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
Lithographs of the archaeological site of Chichen Itza, Yucatán, Mexico, from 1844 by Frederick Catherwood. The site looks abandoned and overgrown by jungle. It is now one of the most visited archeological sites in Mexico with over 2.5 million visitors each year, renowned for its spectacular beauty.
December 3, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Lithographs of the archaeological site of Chichen Itza, Yucatán, Mexico, from 1844 by Frederick Catherwood. The site looks abandoned and overgrown by jungle. It is now one of the most visited archeological sites in Mexico with over 2.5 million visitors each year, renowned for its spectacular beauty.
Mexico City in 1628, a small city surrounded by lakes. This map can be found in the exposition in the Torre Latinoamericano (hence the presence of this building on the map), which was built in the period 1948-56, and is really worth a visit for the panoramic view on the 44th floor and the exposition
December 2, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Mexico City in 1628, a small city surrounded by lakes. This map can be found in the exposition in the Torre Latinoamericano (hence the presence of this building on the map), which was built in the period 1948-56, and is really worth a visit for the panoramic view on the 44th floor and the exposition
The Donroe Doctrine seems the foreign-policy of a new hemispheric conservatism, drawing on public disillusionment (corruption, insecurity, institutional stagnation). With the left fragmented, this reinforces Trump’s strategy of carving out exceptions to rule of law. www.eldiplo.org/318-las-garr...
December 2, 2025 at 12:46 PM
The Donroe Doctrine seems the foreign-policy of a new hemispheric conservatism, drawing on public disillusionment (corruption, insecurity, institutional stagnation). With the left fragmented, this reinforces Trump’s strategy of carving out exceptions to rule of law. www.eldiplo.org/318-las-garr...
Trump announced a pardon to a former Hondras president, Juan Orlando Hernández, who is on a 45-year US prison sentence for drug trafficking. Rather than serving as a reliable partner in drug trafficking, Trump demonstrates that alignment with its hemispheric agenda matters more than accountability.
December 2, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Trump announced a pardon to a former Hondras president, Juan Orlando Hernández, who is on a 45-year US prison sentence for drug trafficking. Rather than serving as a reliable partner in drug trafficking, Trump demonstrates that alignment with its hemispheric agenda matters more than accountability.
The Basilica of Our Lady of Solitude is located in the city of Oaxaca de Juárez, in southeastern Mexico in the state of Oaxaca. Built between 1682 and 1690, it is a sanctuary dedicated to Our Lady of Solitude, patron saint of the city of Oaxaca. The building is in the Baroque style.
December 1, 2025 at 9:27 AM
The Basilica of Our Lady of Solitude is located in the city of Oaxaca de Juárez, in southeastern Mexico in the state of Oaxaca. Built between 1682 and 1690, it is a sanctuary dedicated to Our Lady of Solitude, patron saint of the city of Oaxaca. The building is in the Baroque style.
Throne back with a sovereign, a courtier (possibly a woman), and a deity in the center.
Culture: Maya
Region: Piedras Negras, Usumacinta River
Period: Late Classic
Year: 600-909 CE
Technique: Limestone, sculpted in the round
Dimensions: 112 x 169 x 23 cm
Provenance unknown
Culture: Maya
Region: Piedras Negras, Usumacinta River
Period: Late Classic
Year: 600-909 CE
Technique: Limestone, sculpted in the round
Dimensions: 112 x 169 x 23 cm
Provenance unknown
November 30, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Throne back with a sovereign, a courtier (possibly a woman), and a deity in the center.
Culture: Maya
Region: Piedras Negras, Usumacinta River
Period: Late Classic
Year: 600-909 CE
Technique: Limestone, sculpted in the round
Dimensions: 112 x 169 x 23 cm
Provenance unknown
Culture: Maya
Region: Piedras Negras, Usumacinta River
Period: Late Classic
Year: 600-909 CE
Technique: Limestone, sculpted in the round
Dimensions: 112 x 169 x 23 cm
Provenance unknown
The unemployment rate in Mexico declined in the 3rd quarter of the year. However, informality shows an increase of 466 thousand workers, compared to the 3rd quarter of the previous year. Labor informality rises, reaching 55.4%; Oaxaca tops the list with 80.1%. www.diariomarca.com.mx/2025/11/info...
November 30, 2025 at 12:43 PM
The unemployment rate in Mexico declined in the 3rd quarter of the year. However, informality shows an increase of 466 thousand workers, compared to the 3rd quarter of the previous year. Labor informality rises, reaching 55.4%; Oaxaca tops the list with 80.1%. www.diariomarca.com.mx/2025/11/info...
The Temple of the Inscriptions, Palenque Chiapas, with its staircases and the funerary chamber of the ruler of Lakamha: Kinich Jannab Pakal. Discovery by archaeologist Alberto Ruz Lhullier in 1952, when he accessed the funerary chamber. I saw this chamber in 1987, before it was closed to the public!
November 29, 2025 at 12:03 PM
The Temple of the Inscriptions, Palenque Chiapas, with its staircases and the funerary chamber of the ruler of Lakamha: Kinich Jannab Pakal. Discovery by archaeologist Alberto Ruz Lhullier in 1952, when he accessed the funerary chamber. I saw this chamber in 1987, before it was closed to the public!
All three lintels feature the same ruler and his wife and form part of a narrative. Beautiful Maya art, from Yaxchilan, Chiapas, Mexico.
November 27, 2025 at 1:50 PM
All three lintels feature the same ruler and his wife and form part of a narrative. Beautiful Maya art, from Yaxchilan, Chiapas, Mexico.
A wife bids farewell to her husband, the kuhul ajaw of Pa’ Chan, on his way to war. It is lintel 26 of Yaxchilán, Chiapas, crafted in 724 AD. The protagonists are Lord Shield Jaguar II and his wife Lady Xoc, who hands him his flexible shield and a helmet or headdress in the shape of a jaguar head.
November 26, 2025 at 12:10 PM
A wife bids farewell to her husband, the kuhul ajaw of Pa’ Chan, on his way to war. It is lintel 26 of Yaxchilán, Chiapas, crafted in 724 AD. The protagonists are Lord Shield Jaguar II and his wife Lady Xoc, who hands him his flexible shield and a helmet or headdress in the shape of a jaguar head.
OAS SG Ramdin said that the US airstrikes on drug boats and troop deployment near Venezuela highlight deep political divisions. But US economic influence gives it significant sway: “It’s not fair to depend on a single member state and expect that state not to say ‘things have to be done my way’”.
November 25, 2025 at 9:12 AM
OAS SG Ramdin said that the US airstrikes on drug boats and troop deployment near Venezuela highlight deep political divisions. But US economic influence gives it significant sway: “It’s not fair to depend on a single member state and expect that state not to say ‘things have to be done my way’”.
The tomb of Pakal in the Temple of the Inscriptions in Palenque, Tabasco, is one of the most important discoveries of Mexican archaeology (1962). The monolithic slab shows Pakal's ascent in 863AD to the celestial realm after passing the underworld and returning as K'awiil, the Mayan god of maize.
November 24, 2025 at 11:12 AM
The tomb of Pakal in the Temple of the Inscriptions in Palenque, Tabasco, is one of the most important discoveries of Mexican archaeology (1962). The monolithic slab shows Pakal's ascent in 863AD to the celestial realm after passing the underworld and returning as K'awiil, the Mayan god of maize.
Jajajaja or kkkkkk or hahahaha: Trump administration covert plans to print birthday leaflets for South American leaders....
November 24, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Jajajaja or kkkkkk or hahahaha: Trump administration covert plans to print birthday leaflets for South American leaders....
The discovery of the goddess Coyolxauqui in Mexico City. The electric company night shift worker, Mario Alberto Espejel, felt that his work tool hit something hard; he dug and discovered a part of the monolith and notified his immediate supervisor. February 21, 1978.
November 23, 2025 at 7:07 AM
The discovery of the goddess Coyolxauqui in Mexico City. The electric company night shift worker, Mario Alberto Espejel, felt that his work tool hit something hard; he dug and discovered a part of the monolith and notified his immediate supervisor. February 21, 1978.
Map of CDMX; it was made in 1932 by Emily Edwards. In it, you can see the current Doctores neighborhood with its original name, Hidalgo. Note the coats of arms of the viceroys Mendoza, Revillagigedo, as well as those of Cortés, Zumárraga, and Alvarado.
November 22, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Map of CDMX; it was made in 1932 by Emily Edwards. In it, you can see the current Doctores neighborhood with its original name, Hidalgo. Note the coats of arms of the viceroys Mendoza, Revillagigedo, as well as those of Cortés, Zumárraga, and Alvarado.
Mexico is now the number one export destination for the US. The @uscensusbureau says, for a first time is it the main export market. In August, the US exported 29 billion dollars worth in goods to México. Mexico is the largest export market for 24 US economic sectors www.nytimes.com/2025/11/19/w...
November 21, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Mexico is now the number one export destination for the US. The @uscensusbureau says, for a first time is it the main export market. In August, the US exported 29 billion dollars worth in goods to México. Mexico is the largest export market for 24 US economic sectors www.nytimes.com/2025/11/19/w...
Taking the interurban train in Mexico City, from Santa Fe to Toluca is a fantastic ride. Especially the part with high views over the Desierto de los Leones and La Marquesa is spectacularly beautiful. Enormous engineering works makes this train ride a joy. Something to be proud of, Mexico!
November 21, 2025 at 4:34 AM
Taking the interurban train in Mexico City, from Santa Fe to Toluca is a fantastic ride. Especially the part with high views over the Desierto de los Leones and La Marquesa is spectacularly beautiful. Enormous engineering works makes this train ride a joy. Something to be proud of, Mexico!
The cable car ride in Mexico City from Constituyentes to Vasco de Quiroga is really worth the trip. Seeing CDMX from high-up, flying over traffic, is fantastic. Great addition tu low-cost urban transport!
November 21, 2025 at 4:26 AM
The cable car ride in Mexico City from Constituyentes to Vasco de Quiroga is really worth the trip. Seeing CDMX from high-up, flying over traffic, is fantastic. Great addition tu low-cost urban transport!
Nearshoring takes off: Foreign Direct Investment in Mexico in 2025 reached 41 billion dollars, the highest level recorded for a third quarter. This is a 69% growth since 2018 and a 15% increase from 2024, driven mainly by new investments that went from $2 to &6.5 billion.
elpais.com/mexico/econo...
elpais.com/mexico/econo...
November 20, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Nearshoring takes off: Foreign Direct Investment in Mexico in 2025 reached 41 billion dollars, the highest level recorded for a third quarter. This is a 69% growth since 2018 and a 15% increase from 2024, driven mainly by new investments that went from $2 to &6.5 billion.
elpais.com/mexico/econo...
elpais.com/mexico/econo...
The Mexican government confirmed it will introduce a bill to cut the standard work week from 48 to 40 hours. Business groups warn labor costs could jump by 71%, with two-thirds of companies opposed. The reform would be in line with global norms. Almost no OECD country works longer hours than Mexico.
November 20, 2025 at 12:22 PM
The Mexican government confirmed it will introduce a bill to cut the standard work week from 48 to 40 hours. Business groups warn labor costs could jump by 71%, with two-thirds of companies opposed. The reform would be in line with global norms. Almost no OECD country works longer hours than Mexico.
On Saturday 17,000 people marched in Mexico City’s center in a “Gen-Z-led” protest about violence. This march however was fake: participants were older and linked to millionaire-backed protests. The efforts to pass as Gen Z with clumsy anime references, backfired, young people boycotted the event.
November 19, 2025 at 6:14 PM
On Saturday 17,000 people marched in Mexico City’s center in a “Gen-Z-led” protest about violence. This march however was fake: participants were older and linked to millionaire-backed protests. The efforts to pass as Gen Z with clumsy anime references, backfired, young people boycotted the event.
Some monarchs departed from the Rocky Mountains, while others left from the East Coast. Several have already been detected arriving at their overwintering grounds in Mexico since November 9th. Migration routes have been recorded to Florida, the Caribbean, and of course, Michoacán, their winter home.
November 19, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Some monarchs departed from the Rocky Mountains, while others left from the East Coast. Several have already been detected arriving at their overwintering grounds in Mexico since November 9th. Migration routes have been recorded to Florida, the Caribbean, and of course, Michoacán, their winter home.
Guyana is a unique country because it can grow enough food to feed its entire population without needing to import food. This means that all the food needed for everyone living there comes from farms and gardens within the country. It is impressive that Guyana doesn't rely on foreign food supplies.
November 19, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Guyana is a unique country because it can grow enough food to feed its entire population without needing to import food. This means that all the food needed for everyone living there comes from farms and gardens within the country. It is impressive that Guyana doesn't rely on foreign food supplies.