MI’s Mexico Foreign Press Chatter, Oct. 31, 2025

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MI’s Mexico Foreign Press Chatter, Oct. 31, 2025

In a headline-heavy week, the NYT had the most striking story with a haunting portrait of how cartel violence affects funeral home workers in Culiacán, Sinaloa. The proximity to cartel violence and death highlights the human toll behind the headlines, as workers have become silent witnesses “living alongside death”, tasked with supporting distraught families. Meanwhile, U.S. pressure on cartels intensified, as it launched new strikes on drug-smuggling boats killing 14 people, per the NYT. The WSJ added that President Sheinbaum has called for greater cooperation with Washington after Mexico’s Navy was drawn into the operation, underscoring the country’s difficult position as President Trump’s offensive expands.

Bilateral tensions went beyond cartel issues, as Reuters and the NYT reported that the U.S. will again delay imposing tariffs on Mexico after President Sheinbaum secured yet another reprieve after a call with Trump. Reuters also reported on the U.S. Transportation Department cancelation of 13 routes, mostly from Mexico City’s Felipe Angeles airport, to the U.S., citing Mexico’s non-compliance with a 2022 agreement. Meanwhile, the screwworm outbreak remains unresolved as the Mexican agricultural minister confirmed there is still no timeline for cattle export’s renewal, per Reuters. And in Texas, the AP reported that lawmakers are urging the Trump administration to include Mexico’s failure to meet its 1944 water obligations in upcoming trade talks through sanctions or enforcement.

On migration, the NYT profiled Alejandro Juárez, an ex-employee at one of Trump’s golf clubs, whose deportation violated federal migration laws as ICE admitted they had “placed him on the wrong plane”. Then, it reported on how Mexico’s Los Angeles consulate has become a refuge for immigrants caught up in raids, providing a space for complaints, legal help, and venting frustration.

On the economic front, Bloomberg had three notable reports. First, columnist JP Spinetto delved into Mexico’s deepening corn crisis, where cultural pride and nationalist policies clash with economic reality as climate change, stagnant yields, and a GMO ban drive growing dependence on U.S. imports and strain the country’s quest for food sovereignty. Then, it analyzed how Mexico could outgrow its northern neighbor, but that this hinges on Sheinbaum’s ability to balance fiscal restraint, trade tensions, and an unpredictable Trump. Lastly, it reported that her new sin taxes on goods such as sugary drinks and gambling have been approved and are being framed as a public health initiative, but critics call it fiscal consolidation and claim it could risk political backlash.

In business news, Bloomberg reported the country’s wettest rainy season in three years hurt consumer demand and slowed retail traffic, hitting beverage and retail giants such as Coca-Cola FEMSA; on the bright side, the stock market has hit record highs. Femsa introduced its new CEO, who pledged a “no-nonsense, straightforward” leadership approach amid a challenging backdrop. Meanwhile, Reuters reported that Grupo Carso is reviewing the feasibility of the Lakach deepwater natural gas project with Pemex.

Shifting gears, the AP spotlighted the Catrina parade, where the LGBTQ+ group Las Exóticas showcased their art, part of their efforts to increase visibility for their rights amid persistent LGBTQ+ violence. Meanwhile, NYT covered the growing number of expat women in Mexico City as the gentrification debate continues; it also reported on tourists’ search for tours that offer an “authentic” feel of underprivileged neighborhoods. Heading outside of Mexico City, the paper revealed that a new study into Teotihuacán’s glyphs reignited debates over the language spoken in the ancient city, with scientists now proposing Uto-Aztec, a language predating Nahuatl. And on a cheerful note, the AP released a video of a new sighting of the endangered vaquita marina, renewing hope for the endemic species.

Notable podcasts and blogs in English on Mexico

On this week’s MexMoves podcast, Damian and Eduardo host Uber’s top Mexico executives, who break down their strategy and why the country has become one of Uber’s biggest global markets. Juan Guerra, CEO of Revolut Bank Mexico, discusses how the fintech will be adapting its European model to Mexico, with credit a bigger part of the story. They also examine the U.S.-Mexico airline imbroglio; the government’s controversial plan to slash credit card fees and its impact on fintechs; and the wildly divergent fortunes of Mercado Libre, Oxxo, and Walmex in 3Q25 amid a slowing consumer backdrop.

In Bloomberg’s Trumponomics, host Stephanie Flanders was joined by Alex Vasquez and Felipe Hernandez to discuss Mexico, examining how Sheinbaum has navigated Trump’s economic chaos, and what is at stake for the country in the growing trade war. On Mexico: The podcast hosts Tavo and Alex try to explain why the country is struggling to foster investment, and why businesses are cautious about Mexico despite such strong fundamentals. On the Modern Mexico Podcast, host Nathaniel Parish speaks to Bloomberg journalist Maya Averbuch about the problem of cargo truck hijacking in Mexico. And on the Mexico Decoded podcast, Viri Rios and Fernando Nieto dive into the large and complex Mexican bureaucracy.

Mexico-related Substacks featured two pieces in Ioan Grillo’s Crashout. The first argues that since 2006, Mexico has endured a part-war, part-crime conflict, raising questions about its recognition as an armed conflict. The second includes an excerpt from Andrew Packsmann’s new book, Mexican Watchdogs: The Rise of a Critical Press since the 1980s, that chronicles how Mexico’s journalists have persisted despite crime and narcopolitics.

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