Violence against Catholic clergy reported in border state of Tamaulipas

One priest refused to perform a Black Mass

Guadalajara -
The Mexican state of Tamaulipas, just south of places like Brownsville and McAllen, Texas, is a major drug trafficking corridor and the scene of frequent narco violence. MGR story links are below.

This week the Roman Catholic diocese of Tamaulipas reported that six of its parish priests have been the victims of gang or organized crime violence in recent days.

Mexican on death row asks Peña Nieto, U.S. State Dept. for help as he prepares for the end

"Please keep your promise, Mr. President"

Guadalajara -
Édgar Tamayo Arias, scheduled to die in Texas next month for a murder he committed in 1994, has appealed directly to Mexican president Enrique Peña Nieto for assistance.

In a letter released today by a supporter, Tamayo said he recalls listening to a radio interview of Peña Nieto during the 2012 presidential campaign, in which the PRI chief executive promised that he would protect the interests of Mexicans living outside the country.

"Well, I'm one of those, and I need him to carry out that promise and help me," wrote Tamayo.

Mexican army captures Cancún hotel zone executioner

Cancún, Quintana Roo -
In the heart of this international tourist mecca Mexican army regulars today captured the local Gulf Cartel "boss of the plaza." Prosecutors say he is wanted for drug trafficking and at least three homicides, including the execution of two men whose bodies were dumped on prominent Kukulcán boulevard in September 2012. Red alert in Cancún hotel zone.

That case surprised local law enforcement officials because of its occurrence in the Cancún tourist district, a space not commonly invaded by sicarios, the cartel execution teams.

In Mexico, 2013 was the year of Enrique Peña Nieto

MGR's view

"Mexico is entering a new stage in its history. My promise and commitment is to carry Mexico to that place which it should occupy on the world stage" - Inauguration Day, Dec. 1, 2012

Guadalajara -
As a 2013 news maker in the Latin world, no one can compete with Mexican president Enrique Peña Nieto. Last March, less than 90 days after he took the constitutional oath of office, the president said his goal was not merely to manage Mexico as a passing political caretaker, but to transform it. EPN's three smart decisions. He is off to a very powerful start, with 60 months left to complete the process.

Philippines on the alert for presence of Sinaloa Cartel

Expanding Pacific markets for Mexican mega traffickers

Guadalajara -
The government of the Philippines has announced that it will investigate whether Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel is operating in the country after the arrest this week of three persons who allegedly have ties to the far flung narcotics organization.

Sinaloa, generally known in Mexico as the Cartel of the Pacific, is controlled by Joaquín El Chapo Guzmán, the most wanted drug trafficker in the world. Chicago calls El Chapo Guzmán "Public Enemy # 1."

Earlier this year authorities reported the Sinaloa Cartel has 90% domination of the U.S. drug market.

Condemned Mexican's approaching date with Texas execution chamber poses international risks for U.S.

MGR Legal Analysis -
Obama administration urges Texas to grant a stay, but Gov. Rick Perry says no

Guadalajara -
If all goes according to carefully choreographed procedures at the Huntsville Unit of the Texas State Penitentiary, Édgar Tamayo Arias will draw his last breath sometime on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2014.

His legal problems may end that day, although not in the way he would like. But those of the United States could just be beginning.

Mérida Christmas

Solemnidad de Santa María, Madre de Dios, 1 Jan. 2011, Iglesia de San Cristóbal, Mérida,Yucatán

Dec. 11 - Guadalupanos are on the march throughout Mexico

© MGRR 2013. All rights reserved.

Mexican energy reforms will lure in $10 billion dollars in immediate investment, official says

"Energy is the heart of our economy"

Guadalajara -
The petroleum industry reforms just enacted in Mexico will generate at least $10 billion dollars in domestic and foreign capital investment during the current administration of president Enrique Peña Nieto, which ends Dec. 1, 2018.

That was the prediction of the president of this country's Energy Regulatory Commission, Xavier Salazar Diez de Sollano, in a weekend interview with a major Mexican national news service. "The PEMEX reforms are the most important in decades," he added.

Mexico's sovereign credit rating upgraded on PEMEX reform news

The response by international investment advisers is immediate and positive

Guadalajara -
The American financial services company Standard & Poor's (S&P) has upgraded Mexico's sovereign credit rating to BBB+ as a result of the recent enactment of constitutional reforms governing the structure and operations of national oil giant Petróleos Mexicanos (PEMEX).

The reforms were signed into law yesterday by president Enrique Peña Nieto, and took effect at 12:01 a.m. today following publication in Mexico's Federal Register. PEMEX reforms are now the law.

PEMEX reforms are now officially the law

"These reforms are going to protect the national wealth that belongs to all Mexicans" - Peña Nieto

They were signed today by president Enrique Peña Nieto at the National Palace in Mexico City, and here is what he told legislators during the ceremony (redacted and translated by MGR):

"I congratulate you for demonstrating that Mexico can transform itself in a democratic way, and that it has the capacity to make deep institutional changes. By advancing responsible public policies and by your careful legislative work, you have accomplished things which will convert our energy sector into a genuine source of national economic growth.

Mexican minimum wage in 2014 will be $5 dollars - a day

*Update - Dec. 20, 2014 - Mexican minimum wage in 2015 will be $4.68 USD daily*

Guadalajara -
On the first day of the new year the minimum wage in Mexico will rise 3.9%, to a national average of 65.53 pesos. At this morning's exchange rate of 12.95 pesos, that's approximately $5.06 USD per day.

Mexico is divided into two economic zones for minimum wage purposes, with workers in metropolitan zones where the cost of living is higher receiving a little more for their labor. In zone A, which includes Mexico City and Guadalajara, the new minimum will be 67.28 pesos on Jan. 1. In Zone B it will rise to 63.77 pesos.

Mexican Attorney General hands over domestic security reports to Associated Press

*Updated Dec. 21*
Guadalajara -
The Mexico City newspaper El Universal reports today that the Mexican Attorney General was recently compelled under this country's freedom of information laws to turn over domestic security reports covering president Enrique Peña Nieto's first year in office to the Associated Press.

AP first filed an informal request, according to the paper, but when the AG refused on national security grounds, the press organization appealed to an administrative board, which found in its favor under transparency rules.

Key excerpts from the reports, according to El Universal's redaction, include the following:

U.S. Senate approves pact for transborder oil exploration

PEMEX reforms linked to congressional action north of the border

Guadalajara -
The United States Senate Wednesday evening approved the U.S.-Mexico Transboundary Hydrocarbons Agreement, legislation lauded by the White House as "an environmentally safe and responsible manner of exploring, developing and sharing the income from petroleum resources in the deepest waters beyond the territorial jurisdiction of each country."

The agreement, part of an omnibus budget package which the Senate will send to the president, covers offshore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico and could affect up to 1.5 million acres of oil and natural gas reserves.

Not much democracy in "Democratic" Revolution Party

Two expulsions follow PEMEX vote

Guadalajara -
The National Executive Committee of Mexico's far left Democratic Revolution Party (PRD) wasted no time in meting out the maximum punishment on members who voted in favor of the just passed PEMEX reforms, which officially were declared adopted by the nation's federal congress today.

PRD began expulsion proceedings against two state assembly deputies who cast affirmative votes on the constitutional amendments, which sped through the Senate and House of Deputies last week and had been ratified by 26 of Mexico's 32 states as of this morning, thus opening PEMEX to private capital investment and foreign technical expertise. Only 17 state votes were necessary for the amendments to become law.

World Health Organization: Mexico is the world's largest consumer of alcoholic beverages

"Our country is one of the most dangerous on the American continent for its propensity towards excessive consumption" - La Jornada

A merchant in the artisan famous town of Tlaquepaque, just outside of Guadalajara, displays offerings

Guadalajara -
Per capita consumption of alcohol is higher in Mexico than anywhere else on the planet, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported.

The average Mexican male consumes 32 liters of pure alcohol annually, and the average female 18. Those numbers represent approximately seven and four U.S. gallons, respectively. "Pure alcohol" estimates were calculated by reference to average alcohol content in most beers, wines and spirits.