¡Hola amigos! This week, Mexico’s feeling muy feliz — landing in the global top 10 for happiness. But it’s not all sunshine and siestas…

We’re digging into surprise hospital bills even with insurance, a water feud with the U.S. that’s heating up, and how tariff drama just cost 7,000 Mexicans their jobs.

Plus: Why flamingos are hooking up in the Yucatán and a fiesta-filled calendar you’ll want to screenshot.

📣Que Paso

🚱 The U.S. denies Mexico’s bid for extra Colorado River water, citing treaty limits as Mexico lags 65% on the 1944 Water Treaty deliveries.

👕 Tariff fears cut Mexican clothing exports to the U.S. by 20%, costing 7,000 jobs, mostly held by women, per the National Chamber of the Apparel Industry’s José Pablo Maauad.

🆔 President Sheinbaum just unveiled reforms to tackle Mexico’s crisis of missing persons – creating a Unified Identity Platform, strengthening the CURP with fingerprint and photo data, and requiring the immediate opening of investigation files.

✈️ Starting March 30, 2025, Volaris will expand its domestic network from Monterrey to 26 destinations, adding routes to León, Puerto Vallarta, Toluca, and Tuxtla Gutiérrez. Additionally, in April, it will also boost flight frequencies to CDMX, Guadalajara, Mérida, and Tijuana.

📉 Inflation in Mexico eased to 3.67% in mid-March, hitting The Bank of Mexico’s target range and fueling expectations for an upcoming rate cut at the central bank’s next meeting.

🐂 Mexico City’s Congress voted 61-1 to ban violent bullfighting, prohibiting the killing of bulls and the use of sharp objects like lances and swords. A new “violence-free” format will take effect after a 210-day implementation period.

🌱 The State of Mexico approved fines of up to MX$339,420 for businesses that use or distribute single-use plastics like bags, straws, and foam containers. The measure enforces a 2020 law.

🍎 Your Health Pulse

7 International Health Insurance Nightmares Nobody Warns You About

Imagine this: You’re recovering in a hospital in Mexico, ready to leave – only to be told you can’t go anywhere until your bill is paid in full.

But wait…you have international health insurance. Shouldn’t that cover everything?

Not always.

Many learn the hard way that having insurance and actually being able to use it are two very different things. From denied claims to surprise out-of-pocket costs, international health insurance can be a minefield – especially if you don’t know the fine print.

That’s why we’re hosting a FREE live workshop to pull back the curtain on the most common (and costly) insurance nightmares expats face in Mexico.

Join claims specialist and former Director of Claims & Pre-Certifications Barbara Palazuelos on April 2 @ 6 pm Mexico City time, where she will reveal…

• Why you might not be allowed to leave the hospital (even with insurance)

• The ONE paperwork mistake that can void your entire claim

• Why "pre-certification" can still leave you paying thousands

• Why insurers require police reports when you're desperate to file a claim

• The requirement that makes 90% of people say "Wait... WHAT?"

Register now and mark your calendar for Wednesday, April 2 @ 6 pm Mexico City time.

📍 Immigration Essentials

How to Replace Lost or Stolen Car Plates

If your plates are lost or stolen, you’ll need to report it and request replacements at your state’s Control Vehicular office.

Steps to replace your plates…

• File a police report (acta de denuncia) if your plates were stolen.

• Visit your state’s Control Vehicular office or website. Just search “Reemplazo de placas en [Fill in the state you are in].”

• Submit required documents (tarjeta de circulación, residency documents, proof of address).

• Pay the fee (typically 800–2,000 MXN; for example, Edomex charges ~1,500 MXN for replacements).

• Pick up your new plates. Note that some states require an appointment.

🇲🇽 Viva Mexico

The Mexican Science That’s Saving Lives Worldwide

Every year millions of people worldwide are bitten or stung by venomous creatures. According to the WHO, over 130,000 die. Many of those deaths could be stopped with antivenom.

And guess what? A key share of it comes from Mexico.

With its rich biodiversity, strong research, and government support, Mexico’s become a leader in antivenom production.

It took off in 1995. After President Ernesto Zedillo’s son nearly died from a scorpion sting, Mexico acted fast – boosting rural access, training doctors, and funding labs.

The payoff was huge.

From 1990 to 2007, scorpion deaths fell 83%, snakebite deaths 66%, per Dr. Alejandro Alagón’s research.

A venom expert at UNAM’s Institute of Biotechnology, Alagón’s driven this work forward. He’s helped shape over a dozen antivenom products. Two – Anavip and Anascorp – are FDA-approved and used in U.S. hospitals.

Mexico’s method stands out. At Ojo de Agua Ranch in Puebla, Criollo horses get venom doses over six months. Their blood is drawn, plasma extracted, and turned into antivenom. The blood goes back to the horses after, keeping it humane. Scientists refine the plasma to cut allergic risks.

The result? Targeted antivenom for specific species – crucial in a country like Mexico which has a lot of venomous snakes, plus scorpions and spiders.

The research and resulting antivenom is helping not just Mexican rural areas, but also other regions like sub-Saharan Africa and Central & South America.

🪷 Viva Wellness

Chayote: The Ancient Superfood Hiding in Plain Sight

Tucked between the avocados and nopales at your local mercado, chayote sits quietly, waiting to be noticed. But don’t let its humble appearance fool you.

Long before the Spanish arrived, the Aztecs and Mayans cultivated chayote across Mesoamerica. Known as chayohtli in Nahuatl, this climbing vine thrived in humid highlands, producing an abundant harvest of edible fruit, seeds, leaves, and even roots. Unlike corn, which needed grinding and cooking, chayote could be eaten straight from the vine — raw, roasted, or mashed into stews.

Despite its long history, chayote remains one of Mexico’s most underrated superfoods. It’s packed with fiber, folate, vitamin C, and powerful antioxidants that support digestion, heart health, and youthful skin.

Studies suggest it may even help regulate blood sugar and reduce inflammation. And with just 39 calories per squash, it’s a weight-loss-friendly alternative to potatoes.

Chayote comes in a few varieties — some smooth and pale green, others dark and covered in soft spikes. While often boiled into oblivion, chayote shines in fresh preparations.

Try it raw in salads, spiralized into noodles, or blended into a bright green agua fresca. Its crisp texture and mild, slightly sweet flavor pair well with citrus and herbs.

Next time you spot chayote at the mercado, take a cue from the ancients – bring it home and make it part of your diet. This Mesoamerican staple has stood the test of time for a reason.

🎉 Vamos! Can’t Miss Events

🐴 Feria Internacional del Caballo Texcoco 2025 – March 28–April 27, Texcoco, Estado de México 
Experience one of Mexico's premier fairs, celebrating equestrian culture with charreadas, jaripeos, and rodeos. Enjoy performances by renowned artists like Alejandro Fernández and La Arrolladora Banda El Limón. The fair also features traditional cuisine, artisan crafts, and thrilling rides. Get more info here.

🚴 L’Étape La Paz by Tour de France – March 30, 2025, La Paz, Baja California Sur Feel the thrill of the Tour de France — Baja style! L’Étape La Paz returns for its sixth edition, inviting cyclists of all levels to ride through the stunning coastal landscapes of the Sea of Cortez. Get more info here.

🎨 Frida Kahlo: La Biografía Inmersiva – Now through August, 2025, CDMX
Walk through the life and art of Mexico’s most iconic painter in this stunning immersive experience at Espacio Alter, Polanco. With 360° projections, VR, and interactive rooms, it’s a bold tribute to Frida’s world. A must-see before it leaves CDMX. Get info here.

🦩 Flamingo Migration Season – Now through Summer, Yucatán Peninsula 
Get your cameras ready – thousands of vibrant pink flamingos have arrived in Yucatán! From now through the summer, witness these majestic birds nesting and feeding in the salt flats of Las Coloradas, Ría Lagartos, and Celestún. Their brilliant color comes from the local crustaceans they feast on, making this one of Mexico’s most magical wildlife spectacles. Get more info here.

🏊‍♂️ World Aquatics Diving World Cup – April 3–6, 2025, Guadalajara
Guadalajara makes a splash as it welcomes the World Aquatics Diving World Cup for the first time since 2013. Hosted at the Centro Acuático Code Metropolitano in Zapopan, this event kicks off the 2025 Diving World Cup series. Expect gravity-defying dives, Olympic-level talent, and the electric energy of a city with deep roots in aquatic sports. Get more info here.

🌸 Polanco Flower and Garden Festival – April 3–6, 2025, CDMX
Step into the future of flora at the Polanco Flower and Garden Festival! This year's theme, "Gardens of the Future," invites designers, artists, and florists to showcase innovative floral arches throughout Parque América. Stroll through Polanco's vibrant streets adorned with imaginative installations that blend nature with futuristic concepts. Get more info here.

🎸 Tecate Pa’l Norte 2025 – April 4–6, Monterrey, Nuevo León
Get ready for one of Mexico’s biggest music blowouts! Tecate Pa’l Norte roars back to Monterrey’s Parque Fundidora with a massive multi-genre lineup, epic stages, and that iconic lion energy. Get more info here.

💡 Say It in Spanish

¡Ahorita te lo traigo! 

Translation: "I’ll bring it to you right now!"

Ask for the check, your coffee refill, or that thing you ordered 20 minutes ago, and you’ll likely hear “¡Ahorita te lo traigo!”

Sounds promising, right? Not so fast.

“Ahorita” is famously vague — could be now, soon, or never. Mexican time magic at its finest. It’s not procrastination; it’s a way of life. Things happen when they happen, and rushing won’t change a thing.

So, take a deep breath, embrace the flow, and remember — everything gets done ahorita…just don’t ask exactly when.

Why El Expat Insider Mexico? Life abroad isn’t just about relocating — it’s about reinventing. Every sunrise in Mexico brings new opportunities to explore, learn, and connect. Whether you’re here for a season or a lifetime, we’re your compass for making the most of every moment. Because life’s too short to live on autopilot.

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