Mexico

MEXICO CITY (AP) — More than 25,000 Mexican workers at dozens of factories south of Brownsville, Texas, went on strike Friday after owners of the plants that assemble for export refused union demands for a 20 percent pay hike and an annual bonus.

The Union of Maquiladora Industry Industrial Workers of Matamoros, the SJOIIM, said that by late Saturday nine companies had agreed to meet the salary and bonus demands.

Union leader Juan Villafuerte thanked union members who had stood outside in the rain and cold, noting “we hope to soon conclude this labor action.”

MEXICO CITY, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Friday that his country is willing to help mediate a "peaceful" solution to Venezuela's political crisis "as long as both parties request it."

"We are willing to help in the conciliation," Lopez Obrador said at a press conference.

MEXICO CITY, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from a recent pipeline explosion in Mexico's central state of Hidalgo has risen to 91, said state governor Omar Fayad on Monday.

In an interview with local media, Fayad also said that the 52 wounded people had been treated in a dozen hospitals in Hidalgo, the State of Mexico, and Mexico City.

In the wake of the disaster, the governor said he would dedicate himself to saving lives, locating remains, and supporting the federal government's crackdown on fuel theft.

22 Jan 2019; DW: Mexico saw more murders in 2018 than any other year since nationwide records began some two decades ago, according to the country's Interior Ministry. Mexico might soon get a national guard tasked with combating crime.

With drug-related crimes and gang violence rife across Mexico, investigators opened 33,341 murder probes in 2018, setting a new record, according to the latest data published by the nation's authorities. Men make up the overwhelming majority of the victims, with 861 women losing their lives last year.

MEXICO CITY, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- The fuel pipeline explosion in the central Mexican state of Hidalgo has killed at least 79 people and injured 81 others, Minister of Public Health Jorge Alcocer said Sunday.

"There are still patients who sustained serious injuries, with burns of more than 80 percent," said the official in a press conference, accompanied by Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

MEXICO CITY, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- At least 21 people were killed and 71 others injured in a pipeline explosion in the central Mexican state of Hidalgo on Friday, local authorities said.

"I am at the scene ... At the moment, 21 deaths and 71 injured are reported," tweeted Omar Fayad, governor of Hidalgo.

Fayad said the local government was coordinating rescue efforts and helping the injured was top priority.

He warned locals against fuel theft, noting that "besides being unlawful, it puts your life and that of the families at risk."

Tijuana (Mexico), Jan 2; AFP: A group of 150 migrants from Mexico tried crossing over to the US. The US Border Patrol used tear gas and pepper spray to counter them as they threw rocks while trying to get into the country. This led to 25 arrests.

It is the second time since November that border officers have used tear gas during an attempted mass migrant crossing in the San Diego area. At least three volleys of gas were launched onto the Mexican side of the border near Tijuana's beach.

02 Jan 2019; DW: Alejandro Aparicio had been sworn in as mayor and was walking with supporters on the street when assailants shot him. Mexico has had a recent rise in political violence, with local politicians being targeted the most.

The major of Tlaxiaco, a small municipality of Oaxaca, Mexico, was gunned down on Tuesday straight after he had been sworn in.

10 Dec 2018; AFP: Mexico's new President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Sunday he would reverse shrinking investment in the state oil company by pouring $3.7 billion into Pemex in 2019, in a bid to boost crude and refined products' output.

"We are going to increase investment in Pemex by 75 billion pesos from what was authorized for 2018," the leftist president said in a speech in his home state of Tabasco.

3 Dec 2018; AFP: Anti-establishment leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador vowed a "deep and radical" change in Mexico as he assumed the country's presidency Saturday, five months after winning a landslide election victory.

The leader, widely known by his initials as "AMLO," took the oath of office and donned the presidential sash before Congress -- where the coalition led by the upstart party he founded four years ago, Morena, now has strong majorities in both houses.