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Energy
Pemex: Oil Output Falls 7.8% Year-On-Year In July
August 21, 2009
Pemex announced that oil output fell 7.8% year-on-year in July compared to the like 2008 period, but noted it raised
production 42,500 barrels per day (b/d) last month to 2.561 million b/d when compared to June this year. Output in
June was affected by planned maintenance at its two largest oil fields, the Cantarell and Ku Maloob Zaap offshore
deposits. Pemex expects to raise oil production to 2.65 million b/d by the end of the year by adding new wells at its
Chicontepec project.
SENER: Mexico To Ramp Up Ethanol Mixing Program
August 21, 2009
The Energy Ministry (SENER) announced it is planning to increase ethanol blending in major cities across Mexico.
Pemex said that starting September it will seek to acquire 176 million liters of ethanol per year to be mixed into
gasoline and sold in the Guadalajara metropolitan area, in the state of Jalisco. SENER made the decision following
the completion of a pilot program, which mixed 151,600 liters of anhidric ethanol into the gasoline supply in
Monterrey, in the state of Nuevo Leon. According to government estimates, once the program in Guadalajara gets
under way, the expansion of ethanol use to Monterrey and Mexico City would represent an additional ethanol demand
of 626 million liters annually.
Pemex Prepares USD 600 Million Natural Gas Pipeline Tender
August 27, 2009
Pemex announced it is preparing to seek bids from private companies on a USD 600 million natural gas pipeline
project in central Mexico. Pemex said that representatives from 18 pipeline, construction, and infrastructure
development firms showed interest in the project. To raise transmission capacity by 400 million cubic feet a day, the
plan calls for the construction of a 230-kilometer pipeline from Tamazunchale to San Luis de la Paz and a 56-
kilometer line from San Luis de la Paz to San Jose Iturbide. Companies that choose to participate in the tender for the
20-year service contract will determine the route the line should take, as well as the technical specifications.
ICASA Proyectos Beats Large Rivals' Bids For Pemex Project
August 25, 2009
Mexican infrastructure company ICASA Proyectos beat bids from larger rivals such as Ingenieros Civiles y Asociados
(ICA) and billionaire Carlos Slim's CICSA, among 23 other competitors, for the construction of a MXN 424 million,
16"-diameter gas duct in the state of Tabasco. Works will begin in September and last 240 days.
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Mining
ArcelorMittal Announces It Will Meet Mexico Contracts Despite Strike
August 24, 2009
Global steelmaker ArcelorMittal announced it is meeting its contracts in Mexico despite a two-week strike that has
halted production at its Lazaro Cardenas steel plant, in the state of Michoacan. ArcelorMittal said that since August 8
the company has stopped producing 9,700 tons per day of flat steel, used to manufacture household appliances and
auto parts, and 4,600 daily tons of long steel, key to the construction industry. ArcelorMittal, which said "negotiations
are ongoing," has offered workers a 7% wage increase plus a 2% hike in benefits.
U.S. Government Supports GMex's Rival Bid For Asarco LLC
August 25, 2009
The U.S. government, which is bankrupt miner Asarco LLC's main creditor, has approved and supports India's
Vedanta Resources bid for Asarco, in a move that deals a severe blow to Mexican mining giant Grupo Mexico
(GMex). According to documents submitted by the U.S. government at the Corpus Christi Federal Bankruptcy Court,
Vedanta's proposal might be the most viable restructuring proposal for Asarco. Meanwhile, JP Morgan rating agency
said it considers GMex's bid superior to Vedanta's in terms of estimated financial responsibilities.
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Trade & Investment
SE: 1H FDI Falls 23% To USD 9.98 Billion
August 24, 2009
According to the Ministry of Economy (SE), foreign direct investment (FDI) in Mexico fell 23% in the first half of the
year to USD 9.98 billion from approximately USD 13 billion in the first half of 2008. SE said that 46% of the
investment in the January-June period was in services, 32% in manufacturing and 16% in commerce. The principal
sources of investment were the U.S., Puerto Rico and the E.U. Foreign direct investment has slowed this year amid
the recession in which Mexico's gross domestic product fell 9.2% year-on-year in the first six months.
INEGI: Trade Deficit Widens To USD 1.28 Billion In July
August 24, 2009
According to the National Statistics Institute (INEGI), Mexico ran up a wider-than-expected trade deficit last month, as
exports of oil and manufactured goods slumped from a year ago. INEGI said that Mexico had a trade deficit of USD
1.28 billion in July, wider than June's USD 209 million gap and the shortfall of USD 1.22 billion in July 2008. Exports
fell 35% year-on-year to USD 17.98 billion, led by a 51% drop in oil exports to USD 2.89 billion and a 31% drop in
manufacturing exports to USD 14.51 billion. Imports of goods used in production processes fell 34% to USD 13.83
billion, while imports of equipment and machinery fell 31% to USD 2.55 billion, and consumer goods imports were
down 31% to USD 2.88 billion.
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Banking, Insurance & Finance
IMF Awards Banxico USD 4 Billion To Increase Liquidity, Reserves
August 24, 2009
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said it will award USD 4 billion to Mexico's central bank (Banxico) to increase
its liquidity and boost its foreign reserves. The funds are denominated in Special Drawing Rights, an international
currency established by the IMF in 1969, and constitutes a portion of the USD 283 billion that G-20 countries agreed
to disburse in an effort to shore up the global economy.
CONSAR Loosens Pension Fund Equity Investment Rules
August 24, 2009
Mexico's pension fund regulator (CONSAR) awarded compulsory pension savings industry greater flexibility to invest
in equities under a change to their investment regime by financial system regulators. Pension funds, locally known as
Afores, can only invest in equities through authorized stock indexes and exchange traded funds, or by replicating the
asset allocation of those indexes and ETFs. CONSAR specified that the country's Risk Analysis Committee raised the
level of deviation to 4% points from 1% for the asset weighting of individual stocks in the indexes and ETFs imitated
by Afores. The Committee is comprised of representatives from the Finance and Public Credit Ministry (SHCP), the
Bank of Mexico (Banxico), CONSAR, the National Banking and Securities Commission (CNBV), and insurance
regulator CNSF.
BBVA Bancomer Lists ETF On BMV
August 27, 2009
Mexican-Spanish bank BBVA Bancomer launched an exchange-traded fund on the Mexican Stock Exchange (BMV)
that mimics the Dow Jones Mexico Titans 20 Index. The ETF, called Mextrac, invests in 20 publicly traded Mexican
firms in the Dow Jones Mexico Titans 20 Index, which are selected based on their float-adjusted market capitalization
and 12-month average trading volume. BBVA Bancomer's asset management arm said the bank expects pension
fund regulator CONSAR to allow pension funds administrators (Afores) to invest in the ETF sometime in September.
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Business & Industry
Whirlpool To Move Part Of Production To Mexico
August 28, 2009
U.S. appliance manufacturer Whirlpool announced plans to shut a manufacturing facility in Evansville, Indiana, and
move some production to Mexico next year, a change that will eliminate approximately 1.6% of its workforce.
Whirlpool, which has beaten expectations in the last two quarters due to aggressive cost-cutting, said the move to
eliminate some 1,100 full-time positions in the U.S. would not affect its 2009 forecast. Whirlpool specified it plans to
transfer production of top-freezer refrigerators made at the Indiana facility to a unit in Mexico, but noted it has not yet
determined where to relocate its icemakers.
Televisa Teams Up With Pharmaceuticals Maker Genomma Lab
August 30, 2009
Mexican media conglomerate Grupo Televisa and Mexican pharmaceuticals company Genomma Lab Internacional
unveiled plans to form a strategic alliance to sell personal care and over-the-counter medicines in the U.S. and Puerto
Rico. Televisa said in a press release that the alliance will work through the joint venture Televisa Consumer Products
USA, which will be 51% owned by Televisa and 49% by Genomma Lab. The joint venture will distribute and sell
Genomma Lab products. Televisa will contribute its different media platforms in the U.S. and Puerto Rico to provide
publicity for Genomma Lab brands. The deal is expected to be completed in the coming months, and the alliance is to
begin operating at the end of the year.
Vitro Ceases Listing On The NYSE
August 25, 2009
Mexican glassmaker Vitro announced it has terminated its contract with the Bank of New York Mellon (BNY Mellon) to
be listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) due mostly to the low amount of American Depositary Receipts
(ADRs) it traded there. Vitro also said it made the decision to focus on the securitization of its shares in Mexico and to
reduce the high costs of being listed on the NYSE.
Mabe Increases Production By 40% On Appliances Replacement Program
August 28, 2009
Mexican home appliances maker Mabe announced it increased production by 40% at its plant in the state of
Queretaro, due to the federal government's Para Vivir Mejor home appliances replacement program. It added it
recently awarded the 100,000th refrigerator since the program was put in place during the current administration and
noted it is expected that energy consumption with the new appliances will be reduced to 923 GW per hour, or
equivalent to 21 months of electricity consumption by the whole state of Queretaro.
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Automotive
Nissan Invests USD 5 Million In Aguascalientes, Cuernavaca Plants
August 26, 2009
Japanese automaker Nissan announced it has invested USD 5 million in the implementation of environmental
programs at its plants in Aguascalientes, in the state of the same name, and Cuernavaca, in the state of Morelos, in
order to recycle as many remaining parts as possible from its regular production process and reduce the amount of
polluting particles that are released in the environment. Nissan said it recycles 99% of the waste it creates.
Housing & Mortgaging
Infonavit To Diversify Mortgage Bond Offerings
August 26, 2009
Federal government-run housing fund Infonavit announced it is considering broadening its range of mortgage-backed
bonds as it looks to diversify sources of financing. Infonavit said that it is studying costs, benefits, and the market's
receptiveness to a possible issuance through Hipotecaria Total (HiTo). HiTo issues standardized AAA-rated mortgage
bonds known as Bonhitos over its securitization platform. Under HiTo's platform, loans can be securitized just days
after closing, making the process less capital-intensive and less subject to interest-rate fluctuations than other types
of securitization. Meanwhile, Infonavit said it has completed nearly 54% of its annual goal of a half-million mortgages
and specified that it made 267,462 mortgages between January 1 and August 23 for MXN 83 billion, of which 69,269
were through co-financing arrangements with banks and home finance companies.
ICA Negotiates Investment With Macquarie Bank
August 26, 2009
Mexican construction firm Ingenieros Civiles y Asociados (ICA) announced that it is in a negotiation process with
Australia's Macquarie bank to secure MXN 11.2 billion investment in infrastructure in Mexico. Mexico's Banking and
Securities Commission (CNBV) said that Macquarie plans to place the MXN 11.2 billion in Mexico in titles maturing in
2036.
Acciona Obtains Contracts Worth EUR 30 Million To Build Hospitals In Mexico
August 24, 2009
Spanish services and construction company Acciona announced that it secured a EUR 30 million contract to build
hospitals in large and rural cities in the states of Jalisco, Veracruz, Campeche and Baja California.
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Retail
Comerci Launches New Fresco Store
August 24, 2009
Mexican retailer Comercial Mexicana (Comerci) announced it will launch a new retail chain called "Fresco" to supply
more expensive products for the upper-income segments of the population. Comerci noted that the new stores will
sell products below the gourmet category goods it distributes in its City Market stores but more expensive than the
items it provides at the Sumesa, Mega, and Comercial Mexicana stores. Comerci will launch Fresco in a bid to
compete with Wal-Mart de Mexico's Superama stores.
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Telecommunications & Technology
SCT To Auction Wireless Spectrum For Mobile Services In Mid-Late September
August 24, 2009
The Communications and Transport Ministry (SCT) announced that it expects to begin accepting bids by mid-late
September for the sale of wireless spectrum for mobile telephony services. SCT said that the government has
planned to open the bidding process at the end of August or in the first half of September. The Federal
Telecommunications Commission (Cofetel) has said spectrum in the 1.7 GHz and 1.9 GHz bands will be auctioned
simultaneously. The government hopes the long-delayed auction of new spectrum will increase competition in
Mexico's mobile phone industry, where two companies control more than 90% of the market.
SCT To Receive MXN 905 Million From Time Extensions For Mobile Operators
August 24, 2009
The Communications and Transport Ministry (SCT) announced that it will receive as much as MXN 905 million from
mobile telephony operators, as it awarded them seven time extensions for 53.3 MHz frequencies for radio
communications, along with additional mobile telephony services. In addition, SCT authorized two modifications to
mobile operators' concessions for mobile radio communication services for closed groups (specialized fleets) and
nine permits to commercialize telecommunications services. SCT also awarded 22 frequencies for official use to
coordinate public security and civil protection tasks.
CNBV Eyes Mobile Phones To Boost Financial Service Use
August 27, 2009
The National Banking and Securities Commission (CNBV) said it is creating a regulatory framework to allow mobile
phones to be used like a debit card. CNBV said policymakers are now seeking to take advantage of the widespread
use of mobile telephony to bring financial services to consumers who are underserved or do not use banking
services, especially the urban and rural poor whose contact with a bank might be limited to paying bills or collecting
remittances. Mexico's four mobile operators reported 80.4 million subscribers at the end of June.
SCT Modifies Nextel's Concession, Allows It To Provide Mobile Telephony
August 25, 2009
Mobile telephony provider Nextel announced that the Communications and Transport Ministry (SCT) modified its
concession title and allowed it to provide mobile telephony services in Mexico, bringing more competition to a market
dominated by America Movil's Telcel and Spain's Movistar. Before the changes were made to the concession, Nextel
was allowed to provide only radio communication services.
Telcel To Provide 3G Network For Video Game Platform Zeebo
August 26, 2009
Mexican mobile telephony provider Telcel announced that it will provide its 3G network to U.S. video game platform
Zeebo, which does not use CD-ROM or DVD-ROM formats used by competitors Nintendo's Wii, Sony's PlayStation,
and Microsoft's Xbox. Zeebo is a platform in which video games are downloaded from the Internet to avoid risks of
piracy or illegal sales. The video game platform is expected to be launched by the end of the year.
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Economy
SHCP: Mexico's Economic Slump Has Hit Bottom
August 23, 2009
According to the Finance and Public Credit Ministry (SHCP), Mexico's economy, slammed by a drop in U.S. demand,
has sunk to its lowest point, and recent data shows signs of growth. SHCP said, "The crisis has touched bottom in
Mexico. The recovery has begun," as the country's economic output was down 1.1% in 2Q compared to 1Q, a much
smaller decline than in the January-March period. Mexico's economy is expected to shrink about 7% overall in 2009
after slumping in the first half and then recovering slightly. In addition, Merrill Lynch readjusted its forecasts for Mexico
and noted it expects the country will recover its annual 3% growth rate next year, supporting SHCP's announcement
and adding that the economic recovery will start in 2H 2009.
SHCP: January-July Fiscal Deficit MXN 143.9 Billion
August 28, 2009
According to the Finance and Public Credit Ministry (SHCP), the government ran up a fiscal deficit of MXN 49.255
billion in July and a total fiscal deficit of MXN 143.9 billion in the first seven months of the year as lower oil and tax
revenue combined with increased spending designed to counter the economic slump. SHCP said that revenue in the
first seven months of the year fell 8% from the like 2008 period, as an increase in non tax income offset a 19% drop in
oil revenue and a 14% drop in tax collections. Programmable spending, which excludes debt-financing costs and
transfers to state governments, rose 15% from the first seven months of 2008 as the government maintains a counter
cyclical policy to cushion the recession. Mexico expects to end the year with a fiscal deficit of between 1.8% and 2%
of GDP.
Banxico: Mexico Posts USD 454 Million Current Account Surplus In 2Q
August 25, 2009
According to the central bank (Banxico), Mexico ran up a current account surplus of USD 454 million in 2Q despite
lower remittances and a drop in tourism revenue as a result of the A/H1N1 influenza virus outbreak. Banxico said
surpluses in trade and transfers compensated deficits in other services during the quarter, which was the first in four
years to see a current account surplus. The trade balance was a positive USD 680 million, while transfers amounted
to net inflows of USD 5.71 billion, including USD 5.6 billion in family remittances.
Banxico: Cash Remittances To Mexico Fall 17.9% In 2Q Year-On-Year
August 26, 2009
The central bank (Banxico) said that cash remittances from Mexicans living abroad keep tumbling, with a 17.9% drop
when compared to the like 2008 period. Banxico said remittances for April through June fell to USD 5.6 billion,
continuing a downward trend that has lasted more than a year. The money transfers are off 12% during the first six
months of 2009, compared with the first half of 2008. Remittances are one of Mexico's top three sources of foreign
income, along with oil and tourism, and help sustain millions of Mexican families.
Banxico: August Inflation Is Lowest In More Than A Year
August 24, 2009
According to the central bank (Banxico), Mexican inflation slowed to 5.12% in early August, the lowest annual reading
in more than a year, as the worst recession in decades kept prices down. Although the inflation reading was much
lower than expected, it remains above Banxico's long-term target, and the bank is seen keeping borrowing costs
steady next month. The 5.12% annual inflation level for the 12 months through mid-August was the lowest level since
May 2008, and inflation was down from 5.54% a month earlier. Banxico put an end to seven months of consecutive
cuts in borrowing costs earlier this month when it held interest rates steady, saying it was extending a pause in
monetary policy changes that it announced in July.
INEGI: July Unemployment Rises To 6.1% From 5.2% In June
August 26, 2009
According to the National Statistics Institute (INEGI), Mexico's unemployment rate rose in July to its highest level in
years as students sought summer work, putting further pressure on a labor market hit by the recession. INEGI said
that 6.1% of the workforce was unemployed last month, up from 5.2% in June and 4.2% in July 2008. The jobless rate
was the highest on record back to 2000. Urban unemployment, which considers the country's 32 largest cities, rose to
7.7% from 6.4% in June and 5.2% in July 2008. It was the highest level on record back to late 1996. Meanwhile, the
Labor and Social Welfare Ministry (STPS) said the Organization For Economic Cooperation and Development
(OECD) noted Mexico has one of the lowest unemployment rates in Latin America.
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Border & Migration
Mexico: Anti-Mexican Discrimination In The U.S. Is Growing
August 28, 2009
According to Daniel Hernandez, Mexico's Director of Consular Affairs and Protection, discrimination against Mexicans
in the U.S. is growing and is most pronounced in areas where immigration is relatively new. Hernandez said they are
seeing the most complex, hard and deep-seated discrimination in areas where immigration is new, where there may
be fewer Mexicans, a variable that toughens the phenomenon, although he did not cite specific examples or causes
for the trend. Hernandez said there appears to be less discrimination in areas like Texas and California, with longstanding
Mexican immigrant communities. Almost 12 million Mexicans live in the U.S.
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Politics
PRI Legislators Postponed Presidential Report On State Of The Nation
August 28, 2009
Legislators from the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), who won the most recent midterm congressional
elections, ruled that the President's annual report on the nation should be pushed back and delivered at a date later
than September 1, when the Legislature would receive the written version of the report. Lawmakers indicated that the
reason for taking such a measure was that the new LXI Legislature would begin its September 1 session at a time
later than President Calderon's originally planned oral presentation of the said report that same day, a move that
would have violated Article 6 of the General Congress's Organic Law.
PRI Elects Party Coordinator At The Lower Chamber Of Congress
August 26, 2009
Legislators from the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) elected Francisco Rojas as the new coordinator for the
party at the Lower House of Congress. Rojas was the sole candidate for the post. Coordinators for other parties at the
Lower House have also been confirmed and are Josefina Vazquez Mota for the PAN, Alejandro Encinas, for the PRD,
Pedro Vazquez Gonzalez for the (PT), Alejandro Gertz Manero for Convergencia, Reyes Tamez Guerra for Nueva
Alianza, and Juan Jose Guerrero Abud for the PVEM.
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Justice, Safety & Crime
U.S. Warns About Possible Terrorist Attacks By The Sinaloa Cartel
August 24, 2009
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has warned against possible terrorist threats that might be
undertaken by the Sinaloa drug cartel and would target Mexico's governmental structures and border security
agencies as a retaliatory measure against the government's actions affecting the cartel's narcotics distribution. The
report by the DEA said Sinaloa cartel leaders Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman Loera and Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada
ordered the purchase of high-power weapons to lead the attack.
U.S.-Mexico Draft Strategy Against Arms Smuggling
August 25, 2009
U.S. and Mexican security authorities met in Mexico to coordinate new actions against weapons smuggling and
discuss ways to increase Mexico's capacity to trace arms that have been seized from criminals. A press report by the
U.S. Embassy in Mexico said that such cooperation efforts have led to an increased amount of seizures and
prosecution against traffickers.
Minister Of Interior Explains New Drug Law
August 28, 2009
Minister of Interior Fernando Gomez-Mont said that the new drug-use law in Mexico that promotes treatment rather
than prison for those caught with small amounts of marijuana, cocaine and other drugs will also give state authorities
a greater role in prosecuting drug crimes. Gomez-Mont noted that the law allows for prosecution of those caught near
school zones and added that offenders caught a third time with a small amount of drugs face prosecution. Gomez-
Mont stressed the fact that the measure is not a synonym for decriminalization.
SEDENA: Authorities Arrest Leading Member Of La Familia Cartel
August 28, 2009
The National Defense Ministry (SEDENA) announced that soldiers captured Luis Ricardo Magaña, a.k.a. "19 1/2,"
whom prosecutors describe as a leading member of the violent La Familia drug cartel. Magaña is allegedly on the
level of cartel leader Servando "La Tuta" Gomez and purportedly controlled methamphetamine shipments to the U.S.
for the gang. Gomez is one of Mexico's most wanted fugitives and is blamed for retaliation attacks on federal police in
the cartel's home state of Michoacan in western Mexico. Magaña was captured in the Pacific Coast port of Manzanillo
along with five men believed to be his bodyguards.
ICESI: Chihuahua, Sinaloa, BC And DF Are Country's Most Insecure States
August 26, 2009
According to the Citizens' Institute for Studies on Insecurity (ICESI), the northern states of Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Baja
California and the Federal District are the most insecure entities in Mexico, featuring the highest crime and insecurity
rates. ICESI said results on some states and cities were not published, as people surveyed were often observed by
unknown individuals, which reduced the levels of freedom of expression and thereby the accuracy of the indicators.
U.S. To Extradite Chinese Businessman Wanted In Mexico
August 30, 2009
The U.S. and Mexico negotiated and agreed on the extradition of Chinese-Mexican businessman Zhenli Ye Gon to
Mexico to be tried on several charges after a U.S. court exonerated him from charges on drug trafficking and
conspiracy for money laundering. Mexico's Federal Attorney General (PGR) said that the ruling by the U.S. court was
part of the strategy to bring Ye Gon to Mexico and prosecute him on more severe charges and more solid
accusations against him. U.S. Judge Emmet Sullivan exonerated Ye Gon, saying evidence against him on conspiracy
for drug trafficking and money laundering was insufficient to convict him.
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Health & Science
SSA: Mexico Could See One Million A/H1N1 Cases In Winter
August 28, 2009
The Health Ministry (SSA) said that there could be as many as 1 million A/H1N1 influenza cases nationwide during
the winter, a steep rise from the current number of 21,264. SSA said the situation at present is in "a very stable
phase," with between 80 and 100 cases reported daily across Mexico. SSA added that 184 deaths have been
reported since the A/H1N1 strain was identified in Mexico in April. SSA noted authorities have drawn up plans to
confront the possible upsurge in cases, possibly including more selective school closures in areas particularly
affected.
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Arts & Culture
Mexico's Controversial Public Education Textbook Omits Conquest Period
August 25, 2009
A new sixth-grade history textbook published by the Public Education Ministry (SEP) is causing a stir in Mexico
because it leaves out any mention of the Spanish Conquest. Few events have shaped Mexico's culture, ethnicity, and
history more than the 1521 conquest. However, SEP's world history book ends in the age of exploration with a
reference to the rising world powers of Spain and Portugal. Assistant Public Education Minister Fernando Gonzalez
said that there was no intention of covering up Spain's conquest of indigenous societies in America and added that
the period will be covered by middle-school history texts. Nevertheless, some academics insist on the fact that a
mention of the period should be included.
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Other
Hurricane Jimena Strengthens In Mexican Pacific
August 30, 2009
The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Hurricane Jimena strengthened to a major Category 3 storm off Mexico's
Pacific Coast and was headed close to the Baja California peninsula. Hurricanes of Category 3 or higher on the fivestep
Saffir-Simpson intensity scale are considered "major" and are the most destructive type.
Mexico's Michael Jackson Fans Beat Simultaneous "Thriller" Dance Record
August 30, 2009
According to preliminary results, thousands of Mexicans broke the record for most people dancing to Michael
Jackson's "Thriller" simultaneously in one place on the day of the deceased artist's 51st birthday. The Guinness Book
of World Records will decide shortly and provide definitive results. The current record was set in May by a group of
242 College of William & Mary students who performed the routine in Williamsburg, Virginia, according to Guinness.
Mariachis Set World Record In Guadalajara
August 30, 2009
A total of 549 musicians got together in the city of Guadalajara, in the state of Jalisco, to win the record for the
birthplace of Mariachi music, playing several songs in just over 10 minutes, closing with favorites "Cielito Lindo" and
"Guadalajara." Stuart Claxton, a representative of the Guinness Book of World Records, made the record official at
the International Mariachi Festival. The old record belonged to 520 mariachis who performed in San Antonio, Texas,
in 2007.
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