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Energy
CFE Signs Agreement To Sell Geothermal Power To Los Angeles
February 3, 2009
The Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced that they have signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by means of which CFE will sell approximately 100 MW of power from its Mexicalibased
720 MW Cerro Prieto geothermal generating station to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. The city of
Los Angeles has a goal of getting 20% of its power from renewable sources. Final terms of the agreement are still being
concluded.
Pemex Awards Two Platform Contracts To McDermott
February 2, 2009
Pemex has awarded two contracts valued at USD 40 million to J. Ray McDermott, a subsidiary of McDermott International.
J. Ray McDermott will transport and install the Ixtal-B and Maloob-C drilling platforms for Pemex's exploration and
production unit PEP. Installation is expected to be completed before the third quarter of 2009. Both fields are in the Bay of
Campeche, in 216 and 272 feet of water, respectively.
Pemex Plans To Show Oil Firms New Contract Models In 2Q Or 3Q
February 3, 2009
Pemex Chief Executive Jesus Reyes Heroles said the company has opened talks with the world's largest oil companies on
investment opportunities and plans to present them with new contract models in the second or third quarter of this year, as
an energy reform was passed last year. The reform preserves Pemex's monopoly on oil production and sales, but gives it
more flexibility in drafting service contracts. Pemex hopes to lure foreign oil majors into Mexico to benefit from their
technology and expertise, especially with deepwater oil fields where Mexico has untapped potential.
China Petrochemical Competes For Mexican Projects
February 6, 2009
Chinese oil company China Petrochemical (Sinopec) is the first integrated oil firm to test the waters in Mexico after
Congress approved energy reforms in 2008. According to documents on Mexico's government procurement website
Compranet, Sinopec is competing for two large drilling contracts in the Chicontepec oil basin. Other bidders for works at
Chicontepec include Schlumberger and Halliburton.
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Mining
Mexico Asks Canada To Extradite Mine Union Leader Napoleon Gomez Urrutia
February 4, 2009
Mexico has asked Canada to extradite Napoleon Gomez Urrutia, the leader of Mexico's National Mining and Metal Workers
Union (STMMSRM), who is wanted on corruption charges and who is leading a strike at the country's largest copper mine
from self-imposed exile in Vancouver. The Attorney General's Office (PGR) said that Mexico requested the extradition on
January 30. Gomez moved to Canada after being accused of misappropriating USD 55 million in funds that Grupo Mexico
(GMex) paid into a trust in 2004 related to the privatization of the country's Cananea copper mine and nearby La Caridad.
Grupo Mexico Offers To Buy Smaller Miner, Eyes More
February 4, 2009
Mexican miner Grupo Mexico's (GMex's) Southern Copper Corporation (SCC) subsidiary has offered to acquire Torontobased
peer Frontera Copper Corporation for CAD 42 million, a proposal 10% above an earlier unsolicited bid by Invecture
Group, a privately held Mexican group. GMex said that it is still eyeing possible acquisitions of small and medium-sized
copper miners in Latin America and beyond.
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Trade & Investment
Prime Minister Harper Calls President Calderon About U.S. Protectionism
February 6, 2009
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper telephoned Mexican President Calderon to discuss U.S. protectionism. Sources
indicated that Harper and Calderon are both looking with alarm at protectionist measures before the U.S. Congress. A
spokesman for the Mexican government said the leaders agreed that yielding to protectionism would be a mistake for their
economies. Both countries stand to lose a lot if "Buy American" rules attached to a USD 900 billion U.S. stimulus package
are allowed to take effect. "Buy American" rules establish that resources from the U.S. stimulus package won't be able to be
used to buy steel and iron – main supplies for President Obama's infrastructure program – unless they are produced in the
U.S., a measure that U.S. steelmakers have welcomed. The measures will strongly affect Mexico since the U.S. is its main
trading partner, and 80% of Mexico's exports are bound to that country.
Mexico Seeks To Strengthen Commercial Exchanges With China
February 7, 2009
Mexican and Chinese officials convened during the 19th Plenary Meeting of the Mexico-China Business Committee and
discussed ways to strengthen commercial and investment exchanges. The technical director of the Mexican Business
Council for Foreign Trade, Investment and Technology (COMCE) said the meeting aimed at boosting bilateral investment
and commercial exchanges between China and Mexico. In addition, ProMexico, a governmental agency to boost exports,
said that the country is expected to attract part of China's investments earmarked for foreign markets in 2009.
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Business & Industry
Coca-Cola To Invest USD 700 Million In Mexico
February 3, 2009
U.S. soft drink maker the Coca-Cola Company announced plans to invest USD 700 million in Mexico to acquire new
technology and equipment, as well as to broaden its product portfolio, infrastructure, social programs and training. The firm
said that the investment is part of a broader program and that it will support President Calderon's measures to address the
current economic downturn.
FEMSA Gets Approval To Acquire Colombian Bottler
February 6, 2009
Mexican conglomerate Fomento Economico Mexicano (FEMSA) announced that authorities have cleared the way for it to
buy Colombian water bottler Brisa in a USD 92 million deal. FEMSA agreed last year to purchase Brisa, a division of
Colombia's Bavaria group controlled by global brewer SABMiller, but was awaiting approval from Colombian authorities.
Vitro To Skip MXN 150 Million Payment On Local Bonds
February 5, 2009
Mexican glassmaker Vitro said it will miss a MXN 150 million payment, plus interest, on local bonds issued in 2003 and is
seeking to renegotiate with creditors. Vitro said it is keeping available cash to continue operating as it seeks to restructure
its debt. Vitro said it is seeking to renegotiate its debt with a number of creditors, including counterparties to derivatives
contracts. Vitro also said it has been informed that Credit Suisse International has filed a lawsuit in New York against one of
its subsidiaries for payment of USD 85 million, part of the USD 293 million the company faces in derivatives claims.
Sikorsky Plans To Open Facility In Queretaro
February 5, 2009
Executives from U.S. military and civil helicopter manufacturer Sikorsky met with the governor of the state of Queretaro and
said that the company has plans to establish an assembly facility there. The government of Queretaro said that a deal might
be signed in upcoming weeks and stressed that a large investment will be required; figures, however, were not disclosed.
Sikorsky said that it is interested in setting complete assembly lines in Queretaro since some of its providers, including
Aernnova, have a presence there.
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Automotive
General Motors To Lay Off 600 Workers And Reduce Production In Mexico
February 4, 2009
U.S. car maker General Motors said it will lay off 600 workers at its Ramos Arizpe plant, in the state of Coahuila. The cuts
will be applied during February and March at the factory. It will be the second wave of layoffs in Mexico's auto industry after
Volkswagen said last month it was cutting 900 temporary workers at its plant in Puebla as the U.S. recession affects
automakers' operations. In addition, GM announced that it would cease producing 68,000 vehicles in a three-month period
starting in March. Deriving losses will amount to approximately USD 1.3 billion.
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Housing & Mortgaging
Sare Restructures Short-Term Bank Debt
February 4, 2009
Mexican home construction company Sare Holding said that it restructured more than MXN 850 million in local short-term
bank debt. Sare said the restructuring involved the local units of Citigroup, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, HSBC
Holdings, and Mexican bank Grupo Financiero Banorte. Sare said that it reached separate agreements with each of the
banks to replace short-term unsecured debt for debt with more than a year's maturity.
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Construction & Infrastructure
SCT To Issue Tenders Worth 80% Of Its Budget Before The End Of 1Q
February 3, 2009
The Communications and Transport Ministry (SCT) said that it will have issued tenders worth 80% of its 2009 budget before
the end of the first quarter. SCT said that in this month alone it will put to tender projects worth as much as 50% of its
budget and stressed that in 2008 it put to tender projects worth 97% of its budget, including 6,300 km of highways. SCT
said that this year some 8,500 km of highways are expected to be built.
Cement Makers To Raise Cement Prices
February 4, 2009
Mexican cement maker Cemex announced that it will raise cement prices by 7.7% or MXN 138 per ton, starting February 1.
Cemex said it raised prices because the cost of supplies to produce cement also hiked. The latest price increase by Cemex
was announced in October. Meanwhile, peers Holcim Apasco and Cruz Azul cement makers also announced a 6%
increase on their products' price.
Cemex To Pay Debt Even As Volumes Slide
February 4, 2009
Mexican cement maker Cemex said it would pay USD 3.6 billion in debt this year despite tumbling U.S. and European
volumes, as it slashes costs amid the global economic slump. After cutting 7,500 jobs last year and refinancing debt,
Cemex said it expected to generate USD 2 billion in free cash flow this year to help pay its loans, more than many investors
expected. Cemex has restructured USD 4 billion of debt and plans to sell USD 1.9 billion in assets to help meet USD 4.1
billion of obligations due this year. Cemex predicted lower cement volumes for its key U.S. and Mexico markets in 2009.
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Retail
Gigante Launches The Home Store
February 2, 2009
Mexican retailer Grupo Gigante has launched new home accessories and home equipment and supplies business unit the
Home Store. The new store will compete with foreign peers such as Spanish Zara Home and will supply items such as
cutlery, crystal products, bathroom accessories, sheets and blankets, among others.
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Transportation
Mexicana Wins Contract To Provide Services To Pemex Officials
February 4, 2009
Mexican airline Mexicana de Aviacion was awarded a three-year contract by Pemex to transport the latter's officials and
personnel. Under the new agreement, Mexicana will benefit, along with other peers, including Aeromar, from 40% of sales
of tickets for Pemex's workers. Mexicana's contract allows the firm to provide the higher discount percentage on tickets,
which is 22.1%.
Low-Cost Airline Mexicana Inter Starts Operations
February 4, 2009
Communications and Transport Underminister Humberto Treviño announced that low-cost airline Mexicana Inter was
awarded a concession to operate in Mexico. The company will begin flying CRJ 200 jets to 24 local destinations and will
have a capacity to transport 50 passengers. Mexicana Inter expects to fly 800,000 people per year and said it will create
approximately 500 direct jobs and 1,000 indirect jobs.
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Telecommunications & Technology
America Movil Sees 2009 Capex At USD 3 Billion; Aims To Add 19 Million Clients
February 6, 2009
Mexican mobile telephony provider America Movil announced plans to invest USD 3 billion in 2009 to increase capacity
depending on traffic growth, as it aims to add 19 million subscribers. America Movil added a record 10.1 million wireless
subscribers in the fourth quarter, bringing its total in 17 countries to 182.7 million. America Movil said it made some of
its planned 2009 capital expenditures in the second half of 2008, when it invested close to USD 5 billion.
Consilium Wins New Coastal Radar Orders In Mexico And Cape Verde
February 6, 2009
Swedish marine systems maker Consilium said that it has received an order for a previously delivered coastal radar station
in Mexico. Consilium added that it also received an order for four Vessel Traffic System (VTS) coastal radar systems in
Cape Verde. The systems will be used to provide traditional monitoring of shipping lanes and harbor inlets. Consilium said
the new orders are worth a total of over SEK 4 million.
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Media & Entertainment
IFE, SEGOB Demand Broadcasters Explain Decision To Air Ads In Blocks
February 6, 2009
The Federal Electoral Institute (IFE) and the Interior Ministry (SEGOB) have demanded that broadcasters Televisa and TV
Azteca provide a technical explanation regarding the reasons that led them to air the political ads they are compelled to
transmit by law, in blocks during sports events. As a response, Televisa sought court protection against IFE's rulings on
political and electoral ads' airing time on local TV, and TV Azteca reinforced its media campaign against the ads.
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Economy
Mexico, U.S. Extend USD 30 Billion Swap To Ease Lending
February 3, 2009
The central bank (Banxico) and the U.S. Federal Reserve have agreed to extend the terms of a currency swap through
October to boost cash supply at Mexican banks. The agreement gives Banxico access to USD 30 billion, in case it needs
additional access to dollars as the global financial crisis tightens lending. Banxico said the swap had been extended from
April 30 to October 30. Banxico has auctioned off more than USD 15 billion in foreign currency reserves to boost its sagging
currency.
SHCP: 2008 Budget Deficit At MXN 9.58 Billion
February 2, 2009
The Finance and Public Credit Ministry (SHCP) said the government had a budget deficit of MXN 9.58 billion in 2008, as
spending grew at a faster pace than revenue. SHCP said revenue last year rose 9.3% from 2007 to MXN 2.857 trillion.
Government spending rose 9.8% last year to MXN 2.865 trillion. SHCP said the deficit – equivalent to 0.1% of GDP – is
within the parameters of a balanced budget approved by Congress. For 2009, the government is projecting a budget deficit
of 1.8% of GDP as it steps up public spending to counter the downturn in economic activity.
SHCP: Economy Might Shrink In 2009
February 2, 2009
The Finance and Public Credit Ministry (SHCP) said the economy might contract this year as a result of the downturn in the
U.S. and other major economies, after growing an estimated 1.5% last year. SHCP said it is revising its growth forecast,
which could be reduced to between zero and a drop of 1%. SHCP estimated that GDP shrank 1% in the fourth quarter
when compared with the same period in 2007.
Foreign Investors Sell Their Mexican Government Bonds
February 4, 2009
According to experts, foreign investors started selling their government bonds about six months ago and the operations
amount to approximately USD 11 billion so far. Experts say such a trend has contributed to the peso's depreciation to the
dollar, which has led the Mexican currency to as low as MXN 14.90 per dollar in recent days. According to the central bank
(Banxico), long-term bonds owned by foreign investors were worth USD 24.6 billion last August, while they are currently
worth only USD 17.1 billion. Meanwhile, the Finance and Public Credit Ministry (SHCP) said Mexico will continue with
unscheduled interventions in the foreign exchange market to support the peso. Interventions have compelled the
government to employ USD 20.6 billion in reserves since last October.
IMEF Manufacturing Index, Services Index Hit New Lows
February 3, 2009
Mexico's Institute of Finance Executives (IMEF) said that its manufacturing and services indexes both fell to new lows in
January, pointing to a "drastic deterioration" in the economy. IMEF said its manufacturing index, which is similar to that of
the U.S. Institute for Supply Management, fell to 42.9 last month from 43.8 in December, pointing to a "significant and
prolonged" downturn in output. IMEF said its nonmanufacturing index, which measures likely activity in services, also fell to
a new low last month, at 43.7 points.
INEGI: Consumer Confidence Falls In January
February 4, 2009
According to the National Statistics Institute (INEGI), Mexico's consumer confidence index fell to a record low of 81.9 points
in January from 84.1 points in December, as households fretted about a looming recession. The report on consumer
confidence showed that Mexicans were much less able to buy goods like televisions and washing machines in January than
in December. Consumers were more pessimistic about their current economic situation and less confident about their future
economic health.
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Border & Migration
U.S., Mexico Sign Deportation Pacts On Safety Of Women, Children, Disabled
February 7, 2009
Mexico's top diplomats in North Texas and the surrounding region signed accords with the U.S. government, building on
safety measures for the removal of women, children and those with disabilities. The accords establish clear procedures for
notifying families or Mexico's family welfare agency of a minor's return, among other things. Mexican consulates around the
U.S. have signed such accords or plan to in the weeks ahead. The measure comes as deportations and other removals of
illegal immigrants jumped 26% in the last fiscal year, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
State Of Tamaulipas First To Declare Itself Bilingual
February 4, 2009
The state of Tamaulipas, which borders Texas, has declared itself the first bilingual state in Mexico. It has decided that its
320,000 public school students, from elementary to high school, will learn conversational English. State authorities say the
pilot program will break down language barriers and create opportunities. They see Tamaulipas as a giant laboratory. The
Tamaulipas effort is one of several under way in Mexico – from Mexico City to the Texas border states of Chihuahua and
Nuevo Leon – to teach English to students and business leaders.
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Politics
PAN: Mexican Politician The "Tomato King" Dies Of Cancer
February 6, 2009
Sources with the ruling National Action Party (PAN) said that Mexican politician Andres Bermudez Viramontes, popularly
known as the "tomato king," has died of stomach cancer at 58. Bermudez, who was a member of PAN, was taken to a
hospital in Houston where he passed away. Sources close to him said that he had been suffering from stomach cancer for
several months, but that he refused a special insurance policy for lawmakers especially intended to cover big medical
expenses.
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Justice, Safety & Crime
U.S. Lawmakers To Evaluate Merida Initiative's Success
February 8, 2009
U.S. legislators will evaluate the success of the Merida Initiative aid package to help Mexico fight drug cartels. Security
experts have urged U.S. Congress to consider a range of indicators when evaluating the progress of the Merida Initiative.
Legislators are worried that money, materials and services from the Merida Initiative won't make it to their intended
recipients, with corruption getting in the way. Some lawmakers say the aid will not do enough to help reduce the violence in
Mexico. Others say the U.S. has no business spending one dime in Mexico and argue that improving security along the U.
S.-Mexico border should be the priority. As of last month, the U.S. began spending the USD 465 million that Congress
approved last year in the Merida Initiative.
Texas Works On Plan For Mexican Government Collapse
February 8, 2009
Texas officials are working on a plan to respond to a potential collapse of the Mexican government and the specter of
thousands fleeing north in fear for their lives after recent reports indicated the country could be on the verge of chaos. Late
last year the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) issued a report that listed Pakistan and Mexico as countries that could
rapidly collapse. The report came after similar alarms sounded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and
former U.S. drug czar Barry McCaffrey. Officials said Texas should plan to deal with not only security concerns, but also
basic needs refugees would have for housing, health care and food.
Mexico Deploying Guards To Protect Commuter Routes For Americans
February 7, 2009
The City of Ciudad Juarez, in the state of Chihuahua, and an international manufacturing center are deploying security
forces to create safe commuter routes for U.S. executives and others who work in industrial parks. Ciudad Juarez is home
to 380 maquiladoras, factories where Mexican workers assemble products for foreign companies. Most are U.S.-owned or
subsidiaries. The factories employ more than 230,000 people.
Mexican Cartels Move Into U.S. Pot Growing
February 2, 2009
According to U.S. narcotics officials, Mexican drug cartels are increasingly active inside the U.S., producing homegrown
marijuana and gaining new urban footholds. Officials said that the four major cartels are avoiding tougher border
enforcement efforts by growing more pot within the U.S. U.S. press reports said that combined with what they have been
able to smuggle into the country, the gangs have been able to maintain marijuana supply lines that have barely suffered a
dent while flows of other kinds of illegal drugs have been pinched. A U.S. Justice Department report said that the four
largest Mexican cartels – the Federation, the Tijuana Cartel, the Juarez Cartel and the Gulf Cartel – now operate in 195 U.
S. cities, up from about 50 cities in 2006.s
FBI To Aid Mexico In Victim Identification
February 6, 2009
The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said that Mexican authorities will allow it to collect DNA from the remains of
possible kidnapping victims to see if any are missing U.S. citizens. Prosecutors in the state of Tamaulipas said they have
tissue samples from more than 100 bodies buried in unmarked graves. The FBI has 75 open cases involving kidnappings of
Americans in Mexico.
General Found Slain, Authorities Nab Alleged Murder's Mastermind
February 3, 2009
General Mauro Enrique Tello Quiñones and two other soldiers were found tortured and shot inside a car some 100
kilometers (62 miles) from the Caribbean resort city of Cancun. The army swept into Cancun, running high-visibility patrols
in the city after the incident and police chief Francisco Velasco Delgado was detained, apparently in connection with the
murder. Authorities later arrested Octavio Almanza Morales aka "El Gori 4," who is the suspected head of the Zetas hit men
group in Cancun, on suspicion of masterminding Tello's killing. Authorities also arrested six other alleged members of the
Zetas.
PGJD: Mayor Found Strangled In Northern Mexico
February 7, 2009
The mayor of the northern Mexican town of Otaez, in the state of Durango, was found strangled. A spokesman for
Durango's Attorney General's Office (PGJD) said that the body of 52-year-old Claudio Reyes Nuñez, a member of the
opposition Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), was found in the state capital – also called Durango – wrapped in a
blanket and with his face covered with adhesive tape. PGJD added that judging by the state of the body it is presumed the
mayor was murdered by organized crime enforcers.
Army Storms Warehouse In Ciudad Juarez, 207 Dead At Last Count
February 6, 2009
The army and heavily armed federal police with a helicopter flying overhead raided a drug warehouse in Ciudad Juarez, in
the state of Chihuahua, even as killings are surging beyond the extraordinary levels of last year. Authorities said that so far
this year and at last count, 207 people were murdered in the Juarez area. In the first five days of February, 54 people were
slain, surpassing the 37 homicides in all of February last year. Drug gangs are breaking into police radio frequencies to
issue death threats to policemen, which they then carry out, demoralizing security forces in a worsening drug war.
Colombia Seizes Nearly Seven Tons Of Cocaine Bound For Mexico
February 8, 2009
Colombian police seized 6.9 tons of cocaine apparently bound for the Mexican city of Guadalajara and a cartel based there.
The cocaine was hidden in a truck that was also carrying 69 drums of chemicals for producing drugs. The drug bust was
made near El Bordo, a town in Cauca province, during an operation coordinated by the Attorney General's Office and in
which the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) also participated. In a separate law enforcement operation,
Mexican federal agents arrested nine suspected drug traffickers and seized USD 1 million in cash, weapons and drugs.
U.S. Report: Top 10 Foreign Cities With The Most American Arrests In 2008
February 6, 2009
According to data by the U.S. Department of Statistics, six of the world's top 13 cities where U.S. citizens were arrested in
2008 are in Mexico. Arrests in Guadalajara fell from 416 in 2006 to 50 in the latest period. In Nuevo Laredo, they fell from
359 to 69; in Mexico City, from 208 to 142; in Nogales, from 96 to 76. In Ciudad Juarez, where the number was fewer than
90 in 2006, the most recent count was 58. However, the most recent numbers for the city of Tijuana represent an increase
of nearly a third from 2006, when a world-leading 520 Americans were reported arrested in or near the city. Figures for
2008 indicate that 687 Americans were arrested in Tijuana.
Mexico Sends More Police To Airport After Assaults
February 7, 2009
Mexico has assigned 100 more federal police officers to the capital's airport following a series of assaults on travelers who
exchanged money. Five of the victims have been foreigners, including a French scientist who was killed earlier this month.
Federal police said the reinforcement brings to 500 the number of officers patrolling the airport. Prosecutors say at least 18
people who were recently robbed outside the airport were apparently followed after exchanging money inside.
Army Rescues Eight Kidnapping Victims
February 4, 2009
The army said that soldiers rescued eight kidnapping victims who were being held at a ranch near the northern border city
of Tijuana, in the state of Baja California. An army statement indicated that the eight were freed after a shootout that left
one kidnapper dead. The raid on the ranch between Tijuana and the border city of Tecate came after an escaped captive
told authorities that more people were being held on the property.
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Health & Science
Government Gives MXN 2.5 Billion To Support Research And Development
February 4, 2009
The National Council for Science and Technology (Conacyt) and the Economy Ministry (SE) have published specifics on
the new government support programs for companies that generate research, technological development and innovation by
cooperating with the scientific and academic sectors. Funds for supporting the mentioned activities amount to MXN 2.5
billion.
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Arts & Culture
Mexico Opens Exhibit In Linz
February 4, 2009
Mexico has inaugurated the "Citambulos, a travel to the Mexican Megalopolis" exhibit in Linz, Austria. The exhibit, which is
hosted by the Upper Austria Architecture Forum (AFO), started as a publishing project or a guide of "Mexico City's
amazements." It was first displayed at Berlin's German Centre of Architecture.
Researchers: Earliest Chocolate Use Found In What Is Now U.S.
February 2, 2009
U.S. researchers have traced chocolate to what is now the U.S. Evidence of chocolate was found in Pueblo Bonito in
Chaco Canyon, New Mexico, the earliest indication of the substance north of Mexico. Drinking chocolate was associated
with a variety of rituals in ancient Central America, including weddings, but its exact uses in the New Mexico area remain
uncertain. The discovery, dated to between A.D. 1000 and 1125, indicates trade was under way between the Chaco
Canyon residents and cacao growers in Central America. But the nearest cacao plantation would have been more than
1,000 miles away, so importing the material would have been a major undertaking.
Mexican Screenwriter Fernanda Villeli, Pioneer Of TV Soaps, Dies
February 2, 2009
Screenwriter Fernanda Villeli, considered the pioneer of Mexico's television soap operas, died from a heart attack at 87.
The creative force behind "Senda Prohibida," the first telenovela broadcast by the Televisa network 50 years ago, had been
battling a variety of health problems, including emphysema and diabetes. The screenwriter, born in 1921 in Mexico City and
baptized Ofelia Villenave Garza, took the nom de plume Fernanda Villeli.
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Other
Mexico Launches Effort To Teach Its Students English
February 1, 2009
The government has launched an ambitious plan to teach English to every schoolchild, even those in kindergarten.
Currently, educators in 21 states and the Federal District are offering the language in a smattering of elementary schools
and experimenting with teaching methods. Beginning next fall, 5,000 schools will begin a pilot project with federal textbooks
and funds. And within just six years, federal officials hope to have all 12 million public elementary school students learning
English. In addition, the government plans to offer scholarships for Mexicans residing in the U.S.
Legionnaires Of Christ: Father Marcial Maciel Had Lover, Daughter
February 1, 2009
The Legionnaires of Christ, an influential Roman Catholic religious order, said they have been shaken by new revelations
that their founder, Mexican Father Marcial Maciel – who died a year ago – had an affair with a woman and fathered a
daughter just as he and his thriving conservative order were winning the acclaim of Pope John Paul II. Before his death,
Maciel had been forced to leave public ministry by Pope Benedict XVI because of accusations by more than a dozen men
who said he had sexually abused them when they were students.
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