Breaking stories and developing coverage from across Mexico — the headlines that matter, the context that's missing, and the stories the English-language press hasn't caught yet.
United States
Prosecutors given 90 days to seek capital punishment for Rafael Caro Quintero following extradition and Brooklyn court appearance; Case holds deep symbolic weight for U.S. law enforcement after 1985 killing of Enrique 'Kiki' Camarena.
Tabasco
A former Tabasco state cop, Francisco Javier Custodio Lima, aka "Guason," was arrested for drug trafficking, murder, and extortion. He was a key figure in the "La Barredora" cartel and had ties to corrupt cops.
business
Walmart invests $6bn in Mexico by 2025, expanding stores, adding 2 tech-driven distribution hubs (Bajío/Tlaxcala), boosting local sourcing ('Hecho en México'), and creating 5.5k jobs. Supports gov't 'Plan México'.
Crime
Carlos Rocha Moreno, convicted of kidnapping and robbery, was sentenced to 50 years in prison for hijacking a truck carrying shoes. His accomplice, Martín Díaz Martínez, received the same sentence.
Politics
Mexico's Senate unanimously approved US military entry for joint counter-narcotics training (JCET). Aimed at boosting special ops skills against cartels, the move navigates sovereignty concerns, emphasizing cooperation without subordination amid historical sensitivities.
United States
US intel: Cartels escalate IED violence in Mexico, fuel US fentanyl deaths (>52k) w/ Chinese supplies. Migrants exploited. Independent fentanyl producers grow. Border encounters down, but threat persists.
Crime
Mexico federal blitz: 854 arrests, 1708 guns, 23+ tons drugs, 508 vehicles seized since Feb 5. Major cartel disruption includes dismantling meth labs, finding huge weed plantation, seizing cash and explosives across several states.
Mexico City
Mexico City restaurant corruption: Hundreds bribe officials ("moches") monthly to skip rules, creating unfairness and eroding trust. This widespread payoff system harms honest businesses and demands strict controls and accountability.
business
Mexican Feb exports fell 2.9% YoY ($49.28bn), hit by automotive (-15.2%) & oil (-24.4%) declines. US-bound shipments dipped slightly (-0.2%), while exports elsewhere fell sharply (-9.5%). Agri sales also down (-6.1%). Concerns over economy & US trade policy remain.
United States
US spy agencies NGA & NRO use satellite surveillance on the Mexico border for Trump's immigration crackdown. This domestic use of military intel tools, usually aimed overseas, raises privacy concerns for citizens near the border.
Oaxaca
Violence rocks Oaxaca: 9 missing tourists found dead, 5 men killed on highways. Tourism sector fears cancellations in Huatulco and other spots. Promoter downplays events, insists area is safe, urging visitors to come.
United States
Trump praised Mexico's anti-drug/migration efforts, yet new tariffs loom (Apr 2). Ambassador nominee Johnson noted cooperation. Mexico's President Sheinbaum countered tariff justification with data showing reduced fentanyl flow. Mixed signals create uncertainty.