Isabel Turrent, a reference in literature and political analysis, dies

The critical and sharp pen of Mexican culture goes out, leaving an indelible intellectual legacy.

Goodbye to a brilliant mind (with a library bigger than your Netflix profile)

It seems that the universe decided to take another talent from us, because Isabel Turrent—writer, essayist and, basically, the person who made political debates sound interesting—died this Wednesday. Yes, just when we thought 2025 couldn’t get any more dramatic. Sources close to his family confirmed the news to EL UNIVERSAL, because of course, in these cases one does not find out from a shady tweet but from the serious media (how vintage).

The life of Turrent or how to be a scholar without dying of boredom

This woman not only wrote books that probably decorated your shelves unread (we don’t judge you), but she was also a crack in Art History, International Relations and Political Science. He studied at the UIA, El Colegio de México and even at the University of Oxford, because when it comes to accumulating degrees, some know no limits. While we drown in memes, she analyzed world geopolitics with the elegance of someone having tea with their pinky up.

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His work, between scathing essays and cultural reflections, was like that university professor who made you feel ignorant but motivated. And although his name did not appear in the trending topics (because, let’s be honest, culture today competes with videos of kittens), his influence on journalism and political analysis was indisputable. The kind of person who could quote Octavio Paz in a discussion about Brexit without flinching.

The ironic thing? In an era where we are all “content creators”, Turrent showed that deep ideas don’t need Instagram filters to be relevant. Of course, if I had had TikTok, it would have been the only one where someone talked about art and diplomacy between viral dances.

A legacy that will survive algorithms

Beyond the formal obituaries (which, let’s be honest, almost no one reads in full), his death leaves us with an uncomfortable question: who will occupy that critical space in a world dominated by Twitter threads and 15-second takes?. Turrent was one of those voices that did not limit itself to describing reality, but rather dissected it with a scalpel. And in times of cheap polarization, that amounts to a superpower.

So, while the world continues to revolve between political scandals and influencers promoting detox smoothies, his work remains a reminder that complex thinking is not extinct. Just buried under a pile of ephemera.

Now what? If you want to honor his memory, share this article (yes, this one you just read between WhatsApp notifications). Or better yet: read one of his books. In short, you can always pause that series that you only watch out of inertia. #Priorities.

Explore more about key figures of Mexican culture in our dedicated section —because knowledge doesn’t take up space in the cloud (but it does take up space in your brain).

Sheinbaum reinforces security and housing in Cuautla

The president presented a package of social and security actions in Cuautla, Morelos.

President Claudia Sheinbaum visited Cuautla, Morelos, to announce a set of social and security measures. Among them, the construction of 10 new schools of the “Margarita Maza” National High School, house-to-house visits, more jobs through Young People Building the Future and a greater presence of the National Guard.

“We are going to build together, because this is a job for everyone, for families to care for their children, for the state government and for the federal government,” the president highlighted.

The visit occurred after the arrest of the mayor of Cuautla. Sheinbaum instructed strengthening the federal presence with attention to the causes, as part of the National Security Strategy. Next week they will begin house-to-house tours and outreach to merchants. He promised to return in three months to monitor progress.

Housing for Wellbeing

At the event, 128 Infonavit homes and 207 Insus deeds were also delivered. Sheinbaum recalled the four components of the program: build 1.8 million new houses for people with incomes of one to two minimum wages; deliver the same number of credits for improvement; grant a million deeds; and restructure unpayable loans for 5 million families.

Octavio Romero Oropeza, director of Infonavit, reported that of the goal of 1.2 million homes, there are already 440 approved complexes that total 514 thousand houses (43% progress). In Morelos, the goal is 13 thousand new homes with an investment of 8,150 million pesos.

Edna Elena Vega Rangel, head of Sedatu, explained that 128 homes and 207 deeds were delivered. Governor Margarita González Saravia thanked the expansion of the state goal to 24 thousand houses in the six-year term, in addition to other works such as modernization of the countryside, a Convention Center in Cuernavaca and the “Circuito Tierra y Libertad” highway program.

The beneficiary Kendra Ramírez Orozco expressed her gratitude for access to housing. Sheinbaum reiterated his commitment to return in three months to follow up.

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They demand justice for a journalist in Oaxaca; colleague receives threats

Threats against journalist in Oaxaca after the murder of Alejandro Leyva; protest in the Guelaguetza.

Threats against correspondent

After the murder of Francisco Alejandro Leyva Aguilar, Proceso‘s correspondent in Oaxaca, Pedro Matías Arrazola, was intimidated through social networks. They warned him that he would be next.

Organizations such as Reporters Without Borders and the UN demanded that the threats be investigated and security guarantees granted. The Oaxaca Prosecutor’s Office deployed two agents to protect him, and the state police carry out patrols near his home.

“I didn’t find out until they told me about Reporters Without Borders and then the UN, but I didn’t pay much attention to it (…). Better to keep a low profile,” declared Matías.

The journalist explained that he avoided spreading the threats so as not to divert attention from Leyva’s case. However, colleagues advised him not to minimize the risk, in a context of growing attacks against the press.

Two years ago, individuals threw Molotov cocktails with nails at his home, without causing any injuries. That attack forced him to leave the country for six months. Sixteen years earlier he was kidnapped and tortured.

“I am not afraid. I am a believer. I have a mission in this life and it will be until God decides,” he stated.

Matías filed a complaint for threats with the State Prosecutor’s Office. Its incorporation into the federal protection mechanism began.

“If we remain silent, they will have achieved their purpose. In recognition of Alejandro Leyva, I will continue along the same critical line,” he said.

Protest in Guelaguetza

Relatives and friends of Alejandro Leyva protested during the Guelaguetza delegation parade. With tarps, banners on the roof of a house and dressed in black, they demanded justice.

“We are Alejandro’s family and we ask for justice for my uncle. We know the situation in the country. It is not just Oaxaca, it is the entire country. Please join our cause,” expressed the protesters.

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Sheinbaum announces border reopening for Mexican cattle

Gradual reopening of the US border to Mexican cattle at the end of August.

New stage for national livestock farming

President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed that the United States border will gradually reopen at the end of August for the export of Mexican livestock. The measure represents economic relief for the country and for thousands of families dedicated to livestock farming.

Both nations suffered losses during the shutdown, caused by the presence of the screwworm. Sheinbaum acknowledged that the coordinated work between governments and producers for more than a year made it possible to contain the pest.

“You know that we have been working on the issue, both with all the livestock organizations and with the governors, to contain the screwworm,” said the president from Cuautla, Morelos.

As part of the strategy, a plant to produce sterile flies is already operating in Chiapas. In addition, Cofepris is analyzing a new strain that would make the process more efficient.

Sheinbaum explained that the effort is carried out in conjunction with the governments of Mexico, the United States and Panama. This articulation created the conditions for the US authority to authorize the opening of the border.

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