From 2008-2017, Tatuaje offered La Riqueza as a regular production line. However, in 2017, citing a portfolio that had grown to more than 4000 SKUs, Tatuaje opted to remove La Riqueza from its price list It wasn’t goodbye, but more see you later. In 2022, the company released the limited edition La Riqueza SE 2022 described as a stronger version of the blend Both La Riqueza SE 2024 cigars are 6 3/4 x 44 lonsdales but one is offered with a Connecticut broadleaf wrapper—the normal wrapper for La Riqueza—while the other is offered with a Mexican San Andrés wrapper and production of each version is limited to 1,500 boxes of 10 cigars I doubt that I would have guessed that these cigars had a Mexican wrapper It’s not to say that they don’t look like wrappers from Mexico—which come in all different shades—but these aren’t the darker and more veiny wrappers that I oftentimes associate with leaves from Mexico the original La Riqueza used Connecticut broadleaf and it’s safe to say there’s no confusing these wrappers with broadleaf The first two cigars smell like many earthy Mexican wrappers The third cigar smells like the bottom of a bag of microwaved popcorn with a mild burnt butter smell The first cigar’s foot reminds me a lot of other blends from My Father: sweet The second cigar is a medium-full version of that profile while the third cigar is even milder but adds some citrus After cutting the cigar and taking some cold draws and the wrapper unravels in a way I rarely experience It would be funny to see in person: there’s an inch-and-a-half-long piece of tobacco just stuck to my lower lip I grab what was supposed to be the second cigar to smoke It avoids sticking to my lips and produces a more intense sweet cocoa and woody flavor with some pepper underneath The next cigar has some mild honey sweetness and black tea Fast forward a couple of days to what is the fourth cigar I very carefully cut the final cigar from the five-pack we purchased and It’s sweeter than the middle cigar: sweet bubble gum over some mild bubble gum and a plain Cheerios flavor The first La Riqueza Tuxtla starts with some pretty classic Mexican San Andrés flavors: semi-sweet cocoa over burning woods with barnyard and earthiness bring terroir to a medium-full finish The second cigar eschews the cocoa sweetness while the third cigar adds some creaminess and black pepper that gives it more complexity than the other two my first observation after that is that it’s abnormal to have a cigar burning at a proper pace My last couple of reviews have been of cigars that have burned abnormally slow dominating burnt earth and a mild sweetness The cigars are very similar in terms of the flavors though the dryness and sharpness levels vary I think the final cigar is the most complex though even that cigar is way off the level of complexity I normally find from a Tatauje though it remains led by dry Cheerios and earth Retrohales add some sweetness and creaminess which takes my mind to other types of cereal but Cheerios is probably still the most apt description The draws are slightly more open than I’d expect for the vitola though construction is excellent with tons of smoke production and even burn lines the earthiness begins to rise to the level of the dry Cheerios flavor something that reminds me of chicken bullion the individual flavors aren’t the most interesting the earthiness is linear and lacks added dimensions that the best terroir-forward cigars have The finish adds some sweetness—at times caramel other times more like maple syrup—though it’s mostly a lot of earth with some secondary notes of pepper the retrohales provide some added dimensions because they seem to restrain the Cheerios flavor which allows for other sensations like bread it’s still probably 70 percent dry Cheerios and earthiness and 30 percent those other flavors I’d love for those accents to be presenting in as many areas as possible though I’ve completely mistimed when to ash the first cigar and it keeps ending up on my jeans the improvements that were made to the flavor profile in the second third remain they just aren’t all that useful in the final third That’s because all the flavors have gotten less descriptive The end result is a more muted mixture of Cheerios Adding to the regression of descriptive flavors is an increased amount of saltiness harshness begins to be a more prominent part of the profile though it fortunately never really turns “harsh.” The finish is where the harshness is most prevalent the La Riqueza SE 2024 Tuxtla’s finish is still pretty smooth with flavors of earthiness retrohales provide the most interesting flavors there’s a somewhat burnt sesame seed with salted butter; the second cigar takes the Cheerios flavor and pairs it with some strawberry jam and white pepper while the third cigar has the plain Cheerios flavor leading some pistachio and white pepper The retrohale’s finish is abnormally short and it doesn’t add much to the profile Construction is excellent on all three cigars The most memorable part of the La Riqueza Tuxtla will be listening to and watching the wrapper tear apart as I took the first cigar out of my mouth after a cold draw It’s been a while since I’ve had that happen While I only smoked three cigars for this review it took five cigars to make that happen due to unraveling issues It was—especially in two of the cigars—remarkably clean I am an editor and co-founder of halfwheel.com/Rueda Media I previously co-founded and published TheCigarFeed I have written about the cigar industry for more than a decade covering everything from product launches to regulation to M&A I handle a lot of the behind-the-scenes stuff here at halfwheel wearing sweatshirts year-round and eating gyros As of May, the Tatuaje 7th—the company’s core corona gorda vitola—will be offered in five regular production wrapper variants.   Tatuaje has announced that it is adding the 7th Corojo and 7th Tuxtla as regular production options for the 5 5/8 x 46 vitola Both cigars use a Nicaraguan binder and Nicaraguan fillers; the Corojo uses a corojo-seed wrapper grown by the García family in Nicaragua while the Tuxtla uses a Mexican San Andrés wrapper Both cigars have an MSRP of $9.50 and will come in boxes of 21 it means there will be five variants of the 7th offered: All versions are made at My Father Cigars S.A While this is the first release for the 7th Corojo, the 7th Tuxtla was released as a limited edition in 2022. The $9.50 MSRP is the same as it was in 2022 but those cigars were packaged in boxes of 25 instead of 21 Arrests announced on three-year anniversary of semi-trailer truck crash that killed more than 50 people Six Guatemalans were arrested in Guatemala and in Texas on Monday on human smuggling charges linked to a 2021 semi-trailer truck crash in Mexico that killed more than 50 people The truck had been packed with at least 160 migrants when it crashed into a support for a pedestrian bridge in Tuxtla Gutiérrez the capital of the southern state of Chiapas The arrests were announced on the third anniversary of the accident According to an indictment unsealed Monday in Laredo, Texas Guatemalan authorities arrested Tomas Quino Canil A sixth name listed on the US federal indictment was blacked out causing serious bodily injury and resulting in death It was unclear late on Monday if those arrested had attorneys in the US who could comment on their behalf Justice department officials did not immediately respond to an email on Monday night The indictment charges them with conspiring to smuggle people from Guatemala through Mexico to the US for payment In some cases that involved smuggling unaccompanied children the defendants would provide scripts of what to say if apprehended It said the smugglers would use Facebook Messenger to request and deliver identification documents to the people to get them into the US “The tragedy that occurred three years ago today in Chiapas is further proof that human smugglers are ruthless intending migrants should not believe their lives,” said US secretary of homeland security said the defendants were part of a criminal structure called Los Quino and that US officials had requested extradition of the four arrested in Guatemala Authorities executed 15 search warrants across Guatemala on Monday He said they had the support of the US and Mexican governments The mayor-elect of a Chiapas municipality near the Guatemala border was kidnapped from a cafe in Tuxtla Gutiérrez becoming the third politician from the mayor-elect’s besieged municipality to be disappear since last December Security video published on social media shows Aníbal Roblero Castillo and at least one companion being forcibly shoved into a vehicle by masked gunmen outside a cafe in the western Tuxtla Gutiérrez neighborhood of San José Terán just before 5 p.m Roblero won Frontera Comalapa’s mayoral race for the Ecological Green Party of Mexico (PVEM) on June 2 with 28,776 votes (65%) and is due to be sworn in on Oct Authorities on Thursday released a missing persons report that has been posted on Facebook The mayor-elect’s family is asking the public to help locate Roblero residents of the municipality of Frontera Comalapa — population 81,000 — have been victimized by rival criminal organizations battling to control human trafficking and drug routes through southern Mexico according to various local and national media reports The situation is not unique to Frontera Comalapa. Hundreds of residents from across Chiapas have sought refuge from the rising violence, some fleeing across the border into Guatemala Unfortunately for chiapanecos, the federal government has struggled to respond to the increased presence of organized crime in Chiapas. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has downplayed the violence there and this week dismissed it as “a problem between members of criminal gangs.” Although Roblero owns a home in downtown Frontera Comalapa he — like many Chiapas politicians in municipalities affected by organized crime — has sought refuge in the state capital of Tuxtla Gutiérrez Roblero is the third Frontera Comalapa politician to be targeted by alleged drug gangs since December armed men kidnapped former mayor Irán Mérida Matamoros just outside of his ranch Mérida was said to be headed for Tuxtla Gutiérrez where he was the director of Chiapas’ Agriculture and Livestock Development Fund a video showing Mérida being interrogated by an unidentified man was made public On April 27, Rey David Gutiérrez — one of Roblero’s opponents in the mayoral election — was kidnapped from his home in Frontera Comalapa after reports that he had been receiving threats Gutiérrez came in second in the June 2 election With reports from López-Dóriga Digital, El Universal and Milenio ADVERTISE WITH MND COMMUNITY GUIDELINES Subscription FAQ's Privacy Policy Mexico News Daily - Property of Tavana LLC View the discussion thread. This new temple president and matron have been called to serve by the First Presidency Edgar Flores Prieto and Gabriela Aurora Torrentera de Flores, Ameyal Ward, Puebla México Cholula Stake, called as president and matron of the Tuxtla Gutiérrez Mexico Temple succeeding President Heber Cineo López Fuentes and Sister Ma President Flores is a Church Service Missionary Specialist and a former Area Seventy A retired Church Employment Resource Center manager to Justo Guillermo Flores Ledo and Delfina Prieto de Flores Huitzil Sister Flores is a Church Service Missionary Specialist and a former mission president’s companion ward Relief Society president and temple ordinance worker to Fernando Victoriano Torrentera Herrera and Aurora de Torrentera Romero In April, Pete Johnson, owner of Tatuaje, announced that three previous Tatuaje releases— Avion 13 and the Tatuaje T110—would ship to stores with Mexican San Andrés wrappers for the first time Considering the wrapper choice, it is no great surprise that the moniker he chose for the series was Tuxtla, since San Andrés Tuxtla is the name of the city and municipality that is home to the vast majority of Mexico’s premium cigar industry “I’m excited for people to try these cigars,” Pete Johnson told halfwheel when he announced the series in April “The San Andrés wrapper really shows how much the wrapper can change the flavor of a cigar We are very particular when using San Andrés making sure we use it on blends that can stand up to the heavier flavor My review today is the Avion 13 Tuxtla, a 6 7/8 x 52 perfecto that is made up of a San Andrés wrapper covering a Nicaraguan double binder and filler. The original Avion 13—which incorporated the same interior blend but used a Connecticut broadleaf wrapper—debuted in August 2013 and was the fifth in a series of annual releases of box-pressed perfectos which was born out of Tatuaje’s Fausto line Changing nothing but the wrapper on an otherwise enjoyable blend has always been an iffy proposition to me: will the change accentuate the enjoyable aspects of the cigar or will it just muddle up the flavor profile it does not have the overt and sometimes overwhelming strength that is present in the regular Avion blend—it tops out at a medium-full—but it is also missing quite a bit of the complexity that the original blend had in spades I was expecting more sweetness from the Mexican San Andrés wrapper that just never seemed to appear the Avion 13 Tuxtla is nicely balanced and has decent construction but the original Avion blend beats it in pretty much every way However, this is not the only version of the Avion 13 Tuxtla that has been released this year. A “prerelease” version of the blend is included in the 2022 CRA Freedom Sampler the Tuxtla bands had not arrived before the CRA version was being packaged up so decided to use the old Tatuaje Limited band that was used for the original Mexican Experiment releases instead “Originally the CRA pack was supposed to be released much earlier and the delay ended up putting the CRA version and the Tuxtla release out around the same time,” said Johnson to halfwheel “Obviously this cigar has no relation to the (Mexican Experiment).” When I was comparing the two different versions of the cigar—one from the boxes and one from the 2022 CRA Freedom Sampler—there were some noticeable differences between them beyond just the bands specifically when it came to how the feet were cut “We used a batch that was made with a slightly different mold set and that’s probably why you see the cuts at the feet slightly different,” said Johnson “No difference in the blending just maybe a minor difference in the shape at the foot due to the mold.” the Tatuaje Avion 13 Tuxtla is difficult to miss especially when you throw in the fact that it is a box-pressed perfecto vitola The cigar is covered in a dark espresso brown wrapper that features some obvious mottling and is smooth to the touch there are numerous veins and bumps visible and the cigar has some nice give when it is squeezed Aroma from the wrapper is relatively faint and includes notes of earth The aroma emanating from the foot is quite a bit more bold with a strong peanut creaminess leading the way one cigar has a rich bitter dark chocolate on the cold draw while the other two have more creamy nuts; regardless all three feature additional notes of nutmeg sourdough bread and more vanilla sweetness the Avion 13 Tuxtla lights up fairly easily and the first few puffs bring not only spice and black pepper along with flavors of anise and earth Those quickly transition to a main combination of cocoa nibs and roasted coffee beans The retrohale features both black pepper and honey sweetness nor do they seem to be getting more aggressive anytime soon Flavor starts out just under medium and the body is at mild-plus while the strength ends the first third at a point close to the medium mark the draw is excellent after a Dickman cut and there is plenty of thick and while the burn is not exactly razor sharp none of the cigars need any attention from my lighter so far There is a bit of shift in the main flavors during the second third as the coffee beans note recedes to the background and the dark chocolate flavor has morphed into a powdery cocoa nibs note Secondary flavors include the aforementioned coffee beans as well as leather there seems to be slightly more of both the honey sweetness and black pepper on the retrohale after the halfway point but it is still not enough to really affect the profile in any meaningful way Flavor increases to a solid medium while the body remains just under medium while the strength has bumped slightly to a solid medium and is still increasing Both the draw and the smoke production continue on their excellent path but the burn on all three cigars needs some attention with my lighter The powdery cocoa nibs flavor easily continues to be the top flavor in the profile of the Tatuaje during the final third leather and cinnamon that make themselves known at various points The retrohale features about the same amount of honey sweetness and black pepper as the second third but there is a new mineral saltiness present on my lips that comes and goes until the end of the cigar Flavor increases enough to reach a point just over medium body remains at a solid medium and the strength ends at medium-full the draw and smoke production are giving me no issues whatsoever but the burn continues to be a minor issue that needs correction on two of the three cigars I have worn many hats in my life up to this point: I started out as a photojournalist for the Dallas Morning News and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram then transitioned to photographing weddings—both internationally and in the U.S.—for more than a decade After realizing that there was a need for a cigar website containing better photographs and more in-depth information about each release SmokingStogie quickly became one of the more influential cigar blogs on the internet extremely hard-to-find and expensive cigars and it was one of the predecessors to halfwheel A pair of new cigars from Tatuaje are on their way to stores as the company has begun shipping the 10th Anniversary Belle Encre Tuxtla and 10th Anniversary Bon Chasseur Tuxtla Both cigars debuted in 2013 as part of the company’s 10th anniversary celebration; 10 years later they are getting a new spin from a Mexican San Andrés wrapper replacing the Ecuadorian habano found on the original blend Underneath that wrapper is a dual binder and filler made from Nicaraguan-grown tobacco while the Bon Chasseur is a 5 3/8 x 52 robusto and both are priced at $12 per cigar and $240 for a box of 20 cigars with only 2,500 boxes of 20 cigars being produced per size The Tuxtla version becomes the third different Belle Encre release; there was also a Belle Encre Reserva with a Connecticut broadleaf wrapper released in 2013. That same year, Tatuaje released the Tatuaje 10 Grand Chasseur TAA 2013 though it was a larger size than the Bon Chasseur I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together I’m the public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training as well as for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League and previously the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League I also work in a number of roles for Major League Baseball I covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com which puts a Mexican San Andrés wrapper on three of the company’s existing blends The Tuxtla Series is debuting with three cigars The line gets its name from San Andrés Tuxtla the city and municipality that is home to the vast majority of Mexico’s premium cigar industry The Avion 13 Tuxtla is a 6 7/8 x 52 perfecto that will have an MSRP of $12.50 per cigar and is limited to 2,000 boxes of 25 cigars. The original Avion 13 came out in August 2013 and was the fifth in a series of annual releases of box-pressed perfectos which was born out of Tatuaje’s Fausto line That original version used a Connecticut broadleaf wrapper and a Nicaraguan double binder and filler The Tatuaje 7th Tuxtla is a 5 5/8 x 46 corona that comes with an MSRP of $9.50 per cigar and is also limited to 2,000 boxes of 25 cigars It is a variant on the Tatuaje Seleccion de Cazador 7th which dates back more than a decade and has previously been offered in three wrapper options: an Ecuadorian habano all of which use a dual binder of Nicaraguan tobacco and a Nicaraguan filler “I’m excited for people to try these cigars,” Pete Johnson told halfwheel when he announced the series in April “The San Andrés wrapper really shows how much the wrapper can change the flavor of a cigar I think these blends work perfectly.” Johnson told haflwheel that he is planning to add more cigars to the Tuxtla series in the future and that some of the releases could end up becoming full production offerings Last summer, Tatuaje Cigars shipped the first three releases in the  Tuxtla Series, which sees the company take one of its cigars and replace its wrapper with a Mexican San Andrés. The Tuxtla Series debuted with three different cigars: the Avion ’13 As with the previous Tuxtla releases so far the Lomo de Cerdo replaces the original wrapper that was used—in the Pork Tenderloin’s case that was a Connecticut broadleaf wrapper—with a Mexican San Andrés wrapper the Lomo de Cerdo uses Nicaraguan tobacco for the binders and fillers That sampler contains 10 cigars donated by 10 different companies and the proceeds from the sales of those samplers are used to fund the CRA Out of the 10 cigars in this incarnation of the sampler, three of them appear to be exclusive releases: the Fuente Fuente OpusX The Undefeated, the My Father S Special Toro and the Alec Bradley Double Broadleaf Limited Edition Figurado there are three other cigars that are not exclusive to the sampler but are not regular production cigars either The first of those cigars is the Padrón Black No. 52 which has been released in previous CRA samplers but is not known to have been sold otherwise The second cigar is the subject of today’s review the Oliva Serie V Melanio Diadema has been included in previous CRA packs and but it is not sold as a regular production item There are a total of 4,000 CRA Spring 2023 Freedom Samplers handled the fulfillment of these packs and each sampler is sold in a custom Boveda bag that includes a Boveda humidification pack along with the cigars   Each sampler pack retails for $150 and includes one of the following: The Lomo de Cerdo-branded version of the cigar is priced at $12 per cigar and $300 for a bundle of 25 cigars that were produced by My Father Cigars S.A told halfwheel that production ended up being just north of 8,000 bundles of cigars production wasn’t known as it would be determined by how many cigars were ordered As was the case with the Pork Tenderloin back in 2010 the Lomo de Cerdo is notable for its packaging as the cigars come in 25-count bundles wrapped in butcher paper designed to look like what would be handed across the counter at the butcher shop *There was 4,000 cigars included in the CRA Samplers and more than 8,000 bundles A pigtail cap and covered foot are the first things I notice about the Tatuaje Lomo de Cerdo followed by its dark brown wrapper that has quite a bit of tooth physical inspection reveals that two of the three cigars have caps that seem to be coming off although one is noticeably worse than the other Each of the three cigars is very hard when squeezed and features the same small bumps under the wrapper but one cigar has slightly more oil than the other two Aromas from the wrappers are fairly strong sweet cedar and barnyard the cold draws bring flavors of distinct almonds dark chocolate and a generic dark fruity sweetness Significant black pepper and spice combined with cocoa nibs start the cigar off as I light the foot and while main flavors of sweet cedar and sourdough bread quickly take over the profile the spice remains noticeable on my tongue through the first third while the retrohale features plenty of black pepper and raisin sweetness Flavor ends the first third just over medium while the strength and body lag behind at just under medium and a point halfway between mild and medium respectively there is a copious amount of off-white smoke emanating from the foot and the draws on all three cigars are excellent after simple straight cuts but the burn on one cigar does need correction with my lighter The main flavors shift quite a bit as the second third of the Limited Robusto Especial begins with a combination of cocoa nibs and generic nuttiness taking over the profile bitter espresso and a light vegetal note make themselves known Although the spice on my tongue from the first third has receded slightly The retrohale features about the same amount of black pepper on the retrohale compared to the first third while the raisin sweetness increases a tiny amount the strength increases to a solid medium and the body is slightly under medium The draw and smoke production continues to impress me for all three cigars one of the cigars needs a minor burn correction to keep on track The combination of cocoa nibs and generic nuttiness remains at the top of the profile during the final third followed by secondary flavors of leather tack There is more of both the black pepper and spice in the overall profile—and both continue to increase as the final third burns down—but unfortunately the amount of raisin sweetness has not increased at all while the body increases enough to hit a solid medium and the strength ends the cigar at medium-full Excellent draws and massive smoke production continue to be the norm for all three cigars but one cigar does need two quick corrections before I put the nubs down with less than an inch remaining to avoid larger issues the original Pork Tenderloin was one of the best non-Cuban cigars I had ever tasted up to that point so I was extremely interested to see how a new wrapper would change the blend What I found with the new incarnation is a profile that is noticeably less nuanced when it comes to flavors than the original version with main notes shifting from sweet cedar and sourdough bread in the first third to cocoa nibs and generic nuttiness in the final two-thirds the Limited Robusto Especial is easily the more mellow of the two blends with less spice and black pepper than the Pork Tenderloin even during the final third when both notes become a bit more aggressive while the Limited Robusto Especial is not nearly as good as the Pork Tenderloin it is based on it is easily enjoyable enough to recommend picking some up to try for yourself especially if you are a fan of Mexican San Andrés-wrapped blends Pete Johnson is giving a new spin to three cigars in the Tatuaje portfolio by way of a Mexican San Andrés wrapper and a project he is calling Tuxtla it is a fitting name as San Andrés Tuxtla is the name of the city and municipality that is home to the vast majority of Mexico’s premium cigar industry Johnson is kicking off the project with three cigars that will get a Mexican San Andrés wrapper: the Avion 13 The Avion 13 Tuxtla is a 6 7/8 x 52 perfecto that will have an MSRP of $12.50 per cigar and is limited to 2,000 boxes. The original Avion 13 came out in August 2013 and was the fifth in a series of annual releases of box-pressed perfectos which was born out of Tatuaje’s Fausto line The Tatuaje 7th Tuxtla is a 5 5/8 x 46 corona that will have an MSRP of $9.50 per cigar and is also limited to 2,000 boxes “I’m excited for people to try these cigars,” Johnson told halfwheel Update — Shortly after this story was published Pete Johnson shared some additional information about the Tuxtla series SUBSCRIBE We'll keep you up to date on Partners In Health's work bringing hope and health care to some of the world's poorest It was early 2021 when 15-year-old Juan Carlos Pérez first arrived at the clinic in Soledad But it was not the first trip the two had made in search of medical care—and answers Pérez’s symptoms had started out like a cold: a runny nose and phlegm he began to notice a bad smell inside his nose Escalante took him to private doctors across Chiapas very close to Mexico's border with Guatemala Tapachula is the second largest city in Chiapas where advanced medical services are available Those challenges were not lost on Escalante and arrange for childcare as she accompanied her son to his medical appointments Juan Carlos began to feel what he described as a "little ball" inside his nose which obstructed air from flowing to his lungs the doctors told Escalante that this bump was a tumor But his family did not have the resources to pay for this surgery About two months passed and the tumor inside Pérez’s nose kept growing and eventually blocking his nostril completely where the procedure would be available for free Many hospitals also required a reference paper from a doctor in order to accept patients; but Escalante and her son didn’t have one "How is it possible that no clinic in these cities could attend us?" Escalante recalls thinking at the time It wasn't until a family member told her about Compañeros En Salud she took Pérez and traveled five hours from Tapachula to Soledad one of the rural communities where Compañeros En Salud supports a primary care clinic Compañeros En Salud has worked in Mexico for more than a decade, supporting nine rural clinics, a birthing center, and a community hospital, as well as training the next generation of clinicians through the pasante program then a pasante (Spanish for first-year doctor) completing his year of service at the clinic Hersch quickly determined that Pérez’s tumor was a nasopharyngeal angiofibroma: a rare type of tumor that most often affects young men To ensure that care continued, Hersch connected Escalante and Pérez with Compañeros En Salud’s Right to Health Care program, which helps patients get referrals to advanced care at hospitals and connects them with social workers and community health workers to manage their cases. The program also provides funding for transportation, food, housing, and medical expenses, also known as “social support,” making care accessible to all patients he met with a specialist at the pediatrics hospital in Tuxtla Gutiérrez he learned he would need surgery to remove the tumor so that he could breathe normally Embolization is a common procedure for tumor removal in which some blood vessels are intentionally blocked But the procedure requires surgical materials such as needles and microcatheters that are often expensive and difficult to obtain If the materials aren't available from the Ministry of Health hospitals in Chiapas often make the patients cover the costs Pérez's family was unable to afford these expenses With his mother and case workers from Compañeros En Salud by his side The tumor—that had spread to his face and begun to affect his teeth—was removed Pérez continues to attend follow-up appointments at the pediatrics hospital with the support of Compañeros En Salud "We are very grateful because Compañeros En Salud has always been there supporting us so we can move forward," says Escalante but many families whose lives are changed." a movement began that would change global health forever Bending the Arc is the story of Partners In Health's origins Stay informed about Partners In Health's work to provide high quality health care to those who need it most Partners In Health (PIH) is a 501(c)(3)nonprofit corporation Partners In Health, Suite 300,800 Boylston Street, Boston, MA. 021991-857-880-5100 • info@pih.org PIH® is a registered trademark of Partners In Health.© 2009-2024 Partners In Health.All Rights Reserved Please send donations to: Partners In Health The Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) is making its presence felt in Chiapas arms and human traffickers due to its long border with Guatemala but one that has largely avoided the kind of cartel violence for which some other states are notorious Presumed CJNG gunmen killed five suspected members of the Sinaloa Cartel in the state capital Tuxtla Gutiérrez last Wednesday The Jalisco sicarios ambushed the Sinaloa operatives in La Gloria a city of approximately 600,000 people where gun violence is rare One of the five slain men was Ramón Rivera a Sinaloa Cartel plaza chief in Chiapas and son of Gilberto Rivera a trafficker known as “the lord of the southern border” who was arrested in Guatemala in 2016 and extradited to the United States a year later head of the Citizens Security Observatory in Chiapas said the armed attack was an abnormal event for Tuxtla and the entire state She acknowledged there have been armed confrontations in Chiapas but asserted that disputes in the state are generally not between drug cartels The cartel violence that plagues many parts of Mexico is a “very distant reality” for Chiapas residents “… My reaction [to last Wednesday’s attack] and perhaps that of bystanders was very naive; many were filming the shootout many people didn’t believe what was happening … I don’t know what is worse – not having the preparation to react or to get used to [cartel violence] and know what it’s about … It was definitely something extraordinary and sadly I believe it won’t be a one-off experience,” she said a criminal group allegedly affiliated with the CJNG seized control of a town in the Alto de Chiapas (highlands) region last Wednesday and subsequently clashed with police and military personnel Los Ciriles took control of Pantelhó and it wasn’t until Thursday that state and federal security forces arrived in the town located 120 kilometers northeast of Tuxtla Los Ciriles are also believed to be responsible for the murder last Monday of Simón Pedro Pérez López a human rights activist who was gunned down in front of his son director of the Fray Bartolomé de las Casas Human Rights Center claimed that Los Ciriles also have links to the Democratic Revolution Party He told Reforma that the criminal group has instilled fear in residents for years and committed 13 murders since March last year harassed and murdered people in … [their] homes They’ve gone looking for them because they haven’t wanted to collaborate with the criminal group,” Faro said At least 65 people have fled Pantelhó out of fear the Sinaloa Cartel and the Gulf Cartel are the three main cartels operating in Chiapas which has a border of more than 650 kilometers with Guatemala The Sinaloa Cartel has long controlled much of the border area and is the dominant criminal organization but the CJNG appears intent on muscling in on its territory to expand its influence as it has already done in some other states such as Guanajuato and Michoacán The tussle between cartels has the potential to significantly increase homicide numbers as armed confrontations such as that seen in Tuxtla last week typically result in multiple deaths noted that homicides in Chiapas increased 30% in May compared to the same month last year and femicides home burglaries and drug trafficking offenses increased by significantly higher percentages “The conversation between those of us who analyze security which is a small circle because Chiapas has other more ‘urgent’ problems’ is that this [new criminal] reality has already reached us,” she said Homicides in Mexico reached a record high of more than 34,000 in 2019 – President López Obrador’s first full year in office – before falling just 0.4% last year. Murders did, however, decline 2.9% in the first five months of 2021 compared to the same period last year an achievement that has been repeatedly highlighted by federal officials There were 14,243 homicides between January and May of which only some 200 occurred in Chiapas The southern state is far from the most violent in Mexico but recent events indicate that the security situation could be about to worsen With reports from Reforma and Infobae  The following new mission presidents and companions have been called to serve by the First Presidency Platte City Missouri Stake: México Torreón Mission succeeding President Alfredo Zanudo and Sister Guadalupe Zanudo Brother Blain is a stake presidency counselor and former high councilor ward Young Men president and missionary in the Mexico Mexico City South Mission to Ercell O Blain and Myrna Elizabeth Schlegel Sister Blain is a temple ordinance worker and former stake Young Women presidency counselor Gospel Doctrine teacher and seminary teacher Guatemala City Stake: México Tuxtla Gutiérrez Mission Brother Camey is a ward mission leader and former Area Seventy ward mission leader and missionary in the Guatemala Quetzaltenango Mission Sister Camey is a ward Young Women president and former stake Young Women presidency counselor ward Young Women presidency counselor and temple ordinance worker Highland Utah West Stake: California Fresno Mission Brother Davis is a ward Sunday School secretary and former high councilor ward Young Men president and missionary in the Ecuador Quito Mission Sister Davis is a stake Young Women presidency counselor and former ward Relief Society president ward Young Women camp director and Primary activities leader to William David Redding and Cynthia Carol Redding Spanish Fork Utah Maple Mountain Stake: California Riverside Mission Brother and Sister Hendrickson are former senior missionaries in the Illinois Historic Sites Mission Brother Hendrickson is a temple sealer and former stake president elders quorum president and missionary in the México Torreón Mission to Roger R Hendrickson and Shirlee Mellor Hendrickson Sister Hendrickson is a former stake Young Women president seminary teacher and temple ordinance worker by her parents Leon Allen Hyde and Carol Smith Hyde Hurricane Utah Stake: Benin Cotonou Mission succeeding President Myles Proudfoot and Sister Julie Proudfoot Brother Lundeen is an elders quorum president and temple ordinance worker and former stake presidency counselor and missionary in the Belgium Brussels Mission to Howard Kenneth Lundeen and Elizabeth Camille Helm Sister Lundeen is a ward Relief Society activity coordinator and temple ordinance worker and former stake Relief Society presidency counselor to Clark Allen Campbell and Bonita Ballard Campbell Morgan Utah North Stake: Ecuador Guayaquil East Mission Brother Peterson is a stake president and former high councilor Sunday School teacher and missionary in the Guatemala Quetzaltenango Mission to Jerry Phil Peterson and Nedra Loy Astle Peterson Sister Peterson is a Relief Society teacher and former stake Relief Society president institute teacher and Activity Days leader to Dean Alexander Sessions and Doris Louise Sessions Yuma Arizona Stake: Philippines Quezon City North Mission Brother Workman is a stake JustServe coordinator and former stake president and missionary in the Philippines Baguio Mission to Glenn Arthur Workman and Grace Olive Nelson Sister Workman is a ward Young Women presidency counselor and former stake Relief Society president nursery leader and missionary in the Massachusetts Boston Mission to K Marsel Tingey and Joylene Millet Rawle Tingey Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker beautiful floral arrangements that grace many resort hotels on Mexico’s Caribbean coast Long known as a hotspot for adventure and cultural tourism, the state of Chiapas is also a major source of flowers for other regions in Mexico — as I found out during a stay at Argovia Finca Resort a lushly beautiful coffee and flower plantation tucked into the hills near Tapachula coffee plants and more than 150 species of flowers and plants It’s no wonder that hoteliers in other parts of Mexico turn to places like Argovia for their floral needs which is one of three haciendas on the region’s Ruta del Cafe (Coffee Route) coffee tours and scenic hikes through its lush property which gained greater fame after hosting a season of the television show “Naked and Afraid.”  Argovia Finca is just one example of the many unique experiences that await in the state of Chiapas Considering the region’s many outdoor activities and uncrowded attractions it’s easy to see why the local tourism and hospitality industry is touting the state as an ideal destination for vacations — with lots of naturally built-in social distancing The state’s outdoorsy and cultural appeal was in focus during the recent ATMEX Adventure Travel Network an annual trade event that showcases nature and adventure travel offerings around Mexico While the event took place in Tuxtla Gutierrez I was able to explore several other parts of the state in the days during my visit The capital city of Tuxtla Gutierrez is the most common gateway for international visitors to Chiapas But since my recent visit began further south a smaller city near the Guatemala border that’s most easily reached via connecting flights in Mexico City After three relaxing and interesting days at Argovia Finca, I traveled to Tuxtla Gutierrez with VB Tours a company that offers tours including visits to ecological parks coffee plantations and bird-watching reserves The trip from Argovia Finca to Tuxtla Gutierrez takes a bit over five hours; travelers with bigger budgets who are looking to save time while exploring the state may want to consider a private air transfer with Baktun Air an air tour operator that launched in 2021 In Tuxtla Gutierrez, I joined a fascinating, multifaceted tour led by Bioventura, an operator that offers a variety of adventure- and culture-oriented excursions. We did a walking tour of San Cristobal de las Casas, a designated Pueblo Magico (Magical Town) that dates to 1528 This picturesque community in the Central Highlands region is known for its rich indigenous culture and traditions as well as its historic architecture and laid-back vibe which our guide described as the “most indigenous community in Mexico,” since nearly all residents are indigenous Tzotzil Maya A 2010 census found that more than 99% of residents speak the Tzotzil Maya language and visitors can immerse themselves in local culture most easily through experiences arranged by tour operators The most photographed site in San Juan Chamula is the Templo de San Juan Chamula a fascinating and colorful church where the visuals and ceremonies reflect a blend of Maya and Catholic religious traditions we visited a family in their home to learn about the process of making huipiles After sampling delicious tortillas made with butifarra (pork) black beans and pork rinds at the family’s home a modern restaurant with gourmet-quality Mexican culinary creations I realized how easy it is to combine diverse activities in the state of Chiapas We passed enticingly close to the legendary Sumidero Canyon which is just minutes from both Tuxtla Gutierrez and San Cristobal de las Casas Boat rides are among the most popular ways to appreciate the natural beauty of this region my schedule didn’t allow me to partake in this must-do adventure but that gives me even more reason to visit Chiapas again The DetailsChiapas Secretary of Tourism Copyright © 2025 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ 07070 USA | Telephone: (201) 902-2000 Almost 150 mm of rain fell in the state capital Tuxtla Gutiérrez in 24 hours to 25 June 2023 according to figures from Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (SMN) in Mexico The previous day heavy rain fell in areas north of the city with Ostuacán recording over 100 mm in 24 hours to 24 June The heavy rain triggered severe flooding in the city of Tuxtla Gutiérrez overnight 23 to 24 June 2023 Roads were swamped with flood water up to 1 metre deep in some areas The force of the floods left around 25 vehicles stranded Local media reported at least 15 people had to be rescued with some victims having to climb of the roofs of their vehicles for safety Civil Protection in Tuxtla Gutiérrez said teams found the body of a man a drainage channel in the Libramiento Norte area of the city The missing man was dragged into a sewer while helping to move a car trapped in flood waters on 24 June 2023 the city government said the search for the missing man is continuing and teams from Chiapas State government Civil Protection and the Red Cross are working in the area concentrating in locations along the Sabinal River saw heavy rainfall and flooding on 21 June 2023 As much as 113.5 mm of rain fell in 24 hours Richard Davies is the founder of floodlist.com and reports on flooding news Cookies | Privacy | Contacts © Copyright 2025 FloodList Two of the cigars Tatuaje made in honor of its 10th anniversary will return this year—2023 marks Tatuaje’s 20th anniversary—with Mexican San Andrés wrappers The Belle Encre (5 3/4 x 48 perfecto) and Bon Chasseur (5 3/8 x 52) were introduced in 2013 as limited edition items for the company’s Brown Label line Both cigars are returning by getting the Tatuaje Tuxtla treatment having their Ecuadorian wrappers swapped out with Mexican San Andrés leaves both cigars use Nicaraguan tobacco for the binders and fillers Pricing is set at $12 per cigar for both releases and each is limited to 2,500 boxes of 20 cigars This is actually the third different Belle Encre release; there was also a Belle Encre Reserva with a Connecticut broadleaf wrapper released in 2013. That same year, Tatuaje released the Tatuaje 10 Grand Chasseur TAA 2013 Tatuaje says the cigars will debut at the 2023 PCA Convention & Trade Show Something I've walked past a million times is the story of our sister-city A part of the area I've walked by and never gave a second thought is this marker that sits in front of a tree I've never heard of sister-cities in my life so I had to go find out exactly what this means Sister-cities usually are engaged primarily in some kind of cultural exchange we decided to honor our sister-city with a white oak planted downtown From what I've been able to find digging online one of the first things you'll see pop up is info on the nearby national park while it may not be a tourist destination the way other places are it is still where a lot of people fly or ride into the region It's also been officially named a "Safe City" and has seen a ton of population growth over the past several years Another aspect of our sister-city that is spoke of highly is their zoo There's also an insane amount of shopping to do there If you want to know more about our sister-city, I suggest starting your search here. Gallery Credit: Charlie Hardin Our sister-city is Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, Mexico.\nRead More If you want to know more about our sister-city, I suggest starting your search here. This zoo is home to a diverse population of plants and animals Mammals like the jaguar roam its large enclosures Dotted around the park are aviaries with colorful birds a bird with an immense mythological significance to the ancient Maya maintains an impressive collection of creatures The zoo is incredible not only for its contributions to conservationism and education, but its commitment to only house local, native fauna. Hidden in the center of southern Mexico it gives all visitors a lens through which to marvel at the beauty of the natural world Its namesake, Miguel Alvarez del Toro, was interested in the natural world from an early age. He was the director of the Natural History Museum in Mexico City for a number of years until an opportunity arose for him to work as a field biologist for the regional government of Chiapas in the 1930s During his time in the Lacandon Jungle of Chiapas studying the ecology of species such as the jaguar and several species of venomous snakes and discovering new species of plants and animals He also formed a scientific laboratory and a natural history museum at the local zoological park of Tuxtla where he worked in between his expeditions But just as important as any of his scientific discoveries was a growing realization that conservation could not be achieved without the support of the local communities He realized there was a pressing need to engage with the people of Chiapas about the value of the biodiversity that surrounded them Del Toro began to write both scientific papers and popular natural history books about his experience of living in the jungle the customs and culture of the indigenous Maya people Del Toro petitioned the regional government of Chiapas to remodel their antiquated zoo and convert it into a center dedicated to wildlife conservation and environmental education They approved of his ideas and the zoo was moved to a new location where the animals could live in a more natural habitat and visitors could come and learn about nature from Tuesday to Sunday (it's closed on Mondays) Entrance is free on Tuesdays and costs 20 Pesos on all other days The entrance ticket includes access to both the on-site Natural History Museum and the crocodile talk A unique zoological park home to over 30 species of wild cats The world's first cageless zoo is working to save endangered Tasmanian devils The bones of two medieval royal lions were discovered at the historic fortress This unusual geoglyph was built as a warning so low-flying aircraft wouldn't scare the zoo animals This monument honors the life of a long-suffering lion whose story captivated the world The residents at this Yellowstone wildlife park will certify your cooler as "bear-proof." The final resting place for an internet icon At least 55 migrants are dead and over 100 more are injured after a horrific truck crash near Tuxtla Gutiérrez A tractor-trailer transporting more than 150 mainly Central American migrants overturned on the Chiapa de Corzo-Tuxtla Gutiérrez highway at approximately 3:30 p.m The trailer became detached from the tractor unit and overturned while the tractor unit crashed into the base of a pedestrian overpass Forty-nine migrants were reported dead at the scene of the accident while six more sustained serious injuries and died in hospital Chiapas Governor Rutilio Escandón said that 105 other people – 83 men and 22 women – were injured and at least three were in serious condition The federal Attorney General’s Office said it will conduct an investigation into the crash The truck passed through a state police checkpoint just 500 meters before it crashed but was not stopped despite officers having infrared cameras that could have detected the presence of people in its trailer Photographs and video footage showed shocking scenes in the aftermath of the accident with scores of bodies and badly injured people lying on or next to the highway Some motorists provided first aid and other assistance as they waited for emergency services to arrive The truck driver fled the scene and reportedly sought assistance in a nearby mechanic’s workshop “He stopped at the door and asked us to go and help those injured in an accident a few minutes from here,” a worker told the newspaper Reforma “I thought he would follow me to help but he went in the direction of Tuxtla Gutiérrez.” Some migrants who survived the accident also fled the scene fearful that they would be detained by immigration authorities the National Immigration Institute said it would offer shelter food and humanitarian visas to the survivors President López Obrador and his Guatemalan counterpart Alejandro Giammattei offered their condolences to the families of the victims “I deeply regret the tragedy caused by the overturning of a tractor-trailer that was transporting Central American migrants in Chiapas A hug to the families of the victims,” López Obrador wrote on Twitter The porous border between Chiapas and Guatemala is the main entry point for Central American migrants seeking to reach the United States Near record numbers of migrants have entered Mexico this year and many pay smugglers to transport them to the northern border Thursday’s tragedy came a month to the day after 12 migrants were killed when two transit vans collided on the Palenque-Playas de Catazajá highway in Chiapas With reports from Milenio and Reforma  At least 54 people dead and 105 left injured after vehicle rolled over on highway close to Guatemala border At least 54 people have died and 105 been injured after a horrific crash in southern Mexico involving a lorry that was reportedly smuggling mostly Central American migrants towards the US. The disaster – one of the worst to affect migrants in Mexico in recent memory – took place as the vehicle travelled north from Comitán, a town close to the Mexico-Guatemala border, with as many as 200 people crammed into its container. Shocking video footage of the crash site, near the capital of Chiapas state, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, showed forensic officers surveying a road littered with lifeless bodies as survivors cried out in confusion and despair. Read more“It was a scene of chaos,” wrote a reporter from Mexico’s El Universal newspaper describing how injured parents could be heard trying to calm their panicked children The Mexican newspaper La Jornada placed a photograph of the wreckage on its front page under a single-word headline: “Tragedy” told Agence France-Presse (AFP) she saw dozens of people screaming in pain some trapped in the debris and others who were unconscious who arrived at the crash site about 15 minutes after it happened and helped paramedics treat victims The aftermath of the crash in Tuxtla Gutierrez Photograph: Jacob Garcia/Reuters“I saw five According to Mexican media reports the victims included citizens of Guatemala Some reports suggested the lorry’s driver had lost control of the vehicle while coming out of a curve at high speed – possibly as a result of the weight of his illegal cargo – and smashed into a foot bridge Another report claimed the lorry’s brakes had failed Survivors told local media the driver fled after the crash Mexican and US authorities voiced sorrow over the accident which comes amid a Covid-fuelled surge in migration through Mexico towards the US southern border “This is so painful,” tweeted Mexico’s president The US ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, said he was saddened by the “tragic loss of life and injuries”. “Human smugglers disregard human life for their own profit. Please don’t risk your lives to migrate irregularly,” Salazar tweeted The economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic has helped turbocharge the exodus of people from Latin America to the US with US border agents reporting 1.7m detentions between October 2020 and September this year – the highest number since the 1960s The majority of those crossing the border still come from Mexican and the so-called Northern Triangle countries of Guatemala But a growing number of migrants and refugees have also been arriving from other parts of Latin America and the Caribbean Marimbas are wooden percussion instruments similar to xylophones. Although African in origin, many of its modern modifications have their roots in Mexico The instrument made its way to Mexico from enslaved Africans visitors will find the Parque de la Marimba a city square with a central gazebo where marimba recitals can be heard several times a day Inside a building opposite the park is the Marimba Museum.  An interactive hall allows visitors to interact with digital marimba displays showing the differences caused by distinct types of builds and woods The Hall of Fame celebrates noted marimbistas from around the world highlighting the late Chiapanec virtuoso Zeferino Nandayapa An audio library of notable marimba compositions completes the museum's collection A museum dedicated to the musical instruments used in traditional Moroccan music Soak in the soul of Kansas City at the oldest continually-operating jazz club in the country A free museum of Toronto’s untold music history hidden inside a drugstore Featuring one of the oldest collections of historic musical literature in the world There's something in the air as history repeats itself at this museum dedicated to the Swedish pop band A private collector gathered these sound machines and musical instruments across five continents the President of the World Boxing Council Mauricio Sulaiman presented a replica  of the Chiapas “Mayan Warrior” belt Accompanied by a glittering lineup of champions the Leader of the WBC said: “it is very important to create these belts for the communities that craft them since the presence of the World Boxing Council  places them as some of the most important sporting accolades in the world These works are  such a source of deep pride for all Mexicans mentioned feeling rather envious of the boxers  because in his time there were no such belts But he pointed out that Mauricio has promised him his own belt in Chiapas… when he celebrates his seventieth birthday recognized and praised the importance of the development of this Chiapas belt because it uplifts the spirit of Chiapas and he  especially mentioned the embroiderer of Tzotzil origin called María and amber artist Luis the masterminds who brilliantly helped created this exceptional work of art The State Governor is a keen boxing fan and without pause proudly shaking  hands with: Julio César Chávez ‘El Indio de Cuajimalpa’ Lupe Pintor Carlos ‘Cañas’ Zarate and Humberto ‘Chiquita’ González And he fluently continued presenting yet more champions José Luis Bueno and Ibeth ‘La Roca’ Zamora Víctor Rabaneles was named ‘Chiapaneco Ambassador for the world of boxing.’ Privacy Policy / Cookie Policy would never be complete — so I was told — without a boat trip through the nearby Cañon del Sumidero whose vertical walls tower up to 1,000 meters above the rather narrow Grijalva river When I looked up sumidero I discovered that one of its meanings is “cesspool” which was not very encouraging until I learned that this canyon was one of the favorite haunts of the founder of the Tuxtla zoo If Mexico’s most famous conservationist loved this place Trips down the river are organized from several docks alongside the little town of Chiapa de Corzo which had for a brief time been the state capital appears to be a short form of the word tepechiapan which means “water below the hill,” a fitting description of the Grijalva river flowing through kilometer-high walls of rock “It’s better to take that boat ride in the morning rather than later in the day,” a local taxi driver told us “The boat men won’t leave until they have enough customers to fill every single seat so people who go to Chiapa de Corzo late in the afternoon may find themselves sitting around forever waiting for their tour to start.” Then lifejackets were assigned to each of us Although it looked like it was going to rain to allow for a good upward view of the canyon walls I would suggest you bring along a waterproof poncho if rain seems likely the boats travel at high speeds along much of the river generating a strong breeze with plenty of spray Here you may be wondering: is it all worthwhile There is much more to this canyon than high walls the more obvious it becomes that there is something wonderful One moment you are overwhelmed by majesty and grandeur and the next you’re seduced by a spray of wildflowers and then your heart is touched by the affection and clowning antics of child-like spider monkeys who are obviously fast friends with the boatmen who ferry us tourists up and down the river but when you glance back down at the river you see an elegant white egret posing on a slender wand protruding from the water or suddenly discover a big brown pelican floating right next to you lazy crocodile sprawled over a rocky outcrop you may even get to see a cinnamon hummingbird pollinating the wildflowers curious to see how Chiapas is dealing with the problem of pollution in this important river but so filled with human waste that the stench is unbearable all this despite some of the strictest anti-pollution laws in the world I am happy to report that during 90% of our river trip we noticed nothing amiss This is apparently due to the daily removal of over 30 tonnes of trash much of which consists of tree branches and natural debris washed into the river by the rains during the other 10% of the time we did find little coves where all sorts of things were floating on the surface but this Sumidero is definitely no cesspool when it comes to caring for their most famous river it looks to me like Chiapas is far ahead of Jalisco Some 120 boats carry visitors along the 30-kilometer stretch between the two docks at Chiapa de Corzo and the Chicoasén hydroelectric dam downriver and everyone on board is obliged to wear a lifejacket there are ambulance boats anchored along the riverside Years ago the boats were old and leaky and even kids could be guides This situation generated a spate of accidents The government responded with suspensions and fines and took 60 boats out of circulation the situation has reversed itself and the boat cooperatives are proud of their new around 300,000 people take the boat ride down the Grijalvo river every year making the Cañon del Sumidero the second most popular site in Chiapas Our voyage down the river run ended much too soon at the foot of the dam which generates over 30% of all the hydroelectric power produced in Mexico Here we found two “floating Oxxos” awaiting us with junk food but I did experience something unique in this tall river canyon and before we debarked all of us applauded our guide as we would the conductor of a symphony orchestra for he had been instrumental in making our lives just a little bit richer The writer has lived near Guadalajara, Jalisco, for more than 30 years and is the author of A Guide to West Mexico’s Guachimontones and Surrounding Area and co-author of Outdoors in Western Mexico. More of his writing can be found on his website CORRECTION: An observant reader pointed out that we had reversed the flow of the Grijalva river it flows north so the Sumidero Canyon is downriver from Chiapa de Corzo SEATTLE — Mexico City is the core of Mexico, not only geographically but also economically. Every day, more than eight million people go to work and school not counting the Mexicans who arrive from neighboring states A regular morning is frenetic in the city: traffic lights changing fast the subway transporting thousands of people and streets full of cars not all the cities in Mexico have the same infrastructure Only Guadalajara on the west coast and Monterrey in the north have the same level of infrastructure as the capital several zones struggle with inadequate roads and inefficient public services Mexico’s three poorest states are Chiapas most of the people do not have running water or a concrete floor in their home and the citizens have low levels of education The south is one of the main areas where infrastructure in Mexico needs to improve the local government has developed diverse projects in order to connect more people around Chiapas The Sur Tuxtla Gutierrez road and the Villaflores-Tuxtla Gutierrez highway are the most important plans the state will add 20,000 kilometers of new roads The federal government is also trying to help the thousands of people who live in houses with dirt floors Mexican officials have donated 650 concrete floors to homes and facilities that will provide aid to 2,500 people It is expected that this project will be extended to install 50,000 solid floors throughout Chiapas Mexico has one of the best transport infrastructures in all of Latin American This feature of Mexico’s economy has allowed it to generate more business partners throughout the American continent Mexico occupies an important location in the economic map since its northern neighbor is the most powerful nation in the world Many goods have to pass through Mexico in order to reach the United States The federal government has announced important projects in the transportation sector. The new airport in Mexico City is the most impressive of them as it is expected to be the biggest airport in Latin America new rail services will connect Toluca and Mexico City a project that will reduce the transportation time between the two cities It is clear that infrastructure in Mexico is advancing where thousands of people struggle to get basic services Expanding infrastructure in Mexico equally across all states will have a major impact on the lives of people in these areas Photo: Flickr Mexico — A cargo truck jammed with people who appeared to be Central American migrants rolled over and crashed into a pedestrian bridge over a highway in southern Mexico on Thursday killing at least 53 people and injuring dozens more The federal Attorney General’s Office said the preliminary estimate lists 53 dead with three of the injured in critical condition the head of the Chiapas state civil defense office said about 21 of the injured had serious wounds and were taken to local hospitals The crash occurred on a highway leading toward the Chiapas state capital Photos from the scene showed victims strewn across the pavement and inside the truck’s freight compartment Video footage showed the dead and injured migrants jumbled into a pile inside the collapsed freight container with some struggling to extract themselves from the weight of bodies piled atop them rescue workers arranged the dead in rows of white sheets The victims appeared to be immigrants from Central America though their nationalities had not yet been confirmed Moreno reported that some of the survivors said they were from the neighboring country of Guatemala Sitting on the pavement beside the overturned trailer survivor Celso Pacheco of Guatemala said the truck felt like it was speeding and then seemed to lose control under the weight of the migrants inside Pacheco said there were migrants from Guatemala and Honduras aboard and estimated there were eight to 10 young children He said he was trying to reach the United States but now he expected to be deported to Guatemala Rescue workers tried to excavate survivors from a pile of humanity in the flipped trailer director of the Chiapas Firefighter Institute said ambulances raced victims to three hospitals When there weren’t enough ambulances they loaded them into pickup trucks Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei wrote on Twitter: “I deeply regret the tragedy in Chiapas state and I express my solidarity for the victims’ families to whom we will offer all the necessary consular assistance Moreno said that it appeared that speed and the weight of the truck’s human cargo may have caused it to tip over and that as the vehicle toppled over it hit the base of a steel pedestrian bridge There was a curve in the road near the accident scene that may have contributed to the crash That meant at least 107 people were crowed into the vehicle It is not unusual for freight trucks in Mexico to be carrying so many people in migrant-smuggling operations in southern Mexico But rescue workers who first arrived at the scene and who were not authorized to be quoted by name said that even more migrants had been aboard the truck when it crashed and had fled for fear of being detained by immigration agents One paramedic said some of those who fled into surrounding neighborhoods were bloodied or bruised but still limped away in their desperation to escape The truck had originally been a closed freight module of the kind used to transport perishable goods The container was smashed open by the force of the impact Those who spoke to survivors said the migrants told of boarding the truck in Mexico and of paying between $2,500 and $3,500 to be transported to Mexico’s central state of Puebla they would presumably have contracted with another set of migrant smugglers to take them to the U.S Mexican authorities have tried to block migrants from walking in large groups toward the U.S but the clandestine and illicit flow of migrant smuggling has continued in one of the largest busts in recent memory authorities in the northern border state of Tamaulipas found an 652 mainly Central American migrants jammed into a convoy of six freight trucks heading toward the U.S an activist who is leading a march of a couple of hundred migrants who have been walking for more almost 1 1/2 months across southern Mexico blamed Mexico’s policies of cracking down on migrant caravans for the disaster Mujica and his group had almost reached the outskirts of Mexico City on Thursday after weeks of dealing with National Guard officers who tried to block the march Mujica said the group would stop Thursday and offer prayers for the dead migrants is what leads to this type of tragedy,” Mujica said Caravans generally attract migrants who don’t have the thousands of dollars needed to pay migrant smugglers Migrants involved in serious accidents are often allowed to stay in Mexico at least temporarily because they are considered witnesses to and victims of a crime and later Thursday Mexico’s National Immigration Institute said it would offer the humanitarian visas to the survivors The agency also said the Mexican government would help identify the dead and cover funeral costs or repatriation of their remains Mass deaths of migrants are something that President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has been desperate to avoid even as his administration has accepted requests from the U.S government to stem the flow of migrants moving north “It is very painful,” he wrote on his Twitter account It was one of the worst single-day death tolls for migrants in Mexico since the 2010 massacre of 72 migrants by the Zetas drug cartel in the northern state of Tamaulipas Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible Get breaking news delivered to your 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Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience A group of Seventh-day Adventists in the city of Tuxtla Gutiérrez pauses for a photo after cleaning several city blocks near the Belisario Dominguez Boulevard More than 5,000 members took to the streets of their city in support of the local government’s “Let’s Clean Tuxtla,” initiative More than 5,000 Seventh-day Adventists in Tuxtla Gutierrez in Chiapas cleaned streets in support of the city’s “Let’s Clean Tuxtla” initiative and adults from dozens of Adventist Churches in Tuxtla and collect trash in four areas near the city’s main road Wearing Pathfinder uniforms or special shirts identifying them as Seventh-day Adventists emptied lots and held signs encouraging drivers and onlookers to keep the city clean Young people clean fields and empty lots in the city as part of the day’s activity the environment in which we live in is very important so that’s why as church members we try to get involved in these types of projects,” said Pastor Daniel Torreblanca communication director for the church in Chiapas and one of the main organizers of the event Torreblanca said it was important to join the city’s initiative to clean and beautify the city as a way of raising awareness and getting citizens more involved secretary of the environment and urban mobility of Tuxtla Gutiérrez thanked the Adventist Church on behalf of the city leaders for such a large impact across the city “We would not be able to carry out this initiative of ‘Let’s Clean Tuxtla’ without the support of your [Adventist] churches,” said Ruíz The Adventist Church has been the largest religious organization to support the initiative so far One member holds up the sign which reads “Clean city happy city,” as part of promoting the city’s initiative to keep the city clean Ruíz explained that the initiative is also crucial in preparing the city for the rainy season which covers storm drains and prevents the high risk of diseases such as dengue they gathered at the Tuxtla Gutierrez Central Park where they thanked God for the impact of the activity and shared testimonies of what they experienced during the day Adrian Ramos of the Adonai Church said he was so happy to be part of the clean-up crew and to demonstrate how to care for the environment as a Christian Ramos said many people approached him and asked what the group was doing and how the activity came about “One lady in particular was impressed after I explained what we were doing and she gave me her contact information because she not only wanted to be part of such activities run by the church but wanted to learn more about Who we believe in as a church,” said Ramos A group gathers at the Tuxtla Gutiérrez Central Park to talk about their experience after cleaning up the city on Apr the event was just one of many activities scheduled for this year focused on healthy living among church members and communities throughout Chiapas Last year young people held numerous community outreach activities to clean cities and towns and share hope through an initiative coined as “Jesus in my City” The 147 Adventist churches and congregations will continue to take part in keeping Tuxtla Gutiérrez clean church members in the three local church fields in the city have adopted one park to beautify and in which to hold cultural and community outreach activities throughout the year Other activities planned for this year designed to promote healthy living throughout Chiapas include marches The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Chiapas has more than 246,000 members worshiping in 3,159 churches and congregations Adventists pick up trash in Tuxtla Gutiérrez during the day’s activity To learn more about the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Chiapas Mexican Unionits, visit umch.org.mx © 2025 General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Find out about the most important news and events happening in our division Adventist leaders are set to cut the ribbon to inaugurate the wellness center in Tuxtla Gutieérrez president of the Southeast Mexican Union; from Inter-American Division president of Central Mexican Union and Antonio Rosas accountant of the Inter-Oceanic Mexican Union A wellness center was recently inaugurated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Chiapas will provide natural remedies and preventative medicine focused on holistic health care for the mind Dozens of local and national church administrators leaders and members attended the inauguration ceremony in Tuxtla Gutierrez on Dec “This is a very special moment to inaugurate a center such as this,” said Pastor Ignacio Navarro  The center belongs to the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Mexico and the Inter-American Division he said and “it’s a missionary space in the city of Tuxtla Gutiérrez where the plan of God to restore His creation will be presented and the soon coming of Jesus will be announced.” Leaders gather for a special inaugural program inside the wellness center and carried live on social media platforms thanked church leaders from the union office and from the eight local conferences for the honor “God is the only one who can bring healing and there will be many patients with sickness in their soul who will need special attention from the Divine doctor,” said Verduzco life is a gift from God and we should teach the correct habits that can lead to a healthier lifestyle.” addresses the gathering on the importance of the center and its mission to provide physical and spiritual care to everyone who comes into the health facility [Photo: Juan Carlos Zavala] Vida Sana Center began construction in 2018 as the church in Chiapas dedicated its missionary initiatives and activities on health for the entire year The center will be able to care for 100 patients at a time and will be fully functional as soon as remaining permits are finalized It is the second wellness center recognized by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Mexico Las Canoas Vida Sana has been operating as a sanatorium for decades in Montemorelos Tomas Ramírez (third from left)  thanks the leadership of the church for the honor of carrying his name on the new park behind the wellness center Ramírez is accompanied by his wife Concepción (left) Juan Ramírez (second left) and Andrés Ramírez “In the 1970s when I graduated from The National Autonomous University of Mexico I questioned why medicines and antibiotics only cured symptoms but not diseases and I asked God to show me the way to treat diseases in a more effective and cheaper way,” said Dr “That’s when God drew me close to the Adventist Church and I began to treat with plants and natural methods I started my own pharmacy in Tuxtla Gutierrez will also function as the medical director for the new center in Chiapas View of the park built with the eight stations representing the eight natural remedies part of the church’s “I Want to Live Health” initiative Many church members were so proud to see the completion of the new center this beautiful facility,” said José Antonio Gómez a member of the Central Adventist Church in Tuxtla Gutiérrez treasurer of the church in Inter-America and wife Alma tour the hydrotherapy pools in the wellness center “We want each one who visits this center to be surrounded by angels and those who work here to feel that they are an instrument of salvation,” Navarro said View of part of the entrance of the new Centro de Vida Sana Dr Filiberto Verduzco Avila in Tuxtla Gutiérrez Liga MX club Jaguares de Chiapas will move from their current city of Tuxtla Gutiérrez to Querétaro after Grupo Delfines - led by majority shareholder Amado Yáñez - bought the club. The president of the Liga MX, Decio de María, confirmed the move today, according to Terra The move to Querétaro comes after the city's Gallos Blancos was relegated to the Liga de Ascenso the second professional level of Mexican soccer San Luis and La Piedad have also asked the Liga MX for permission to move though it is as yet unclear as to where they might go Jaguares de Chiapas was acquired in May 2010 by sports marketing firm Interticket it saw some success in the Copa Libertadores as well as in the 2004 and 2006 Clausura tournaments They cited lack of sponsorship in addition to low attendance as the reasons for the decision to sell the company to Grupo Delfines With it ends the Jaguares' ten-year run in the Liga Migrant Deaths Along Border Doubled in 2012 7 Horses Test Positive For Anabolic Steroids "Unfortunately, external factors affecting the economy, such as the lack of local- and national-level sponsorship, as well as low fan attendance to the stadium - 210,000 in the last year (last in Liga MX) - obliged us to make this decision," Grupo Interticket said in a statement The news sparked a flurry of social media activity among Jaguares fans. The newspaper El Pendulo de Chiapas writes that a protest is expected to take place on the main avenues of Tuxtla Gutiérrez within the next few days - three have already been carried out earlier this month. Similarly, San Luis owner Carlos Lopez Chargoy has stated that lack of support within the community was the reason for requesting the change of site. Irapuato Veracruz, Acapulco and Puebla are rumored to be possible destinations for San Luis, which has largely been unsuccessful in Mexico's top soccer league. The decision of where San Luis and La Piedad will go is expected to come within the next week. © 2025 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. DestinationsPlanningInspirationShopSearch SavesOpen main menu© fitopardo/Getty Images The Sumidero Canyon is a spectacular fissure in the earth the Chicoasén hydroelectric dam was completed at its northern end Traveling between Tuxtla and Chiapa de Corzo the road crosses the Grijalva just south of the canyon mouth The most impressive way to see the canyon is from a lancha that speeds between the canyon’s towering rock walls starting at either Chiapa de Corzo or the Embarcadero Cahuaré 5km north of Chiapa along the road to Tuxtla You’ll rarely have to wait more than half an hour for a boat to fill up It’s about 35km from Chiapa de Corzo to the dam the canyon walls tower an amazing 800m above you Along the way you’ll see a variety of birds – herons vultures and kingfishers – plus probably a crocodile or two The boat operators will point out a few odd formations of rock and vegetation including one cliff face covered in thick hanging moss the lanchas sometimes have to plow through floating plastic garbage when wet-season rains wash in trash from Tuxtla Gutiérrez To take your evening paseo (stroll) with the locals Templo de San Juan with a vividly painted arch of green and blue Zoológico Miguel Álvarez del Toro with its huge range of natural environments has the highest concentration of animal species in North America Jardín Botánico Dr Faustino Miranda The lush oasis of the Jardín Botánico Dr Faustino Miranda is a gorgeous place to visit as well as being a nice respite from the city heat Sima de las Cotorras The Sima de las Cotorras is a dramatic 160m-wide sinkhole that punches 140m down into the earth into a crater thick with rainforest Chiapa de Corzo Archaeological Site On a trade route between the Pacific and the Gulf the sprawling Chiapa de Corzo settlement had close ties to neighboring Maya and Olmec cultures El Aguacero Plunging into the sheer Río La Venta canyon El Aguacero is a gorgeous series of frothy stairsteps that tumble and spray Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán The large Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán was built in the late 16th century by the Dominican order View more attractionsNearby Chiapas attractions1. Centro de Convivencia Infantil 2. Museo Regional de Chiapas an imposing modern building constructed in 1982 was under much-needed renovation at the time of research (it's a fabulous… 3. Jardín Botánico Dr Faustino Miranda 4. Museo del Café housed inside an attractive colonial building contains exhibits on the cultivation and processing of everyone's favorite bean 5. Plaza Cívica Tuxtla’s main plaza occupies two blocks flanked by an untidy array of concrete government and commercial structures 6. Catedral de San Marcos The eye-catching white cathedral’s clock tower tinkles out a tune on the hour to accompany a kitsch merry-go-round of apostles’ images 7. Jardín de la Marimba 8. Museo de la Marimba On the Jardín de la Marimba, this small museum showcases 120 years of this ubiquitous instrument, with both antique and modern models on display and a… No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission My eagerly awaited return to Chiapas and its famed 16th-century colonial city was stalled a bit when bad weather prevented my plane from departing on time after arriving in San Cristóbal and dropping my bags at the hotel I finally got to see the city that had stayed in my imagination for many years It looked much the same after 25 years: old colonial houses and buildings with terra cotta tile roofs With time it became apparent that much had changed as well rustic sanctuary from the rest of the world I was admittedly a bit worried it had changed too much but I found San Cristóbal to have done a good job blending the old and the new and vendors that it was almost overwhelming and dolls are for sale by Maya vendors on the streets including the large tarp-covered market directly in front of Ex-Convento Santo Domingo.  Since I had seen most of the intriguing sites around Chiapas I spent my two-week trip beating the streets of San Cristóbal taking in the roasted aroma of its famous coffee and the many sights and sounds that make this city one of a kind My only other trip here was during the time of the Zapatistas They had used the early days of the Internet in a savvy way to become well-known international fighters for the rights of the indigenous people but I did see a few Zapatista dolls for sale as in the old days There is an incredible amount of shopping for handmade local crafts and many modern “fast” fashion shops around the city center I bought some light sweaters because it was cooler than I had planned Macadamia nuts are a local delicacy sold by street vendors and I hesitated to buy some because I had no way to break open their hard shells One enterprising vendor took a hammer to some so I could enjoy this local treat There was so much to see and so many people to chat with as they hawked their wares The city has an abundance of restaurants and cafés to choose from one of several good vegetarian/vegan restaurants which offers fine dining in their main dining room and or in a garden next door I visited several small museums with excellent exhibits including the Museo del Ámbar (Amber Museum) and Centro de Textiles del Mundo Maya The textile museum has world-class collections of hand-woven textiles including a few dating back to 1900.  an attractive and comfortable gem of a hotel five minutes from the plaza which is far enough away to be quiet and restful and my room had French doors that opened onto a small balcony overlooking the lovely center garden and a view of the mountains It had warm touches such as exposed brick and wooden ceiling beams It was a pleasure to return to every day after my treks around the city I found a pair of pink plastic boots at a little shop and carried them around in my backpack after soaking my shoes and jeans several times.  The weather provided a welcome change from the strong summer heat of Yucatán I learned of an event in the north of the city A group of black-clad men carrying automatic weapons frightened the locals into taking refuge in shops for several hours with the military only showing up after the men had left and formed blockades in the area’s streets They were members of a local crime group called Los Motonetos and were fighting over control of a market in that area In the taxi back to the airport in Tuxtla Gutiérrez not an uncommon occurrence in the state of Chiapas I saw most of the significant sites Chiapas has to offer I also took a boat trip on the Cañón del Sumidero and went horseback riding in the mountains up to the village of San Juan Chamula.  There were daily fireworks at other festivals Having done my part to benefit the local economy I look forward to returning to this fascinating region of Mexico Claire Tyrpak retired to Mérida in 2021 after a career managing programs for nonprofits government and a university in the United States She has been a world traveler since the 1980s and Mexico is the fifth country in which she has lived After declining slightly at the beginning of the week new coronavirus infections shot up by a record 237 in a single day 7,813 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 882 deaths have occurred in Yucatan The coronavirus crisis and the lack of a reliable job market may lead more people to investigate the FIRE philosophy Two forty-somethings sold their Seattle home and set off on an around-the-world journey in 2018 as part of the FIRE movement Chichen Itza’s “Noches de Kukulkan” won’t be quite as bright after damage from a recent lightning storm In a repeat of a similar mishap in Valladolid high-tech electrical components shorted out from a lightning strike Videomapping projectors cast vivid images on the famous temple; similar shows occur weekly in Merida’s main square A 13-year-old was among 16 COVID-19 patients to die doctors announced Saturday during Yucatán’s daily coronavirus briefing The report came as the week closed with 95 deaths and 1,655 new infections Hospitalizations in public facilities rose by eight to reach 241… Our 10th annual Thanksgiving Dining Guide for anyone seeking a taste of home during this 2023 holiday Admitting that public transportation here leaves a lot to be desired Mayor Mauricio Vila Dosal asked the state to implement the Comprehensive Urban Transportation System (Situr) as soon as possible Advertise With Us Mexico — In the sanctity of newly dedicated temples quiet but emotional expressions of gratitude are typical from those who receive their blessings More and more members in areas remote from large Church population centers are receiving these blessings following a year in which 34 new temples were dedicated One place of particular gratitude is here in Chiapas Until the concept of the smaller temples came into recent practice the likelihood of ever having a temple in Chiapas was scant at best this state has an economically depressed population that Adding to its troubles was a severe flood two years ago that washed away the homes and livelihoods of tens of thousands of residents the presence of the Tuxtla Gutierrez Mexico Temple has an uplifting influence More than 200 members have gone through the temple since it was dedicated in March 2000 the nearest such edifice was 18 hours away by bus — an impossible prospect considering that some members could not even afford to miss a day's work "The people are very impressed because they never thought there would be a temple in Chiapas," said Jorge David Arrevillaga Manchinelly who was the first president of the neighboring Tapachula Mexico Stake Many have gone to the temple for the first time," he continued described the reaction of members receiving their endowments "One of the most beautiful experiences was a youth of 18 years who came to receive his endowments before serving a mission he was filled with emotion to know how much he was loved of the Lord he felt that his ability to speak other languages increased because of this experience." President Sanchez said that when couples are sealed These families must sacrifice a great deal even to come to a local temple and sustains itself by all the children selling items in the market every day they come to the temple every Saturday to do temple work All the children were sealed to their parents It was a beautiful experience and a good example to all." The presence of a temple overlooking this city is a mark of progress for Brother Arrevillaga Only five or six people attended the first meetings in Tapachula in 1959 A small pool at the Cahoacan River provided a baptismal font for new members until Brother Arrevillaga's father But his experiences in the Church softened those experiences where we sang songs with the missionaries and had socials," he recalled Speaking in sacrament meeting as a 14-year-old young Jorge David mostly quoted from missionary pamphlets when he was set apart as the first branch president in Tapachula and in 1978 when he was set apart as the first president of the Tapachula Mexico Stake by then-Elder Howard W Elder Hunter's impact on this area continues as members on the temple grounds look across the valley to the hill Mactumactza where Elder Hunter ascended to offer a special dedicatory prayer on the area One of the longtime members in Tuxtla Gutierrez is Fernando Esponda Alcusar one of his early memories in the Church was a dance when he was assigned to sell tickets to pay for the band I didn't sell one," he said with a laugh His willingness to help others continues today He believes the temple has brought a change to the members "because the Lord has blessed us here and answered many prayers 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 A strong magnitude 5.2 earthquake occurred in the North Pacific Ocean 108 km (67 mi) from  Mexico in the morning of Thursday The quake had a shallow depth of 35 km (22 mi) and was reported felt by some people near the epicenter.