Sheinbaum responds to the spill with an environmental observatory

The government announces an observatory to monitor the Gulf after the spill, while defending the tourist success of Holy Week.

The move behind the stain: an observatory to monitor the Gulf

After weeks with the beaches of Veracruz marked by a fuel spill, President Claudia Sheinbaum pulls a card out of her sleeve. His government is preparing the creation of a Gulf Observatory. The idea is to have scientific eyes on the sea, all the time.

This Tuesday, an interdisciplinary team of experts and officials will meet with her. Their mission: to present a comprehensive analysis of what happened and how it has been cleaned up. “The intention is that they can provide a comprehensive review of the causes… and how they have been working,” explained the president.

“The intention is that they can provide a comprehensive review of the causes of the spill or the different causes of spills and how work has been done to clean the ocean”

Sheinbaum defended the immediate response. He assured that from the first moment the Navy, environmental authorities and Pemex were coordinated. But beyond finding culprits, the final objective is that new permanent monitoring system.

RelatedSheinbaum faces spill and controversy with environmental image

The other front: defending the tourist season

Meanwhile, on the political scene, there was another fire to put out: the image of the Gulf as a vacation destination. The president came out to defend economic success with data.

He assured that, against all forecasts and versions, beach destinations had hotel occupancy close to 80% during Easter. Including Veracruz, Mazatlán and Acapulco.

“If the sea had been in different conditions, we would not have had the number of tourists that there were,” he stated forcefully.

It is a statement that seeks to close public debate. The Tourism Secretary will present a detailed report next week to support these figures.

This is how the board moves. On the one hand, a technical proposal for the future to calm the waters (literally). On the other, a forceful economic message to calm spirits. The post-spill script is already underway.

Semar seizes half a ton of cocaine in Manzanillo

They seize 270 kilos of cocaine in a container in Manzanillo; two migrants detained.

Operational in the port of Manzanillo

The Secretary of the Navy (Semar) secured 268 packages with 270 kilos of cocaine inside a container in the port area of Manzanillo, Colima. During the inspection, they located two men with an irregular immigration status on board the ship where the drugs were found. Both were placed at the disposal of the authorities.

The cargo was discovered by personnel from the Naval Port Protection Unit (UNAPROP) during unloading maneuvers from a container ship. Semar reported that the drugs were left in charge of the Public Ministry to integrate the investigation folder. Elements of the FGR carried out the weighing, counting and identification of the evidence.

Regarding the detainees, the agency indicated that they were in good health. They were transferred to determine their legal status due to their irregular stay in the country, although their nationality was not specified.

The operation was carried out in coordination with the National Customs Agency of Mexico (ANAM), the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC) and the Attorney General’s Office (FGR), through the Criminal Investigation Agency (AIC).

Semar indicated that these actions are part of the permanent inspection, surveillance and port protection operations to prevent illicit trafficking of substances. It should be remembered that a day before, the same agency seized five packages with 139 bricks containing approximately 137 kilos of cocaine in the port of Lázaro Cárdenas, Michoacán, where five people of Ecuadorian nationality were detained.

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Trans people take shelter in Segob to demand dialogue with Rosa Icela

Trans activists demand a direct meeting with the Secretary of the Interior after days of protest.

A group of trans and non-binary people held a day of protest this Friday inside the Ministry of the Interior (Segob) to press for a meeting with its head, Rosa Icela Rodríguez. Since Thursday, they remain in a room at the agency, in the Juárez neighborhood, Cuauhtémoc mayor’s office, Mexico City.

They demand concrete advances: a reform of articles 1 and 73 of the Constitution, a Comprehensive Trans Law and public policies in various agencies. Activist Victoria Sámano explained to EL UNIVERSAL that recommendation 42-2024 of the CNDH “has been half fulfilled.”

“They have only been simulation tables, tables to wear us down and they have not even been followed up,” he denounced.

As part of the protest, they held a “dissident sonidero” with the SoniTrans collective, where several couples danced to make their rights visible. They also called for a collection of food, batteries, blankets and presence.

The protest coincides with another CNTE demonstration. Sámano pointed out that they have already spoken with the teachers and criticized the government’s “omission” with different social groups: teachers, searching mothers and trans people.

“It is not about a single group, but about the deficiency and omission of this government,” he stated.

Faced with Segob’s initial refusal to schedule a direct meeting with the secretary, the protesters warned that they will not withdraw until they obtain one. “We’re staying here until they give us a meeting!” they concluded.

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Atzalan vibrates with the adrenaline of the Citrus Route 2026

Atzalan, Veracruz. Between dirt roads, natural landscapes and great family coexistence, the 2026 edition of the traditional Citrus Route, one of the adventure events...

Atzalan, Veracruz. Between dirt roads, natural landscapes and great family coexistence, the 2026 edition of the traditional Citrus Route was successfully carried out, one of the most anticipated adventure events for all-terrain vehicle fans in the region.

From early in the morning, dozens of participants from various municipalities of Veracruz and neighboring states gathered to travel the routes designed by the organizers, crossing rural trails, forested areas and characteristic roads of this municipality located in the central mountainous area of the state. 

The activity brought together drivers of ATVs, ATVs and UTVs, who enjoyed a tour full of excitement, camaraderie and spectacular natural views. During the day, an atmosphere of family coexistence prevailed, strengthening the ties between lovers of motor sports and adventure tourism.

Participants highlighted the hospitality of the inhabitants of Atzalan and the beauty of the natural settings that the region offers, factors that have made the Citrus Route a benchmark for this type of events in Veracruz.

In addition to promoting recreation and sports, the activity represents an important economic benefit for service providers, local businesses and entrepreneurs, who benefit from the arrival of visitors during the development of the event.

Authorities and organizers agreed that the Citrus Route continues to consolidate itself as a platform to promote regional tourism, showing the state and the country the natural, cultural and gastronomic wealth of Atzalan.

With a large participation and white balance, the 2026 edition concluded, leaving a memorable experience for attendees and reaffirming its place as one of the most important off-road meetings in the Veracruz entity.

Editorial | This is Veracruz

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