¡Hola amigos! Independence Day is almost here, and the country is counting down to its biggest celebration of the year. While we look back at Mexico’s fight for freedom, we’re also keeping an eye on the stories shaping life today.

This week, the government wants to take water back from private companies, chile serrano prices gave inflation an extra kick, and Mexico’s fuel-theft scandal continues to unfold. Zacatecas also drew attention with the debut of a terrifying robot dog built for high-risk security ops.

On the practical side, we have updates on bank cards getting stuck at customs and the Spanish phrase you’ll want the next time you’re running late.

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❓México Trivia

What year was the current Mexican flag officially adopted?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.

📣 Qué Paso

🦠 Mexico has confirmed 4,353 measles cases and 17 deaths, with more than 95% concentrated in Chihuahua. Health officials warn that if transmission continues, the country could lose its measles-free certification.

💰 Mexico’s Finance Secretary delivered President Sheinbaum’s 2026 Economic Package to Congress yesterday, proposing 10.2 trillion pesos in spending, up 5.9% from last year. Nearly a third of the budget is for pensions and debt, with new taxes on sugary drinks, tobacco, and violent video games. 

🌱 Mexico has banned 35 highly hazardous pesticides – its first major prohibition in 34 years. The decree, signed by President Sheinbaum on September 5, halts the production, import, sale, and use of chemicals linked to chronic health risks, biodiversity loss, and soil and water contamination.

💹 Consumer inflation in Mexico rose slightly in August to 3.57% from 3.51% in July. Housing, dining, and chile serrano (which went up 34.9%) drove prices higher, while chicken and tomatoes dropped and eased the pressure.

💧 President Sheinbaum launched 17 “deprivatization” water projects to take back water from private companies and return it to public control.

🐄 Mexico restricted cattle imports from Central America to a single entry point at Puerto Chiapas to prevent the spread of a screwworm outbreak.

🥑 Mexico’s avocado industry pledged deforestation-free exports by 2026. Orchards on land cleared after 2025 will be barred and those deforested between 2018–2024 must restore ecosystems to qualify.

🛢️Mexican security forces arrested 14 people, including a high-level navy officer, following the discovery of 10 million liters of illicit diesel in March, one of the largest seizures in the country’s history. 

🏟️ After an 18-month dispute, Azteca Stadium’s luxury box owners won the right to use them during the 2026 World Cup, as guaranteed under their 99-year contracts dating back to the stadium’s construction.

🤖 Zacatecas showcased a 60-kilo robot dog armed with an AR-15 at the opening of its new C5i security center. Officials say the state hasn’t bought it yet, but are weighing its use for high-risk operations like raids and rescues. Absolutely terrifying. 

🍎 Your Health Pulse

Can You Get Health Insurance in Mexico If You Have a Pre-Existing Condition?

By far, this is one of the top questions foreigners living in Mexico (or those looking to move here) have. For some, it’s critical and can be a deal breaker before moving to Mexico full-time – or the reason you may need to move back to your passport country.

Here’s what you need to know about pre-existing conditions and obtaining health insurance in Mexico.

Read more.

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🏠 Real Estate Roundup

Notarios and Real Estate in Mexico

If you’re buying property in Mexico, you’ll quickly learn that a Notario Público isn’t the same as a notary public back home. In the U.S., a notary mainly witnesses signatures. 

In Mexico, a Notario is a seasoned lawyer appointed by state governors, after years of experience and an exam. 

Their role carries real weight: Without a Notario, your property deal isn’t legally valid.

During a real estate transaction, the Notario does not represent the buyer or the seller – they act as a neutral authority of the state and as a legal witness to ensure the transaction complies with the law..

Their job is to:

• Verify the property’s legal status (free of liens, debts, or disputes)

• Draft and certify the deed

• Calculate and collect taxes

• Register the transaction with the Public Registry of Property

Because of this, the Notario is legally responsible for ensuring the deal is airtight…and they can be held liable for mistakes. 

While you still want your own lawyer to look out for your interests, only the Notario can give the final legal stamp. 

And their reach goes beyond real estate. You’ll also need a Notario for drafting wills, creating a power of attorney, incorporating a business, or handling complex contracts. 

Think of them as gatekeepers. If the matter involves property, inheritance, or corporate law, chances are you’ll need a Notario to make it legal.

🧩 Life in México

Bank Cards and Customs: What You Need to Know

Last week, we asked readers if they were experiencing issues with money transfer apps or getting bank cards in Mexico.

53% of respondents said they were experiencing some sort of banking issue.

33% specifically reported problems with bank cards sent through DHL or FedEx being stopped at customs. Some were marked “Returned to Sender” without explanation, while others sat in customs for days before being rejected.

Reports came in from across Mexico, showing the issue is widespread and not tied to any one region.

So, we picked up the phone and asked DHL and FedEx what was going on.

DHL told us they’ve received complaints and are aware of the issue but admitted that customs doesn’t always give a clear reason. Sometimes it’s tied to not having RFC or CURP numbers on file. Other times, no explanation is given. 

DHL added that cards sent directly by the issuing bank tend to have a higher chance of making it through, compared to those forwarded by family or friends. (That is, of course, if your bank allows cards to be sent to Mexico. Many don’t.) 

FedEx gave us more details. For a bank card to pass customs…

• The recipient’s name must match the card exactly.

• The card should be unactivated and ideally still sealed in its original bank envelope.

• The RFC should be provided before shipment. 

• While not officially required, they also recommend providing your CURP in addition to the RFC. 

As you know, starting January 1, 2025, an RFC is mandatory for all packages entering Mexico. If you’ve had a bank card returned without providing your RFC, this is most likely the reason. 

So, if you’ve already had a card sent back or you’re planning to have one shipped down soon,  make sure your RFC is included no matter what, and follow the DHL and FedEx tips outlined above. 

It won’t guarantee smooth delivery, but it will give your card the best chance of making it into your hands here in Mexico.

🇲🇽 Viva México

The Priest Who Kept Independence Alive

Following Father Miguel Hidalgo’s execution in 1811, the independence movement could have collapsed. Instead, leadership passed to his former student, José María Morelos y Pavón. 

Morelos was a Roman Catholic priest who transformed a scattered uprising into a disciplined campaign across southern Mexico. 

He wasn’t just a field commander. He was a nation-builder. 

In 1813, Morelos gathered deputies at Chilpancingo and opened the Congress of Anáhuac. There he presented his famous Sentimientos de la Nación (Sentiments of the Nation), a political vision that broke with Spain completely. He called for full independence, the abolition of slavery, the end of caste divisions, and the elimination of indigenous tribute payments.

Two months later, that same Congress issued an Act of Independence on November 6, 1813 – the first formal declaration that Mexico was a free nation.

But Morelos wanted more than words. He pushed the Congress to give Mexico its first legal framework. 

On October 22, 1814, while pursued by royalist armies, the deputies regrouped at Apatzingán and approved the Constitutional Decree for the Liberty of Mexican America (Decreto Constitucional para la Libertad de la América Mexicana). 

Inspired by Enlightenment ideas and U.S. and French models, it set out a republic with three separate powers: executive, legislative, and judicial.

The insurgent Congress was never safe. Constantly on the move, it relied on Morelos’s army for protection. Morelos often stayed behind to shield the Congress’s retreat, buying time for the deputies to escape and continue their work. 

By late 1815, setbacks mounted. Pursued by royalist forces, Morelos was captured near Temalaca on November 5. He was defrocked by church authorities, and executed at Ecatepec on December 22, 1815. 

His imprint is everywhere: The city of Morelia (renamed in 1828), the state of Morelos (created 1869), and his remains placed in Mexico City’s Independence Column in 1925. 

🪷 Viva Wellness

Pinole: The OG of Superfoods

Long before gym bros were loading up on pre-workout powder, Aztec warriors were drinking the ultimate endurance-enhancing superfood…pinole. 

The name pinole comes from the Náhuatl word pinolli, meaning “ground and toasted maize.” This coarse ground powder, usually blended with chia seeds, cacao, or cinnamon and mixed with water, has been energizing indigenous communities for over 1,000 years. 

One group especially tied to pinole is the Rarámuri (also known as the Tarahumara) of Chihuahua. Renowned worldwide for their legendary stamina, they are known to run hundreds of miles across canyons and mountains. A cornerstone of their diet is pinole, which delivers steady, slow-burning energy perfectly suited for long-distance endurance.

Pinole comes in a rainbow of colors – golden yellow, red, or deep purple – depending on the maize used.

Purple pinole, made from heirloom maize, is especially prized for the antioxidants. Its deep hue comes from anthocyanins, the same compounds in blueberries that fight inflammation, boost brain health, and protect the heart.

The traditional method of roasting corn over wood fires doesn’t just create a nutty, slightly sweet flavor, it also boosts antioxidant levels and transforms the corn’s carbs into long-lasting fuel, avoiding the sugar spikes and crashes of refined flours.

Nutritionally, cacao adds vitamins A, B, C, and E, while cinnamon helps stabilize blood sugar. Packed with protein, fiber, healthy fats, and antioxidants, pinole checks all the wellness boxes. 

Pinole can be stirred into juice or water, it’s baked into cookies, or added to smoothies for an easy energy boost.

When blended with milk and sweetened with piloncillo or honey, it becomes Atole de Pinole. This warm, nourishing drink is often enjoyed for breakfast or sold by street vendors on chilly winter mornings. 

Today, you’ll find pinole powder in mercados, health shops, and even online. Next time you need an energy lift, skip the imported superfoods and fuel up the ancient warrior way.

🎉 ¡Vamos! Events

♿ Paralimpiada Nacional CONADE 2025 – September 22 - October 12, Aguascalientes
Aguascalientes hosts Mexico’s premier adaptive sports event, uniting over 2,100 young para athletes from all 32 states for a powerful celebration of perseverance and talent. Featuring 11 disciplines – from wheelchair basketball and blind soccer to para swimming and triathlon - this is more than a competition, it’s a window into the future of elite sports in Mexico. Come witness the spirit, the strength, and the next generation of champions. More info here.

📚 Feria Internacional del Libro de Morelia – September 26 - October 5, Morelia, Michoacán
Celebrate 160 years of Mexico–Portugal friendship as Morelia welcomes Portugal as guest of honor in this growing literary festival. With over 190 events, 60+ publishers, and the theme Palabras Navegantes, the fair highlights authors like José Luis Peixoto, Afonso Cruz, and Patricia Portela, alongside Portuguese cinema, music, and theater. More info here.

🎪 Fiestas del Sol Mexicali – Sept ember 26 - October  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.

🪑 Design Week Mexico 2025 – October 7–12, CDMX
Now in its 17th edition, Design Week Mexico turns CDMX into a hub of ideas under the theme “Designed in Mexico.” This year highlights Argentina as guest country and a Focus México showcase spanning 10 states from Oaxaca to Yucatán. Expect immersive interiors at Design House, bold debuts at Inédito, and public installations reimagining heritage through sustainable design. With 20,000+ visitors annually, it’s Latin America’s premier design festival. More info here.

🎸 San Felipe Blues & Arts Fiesta – October 24 & 25, San Felipe, Baja California
Back for its 20th anniversary, this iconic beachside fiesta fuses live blues music with vibrant local art…all for a good cause. Hosted by the San Felipe Lions Club, the event supports everything from orphanages and cataract surgeries to fire departments and elder care. Expect two days of soulful performances, artisan booths, and a Friday night blues jam session under the stars. Tickets are available with a donation and every peso goes back into the community. More info here.

💡 Say It in Spanish

“Se me hizo tarde.”

Translation: I’m running late.

This phrase is pure Mexican daily life. Literally it means “It made itself late on me”. Sounds odd in English, but it’s used all the time as a polite way of saying “Sorry, I’m late” or “Time got away from me.”

You’ll hear it from friends, neighbors, or even your landlord if they show up after the agreed time.

Next time you’re running behind, skip the apology in English and just say: “Perdón, se me hizo tarde.” People will instantly get it and maybe even smile, because they’ve said it a hundred times themselves.

🎯 Trivia Answer

The current design of the Mexican flag was officially decreed in 1968, during the government of President Gustavo Díaz Ordaz. That year, the Law on the Features and Use of the Coat of Arms, Flag and National Anthem defined its characteristics: The green, white, and red vertical stripes, with the golden eagle devouring a snake on a cactus at the center.

But Mexico’s flag has a long and colorful evolution. 

Since 1810, when Miguel Hidalgo first raised the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe as a banner of independence, there have been at least 7 major versions:

• 1810 – Hidalgo’s Banner with the Virgin of Guadalupe. 

• 1812 – Morelos’ Flag with an eagle on a cactus.

• 1821 – Flag of the Three Guarantees (green, white, red diagonal stripes).

• 1822 – First Empire Flag with a crowned eagle.

• 1847 – San Blas Battalion Flag with a golden eagle devouring a snake.

• 1863 – Second Empire Flag under Maximilian, with imperial symbols.

• 1880 – Porfirio Díaz’s Flag, closer to today’s version, with eagle and laurels.

The 1968 version standardized the design we know today – a powerful emblem of independence, unity, and the blood of those who fought for the nation.

See Mexico’s flags through time.

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