This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page By Maria Salette OntiverosTrending Reporter She attends therapy and community events and is learning how to share that information with her grandsons “I’m worried about what my grandsons are going to face,” Lopez said but I’m worried about their future and how they will deal with their emotions to get the resources I can transmit to them.” Lopez’s words resonated with participants of Saturday morning’s Spanish-language Q&A section at The Dallas Morning News’ mental health panel for the Hispanic community at Casa Guanajuato D-FW Public Health AlertsGet the latest public health updates GoogleFacebookBy signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy The News hosted the event as part of a series of English and Spanish-language listening sessions where the community can learn how to cope with and digest news and spot misinformation the public health coordinator in the Mexican consulate in Dallas “The immigrant community is living with three pandemics,” said Francisco de la Torre Galindo The Dallas Hispanic population is 42%, according to U.S. Census data a staff writer for The News who led Saturday’s discussion asked panelists about the importance of mental health in the era of content overload and misinformation “It is important to take care of our mental health to be able to know how much information I can tolerate day by day,” Renteria said or seeing social media can be overwhelming That’s why it’s essential to ask ourselves President Donald Trump signed dozens of executive orders aimed at curbing illegal immigration and began a deportation campaign The government said immigrants who were going to be prosecuted would be those with a criminal background and that the government considered a threat to the country However, families of some deported individuals dispute these claims insisting their relatives are legally in the country and have no criminal background that could point to them as a threat to the country have challenged those deportations as unconstitutional citing the need for due process hearings where defendants can stand before a judge “Immigrants are terrified because they don’t know what is going to happen tomorrow,” De la Torre said In response to how to deal with the “three pandemics immigrants are facing,” especially with kids and teenagers advised the community to digest the news in an easy conversation and parents not to try to give a deep explanation to younger kids which means parents can have deeper conversations with them and they’ll understand,” Pedre said When discussing divided political opinions within the family Gamez said finding a middle ground is essential for the two sides to coexist “It is important to know that hate and love can coexist toward one person,” Pedre said “Know that I might not think like my family member but it doesn’t mean that I’m going to stop being there for them when they need me.” a stigma that has dominated the culture is that looking for mental health resources taking medication and attending therapy is only for people with severe mental illnesses “Our community has lived through difficult things but it has made us understand in a way that being strong is not to feel or be vulnerable,” Miranda said we need to start accepting that we can be vulnerable and feel Lopez and audience members thanked The News for opening the space to talk about a cultural stigma and spotlight resources in Dallas that work to help the immigrant community and address stigmas Ore.) — Nine students and two faculty members from Southern Oregon University have been working for most of the past week with their Mexican counterparts at Universidad de Guanajuato on the annual Global Innovation Scholars program – a multicultural business development initiative to help organizations and businesses in both Guanajuato and Ashland while providing students with experience in international collaboration “Southern Oregon University’s 56-year relationship with the University of Guanajuato is a testament to the wonders that can come from a foundational bond built on love admiration and mutual respect,” SOU President Rick Bailey said “We have demonstrated that we can move mountains when we come together to serve others and to help make our world a better place.” The 18 combined students from the two universities spent the past week researching and analyzing three Guanajuato businesses before concluding the visit by offering suggested development plans to the business owners The students will reunite for a week in Ashland beginning on April 26 to provide the same services to three Rogue Valley businesses or organizations The 20-week Global Innovation Scholars program includes international online coursework for participating students during each year’s winter and spring terms in addition to the opportunity for immersive social and cultural experiences The SOU and Guanajuato delegations met last week with various leaders of the Mexican university and with the region’s political leaders Students typically spend a total of more than 250 hours on their projects Global Innovation Scholars was developed by the two universities’ business schools as part of the “100,000 Strong in the Americas” program Embassies and the nonprofit organization Partners for the Americas “I believe that economic prosperity and peace are best built hand-in-hand across all borders,” Vincent Smith, dean of SOU’s School of Science and Business said in his opening remarks for the gathering last week “They are working together to build economic prosperity and community in both Mexico and the United States of America,” Smith said “They symbolize not only the importance of international trade They are a reminder that real strength comes from building friendships They remind us that we are better together.” A key point of discussion during this year’s Global Innovation Scholars session in Mexico was the new U.S Guanajuato’s primary economy is the export of automobiles and automobile parts SOU and UG have initiated a variety of exchange and cooperative projects since they became sister universities in 1969 The link between the two schools has led more than 1,000 students faculty members and others to participate in exchanges – and has resulted in more than 80 marriages that have tied people from Ashland and Guanajuato over three generations “The opportunity to do the Global Innovations Scholar program has made a tremendous difference in my skills in teamwork and my international worldview,” said Tiana Gilliland president of the Associated Students of Southern Oregon University and one of the business students in this year’s program “I have had the opportunity to work closely with several other scholars to make a real difference in businesses that are striving to make a difference in their community,” Gilliland said Another student leader – Garima Sharma, a student member of the SOU Board of Trustees – said she has learned much about the power of connection and making a change in the world through her involvement with the Global Innovation Scholars program “I have learned that building relationships with students from both Southern Oregon University and Universidad de Guanajuato is a privilege which not many have,” Sharma said “I have … gained a deeper understanding of our shared goals and how we can use our differences to create innovative solutions.” The current Global Innovation Scholars project grew out of a previous partnership between the two schools – the Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) program – which brought together classes of upper-division business students to work on the development of international business relationships Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker Presidenta Municipal de Guanajuato Samantha Smith Gutiérrez and Pasadena Sister Cities Committee President Lena Kennedy at Pasadema Cioty Hall [Courtesy photo]Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo welcomed Samantha Smith Gutiérrez Mayor (Presidenta Municipal) of Guanajuato advancing discussions for a potential sister city relationship between the two cultural hubs hosted by Mayor Gordo and Pasadena Sister Cities Committee President Lena Kennedy marked an important step in fostering ties between the two cities The leaders gathered to discuss the potential establishment of an official sister city relationship reflecting the shared vision of building international friendships and enriching both communities A Pasadena delegation traveled to Guanajuato in October to explore the possibility of establishing a sister city relationship Pasadena and Guanajuato share many similarities Both cities are similar in size: Pasadena has 140,000 residents and Guanajuato has 194,000 Guanajuato is a popular tourist destination with historical significance Both cities are important and noteworthy hubs of arts Presidenta Municipal Smith Gutiérrez expressed her gratitude for the warm reception and the collaborative spirit of Pasadena “This meeting symbolizes the strength of connection that can exist between two cities that share so much in common,” she said highlighting similarities in cultural heritage Discussions also included opportunities for academic exchanges and cultural programs that could mutually benefit both cities’ residents As Pasadena explores this potential partnership with Guanajuato Mayor Gordo emphasized the importance of such relationships in strengthening global understanding “Pasadena and Guanajuato share a deep appreciation for culture we open doors to learning from each other and celebrating our unique identities,” said Mayor Gordo The meeting concluded with both leaders reiterating their enthusiasm for exploring the establishment of a sister city relationship that would bridge Pasadena and Guanajuato fostering deeper connections and understanding between their residents and envisioning a future where both communities thrive through shared knowledge and experiences The discussions laid the groundwork for future initiatives aimed at enhancing cultural ties Also present with Mayor Gordo and Presidenta Municipal Smith Gutiérrez were Pasadena Vice Mayor Jess Rivas Councilmember and President of the Guanajuato Tourism Commission; Luis Carlos Salinas and International Relations for the City of Guanajuato; and Saúl Cruz it would eventually have to be approved by the Pasadena City Council and Guanajuato City Council The delegation aimed to evaluate the feasibility of deepening the city’s ties with Mexico particularly given Pasadena’s significant Hispanic/Latino population and explored potential collaboration with businesses The group also participated in meetings with officials from Guanajuato’s municipal and state governments as well as leaders from local universities The group also visited key sites like the University of Guanajuato and the renowned Festival Internacional Cervantino (FIC) an annual arts and culture festival that draws international artists and performers The proposed partnership comes after extensive research by the Pasadena Sister Cities Committee Guanajuato-Mexico Ad Hoc Committee which evaluated several cities in Mexico for potential affiliation the committee recommended Guanajuato as the most suitable match for Pasadena the city played a crucial role in Mexico’s struggle for independence and is home to landmarks such as the Alhóndiga de Granaditas where a pivotal battle in the independence movement took place Its vibrant cultural scene includes the FIC one of Latin America’s most important cultural festivals The Pasadena Sister Cities Committee could submit a formal recommendation to the Pasadena City Council in 2025 to establish an official Sister Cities relationship with Guanajuato the Pasadena Sister Cities Committee suggests that the Mayor and Vice Mayor of Pasadena lead an official delegation to Guanajuato in October during the Festival Internacional Cervantino the committee plans to invite the Mayor of Guanajuato to Pasadena to continue fostering the partnership More » The ‘Humming-Byrd’ House: A Mid-Century Storybook Ranch Surrounded by Nature Pasadena Now has been published daily since April 2004 and is among the very oldest continuously operated community news websites in the U.S Pasadena Now strives to publish a full spectrum of news and information articles in service to the entire community The publication will remain free to readers and will not erect paywalls Copyright © 2025. Pasadena Now | Terms of - Service | Privacy Policy | CA Notice of Collection RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feeds offer another way to get Pasadena Now content Subscribe to our feeds to get the latest headlines summaries and links back to full articles – formatted for your favorite feed reader and updated throughout the day Thanks for visiting The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here Ore.) — The leaders of Southern Oregon University and its Mexican sister institution officially renewed the schools’ 55-year relationship on Wednesday by pledging in a new memorandum of understanding to “strengthen institutional collaboration in the areas of teaching The new agreement – which builds upon a commitment the two universities made to each other during their 50th anniversary celebration in 2019 – was reached as a delegation from SOU visited Guanajuato this week The memorandum was signed by SOU President Rick Bailey and UG Rector General Claudia Susana Gómez López whose position is equivalent to that of the president at a U.S “All of us at Southern Oregon University are grateful to President Claudia Susana Gómez López and her wonderful team at the University of Guanajuato for celebrating and continuing this beautiful 55-year partnership,” President Bailey said “We look forward to even more opportunities for our students faculty and staff to collaborate in a spirit of friendship More than 1,000 students, faculty members and others have participated in a variety of exchange programs between the two universities and the cities of Ashland and Guanajuato The cooperative link between the two cities and the two universities is unique Guanajuato is closer in size to Eugene than to Ashland and Universidad de Guanajuato – which is larger than any university in Oregon – has sister university relationships with more than 300 other institutions worldwide But the Ashland-Guanajuato relationships – between both the cities and universities – were the first for each entity Some families from the Mexican city have been involved in the relationships with Ashland and SOU for three generations and more than 80 marriages have united partners from Ashland and Guanajuato The new memorandum of understanding commits the two universities to maintain a close working relationship: “Universidad de Guanajuato and Southern Oregon University express their intention to strengthen institutional collaboration in the areas of teaching through activities or projects that will be formalized by specific agreements within the framework of the attributions conferred by their regulations.” Contingents of academic and administrative leaders of the two universities regularly visit the other’s campus, and collaborative programs benefit the students of each. One current example is the Global Innovation Scholars program – a collaboration on multicultural business development that grew out of an initiative from the U.S includes online coursework for participating students from the two schools during each year’s winter and spring terms and a visit to each other’s communities to assess and create development plans for local businesses or organizations The city’s Spanish colonial past is well evidenced in the Teatro Juárez in Guanajuato [Photo credit: Andreshbz]A Pasadena delegation traveled to Guanajuato Mexico last month to explore the possibility of establishing a sister city there “I have advocated for years that we add a city in Mexico to our cadre of Sister Cities,” Vice Mayor Madison wrote in a letter to Guanajuato’s newly elected Mayor “I am very pleased that following a recent change in leadership the Pasadena Sister Cities Committee is finally pursuing this goal by visiting Guanajuato My excitement about the possibility of forming a Sister Cities relationship with Guanajuato is undiminished.” The delegation visited the city from October 7-13 according to information provided by Vice Mayor Madison’s Field Liaison Justin Chapman who was part of the delegation that made the trip to Guanajuato “I went on the trip on behalf of Vice Mayor Steve Madison who is very supportive of establishing this Sister Cities relationship with Guanajuato,” Chapman told Pasadena Now “The Vice Mayor gave us a letter that we hand-delivered to the new Guanajuato Mayor Samantha Smith which invited her and other Guanajuato officials to set up their own Exploratory Visit to Pasadena The similarities between Pasadena and Guanajuato are many As Vice Mayor Madison wrote in his letter to Mayor Smith “Pasadena and Guanajuato have much in common—similar sized populations a strong sense of history and preservation and the presence of renowned educational institutions where young people have the opportunity to reach their full potential.” The proposed partnership comes after extensive research by the Pasadena Sister Cities Committee Guanajuato-Mexico Proposed Affiliation Committee With a population of approximately 194,000 Guanajuato shares similarities with Pasadena “Pasadena and Guanajuato have much in common—similar-sized populations and renowned educational institutions,” Vice Mayor Madison noted “The exploratory visit was a diplomatic success and we are excited about the potential for collaboration between our two cities,” said Rene González Chair of the Guanajuato Proposed Affiliation Committee “This partnership would benefit both communities offering opportunities for cultural exchange The Pasadena Sister Cities Committee has expressed its hope that the Sister Cities relationship will not only celebrate the shared cultural heritage of Pasadena and Guanajuato but also foster new opportunities for collaboration in fields such as education The Bajío region state of Guanajuato has been Mexico’s most violent state in recent years in terms of total homicides But the state’s daily murder rate declined sharply last week according to preliminary government statistics allowing Guanajuato to shake off that unenviable title Federal Security Minister Omar García Harfuch attributed the almost 45% week-over-week decline in homicides to the arrest last Tuesday of nine people he said were “members of a crime cell linked to a group dedicated to kidnapping armed attacks and principally homicides in the state of Guanajuato.” At President Claudia Sheinbaum’s morning press conference on Tuesday García presented data that showed there was an average of seven homicides per day in Guanajuato between March 17 and 23 a 44.9% reduction compared to the 12.7 murders per day recorded in the state between March 10 and 16 Guanajuato thus had its least violent week of 2025 last week according to the data displayed by the security minister The most violent week of the year to date in Guanajuato was between March 3 and 9 when there was an average of 15.6 homicides per day García told reporters that “as an immediate result” of the arrests last Tuesday “Guanajuato has not been in first place in homicide numbers for six days.” data presented earlier in the press conference showed that Guanajuato has been the most violent state so far this month with almost 300 homicides between March 1 and 24 García reported that federal security forces including the army and the navy carried out “six simultaneous” operations on March 18 that resulted in the arrest of nine people in Querétaro the security minister said that the nine suspects were members of a crime cell linked to a larger organized crime group that operates in Guanajuato The larger group he was referring to is reportedly an alliance between the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel and the Gulf Cartel which are believed to have joined forces in a fight against the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) in Guanajuato The Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel has been fighting the CJNG in Guanajuato for years líder de la célula “Escorpiones” del Cártel del Golfo vinculada con el Cártel Santa Rosa de Lima Cuenta con antecedentes penales por diversos delitos en los años 2008 y 2019 y fue señalado como objetivo prioritario de las… pic.twitter.com/FWLy3m7pFV — Juan Becerra Acosta (@juanbaaq) March 20, 2025 García highlighted that José Francisco Contreras Gómez — who allegedly headed up the Los Escorpiones cell of the Gulf Cartel — was among those detained last Tuesday He said that Contreras, known as “Alfa 1,” is “responsible” for the attack on the Cantaritos Bar in Querétaro that claimed the lives of 10 people last November he was in charge of ordering attacks on rival groups and also against authorities,” García said Contreras was arrested in Querétaro along with his partner nicknamed “La Patrona” (The Boss) García said that the arrest of Contreras was of “great importance because he was one of the main generators of violence in the region.” “As we’ve said on other occasions we’re convinced that in order to reduce the crime rate we have to detain those who commit crimes and this is proof of that,” he said García also highlighted that a man identified only as José Remedios “N” was among the nine people detained in last week’s simultaneous operations He described José Remedios as a “homicide leader of a criminal cell” and said he has been “identified by the National Intelligence Center as one of the main generators of violence in the region of Guanajuato and Querétaro.” also reportedly a member of Los Escorpiones García said that on the instructions of Sheinbaum he and Defense Minister Ricardo Trevilla Trejo would travel to Guanajuato later in the day to meet with the state governor and her team in order to “monitor the actions that are continuing to reduce high-impact crimes in the entity.” Data presented earlier in Sheinbaum’s press conference by the head of the National Public Security System (SNSP) showed that there were 278 homicides in Guanajuato between March 1 and 24 for an average of 11.6 per day That figure is more than double the number of homicides in México state which ranks as Mexico’s second most violent state so far this month SNSP chief Marcela Figueroa highlighted that more than 17% of all homicides in Mexico so far this month occurred in Guanajuato There were 1,619 homicides across the country in the first 24 days of March An average of 67.46 murders were reported per day in the first 24 days of the month a 22.4% decline compared to the daily average in September the last month of former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s six-year term most of the violence is concentrated in a relatively small number of municipalities including Salvatierra The aforesaid turf war between the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel and the CJNG is the main driver of the violence According to the preliminary data presented by Figueroa the 10 most violent states in Mexico in terms of total homicides so far this month are as follows: With reports from Reforma, EFE and Milenio ADVERTISE WITH MND COMMUNITY GUIDELINES Subscription FAQ's Privacy Policy Mexico News Daily - Property of Tavana LLC and Pasadena Sister Cities Committee President Lena Kennedy at Pasadema City Hall in early January 2025 [Courtesy photo]The Pasadena Human Relations Commission will hear a presentation about a potential sister city relationship between Pasadena and Guanajuato at the Commission’s upcoming meeting on Tuesday The agenda includes an information item from the Pasadena Sister Cities Committee (PSCC) regarding their October 2024 exploratory visit to Guanajuato and their recommendation to establish a formal sister city relationship According to the detailed report prepared by the Sister Cities delegation Guanajuato offers numerous similarities to Pasadena that would make for a beneficial partnership Both cities have strong historical significance and are hubs for arts Pasadena has a population of approximately 140,000 residents while Guanajuato’s population is estimated at around 195,000 as of 2025 “A Pasadena Sister City relationship with any city in Mexico is long overdue,” notes the report highlighting that a significant portion of Pasadena’s population has Hispanic/Latino roots with many tracing their heritage to Mexico arranged and led by Sister Cities Commission Chair Renee Gonzalez and which included Committee Vice President Martin Gordon met with numerous Guanajuato officials during their visit who expressed enthusiasm about establishing ties with Pasadena The delegation also attended cultural events toured historic sites including the UNESCO World Heritage Site city center and explored potential collaboration with the University of Guanajuato The sister city relationship would facilitate cultural exchanges during significant events like Pasadena’s Rose Parade and Guanajuato’s Festival Internacional Cervantino an annual arts and culture festival described as “Latin America’s most important cultural event.” Other important agenda items include a welcome to new Commissioner Paul McGee (District 1) an update from Lieutenant Carlo Montiglio of the Pasadena Police Department regarding hate crimes and incidents in Pasadena a discussion regarding the date of the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Commission Annual meeting and finalizing an online document for community members to report human relations concerns people celebrate special occasions with festivals While most of them have a unique element of attraction there’s one festival in the Bajío of central Mexico that may be the most extraordinary of all: the Exploding Hammer Festival Called the Festival del Martillo Explosivo in Spanish this festivity stands out for the practice of hitting the ground with 30-kilogram hammers to detonate an explosive device It has been taking place for centuries in the small community of San Juan de la Vega the festival is barely known outside of Celaya as authorities have tried to forbid it due to its risky nature regional newspaper El Sol Del Bajío reported 43 people This somewhat violent festival honors the community’s patron It re-enacts a 17th-century skirmish between Aquino de la Vega Another version of the story says that de la Vega was himself a bandit and kind of local Robin Hood who stole from rich miners As a faithful devotee of Saint John the Baptist de la Vega promised to organize a festival every year in his honor for the miracle of recovering his gold Although de la Vega is a folk saint and not recognized by the Catholic Church he’s considered the town’s patron and highest deity The Exploding Hammer Festival takes place on Shrove Tuesday the last day of the Carnival period in the Christian liturgical calendar It sees male participants split into two sides: the ladrones Each side takes turns blowing up the hammers at the local soccer field  Los truenos de San Juan - Dir. Santiago MazaWatch this video on YouTube The hammers are fitted with homemade explosives made of potassium chlorate and sulfur which are hit against stones or iron plates causing a deafening explosion that’s the highlight of the event “The part of the ‘thunderbolt’ is visually impressive,” Mexican movie director Santiago Maza Stern told newspaper Sin Embargo regarding his 2019 documentary “Los Truenos de San Juan.” the columns of smoke that rise from each thunder are very striking,” he said which continues for five days with other activities also involves theatrical productions at dawn re-enacting episodes from the town’s history the carnival is full of magical moments,” Maza told Sin Embargo Despite the magic the festival evokes in many authorities attempt to halt the practice every year as it has been illegal since 2000 participants smuggle gunpowder into the town and secretly prepare small packets with the explosive mixture before attaching them to the heads of the hammers and we will continue to do it,” a participant says in the film With reports from Sin Embargo GUANAJUATO - With an investment of US$20.1 million and the creation of 500 jobs EGO Componentes Electrónicos inaugurated its first plant in Guanajuato consolidating the growth of the auto parts and electronic components sector in the region The new plant will specialize in the manufacture of electronic and mechatronic controls for household appliances and auto parts including products such as gas controllers tubular resistors and induction cooking systems This investment strengthens the local supply chain and reinforces Guanajuato as a key industrial hub for advanced manufacturing highlighted the importance of this investment for the local economy The arrival of EGO Electronic Components to Guanajuato is not a coincidence It is the result of a clear and determined strategy to attract investments that generate employment boost industrial growth and strengthen our economy' EGO has more than 100 years of experience in the development and manufacture of components for household appliances and auto parts Its global presence extends to countries such as Spain consolidating its leadership in the sector The installation of this plant in Apaseo el Grande is in line with the company's growth strategy and the consolidation of Guanajuato as a world reference in the manufacture of electronic components and auto parts the region strengthens its productive capacity and its integration with leading companies in the sector We’re in the business of providing relevant information through print and electronic media organizing events to bring industrial value chain actors together and services to create new business relationships Our goal is to improve our clients’ competitiveness Guanajuato's talent is the main engine that drives the consolidation of a solid This was stated by the Secretary of Economy during the delivery of Ford Motor Company's Q1 Certification to Thyssenkrupp Materials de México a company specialized in the cutting of steel and aluminum plates used in the manufacture of automotive bodies On behalf of Governor Libia Dennise García Muñoz Ledo Secretary Villaseñor led this symbolic act that recognizes global suppliers with the highest levels of quality The Secretary highlighted that the commitment of Guanajuato's talent added to the trust of national and international companies has been key to consolidate high-value projects that boost competitiveness and strengthen the state's economic ecosystem With an investment of US$451 million and more than 800 direct jobs generated in Guanajuato Ford continues to consolidate its presence in the state thanks to the collaboration with strategic allies such as Thyssenkrupp Their commitment strengthens an increasingly competitive Thyssenkrupp joins companies such as Kostal which have also committed to Guanajuato to become key suppliers of Ford globally The Government of the People is committed to talent quality and innovation as drivers of development and reaffirms its commitment to continue generating favorable conditions for more companies to grow thus improving the well-being of Guanajuato families DECATUR -- Residents and community leaders attended the grand opening of Cerveceria Guanajuato on Friday Cerveceria Guanajuato is a store that sells domestic and imported beers with authentic Mexican snacks and treats to complement the beers they serve This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC Material from the Associated Press is Copyright © 2025 audio and/or video material shall not be published rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use The AP will not be held liable for any delays errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing (KION-TV) — Through a program of mutual collaboration Mexico has founded its own public works program which has seen the formation of new infrastructure and future projects for the rural community of Santiaguillo All of this with the support of donations from their townspeople who migrated to California and mostly live in Monterey County According to the Census of the State of Guanajuato the population in Santiaguillo is less than 1000 inhabitants natives of this municipality assure that more than 50% of the population lives in California mainly in the southern region of Monterey County Santiaguillo residents in Salinas have cooperated financially to a common cause the construction of their town's public works and infrastructure development since 2009 they have carried out several actions The most recent work was to complete the paving of 400 feet (0.12 km) in a needy area and they say they want to continue with the works the Secretary of Human Rights in Guanajuato announced the new guidelines for the program Apoyo sin Fronteras This program establishes that the development of the communities could be financed with the mutual support of the municipalities as well as the financial contribution of migrants living in the United States the municipality of Santiaguillo in Guanajuato was able to create public works in its main park The costs were then divided evenly at 25% among these four entities the contribution of these groups changed to 33% when federal aid was withdrawn Finalcial contributinos then only depended on the municipalities president of the organization Santiaguillo Hacia el Desarrollo Colectivo has been working closely to raise those necessary funds to cover the 33% that corresponds to the Santiaguillo migrants goes back and forth from Mexico to California to make the connection between Salinas and Santiguillo “The general objective of the Program is to support the execution of works and actions aimed at improving the quality of life of Guanajuato migrants and their families as well as to provide support for productive patrimonial activities to benefit the family economy of migrants” in addition to the economic contributions and goodwill donations the economic contribution to the Mexican country is received through the remittances that the immigrants send to their communities remittance income will reach a total of $63,313 million dollars an increase of 7.6% over the previous year Juan Navarro and Miguel Camacho hope that this movement can inspire more municipalities to improve their infrastructure and image and raise funds like the community of Santiaguillo to do something positive for the improvement of their towns KION 46 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here EEO Report | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Community Guidelines | FCC Applications | Do Not Sell My Personal Information The United Kingdom and the state of Veracruz will be this year’s guests of honor at the International Cervantino Festival the 53rd edition of the premier cultural festival in Latin America Mexico’s Culture Minister Claudia Curiel de Icaza was joined by Britain’s Ambassador to Mexico Susannah Goshko, Guanajuato Governor Libia García and Guanajuato city Mayor Samantha Smith, among others, during Wednesday’s announcement at Mexico City’s Chapultepec Park Also attending was festival Executive Director Romain Greco, and the event’s Planning Committee was also introduced at the presentation ceremony “The goal is to work collectively so as to contribute a variety of visions that range from the traditional to the contemporary and from the classic to the urbane,” Curiel said adding that another objective is to attract a broader audience “We are very interested in working to engage with youth,” she said Curiel said that diversity will be a priority Emphasis will be placed on the concept of decolonization at this year’s festival “[We aim to] furnish a diversity of viewpoints [highlighting] minorities … the indigenous and Afro-Mexicans,” she said Goshko said the United Kingdom was honored by the designation describing the Cervantino Festival as “the natural space to demonstrate that culture can be an economic engine.” “Nearly 200 years since we established diplomatic relations the opportunity to be a country of honor offers the chance to further deepen the cultural and artistic ties that bind us and to build new avenues of cooperation in innovative spheres such as the creative industries,” she said Guanajuato expects more than 2,000 artists from more than 30 countries to participate There will be performances from across a broad variety of artistic disciplines in the shadow of its historic colonial architecture Thanks for visiting I’m decorating our artificial Christmas tree which I bought at Guanajuato’s Embajadoras market almost 20 years ago Some are Mexican, bought from a local street vendor or in Tlalpujahua, a Pueblo Mágico in Michoacán famous for its artisanal Christmas ornament industry My final stage of tree-trimming is adding the tinsel that I use year after year even if it gets everywhere and I’m still finding it months after we take down the tree In Guanajuato, the Christmas season gets off to a rollicking start on Dec. 12, the feast day celebrating Our Lady of Guadalupe to watch the faithful carrying offerings of food and flowers crawling across the tiled floor of the church I am deeply moved by their expression of faith Throughout the month of December, Christmas-themed concerts and choirs are held at Guanajuato’s iconic Teatro Juárez and local churches far more than my husband Barry and I ever went to when we spent Christmas in California The foreign community seems to get caught up in the sense of festivity that accompanies the season here Many resident foreigners celebrate Christmas with their adopted Mexican family but we are early risers and can’t stay up til 3 a.m. over the years we’re learned to sleep through the fireworks that Mexicans light off during holidays — and many other days — and which produce ear-shattering bangs we always lead a gentle hike for anyone interested and at least 10 to 12 grateful people show up Some folks turn into future friends and others are simply passing through but everyone seems to appreciate a group hike Our guests always want to know what Boxing Day is but most people agree that it was the day in Britain when servants would collect their yearly bonuses gifts and leftover foods delivered in boxes In my crockpot I prepare homemade wassail, which tastes similar to Mexican ponche.  But the treat that disappears the fastest is my sherry trifle a recipe I inherited from my Welsh mother-in-law Neither foreigners nor Mexicans have a clue what a treat they’re in for I admit yellow cake mix and packaged custard doesn’t sound especially inspiring Trifle is one of those treats that are supposed to taste better the longer they sit around but mine has never lasted long enough to know After many years of spending the Christmas season in Mexico and I pick and choose which parts of it I want to include it’s a relief that the heavy lifting of Christmas is over before it even starts in the United States Christmas in Mexico has an uncynical innocence that reminds me of my childhood Spending Christmas in a culture that is not our own helps Barry and I let go of any latent Christmas scripts still hanging around We can’t do Christmas ‘right’ in Mexico because the script doesn’t work here and sing “Oh Little Town in Bethlehem” in Spanish Louisa Rogers and her husband Barry Evans divide their lives between Guanajuato and Eureka, on California’s North Coast. Louisa writes articles and essays about expat life, Mexico, travel, physical and psychological health, retirement and spirituality. Her recent articles can be found on her website, authory.com/LouisaRogers. With an estimated US $500 million investment, Walmart has laid the first stone of a new artificial intelligence-powered warehouse in Silao (Guanajuato), in central Mexico “This investment represents jobs, progress, and opportunities for our Guanajuato families,” state Governor Libia Dennise García wrote on her official X account I’m sure we will continue to work together The new distribution center will serve over 600 stores and clubs in Aguascalientes according to reporting by the newspaper El Economista CEO and Director of Walmart Mexico and Central America said that the upcoming distribution center reiterates the company’s commitment to the state “Customers and partners will save money,” Caride said at the event featuring an AI-powered robotic technological platform will cover 9.5 hectares of built area within a 45-hectare property “This distribution center will feature one with the highest levels of automation in all of Latin America,” said Gastón Weinstein He also explained that Walmart Mexico will incorporate the same technologies used in the United States a robotic warehouse automation company based in Massachusetts Walmart Mexico began operations in Guanajuato almost three decades ago a portfolio which includes Walmart stores as well as Bodega Aurrerá and Sam’s Club. Its expansion plans include new stores in the Guanajuato municipalities of Salamanca Walmart Mexico boasts over 2,700 stores nationwide and employs over 230,000 people GTO - Gran Topsun Mexico laid the first stone of its new plant in the PILBA industrial park in Leon with an investment of more than US$50 million and creating more than 800 new direct jobs Grand Topsun Mexico is a supplier company from China that manufactures decorative parts for automobiles through plastic injection The new Gran Topsun Mexico plant will be the group's first manufacturing site outside China It will have the world's largest electroplating line and will be built in two phases on a 50,000 square meter site The first phase consists of a 21,000 square meter extension with a delivery date of early 2026 and a second phase of 29,000 square meters that will begin in 2027 according to information obtained by Cluster Industrial from company executives CEO of the company said that Topsun is headquartered in Shanghai with sales and service centers in the United States we are positioned as a key partner to several automakers Our main products are plastic decorative parts and metal speaker grilles for automobiles," said Sheng The company specializes in processes such as plastic injection will be the largest and most efficient in the world,” added Sheng In order to better serve its customers in North America Topsun decided to set up its first production plant outside of China in Mexico Topsun finally chose Guanajuato not only because of its privileged position but also because of its prestige in the automotive industry and the excellent business environment provided by the people of Guanajuato “We have infinite confidence in Guanajuato Topsun will invest more than US$50 million and our project will generate more than 800 job opportunities,” added the executive The Mexican state-owned power group Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE) has commissioned the 927 MW Salamanca CCGT power plant in Guanajuato (Mexico) The new CCGT power plant will replace a 550 MW conventional gas-fired power plant commissioned in 1971 and add to a 393 MW gas-turbine plant commissioned in 2015 It is expected to avoid 3.5 MtCO2/year in emissions the Mexican government presented the National Strategy for the Electricity Sector 2024-2030 aiming at strengthening the planning of the domestic electricity sector and establishing clear rules to ensure and increase private investment in the sector of which US$12.3bn correspond to new generation projects (13 GW) the government presented the Plan for the Strengthening and Expansion of the National Electric System 2025-2030 of CFE: this plan includes 51 electricity projects (22.7 GW) Enerdata has developed a market research service to screen monitor and analyse the development of power generation assets Power Plant Tracker offers an interactive database and a powerful search engine covering power plants worldwide – including both installed and planned capacities for renewables and fossil fuels Register now to subscribe to our informative monthly Cartel conflict wreaked havoc across the western state of Michoacán on Wednesday as organized crime gangs blockaded 10 highways by setting vehicles on fire The chaos extended into the states of Jalisco to the northwest and Guanajuato to the northeast Order was restored in Guanajuato after six hours of mayhem, state and federal officials declared on Wednesday night. Michoacán authorities worked late into the night removing the vehicles and other obstacles before reopening the highways while urging motorists to exercise caution In a brief statement issued Thursday morning Federal Security Minister Omar García Harfuch said at least two police officers died in the violence adding that federal officials defused several explosive artifacts and secured a number of land mines violent incidents occurred in 26 municipalities in Michoacán and one in Jalisco,” the minister tweeted on X “These incidents resulted in the burning of several vehicles resulting in the death of two police officers.” García Harfuch did not identify the police officers nor did he say to which state force they belonged the violence was strictly a cartel conflict between rival gangs “It is important to note that these attacks are the result of conflicts between two criminal groups fighting over territories,” he wrote But the Michoacán Security Ministry attributed the violence to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) reacting to coordinated operations carried out by federal forces that sought to shut down criminal activity in a broad swath of Michoacán the Navy Ministry has conducted anti-crime operations in the Bajío region Approximately 50 men erected a barricade by setting fire to six cargo trucks in the municipality of La Barca shutting down federal Highway 15 in both directions Highway 15 connects the state capitals of Morelia about 100 kilometers west of Morelia and 20 kilometers northeast of Uruapan The men shut down federal Highway 14 (the Patzcuaro-Uruapan highway) by setting fire to a tractor-trailer the suspected cartel members set fire to two vehicles and two Oxxo convenience stores near Apatzingán #VIDEO: Explota @GobMichoacan Narcobloqueos, incendios, balazos y operativos en este estado y en los límites con @GobiernoJalisco. pic.twitter.com/vzwhTtLsoj — Antonio Nieto (@siete_letras) April 24, 2025 Morelia came under attack as criminals blocked federal Highway 43 — which connects the Michoacán capital with Salamanca Guanajuato —  by setting two engine blocks on fire Similar tactics were used to shut down the Uruapan-Chilchota La Piedad-Zamora and Quiroga-Zacapu highways Automobiles were also set ablaze in the municipalities of Churintzio (northwestern Michoacán) Huaniqueo (90 km northwest of Morelia) and Maravatío (northeastern Michoacán) An additional 25 vehicles were damaged in these three incidents The federal government responded to the reports by deploying the military and Security Ministry personnel to suppress the blockades and patrol major cities affected by the cartel attacks On Thursday, the Michoacán Attorney General’s Office reported that two men possibly linked to the attacks had been arrested. In separate incidents in the northern municipality of Álvaro Obregón bordering Guanajuato officials apprehended two men — one in a pick-up truck another on a motorcycle — each with a gallon of gasoline and a walkie-talkie 43,000+ global companies doing business in the region 102,000+ key contacts related to companies and projects news and interviews about your industry in English The Chinese industrial engineering company Mesnac will invest US $20 million to build a factory in the state of Guanajuato as part of its strategy to consolidate its presence in North America Mesnac has one other facility in North America an industrial engineering company in Akron a world leader in the production of rubber processing machinery Chinese financial news publication Yicai Global reported that the plant will be developed and operated by a subsidiary based in Hong Kong Industry news site Cluster Industrial speculated that Mesnac views Mexico — with its strategic nearshoring location and thriving automotive industry — as an ideal platform from which to establish a tire factory Mesnac has been deeply involved in the tire mold industry for many years and supplies global tire customers with tire mold products with reliable quality and excellent performance Mesnac claims it is among the top three companies in its field thanks to advanced processing equipment and high-standard management systems The factory will be built in the city of León in the central state of Guanajuato, a premier automotive production location. Auto factories in Guanajuato boast an annual production in excess of 800,000 vehicles according to online industry magazine Mexico Business News The company also has an affiliate, Sailun Tire Company, located in México state. In March, Sailun announced a joint US $427 million investment to build a factory in Irapuato, Guanajuato, according to Cluster Industrial a Mexican tire marketing company based in León The new tire company — to be called Aztema Rubber & Tire Manufacturing — is expected to be operational in March 2025 A taste of Guanajuato opens in Mount Pleasant somewhere between Guadalajara and Mexico City That’s where Ana Ramirez and her family come from and now they’ve officially opened their food truck ‘Gorditas Guanajuato’ in Mount Pleasant to give Texans a taste of their culture We tried our first one about five years ago ensuring every day that every dish is hot and fresh “This whole process has taken about three and a half months,” Ramirez explained This is a little of the culture where we come from but we want to show the community our business and what our food tastes like.” The Gorditas Guanajuato food truck is located at 902 N CLICK HERE TO READ COUNTRY WORLD Living in Merida for 10 years has had its challenges with direct flights to desirable destinations Avoiding the chaos in Mexico City has always been top of mind As much as I adore the city and visit it frequently making connections through MEX has been problematic With the expansion of our airport making the rest of the world just slightly closer and easier to get to Guanajuato was never on my radar until a direct flight to León popped up one day while I was scouring the internet for a weekend away Nestled in the heart of Mexico and perched high in the hills Guanajuato can feel like a dream that has been brought to life The city will captivate any traveler with its winding cobblestone streets Guanajuato has been under the watchful eye of UNESCO since the nearby mines were proclaimed a World Heritage Site in 1988 One of the world’s largest silver-producing areas Guanajuato played a key role in filling the coffers of New Spain was a key source of silver for decades starting in 1768 producing more silver than all the mines in Peru with estimates of providing 30% of the entire world’s supply Though the minerals are not as plentiful as they once were providing an economic windfall for the city The layers of this city are most evident as you traverse it either by foot or by car; around each corner These carefully constructed stone structures were first built to prevent flooding by leading the Guanajuato River away from the city center It was in the 1960s that these fortified riverways were showing signs of stress creating a network of underground passageways that are as confusing for visitors as they are for locals Do not expect that predictable colonial Spanish grid system of calles we all love here The extreme hilly terrain makes you wish you skipped that second empanada at breakfast you soon realize that all that digging in Mother Earth has paid off for many by the countless plazas colorful colonial-era mansions and the number of churches that rival Mexico City The center of life here is the Plaza Mayor Once the home to the wealthiest families in Guanajuato government buildings and the local parish house of worship that happens to be a basilica Basilica Colegiata de Nuestra Señora de Guanajuato took over 20 years to construct with generous donations from the miners; then the wealthy nobility contributed their influence This sober Baroque church is massive and not to be missed This impressive pink sandstone structure has been the center of faith since its completion in 1696 showcasing the image of Our Lady of Guanajuato with the addition of a few relics and a gift from the Pope It is on a gentle slope in the city center commanding a presence crowning the Peace Plaza The city’s riches also fueled the cultural experience the University of Guanajuato created an annual event showcasing the works of Miguel de Cervantes who we all know penned the novel Don Quixote in 1605 This is held during October and showcases many genres of works in Spanish even royalty: Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip attended in 1975 but did not arrive until all the city tunnels were scrubbed clean for their motorcade Walking the city is the best way to get a sense of the diversity of the terrain With the multiple levels one has to climb or descend it is nearly impossible to get your bearings Guanajuato feels a little like Venice sans the canals Alleys play an intricate part in the culture and its history also known as the alley called “Exit if you Can,” is best visited during daylight hours The most famous alley has a romantic tale of forbidden love and strict family values Young lovers had to balance across the narrow alley from their respective balconies to kiss Callejon del Beso is the “Alley of the Kiss.” For a small fee and a long wait in line provided you have someone on the other balcony to display your affection with Guanajuato’s colorful past is never-ending I would be remiss if I did not mention that the city played a key role during the War of Independence for Mexico This Catholic priest was able to unite multiple social groups and to rise up against the Spanish to initiate the first conflict of the rebellion when Hidalgo arrived in the city with over 800 devotees and the Royalist Troops had taken refuge in the city’s granary gave the occupants a false sense of security This city is one of my favorites for all the right reasons you can’t go wrong here in Guanajuato City The vibe at night is as infectious as it is during the day Strolling and people-watching is not a pastime but specializing in a creative blend of pre-Hispanic There is a great street food scene featuring their versions of tamales one of the most popular sandwiches there; this delight is made with a type of bread called Bolillo stuffed with pork which is just another layer this city offers and three full days to stroll and savor all it offers With a large assortment of colonial hotels Whatever your reason to explore this vast and truly authentic countryside there is no better time to show loyalty to your adopted country than now Travel has a way of pulling it all together in real-time Viva Aerobus offers a direct flight from Mérida Aeropuerto International del Bajio) 2:15 hours No need to rent a car; many reasonable car services take you directly to your hotel in the city center The ride is less than 45 minutes and less than 35 kilometers They are plentiful as you exit the airport terminal Uber is also available and very reasonable within Guanajuato But walking is the easiest and most beneficial for the view and your health I stayed at a very nice colonial inn, El Meson de los Poetas which is less than a five-minute walk in any direction the kissing alley and the Basilica are but a few steps away Book a room with a balcony overlooking the city The breakfasts and the service are exceptional For something simple after a travel day, I enjoyed the small family-run restaurant that offers a variety of pasta, seafood and the “best pizza.” Fratello Ristorante, Positos con Santos Niño No 1. Instagram: @Fratello_gto Another one I really enjoyed with friends was the unassuming Pink Pepper. The place has a bohemian vibe, and the service is exceptional. The mole is their specialty, and the shank was to die for. They lacked a full bar, with a limited beer selection and no gin. Sacrilege! Facebook: Pimienta Rosa Guanajuato For a wonderful meal, lunch or dinner, Casa Valadez-Anfitrion & Gourmet wins the race. The décor, the service and especially the wine list was a welcome treat. Try the Poke bowl with shrimp, or if tacos are your thing, the beef were over-the-top. Directly across the street from the Juarez Theater. www.casavaladez.com For a tour guide with all the secrets to this city contact Robert Del Valle. Tell him I sent you, be sure to wear good walking shoes. Email: rdelvalle.gto@gmail.com; WhatsApp: +52 473-122.-0931 Dodge is a misplaced New Englander and lifelong supporter of small businesses and charities His writing has been featured in Food & Flourish His current projects are “The Seasons of Grace – The unauthorized origin of Peyton Place” and a retelling of the 1960s “Betty & Barney Hill Abduction.” Dave and his husband own and operate Ochenta y Dos [an urban bed & breakfast} and #82adventures a private excursion company specializing in the Yucatan Bright colors and flowing dresses are one of the features most often associated with traditional Mexican dance The “Detrás de una máscara,” exhibition is made up of 36 pieces of art representing an imaginative fusion of mesoamerican mythological animals as well as masks and two large painted canvases A group of students and teachers at Mérida’s teacher’s college have chosen the traditional huipil and guaybera as their official uniform The first step will likely be to open the theater’s lobby where cultural activities such as art shows have often been held a promised sequel to a disastrous 2017 attempt at a high-end music event That’s according to recent communications sent to ticket holders The event was initially scheduled to run from May 30 to June 2 in the Riviera Maya‘s northernmost playground Santa Rosa Xtampak was first settled by Mayan peoples sometime in the early 4th century BCE These early settlers likely came from city-states already established at the far southern end of what today is Campeche and Northern Guatemala Advertise With Us GUANAJUATO - Toyota commemorates five years of operations in Guanajuato consolidating its presence with a total investment of more than US$2 billion and the generation of more than 3,000 jobs.During this stage the company has strengthened its growth with an additional 1.114 billion dollars and 450 new jobs Toyota has boosted the automotive industry in the region dedicated to the assembly of the Tacoma Hybrid Electric (HEV) pick-up truck currently produces 138,000 units per year with state-of-the-art technology supplying both the domestic market and North America The impact of the Japanese automaker goes beyond vehicle production Its presence has energized Guanajuato's industrial ecosystem promoting the development of infrastructure and facilitating the exchange of technology it has promoted training programs aligned with global standards Toyota has also reaffirmed its commitment to the community through initiatives in technical education sustainability and social projects that benefit thousands of Guanajuato families Its operating model reinforces the region's competitiveness and consolidates the Laja-Bajío area as a strategic global automotive hub Toyota continues to accelerate the development of Guanajuato sustainability and the growth of the automotive sector in Mexico And Viñedos Los Arcángeles wines in the Guanajuato wine region were hands down the best Mexican wine I’ve had Love goes into the vines and you can taste it I look forward to wine o’clock each day and enjoying a glass of red with dinner Or watching the Caribbean sunset from my balcony with a glass in hand a trip to explore the wineries of Querétaro and Guanajuato was a trip enjoying tastings at each winery was included in the budget what kind of a wine lover would I be if I didn’t try all the wines The highlight of my trip was Viñedo Los Arcángeles This vineyard in Guanajuato produces all-natural wines And the cherry on top: owner Ulises Ruiz and talented winemaker Paola Bermudez gave me a tour They were gracious enough to welcome me with open arms From harvest to pressing to the fermentation tank It was fascinating listening to Ulises share his expertise I can say that it’s the first time in my life that I have enjoyed every single wine But the Sauvignon Blanc was divine all three times I tried it — from the fermentation tank I just said that Los Arcángeles wines are outstanding But let’s look at the bigger picture: Mexican winemakers are creating delicious wines that are ranking at the top globally. Mexican wines are winning gold and grand gold medals in major competitions like Concours Mondial de Bruxelles These golds come as Mexico competes with iconic wine-producing countries like Italy How can you choose a good bottle of Mexican wine I suggest visiting a good wine region and trying them If that’s not on your agenda or something that doesn’t interest you then choosing wine from a good region helps Mexican wine country is more extensive than you may have realized. Valle de Guadalupe in Baja California and Valle de Parras in Coahuilia are ranked number one. But there are 14 wine-producing states Remember, Mexico is large and has many different climates. Many of the country’s regions are mountainous, with ideal climates and soil for producing high-quality wines. Wine has been produced in Mexico since the colonial period, and the industry’s growth is helping boost Mexico’s reputation as a wine travel destination The four most important wine grape-producing regions of Mexico are Baja California the sommelier at the Cuna de Tierra winery in Dolores Hidalgo And he’s a smart cookie who’s passionate about wine Viñdos Los Arcángeles’ 2019 Cabernet Franc was heaven Mexico Correspondent for International Living photographer and videographer with 500+ articles published both in print and across digital platforms Living in the Mexican Caribbean for over 7 years now she’s in love with Mexico and has no plans to go anywhere anytime soon Two car bombs were almost simultaneously detonated near Public Security Ministry (SSP) buildings in two Guanajuato state municipalities on Thursday morning Both bombings occurred almost simultaneously No warning was given before the bombs exploded The three officers were wounded when the car bomb exploded outside the Acámbaro police headquarters building of the local SSP complex damaging the exterior of the police headquarters and two adjacent houses A female police officer was badly wounded while two policemen were treated onsite for minor injuries In the other bombing, a police car exploded in front of the downtown SSP building in the city of Jerécuaro with local authorities indicating that nobody was injured Acámbaro — a city of 56,000 people — and Jerécuaro — population 8,011 — are about 33 kilometers apart in the southernmost part of the state near the state’s borders with the state of Michoacán Security officials in the Bajio-region state have suffered a number of attacks in the past week and October has been a particularly violent month Acámbaro police engaged in a shootout on Monday on a highway on the southern outskirts of the city the Army and state police officers arrested three men after chasing them through a crop field tactical gear and an unspecified amount of drugs President Claudia Sheinbaum met with Guanajuato Governor Libia García to discuss security operations where three municipal police officers were executed on Oct From the scale of damage this appears to be one of the biggest car bombs ever used by cartels in Mexico. A worrying escalating. https://t.co/yufV3Vqw2c — Ioan Grillo (@ioangrillo) October 24, 2024 The three victims — part of a group of over 300 former members of Mexico’s defunct Federal Police force hired by Celaya’s former mayor but in the process of being fired by the current mayor — were killed when gunmen opened fire in a bar Another woman in the bar was also seriously injured 12 attack brought to 49 the number of policemen killed in Guanajuato this year The first three days of October were particularly violent in Guanajuato, with 32 people murdered on Oct. 3 alone. Sixteen people were executed in the city of Salamanca including at least four residents of a rehab center who were slain by a group of armed men that burst into the building Government Secretary Jorge Jiménez Lona attributed the violence to an ongoing dispute between the Jalisco New General Cartel (CJNG) and the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel The owner of the Hispanic grocery store chain Supermercado Guanajuato came to Kentucky with virtually no money to his name 24 years ago he's about to open the fifth store in his supermarket mini-empire Alejandro Ruiz lost his job and apartment in Florida after a contracting company didn't pay him he uprooted his life and moved to Kentucky to work in the tobacco fields After years of cutting tobacco, running a roofing company, and working at Big O Tires Ruiz finally felt financially stable and was ready to chase his dream and pay homage to his family in Mexico and grandfather run grocery stores in his small hometown Ruiz joined the family tradition and opened his first grocery store in Louisville Supermercado Guanajuato #1 on La Grange Road Ruiz plans to open Supermercado Guanajuato #5 at 4602 Greenwood Road in the Pleasure Ridge Park neighborhood "I never [thought] I'm going to be in this position to open a couple of stores before," Ruiz told the Courier Journal "I just want to have a better life for my family because we are coming from a very small town in Mexico." Ruiz sees his stores as a piece of his home in La Pila "I think this is going to be good for the community .. they feel good to come to my stores and buy the stuff they're looking for," Ruiz said By curating products on the shelves that are made he is filling a much-needed niche in the city of Louisville as the Hispanic population continues to rise especially in neighborhoods around south Louisville "We have a lot of Hispanic people moving into the city," Ruiz said and a lot of other people from like Mexico and Guatemala we have people from Venezuela and Colombia the city is growing up in this Hispanic population." The nearly $750,000 new store in PRP is expected to feature a butcher shop that provides meats and cuts that are popular in Hispanic dishes a restaurant serving traditional Mexican cuisine a bakery with culturally specific baked goods ice cream and tortillas to buy along with other necessary grocery store staples "I learned different people from different countries they're looking for different items," Ruiz said we have a lot of Guatemala population in that area and I know Guatemalan people [are] looking for specific items hopes the grocery business he has diligently crafted to become a part of the growing Hispanic community in Louisville over the last 17 years will one day be run by one or all of his children "I want to give something to this new generation and see if they want to be in the business More: Louisville's 'little Mexico': How Hispanic businesses are transforming Preston Highway Ruiz remembers what it was like growing up poor and often watching his mother go hungry to ensure he and his siblings ate But he also remembers the kind people he met in Kentucky who sheltered him and his pregnant wife when he had nothing the local businessman who helped him fund the start of his grocery empire and the local refrigeration supplier who still helps him to this day outfit his stores with good equipment he places a large emphasis on using his business to support the community Ruiz does a toy collection for families in need so kids can have gifts But the spirit of giving isn't just a seasonal thing for Ruiz which was previously another grocery store a nonprofit organization focused on combating food insecurity to pick up the food inventory left on the shelves that was still good Since 2016, Ruiz has donated 135,000pounds of food to Dare to Care a feat that was recently recognized by Dare to Care leaders in a letter sent to Ruiz thanking him for his continued support of the organization and helping feed Kentuckians Contact business reporter Olivia Evans at oevans@courier-journal.com or on X The 52nd edition of the International Cervantino Festival (FIC) — set to take place from Oct 11 to 27 — will once again transform the city of Guanajuato into a global hub of art and culture The largest festival of its kind in Latin America — drawing an estimated 400,000 attendees over two weeks last year, according to Viva Con Todo — has built this year’s themes around tradition avant-garde and inclusion as it promises a rich program of performances and activities from around the world The FIC will feature 133 performances across 116 shows the Spanish writer who penned the novel “Don Quixote” in the early 1600s the festival focuses on Spanish-language artistic creations With more than 3,000 artists performing in 18 venues the event will showcase a diverse mix of music with a special focus on two guest honorees: the state of Oaxaca and the country of Brazil the festival will commemorate several important milestones including the 175th anniversary of composer Frédéric Chopin’s death the 100th anniversary of Mexican revolutionary leader Felipe Carrillo Puerto’s assassination and the 190th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Mexico and Brazil The festival is known for bridging traditional and contemporary arts with performances ranging from classical music and ballet to modern theatrical interpretations Oaxaca, the guest of honor from Mexico, will open the festival with a 2.5-hour version of its iconic Guelaguetza a colorful and lively celebration of music and dance traditions from the state’s eight regions The performance will be held on the festival’s main stage outside the historically significant Alhóndiga de Granaditas building A former grain market and fortress-like building the Alhóndiga de Granaditas was taken by Mexican forces from the Spanish in 1810 in one of the first battles of the Mexican War of Independence the Spanish later hung the decapitated heads of insurgents Miguel Hidalgo Juan Aldama and others inside the building for nearly a decade until Mexico achieved independence in 1821 A post shared by SNAFU Society of Unexpected Spectacles (@snafudance) Oaxaca will be headlining 63 activities during the festival three acrobatic shows and five film presentations have made great efforts to bring us the most representative samples of their cultures and arts for everyone to enjoy,” said Mariana Aymerich Ordóñez Brazil will present 18 productions — including a closing concert by six-time Latin Grammy-winning ska-Afro-Latin band Francisco el Hombre — that reflect its dynamic cultural scene Other highlights from Brazil include the Deborah Colker Dance Company’s “Perro sin plumas” and a concert by soprano Rosana Lamosa Brazilian theater will also be represented There will also be tributes to Mexican and international artists Eugenia León will perform a binational show celebrating the designation of bolero as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO a Latin Grammy winner for best new artist in 2022 Aymerich recently noted that ticket sales are up 40% over the same time last year, adding that “50% of the festival’s activities are completely free and there are events for all audiences and for all ages.” For more information, visit the FIC website or its Facebook page. A summary on what visitors can expect is at Vamos Guanajuato. With reports from Periódico Correo and Milenio