U.S. Cuts Interest Rates by 0.5%: What it Means for the Peso and Expats Living in Mexico Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - In a widely anticipated move, the U.S. Federal Reserve announced today that it is cutting interest rates by 0.5%, marking a significant shift in monetary policy aimed at boosting economic activity amid concerns about slowing growth. While the immediate impact of this decision will be felt across financial markets and the…
Return of Superpeso? The Mexican Peso Reached its Best Day in 17 Days on Thursday The Mexican peso experienced its best day in over two weeks on Thursday, bolstered by the weakening U.S. dollar as macroeconomic data from the United States signaled that the Federal Reserve (Fed) could begin reducing the cost of credit next week. The peso registered a gain of 1.62%, or 32.11 cents, closing at 19.4724 pesos…
Are Americans Souring on Mexico? The Truth Behind Mexico’s Tourism Drop The Sustainable Tourism Advanced Research Center (STARC) at the Universidad Anáhuac Cancún has raised concerns about a challenging close to 2024 for Mexico's tourism industry. The center predicts a reduction in available airplane seats and a decline in international and domestic flights, particularly affecting the country's top beach destinations, including Cancún, Los Cabos, and Puerto…
Tropical Storm Ileana Forms Off the Coast of Puerto Vallarta, Brings Risk of Heavy Rain, Flooding, and Dangerous Surf Conditions Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco – Tropical Storm Ileana has formed off the coast of Puerto Vallarta, with forecasters warning of significant rainfall, dangerous winds, and hazardous surf conditions that could impact several coastal areas of Mexico. The storm, which is moving northwest, is expected to bring intense weather to Michoacán, Colima, Jalisco, and Baja California in…
The Dark Side of Puerto Vallarta’s Tourism Boom: 650 Tons of Garbage Left Uncollected on Streets Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco – Over the weekend, the ongoing garbage collection crisis in Puerto Vallarta intensified as dozens of neighborhoods reported a complete absence of collection services. Residents in areas such as Volcanes, Ecoterra, Univa, Palmar de Aramara, Ixtapa, Las Juntas, and several other communities have stated that garbage trucks have not passed since the…The Mexican Peso Just Made a Surprising Comeback – See What’s Behind the 4.73% Jump Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - The Mexican peso saw a modest appreciation against the US dollar on Tuesday, closing at 19.1399 pesos per dollar, reflecting a 0.39% gain or 7.43 cents compared to last Friday’s close. The data, reported by the Bank of Mexico (Banxico), highlights the peso’s strengthening, as the currency has consistently gained ground…
Mexico’s Independence Day Celebrations in Puerto Vallarta: Know the Parades, Events, and Road Closures Puerto Vallarta is gearing up for a series of patriotic events in honor of Mexico's Independence Day, which will take place during the long weekend from September 14 to 16. These celebrations include various cultural activities, such as the charro parades and the civic-military parade, all centered around the city’s downtown area. To ensure the…
Civil Protection Issues Red Flag Warning on 19 Puerto Vallarta Beaches Following Tropical Storm Ileana Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco – In response to the dangerous conditions caused by tropical storm Ileana, Civil Protection authorities in Puerto Vallarta have issued a red flag warning on 19 public beaches along the city's coastline. The move is part of a broader effort by the municipal department to ensure the safety of beachgoers, urging both…
Heavy Rains Cause Havoc! Landslide Hits Key Tourist Highway Near Puerto Vallarta Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - A significant landslide has occurred on Federal Highway 200, commonly known as the Guadalajara-Vallarta free highway, severely impacting traffic in the area. The landslide, which resulted from heavy rains, is located near kilometer 121, between the coastal towns of San Pancho and Sayulita in the municipality of Bahía de Banderas, Nayarit.…
Two Beaches in Puerto Vallarta Revalidate Blue Flag Certification for 2024-2025 Season Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco – The Westin and Marriott resort hotels in Puerto Vallarta have successfully revalidated their Blue Flag certifications for the 2024-2025 season, marking the second consecutive year these hotels have earned this prestigious environmental recognition. Unfortunately, the city has seen a decline in the number of Blue Flag beaches, with several certifications lost…Mexico has long been plagued by high levels of crime and violence. Drug trafficking organizations and other criminal groups have been a major source of the country’s insecurity, engaging in activities such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, extortion, kidnapping, and robbery. The violence associated with these criminal activities has resulted in thousands of deaths each year, both among criminal actors and innocent civilians. Mexico’s government has struggled to combat these issues, with corruption among law enforcement and other officials often exacerbating the problem. Despite some efforts to address crime and violence, such as the deployment of the military to combat drug cartels, the situation remains a major challenge for the country.
Crime and violence have been a longstanding issue in Mexico, with drug trafficking and organized crime being major drivers of criminal activity. The country has been plagued by violence for decades, with cartels and criminal organizations battling for control of drug trafficking routes and other illegal activities. The government’s response to the problem has been inconsistent, with some administrations taking a hardline approach, while others have tried to negotiate with criminal groups.
Mexico has some of the highest rates of violent crime in the world, with murders, kidnappings, and extortion being common occurrences. In 2020, Mexico experienced over 34,000 homicides, the highest number since records began in 1997. The problem is particularly acute in certain regions of the country, such as the northern states, where drug trafficking routes are concentrated, and where criminal groups are known to engage in brutal acts of violence against each other and against civilians.
One of the most significant challenges facing Mexico’s efforts to combat crime and violence is corruption. Many police officers, judges, and government officials are known to be on the payroll of criminal groups, making it difficult to prosecute criminals and dismantle criminal networks. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that many Mexican citizens have lost faith in their government’s ability to protect them, leading to a proliferation of vigilante groups and self-defense organizations in some areas of the country.
Mexico has made some efforts to address the issue of crime and violence, including the deployment of the military in certain regions, the creation of new police forces, and the implementation of social programs aimed at addressing poverty and inequality. However, these efforts have been met with limited success, and the problem of crime and violence continues to be a major issue for the country.
In recent years, Mexico has also faced increasing pressure from the United States to take a more aggressive stance against drug trafficking and organized crime, with threats of sanctions and other punitive measures. This has led to tensions between the two countries, with some in Mexico arguing that the United States shares some of the blame for the rise of drug trafficking and organized crime, due to the demand for drugs in the United States and the flow of weapons across the border.
In conclusion, crime and violence continue to be major issues for Mexico, with drug trafficking and organized crime being key drivers of the problem. The Mexican government’s response to the issue has been inconsistent, and corruption remains a significant challenge. Despite efforts to combat the problem, the situation remains dire, with high rates of violent crime and a general sense of insecurity prevailing in many parts of the country.
