Bart van Zwieten
@bvzw.bsky.social
Latin America expert and aficionado. Retired Dutch diplomat and UN expert, postings in Mexico, Brazil, Cuba, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Barbados, Suriname, Bangladesh, the Netherlands. Fan of Feyenoord, Rotterdam, music. Home is Oaxaca de Juarez, Oaxaca, Mexico
Xantiles (saints) were native to the Mixteca Baja region (Oaxaca- Puebla). They are molded clay polychrome sculptures of seated figures, mostly male deities. Xantiles were found in the corners or under the floors in houses. The sculptures were intentionally buried to hide them from the evangelists.
January 25, 2026 at 6:39 AM
Xantiles (saints) were native to the Mixteca Baja region (Oaxaca- Puebla). They are molded clay polychrome sculptures of seated figures, mostly male deities. Xantiles were found in the corners or under the floors in houses. The sculptures were intentionally buried to hide them from the evangelists.
How to say bro in Latin America.
January 25, 2026 at 6:38 AM
How to say bro in Latin America.
The irreverent approach of the Colombian hotline Jacarandas has made it the most-followed abortion account on social media in the Spanish-speaking world — an all-women team reinventing abortion advice for the TikTok age. www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
‘It’s not the 90s any more’: the all-women team reinventing abortion advice for the TikTok age
The irreverent approach of the Colombian hotline Jacarandas has made it the most-followed abortion account on social media in the Spanish-speaking world
www.theguardian.com
January 25, 2026 at 6:35 AM
The irreverent approach of the Colombian hotline Jacarandas has made it the most-followed abortion account on social media in the Spanish-speaking world — an all-women team reinventing abortion advice for the TikTok age. www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Ek Chuah was the Mayan god of commerce, merchants, and cacao, known as the "Black Warrior" who guides traders and protects journeys. Cacao was a trade commodity among various Mesoamerican peoples; the beverage was consumed by the upper social classes and was even in high demand during colonial times
January 24, 2026 at 8:22 AM
Ek Chuah was the Mayan god of commerce, merchants, and cacao, known as the "Black Warrior" who guides traders and protects journeys. Cacao was a trade commodity among various Mesoamerican peoples; the beverage was consumed by the upper social classes and was even in high demand during colonial times
The world’s top silver producers:
1. 🇲🇽 Mexico 6,300 tons
2. 🇨🇳 China 3,300
3. 🇵🇪 Peru 3,100
4. 🇧🇴 Bolivia 1,300
5. 🇵🇱 Poland 1,300
6. 🇨🇱 Chile 1,200
7. 🇷🇺 Russia 1,200
8. 🇺🇸 United States 1,100
9. 🇦🇺 Australia 1,000
10. 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan 1,000
11. 🇦🇷 Argentina 800
12. 🇮🇳 India 800
13. 🇸🇪 Sweden 400
14. 🇨🇦 Canada 300
1. 🇲🇽 Mexico 6,300 tons
2. 🇨🇳 China 3,300
3. 🇵🇪 Peru 3,100
4. 🇧🇴 Bolivia 1,300
5. 🇵🇱 Poland 1,300
6. 🇨🇱 Chile 1,200
7. 🇷🇺 Russia 1,200
8. 🇺🇸 United States 1,100
9. 🇦🇺 Australia 1,000
10. 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan 1,000
11. 🇦🇷 Argentina 800
12. 🇮🇳 India 800
13. 🇸🇪 Sweden 400
14. 🇨🇦 Canada 300
January 24, 2026 at 8:18 AM
The world’s top silver producers:
1. 🇲🇽 Mexico 6,300 tons
2. 🇨🇳 China 3,300
3. 🇵🇪 Peru 3,100
4. 🇧🇴 Bolivia 1,300
5. 🇵🇱 Poland 1,300
6. 🇨🇱 Chile 1,200
7. 🇷🇺 Russia 1,200
8. 🇺🇸 United States 1,100
9. 🇦🇺 Australia 1,000
10. 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan 1,000
11. 🇦🇷 Argentina 800
12. 🇮🇳 India 800
13. 🇸🇪 Sweden 400
14. 🇨🇦 Canada 300
1. 🇲🇽 Mexico 6,300 tons
2. 🇨🇳 China 3,300
3. 🇵🇪 Peru 3,100
4. 🇧🇴 Bolivia 1,300
5. 🇵🇱 Poland 1,300
6. 🇨🇱 Chile 1,200
7. 🇷🇺 Russia 1,200
8. 🇺🇸 United States 1,100
9. 🇦🇺 Australia 1,000
10. 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan 1,000
11. 🇦🇷 Argentina 800
12. 🇮🇳 India 800
13. 🇸🇪 Sweden 400
14. 🇨🇦 Canada 300
Mexico’s president is renewing a long-standing demand that Spain formally apologize to the country for abuses committed during the colonial era. Madrid has, once again, refused,. Other former colonial powers have apologized: the UK and the Netherlands have issued apologies elpais.com/mexico/2026-...
Claudia Sheinbaum insistirá en el perdón por las atrocidades de la Conquista
La presidenta de México retoma el tema del perdón al lanzar un plan de justicia para pueblos originarios de Guanajuato y Querétaro
elpais.com
January 24, 2026 at 8:14 AM
Mexico’s president is renewing a long-standing demand that Spain formally apologize to the country for abuses committed during the colonial era. Madrid has, once again, refused,. Other former colonial powers have apologized: the UK and the Netherlands have issued apologies elpais.com/mexico/2026-...
Mexico mágico! Today the discovery was announced of an ancient Zapotec tomb. Located on Cerro de la Cantera, in San Pablo Huitzo, Oaxaca, it dates back to 600 CE. Work is currently underway to conserve the tomb and decipher its iconography. www.inah.gob.mx/boletines/el...
January 23, 2026 at 8:25 PM
Mexico mágico! Today the discovery was announced of an ancient Zapotec tomb. Located on Cerro de la Cantera, in San Pablo Huitzo, Oaxaca, it dates back to 600 CE. Work is currently underway to conserve the tomb and decipher its iconography. www.inah.gob.mx/boletines/el...
The Ocelotl Cuauhxicalli is a Mexica ritual vessel in the shape of a jaguar, used to hold the blood and hearts of sacrificed captives as an offering to nourish the Sun. The finely carved figures of Huitzilopochtli, patron god of the Mexica, and Tezcatlipoca, protector deity of warriors. ~1500 CE.
January 23, 2026 at 7:33 AM
The Ocelotl Cuauhxicalli is a Mexica ritual vessel in the shape of a jaguar, used to hold the blood and hearts of sacrificed captives as an offering to nourish the Sun. The finely carved figures of Huitzilopochtli, patron god of the Mexica, and Tezcatlipoca, protector deity of warriors. ~1500 CE.
Mexico led the Latino region in upward economic mobility from 2018-2024, with for the first time more of the population defined as middle class (39.6%) than poor (21.7%), according to World Bank data. It means earning at least 9,918 pesos a month (US$17 a day). www.presidenta.gob.mx/boletines/cl...
www.presidenta.gob.mx
January 23, 2026 at 7:30 AM
Mexico led the Latino region in upward economic mobility from 2018-2024, with for the first time more of the population defined as middle class (39.6%) than poor (21.7%), according to World Bank data. It means earning at least 9,918 pesos a month (US$17 a day). www.presidenta.gob.mx/boletines/cl...
In 2026 US fentanyl overdose deaths fell to 40,000, lowest since 2020. The drop says the Mexican government is due to their crime-control strategy, but the decline began in 2023, before Mexico toughened policy. The decisive factor is China’s precursos crackdown www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Opinion | What’s behind the stunning decline in American opioid deaths
One major contributor is a decline in the supply of fentanyl.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 23, 2026 at 7:29 AM
In 2026 US fentanyl overdose deaths fell to 40,000, lowest since 2020. The drop says the Mexican government is due to their crime-control strategy, but the decline began in 2023, before Mexico toughened policy. The decisive factor is China’s precursos crackdown www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Strangely beautiful: the jaguar figure mask is a prominent archaeological artifact from Monte Albán, Oaxaca. It was found in Tomb 105, along with copper vessels and rattles. The mask represents a high-ranking priest or ruler and dates to the Late Classic period, around 800 CE.
January 22, 2026 at 9:10 AM
Strangely beautiful: the jaguar figure mask is a prominent archaeological artifact from Monte Albán, Oaxaca. It was found in Tomb 105, along with copper vessels and rattles. The mask represents a high-ranking priest or ruler and dates to the Late Classic period, around 800 CE.
The most richest country in Latin America by year, according to Gross Domestic Product per capita, Purchasing Power Parity (1980-2025).
January 22, 2026 at 9:08 AM
The most richest country in Latin America by year, according to Gross Domestic Product per capita, Purchasing Power Parity (1980-2025).
Suriname’s first female president, Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, is leading the world’s most forested country and is also set to oversee the world’s latest oil boom. “If we don’t prepare properly, we will inevitably suffer a resource curse”. americasquarterly.org/article/suri...
Suriname's President Prepares for an Oil Boom
Jennifer Geerlings-Simons promises a novel blueprint for a delicate opportunity.
americasquarterly.org
January 22, 2026 at 9:05 AM
Suriname’s first female president, Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, is leading the world’s most forested country and is also set to oversee the world’s latest oil boom. “If we don’t prepare properly, we will inevitably suffer a resource curse”. americasquarterly.org/article/suri...
Clay sculpture of a Zapotec god, from the Valley of Oaxaca. The god on this urn is Cocijo, the Zapotec deity of thunder. This is supported by the raindrops on different parts of the body. The rattles, frequent in images of Cocijo, reinforce this. 350-600 CE.
January 21, 2026 at 1:10 PM
Clay sculpture of a Zapotec god, from the Valley of Oaxaca. The god on this urn is Cocijo, the Zapotec deity of thunder. This is supported by the raindrops on different parts of the body. The rattles, frequent in images of Cocijo, reinforce this. 350-600 CE.
In Mexico City, 94% of the population lives within 5 minutes of a taco stand (8.6 million people). The total number of taco stands: 10,915 (Source: INEGI).
January 21, 2026 at 1:07 PM
In Mexico City, 94% of the population lives within 5 minutes of a taco stand (8.6 million people). The total number of taco stands: 10,915 (Source: INEGI).
Largest peoples in the Americas (2025 including ancestry).
January 21, 2026 at 1:05 PM
Largest peoples in the Americas (2025 including ancestry).
Ten years after Fidel Castro died, his era is finally ending? The repressive, aggressively anti-capitalist brand of leftism by Cuba and Venezuela has never been so unpopular throughout Latin America, because its own failures have never been so publicly visible. americasquarterly.org/article/is-t...
Is This the End of the Fidel Castro Era?
Events in Venezuela, Cuba and beyond suggest that a particular brand of leftism is in its twilight in Latin America, writes AQ’s editor-in-chief.
americasquarterly.org
January 21, 2026 at 1:03 PM
Ten years after Fidel Castro died, his era is finally ending? The repressive, aggressively anti-capitalist brand of leftism by Cuba and Venezuela has never been so unpopular throughout Latin America, because its own failures have never been so publicly visible. americasquarterly.org/article/is-t...
Ox Bel Ha is the longest known underwater cave system on earth, 524 kilometers. Its name is Maya and means Three Paths of Water. It supports a rare underground ecosystem, methane seeping down from the jungle feeds microbes and bacteria. These, in turn, sustain crustaceans and unique cave fish.
January 20, 2026 at 11:34 AM
Ox Bel Ha is the longest known underwater cave system on earth, 524 kilometers. Its name is Maya and means Three Paths of Water. It supports a rare underground ecosystem, methane seeping down from the jungle feeds microbes and bacteria. These, in turn, sustain crustaceans and unique cave fish.
Pectoral from Zaachila, Oaxaca, 1200–1521 CE. In the center of the representation of a solar disk is a deity with a prominent belly and slender arms and legs, adorned with anklets. The two rectangles seen below are part of the glyph that meant "golden jewel." arqueologiamexicana.mx/mexico-antig...
January 20, 2026 at 11:24 AM
Pectoral from Zaachila, Oaxaca, 1200–1521 CE. In the center of the representation of a solar disk is a deity with a prominent belly and slender arms and legs, adorned with anklets. The two rectangles seen below are part of the glyph that meant "golden jewel." arqueologiamexicana.mx/mexico-antig...
Analysts warn Mexico’s inflation will climb above 4% in 2026, driven by World Cup demand, new taxes, higher wages, and tariffs. www.elfinanciero.com.mx/economia/202...
Inflación subirá a más de 4% este año por Mundial 2026, nuevos impuestos y aranceles: Analistas
El Mundial 2026, el aumento del salario y los aranceles podrían presionar los precios este año y, por ello, la inflación subirá, explicaron los especialistas.
www.elfinanciero.com.mx
January 20, 2026 at 11:23 AM
Analysts warn Mexico’s inflation will climb above 4% in 2026, driven by World Cup demand, new taxes, higher wages, and tariffs. www.elfinanciero.com.mx/economia/202...
The US halts immigrant visa processing for 75 countries; this will not apply for non-immigrant visas. In the Americas are affected: Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Saint Kitts, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and Uruguay
January 20, 2026 at 11:22 AM
The US halts immigrant visa processing for 75 countries; this will not apply for non-immigrant visas. In the Americas are affected: Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Saint Kitts, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and Uruguay
This axe, named after its shape, is part of the axe-yoke-palm assembly, closely linked to the ceremonial ballgame. It wears a unique helmet with the figure of a curved fish, whose head rests on the forehead and whose tail extends towards the back. San Andrés Tuxtla, Veracruz, Totonac 100-850 CE.
January 19, 2026 at 12:05 PM
This axe, named after its shape, is part of the axe-yoke-palm assembly, closely linked to the ceremonial ballgame. It wears a unique helmet with the figure of a curved fish, whose head rests on the forehead and whose tail extends towards the back. San Andrés Tuxtla, Veracruz, Totonac 100-850 CE.
The US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement has its first six-year review in 2026. It will determine if all three countries agree to extend the agreement or begin renegotiation discussions. Uncertainty around the outcome could move currency markets quickly. Rumors of renegotiation can trigger volatility.
January 19, 2026 at 12:02 PM
The US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement has its first six-year review in 2026. It will determine if all three countries agree to extend the agreement or begin renegotiation discussions. Uncertainty around the outcome could move currency markets quickly. Rumors of renegotiation can trigger volatility.
A Mexican federal court upheld a ruling finding 50 LPG companies guilty of colluding to raise prices. Monopolies affected 97% of Mexico’s regional gas markets. This is a signal that Mexico’s judicial overhaul may be starting to bite; he case had been frozen since 2022 www.reforma.com/confirma-tri...
Confirma Tribunal colusión monopólica de empresas de gas LP
Un Tribunal confirmó que cerca de 50 empresas de gas LP se coludieron por más de una década para evitar libre competencia en distribución.
www.reforma.com
January 19, 2026 at 11:51 AM
A Mexican federal court upheld a ruling finding 50 LPG companies guilty of colluding to raise prices. Monopolies affected 97% of Mexico’s regional gas markets. This is a signal that Mexico’s judicial overhaul may be starting to bite; he case had been frozen since 2022 www.reforma.com/confirma-tri...
Trump Risk Index
The 10 Most Exposed Countries
1. Mexico🇲🇽
2. Costa Rica🇨🇷
3. Germany🇩🇪
4. Dominican Republic🇩🇴
5. Panama🇵🇦
6. China🇨🇳
7. Japan🇯🇵
8. El Salvador🇸🇻
9. Vietnam🇻🇳
10. Honduras🇭🇳
@TheEIU
The 10 Most Exposed Countries
1. Mexico🇲🇽
2. Costa Rica🇨🇷
3. Germany🇩🇪
4. Dominican Republic🇩🇴
5. Panama🇵🇦
6. China🇨🇳
7. Japan🇯🇵
8. El Salvador🇸🇻
9. Vietnam🇻🇳
10. Honduras🇭🇳
@TheEIU
January 19, 2026 at 11:50 AM
Trump Risk Index
The 10 Most Exposed Countries
1. Mexico🇲🇽
2. Costa Rica🇨🇷
3. Germany🇩🇪
4. Dominican Republic🇩🇴
5. Panama🇵🇦
6. China🇨🇳
7. Japan🇯🇵
8. El Salvador🇸🇻
9. Vietnam🇻🇳
10. Honduras🇭🇳
@TheEIU
The 10 Most Exposed Countries
1. Mexico🇲🇽
2. Costa Rica🇨🇷
3. Germany🇩🇪
4. Dominican Republic🇩🇴
5. Panama🇵🇦
6. China🇨🇳
7. Japan🇯🇵
8. El Salvador🇸🇻
9. Vietnam🇻🇳
10. Honduras🇭🇳
@TheEIU