Under Porfirio Díaz, the government’s approach to the Catholic Church became known as a política de conciliación, a policy of conciliation. A study by the historian David Carbajal López, published by UNAM, says that it “dejó sin vigencia efectiva las leyes de Reforma” (left the Reform Laws without effective force).
Relations with Cuba
In July 1964, at a meeting of foreign ministers of the Organization of American States in Washington, the OAS resolved that its members should break diplomatic relations with Cuba. Mexico voted against. Bolivia, Chile and Uruguay also voted against, but they later complied.
Mexico kept its relations with Cuba. The historian Nora Pérez Rayón, in a study of the Mexican press in 1964, puts it plainly: “México fue el único país que ignoró la resolución” (Mexico was the only country that ignored the resolution).
Dignity and Friendship
In June 2019, the United States threatened tariffs on Mexican goods. The day after the two governments reached an agreement, on June 8, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador held a rally in Tijuana. He called it an “Acto en defensa de la dignidad nacional y en favor de la amistad con EEUU” (Act in defense of national dignity and in favor of friendship with the US).
He spoke of the US president: “no le levanto un puño cerrado, sino la mano abierta y franca” (I do not raise a closed fist to him, but an open and frank hand). “Le reiteramos nuestra disposición a la amistad, al diálogo y la colaboración por el bien de nuestros pueblos” (We repeat our willingness for friendship, dialogue and collaboration for the good of our peoples).
Strike Notices
In 2023, the labor authorities of Mexico’s states registered 1,260 strike notices, according to INEGI. “Estallaron cuatro huelgas” (Four strikes broke out).
At the federal level, the Centro Federal de Conciliación y Registro Laboral received 4,727 strike notices between its start in November 2020 and April 2026. The Ministry of Labor reports “una efectividad de 99% en la resolución mediante convenio” (a 99 percent rate of resolution by agreement).
Welcome Home
On election night, June 2, 2024, the opposition candidate Xóchitl Gálvez called Claudia Sheinbaum to congratulate her on her victory. Marko Cortés, the president of the PAN, shouted at Gálvez for it. She made this public on June 12.
On June 20, the two made peace, and Gálvez agreed to keep working with the party. “Nos hablamos de frente, transparente y con la verdad” (We spoke face to face, openly and truthfully), she said. Cortés told her: “Siempre serás bienvenida a tu casa, tu partido, donde te apoyamos con mucho entusiasmo” (You will always be welcome in your home, your party, where we support you with great enthusiasm).
The Embrace of Acatempan
According to Mexican tradition, on February 10, 1821, at Acatempan, Agustín de Iturbide and Vicente Guerrero ended their war against each other with an embrace. The abrazo de Acatempan stands for the alliance that led to independence.
The embrace may never have happened. In a letter to the viceroy dated February 18, 1821, Iturbide implies that the two had not yet met. In 2021, the newspaper Crónica ran the headline: “No existe registro documental sobre el abrazo de Acatempan” (There is no documentary record of the embrace of Acatempan).
Married Twice
Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera divorced in 1939. In December 1940, Kahlo came to San Francisco, and on December 8 they married each other again.
The Museo Frida Kahlo describes the terms: “vuelven a casarse en 1940, bajo un acuerdo común: vidas sexuales autónomas” (they marry again in 1940, under a common agreement: autonomous sex lives).
The Vocabulary of Starting Over
Hacer las paces, “to make the peace,” to reconcile. Hacer borrón y cuenta nueva, “to erase and open a new account.” El Imparcial explains that it means “olvidar errores o deudas pasadas y comenzar de nuevo sin rencores” (to forget past mistakes or debts and start again without resentment). Lo pasado, pasado, “what is past is past.” It is also the title of a song by Juan Gabriel, recorded by José José in the late 1970s.
From Rival to Cabinet
On September 6, 2023, Morena announced that Claudia Sheinbaum had won its poll to become the coordinator of its movement. Marcelo Ebrard rejected the result. “Me queda claro que en Morena ya no tenemos espacio” (It is clear to me that there is no longer room for us in Morena), he said the next day. On September 11, Sheinbaum said: “aquí siguen abiertas las puertas para que él regrese” (here the doors are still open for him to return).
On June 20, 2024, as president-elect, Sheinbaum named Ebrard Secretary of Economy. “Estoy muy contenta que Marcelo nos acompañe” (I am very happy that Marcelo is joining us), she said.
Breakfast with the Rival
On election night, July 1, 2018, José Antonio Meade conceded: “Debo reconocer que fue Andrés Manuel López Obrador el favorecido” (I must recognize that Andrés Manuel López Obrador was the one favored). Ricardo Anaya told the winner: “Le expreso mi felicitación y le deseo el mayor de los éxitos por el bien de México” (I congratulate you and wish you the greatest success for the good of Mexico).
On August 3, López Obrador received Meade for breakfast. “Invité a José Antonio Meade a desayunar porque nobleza obliga” (I invited José Antonio Meade to breakfast because nobility obliges), he said.