History

How Mexico Welcomed Chilean Exiles After the 1973 Coup

Salvador Allende, Chile's first socialist president, was overthrown in a 1973 coup led by Augusto Pinochet. His wife, Hortensia Bussi, fled to Mexico. The Mexican government provided asylum to thousands of Chilean exiles.

Mexicanist

Oct 31, 2024 — 6 min read

Salvador Allende and Hortensia Bussi de Allende. Reference: AGN, Photographic Archives, Mayo Brothers, HMA/AG1/0377, Allende Salvador.

There are times in history when one wonders if the world is a stage, set for one big, cosmic joke. Take Chile in 1970. A democratically elected socialist president, Salvador Allende, fresh off a victory that sent a jolt through Latin America, decided to step into the ring with the world’s biggest economic heavyweights, ready to square off. With the nationalization of key industries—primarily copper, Chile’s crown jewel—he envisioned a socialist utopia, one where wealth would flow like wine at a wedding.

It all looked good on paper. But in reality? Well, if you’ve ever seen a toddler trying to juggle flaming torches while riding a unicycle, you’ll get the picture.

A sea turtle on a swirling ocean current, with a distant shrimp trawler faintly visible on the horizon.

Mexican Sea Turtles Face Threat From U.S. Shrimp Trawling, Genetic Study Finds

Shrimp trawl fisheries on the U.S. East Coast and Gulf of Mexico threaten Mexican sea turtle populations, according to a study in Plos One. The research highlights the lack of data on incidental captures due to absent onboard observers.

Illustration of a person slumped over a desk, surrounded by clocks showing different times.

Job Insecurity Grips Mexico, Adding to Latin America’s Employment Woes

Job instability adds to Latin America's employment woes, particularly in Mexico. Research shows a pervasive fear of job loss impacts workers of all ages, hindering life planning and economic stability.

A humorous depiction of a bureaucrat holding a clipboard and checking off items.

How the Spanish Crown Controlled Death (and Expenses) in New Spain

2.0 Flash Experimental. Might not work as expected. In 17th-century New Spain, even death was regulated by the Spanish Crown. A 1696 Royal Decree dictated funeral ceremonies, mourning attire, and coffin design, particularly for the nobility, to control expenses and ensure solemnity.

Illustration of shrimp shells entering a glowing bioreactor, with cartoon lactic bacteria high-fiving.

Mexican Scientists Find Value in Shrimp Shells for Medical and Industrial Uses

Mexican researchers use lactic acid bacteria to extract chitosan, a valuable biopolymer, from shrimp shell waste. This eco-friendly method transforms a pollutant into a resource for medicine, agriculture, and even 3D-printed tissues.

Read more

Mexican Sea Turtles Face Threat From U.S. Shrimp Trawling, Genetic Study Finds

Job Insecurity Grips Mexico, Adding to Latin America’s Employment Woes

How the Spanish Crown Controlled Death (and Expenses) in New Spain

Mexican Scientists Find Value in Shrimp Shells for Medical and Industrial Uses