Mexico in the News: AMLO Blames Fentanyl, Thieves Displayed Naked, and More

It's been a busy week in Mexico, with news of everything from alleged drug cartel activity to a new Mexican vaccine against COVID-19. Here's a look at some of the top stories:

• AMLO Blames Fentanyl: President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) has warned that Mexico will be blamed for the fentanyl crisis in the United States in the upcoming midterm elections. AMLO said that the United States is trying to "demonize" Mexico and that the real problem is the US opioid epidemic.
• Thieves Displayed Naked: In a bizarre incident, alleged thieves were displayed naked and with posters on their backs in the Mexican state of Hidalgo. The men were accused of stealing from a local store and were paraded through the streets as a warning to others.
• 13 and 17-Year-Old Brothers Hit by Patrol Car: Two brothers, ages 13 and 17, were hit by a patrol car in the Mexican state of Sonora. The boys were riding their motorcycle when they were struck by the car, which was reportedly speeding. Both boys were seriously injured and are in the hospital.
• Morena Calls Corcholatas Not to "Warm Up" and Focus on 2023: The ruling Morena party has called on its members not to "warm up" for the 2024 presidential election and to focus on the upcoming midterm elections. The party's president, Mario Delgado, said that it is important for Morena to win the midterms to continue AMLO's "transformation."
• At Last: Mexican Vaccine Against Covid Has Arrived: Mexico has finally received its first shipment of the Mexican-made COVID-19 vaccine, called Patria. The vaccine was developed by the National Institute of Public Health (INSP) and will be used to vaccinate Mexican citizens.
• 2,340 Liters of Cloned Coca-Cola Found in Iztapalapa: Authorities in the Mexican city of Iztapalapa have seized 2,340 liters of cloned Coca-Cola. The fake cola was being produced in a clandestine laboratory and was being sold in local markets.
• Death of Actor Octavio Ocaña Reclassified as Intentional Homicide: The death of Mexican actor Octavio Ocaña has been reclassified as intentional homicide. Ocaña, who starred in the popular TV series "Vecinos," was shot and killed in October 2021. The new classification means that prosecutors believe that Ocaña was murdered, rather than accidentally shot himself.
• PAN, PRI, and PRD Support Taboada, Investigated for Alleged Corruption Network: The three main opposition parties in Mexico, the PAN, PRI, and PRD, have announced their support for Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo of Mexico City. Sheinbaum is currently under investigation for alleged corruption, but the opposition parties say that she is the best candidate to lead the city.
• Children Caught Singing Corridos while Lying Down; Teachers Asked to Play 'Positive Music' for Them: A group of children in Mexico was caught singing corridos, a type of Mexican folk song that often glorifies violence while lying down in class. The children's teacher was reportedly so upset that she asked the principal to play "positive music" in the classroom instead.
• Motorcycle Gang Steals 4 Million Pesos from a Pickup Truck: A motorcycle gang stole 4 million pesos (about $200,000) from a pickup truck in the Mexican city of Puebla. The gang reportedly followed the truck and then robbed it at gunpoint.
• Woman Arrested for Shooting at Partner's Ex-Girlfriend: A woman in Mexico has been arrested for shooting at her partner's ex-girlfriend. The woman reportedly became jealous of her partner's ex-girlfriend and decided to shoot her. The ex-girlfriend was seriously injured but is expected to survive.
• Texas Women Missing in China, Nuevo Leon to be Sought in Tamaulipas: Two Texas women who have been missing for several weeks are believed to be in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas. The women, who are sisters, were last seen in the city of McAllen, Texas, on March 18. Authorities in Tamaulipas say that they are searching for the women and that they believe they may have been kidnapped.

These are just a few of the top stories from Mexico this week. For more news, be sure to check out Mexicanist.