Hurricane Otis / 2024 Federal Spending Budget

Hurricane Otis. Laura Velázquez, Head of Citizen Protection, said that 263,405 provisions and 1,088 packages of household appliances have been delivered to those affected by the hurricane in Guerrero. Velázquez said that the water supply is at 65% compared to previous levels.
Hurricane Otis hit Mexico two weeks ago as a Category 5 hurricane, only 12 hours after being labeled a tropical storm. On Oct. 25, the National Water Commission (CONAGUA) reported extraordinary rains in Guerrero, heavy rains in Michoacan and the State of Mexico, and strong rains in Morelos, Puebla, and Oaxaca. Guerrero was hit by winds between 130km/h and 150km/h, and waves up to 5m. To date, there are 48 casualties and 31 missing persons in Guerrero.

The 2024 Federal Spending Budget. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador celebrated the preliminary approval of the 2024 Economic Package by the Chamber of Deputies. “An hour ago, the Budget was approved. I am very happy. It is very good news because we will continue fighting against poverty and reducing economic inequality.”
With 266 votes in favor, 204 against and one abstention, Congress preliminarily approved the 2024 Federal Spending Budget (PEF). Public spending stands at a historic MX$9.06 trillion (US$528.79 billion) with a debt financing cost of MX$1.12 trillion (US$65.37 billion) in 2024, which represents 11.8% more than in 2023. The budget has drawn attention due to its significant fiscal deficit, high debt level, the resources destined to public infrastructure and high spending on social programs. Objections are expected, especially since it does not consider the reconstruction of Guerrero after Hurricane Otis.

Mayan Train Archaeological Rescue Program.  Diego Prieto, Director, National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), stated that the archaeological rescue program of the Mayan Train has recovered 57,146 archaeological buildings, 1,398,083 ceramic pieces, and 666 bones.

Previously, Prieto emphasized that the Mayan Train archaeological rescue program is one of the largest investigations on the ancient Maya cultures ever done in the country. However, the population continues to resist the construction of the Mayan Train Section 5 South, a key part of one of President López Obrador's flagship infrastructure megaprojects, since it could damage the karst landscapes, the integrity of groundwater caves, and cause significant deforestation, as well as destroy archeological and paleontological remains. Last year, Pietro reported that more than 29,000 archeological pieces have been recovered from the Mayan Train construction sites.