Mexico Current News and Mexico Current Events, all the Latest News on Mexico Today |

Mario Gutierrez of Veracruz won the 2012 Kentucky Derby

Fri, May 03, 2013 MexicoToday

MexicoToday
Joined: 22.06.2011

Mexican Jockey Mario Gutierrez Reflects One Year After Winning Kentucky Derby

In 2012, jockey Mario Gutierrez of Veracruz rode into the record books as the winning jockey of the Kentucky Derby. One year after his victorious race aboard the horse I'll Have Another, Gutierrez will be watching the 2013 Kentucky Derby from the sidelines. …

“It will be nice,” Gutierrez told Yahoo! Sports last week. “I get to watch it and not have any pressure.”

Nevertheless, winning the Kentucky Derby changed Mario Gutierrez’s life. He appeared on late-night talk shows and threw out the first pitch at a Los Angeles Dodgers ballgame.

“When people ask who won the Kentucky Derby in 2012, my name will be right there,” he said. “I can always say I went there for the first time and won the Kentucky Derby.”

Gutierrez was born in Veracruz, Mexico but built his professional jockey career in Canada. Since 2006, Gutierrez has been one of the leading riders at Hastings Race Course in Vancouver, winning riding titles in 2007, 2008 before coming up short for a third on the final day of the meeting last year.

Barack Obama and Enrique Peña Nieto

Fri, May 03, 2013 MexicoToday

MexicoToday
Joined: 22.06.2011

Enrique Peña Nieto and Barack Obama Launch Bilateral Meeting, Sign Education Agreement

At a joint press conference at the Palacio Nacional in Mexico City, Presidents Enrique Peña Nieto of Mexico and Barack Obama reaffirmed the strong ties between the United States and Mexico at the beginning of this week's bilateral meeting.

"Mexico and the United States have one of the largest, most dynamic relationships of any two countries on earth," said President Obama. "Our success is shared. When one of us prospers, both of us prosper."

President Peña Nieto said, "Higher education is the great booster for our two nations, where science and technology are our best bet."

Presidents Obama and Peña Nieto announced the formation of a bilateral forum for education, innovation and research, in order to expand student exchanges and increase research in the education sector. The forum seeks to "expand economic opportunities for the citizens" of the two countries and will promote greater access to postsecondary education" for traditionally underserved demographic groups in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Mexico and the United States have a long history of educational collaboration, with more than 18,000 college students exchanges between the two countries each year.

19.432000

-99.132000

Barack Obama and Enrique Peña Nieto

Thu, May 02, 2013 MexicoToday

MexicoToday
Joined: 22.06.2011

President Obama Arrives in Mexico for Bilateral Meeting with President Enrique Peña Nieto

Upon his arrival on Air Force One in Mexico City, U.S. President Barack Obama travelled to the Palacio Nacional to begin his bilateral meetings with President Enrique Peña Nieto of Mexico. Following a joint press conference, Presidents Obama and Peña Nieto will have a working… dinner at Los Pinos. Tomorrow, President Obama is expected to speak to Mexican youth at the Museo Nacional de Antropología before travelling to Costa Rica for the second leg of his trip through Latin America.

This is President Obama’s fourth trip to Mexico. President Obama previously visited Mexico in April and August 2009 meetings with then-President Felipe Calderón. President Obama also attended the G-20 Summit in Los Cabos in June 2012. In November 2012, then President-elect Enrique Peña Nieto met with President Obama and invited him to visit Mexico. Vice President Joe Biden attended President Peña Nieto’s December 2012 inauguration ceremony.

Mexico is the World's Largest Exporter of Fresh Mangoes

Wed, May 01, 2013 MexicoToday

MexicoToday
Joined: 22.06.2011

Mangoes from Mexico Lead Explosion of Fruit Exports

Thanks to an explosion of mango exports from Mexico, your next mango recipe can be sweeter and more authentic. One out of 20 mangoes consumed in the world is now grown in Mexico. Last year, 300,000 tons of mangoes were exported from Mexico, mostly to the United States. Mexico is the world’s largest exporter of fresh… mangoes.

Because of their proximity to the U.S. market, Mexico mango growers have lower transportation costs than their competitors in Asia. As a result, mango growers in Mexico can allow the fruit to ripen longer on the mango tree. According to Jorge Armando Celis, president of Mexico's mango exporters, the more time a mango ripens on the tree, the sweeter the fruit will be.

Has this post made you hungry? If so, please enjoy this mango salsa recipe from Pati Jinich, host of Pati’s Mexican Table.

FRESH MANGO SALSA

Makes 4 1/2 cups

INGREDIENTS

1/2 medium red onion, cut into very thin slivers (1/3 cup)

Juice from 2 limes (4 tablespoons)

2 1/2 pounds ripe mangoes (about 4), peeled and cut into large dice

1 large jalapeño pepper, stemmed, seeded and finely chopped (about 2 tablespoons, or more to taste)

Leaves from 4 stems cilantro, finely chopped (3 tablespoons)

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon kosher or coarse sea salt, or more to taste

TO PREPARE

Combine the onion and lime juice in a mixing bowl; toss to coat and let sit for 10 minutes. Combine the mango, jalapeno, cilantro, oil and salt in a separate mixing bowl. Add the onion-lime juice mixture when it's ready and toss to mix well. Taste and add salt or jalapeno as needed.

President Barack Obama in Mexico

Wed, May 01, 2013 MexicoToday

MexicoToday
Joined: 22.06.2011

Two-Thirds of Mexicans Surveyed Approve of Mexico-U.S. Bilateral Relationship

On the eve of President Obama's visit to Mexico, two-thirds of Mexicans have a favorable impression of the United States, according to a new poll by the Pew Research Center. This represents the highest approval rating of the Mexico-US bilateral relationship in three years. 66 percent of Mexicans rated relations with the United States as… "good," up from 44 percent in late 2010. 70 percent of Mexicans rate economic relations with the United States as "good." Regarding President Obama, 49 percent of Mexicans express confidence in the American president to do the right thing when it comes to world affairs, up from 42 percent in 2012 and 38 percent in 2011.

The upcoming visit will be President Obama’s fourth trip to Mexico. President Obama previously visited Mexico in April and August 2009 meetings with then-President Felipe Calderón. President Obama also attended the G-20 Summit in Los Cabos in June 2012. In November 2012, then President-elect Enrique Peña Nieto met with President Obama and invited him to visit Mexico. Vice President Joe Biden attended President Peña Nieto’s December 2012 inauguration ceremony.

Mexico surpasses Brazil as an investment opportunity

Mon, April 29, 2013 MexicoToday

MexicoToday
Joined: 22.06.2011

Mexico surpasses Brazil as an investment opportunity

Mexico has become the new hotspot for investors seeking opportunities in Latin America. The new president of Mexico, Enrique Peña Nieto, has been pushing for economic change, which has encouraged many investors put cash in to Mexico. A recent CNBC article quoted a research director at Frontier Strategy… Group as saying, “Brazil became a lot less attractive in the last year and a half. Mexico has definitely come up as a priority."

Mexican companies have proven themselves to have a better profit profile than those within Brazil, with higher profitability and better margins. Brazil has the largest economy within Latin America, but it has been fighting against high inflation, leaving investors worried that over a potentially low-growth environment. Compared to Mexico’s quickly growing economy, Brazil’s grew only 1 percent last year.

In the past year, iShares MSCI Mexico Capped exchange-traded fund grew over 17 percent. This is compared to a fund trailing Brazil, iShares MSCI Brazil Capped Index Fund, which depleted by over 15 percent.

Key fiscal, financial and energy reforms are expected in Mexico this year, and this comprehensive reform process will only deliver higher growth capacity for Mexico. Experts predict its economy will expand approximately 4.5 percent this year.

Mexico_City_Building_Torres_de_Especialidades_Smog

Wed, April 24, 2013 John Ganjei

John Ganjei
Joined: 24.08.2011

Mexico City Building, Torre de Especialidades, Eats Smog for Lunch

For Torre de Especialidades, a hospital with a new tower currently under construction in Mexico City, Allison Dring and Daniel Schwaag of the Berlin-based firm Elegant Embellishment have developed a tile called proSolve370e, which will cover the facade of the building. The tile’s shape and chemical coating will help… neutralize the chemicals present in the city’s smog which is produced by 8,750 cars driving each day.

The paint applied to the tiles is made from titanium dioxide, a pigment used to make a wide range of applications from paint to sunscreen to food coloring. Titanium (IV) oxide or Titania happens to double as a catalyst in certain chemical reactions. When UV light cuts through smoggy air and hits the titanium dioxide on the tiles, a chemical reaction occurs between the tiles and chemicals in the smog. The smog is broken down into small amounts of less noxious chemicals, including calcium nitrate, carbon dioxide, and water. This colorless salt absorbs moisture from the air and is commonly found as a tetrahydrate. It is mainly used as a component in fertilizers, but has other applications. The shape of the tiles also slows wind speeds and creates turbulence, which distributes pollution more evenly across the tiles.

While Torre de Especialidades is the first permanent exterior installation of their system, Dring is hopeful that others will follow Mexico City’s lead. “Other cities with pollution problems including Santiago, Beijing, Los Angeles, Beirut, Astana or those with tightening regulations as is the current case in Germany are ideal environments for proSolve370e.”

19.290000

-99.160000

Medical Tourism in Mexico Appeals to Many

Tue, April 23, 2013 MexicoToday

MexicoToday
Joined: 22.06.2011

Medical Tourism in Mexico Appeals to Many

President Enrique Peña Nieto recently revealed a new national tourism policy for Mexico, which aims to diversify tourism products for the future as well as to strengthen existing destinations. Among these segments is medical tourism – a growing component of Mexico’s tourism industry. …

Mexico already possesses all of the conditions necessary to be a market leader in medical tourism, largely thanks to state-of-the-art facilities and well-trained physicians. For example, Nuevo León is recognized for its first class medical infrastructure, with nearly 9,000 internationally recognized experts, and 50,000 people employed in the healthcare field. For this reason, Mexico held its first Health Tourism Forum in Monterrey, Nuevo León in August 2011. The primary goal of the forum was to secure Mexico’s place as a leader in the medical tourism industry and to implement a standardized system for measuring quality health care.

Mexico’s health tourism market caters to travelers from around the world looking to combine a health procedure and vacation at a reasonable cost. The industry promises continued growth in Mexico. Tourists from around the world are now traveling to Mexican destinations such as Cancun and Riviera Maya to receive everything from holistic treatments to cardiology and oncology care. Puerto Vallarta also has a growing reputation as a destination for medical tourism. Medical tourism in Puerto Vallarta provides state of art equipment, inexpensive services, bilingual physicians and low waiting times for patients.

Adventurer_Abraham_Levy_Spain_Mexico_Aficionado

Mon, April 22, 2013 John Ganjei

John Ganjei
Joined: 24.08.2011

Adventurer Abraham Levy to Row from Spain to Mexico

Mexico adventurer Abraham Levy will attempt to row it alone from Puerto de Palos, Spain, to Cancun, Mexico, in a sixth-month journey inspired by Christopher Columbus’ voyage to the Americas. …

Levy, whose trip will begin on October 12, said “I want to do what the great explorers did and set out from the Old World, leaving Puerto de Palos en route to Mexican Lands.”

The adventure aficionado will travel via a boat that is equipped with navigation gear, GPS, satellite phone, a desalinization plant, a stove and solar panels to charge the lithium batteries. He will also have land-based support from a group of doctors, trainers and meteorological experts. The carbon fiber boat weighs 400 pounds, measures 24 feet long and 5 feet abeam, has a hermetic cabin and 10-foot oars of the same material.

This is not the first major voyage for Levy. He kayaked 6,800 miles along the coasts of his country in 2008.

"The trip will take about four months, but I'm going prepared to spend six months at sea," said Levy, who will set out on his journey in October because at that point hurricane season is over on his route, which follows the trade winds to the Canary Islands, continues on to the Caribbean, and then changes course to Mexico.

19.432608

-99.133208

Mexico City

Mazatlán faces the Pacific Coast of Mexico

Fri, April 19, 2013 MexicoToday

MexicoToday
Joined: 22.06.2011

Mazatlán entices Mexico travelers as Cruise Ships Return

During the 38th edition of Tianguis Turistico last month in Puebla, national and international journalists alike flocked to the Marriott hotel for a breakfast hosted by the city of Mazatlán. Praised as the ‘Pearl of the Pacific,’ this colonial city is home to 15,000 expats and the… largest malécon on the Pacific.

Mazatlán has seen much growth in recent years. Carlos Berdegue, vice president of the Mazatlan Hotel & Tourism Association and CEO of El Cid Resorts, has long been an advocate for development within the region. As Berdegue mentioned, “This year marks the return of cruise lines to the port of Mazatlán: Princess Cruises, Norwegian, Holland America and Azamara Cruises.” Berdegue also confirmed that forty per cent more flights would be bringing travelers to Mazatlán within the next year as a result of his negotiations with various airlines.

When most people envision Mexico, sun and beach destinations typically come to mind. Though, as the draw of magical towns continues to grow, more visitors are looking to experience the culture of Mexico while travelling abroad. The government of President Enrique Peña Nieto, along with Secretary of Tourism Claudia Ruiz Massieu and the Mexican Tourism Board, is moving toward strengthening the tourism sector and promoting travel both domestically and internationally.

Home to theaters, galleries, a plethora of delectable seafood and a Centro Historico protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site; Mazatlán is a city most visitors find themselves not wanting to leave. Learn more first hand from some of the Canadian and American expats living in ‘the colonial city on the beach.’

23.226688

-106.407618

Mazatlan

Museo de Arte en Mexico, DF

Thu, April 18, 2013 MexicoToday

MexicoToday
Joined: 22.06.2011

Mexico City seeks tourism partnerships with New York, London and Madrid

At a breakfast held during Tianguis Turístico last month, the Mexico City Secretary of Tourism, Miguel Torruco Marqués, announced that he is signing agreements with key metropolitan cities to drive tourism internationally: New York, London and Madrid. Driving tourism in key metropolitan markets worldwide is essential to… the continued success of Mexico as a premier destination.

Secretary Torruco Marqués is not only focusing on international markets, he has also been developing national partnerships between states. The Secretary recently signed an agreement with the head of Michoacán’s Tourism Board, Mr. Roberto Enrique Monroy Garcia, which will propel Michoacán as a destination to experience.

High atop the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, in the national butterfly sanctuaries, the eastern population of Monarch butterflies trek thousands of miles to their overwintering grounds in Michoacán each year. This program will help to drive tourism between the states as part of the “Enjoy Mexico City” initiative to mobilize tourists and nationals to experience Mexico’s capital, and the largest city in Latin America.

The campaign has already begun to positively impact hotel occupancy in Mexico City, with a four percent increase this March over last year’s volume. With millions of dollars being invested into the economy of the city, and international outreach, Mexico City will soon become a landmark destination for all who visit Mexico.

19.413300

-99.171500

See video

Wed, April 17, 2013 MexicoToday

MexicoToday
Joined: 22.06.2011

Baja California wine country takes center stage

Though you may be able to place Cancun or Puerto Vallarta on a map, can you locate a wine region within Mexico? Likely not. Often revered for its world-class sun and beach destinations, the country offers a world of possibilities: from colonial cities to the vineyards of Baja. Last month at Tianguis… Turistico, in Puebla, the wines of the Baja took center stage as the region promoted their rich grapes.

Just south of the U.S. border, the state of Baja California stretches south from continental Mexico onto the Baja Peninsula, the Pacific Ocean and Gulf of California on either side. The peninsula is home to two states, Baja California and Baja California Sur, the second of which is predominantly known for sun and beach. To the north, in Baja California, rests a plethora of vineyards that make up Baja California wine country. Start in Rosarito and work your way south to the Valle de Guadalupe experience some of the finest grapes in the region. Be sure to stop at Santo Tomás to enjoy their wine and chocolate pairing; each wine has a specific chocolate made to accentuate the flavors. The vineyard also makes one of the world's finest olive oils, having won the title years ago at the world championship. See a map of Baja California wine country.

32.361779

-117.056772

Rosarito

Mexico_hailed_as_a_model_solve_political_gridlock_in_United States

Mon, April 15, 2013 MexicoToday

MexicoToday
Joined: 22.06.2011

Mexico Hailed as a Model to Solve Political Gridlock in United States

A recent editorial in the Christian Science Monitor praised the political leadership of President Enrique Peña Nieto for breaking years of political gridlock in Mexico. The editorial discussed policies proposed by President Peña Nieto to reform the education, energy and telecommunications sectors. …

“The so-called Pact for Mexico signed by top political leaders has enabled President Enrique Peña Nieto to overcome legislative paralysis and either pass or present serious reforms,” stated the Christian Science Monitor editorial. “To the surprise of many, his own Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI), which once represented the entrenched status quo, has taken on big interests that have long held Mexico back.”

The Christian Science Monitor hailed the legislative cooperation in Mexico as a model to solve political gridlock in the United States.

“Mexicans have witnessed a rare moment in which their bickering political leaders came together for change,” the editorial stated. “At a time when the US Congress is struggling even to pass a budget, Mexico provides a model for what can be done”

Mexico_International_Boat_Show_Deep_Sea_Fishing

Wed, April 10, 2013 John Ganjei

John Ganjei
Joined: 24.08.2011

Mexico's International Boat Show & A Day of Deep Sea Fishing

Boating enthusiasts will flock to Cabo San Lucas in May to celebrate the third annual Mexico International Boat Show and Marine Products and Services Fair at its new location – the IGY Marina Cabo San Lucas in front of the Wyndham Cabo San Lucas Resort. …

A new lineup of exhibitors reflects a growing segment in Mexico’s robust nautical tourism, boating and yachting market. The show, which takes place May 1-4, 2013, is the only boat show and marine products and service fair on the Baja California peninsula and Mexico’s entire West Coast.

To celebrate its arrival, Lux Penny Vacations has partnered with Pisces Sport-fishing and Playa Grande Resort to promote a six-day deep sea fishing excursion. The fun-filled package includes $250 off of your deep sea fishing trip on the Sea of Cortés, six nights at the luxurious Playa Grande Resort, and limo service to and from the airport.

22.890533

-109.916737

Cabo San Lucas

See video

Tue, April 09, 2013 MexicoToday

MexicoToday
Joined: 22.06.2011

Sports Tourism Brings Fans to Mexico

Mexico plays host to the most ideal destinations for sports tourism. Whether you are an athlete or an avid follower, there is a place in… Mexico that is perfect for you. Between its prime locations for water skiing, mountain biking, gravel driving races and sailing, any sports fan would feel at home vacationing in Mexico.

Guadalajara and the state of Jalisco hosted the 2011 Pan American Games. The event is the world's second largest athletic competition, ranking behind the Summer Olympics, and had a significant economic impact on the state of Jalisco. 6,000 athletes competed in a variety of sports. Water skiers from across the Americas came to the beautiful lakeside town of Ajijic, with sport fans from across the globe gathering in the charming town to watch. Ajijic is perfect for water skiing. The venue for the games was Boca Laguna, an artificial lake adjoining Lake Chapala in this central Jalisco town. Ajijic’s draw to the adventurous has created a town perfect for an exhilarating vacation.

The Pan American Games’ sailing competition took place at the Vallarta Yacht Club in Nuevo Vallarta. Fans of windsurfing, laser radial, laser standard, J-24, hobit cat, snipe, lightning and sunfish gathered to watch the 140 athletes compete. Nuevo Vallarta is no stranger to tourism, with many Americans and Canadians choosing its white, sandy beaches as a vacation destination.

Tapalpa, a municipality within Jalisco, was the perfect location for a mountain biking venue in Mexico. As part of the Sierra de Tapalpa, it has an extremely mountainous terrain – 74 percent of Tapalpa is considered “hilly!” In addition to being a haven for mountain bikers and mountain hikers, this environment has made Tapalpa a home for hang-gliding and paragliding.

In March, Mexico hosted the third round of the World Rally Competition as the first gravel event. Mexico spread 23 stages across 397 kilometers. It took place in the mountains surrounding the towns of Leon, Silao, Irapuato and Guanajuato. The Rally Guanajuato Mexico was the longest at 54.9 kilometers. While the dust may have settled from the action-packed event, the excitement over it has not. The event has become increasingly popular, for both competitors and spectators, and is expected to only gather more and more followers every year.

Whether it’s the sport itself that calls to you or the excitement of watching, Mexico provides many unparalleled destinations for the avid sports fan. Come play in Mexico, and have the most exhilarating vacation of your lifetime!