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Energy
Pemex Announces It Has Spent 38% Of 2009 Upstream Budget In 1H
July 15, 2009
Pemex announced that it has spent USD 6.4 billion—or 38% of its 2009 exploration and production budget—during
1H. Pemex specified it destined the funds for oil and natural gas exploration, field development, infrastructure and
maintenance throughout the country's oil and natural gas areas. In January Pemex announced a USD 16.9 billion
2009 exploration and production budget. Mexico's average oil output fell 7.9% during the first five months of this year
to 2.65 million barrels a day (b/d), below Pemex's target of 2.7 million b/d for 2009.
OGJ: Mexico Among Top Three Oil Providers To The U.S.
July 16, 2009
According to the Oil and Gas Journal (OGJ), Mexico had 10.5 billion barrels of proven oil reserves as of January 1,
2009. OGJ noted that in 2008 Mexico exported 1.4 million barrels per day (b/d) of crude oil. In addition, the OGJ said
that the U.S. receives the vast majority of Mexico's crude oil exports, which mostly arrive via tanker at the Gulf Coast.
In 2008 the U.S. imported 1.2 million b/d of crude oil from Mexico, of which 97% went to the Gulf Coast. The U.S. also
imported about 100,000 b/d of refined products from Mexico in 2008, mostly residual fuel oil, naphtha and gasoline
blending components. Mexico is consistently one of the top three exporters of oil to the U.S., along with Canada and
Saudi Arabia. Other sources say that Mexico is the fourth oil provider to the U.S., also below Venezuela.
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Mining
SE: Canadian Mining Firms Own 70% Of Gold And Silver Mines In Mexico
July 15, 2009
According to the Ministry of Economy (SE), Canadian mining companies own over 70% of gold and silver—amongst
other metals—exploration, development and production projects in Mexico. SE said that it expects annual global gold
output to reach 70 tons by the end of the year, mostly due to production from large Canadian mining firms'
Peñasquito, Dolores, Pinos Altos and Palmarejo projects.
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Trade & Investment
INEGI: April Fixed Investment Down 17.8% On Year
July 13, 2009
According to the National Statistics Institute (INEGI), fixed investment in Mexico declined in April at its fastest pace
since 1995, plummeting 17.8% from the like 2008 month. Investment in equipment and machinery slumped 30.2%
from April 2008, while investment in construction fell 8.5%. In seasonally adjusted terms, INEGI noted that fixed
investment fell 1.99% in April from March. Fixed investment slumped 10.1% in the first four months of 2009.
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Banking, Insurance & Finance
CONSAR: Pension Savings Reach MXN 1 Trillion At End June
July 15, 2009
According to pension fund regulator CONSAR, Mexico's compulsory retirement savings managed by pension fund companies (Afores) hit MXN 1 trillion at the end of June, up from MXN 818.18 billion a year earlier. Total assets under
management, including voluntary and other types of savings, as well as Afores' regulatory capital, grew 22.3% yearon-
year to MXN 1.02 trillion. CONSAR said the average net yield on pension savings, excluding commissions, rose to
5.29% for the three-year period ending June 30, compared to a low of 2.53% in the three-year period ending
February.
Banxico Issues Rules For Mobile Payment Services
July 13, 2009
The central bank (Banxico) announced that it has issued rules for mobile payment services as part of a broader
initiative by the bank and the government to make financial services available to more people. Banxico specified that
banks can use third parties, including wireless phone companies, to open mobile banking accounts for their clients.
Consumers can deposit the equivalent of up to 2,000 inflation-indexed UDIs—about MXN 8,500—a month in their
mobile accounts, and use a mobile phone to make financial transactions.
ABM: Credit Outlook Fuzzy On Consumer Lending
July 17, 2009
The Mexican Banking Association (ABM) said that it is still too early to forecast credit growth this year due to
continuing weakness in consumer lending. ABM said bank lending to the private sector expanded 3% year-on-year to
MXN 1.592 trillion at the end of May; commercial lending to businesses and corporations grew 14% to MXN 843
billion; mortgage lending expanded 11%, but consumer lending shrank 15%. ABM noted that the tendency in the
growth in the nonperforming loan portfolio is slowing, giving banks the confidence to keep lending.
BMV Launches IShares ETFs Tracking Mexican Debt
July 16, 2009
Officials at Mexico's stock exchange (BMV) announced that iShares, the first exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that track
Mexico's government bonds and T-bills, have begun trading in a bid to capture investor demand for Mexico's highyield
debt. iShares began selling the five bond and T-bill ETFs on BMV in a listing worth MXN 911 million. Executives
for Latin America and the Caribbean at Barclays Global Investors said the instruments were aimed mostly at retail
and global investors and were the first ETFs based on an emerging market's sovereign debt.
Bancofacil, Consupago Seek To Merge
July 14, 2009
Mexican finance institutions Bancofacil and Consupago announced they have requested the National Banking and
Securities Commission's (CNBV) authorization to merge. Both companies said that U.S. peer Sherman Financial
Group would hold a 50.1% stake in the new company and that Mexican retailer Chedraui would hold the remaining
49.9%. The firms added that Bancofacil would separate its credit card portfolio from the rest of its operations, and that
it will continue providing such services to over 175,000 clients.
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Business & Industry
Mexico's Industrial Production Falls 11.6%
July 17, 2009
According to official data, Mexico's industrial production fell 11.6% in May, in what would be the 10th consecutive
month of contraction. Nonseasonally adjusted figures also indicated a monthly reduction in May's industrial
production, 2.2% less than in April. Data from the government showed that the manufacturing sector experienced a
16.3% reduction in May, making it the most affected industry in the country amid the current global economic
downturn.
Home Depot Mexico To Invest As Much As MXN 3 Billion Between 2009 And 2010
July 16, 2009
U.S. home products manufacturer the Home Depot Mexico's unit announced that it will invest as much as MXN 3
billion between 2009 and 2010 to broaden its presence in the country by opening new stores. The Home Depot said it
will spend about MXN 1 billion to build new distribution points and MXN 500 million in new corporate infrastructure
during 2009. A MXN 1.5 billion investment package has also been entailed for 2010. The Home Depot added it will
open three new stores this year in the Federal District, the states of Nuevo Leon and Baja California.
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Automotive
Mexico To Adopt MXN 500 Million Program To Support Cars Demand
July 16, 2009
President Calderon announced that Mexico will soon join a growing number of car-producing countries whose
governments have taken measures to stimulate domestic vehicle sales amid weak global demand. Calderon said
Mexico will shortly launch a MXN 500 million program to encourage vehicle owners to dismiss older cars and purchase new ones. Under the program, the federal government will offer a MXN 15,000 credit to owners of cars that
are at least 10 years old. The credit must then be used toward the purchase of a new car that costs no more than
MXN 160,000 and was produced either in Mexico or in a country with which Mexico has a free trade agreement.
Calderon said the program could be expanded to MXN 1 billion, depending on its success.
AMIA: Mexican Auto Production Falls 48% In June
July 13, 2009
According to the Mexican Auto Industry Association (AMIA), production in Mexico fell 48% in June due to lower
foreign and domestic demand. AMIA said the country manufactured 101,991 vehicles last month, down from 196,398
in June 2008, while exports to the U.S., the biggest market for Mexican-made cars, fell 45%. In addition, AMIA said
that domestic car sales were down 31%. AMIA said some of its members, which include General Motors, Ford Motor,
Chrysler, Nissan Motor and Volkswagen, have been idling plants, reducing shifts and laying off staff because of the
decline.
Volkswagen To Invest USD 1 Billion In Mexico Plant
July 14, 2009
German automaker Volkswagen announced that it plans to invest USD 1 billion to expand its plant in the state of
Puebla to produce a new model in early 2010. The investment at its key Mexico plant, which produces Jettas, Boras
and New Beetles, comes as carmakers around the world face slumping demand due to the economic downturn.
Volkswagen did not specify how it would spend the funds. Volkswagen's investment is seen as a vote of confidence
about the future of Mexico's auto industry, which accounts for a fifth of the country's total manufactured exports.
ANPACT: Auto-Transports Industry Reports Negative Results In 1H
July 13, 2009
According to the National Association of Buses and Trucks Manufacturers (ANPACT), the country's auto-transports
industry performance during 1H was deficient and reported negative production, sales and exports results. ANPACT
specified that vehicles production fell 51.5% in June to 3,637 units when compared to the like 2008 month.
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Housing & Mortgaging
CFC Finds U.S. Housing Firms Responsible For Monopolist Practices In Mexico
July 17, 2009
The Federal Competition Commission (CFC) announced it has found that a group of U.S. housing companies were
responsible for monopolist practices at the Lago de Chapala area, between the states of Jalisco and Michoacan. CFC
said the firms are those forming the housing consortium Grupo Inmobiliario del Lago, which comprises Century 21,
Coldwell Banker Chapala Realty, Lloyd Real Estate Ajijic, Collins Real Estate, Absolut Fenix, Ajijic Real Estate and
International Realty. The CFC said the practices must stop and sanctioned some of the companies forming the group.
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Construction & Infrastructure
Panama Immobilizes Cemex's Ships On Chavez's Request
July 13, 2009
A Panamanian court allowed the detention of three of Mexican cement maker Cemex's ships by Venezuelan
President Hugo Chavez's administration as the latter said his government could take control of the vessels following
the recent expropriation of the company's Venezuelan assets. Chavez obtained a favorable ruling by Panamanian
authorities regarding the "preemptive kidnapping" of Cemex's Edalan, Marianela and Corregidora ships, bearing a
Panama flag, which allows the South American leader to take control of the vessels.
Cemex Plans To Sell MXN 2.3 Billion In 2.5-Year Debt Wed
July 14, 2009
Mexican cement maker Cemex announced plans to raise as much as MXN 2.3 billion through the securitization of
accounts receivables. The two-and-a-half-year bonds are expected to place at a spread of two percentage points over
the 28-day TIIE interbank rate, currently at 4.835. Nevertheless, Cemex spokespeople declined to confirm the amount
or timing of the deal. Local brokerage Ixe Casa de Bolsa is the underwriter and the Mexican arm of HSBC Holdings
PLC is the trustee.
ICA Secures MXN 538 Million Project In Campeche
July 14, 2009
Mexican construction and engineering firm Empresas ICA announced the state of Campeche awarded it a contract to
build the second part of the Chicbul-Ciudad del Carmen aqueduct. ICA said the contract for the 80km-long duct is
worth approximately MXN 538.3 million. In a separate matter, ICA announced it has sold an additional USD 29 million
in new shares through an overallotment option as part of a capital increase. ICA said it had recently sold 19.6 million
shares, bringing the total number of new shares issued since the first offering earlier this month to 150 million for USD
221 million.
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Retail
ANTAD: June Same-Store Sales Down 3.5%
July 14, 2009
Mexican retailer association ANTAD said its members' same-store sales fell 3.5% in June when compared to the like
2008 period. ANTAD, which represents around 17,000 stores, including the country's main supermarket chains, said
the steepest drop in same-store sales was at department stores, which posted an 8.3% decline. For the first six
months of 2009, same-store sales, which measure sales at stores open for at least one year, were down 0.2% on
year. ANTAD noted, however, that total sales were up 3.1% in June and were up 6.7% during 1H at MXN 390.2
billion.
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Transportation
Airlines Reduce Flights By 20%; Passenger Traffic Worst In May On A/H1N1
July 14, 2009
According to figures provided by the Communications and Transport Ministry (SCT), airlines reduced their flights by
20%, equivalent to a cut of approximately 70,000 flights operated by both local and international firms in Mexico. In
addition, SCT said passenger traffic in May was the worst registered in the year, as the A/H1N1 influenza virus
outbreak forced residents to stay home in fear of contagion, leading the figure to 19.9 million from 23.5 million in May
2008.
SCT To Act On KCSM, Ferromex's Mutual Debt On Passage Rights
July 14, 2009
According to officials from the Communications and Transport Ministry (SCT), the latter will have to intervene in the
railroad firms Kansas City Southern Mexico (KCSM) and Ferromex's conflict on a mutual debt regarding passage
rights. SCT said it has been trying to resolve the conflict during the past seven years but that both companies have
appealed its decisions repeatedly. SCT announced a new intervention as the companies were unable to reach an
agreement.
Aviacsa Could Free 480 Slots At Mexico's International Airport
July 15, 2009
According to officials at Mexico City's International Airport (AICM), Mexican low-cost airline Aviacsa could free 480
take off and landing time spots should it be definitively suspended by authorities, as it failed to pay taxes for the use
of Mexican airspace. In June Aviacsa was suspended temporarily on safety issues, but a judge allowed it to resume
operations until it was grounded again due to the taxes matter.
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Telecommunications & Technology
SCT, CFE Enter Agreement To Tender Dark Fiber
July 15, 2009
The Communications and Transport Ministry (SCT) and the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) announced they
have signed an agreement to tender two dark fiber packages from CFE's network. Under the agreement, SCT will be
in charge of drafting the bidding rules, evaluating the proposals and electing the winner. The tender will be ready
shortly, according to SCT's announcement.
Telcel To Launch IPhone 3GS In Mexico Starting July 31
July 13, 2009
Mexican mobile operator Telcel announced it will import and launch Apple's new iPhone 3GS in Mexico starting July
31. iPhone 3GS is an enhanced and more powerful version of the original iPhone 3G. America Movil, Telcel's parent
company, said it will also launch the telephone in Colombia, Guatemala, El Salvador, Uruguay and the Dominican
Republic through its local units in those countries. America Movil added it will launch the iPhone 3GS in the rest of
Latin America later this year.
GSM Association: Mexico Is 4th Latin American Provider Of 3G Services
July 18, 2009
According to the GSM Association, Mexico is Latin America's 4th third-generation mobile (3G) services provider, with
250,000 clients, equivalent to 8.4% of the region's 3G clients. GSM Association said Latin America's first three 3G
services providers are Brazil, Argentina and Chile.
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Media & Entertainment
U.S. Judge Rules Against Televisa In Univision Dispute
July 20, 2009
A federal judge in Los Angeles ruled against Mexican broadcaster Televisa and handed Univision Communications a
major victory in its fight for rights in the U.S. to transmit the telenovelas Spanish-language soap operas. Televisa had
sought the judge's permission to transmit soap-operas episodes it produces in Mexico City to U.S. audiences over the
Internet, but in a 21-page ruling, U.S. District Judge Philip S. Gutierrez concluded that a long-term programming
agreement that Univision and Televisa struck in 1992 "bars Televisa from sending programs to the United States by
any means, including the Internet." Televisa said it would appeal.
Dish Reaches 500,000 Clients In Six Months
July 14, 2009
According to analysts and official figures, Mexican pay-TV provider Dish, a joint project involving the MVS-Echostar
and Telmex strategic alliance, has reached 500,000 subscribers in only six months, while rival Sky secured the same
amount of clients in four years. Experts say the figure is a result of a price war between the firms and attractive
packages Dish offers its clients as part of a strategy it implemented to draw its competitors' subscribers.
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Farming & Agriculture
President Calderon: Mexico Has Invested MXN 30 Billion In Countryside Since 2006
July 13, 2009
President Calderon said his administration has invested MXN 30 billion in the countryside since he took office at the
end of 2006. Calderon said that since December 2006, the government spent MXN 12 billion only on the livestock
industry, which benefited 650,000 farmers. Calderon added the government provided guarantees for 70,000
infrastructure projects in the countryside and spent nearly MXN 3 billion in building high-tech slaughterhouses. As a
result, the country's livestock production grew to 18.4 million tons in 2008, up 5% from two years ago.
Officials: Mexican Sugar Exports Nearly Triple After U.S. Tariff Cuts
July 15, 2009
According to officials, Mexico has exported 1 million tons of sugar to the U.S. since last October, a figure 285% higher
than what was exported from October 2007 to July 2008. Mexico's Sugar and Alcohol Industries Chamber said
exports boomed after the U.S. lifted all export duties on sugar last year, a provision under the 15-year-old North
American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). During that period, Mexico's sugar production slumped by 10% as high
fertilizer costs and a liquidity crisis discouraged producers.
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Hospitality & Tourism
SECTUR: Mexico To Restore Sand Beach At Caribbean Resorts
July 13, 2009
The Tourism Ministry (SECTUR) announced the government will spend MXN 1 billion to restore the beaches at the
Playa del Carmen, Cancun, Cozumel Caribbean coast resorts. SECTUR said that it will place 7 million cubic meters
of sand on those beaches through a contract given to a dredging firm, whose identity was undisclosed, and which will
begin shortly. SECTUR said hurricanes had reduced the width of the beach and created risks that the sea might
undermine some buildings.
Tijuana Medical Tourism Revenue At USD 3.5 Billion Per Year
July 13, 2009
According to analysts, tourism to the city of Tijuana for medical purposes has helped reduce the effects of the current
global economic downturn by contributing an average USD 3.5 billion per year. Analysts said 80% of the tourists that
travel to Tijuana for medical reasons are from the U.S.
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Economy
STPS: Formal Jobs Fall 200,000 In Six Months
July 13, 2009
According to the Labor and Social Welfare Ministry (STPS), Mexico registered a 200,000 formal jobs loss this year to
reach 13.9 million formal employees in June. STPS specified that the states of Nayarit, Quintana Roo, Oaxaca and
Colima have experienced a larger job creation rate.
BBVA: 2009 Remittances To Mexico Seen Rising In Peso Terms
July 14, 2009
Spanish-Mexican bank BBVA Bancomer said that a weak local currency will likely boost the value in pesos of
remittances sent home this year by Mexicans living abroad. The company said that money sent to Mexico through
BBVA Bancomer's remittance transfer network fell 4.5% in USD terms to USD 4.36 billion during the first half of 2009.
However, the average exchange rate in the first half of the year was MXN 13.8663/USD, compared to MXN
10.5932/USD in the same period of 2008. Due to the depreciation of the peso, foreign-currency-denominated
remittances were worth MXN 60.44 billion, or 25% more than in the January to June period of 2008.
ENIGH: Poor Households' Income Falls, Increases For Richest Stratums
July 17, 2009
According to the National Households' Income and Expenditures Survey (ENIGH) 2008, the global Mexican
households' income fell an average 1.6% during the year, but the drop was unequal between the different economic
stratums of the population. According to ENIGH, the revenue contraction within Mexico's poorest stratum was 8%
when compared to 2006 levels, while the richest households' income increased to 36.3% in 2008 from 35.7% in 2006.
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Border & Migration
INMI Commits To Protecting Migrants
July 15, 2009
Mexico's National Immigration Institute (INMI) publicly restated its commitment to punish staff that does not defend
undocumented migrants after a report by the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) urged migrants who had
been victims of kidnapping to seek protection from the government. Mexico made the commitment after a series of
attacks by organized crime gangs on Central American migrants who are in Mexican territory illegally were reported.
INMI said that it would assume the responsibility of "guaranteeing human rights and access to justice" for these
migrants.
Mexico Offers Temporary Residence For Guatemalan Immigrants
July 13, 2009
Mexico's National Immigration Institute (INMI) said the government is seeking to regularize visits from Guatemala by
offering a new type of immigration papers. A new document, which has already been given to 40,000 Guatemalan
citizens, allows holders to travel up to 100 km into Mexican territory during a period of five years for adults and one
year for those under 18. At present the document can be obtained only for the cities of Hidalgo, Talisman, Union
Juarez and Cuahtemoc, all in the state of Chiapas. The system is inspired by a U.S. visa system that allows Mexican
businessmen or workers living in border cities to stay in adjacent U.S. cities for a few hours or days.
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Politics
IFE Announces New Congress's Lower House's Structure
July 15, 2009
The Federal Electoral Institute (IFE) announced that the new Lower House of Congress will be formed by 237
legislators from the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), 143 from the ruling National Action Party, 71 from the
Democratic Revolution Party (PRD), 22 from Mexico's Green-Ecologist Party (PVEM), 13 from the Labor Party (PT),
13 from the New Alliance Party (NA) and 6 from Convergencia.
PRI Supports Decision To Vote For PRD Lawmaker To Preside Over Senate
July 15, 2009
Legislators from the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) have agreed to support the party's coordinator decision to
vote for Carlos Navarrete, from the Democratic Revolution Party (PRD), as the first PRD member to head the Senate.
The support came as recognition of Navarrete's efforts to promote dialogue and success in reaching agreements.
PRD's Wings Unite Against Party Founder
July 15, 2009
Legislators from opposite factions New Left and United Left inside the Democratic Revolution Party (PRD) have
united in refusing Cuauhtemoc Cardenas'—the party's founder—proposal to expel the party's leading men and
designate new leaders in order to solve the organization's current crisis.
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Justice, Safety & Crime
Alan Bersin: Mexican Drug Violence Threat Is Major Concern
July 16, 2009
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Alan Bersin, considered the federal government's border
czar, said ongoing concerns that drug-related violence in Mexico poses a threat to U.S. communities remain the
Obama Administration's border focus. Bersin said those concerns have triggered a series of border security initiatives
and brought about closer cooperation with Mexican federal authorities. Bersin said the border safety and security
strategy involves technology, agent deployment, intelligence and infrastructure in a series of contingency plans in the
event of a major incident. He declined to elaborate.
HRW Demands Aid To Mexico Be Conditioned On Human Rights
July 13, 2009
Human Rights Watch (HRW) group is urging U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to withhold U.S. military aid to
Mexico until the latter complies with the human-rights requirements listed in the Merida Initiative, which provides the
framework for Washington's drug-war assistance. HRW specifically states that members of the military accused of
committing abuses against the population be tried by civil courts and not by military tribunals, in the belief that military
judges "lack the independence necessary to ensure that these cases are brought to justice." In addition, Mexico's
Human Rights Commission (CNDH) called on the government to rethink its military approach to fighting drug
trafficking because it was not yielding the "expected results," as demonstrated by the rising death toll.
Federal Government Sends Extra Forces To Michoacan
July 16, 2009
The federal government dispatched 1,000 additional troops and federal police to the state of Michoacan, where 15
law-enforcement agents were recently slain in apparent reprisal for the arrest of Arnaldo Rueda, a kingpin from the La
Familia Michoacana drug ring. The reinforcements flew to Morelia, Michoacan's capital, aboard three Boeing 737
aircraft. They are intended to bolster security in Morelia, the Pacific port of Lazaro Cardenas and other important
cities where the La Familia cartel is thought to have significant operations. A man identifying himself as Servando
Gomez Martinez—Rueda's reputed successor in the crime syndicate—telephoned a Michoacan television station to
offer President Calderon a truce. Authorities, who said they confirmed the call came from Gomez, immediately
rejected the idea of talks with "any criminal organization."
Police Investigation Link State Governor's Brother To Drug Cartel
July 14, 2009
Authorities said that Julio Cesar Godoy Toscano, an elected deputy for the opposition Revolutionary Democratic
Party (PRD) and half brother of the governor of Michoacan, Leonel Godoy, works directly for the La Familia
Michoacana drug cartel's boss Servando Gomez. Authorities said he sought government protection for the cartel.
Godoy Toscano is the latest politician wanted in a corruption investigation that in May led to the arrests of more than
20 local officials in Michoacan. Governor Godoy has urged his brother to turn himself in.
PGR: 10 Police Arrested In Slaying Of 12 Federal Agents
July 18, 2009
The federal Attorney General's Office (PGR) announced that 10 police from the municipality of Arteaga, in the state of
Michoacan, are in preventive custody while being investigated for their possible role in the slaying of 12 federal
agents as a reprisal for the arrest of an important drug cartel's kingpin. The bodies were found on a highway in
Michoacan, two days after the arrest of the leaders of the La Familia Michoacana cartel, a criminal organization based
in that territory. The multiple murders were seen as the cartel's reprisal for the imprisonment of Arnaldo Rueda, alias
"La Minsa," whose hired gunmen made a violent attempt to spring him from jail.
SSPF: Nearly 500 Kidnap Victims In Mexico Freed Over Last 2 1/2 Years
July 18, 2009
According to a report by the Federal Public Security Ministry (SSPF), authorities have freed 486 people who had been
kidnapped—11 of them this year—in little more than two and a half years. The report, covering from the time
President Calderon took office in December 2006 to the present, also says that during this period 680 suspected
kidnappers were arrested and 89 gangs involved in that crime were dismantled. Of those suspected kidnappers, 19 of
those arrested this year were linked to different drug cartels. Several belonged to a gang associated with La Familia
and the rest formed three groups allied to the Gulf cartel and its armed branch, Los Zetas. In a related matter,
authorities presented a suspect in the kidnap-murder of businessman Alejandro Marti's teenage son, whose slaying
last year brought tens of thousands of people into the streets demanding that the government heighten security and
defenses against kidnapping. Noe Robles Hernandez, 31, confessed to killing Fernando Marti, 14, the son of
Alejandro Marti, and created uncertainty regarding former arrests that now may be seen as fabrications.
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Health & Science
SSA: Death Toll Of A/H1N1 Influenza Virus In Mexico Rises To 125
July 16, 2009
According to the Health Ministry (SSA), the death toll caused by the A/H1N1 influenza virus rose to 125 in Mexico at
last count. SSA said about 52% of the dead were female, and the death toll accounted for 0.9% of all the confirmed
infections in the country. SSA added confirmed infections, which saw a "considerable" rise, reached 13,646, 1,125
more than compared to two days earlier, as a renewed outbreak of the epidemic hit the southeastern region of the country. So far, all Mexico's 31 states and the capital have reported cases of the disease, most of which were found
in Chiapas, Mexico City, Yucatan, Tabasco, Veracruz, Jalisco, Guerrero, San Luis Potosi and Michoacan.
Grupo Medica Sur Inaugurates Three Hospitals
July 16, 2009
Mexican hospitals group Grupo Medica Sur announced that it will inaugurate three new hospitals in which it invested
MXN 40 million and which will be located south of Mexico City and in Monterrey, the capital of the state of Nuevo
Leon. The new health care units will provide ambulatory primary health care services in addition to the regular
provision of medic assistance they give. The services will focus mostly on medium-income people.
SSA Warns About U.S. Biscuits Infected With E.Coli Bacteria
July 16, 2009
The Health Ministry's (SSA) Federal Commission for the Protection Against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris) launched a
national alert on U.S.-made chocolate biscuits manufactured by Nestlé Toll House, as they have proven to be infected
with the E.Coli O157:H7 bacteria. Cofepris added the U.S. has reported cases of infection in 30 states.
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Arts & Culture
INAH Conducts Inventory Of Marine Archaeology Sites
July 15, 2009
The National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) said that authorities have carried out an inventory of marine
archaeology sites in Banco Chinchorro, a large coral reef atoll in Caribbean waters off the coast of the southeastern
state of Quintana Roo. Experts have identified 68 sites in that area with remains of ships, including anchors, rudders
and pieces of artillery that date back as far as the 16th century. INAH said pieces of different boats were found,
including ones of Spanish, English, Chinese, Russian and American origin. The INAH specialists also carried out a
photographic recording of the remains of the 18th century vessel Cuarenta Cañones and a graphic recording of the
68 underwater sites of archaeological value.
Mexican Jazz Bands Clamored At Montreal During International Jazz Festival
July 13, 2009
According to media reports, the three Mexican jazz bands that participated at Montreal's International Jazz Festival
were clamored by the public during all of their performances. The artists included Sacbe with Jean-Pierre Zanella,
Hector Infanzon and Los de Abajo.
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Other
Road Bridge Collapses; At Least Three Perish
July 16, 2009
According to the head of civil defense in the state of Veracruz, the preliminary death toll from the collapse of a bridge
in southeastern Mexico was three casualties, as five vehicles plunged into the Tonala River. The governor of the state
of Veracruz confirmed the three deaths and said that everything possible was being done to find other possible
victims with lifeboats and divers. The incident occurred shortly before midday on the Cardenas-Coatzacoalcos federal
highway connecting Veracruz with points south, in the municipality of Agua Dulce on the boundary with the
neighboring state of Tabasco.
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