who dared to oppose the crown. 

Their heads hung there for the next 10 years as a warning to future rebels. It wasn’t until Mexico finally won independence that their remains were removed and later entombed at the base of the Columna de la Independencia in Mexico City in 1925.

Alhóndiga de Granaditas now serves as the Museo Regional de Guanajuato that’s focused on the history and culture of the area, particularly the Mexican War of Independence.

If you haven’t been yet, it’s worth the visit. Click here for museum info and hours.

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