Secondly, energy costs, which ultimately benefit the government-controlled energy sector, are high.\u00a0 I recently paid 23.29 pesos for a liter of gas. Take that amount, times 3.78 for the amount of liters in a gallon (88.04 pesos), divided by the exchange rate (17.4) and the cost of gasoline comes out to $5.06 a gallon.<\/strong> Diesel is comparatively priced, at $5.21 a gallon.<\/strong><\/p>\n Finally, Mexico’s handling of the COVID pandemic (not shutting borders, generally less restrictions) enabled them to be paying back the International Monetary Fund during the pandemic, when many other countries were taking out big loans.\u00a0 The current president’s increased control over the formal economy has undoubtedly increased overall tax income for the Federal government. An accountant friend likes to call it “fiscal terrorism.” Immigration is no longer an issue in Mexico. Wanna guess why?<\/p>\n That’s not to say that all is peachy here. Insecurity continues to increase. Mexico has had to import massive amounts of natural gas and LP gas from the U.S., as well as basic grains, like corn and wheat. Corruption plagues every sector of society.\u00a0 And the traffic!\u00a0 During a recent return from northern Mexico City to our home, a normally 90 minute trip took over 2 1\/2 hours. (see picture).\u00a0 An airport run, about 18 miles from our house, often takes two hours. And everywhere you go, you’re paying tolls, not to mention an annual road tax, and a bi-annual emissions inspection. It’s not cheap to have a car here.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I was watching the news last night here in Mexico City, and was reminded of something that we’ve become keenly aware of…prices continue to go up. Not only that, the dollar, which historically has constantly grown stronger against the Mexico peso, is currently at its weakest point since 2016. 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