Author Archives: Stephen Woodman
The cherry on top? Top narco bust may empower Jalisco drug cartel
With the capture of one of Mexico’s most-wanted drug lords, Servando “La Tuta” Gomez, the government has created a power vacuum that could be filled by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). The 49-year-old leader of the Knights Templar was … Continue reading
U.S Ambassador condemns attacks on freedom of expression
U.S. Ambassador Anthony Wayne has released a statement denouncing aggressions against the press in Mexico. “Freedom of expression is one of the pillars of democracy and a priority of the government of the United States,” the ambassador said. “We energetically … Continue reading
Posted in News
Tagged Ambassador Wayne, Duarte, Freedom of the press, Journalism, Mexico, Veracruz
Leave a comment
Gone but no longer forgotten: upcoming book to name and honor migrant worker victims of 1948 plane crash
The haunting imagery of “Plane Wreck at Los Gatos” has carried the ballad from the pen of Woody Guthrie to the stadium concerts of Bruce Springsteen. A host of iconic musicians have covered the song along the way: Pete Seeger, … Continue reading
Posted in Arts
Tagged Mexico, plane crash, Plane Wreck at Los Gatos, Tim Z. Hernandez, Woody Guthrie
Leave a comment
Five great Mexican love stories, as tragic as they are tender
1. Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl. There are multiple stories explaining the volcanoes, Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl, which overlook the valley of Mexico. In the most popular legend, Popocatepetl, which translates as “the smoking mountain,” was sent to battle in a distant territory. The … Continue reading
Charm offensive: Mexico’s hospitality courses school society girls and support impoverished families
Mexican college students complaining about having too much homework have found a novel way to release their frustrations: by logging onto twitter and bashing ESDAI, a hospitality course offered by the Pan-American University. “I’m going to change to ESDAI to … Continue reading
Posted in Culture
Tagged Finishing school, Hospitality, Mexico, Tourism, Universidad Panamericana
2 Comments
Mexican father and son receive hero’s welcome after 24-day-ordeal at sea
Two fishermen survived 24 days lost at sea before being rescued by a cargo boat off the coast of Guerrero, Southern Mexico. Daniel Guerrero Martinez, 42, and his son Isaias, 18, reported that they survived on a diet of raw fish. … Continue reading
Posted in News
Tagged Chiapas, Daniel Guerrero Martinez, Fisherman, Guerrero, Jose Salvador Alvarengo, Lost at sea, Sea
Leave a comment
“I knew they wouldn’t clap,” complains embattled Mexican president
In a press conference on Tuesday that was supposed to revitalize Enrique Peña Nieto’s tarnished image, the Mexican president committed a major gaffe, overshadowing any favorable coverage of the event. After announcing that he was appointing a special prosecutor to … Continue reading
Posted in News
Tagged #YaSeQueNoAplauden, Conflict of interest, Enrique Peña Nieto, Scandal
Leave a comment
Understanding Ayotzinapa: Conflicting theories surround attack on students
More than four months on from the forced disappearance of 43 student protesters in southern Mexico, there is still intense debate about the motivation for the attack. The Mexican government has placed new emphasis on a theory that could explain why … Continue reading
Feeling the heat in a traditional Mayan temazcal
Before dawn on a cold winter’s morning in a field outside of Guadalajara, a row of young people file past a bonfire and throw tobacco into the flames. The women wear long flowing dresses, while the men are shirtless and … Continue reading
Muslims in Mexico: the link to a hidden Islamic heritage
In 2014, Islam and Mexico were most frequently mentioned together in the context of terrorism. Republicans such as Rick Perry and Duncan Hunter caused controversy by saying that Muslim extremists were entering the U.S. through its southern border. The allegations … Continue reading
The Mexican Labyrinth 