Justicia, tierra y libertad

Pancho Villa, revolution anniversary & traffic

Author

Rocio L
November 17, 2025

¡Hola amigos! 

We’re rolling into November with big energy — history, politics, protests, shopping, and yes, the eternal chaos of CDMX traffic. This week’s main story takes us back into the heart of the Mexican Revolution (with a special nod to the North and the legend of Pancho Villa). My grandpa would be proud — he loved this part of history and devoured anything he could read about it — so consider this my little homage to him, too.

In the news, we’re tracking the fallout from the assassination of Uruapan’s mayor, the protests it sparked across Michoacán and CDMX, and the messy political storm that followed after President Sheinbaum was publicly groped — and then accused by the opposition of using her assault to distract from the violence. Meanwhile, Buen Fin wrapped up its five-day shopping frenzy, CDMX was officially crowned the most traffic-clogged city on Earth (shocking absolutely no one), and there’s plenty more unfolding across the capital.

So whether you’re catching up after a long day, unwinding at home, or easing into the week, enjoy — there’s plenty here for you.

– Rocio
Founder, Life of Leisure 
Writer, Mexico News Daily 

The hero, myth, icon: Pancho Villa

The Revolution That Reshaped Mexico

Every November, as the anniversary of the Mexican Revolution approaches, I’m reminded of how deeply this history is woven into life in the north. Up there, the Revolution isn’t an abstract chapter from a textbook — it feels lived. I grew up hearing stories from my grandfather about Pancho Villa, the brilliant, unpredictable, larger-than-life figure who led the fight from our region. In Durango, where he was born, people still speak of him with a kind of fierce pride, contradictions and all.

But Villa’s story makes sense only within the bigger picture of why the Revolution happened in the first place. By 1910, Mexico had endured more than three decades under Porfirio Díaz, whose presidency brought railroads, foreign investment, and industrial growth, but at an enormous cost. Wealth concentrated at the top while peasants lost their land, Indigenous communities were displaced, wages stagnated, and political dissent was crushed. Progress was real, but so was the inequality it left behind.

When Francisco I. Madero called for Mexicans to rise up on November 20, the country erupted. In the north, Villa stepped into the fight with the División del Norte, transforming from a former bandit into one of the Revolution’s most effective military leaders. His troops — miners, cowboys, farmers, vaqueros — formed the largest and most disciplined revolutionary army in the country. They captured cities, controlled railways, and shifted the balance of power again and again.

In the south, another force was rising: Emiliano Zapata and the campesinos of Morelos. While Villa fought for political change and anti-authoritarian ideals, Zapata fought for land — land stolen from Indigenous and rural communities under Díaz’s policies. Their battle cry, “Tierra y Libertad,” still echoes today.

Though they came from different worlds, Villa and Zapata ultimately joined forces. Their meeting in Mexico City in 1914, seated together in the National Palace, symbolized something bigger than either man: the north and south united to challenge entrenched power and reshape the future of the country. Their alliance didn’t last long, but it marked a turning point. And after ten long, violent, transformative years, Mexico emerged with a new constitution, new rights, and a new vision of what the nation could be.

The Revolution was messy, contradictory, and far from perfect, but it cracked open the possibility of a more just Mexico. And for those of us who grew up hearing stories about Villa around the dinner table, it remains a reminder of how ordinary people can become the spark that changes everything.

🪧 Gen Z–styled protests spread across Mexico after mayor’s murder. Thousands of young people marched nationwide this weekend under the banner of “Generación Z,” calling out rising violence and government inaction after the brazen killing of an anti-crime mayor earlier this month. In Mexico City, the protest briefly turned violent as a small group of hooded demonstrators clashed with barriers around the National Palace.

🛍️ Buen Fin wraps up across Mexico. Inspired by the U.S. Black Friday rush, Mexico’s biggest annual shopping event kicked off Thursday with more than 215,000 businesses offering discounts during the five-day retail blitz. Launched in 2011 to boost the economy, Buen Fin always overlaps with the Mexican Revolution long weekend — giving shoppers both major deals and an extra day off.

📰 Man gropes President Sheinbaum as she speaks to citizens. While greeting people near Mexico City’s historic center, Sheinbaum was harassed by an intoxicated man who tried to kiss her neck and touched her without consent. She quickly announced she would press charges, calling the incident “an assault on all women.”

🚗 Mexico City ranks as the most traffic-congested city in the world. According to the latest TomTom Traffic Index, chilangos spend an average of 152 hours a year — nearly an entire week — stuck on the road. The report places CDMX at the very top of global congestion rankings, confirming what anyone who’s sat on Insurgentes already knows.

🚨 Sheinbaum unveils security plan for Michoacán after mayor’s assassination. Following the killing of Carlos Alberto Manzo Rodríguez — mayor of Uruapan — during Day of the Dead celebrations, widespread outrage and protests erupted across the state. Claudia Sheinbaum responded by launching the “Michoacán Plan for Peace and Justice,” deploying thousands of federal troops and investing billions to strengthen law enforcement, intelligence and socioeconomic programs. 

🏵️ How marigolds became the Día de Muertos flower. The iconic cempasúchil traces back to its pre-Hispanic roots, when the Aztecs used the bright orange bloom to honor Mictēcacihuātl, the goddess of death. Today, her presence is still believed to guide spirits home each November, keeping the flower at the heart of Día de Muertos traditions.

🚫 Peru’s Congress declares President Sheinbaum persona non grata. Lawmakers in Lima voted to label Sheinbaum unwelcome just days after Peru cut diplomatic ties with Mexico. The move follows Mexico’s decision to grant asylum to a former Peruvian prime minister facing charges tied to a 2022 coup attempt, further escalating tensions between the two countries.

🎶 Mexican regional music went global — now women want their turn. Regional genres like mariachi, banda, corridos, norteño and more have become a driving force behind Latin music’s global boom. But even as the stars of the movement dominate charts and headline major tours, the genre’s rapid rise has largely sidelined women — and they’re now pushing for long-overdue visibility.

🖼️ Mexico and Spain edge toward reconciliation after years of tension. After seven strained years over historical grievances tied to the Spanish Conquest, the opening of a major four-part exhibition of Mexican Indigenous art in Spain marks a notable shift. Spain’s foreign minister acknowledged the “injustice and pain” inflicted on Indigenous peoples — a gesture President Sheinbaum called a first step toward repairing relations.

👑 Miss Universe organizer apologizes after tirade at Miss Mexico. Earlier this month, several contestants walked out of a pageant event after the Miss Universe director publicly berated Miss Mexico for skipping promotional activities. The backlash forced an apology, adding fresh controversy to an already tense competition season.

🇺🇸 U.S. officials say the Trump administration is planning a new mission in Mexico targeting cartels. Current and former officials report that the operation under consideration would involve U.S. troops on the ground striking drug labs and cartel leaders — though any deployment is not imminent.

Sparkle: Full Moon Women’s Circle 🌝

Dec 4 | 7:30–8:30PM (Online)

December’s Gemini Cold Full Moon invites clarity, closure, and honest expression. Together we’ll reflect on the year’s lessons, release what’s complete, and speak our truths through journaling, meditation, and gentle sharing. A cozy, year-end reset under winter’s brightest moon.

💸 Exchange: $12US
💻 Replay included

CULTURE & HAPPENINGS

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ODE TO MEX

I know I’ve been on a roll with show recommendations lately, but here’s one more — and the timing couldn’t be better with Revolution Day around the corner. Pancho Villa: El Centauro del Norte dives into the life, mythology, and contradictions of Villa himself, from his early years as a bandit in Durango to becoming the revolutionary force who mobilized the North and changed Mexico’s history. A perfect watch to get into the spirit of Nov. 20.

VIRAL VAULT

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Why CDMX IYKYK?
Because staying in the know shouldn’t require 12 tabs, 5 group chats, and a rabbit hole of IG accounts. I created this newsletter to help fellow expats, digital nomads, and the Mexican diaspora feel more connected to life in Mexico — not just the highlights, but the context behind them too.

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