The internet is a toilet

IT global outage, cumbia rebajada & Doctoralia app

Author

Rocio C
July 25, 2024

Welcome to another edition of CDMX iykyk 🙌

Before we get started, I have a small favor to ask. If you find this newsletter helpful, could you share it with other expats, digital nomads, or anyone interested in quick news updates about Mexico? Here's the link to share. Thanks a bunch for your support!

Alright, let’s get to it.

TOP STORY 

Doña Cleotilde from El Chavo del 8

How the Largest IT Outage in History Impacted Mexico 

Last week's unprecedented CrowdStrike software glitch caused global disruptions, leading to billions in economic losses. In Mexico, the chaos was particularly evident at airports and the US border.

Tell me more.

Last Friday, Mexico faced significant disruptions at airports and border crossings due to an IT meltdown affecting 8.5 million Microsoft Windows computers worldwide. The outage was caused by a flawed software update from the Austin-based cybersecurity company, CrowdStrike.

At Mexico City's main airport, 22 flights were canceled, and another 250 were delayed, affecting around 2,000 passengers, especially those traveling to or from the United States. In Cancún, 24 flights were canceled and 100 were delayed. But at least a band helped passengers get in the “al mal tiempo, buena cara” mood by playing “Cielito Lindo,” with a chorus urging people to sing instead of cry.

Low-cost airline Viva Aerobus canceled all its international flights scheduled for Friday. Volaris and Aeroméxico were also heavily impacted, canceling several flights due to IT system failures. Other affected airports included Morelia, Querétaro, Monterrey, Mérida, Guanajuato, Puerto Escondido, Hermosillo, and Los Cabos.

At the San Ysidro Port of Entry between Tijuana and San Diego, travelers faced long wait times. The EFE news agency reported that SENTRI program participants waited over three hours, compared to the usual 10-25 minutes. The CBP One app, used by migrants in Mexico to schedule asylum appointments, was also affected.

What does this mean?

Globally, the outage led to nearly 26,000 flight delays and impacted over 1,000 organizations, including airlines, hospitals, and financial systems. Many encountered the "blue screen of death" error on their Microsoft Windows systems. The stock prices of companies using CrowdStrike services saw temporary declines.

The full recovery and legal implications of the outage are still unfolding. Key questions remain about who will bear the economic damages caused by this incident.

💃🏻 Cumbia rebajada: The accidental music genre from Monterrey. 

⏸️ Musk states that the Tesla gigafactory in Mexico is 'on hold' over a potential Trump victory.

🚌 A migrant caravan of at least 2,000 is heading to the US border from southern Mexico.

⚽ A former head coach and a past star player come back to rescue the ‘El Tri.’

⚠️ Watch out in Roma and Condesa—there's a foreign woman attacking people and dogs.

If you're interested in sponsoring this newsletter, just reply to this email for more details.

CULTURE & HAPPENINGS
DID YOU KNOW? 

I might be late to the game, but I just discovered the Doctoralia app a few days ago. I urgently needed to see a doctor, and this app was a lifesaver!

ODE TO MEX

This section showcases my love of Mexican art, films and music. Each week, I'll offer a handpicked recommendation to deepen your connection with this magical country and its people. 

I’m a huge fan of the movie I’m No Longer Here—it beautifully explores Monterrey’s cumbia rebajada scene and the captivating Kolombia subculture.

VIRAL VAULT

Welcome to our reel-y awesome corner, where memes reign supreme and giggles are guaranteed.

Thank you for subscribing and reading CDMX if you know, you know – it's a labor of love fueled by curiosity, and now coffee! ☕️

This project is self-funded, and if you would like to support the newsletter, you can now buy me a coffee.

Thank you for reading. See you next Thursday!