Hurricane Erick made landfall on June 19 near Santiago Pinotepa Nacional in Oaxaca, marking the first major hurricane of the season with sustained winds reaching 200 km/h (125 mph), gusting up to 250 km/h  . Rapidly intensifying from Category 2 to 4, it ultimately struck as a powerful Category 3 system.

🌀 Areas most affected

Santiago Pinotepa Nacional & El Ranchito: Coastal villages were hit hardest by storm surges, flooding, and debris fields. Emergency teams reported entire communities without power, shelter, or potable water. In one area, “nine out of ten families were affected by strong winds”—and recovery owes to delayed access due to road washouts. Puerto Escondido & surrounding coast: At least 30,000 residents lost electricity and cell coverage. Fishermen reported that waves destroyed boats and damaged piers, cutting  off vital livelihoods. Santa María Tonameca, Pinotepa & Huatulco: Infrastructure damage was widespread—downed power lines, blocked highways, collapsed bridges, and flooded homes and schools.

Casualties & current conditions

Official reports confirm 19 deaths, including a baby who drowned in Guerrero and a man electrocuted while debris-clearing in Oaxaca; 27 injured, with three individuals still missing according to recent data. Rivers in mountainous areas are rising, posing ongoing threats of floods and landslides, especially in steep, unstable zones. Power restoration is underway: about half of the 277,000 affected customers have had electricity reinstated. Yet, many remote villages remain disconnected.

Response & outlook

30,000+ soldiers, marines, and National Guard personnel are active in rescue, cleanup, and relief efforts throughout Oaxaca and Guerrero. Over 2,000 shelters were opened ahead of the storm, accommodating hundreds—schools and public buildings are being used as temporary refuges. Cleanup operations continue: heavy equipment is clearing debris from roads and key infrastructure. Aid groups on the ground emphasize urgent needs—food, clean water, hygiene supplies, and medical kits.

What it looks like now

Currently, many coastal towns remain muddy, debris-choked, and cut off. Streets are littered with uprooted trees and tangled power cables. While urban centers are gradually reopening—shops in Acapulco have resumed, and highways are being repaired—remote communities still lack basic services and access. Authorities caution that secondary hazards, like heavy rain-induced landslides and flash floods, continue to threaten and hinder full recovery.

Erick stands out as an exceptionally early major hurricane, reminding officials of events like Otis (2023) and John (2024). Despite the swift preparedness and response, rural and coastal populations face a long, difficult rebuilding process—one that will require sustained aid and infrastructure support.

Athletes from different parts of Mexico and other countries come to Huatulco to compete in this triathlon, which includes swimming, cycling, and running. There are several race categories: Sprint, Olympic, and Elite. The elite competition is part of the World Triathlon Cup, so it includes professional athletes who are competing for international ranking points. But there are also many local and amateur athletes who join in the other distances.

Huatulco’s tropical climate makes the race difficult. It is usually very hot and humid, so hydration and preparation are important. The swim takes place in the bay of Santa Cruz, which is usually calm. The bike course goes along the highway with some hills and ocean views. The running course is flat but exposed to the sun, and it goes through the town with people watching and cheering.

The triathlon affects daily life in Huatulco during the weekend. Streets are closed for parts of the day, and local businesses see more activity because of the visitors. Many people in the community help as volunteers or simply go out to support the athletes. For some residents, the noise and traffic can be inconvenient, but others enjoy the excitement.

Huatulco has hosted this event for many years, and it is one of several World Triathlon events that take place in Latin America. The location is known for being safe and organized, which is why it continues to be part of the international circuit.

The weekend is not just about sport—many visitors also take time to go to the beach or explore the area. For athletes, it is a chance to compete in a challenging environment. For locals, it is a moment when Huatulco becomes a place of international attention, even if only for a few days.

The official website for the AsTri Huatulco Triathlon is:www.asdeporte.com/evento/huatulco-2025

This site includes registration details, race schedules, course maps, and participant information for the 2025 event.

By Jane Bauer

The 11th edition of La Cava Secreta, Secrets Huatulco’s annual Wine Festival, kicked off on June 4 with an elegant and lively evening of wine, culture, and entertainment. The well-attended event brought together guests, winemakers, and wine lovers to celebrate the richness of Mexican viticulture.

More than a dozen wineries were present, with standout labels from Baja California including La Trinidad, El Redondo, Norte 32, Madera 5, and Hacienda Guadalupe—each offering tastings that showcased the depth and diversity of Mexican wine.

The evening opened with classical music, followed by a welcome from hotel manager Angélica Angón and entertainment director Pepe Mueller. The Secrets entertainment team delivered a dynamic performance of modern dance and aerial scarf acrobatics, and introduced the vintners and sommeliers to the audience.

Adding a local flair, designer Delfina Prieto presented a stunning fashion show featuring contemporary pieces made with traditional Oaxacan textiles.

The festival continues with three days of wine conferences and curated wine pairing dinners hosted by guest chefs. Cava Secreta is once again positioning Secrets Huatulco as a destination for wine and cultural celebration.

Contact the hotel to reserve: 958 583 0500 ext. 7101

By Alicia Flores

On June 1, 2025, Mexico embarked on an unprecedented democratic experiment: electing nearly 2,700 judges nationwide, including all nine Supreme Court justices. This sweeping judicial reform, first announced in September 2024, has sparked intense debate over its implications for judicial independence and the rule of law. 

The seeds of this reform were sown on September 1, 2024, when then-President Andrés Manuel López Obrador introduced a constitutional amendment to overhaul Mexico’s judiciary. The proposal aimed to replace the traditional merit-based appointment system with popular elections for judges, a move he argued would combat corruption and increase accountability. The amendment was swiftly passed and enacted on September 15, 2024 . 

The announcement sparked conversations across the nation. During a dinner with friends, a lawyer posed a poignant question to his mother: “If I were running to be a judge, would you vote for me?” Her immediate affirmation led him to remark, “You just proved why the system is not going to work.” This anecdote encapsulates the concerns many hold about the potential for personal biases to influence judicial elections.

As polls opened on election day, early reports indicated a sluggish start. In cities like Mexico City, Veracruz, and Chiapas, some polling stations saw few voters . Experts had warned that the sheer number of candidates—over 7,700 vying for more than 2,600 positions—combined with limited public information about them, could lead to voter apathy and confusion. Indeed, the complexity of the ballots and the novelty of electing judges contributed to an anticipated low turnout .   

The ruling party, Morena, had hoped for at least a 20% participation rate but acknowledged that turnout below 10% would be considered a failure . Opposition parties, citing concerns over the legitimacy of the process, urged voters to boycott the election, further dampening participation . 

Mexico’s decision to elect its entire judiciary by popular vote is unprecedented. While countries like Bolivia have implemented similar reforms on a smaller scale, Mexico is the first nation to undertake such a comprehensive overhaul of its judicial selection process . This move positions Mexico as a global outlier, raising questions about the long-term implications for its legal system and democratic institutions.  

Critics argue that the reform could compromise judicial independence, making judges susceptible to political pressures and undermining the separation of powers. The inclusion of candidates with controversial backgrounds, including ties to organized crime, has heightened these concerns . Laurence Patin, director of the legal organization Juicio Justo, expressed apprehension, stating, “It’s an effort to control the court system, which has been a sort of thorn in the side of those in power” .  

The reform also reduces the number of Supreme Court justices from eleven to nine and limits their terms to twelve years, changes that some fear could further erode checks and balances within the government .

As Mexico navigates this transformative period, the world watches closely. The success or failure of this judicial reform will not only shape the nation’s legal landscape but also serve as a case study for other countries contemplating similar changes. The balance between democratizing institutions and preserving their independence remains a delicate one, and Mexico’s experience will undoubtedly offer valuable insights into this complex dynamic.