The border states of Baja California, Sonora and Chihuahua, as well as Durango state, were put on alert due to “a significant drop in temperatures, strong winds and heavy to very heavy rainfall … and possibly snow or sleet.”

At the same time, Cold Front No. 30 will drift over the northeastern part of the country where it will be reinforced by an Arctic air mass by Friday evening. The SMN report said moisture coming in off the northern Gulf of Mexico will combine with the remnants of Cold Front No. 30 to generate rain and showers there. 

The phenomenon in northern Mexico is the westernmost edge of the potentially historic winter storm that is expected to impact the United States this weekend, prompting extreme weather alerts from the Texas Panhandle to the Northeastern Atlantic states.

The rejuvenated cold front is also expected to produce northerly winds gusting up to 70 km/h (42.5 m/h) in northeastern Mexico. Residents of northern Coahuila are being advised of the possible formation of whirlwinds or tornadoes.

In the Northern Plateau and the Central Plateau, including the Valley of Mexico, cold to very cold conditions will produce fog banks in the morning and persist throughout the day. Minimum temperatures could dip as low as minus-5 C (23 F) in Hidalgo, México state, Tlaxcala, Puebla, Veracruz and Oaxaca. Mexico City’s low is projected to reach 0 C (32 F).

🥶❄️⛈️ Hoy se prevén #Lluvias muy fuertes y caída de #Nieve o #Aguanieve en regiones de #BajaCalifornia, #Sonora, #Chihuahua y #Durango. Más información en ⬇️https://t.co/agFhcoEB8W pic.twitter.com/9scC2Tri7D

— CONAGUA Clima (@conagua_clima) January 23, 2026

In response to the winter storm conditions, the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) reported that it has sufficient capacity available to maintain the supply of electricity across the country.

The CFE said it is coordinating with the Energy Ministry to establish strategic actions to protect the continuity of the electricity supply. The CFE also activated its Emergency Response Steering Group, which will remain in permanent session to monitor the evolution of the storm.

The National Coordination of Civil Protection also issued an advisory, urging residents across the country to take preventative measures throughout the weekend. 

“To mitigate the effects of these weather systems and safeguard physical safety and property, specific recommendations are issued. If using gas heaters or fireplaces, maintain adequate ventilation to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning and turn them off before going to sleep; protect and insulate external pipes to prevent frost damage and secure sheet metal roofs, windows, awnings and objects that could be dislodged by wind gusts exceeding 60 km/h (37.3m/h).”

Elsewhere, the Regional Hydrometeorological Center in the state of Yucatán forecast stable weather conditions, warm temperatures up to 34 C (93 F) and isolated showers in coastal Quintana Roo, eastern Yucatán and southern Campeche, with wind gusts of up to 40 km/h.

With reports from El Universal, La Jornada and El Diario de Yucatán

The post Winter weather alert: Cold, high winds and heavy rain coming to northern Mexico this weekend appeared first on Mexico News Daily

A stoppage-time own-goal by Panamanian defender Richard Peralta was all El Tri was able to muster, taking some of the sting out of 90 minutes of frustration.

“México”

Porque venció por 1-0 a Panamá en un amistoso falopa que se jugó en este mes. Decían que llegaban mal al Mundial y acá tienen la prueba de que no, ganaron con el equipo C. Imaginen con los titulares. Alta putita Panamá.
pic.twitter.com/y7pdpaeKXX

— Tendencias en Deportes (@TendenciaDepor) January 23, 2026

Mexico dominated possession (72%), but managed only nine shots, just three of which were on target (not including the winning goal, which was the result of a deflected centering pass) in what can best be described as an insipid display of attacking football. 

As this is not an official FIFA break, club teams are not required to release their players to the national team, so El Tri was playing with a lot of new faces. Aguirre took advantage to look at prospects — including the two former U.S. players whose switch to Mexico was approved this week. 

The two converts — Richard Ledezma and Brian Gutiérrez — both started and both impressed. 

Ledezma, a right back, should earn an extended look in upcoming training camps as he showed tremendous two-way talent while playing the entire match. 

Gutiérrez, a lanky midfielder, looked sharp in winning back possession and nearly curled in a free kick from 26 meters, but had trouble connecting with the attack. 

Aguirre is using Thursday’s game and Sunday’s friendly in Bolivia to evaluate players as he continues to shape his 26-man roster for the upcoming World Cup. Mexico’s opener against South Africa is just 140 days away.

Of interest to Mexico fans was the performance of striker Armando González, who looked dangerous during his 23 minutes on the pitch. González — the reigning Liga MX scoring champ at just 22 years of age — gave Panama defenders fits, nearly scoring in minute 90 with an acrobatic header.

Two minutes later, González drifted wide left of the goalie box, then slipped a pass between two defenders to Alexis Gutiérrez at the top of the box. Gutiérrez one-timed a through ball into the box to Jesús Gallardo and Gallardo’s cross for Charlie Rodríguez ricocheted off the unfortunate Peralta’s leg and into the net.

Two other newcomers — midfielder Obed Vargas and defender Eduardo Águila — showed promise. Vargas, like Ledezma and Gutiérrez, switched allegiance from the U.S. back in 2024 and this was his third appearance wearing a Mexico shirt. For Águila, Thursday’s match was his first game for El Tri.

With reports from ESPN, Record and Milenio

The post World Cup warm-up vs. Panama ends with an awkward win for Mexico appeared first on Mexico News Daily

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

The post Air Europa will open a new direct flight from Guanajuato to Madrid appeared first on Mexico News Daily

The closing rate of 17.483, represented an appreciation of 0.69%, or 12.13 centavos for the day. Through the first three weeks of the new year, the peso has gained 2.91% against the dollar.

#AlSonarLaCampana | El peso mexicano ganó terreno frente al dólar. El #TipoDeCambio se situó en 17.48 pesos por billete verde, su nivel más bajo desde mayo 2024.
📺: @RaquelLPM pic.twitter.com/eo6Sa58ZM7

— El Financiero (@ElFinanciero_Mx) January 21, 2026

The exchange rate actually approached 17.40 pesos per greenback during the day, only to lose some ground after U.S. President Donald Trump said that attacks against Mexican cartels would “begin soon.”

Banamex reported that the dollar was selling for 17.91 pesos on Wednesday afternoon, while the purchase price was 16.93 units.

The peso movement was supported by a decrease in geopolitical tensions following comments by Trump in Davos, as well as by the narrative of less economic pressure in the U.S., which is seen as a positive for Mexico.

“Even so, the market remains sensitive to any news from the United States that could quickly shift sentiment,” Diego Albuja, market analyst at ATFX LATAM, told El Economista newspaper.

Wednesday’s strong performance led Banamex to revise its exchange rate projections. They now anticipate that the peso will trade below 19 units within the next two years.

“The superpeso could be making a comeback, supported by greater risk appetite and high interest rates,” Banamex economists said in a note. “We now estimate it at 18.36 pesos per dollar in December of this year and at 18.73 by 2027.”

The appreciation of the peso is not entirely good news, however.

Those who receive remittances — an estimated 1 in 10 adults in Mexico rely on money from abroad — receive fewer pesos when they exchange the money.

At the same time, companies in the export sector, an economic driver in recent years, generate less income in local currency.

“Currency appreciation can cause domestic production to lose competitiveness in the international market because local products are now worth more in foreign currency,” Monex economists told the newspaper La Jornada.

As such, exports tend to decrease, contributing to the trade deficit.

The peso gained significantly against the U.S. dollar in 2025 due to higher interest rates in Mexico and the decision by some U.S. companies to move manufacturing closer to home (and to Mexico). 

A relatively weaker dollar has also helped the peso demonstrate strength in 2026. Analysts anticipate that continued nearshoring with the U.S. and Canada, along with overall foreign direct investment into Mexico, will continue driving strong demand for pesos.

Looking further into the future, the market consensus is that the exchange rate “will remain in the range of 18 to 20 pesos per dollar with a slight tendency towards depreciation, given a still weak economy and attention to monetary policy decisions both at home and in the U.S.”

A recent Reuters survey found that those polled believe the peso will keep trading close to the center of a range between 16-22 per U.S. dollar that has held firm for more than a decade.

With reports from El Economista, La Jornada and El Financiero

The post The peso dips under 17.5 to the US dollar, its strongest level since 2024 appeared first on Mexico News Daily

Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila on Wednesday confirmed that Carlos Torres is the subject of a probe that stemmed from an anonymous complaint implicating her ex-husband in a plot to allow a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel to operate in the northern border state.

After referring reporters to a statement issued by Torres (in which he called the accusations “slanderous”), Ávila said she is confident that the FGR “will conduct a thorough investigation and the facts will be clarified.”

Last May, the U.S. government revoked the governor’s and her then-husband’s tourist visas. At the time, Avila said the decision by the U.S. government was “neither an accusation nor an investigation.” The news was significant, however, as it represented the first time in recent history that a sitting Mexican official was denied entry to the U.S. In following months, dozens of Mexican politicians had their U.S. visas revoked by the Trump administration.

According to N+, the news division of the Grupo Televisa-Univision media conglomerate, the Organized Crime Prosecutor’s Office received a complaint on June 11, 2025, that Torres received US $150,000 a month from Pedro Ariel Mendivil García, former security  minister for the Mexicali City Council, to allow the Los Rusos Cartel to operate in the northern state. 

By then, Torres had stepped down from his honorary posts and in October the governor and he began divorce proceedings.

N+ identified Luis Alfonso Torres, Carlos’ brother, as the alleged leader of the criminal network under investigation, reporting that Luis “directed the administrative operations of illicit funds through companies and support for political campaigns in Mexico.”

The network allegedly carried out extortion by seizing merchandise or shipments and demanding millions of dollars for their release at state customs offices. The payments were then allegedly sent to a local notary. The network is also accused of trafficking in weapons, money and drugs.

Among the names mentioned in the file as subjects of investigation are high-ranking state officials from the Tax Administration Service (SAT) and Customs, as well as mayors and municipal leaders. Also appearing is Sen. Armando Ayala Robles, the former mayor of Ensenada, Baja California.

Carlos Torres was a member of the National Action Party (PAN) for 20 years during which time he was a state congressman (2016-2019), competed to be mayor of Tijuana in 2010 and served as a federal deputy (2006-2009). 

In February 2025, Torres resigned from the PAN and joined Morena, the dominant party in Mexico. Ávila and Sen. Ayala are also members of Morena.

With reports from El País, N+, Proceso and Infobae

The post Baja California governor confirms criminal probe into ex-husband appeared first on Mexico News Daily

The continued migration of many bird species that arrive in Jalisco each year faces serious threats due to rising temperatures, pollution and the expansion of urban areas with excessive lighting.

Biologist Jesús Alberto Espinosa said migration has declined among species that depend on increasingly dry regional wetlands. The climate crisis is particularly evident in the reduction of critical ecosystems that are losing their capacity to provide refuge.

“There are species that are not returning,” he said. “We used to see the American grebe in the 1980s and 90s; now it’s extremely rare. Roseate spoonbills, which used to arrive in good numbers in Zapotlán el Grande, are hardly ever seen today. Storks and ducks, which were common, have also seen their populations decline.”

With less water and more severe droughts, the natural cycle is disrupted, affecting both birds and humans.

The survival of these birds depends directly on the health of the wetlands, such as the Zapotlán Lagoon, which not only regulates the local climate but also supports 360 families of fishermen and artisans.

The Sayula Lagoon, which should be full of thousands of birds and is an important site for their conservation, is dry because not enough rain fell this past year.

“Prolonged droughts and the evaporation of bodies of water force birds to move to other locations or even stop migrating altogether,” said Carlos Palomera, a biology professor.
“The lack of water … prevents the reproduction of aquatic organisms that serve as food for the birds, [while] rising temperatures disrupt natural cycles: Insects hatch prematurely, and birds arrive late to areas where they previously found abundant food. This reduces their chances of survival and affects the entire food chain.”

The decline in migratory birds has serious consequences: As natural pest controllers, their absence favors an increase in insects that damage crops or transmit diseases. Additionally, many species perform vital functions such as pollination and seed dispersal, essential for forest regeneration.

Espinosa and Palomera spoke Monday at the inauguration of their photo exhibit — “Glimpses of Nature” (“Miradas a la Naturaleza”) — which they hope will raise public awareness by explaining the importance of ecological preservation in mitigating the effects of climate change on birds and other animal groups.

The exhibit lasts through Feb. 25 at the Juan José Arreola State Public Library of Jalisco, in Zapopan.

With reports from La Crónica, UDG-TV and Aristegui Noticias

The post Climate change: Migratory birds are starting to abandon the state of Jalisco appeared first on Mexico News Daily

Over the past 12 months, more than 11.8 million measles vaccines have been administered nationwide, prioritizing girls, boys and susceptible populations.

While the Health Ministry (SSA) points out that only 5% of the total cases are active, specialists from the National Autonomous University of Mexico warn that measles “is the most contagious disease there is, even surpassing Covid-19.” 

On Tuesday, the government announced it will reinforce vaccination efforts at high-traffic locations, such as airports and bus terminals, with the aim of preventing infections and detecting possible cases early.

In a statement, the SSA said more than 90% of confirmed cases correspond to people without a history of vaccination, and severe cases and deaths are concentrated mainly in populations with incomplete vaccination schedules, young children, as well as people with malnutrition or weakened immune systems.

The most affected age group is children aged 1 to 4 years (1,089 registered cases), followed by the 5 to 9 year age group (830 cases). 

The states where the most cases of measles have been detected are Chihuahua with 4,495 (and 21 of the 24 deaths), followed by Jalisco (1,020 cases and one death), Chiapas (430), Michoacán (261) and Guerrero (248).

At the same time, cases of Febrile Exanthematous Diseases (illnesses causing fever and a widespread skin rash such as measles, rubella, roseola, scarlet fever and chicken pox), 17,267 cases have been registered in the same period.

The SSA said its National Epidemiological Surveillance System is monitoring the epidemiological behavior of measles, allowing for the timely detection of cases, their confirmation by laboratory and the identification of circulating genotypes.

“The increase in measles cases recorded during 2025 occurs in a context of regional resurgence of the disease in the American continent, a phenomenon documented and promptly warned by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and by health authorities of various countries,” the SSA noted.

In November, the PAHO announced that the Region of the Americas lost its verification as free from endemic measles transmission. Canada lost its measles-free status on Nov. 10, 2025, while Mexico and the U.S. have been granted two-month extensions from the PAHO to contain the measles outbreak. Mexico has been summoned to a virtual meeting on April 13 to review whether it will maintain its measles-free status, given the active outbreak.

According to the magazine Scientific American, declining national vaccination rates in the U.S. and Canada have helped entrench measles in those countries, while growing antivaccine messaging by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr, has also contributed to the outbreaks there.

Mexico’s measles outbreak began in February 2025 and health authorities in the state of Chihuahua originally linked it to a late January 2025 outbreak in an undervaccinated community in Gaines County in West Texas.

With reports from El Universal, Proceso, La Jornada and Sin Embargo

The post US-originating measles outbreak has now reached every state in Mexico appeared first on Mexico News Daily

According to the agreement announced on Monday, Carso will acquire 100% of Fieldwood Mexico for US $270 million, in addition to settling US $330 million of Fieldwood’s debt with its parent company, according to a statement sent to the Mexican Stock Exchange (BMV).

While Carso committed to assuming the obligation to pay Fieldwood Mexico’s accumulated debt, Lukoil itself will be the seller.

Carso, through its subsidiary Zamajal, signed a binding agreement with Lukoil to acquire 100% of the share capital of Fieldwood Mexico, which has a half stake in the Ichalkil and Pokoch offshore fields in the Gulf of Mexico. 

“These figures and payment terms are subject to closing adjustments in accordance with the terms of the contract,” Carso stated in the document sent to the BMV.

Fieldwood Mexico is the operator and holds a 50% stake in the Ichalkil and Pokoch fields in Contract Area 4 in the Gulf of Mexico. On June 20, 2024, the Grupo Carso subsidiary Zamajal formalized the purchase of Petrobal Upstream Delta 1, now Mx Dlta NRG 1, which holds the other 50% stake in Contract Area 4.

If approved, Grupo Carso would own 100% of the stake in this field. Mexico’s National Antimonopoly Commission and the Energy Ministry must authorize the purchase as does the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control which imposed sanctions on Russia’s energy sector in October 2025.

Bloomberg News reported that the acquisition aligns with Slim’s plan to expand his oil portfolio, which includes contracts with Pemex for more than US $6.4 billion. The Pemex contracts include services in strategic fields such as Lakach and Ixachi, in addition to his entry into the Zama megafield.

Carso, one of the largest and most important conglomerates in Latin America, controls and operates a wide variety of companies in the commercial, communications, industrial and consumer sectors.

With reports from El Economista, El Financiero and Bloomberg Online

The post Slim adds 2 Russian fields in the Gulf of Mexico to his expanding oil portfolio appeared first on Mexico News Daily

At the same time, Mexican authorities expressed alarm after the death of a howler monkey, an endangered species, was linked to a larval infestation on its left forelimb. 

🚨 @MillerForTexas is sending a warning to producers to “get ready” for New World Screwworm entering the U.S. 🚨#agtwitter pic.twitter.com/9BnEDSi439

— RFD-TV (@OfficialRFDTV) January 16, 2026

The incident, which occurred in Palenque, Chiapas, was the first death in Mexico of a wild animal from myiasis caused by NWS. Until now, only four cases of screwworm in wild birds and captive exotic animals were known, all in Tabasco and Yucatán, and all reportedly recovered after medical treatment.

NWS is a species of parasitic blowfly whose larvae burrow into open wounds and eat the living tissue of warm-blooded animals. It has been steadily moving north from Central America over the past 16 months, putting the U.S. cattle industry on alert.

The U.S. twice suspended imports of cattle from Mexico last year before the discovery of new cases near the border in September led to a third closure.  

However, the threat has continued to move north.

Mexico’s National Service for Agrifood Health, Safety and Quality (Senasica) announced last week that the border state of Tamaulipas has reported 11 active cases of myiasis caused by NWS in cattle since the first case was detected there on Dec. 31, 2025. The initial case was identified as a six-day-old calf in a grazing area with an umbilical lesion.

The spike in cases confirmed by Senasica prompted Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) to urge Texas livestock producers, especially those along the border, to check livestock every day and treat any wound as a potential entry point.

“Pay close attention to navels on young animals, isolate anything suspicious and report concerns without delay,” Miller said. “Early detection and aggressive surveillance are how we protect Texas livestock. Texas producers need to stay on high alert along our border.”

The TDA said that, as it has not received confirmation that the affected animals reported by Senasica have a history of movement outside Tamaulipas, the pest may now be spreading naturally rather than being introduced through animal movement. 

The agency reported that as of Jan. 7, there were 692 active cases of NWS in 13 Mexican states. Chiapas leads with 137 cases, followed by Oaxaca with 134, Veracruz 117, Guerrero 65 and Quintana Roo 46. 

Of the total active cases, 343 are in cattle and 184 in dogs, while 45 pigs, 28 horses, 13 sheep, six goats, five cats and one farm bird are also infected.

With reports from El Universal, Texas Border Business and Imagen Radio

The post Screwworm is reaching wild animal populations in Mexico as it spreads appeared first on Mexico News Daily

The tax collection part of that revenue also established a new record, according to a Thursday press release from the Tax Administration Service (SAT), bringing in 5.351 trillion pesos (nearly US $303 billion), a 4% increase over 2024 tax revenues.

The total government revenues of some 6.046 trillion pesos (US $342.3 billion) in 2025 was nearly 487.5 billion pesos (US $27.6 billion) more than in 2024. The total revenues collected even surpassed what was programmed, reaching 101.6% of the amount anticipated in this year’s federal budget.

Analysts attributed the record tax collection to the SAT’s new and more aggressive auditing strategy that relies on Generative Artificial Intelligence to carry out more comprehensive electronic audits, which provide more information and more documentation of taxpayer behavior.

Cynthia Valeriano, a professor at the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education, said the SAT’s tax strategy will go a long way in reinforcing the role it will play after Congress reformed federal tax laws late last year.

“The SAT has sufficient teeth and will have direct control mechanisms … to reduce the margins of tax evasion,” she said, adding that its aggressive strategy of constantly conducting audits of large and medium-sized companies will also discourage tax evasion.

The reforms, approved in November, focus on boosting collection through stricter controls, digital platform taxation (higher withholdings), increased excise taxes (tobacco, sugary drinks, video games), and enhanced measures against fake invoice schemes. Congress had estimated that fake invoice schemes were depriving the Treasury of 1.41 billion pesos (US $79.8 million) each year.

The SAT provided detailed information about the taxes it collected last year:

• 2.889 trillion pesos (US $163.7 billion) in income tax (ISR), 204.5 billion pesos (US $11.6 billion) more than in 2024
• 1.499 trillion pesos (US $84.9 billion) in value-added tax (IVA), an increase of nearly 91.5 billion pesos (nearly US $5.2 billion) compared to 2024
• 671.27 billion pesos (US $38 billion) from the special tax on production and services (IEPS), 42.9 billion pesos (US $2.4 billion) more than in 2024

Valeriano did express concern about the government’s continued reliance on the same tax base, saying it must look to implement other measures to reduce informal employment and encourage “the self-managed economy to join the formal economy” in order to broaden the tax base.

With reports from Reforma, La Silla Rota and Forbes México

The post More aggressive audits made 2025 a record year for tax collection in Mexico appeared first on Mexico News Daily