García — in Spain on a working tour as part of her participation in Madrid’s International Tourism Fair, FITUR 2026 — said the new Bajío-Madrid air link is the result of an agreement her government signed with Air Europa. 

“We are very pleased, particularly that it will be a direct flight,” she said after her meeting with Richard Clark, Air Europa’s CEO. “This contributes to the effort we are making to promote Guanajuato as a world-class destination.”

The Bajío International Airport — located in Silao about 45 kilometers from the state capital, Guanajuato city — is the state’s main international airport.

The frequencies and dates for the new route have not yet been determined, but García indicated that the goal is for the flight to begin operating this year. 

“This will strengthen the state’s international connectivity, boost European tourism and generate economic benefits for various productive sectors,” she said.

This new air flight is expected to strengthen economic activity in sectors such as hotels, restaurants and services, consolidating the state as a strategic hub in the global tourism and business network.

In a social media post, García said the agreement is “the result of the work we are doing here at [FITUR 2026], knocking on doors, building alliances and demonstrating that Guanajuato is an international-caliber destination, with identity, vibrant culture and a lot of heart.”

During the current tour, García presided over the signing of the Framework Agreement of Understanding between the state of Guanajuato and the Spanish region of Castilla-La Mancha. The goal of the FAU is to promote tourism, cultural exchange and bilateral collaboration.

“We continue to strengthen our ties with the world,” she said. “Today we have a full agenda here at FITUR, and what we see is that there is a large European market for traveling to Guanajuato.”

With reports from Quadratín Bajío, Milenio and Guanajuato.Travel

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But in Orizaba — the Pueblo Mágico nestled on the eastern foothills of the Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range in Veracruz — maintaining a pristine appearance has fueled a cultural renaissance in the city’s image and appeal, transforming it from a former industrial center into one of the state’s most celebrated and frequently visited gems. 

What to see and do in Orizaba

With an impressive array of group activities — which includes unusual attractions like riding a funicular down a hillside, touring a dinosaur-themed park and wandering the château-like grounds of a museum dedicated to Cri-Cri (the stage name of a famous Mexican singer-songwriter of beloved children’s songs) — there’s plenty to keep visitors and locals busy year-round. Add to that a notable cafe and culinary scene known for its provincial dishes and locally-sourced coffee and you’ll begin to understand why Orizaba has become a road trip-worthy destination in recent years. It’s also why I chose to venture there with my family to begin the New Year.

Despite its altitude, Orizaba sits in a lush valley in the shadow of Pico de Orizaba, an active volcano and the tallest mountain in Mexico (ranking as the third-highest summit in all of North America). The region boasts moderate weather year-round, though it is known to get heavy rains from May to October. If possible, avoid going on weekends and holidays, since it gets slammed by Mexican visitors escaping the nearby metros of Veracruz and Puebla.

History and a cleaned-up reputation

Whenever I tell the older Mexican generation about my interest in the city, they give me a funny look, as if to say, “Why would you waste your time visiting there? There’s nothing.” My father — a Xalapa native who used to travel all over Mexico in the 1960s and 1970s before I was born — once told me that I should completely skip going there. When I told him that it’s now a point of interest with a cleaned-up reputation, he wasn’t convinced. So I took him along for the trip with my son and wife; needless to say, he’s now a believer.

Orizaba has pre-Colombian origins, with traces of the Toltecs, Chichimecas and Mexicas. The Indigenous name for the land was Ahuaializapan, or “Pleasant Waters.” In the late 16th century colonial period, it grew into a strategic settlement en route to Puebla and Mexico City before officially becoming a municipality in 1830. During that era, Orizaba and its surrounding areas became a national epicenter of textile factories and tobacco production. 

In 1764, the Spanish monarchy monopolized tobacco growth and declared Orizaba and nearby Córdoba as among the few places allowed to grow it in all of New Spain. Wealth and prosperity blossomed for Orizaba during this period, before it fell into a post-Revolution decline, when many of the region’s major sources of wealth were disrupted.

Orizaba’s working-class roots

At its core, Orizaba’s identity became one of working-class industrialism, at one point becoming the temporary headquarters for Casa del Obrero Mundial (House of the World Worker), a socialist organization founded in Mexico City. 

Orizaba was also the site of the Rio Blanco Strike in 1907, when workers led a riot against the owners of a textile factory in the nearby town of Rio Blanco. It ended with national military intervention and the death of at least 18 protesters.

An Art Nouveau legacy

Nowadays in Orizaba, you won’t see any overt traces of these social uprisings. Instead, you’ll find the charming architecture of Mexico’s Art Nouveau past. It has all been restored and well-maintained thanks to the vision of current mayor Juan Manuel Diez Francos, who served three non-consecutive terms as mayor and who began Orizaba’s reclamation during his first term in 2007.

Diez’s orizabeño evangelism yielded an invigorated, modernized city filled with quirky offerings: He oversaw the installation of a teleférico — a sky tram that opened to the public in 2013. It is currently Mexico’s highest and third-longest teleférico — according to the enthusiastic guide who greets you upon landing at the summit of El Cerro del Borrego, where vistas await on every side. But be warned: on weekends and holidays, expect waits of up to two hours. The 15-minute ride glides above the town’s bustling core, with various roofs displaying gorgeous murals. 

Culinary offerings in Orizaba

The regional foods — especially its coffee — are tremendous draws too. Carlos Iván Spíndola — better known as Perrito Barista, a social media foodie and influencer with 45,500 followers on Instagram whose content centers on Veracruz’s coffee culture — recommends places like Fidelio, a hip, youthful espresso bar and restaurant with a terrace view of the nearby church. Its trendy offerings include poche toast (housemade bread topped with spinach, garlic, arugula and cheese au gratin and then crowned with a perfectly poached egg), strawberry cream matcha and horchata con café.

On Orizaba’s main pedestrian thoroughfare, one can find a bustling strip of businesses, cafes and hotels in the center of town that leads directly to an extravagantly-sized park dedicated to Francisco Cabilondo Soler (the real name of the above-mentioned Cri-Cri) that would rival Mexico City’s finest. 

A block away from this plaza awaits Aborigen Cocina de Brasa, a wood-smoked steakhouse that prides itself on regional flair. I suggest the tacos orizabeños — two bean-layered corn tortillas generously piled with grilled chicken and pumpkin. The American-style pork brisket and black pastor, a Yucateco take on tacos al pastor that uses black chile paste, is also impressive. And don’t leave Cocina de Brasa without trying the cochinta pibil: a smoky, spicy heap of tenderized pork mixed with thick adobo and pickled onions served on a fresh banana leaf. 

Across the walkway from Aborigen, snag a dessert and post-meal espresso at Hêrmann Thômas Coffee Masters, one of the state’s better-known coffee makers, hailing from nearby Cordóba. Bonus points if you add an affogato carajillo cocktail to the mix, served with a scoop of housemade dulce de leche ice cream.

A magical portal 

To be sure, Orizaba has yet to reach international mainstream acclaim at the levels of Mexico’s other most popularly visited Pueblos Mágicos. But it has certainly accrued recognition, particularly among Mexican nationals and expats in the know, which can mean everything there is absolutely packed during the peak season between November and March, especially on weekends. 

Orizaba is, as the Mexican government has deemed, a magical portal through which one might better understand Mexico’s beauty. It’s an ideal mix of the country’s glorious past overlaid with the promise of Mexico’s evolving present and future, framed by a sublime backdrop of sierras and flowing waters. 

In and of itself, the calm scenery beckons an escape from the chaos of daily life in Mexico’s larger and dirtier cities. In Orizaba, you can unwind, eat plentifully and sightsee (the tigers and alligators prowling the city’s well-kept riverwalk inside a free, open-air zoo had to go unmentioned), all while remaining in a buzzy downtown that is fresh-aired. Perhaps other cities in Mexico can look to Orizaba as a blueprint for revitalization and boosting the local economy. I, for one, would welcome it with open arms.

Alan Chazaro is the author of “This Is Not a Frank Ocean Cover Album,” “Piñata Theory” and “Notes From the Eastern Span of the Bay Bridge” (Ghost City Press, 2021). He is a graduate of June Jordan’s Poetry for the People program at UC Berkeley and a former Lawrence Ferlinghetti Fellow at the University of San Francisco. His writing can be found in GQ, NPR, The Guardian, L.A. Times and more. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, he is currently based in Veracruz.

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Perfect Day Mexico involves the construction of a 80-hectare water park across from the Mahahual cruise ship pier in southern Quintana Roo. The initial plan calls for an operational capacity of up to 21,000 cruise ship tourists per day, in addition to 2,500 employees for the park’s operation.

Activists, however, warned that Mahahual has serious drainage and sewage management problems, and they worry that a mega-park would overload the town’s already saturated infrastructure.

The complaints prompted the non-profit Defending the Right to a Healthy Environment (DMAS) to file an amparo lawsuit (a legal action or writ in Mexico used to protect individuals from violations of their human rights) against the Perfect Day Project. 

In the lawsuit, DMAS challenges recent land use modifications to the municipal Urban Development Program (PDU), including the removal of roads and other restrictions to allow the construction of the water park planned by Royal Caribbean in Mahahual.

Antonella Vázquez Cavedón, head of DMAS, told newspaper El Economista that the modifications to the PDU are a clear violation of the Human Settlements Law.

She explained that given the project’s significance for the entire community, authorities were obliged to carry out a public consultation process to ensure that citizens understand the project’s scope and consequences to the urban growth of Mahahual.

According to Vázquez, Royal Caribbean’s interests prevailed over the interests of the community.

“The mayor presented the ruling to the city council and in just a few days, they granted [Royal Caribbean] every request,” she said.

Currently, an incomplete water treatment plant leaks raw sewage into Mahahual’s coastal mangrove forest and the nearby reef, Vázquez said.

Royal Caribbean has promised to clean up the area contaminated by the sewage leaks, but activists say the project’s operation will further strain the community’s already poor infrastructure and drainage system.

The company has also recognized the presence of endangered species like the ocelot, margay and white turtle. According to the Environmental Impact Statement (MIA), mitigation measures will be undertaken to “reduce stress and ensure the physical integrity of the individuals.”

With reports from El Economista

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There is a thing or two that make Uxmal one of the most distinctive expressions of the Puuc architectural style. In contrast with other magnificent Maya buildings, such as the main constructions of Chichén Itzá or Tikal, the spirit of the Soothsayer’s Temple (Pirámide del Adivino) feels almost mystical and, at the risk of sounding redundant, magical. This is a site that has enchanted every traveler who steps onto its ever-growing carpet of grass.

What we know about Uxmal

Uxmal lies in the western part of Yucatán, about 80 kilometers south of Mérida. It is considered the most representative site of Puuc architecture, which flourished roughly between 800 and 1,100 C.E. Yet archaeological evidence shows earlier occupations: one around 300 C.E. and another around 700 C.E. It was the final stage of the city, the one that produced its most iconic monuments. Such buildings continue to impress both locals and foreign visitors today.

Exploring Uxmal can feel overwhelming, but only because the city preserves endless secrets for those who look closely. As with all great architectural wonders, every engraving and every stone seems meticulously placed — sometimes for structural reasons, sometimes for symbolic meaning. From its interior corbel arches to its ornate façades, every corner has something to say.

Three Times Founded

The origin of Uxmal’s name remains uncertain, but many studies suggest it means “Three Times Founded” or “Three Times Harvested” in Yucatec Mayan. The name possibly refers to the city’s repeated resettlements during centuries of rivalry between Maya city-states.

Another possible meaning of the word Uxmal is “Future”. The name proves to be right, as the site, its silent stone monuments and its majestic architecture seem to always be waiting, sitting in expectation for future eyes to be laid upon them and new minds to decipher their hidden messages.

Uxmal’s buildings

Uxmal is known for its remarkably preserved buildings, among the finest in the Maya world. The main character of the site is, of course, the Soothsayer’s Temple, a 35-meter pyramid with an unusual oval base. It consists of five superimposed temples built at different moments, a common tradition in Mesoamerican sacred architecture. The structure was likely dedicated to Chaac, the Maya Lord of Rain and Thunder, to whom many Uxmal temples appear to pay homage.

Before the pyramid stands the Cuadrángulo de las Monjas (Quadrangle of the Nuns), named by the Spanish conquistadors for its convent-like layout. But, from what we know now, it likely functioned as a palace or administrative complex — the Maya were especially fond of enclosed courtyards.

The House of the Governor, one of the masterpieces of Puuc design, features exquisitely carved façades. The so-called “elephant trunks,” once misinterpreted by early explorers, are actually stylized masks of Chaac. On the other hand, the stone carvings that Empress Charlotte mistook for the biblical devil in the guise of a snake show is actually one of the most important deities of the Mesoamerican pantheon. Called Quetzalcoatl by the Nahua people of central Mexico, and Kukulkan by the Maya, the lord of light, creation and wisdom is a deity worshipped all over Mesoamerica, and, needless to say, it is not related to a devil of any kind.

Like many travelers whose hearts remain tied to these ruins, Stephens and Catherwood returned several times. “The ruins of Uxmal presented themselves to me as a home,” Stephens later wrote, “and I looked upon them with more interest than before.”

Your visit

If Uxmal is on your bucket list, here’s what you should know before you go:

How to get there: The easiest route is to drive from Mérida, though ADO buses also depart from the city’s main terminal.

Weather: Expect heat and sun year-round; bring a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water.

Entry fees: Visitors must pay two separate fees: one to the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) and another to the State of Yucatán. 

Time needed: Given the size of the site, set aside at least three hours for the visit.

Post scriptum for explorers

In case you have the adventurer expertise of Stephens and Catherwood, Uxmal must not appear to be a challenging visit. There are other sites on the Puuc route that are worth visiting: Kabah, Sayil, Xlapak and Labná.

Although the architectural resemblance is undeniable, each one has its own personality and exposes different aspects of the Maya cities of the moment. In contrast with Uxmal, these sites still have a lot of archaeological work to be done. The upside is that they are also less crowded and can be explored at a slower pace.

Lydia Leija is a linguist, journalist and visual storyteller. She has directed three feature films, and her audiovisual work has been featured in national and international media. She’s been part of National Geographic, Muy Interesante and Cosmopolitan.

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The announcement, made during the president’s morning news conference at the National Palace, represents one of the most significant infrastructure investments of her administration and directly responds to widespread complaints about road conditions across the country.

 

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“We conducted a thorough review of the highways and gathered requests from citizens during our travels throughout the country,” Sheinbaum said.

The National Highway Conservation and Mega Bachetón Program 2026 will cover 18,000 kilometers of toll-free federal highways, or just under half (42%) of the country’s toll-free roadways. The initiative expects to create approximately 100,000 jobs throughout 2026.

Regional breakdown

The program divides the country into five operational regions, each targeting key transportation corridors:

Northwest (Baja California, Baja California Sur, Chihuahua, Durango, Sonora and Sinaloa): 8.659 billion pesos to repair 3,170 kilometers covering the Pacific Corridor, Mexico-Nogales and Mazatlán-Matamoros and Gulf-North routes.

Northeast (Coahuila, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí and Zacatecas): Covering the Mexico-Nuevo Laredo, Querétaro-Ciudad Juárez, Veracruz-Monterrey and Gulf-Huasteca routes.

Central-West (Aguascalientes, Colima, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Michoacán, Nayarit and Querétaro): Including the Manzanillo-Tampico and Guadalajara-Zacatecas routes.

Central Region (México state, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Morelos, Puebla and Tlaxcala): Targeting the Acapulco-Tuxpan, Center-Gulf, Acapulco-Veracruz, Mexico-Veracruz and High Plateau Corridor highways.

South-Southeast (Campeche, Chiapas, Oaxaca, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Veracruz and Yucatán): Addressing the Puebla-Progreso, Puebla-Tapachula, Trans-Isthmus Circuit and Yucatán Peninsula routes.

Technology and efficiency

To optimize resources and reduce costs, the government has invested in state-of-the-art repaving equipment. The program will deploy 31 paving trains and 62 specialized pothole repair units.

Ten paving trains began operations in 2025, with another 10 set to start work between January and February 2026. An additional 11 machines will be purchased to ensure each region has dedicated equipment.

The modern machinery can advance up to one kilometer per day, significantly improving efficiency. The government is purchasing materials directly and using its own equipment to strengthen the program’s technical capacity and control costs.

A key innovation is a digital monitoring system designed to detect and repair potholes within 72 hours across the 43,000-kilometer toll-free network.

Timeline

The program officially runs from January through December 2026, with work already underway in some regions. The initiative includes both routine maintenance — filling potholes, leveling surfaces, clearing vegetation and cleaning drainage systems — and more extensive periodic conservation involving milling and applying five-centimeter asphalt layers.

The massive undertaking represents a significant test for the Sheinbaum administration’s ability to deliver on infrastructure promises. With Mexico preparing to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside the United States and Canada, improved highway conditions will be critical for both domestic travel and international visitors navigating between host cities.

Mexico News Daily

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Regarded as one of the world’s largest fairs in the tourism industry, the event will take place from Jan. 21 to 25 at IFEMA Madrid, with three days dedicated to professionals (21-23) and two days for the general public (24-25).

Cuando México se une, no hay quien nos pare. 🇲🇽🔥

Colores, música, naturaleza y mucha fiesta recorren España, @fitur_madrid y se roban todas las miradas. 🌎💃🎶

Nuestro ambiente se siente, se vive y se contagia. El mundo entero sabe que #MéxicoEstáDeModa. 🇲🇽✨#Fitur pic.twitter.com/qTMTJ8uDKZ

— Josefina Rodríguez Zamora (@josefinarodzam) January 21, 2026

As partner country, Mexico is presenting a comprehensive program that will showcase the essence of Mexicanidad to the global tourism market, both at the fair’s venue and at iconic venues around the city. 

Boasting the largest pavilion in the fair’s Americas section, all 32 Mexican states are represented at FITUR  with a program highlighting the promotion of emerging destinations, outdoor and nature-based experiences, pueblos mágicos and cultural and culinary experiences. 

Present at FITUR this year are Mexico’s artisans, entrepreneurs and tourist operators who aim to position the country as a unified destination, rather than a collection of isolated regions. 

As part of the promotional activities during the five-day event, Mexico’s stand will host cultural performances such as the Guelaguetza of Oaxaca and the Danza de los Viejitos of Michoacán, in addition to a shop selling Mexican handicrafts. Other activities will promote the 2026 FIFA World Cup, taking place in Mexico, Canada and the United States. 

Mexican authorities have said that the country’s partnership with FITUR is a strategic opportunity to strengthen Mexico’s image before an international audience, in line with the current administration’s goal of positioning Mexico among the five most-visited destinations in the world by 2040.

“Today, we are aiming for more,” Mexican ambassador to Spain, Quirino Ordaz Coppel, said. “We don’t just want more tourists: we want more investment, more spending, greater connectivity and a strengthened sector. This forum will allow us to share the vision of the Ministry of Tourism within a Mexican government that is committed to tourism as a generator of economic benefits, with one key word: shared prosperity,” he told reporters. 

Overall, FITUR features nine pavilions, 10,000 companies from 161 countries — of which 111 have official representation — and 967 main exhibitors. 

Beyond the pavilion

As part of Mexico’s promotional activities beyond IFEMA, different parts of Madrid are showcasing Mexican culture through art installations. 

One such display is located at the Puerta del Sol, one of the city’s most visited areas. In this public plaza, the partner countries have installed a monumental sculpture of Madrid’s symbol, the Bear and the Madroño, featuring a design that blends Mexican and Spanish heritage.

Traditionally crafted from bronze, the iconic representation of Madrid’s identity has been reinterpreted by Mexican artist César Menchaca. The monument is now adorned with a colorful and intricate design inspired by Huichol art. 

“The Bear and the Strawberry Tree is a profound symbol of Madrid, an emblem that speaks of its history and identity. To be able to engage with it through contemporary art is an honor,” said Menchaca.

Meanwhile, the giant retailer El Corte Inglés on Serrano Street now features a “Ventana a México” (Window to Mexico), a designated space for the promotion and marketing of Mexican handicrafts. 

With reports from Publimetro and Milenio

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The notices, The New York Times reported, were “similar to advisories the FAA issued last year for areas around Venezuela and the Caribbean Sea as the U.S. military stepped up a campaign of boat strikes targeting what it said were drug smugglers.”

“The FAA issued more urgent warnings earlier this year as the United States undertook an operation to capture Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s leader,” the Times added.

The newspaper also reported that “it was not immediately clear what prompted the FAA to issue Friday’s advisories.”

In a statement, Mexico’s Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transport (SICT) described the FAA’s advice as a precautionary measure and asserted that there was no change to operating conditions in Mexican airspace.

On Sunday, President Claudia Sheinbaum said that the United States wasn’t conducting any military activity in “national territory.”

However, a U.S. military plane landed at Toluca airport on Saturday to pick up Mexican security officials and take them to the U.S. for training, according to Sheinbaum.

The FAA’s issuance of seven NOTAMs (notices to airmen) came eight days after U.S. President Donald Trump said that the United States was “going to start now hitting land, with regard to the cartels.”

FAA: ‘Potential risks exist for aircraft at all altitudes’

Each of the seven NOTAMs issued by the FAA last Friday warned of “potentially hazardous” situations in overwater areas.

One of the NOTAMs referred specifically to the “Mexico Flight Information Region,” the airspace for which Mexican air traffic services are responsible. Another referred to the Mazatlán Oceanic Flight Information Region, which encompasses airspace off Mexico’s Pacific coast.

“U.S. operators are advised to exercise caution when operating in the overwater areas above the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of California in the Mexico Flight Information Region (MMFR) due to military activities and GNSS interference. Potential risks exist for aircraft at all altitudes, including during overflight and the arrival and departure phases of flight,” states NOTAM A0018/26.

“This NOTAM applies to all U.S. air carriers and commercial operators; all persons exercising the privileges of an airman certificate issued by the FAA, except such persons operating U.S.-registered aircraft for a foreign air carrier; and all operators of civil aircraft registered in the United States, except when the operator of such aircraft is a foreign air carrier.”

The FAA issued a NOTAM with the same message for U.S. operators in the Mazatlán Oceanic Flight Information Region.

The FAA also issued NOTAMs for areas above the Pacific Ocean in the Central America Flight Information Region, the Bogotá Flight Information Region, the Guayaquil Flight Information Region, the Panama Flight Information Region and a portion of the “NO FIR AREA” — i.e., an area not in a designated flight information region.

The validity of each of the NOTAMs is from Jan. 16 to Mar. 17. The two-month validity of the NOTAMs suggests “a prolonged period of possible military planning in the region,” The New York Times reported.

Writing about the FAA warnings in his publication The Mexico Political Economist, Alex González Ormerod said that “it is less likely that this is a reference to an impending strike and more about continuing and increas[ing] covert surveillance operations over Mexican skies by U.S. forces.”

SICT: No ‘operational implications or restrictions’ for Mexico or Mexican airlines

Apparently referring to the NOTAM for the Mexico Flight Information Region, the SICT described the FAA notice as being of a “preventive nature.”

“It is important to specify that this NOTAM does not constitute a prohibition, but is rather a precautionary measure aimed at reinforcing attention and care in air operations within certain regions of airspace. There are no operational implications or restrictions for Mexico, or Mexican airlines or operators,” the ministry said.

Citing information from the FAA, the SICT also said that the NOTAM was “issued exclusively for United States civil [aviation] operators, including its airlines and pilots, since that authority only has jurisdiction to issue provisions applicable to operators from its own country.”

The ministry noted that similar NOTAMs were previously issued by the FAA for the “Caribbean region.”

“The SICT reiterates that there is no impact whatsoever on civil aviation in Mexico, nor any changes in the operating conditions of national airspace,” the statement said.

SICT added that it “maintains constant communication with international aeronautical authorities to monitor this type of notice within the framework of cooperation and operational safety.”

Sheinbaum: No US military action in Mexico 

During a visit to San Miguel de Allende on Sunday, Sheinbaum was asked what kind of “maneuvers” the United States was carrying out in Mexico.

“Nothing. … The SICT issued a statement,” she said. “Nothing in national territory.”

Sheinbaum has asserted on repeated occasions that the United States won’t conduct any kind of unilateral military intervention against cartels in Mexico, even though Trump has said things such as “strikes in Mexico to stop drugs” are “OK” with him.

After a call with the U.S. president last Monday, Sheinbaum said that the land strikes on cartels that Trump had spoken about days earlier could be ruled out.

Nevertheless, Trump’s recent remarks, and the United States’ operation in Venezuela on Jan. 3, have increased expectations that the U.S. military could indeed take action against cartels in Mexico. The U.S. military has already attacked at least one alleged drug boat off Mexico’s Pacific coast, although the strike occurred in international waters.

While Sheinbaum said Sunday that the U.S. wasn’t carrying out any “maneuvers” in Mexico, a U.S. military plane did land at Toluca airport on Saturday.

The federal government’s Security Cabinet said Sunday that its “presence” was the result of a “flight authorized by Mexican authorities” and was related to “training activities.”

Sheinbaum said on Monday morning that the flight was authorized last October and “had to do with a training issue.”

“… It’s not something exceptional,” said the president, who stressed that no U.S. troops had come into the country.

“They’re logistical tasks that they carry out,” she said.

Sheinbaum subsequently said that Mexican security officials boarded the U.S. military plane to travel to the United States to undertake training. She conceded that it would have been better for them to travel to the United States on a Mexican military plane.

“But it was authorized [by the Ministry of Defense] and it was authorized some time ago,” Sheinbaum said.

With reports from The New York Times, DW, El Financiero, EFE and El Economista

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Experts say this trend could be explained by a weakening economy and loss of household purchasing power, inflation in tourism goods and services (hotels, transportation, food) and security problems in some destinations and on some roads.

In an advisory released Monday, Sectur disputed an article published Sunday in the newspaper El Universal that claimed hotels received 100,000 fewer Mexican tourists between January and October 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.

However, Sectur’s own data confirms El Universal’s reporting. According to the ministry’s official DataTur report for October 2025, there were 52.7 million domestic hotel stays between January and October 2025 — 100,000 fewer than the 52.8 million registered during the same period in 2024. This contradicts the agency’s advisory, which claimed 63.09 million domestic tourists for January-October 2025 compared to 62.64 million in 2024.

The discrepancy raises questions about how Sectur is calculating domestic tourism figures. The ministry’s preliminary calculations for January-November also appear inflated, citing 69.58 million in 2025 versus 69.17 million in 2024, figures that don’t align with the trend shown in the official monthly reports (find them here).

Looking at the full year 2024, DataTur recorded 62.9 million domestic hotel stays, down from 65.2 million in 2023 — a decline of 3.5% or 2.3 million fewer domestic tourists. If the January-October 2025 trend holds, with 52.7 million domestic hotel stays versus 52.8 million in the same period of 2024, the full year 2025 would show essentially flat performance at best, representing a modest stabilization after 2024’s decline but remaining well below 2023 levels.

Sectur emphasized in its advisory that traditional hotel occupancy rates don’t constitute the only indicator of tourism activity. The ministry noted that the rise and consolidation of digital accommodation platforms has transformed the sector’s dynamics, capturing a significant market share that must be considered for a comprehensive analysis of tourism activity in the country.

In terms of destinations, Cancún, Mexico City and Puerto Vallarta led in reservation numbers, solidifying their positions as anchor destinations for leisure and urban tourism. Monterrey, Guadalajara and Mérida followed thanks to an offering that attracted business tourism, events and weekend getaways, broadening their appeal to a wider range of travelers.

Meanwhile, the United States remained the main driver of international tourism for Mexicans, with cities like Las Vegas, New York and Orlando topping the list of preferences. 

Across the pond, Madrid came in as the most visited European destination for Mexican travelers, while the Caribbean and South America gained significant ground.  

Within this trend, Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, and Cartagena de Indias and Bogotá, in Colombia, stood out for their growth in reservations during 2025.

With reports from El Universal, Tribuna de México and El Porvenir

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“The airport has room to build a new Terminal 3 that would be larger than Terminal 1 and 2 combined” Aeroméxico CEO Andrés Conesa Labastida said in a podcast appearance this week. “It would increase capacity from 50 million passengers per year, to some 70 or 75 million.” 

According to Conesa, Terminal 3 would be built adjacent to Terminal 2, which would require relocating Aeromexico’s maintenance and repair workshops. Building it next to Terminal 1 would not be possible, he said, since the site currently houses fuel farms and certain infrastructure that would be difficult to relocate. 

“I hope that this project could be studied, because it will be very good for the city and the country,” Conesa said. 

Conesa added that his proposal must be supplemented in operation by the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) near Mexico City, and the Toluca International Airport in Mexico state, creating a combined capacity of more than 100 million passengers per year in the Valley of Mexico. 

“This would be more than enough for the next decades,” Conesa stated. 

This is not the first time the AICM’s congestion problem has been addressed, and that a third terminal has been proposed. In 2019, Gerardo Ferrando, CEO of the Mexico City Airport Group, announced a master plan for a third terminal was being drawn up and predicted that it would be inaugurated in 2020. At that time he said a fourth terminal was being analyzed as well. 

Even then, Luis Felipe de Oliveira, director of the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association, said that a third terminal wouldn’t be enough to solve the AICM’s structural issues. 

“A third terminal would help but it won’t solve the problem,” Oliveira said then. 

During former President Enrique Peña Nieto’s administration (2012-2018), the master plan for a new airport had been approved to be built in Texcoco, near Mexico City, designed by renowned architect Norman Foster. That partially built new airport was canceled and the AIFA was built instead. 

Currently, the AICM is undergoing major renovation works to improve the passenger experience ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will take place in Mexico, Canada and the United States. 

With reports from A21

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The city announced last week that it recently awarded a contract worth 7.9 billion pesos (US $441 million) to build Cablebús Line 5, a route of 15.2 kilometers (9.5 miles) that is expected to be completed by mid-2028.

Construction will be carried out as a joint venture between Doppelmayr, an Austrian-based firm with offices in Mexico, and the local engineering firm Gami Ingeniería e Instalaciones.

Mexico City’s Cablebús Line 2 in Iztapalapa is currently recognized as the world’s longest urban cable car for public transport at over 10.5 km (6.5 miles) — holding a Guinness World Record.

But at around 11.4 km (7.1 miles), and estimated to open possibly by next year, the upcoming Line 4 is set to surpass it, followed by Line 5 becoming the new longest line when it opens, expectedly in the second half of 2028.

Line 5 is slated to stretch 15.2 kilometers and include 12 stations crossing the boroughs of Álvaro Obregón, Magdalena Contreras and Benito Juárez — with a direct connection to the Mixcoac Metro station and Lines 7 and 12.

Officials say the route will connect 53 neighborhoods and Indigenous communities and cut current travel times from the western highlands by more than 50%.

Doppelmayr said the system will have capacity for up to 3,000 passengers per hour per direction, using cabins designed to carry 10 riders each.

In materials cited in media reports, Doppelmayr said the system “requires significantly lower right-of-way acquisition costs, as it does not depend on surface infrastructure and has a minimal footprint, reducing its urban impact.”

​Officials said the project is part of a broader electric-mobility push, backed in part by a green bond issued in 2025 for 3 billion pesos (US $167.5 million) to help finance new Cablebús lines.

The earliest planning for ​Mexico City’s Cablebús dates back to the early 2010s, though nothing really got cooking until the second half of the decade.

Since the successful opening of Line 1 in 2021, the system has grown to three lines carrying over 100,000 riders per day on average, according to local studies and city data. This includes a 2024 Bloomberg analysis that found the system was being used as daily transportation by “some 80,000 people a day.”

For the calendar year 2025, Line 2 moved 22.9 million riders, Line 1 moved 19.3 million and Line 3 transported 5.5 million, according to figures from the newspaper El Universal.

With reports from El Financiero, Chilango.com, Forbes and Mexico Business News

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