Economy

Economy, National, USA/MEX

Border Slams Shut Again on Mexican Cattle Over Livestock Pest

If you blinked, you missed it. Just two days after the U.S. began reopening ports to Mexican cattle, the border has slammed shut—again.

On July 9, 2025, Brooke L. Rollins, head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), ordered the immediate suspension of live animal imports—including cattle, bison, and horses—from Mexico. The reason? A fresh case of the dreaded gusano barrenador, or screwworm, was confirmed in Veracruz.

And that’s all it took.

No Moo-ving Past This

The U.S. had just started easing a nearly two-month-long embargo, beginning July 7 with a partial reopening at the Douglas, Arizona port. But with this new case, USDA hit pause on the entire plan. Upcoming reopenings in Columbus, Santa Teresa, Del Río, and Laredo are now in doubt. The ports were scheduled to resume trade throughout July and into September, depending on sanitary conditions.

According to Rollins, trade won’t restart until Mexico shows real progress in screwworm eradication. That includes strict quarantine measures, traceable cattle movement, and aggressive fly control.

Million-Dollar Maggots

The May 11 shutdown has cost Mexico dearly. The Mexican Meat Council estimates $700 million in losses due to 650,000 cattle being held up. That’s a lot of steaks and burgers stuck in limbo.

To contain the pest, Mexico and the U.S. have been deploying a weird but effective strategy: releasing over 100 million sterile flies per week. It’s pest control by overwhelming romance failure—and it’s been working. At least until now.

A new sterile fly facility is being built in southern Texas with an $8.5 million budget, and another in Metapa, Chiapas is being upgraded with $21 million. It’s a binational battle of bugs.

Mexico Responds

Mexico isn’t taking this lying down. Since July 7, new rules prohibit moving livestock from infected zones without a clean bill of health. SADER, Mexico’s agriculture department, is working closely with USDA and APHIS to stabilize the situation.

Still, President Claudia Sheinbaum isn’t thrilled. She’s expressed her government’s commitment to U.S. cooperation—but also criticized unilateral moves from the north. “Mexico isn’t anyone’s punching bag,” she’s said before. Apparently not even for maggots.

As of now, over 1,400 cases of animal screwworm infections and six human cases have been confirmed in Chiapas and Campeche. With health risks on both sides of the border, both countries know they’ve got more at stake than just lost exports.

So, when will the cattle flow again? Not until those worms stop burrowing and the flies stop flying—or at least, start dying without descendants. Stay tuned.

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 Crime, Economy, National

Three Mexican Banks Busted for Fentanyl-Linked Money Laundering

FinCEN calls out CIBanco, Intercam, and Vector for helping cartels move dirty money

It’s not every day the U.S. Treasury drops the financial equivalent of a mic. But that’s exactly what happened this week when they named and shamed three Mexico-based financial institutions—CIBanco, Intercam, and Vector Casa de Bolsa—for allegedly helping drug cartels clean up their mess. And by mess, we mean millions of dollars linked to fentanyl trafficking.

Yep, according to the U.S. Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), these institutions aren’t just looking the other way—they’re playing an active role in moving money for some of Mexico’s most notorious drug cartels. Think Sinaloa, CJNG, Beltrán-Leyva, and the ever-charming Gulf Cartel.

This move marks the first-ever use of new powers granted under the Fentanyl Sanctions Act and the FEND Off Fentanyl Act—which, if nothing else, win the award for most dramatic legislation names of the year. These laws give FinCEN the green light to cut financial lifelines tied to opioid trafficking. And CIBanco, Intercam, and Vector? They just got their financial passports revoked.

Dirty Money and Clean Hands? Not Quite.

Let’s break it down:

  • CIBanco, a commercial bank with over $7 billion in assets, is accused of processing more than $2.1 million in payments between Mexican companies and chemical suppliers in China—specifically for ingredients used to cook up fentanyl. FinCEN says a CIBanco employee even helped create an account to launder $10 million for a Gulf Cartel member. That’s not exactly in the job description.
  • Intercam, another commercial bank (with a cool $4 billion under management), also allegedly helped cartels wire cash to Chinese chemical companies. Even worse? Executives at Intercam reportedly met face-to-face with CJNG members in 2022 to chat about how to shuffle money around discreetly. Bold move, considering FaceTime exists.
  • Then there’s Vector, a brokerage firm managing close to $11 billion in assets. FinCEN claims Vector facilitated multiple payments for chemical imports and let a Sinaloa Cartel mule launder $2 million through them over nearly a decade. Maybe that’s what they meant by “diversified portfolio.”

What Happens Now?

These banks are now under the financial version of house arrest. U.S. institutions are banned from sending or receiving any money to or from them—including via cryptocurrency wallets. The restrictions take effect 21 days after the official notice is published in the Federal Register. (So, mark your calendars. Or don’t—it’s not like you were planning to send money to a cartel anyway.)

Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent didn’t mince words: “Financial facilitators like CIBanco, Intercam, and Vector are enabling the poisoning of countless Americans by moving money on behalf of cartels.” In other words, don’t let their sleek bank branches and business attire fool you—FinCEN says they’re just as dangerous as the guys with guns.

And What About Mexico?

Here’s the diplomatic twist: the Treasury insists this crackdown was done with Mexico’s full cooperation. Both countries, according to the official line, are committed to protecting their citizens from the financial tentacles of transnational criminal networks. (Let’s hope the cooperation lasts longer than a tequila hangover.)

Bigger Picture

These designations come on the heels of a January 2025 executive order from President Trump, declaring that certain cartels should be treated like Foreign Terrorist Organizations. And yes, several major cartels—including CJNG and Sinaloa—are now officially on that list. So today’s bank smackdown? Just part of the larger crackdown.

Bottom line? If you bank with one of these three institutions, now might be a good time to double-check where your money’s going. And if you’re a cartel? Well, looks like it’s back to stuffing cash in duffel bags.

—

Got questions about your bank? Ask your teller if they’ve been sanctioned today. If they say yes—run.

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 Development, Economy, Film Industry

Netflix Scouting Ensenada for Film Hub and Historic Movie

Hollywood may have Tinseltown, but Ensenada could be next in line for the spotlight.

Netflix executives recently visited Ensenada to move forward with talks and planning for what could become the streaming giant’s first full-blown production center in Mexico. The proposed location? A sprawling 40-hectare site in the area known as Ciudad Jatay, part of Ensenada’s up-and-coming industrial zone.

Mayor Claudia Agatón Muñiz confirmed that negotiations are already about 30% advanced. And the city isn’t sitting still—the municipal government is offering Netflix all the support it needs to bring lights, cameras, and lots of action to Baja.

Why Jatay? Well, Netflix seems smitten with Ensenada’s unbeatable combo: close to California (aka movie mecca), stable climate, stunning landscapes, and a rich cultural backdrop. Think desert, ocean, vineyards, and mountains—all within a day’s shoot.

But that’s not all. As part of the budding collaboration, Netflix is also considering filming a historical epic about Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, the explorer who first spotted the San Mateo Bay in 1542—now known as the Bay of Ensenada. This project would highlight the region’s role in history while showing off Ensenada’s jaw-dropping views.

Mayor Agatón says the goal is to craft a visually stunning, historically accurate film, teaming up with local historians and creatives. And the proposed production center? It’ll be equipped with cutting-edge technology, ready to host high-quality film and video shoots—and give a major boost to local jobs across hospitality, transportation, tech, and the arts.

She also revealed plans for a water supply and recycling system to serve the new film hub and nearby housing zone—solving one of the major roadblocks to getting this project rolling.

Ensenada might soon be more than a weekend escape—it could be the next must-film location for the world’s biggest streaming service.

Now that’s something worth binge-watching.

READ MORE: Netflix Gringo Hunters Filming in Baja California

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Remittances now come with a 3.5% surcharge
 Articles, Economy, International, Taxes

Now Charging Hope: Remittances Hit With 3.5% Fee

Just when you thought the border couldn’t get any pricier—remittances now come with a 3.5% surcharge.

Last week, the proposed 5% remittance tariff set off alarms. We unpacked the implications in our article “The Debate Over the 5% Remittance Fee: Baja’s Perspective”, highlighting concerns for families, cross-border workers, and Mexico’s economy.

But this morning, President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed during her daily press conference that the number has been negotiated down to 3.5%. Still, the tariff remains active and very real.

3.5% Remittance Tax Stays: Presidenta Sheinbaum calls it unfair—yet confirms it’s still in place.

Sheinbaum insists the fee is unjust and violates a bilateral agreement between the U.S. and Mexico. She’s pushing to eliminate it altogether. But for now, it stands—and it hits a sensitive nerve in Mexico’s financial stability.

It’s Not Just Money

Remittances represent a significant slice of Mexico’s GDP, especially in border regions like Baja California. Cities such as Tijuana depend on thousands of cross-border workers—many of whom lack formal documentation or status.

So far, no thorough study has determined how many of these workers are U.S. citizens, legal residents, or hold temporary work permits. And that doesn’t even count the thousands working off the books.

In 2024, Mexicans sent home over $63 billion dollars in remittances. That’s not just a number—it’s sacrifice, family ties, and economic survival.

Now, imagine skimming 3.5% off the top. That’s money lost on both sides of the border.

Pushback Grows

To respond, Sheinbaum’s administration is proposing a permanent binational roundtable with diaspora leaders—those representing migrant communities abroad who understand the human impact of these policies.

(For more on how diasporas can shape policy, check this international initiative.)

Critics are lining up. Javier Medina, a Mexican-American professor and researcher living in Arlington, Texas, warned that the fee could undermine the main incentive that drives legal migration and formal employment.

“If you weaken that support channel,” Medina said, “you’re not just taxing dollars. You’re cutting into the very reason many migrants keep going.”

Baja’s Reality Check

For Baja, the stakes are deeply personal. Will this policy drive remittance activity underground? Will families turn away from banks?

And the bigger question—who really gains from taxing care?

This isn’t just about money transfers.

It’s about people.

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Cross-Border Cash Clash: When Dollars Meet Pesos Under a New Tax
 Articles, Baja Norte, Economy, Taxes

The Debate Over the 5% Remittance Fee: Baja’s Perspective

There’s a new proposal making noise across the border—and it’s got Baja’s name all over it. U.S. lawmakers are pushing for a 5% fee on money sent through remittances. That might sound like a distant debate in D.C., but here in Baja? It hits close to home.

Who Sends the Money?

Baja California—especially Tijuana—runs on a two-country rhythm. According to government data and INEGI, over 75,000 people live in Baja but work across the border in the U.S. Every day, they cross, earn in dollars, and spend or send money back home. Whether it’s covering rent, buying groceries, or paying school fees, those remittances keep thousands of families afloat.

So, what happens if those wire transfers suddenly come with a 5% tax?

That’s the question everyone’s asking.

The Proposal That Started It All

Last week, the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee gave the green light to a bill that would charge a 5% remittance fee. The catch? It applies only to people who aren’t U.S. citizens or legal residents. That includes visa holders and undocumented workers—many of whom pay taxes and contribute to the U.S. economy every day.

Supporters say it would fund border security. Critics say it’s a slap in the face to the same people holding up entire industries like agriculture, construction, and hospitality.

Sheinbaum Fires Back

President Claudia Sheinbaum didn’t hold back. She called the proposal “unacceptable” and “unconstitutional,” pointing out that Mexicans working in the U.S. already pay taxes—on both sides of the border, in many cases.

She also warned that this kind of policy could backfire. “This will only encourage informal money transfers,” she said, “and hurt the people who rely on them most.”

Mexico has already started reaching out to U.S. lawmakers to push back diplomatically—and loudly.

Will Baja Feel It?

Yes, but maybe not how you think.

Since so many people live in Tijuana but earn their income in the U.S., they often spend their dollars directly here, not through formal remittances. That daily, cross-border flow of people and money keeps Baja’s economy humming.

Still, if this proposal passes, families who rely on transfers from relatives deeper in the U.S.—say in Arizona, Nevada, or California—will feel the squeeze.

And if workers start using informal channels to dodge the tax? That could make things messier—and riskier.

Will Baja Pay the Price for Earning the American Dream?

What’s Next?

For now, the bill still has to make it through the full House, then the Senate, then land on the president’s desk. Even if it passes, it wouldn’t go into effect until 2026 at the earliest.

But the message has already been sent—and Baja is paying attention.

Your Turn

Do you work across the border and live in Baja? Would this change how you send or spend money? Let us know—this is your story, too.

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Governor Marina del Pilar handed over ten electric carriages to local drivers
 Articles, Economy, Ensenada, Tourism

Ensenada Rolls Out Electric Carriages: Tradition Meets Innovation

Ensenada has taken a significant step toward sustainable tourism

On April 21, Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda gave out ten electric carriages to local drivers. These will replace the old horse-drawn ones.

The new rides carry four passengers. They’re quiet, eco-friendly, and best of all, no horses needed.

The state invested 2.75 million pesos through its Department of Economy and Innovation. Officials also plan to install charging stations across town.

#MarinaDelPilar And Claudia A

This move follows a new law in Baja California. It bans animals from pulling carriages for tourism. It also recognizes animals as living beings, not property.

“This is a big day,” said the governor. “We’re ending horse-drawn rides and moving to clean, modern transport—without losing our charm.”

The change didn’t happen overnight. Authorities worked with drivers to find solutions. Now, drivers get to keep their jobs—and horses get to rest.

Jenny de la Cruz, speaking for the group, thanked the state for helping them modernize. She said the change protects a tradition that’s been part of Ensenada for over 40 years.

So yes, you can still ride through Ensenada’s scenic streets. But now, the wheels are quiet—and the animals are free.

Here at the Gringo Gazette North, we love when old traditions meet new ideas. Especially when everyone wins—including the horses.

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Sheinbaum stated that, with the Mexico Plan, she aims to recover the production that has been lost in the country. (Photo: Presidency
 Articles, Baja Norte, Economy

Baja California? Holding its breath.

🇲🇽 Mexico Dodges a Trade War (Sort Of) — But Tariffs Still Sting

Baja watches the big game with nosebleed tickets

Trump’s trade policy just got real. The U.S. imposed 25% tariffs on imports from multiple countries, and although Mexico managed to avoid retaliatory tariffs, it couldn’t dodge the hit entirely. Over 50% of Mexican exports to the U.S. are now subject to the new rates.

Mexico’s response? Diplomatic silence. No counterattacks. No panic. Just a quiet commitment to ride the wave without starting a trade war.

SúperPeso

📊 The twist? Mexico is doing pretty well, all things considered.

The peso didn’t collapse. The markets didn’t flinch. And the world noticed: Mexico’s now seen as a stable and strategic partner in a world full of economic tantrums.

🌉 Baja California, however, is in limbo.

Despite being in the ideal location for cross-border trade, we’re still stuck with infrastructure bottlenecks, overloaded ports, and a grid that flickers at the worst times. We could be leading this moment, but instead we’re fumbling to keep pace.

💸 Meanwhile, remittances keep sliding—which hits harder in Baja than people think. The big wins in macroeconomics don’t always make it to the kitchen table.Mexic

📰 At Gringo Gazette North, we believe good news doesn’t always come with fireworks. Sometimes, staying calm under fire is the real headline.

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 Baja Norte, Breaking News, Economy

Baja California Ranks Third in Average Monthly Household Income Nationally

EDITOR NOTE: The dollar (USD) amounts in this article where converted from the pesos amount mentioned in the article at an exchange rate of 16.80 pesos per dollar.

Baja California has risen to the third spot among Mexican states with the highest average monthly household income. It now boasts an income of 29,637.41 pesos (1,764 USD), according to analysts from the Metropolitan Center for Economic and Business Information (Cemdi).

Aram Hodoyán Navarro, the head of Cemdi, referred to data from the 2022 National Household Income and Expenditure Survey (Enigh) conducted by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi). He pointed out that the regions with the highest average monthly income are Baja California Sur and Mexico City, earning 30,472.37 and 29,770.09 pesos respectively (1,814 and 1,772 USD). The amount in Baja California of 29,637.41 pesos (1,764 USD) is significantly higher than the national average of 21,231.82 pesos (1,264 USD).

In contrast, Navarro compared, the states with the lowest monthly average household income as per this survey are Chiapas and Guerrero, earning 13,281.61 and 13,918.02 pesos, respectively (791 and 832 USD). In the context of Baja California, an average household typically comprises three members. The household head is generally 49 years old, and the other two members may also be employed. “Households in Baja California reported an average monthly income of 29,637.41 pesos (1,764 USD), a 15.0 percent increase compared to the 2020 Enigh results,” he detailed.

Navarro further noted that the primary source of income for these households is salaries from subordinate jobs, which account for 72.88 percent or about 21,598.47 pesos (1,286 USD). Transfers make up 10.93 percent of the income, with half of this being from retirements and pensions.

When discussing average monthly household expenses, Navarro indicated that the national average stands at 13,321.60 pesos (680 USD). The states with the highest expenses were Mexico City and Baja California, spending 19,632.54 and 16,771.14 pesos respectively (1,169 and 998 USD). In contrast, Chiapas and Oaxaca had the lowest expenses, at 8,647.63 and 8,865.80 pesos respectively (515 and 528 USD).

Furthermore, Navarro mentioned that the state saw a 19.1 percent increase in the average monthly household expenditure compared to the figures from the 2020 Enigh. Of these expenses, the primary spending category was food, beverages, and tobacco, making up 32.09 percent. This was followed by transportation, acquisition, maintenance, accessories, and services for vehicles, and communications which took up 23.76 percent.

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