Surviving Yucatan

Dec. 25, 2016

Time to make some memories with your friends & families, y’awl.
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Feel free to copy while giving proper attribution: YucaLandia/Surviving Yucatan.
© Steven M. Fry

Read on, MacDuff.

Dec. 9, 2016
As all the Christmas holiday chatzkies are appearing on store shelves, and as we make our holiday plans … It’s time to remember our beloved household help and employees (including muchachas y mozos).

Please plan ahead to pay them their end of the year Aguinaldos by December 20’th. (and to also pay for their vacation days) … This pay is NOT a optional bonus. Our Mexican workers and their families count-on and depend on these critical annual payments owed to them.

Basically the Aguinaldo is 15 days of pay. (calculated on a 7 day work wk)

Aguinaldo
The annual aguinaldo is the equivalent of 15 days of “Daily Rate” pay.

It is not a Christmas bonus.   It is a mandatory wage payment that is due by the 20’th of December.   The aguinaldo is equivalent to at least “15 days wages”, and may be pro-rated if the employee has been working for you for less than a full year.

Simplified Version to Determine Aguinaldo in $ Pesos $:
# Days Worked per Week   x   # Weeks Worked   x    Rate per Day   x   15 Days / 365 Days =

Aguinaldo in $ Pesos $

** If a worker is hired to work by the week, the “Daily Rate” equals their weekly pay … divided by 7.   If he / she  is hired by the month, the “Daily Rate” is the monthly amount divided by 30. 

**Daily Rate Simplest Example…  If you have an employee who works two days a week ~ for the entire year ~ for $350 pesos each day = $700 pesos a week:

$700 pesos / 7 days = $100 pesos per day at their “Daily Rate”
$100 pesos “Daily Rate” x 15 days of Aguinaldo pay = $1500 pesos

Note that if they work only a part year:
An alternate way of calculating the aguinaldo is determined by multiplying the total days they worked in current year by 15, then divide by 365 days, and then multiply by the daily rate:

For a part-year worker coming in for 2 days a month for 9 months =>
18 days … x  … 15 days of Aguinaldo = 270
270 / 365 = 0.7392 …    0.74 x   $Daily Rate ($100 pesos?)   = $ _____

Note.  The “Daily Rate” is based on a full week.  For example, if your maid only works two days per week,  and gets paid $700 pesos per week ($350 pesos per day of work).  You take the weeks salary of $700 divided by 7  =  $100 pesos is the Daily Rate.

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Vacation Pay
Vacation pay for current year worked. … Remember that this is the official Mexican Labor Law’s “Daily Rate” ** (see below) … and remember they should also receive this pay for all past years worked.

1st year – 6 days salary
2 years – 8 days
3 years – 10 days
4 years – 12 days
5 to 9 years – 14 days
10 to 14 years – 16 days
15 to 19 years – 18 days
20 to 24 years – 20 days
25 to 29 years – 22 days
30 to 34 years – 24 days
35 to 39 years – 26 days

Happy Holidays !

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See more details at our Full Articles:
https://yucalandia.com/answers-to-common-questions/labor-law-for-household-employees-in-mexico-what-must-we-pay/

… and   https://yucalandia.com/answers-to-common-questions/mexicos-new-2012-labor-law-and-the-effects-on-expats-with-household-help/

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Feel free to copy while giving proper attribution: YucaLandia/Surviving Yucatan.
© Steven M. Fry

Read on, MacDuff.

Dec. 1, 2016:

The world officially became a less interesting place Nov. 25, 2016.

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… Obama decided to not send a representative to Castro’s funeral.

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The CIA sent their own parting gift.

Nov. 29, 2016:

The US State Department issued new passport renewal application forms in July 2016,:  http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/212241.pdf

Unfortunately, the new~current State Department form includes an “Acts or Conditions” section that   causes problems & traps for American citizens who have become naturalized Mexican citizens.**

The US State Department is always on the lookout, trying to detect US citizens and US nationals who have committed  acts that can cost us our US citizenship & our US nationality.

Fortunately, we’ve sleuthed-out a set of procedures that successfully evade the current ‘ Catch 22’s ‘ – offering solutions that ironically are  NOT explained anywhere in published US rules, law, CFR, or US govt. websites.

… Hint:  These issues are likely to become even more important under Trump’s scrutiny of people with formal connections to Mexico …

First:   Note the OFFICIAL US State Department department policy on US nationals and US citizens who commit acts that are potential grounds for loss of ‘US Nationality’ … official provisions that are triggered when we apply to renew our US passport :

“When, as the result of an individual’s inquiry or an individual’s application for registration or a passport it comes to the attention of a U.S. consular officer that a U.S. national has performed an act made potentially expatriating by INA Sections 349(a)(1), 349(a)(2), 349(a)(3) or 349(a)(4) as described above,

the consular officer will simply ask the applicant if he/she intended to relinquish U.S. nationality when performing the act.

If the answer is no, the consular officer will certify that it was not the person’s intent to relinquish U.S. nationality and, consequently, find that the person has retained U.S. nationality. ”

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal-considerations/us-citizenship-laws-policies/citizenship-and-dual-nationality.html

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That clause, by itself, appears innocuous,   right?

… Unfortunately, it does NOT end there….

**Next:  Read the new~current July 2016 version of the application to renew a US passport form

“ACTS OR CONDITIONS
I have not, since acquiring United States citizenship/nationality, been naturalized as a citizen of a foreign state; taken an oath or made an affirmation or other formal declaration of allegiance to a foreign state; entered or served in the armed forces of a foreign state; accepted or performed the duties of any office, post, or employment under the government of a foreign state or political subdivision thereof; made a formal renunciation of nationality either in the United States, or before a diplomatic or consular officer of the United States in a foreign state; or been convicted by a court or court martial of competent jurisdiction of committing any act of treason against, or attempting by force to overthrow, or bearing arms against the United States, or conspiring to overthrow, put down, or to destroy by force, the government of the United States. ”

“Furthermore, I have not been convicted of a federal or state drug offense or convicted of a “sex tourism” crime, and I am not the subject of an outstanding federal, state, or local warrant of arrest for a felony; a criminal court order forbidding my departure from the United States; or a subpoena received from the United States in a matter involving federal prosecution for, or grand jury investigation of, a felony.”

This LOOKS GRIM for naturalized Mexican citizens,  because
~ We have become Naturalized Citizens   (strike one)
~  We have taken oaths/affirmations of allegiance to a foreign state   (strike two)

BUT,   there is an ‘out’

” “(If any of the below-mentioned acts or conditions have been performed by or apply to the applicant, ~ the portion which applies should be lined out,~  and a supplementary explanatory statement under oath (or affirmation) by the applicant should be attached and made a part of this application.)” ”

*** So, WHEN AT THE CONSULATE,  we are supposed to line out the sections about

” … been naturalized as a citizen of a foreign state; taken an oath or made an affirmation or other formal declaration of allegiance to a foreign state; … ”

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Next … NOTE THAT OUR US CONSULATE insists:
“However, he should not do this until he is present at the Consulate for the interview and/or submission of the application. ”
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So, NO lining out the problematic statements on the passport renewal application, until you are in front of a Consular agent.

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*** Next Requirement…  As Naturalized citizens of Mexico, We are supposed to include  …  “a supplementary explanatory statement under oath (or affirmation) ” … attached to our renewal application.

According to the US Consulate in Merida, this attached document is just a simple letter that describes the following items:

~  Give your official Name as listed on your US passport.
~  List your current US passport number.
~ The approximate date that you naturalized as a Mexican citizen.

~  A statement:
…   ” I swear (affirm) that I did not intend to relinquish U.S. nationality when I became a naturalized Mexican citizen.”  

and
~  Applicant’s signature & Date

So…   These procedures successfully evade the ‘Catch 22’s – practical solutions that ironically are NOT explained anywhere in published US rules, law, CFR, or US govt. websites.

These procedures also very nicely fit official published US State Department policies … They fit the July 2016  US Passport Renewal Form  requirements … and they fit the US Merida Consuls specific advice on how to make the  US passport renewal process work for US Nationals & US Citizens who have also become naturalized Mexican citizens.

Clear as mud ??

Happy Trails

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Feel free to copy while giving proper attribution: YucaLandia/Surviving Yucatan.
© Steven M. Fry

Read-on MacDuff . . .

Nov. 22, 2016:

So much of Yucatan goes unseen.

So much of Yucatan is covered by deceptive … or drab exteriors.

but even the stoniest looks melt into smiles,  with a warm “Bax ka‘wali “ …**

The same goes for Yucatecan homes.

Want a peek behind the facadas ?   … a look behind the locked doors?

Some of the warmest, most beautiful spaces are cloaked in drab exteriors.

The same way a simple greeting in Maya, “Bax ka‘wali“ , provides an key~entré

into Yucatecan’s minds,    clicking on this link,   opens a way into some Yucatecan homes

If you like the video tour & the people,  check out the website of what the US Consulate is calling “Merida’s best NGO” …

http://www.fundacionbai.com/

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

**”Bax ka‘wali “  is informal Maya for:  ” What’s goin’ on ? ”

The standard reply is  “Not much…”   “Mix bah”

The point is most Meridadanos do not know Maya,  but they know that “Bax ka‘wali “ is a greeting (mistankenly imagining it means “Como esta”)

…  but “Bax ka‘wali “ + a smile …  opens doors … and opens minds, even when

they don’t know much Maya.

Want to learn a few basic Maya phrases?

Bridging the Gaps (Learning Maya)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Feel free to copy while giving proper attribution:
YucaLandia/Surviving Yucatan.
© Steven M. Fry

Read-on MacDuff . . .

Sept. 15, 2016:
We wrote about the formal (past) procedures for what to do if you lose your INM card, especially when outside of Mexico.   The old details are at:  ”

Lost or Stolen Residente Permanente or Residente Temporal Card “

That previous post describes how to do it at a Mexican Consulate.
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.Here’s a Fun New Alternative:
INM is NOW implementing a new system,  where the foreigner temporarily enters Mexico on a ‘tourist’ visitante visa,  and then goes immediately to their local INM office to get a replacement card.

Here’s the narrative of a person who recently successfully used the ‘new’ INM procedure:

The American lost both his CURP and Residente Permanente cards while in the USA.

Following the typical guidance from the SRE website, he went to a Mexican Consulate in Texas … but was not allowed into the Consulate  without an appointment.  He was told to go on line and request an appointment … but his flight was the next day, so he  just entered Mexico by air, explaining to the airport INM personnel that he had lost his RP card.

The INM people were quite nice, however, they said they could not let him into Mexico using his Permanente status without his card.  The INM agents at the airport explained  that he must enter Mexico (temporarily) using a VISITORs VISA…   They insisted that he would NOT lose his  Residente Permanente status if

~ He I went to his local INM office soon after arriving home in Mexico…  and

~ The INM border agents told him to request replacement card from his local INM office.

~  Then,  then INM agents at his local office should then call the airport (or border) INM office,   and

~ The airport INM would correct his visa entry status in the airport INM records.

Finally,  the fellow who lost his visa card explained how to go online and start the process of getting a replacement RP card,  before going to the local INM office:

1.  Go online to www.inm.gov.mx/

   At the top banner of the page
   Select:  Tramites

   Select:  Migracion visa y Pasaporte

   Select:   Condiciones y estancia en Mexico

   Select:   Reposicion de documento migratorio

   Reposicion de Documento Migratorio por Perdida, robo o Deterioro.

2. Print out the form online & take it in to your local INM office.
3. INM accepts your request for a replacement RP card form and starts the process by giving you a payment document to take to a bank to pay $1108 pesos for replacing the lost card.
4. Go pay the fee at a bank, and take the payment confirmation firm from the bank, back to your INM office., along with the original form for requesting a replacement card, copy of your passport and the original, and the ‘visitors visa’ card from the airport (or border).He was given an appointment for an interview for the next day.

At the next day’s appointment,  the INM agent accepted the forms, along with the Visa that was given to him when entering at the airport showing he entered as a tourist.  The local INM agent explained that they were instituting new procedures so people don’t have to start the Permanente process all over again.

INM is now  treating the lost card as being lost in Mexico.  He is supposed to return in about a week to be finger printed and should have his new Permanente card in about two more weeks.

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Feel free to copy while giving proper attribution: YucaLandia/Surviving Yucatan.
© Steven M. Fry

Read-on MacDuff . . .

What do you live for ?

Sept. 5, 2016:
When we travel, sometimes we lose our Residente Permanente or Residente Temporal cards, or they get stolen.  What can we do?

When in Mexico, you go to your INM office, and apply for a replacement.

Editor’s Note:  Note that there are some important updates that can include NOT going to a Consulate… reported at:

Update on What to do if you lose your INM card

Continuing with the post:
When traveling outside Mexico,  the problems mount,  especially because many Mexican Consulates do not know how to handle these things.  Fortunately,  the ever-conscientious lawyer Lic. Spence McMullen has done the heavy-lifting and describes what we should do.

“If you lose your Mexican immigration card outside Mexico you need a special visa to enter Mexico, …  if you enter as a tourist then they will cancel your old temporary or permanent.**

You need a police report, photo, passport and payment of a small fee.

I have been fighting with many Mexican consulates as they do not know what to do, I have made a sheet from their own manual telling them how to help foreigners in this situation, if you need it, print this file and bring it with you to avoid suffering consequences in Mexico for their bad advice. “

**If you mistakenly allow yourself to enter as a tourist, then INM will cancel your old temporary or permanent.  This is a HUGE deal … a big mistake …  because it ultimately  forces the foreigner to go back to a Mexican Consulate outside Mexico,  and START ALL OVER, reapplying for a new RT or RP visa…

Instead, when you lose your RT or RP visa card, you must go to a Mexican Consulate,  and apply for a special travel document to present to the INM agent at the port of entry, which allows the foreigner to re-enter Mexico without being re-classified as a tourist.

www.chapalalaw.com/RoboExtravioVisa.pdf

We offer that link to the 2012 INM Ley de Migración pages on this,  because many Mex. Consulates are not familiar with the requirements.  Show them this page when you go to the Consulate, to help their process along.

Unfortunately, this process can take from 2 days to a week,  so you may miss your flight as a consequence of losing your RT or RP card.

It is tempting to think that if you carry notarized black & white copies of your INM card, that it would be sufficient to re-enter Mexico (after losing the RT or RP card).  Unfortunately,  the INM agents say “No copies will be accepted, only your “tarjeta de Migración” is the valid form of documention we want to see” …

I wish the news was better…  so this post is a word-to-the-wise about taking good care of your RT or RP visa card.

Also read

Update on What to do if you lose your INM card

for more details on ADDITIONAL NEW OPTIONS…

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Feel free to copy while giving proper attribution: YucaLandia/Surviving Yucatan.
© Steven M. Fry

Read-on MacDuff . . .

The real America…

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June 27, 2016:

Laredo Consular Message:
“— On Mon, 6/27/16, nuevolaredo-acs@state.gov <nuevolaredo-acs@state.gov> wrote:

From: nuevolaredo-acs@state.gov <nuevolaredo-acs@state.gov
Subject: Message for U.S. Citizens: IRS Webinar “Foreign Earned Income for U.S. Overseas Taxpayers”
Date: Monday, June 27, 2016, 11:43 AM
1.     The  Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will host a webinar “Foreign Earned Income for U.S. Overseas Taxpayers” on June 29, 2016, 2:00-3:00 p.m. EDT.

2.     To register and attend this webinar, use the Foreign  Earned Income for U.S. Overseas Taxpayers orhttps://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/445/15416 webinar link.  Attendees should log in 10 minutes prior to the start time.  The session will be recorded and made available at a later time on http://www.irsvideos.gov/
or http://ca.m.state.sbu/sites/clearance/OCSClearanceQueue/Lists/Clearances/Attachments/985/irsvideos.gov
.

3.     The  webinar will cover: Requirements for claiming the foreign income exclusion
Identifying which form to use: Form 2555 or 2555-EZ Specifying information to include on
Form 2555 or 2555-EZ ….

Live Q&A with IRS subject matter experts.”

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Feel free to copy while giving proper attribution: YucaLandia/Surviving Yucatan.
© Steven M. Fry

Read-on MacDuff . . .

June 25, 2016
Coming soon to a Walmart in your area …

There’s a whole new generation of credit card skimmers at Walmart et al that are surprisingly good…

Can you spot the fake…  from the real one?

….

Because the thieves have to snap the skimmer mask over-top the real credit card reader,   the fake ~skimmer~  is a little wider, and a little taller.

Thanks to Krebs on Security for their ongoing excellent work…

http://krebsonsecurity.com/2016/06/how-to-spot-ingenico-self-checkout-skimmers/

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Here’s a link to other card skimmers seen in the past in Yucatan (see bottom of article).

Banking, Exchanging Currency, & Using Credit Cards & ATMs in Mexico

June 20, 2016

INM at airports may now have access-to & use Aduana-Banjercito vehicle permit database information. …
A recent San Miguel Expat forum post described a change at one INM airport office on for foreigners exiting Mexico (in Mexico on a Visitor’s Visa)… who also had an existing (un-cancelled) Temporary Import Permit for their foreign-plated car:

” Our car permit is in my husband’s name (we’re on tourist visas). He had to fly out yesterday to care for his mom for awhile. When the plane was just about to take off, they found him and he had to pay a 390 peso fine because he’s leaving the car behind.
Word to the wise! “

This is the first report we’ve read about what sure looks like INM … now … has the ability to flag our INM records with some of our auto/truck permit information from the Aduana/Banjercito database(s).

Bit by bit,  this is another step in the Mexican government using their nationwide databases to force foreigners to finally comply with Mexican law.

Have other readers had similar experiences?

June 13, 2016

SAT published new rules on Authorized Destruction (Scrapping) of Temporarily Imported (TIP) Vehicles this February.  There are now official SAT authorized sites for disposing of unwanted TIP autos, as listed below.   Unfortunately,  there are none in the Yucatan,  but the State of Mexico is well supplied.

http://www.sat.gob.mx/terceros_autorizados/centros_destruccion/Paginas/centros_destruccion_vehiculos.aspx

After we have scrapped a TIP car (at our $$ cost ) then we deliver proof to SAT of the vehicle’s authorized destruction … per page 56, anexo 5 :

http://www.sat.gob.mx/informacion_fiscal/normatividad/Documents/manual_importacion_vehiculos.pdf

After completing these steps, we can bring in another TIP vehicle … and if all is done properly, we potentially protect our previous TIP deposit.

From the SAT Website on Authorized Vehicle Destruction Centers:
“CENTROS DE DESTRUCCIÓN AUTORIZADOS PARA DESTRUIR VEHÍCULOS DE CONFORMIDAD CON EL DECRETO POR EL QUE SE FOMENTA LA RENOVACIÓN DEL PARQUE VEHICULAR DEL AUTOTRANSPORTE

• Denominación o Razón social:  G4 Metales, S.A. de C.V.
  Domicilio Fiscal: Segunda Manzana Rincón de Bucio s/n, Rincón de Bucio, Jilotepec, Estado de México. C.P. 54240.
  RFC: GME111103372
  Fecha y número de autorización: 600-01-02-2015-02048 de fecha 24 de noviembre de 2015.
  Fecha de publicación en Internet: 27 de noviembre de 2015

• Denominación o Razón Social: Materiales de Reciclaje, S.A. de C.V. 
  Domicilio fiscal: Cubilote 1302, Col. Zona Industrial, C.P. 78395, San Luis Potosí, S.L.P.
  RFC: MRE880923BM3
  Fecha y número de autorización: 600-01-02-2015-02047 de fecha 24 de noviembre de 2015.
  Fecha de publicación en internet: 24 de noviembre de 2015.
  Teléfonos: (444) 804-4440 fax. 804-4444, (444) 804-4449
  Correo electrónico: a.aldrett@materialesdereciclaje.com; a.rodriguez@materialesdereciclaje.com

• Denominación o Razón Social: Fierro, Recolección y Servicios, S.A. de C.V.
  Domicilio fiscal: Periférico Raúl López Sánchez s/n, Col. Centro Oriente, C.P. 27000, Torreón, Coahuila.
  RFC: FRS060216KW0
  Fecha y número de autorización: 600-04-03-2015-62687 de fecha 14 de octubre de 2015.
  Fecha de publicación en internet: 19 de octubre de 2015.
  Teléfono: 871 7333334.
  Correo electrónico: ferresa@prodigy.net.mx
• Denominación o Razón Social: Recicladora Siderúrgica de la Laguna, S.A. de C.V.
  Domicilio fiscal: Calle 49 Sur Núm. 199, Fracc. Los Ángeles, C.P. 27290, Torreón, Coahuila.
  RFC: RSL950503R10
  Fecha y número de autorización: 600-04-03-2015-62676 de fecha 06 de octubre de 2015.
  Fecha de publicación en internet: 12 de octubre de 2015.
  Télefono: 01 (871) 720-32-42 y 720-16-32
  Correo electrónico: ecelayo@resilasa.com.mx
• Denominación o Razón Social: Internacional Regiomontana de Acero, S.A. de C.V.
  Domicilio fiscal: Calle El Milagro número 202, Colonia El Milagro, C.P. 66634, en el Municipio de Apodaca, Nuevo León.
  RFC: IRA860114J78
  Fecha y número de autorización: 600-04-03-2015-61694 de fecha 25 de septiembre de 2015.
  Fecha de publicación en internet: 1 de octubre de 2015.
  Teléfono: (81) 8196-9144
  Correo electrónico: laurazuniga@irasa.net
• Denominación o Razón social: Redisa Metales y Materiales, S.A. de C.V Domicilio fiscal: Carretera Norias de Ojo Caliente, km. 1, Norias de Ojo Caliente 20196, Aguascalientes, Ags.
  RFC: RMM080110T67
  Fecha y número de autorización: 600-04-03-2015-61676 de fecha 04 de septiembre de 2015.
  Fecha de publicación en internet: 22 de septiembre de 2015.
  Teléfono: (449) 9 78 30 42
  Correo electrónico: redisametalesymateriales@hotmail.com
• Denominación o Razón Social: Kalischatarra, S. de R.L. de C.V.
  Domicilio fiscal: Calle Vialidad CH-P, número 7603, col Mármol, c.p. 31065, Chihuahua, Chihuahua.
  RFC: KAL840927K44
  Fecha y número de autorización: 600-04-03-2015-61275 de fecha 18 de agosto de 2015.
  Fecha de publicación en internet: 21 de agosto de 2015.
• Denominación o Razón Social: Recicladora Ecológica de Material Ferroso y no Ferroso, S.A. de C.V.
  Domicilio fiscal: Carretera Rastro Porcino Km. 1.8, Col. Loma Larga, C.P. 29045, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas.
  RFC: REM120524UU3
  Fecha y número de autorización: 600-04-03-2015-60943 de fecha 10 de agosto de 2015.
  Fecha de publicación en internet: 12 de agosto de 2015.
  Teléfonos: 961 15 4 31 32, 961 15 4 31 33 y 961 15 4 31 34
  Correo electrónico: remafer.tuxtla.admon@gmail.com
• Denominación o Razón Social: Aceros Noxmex, S.A. de C.V.
  Domicilio fiscal: San Antonio Núm. 99, Col. Reforma, C.P. 52100, San Mateo Atenco, Edo. de México.
  RFC: ANO140522MP9
  Fecha y número de autorización: 600-04-03-2015-60933 de fecha 4 de agosto de 2015.
  Fecha de publicación en internet: 5 de agosto de 2015.
  Teléfono: 01(722)327-81-79
  Correo electrónico: atencion@acerosnoxmex.mx
• Denominación o Razón Social: Metales Emir, S.A. de C.V.
  Domicilio fiscal: Libramiento Rubén García Núm. 202, Col. Centro, C.P. 66600, Apodaca, Nuevo León.
  RFC: MEM111006RM3
  Fecha y número de autorización: 600-04-03-2015-60932 de fecha 3 de agosto de 2015.
  Fecha de publicación en internet: 4 de agosto de 2015.
  Teléfono: 01(81)20-89-77-30
  Correo electrónico: contacto@metalesemir.mx
• Denominación o Razón Social: Compañía Ambiental de Toluca, S.A. de C.V.
  Domicilio fiscal: Callejón de San Pedro Totoltepec Núm. 1, Col. Reforma, C.P. 52120, San Mateo Atenco, Edo. de México.
  RFC: ATO100628CK9
  Fecha y número de autorización: 600-04-03-2015-60582 de fecha 30 de julio de 2015.
  Fecha de publicación en internet: 31 de julio de 2015.
  Teléfonos: (722) 210 5230 / 180 1743
  Correos electrónicos: info@catolsa.com.mx ; alberto.martinez@catolsa.com.mx
• Denominación o Razón Social: Fedang de México, S.A. de C.V.
  Domicilio fiscal: Avenida Campos núm. 501-A, col. Cerro Colorado primera sección, 22223, Tijuana, Baja California.
  RFC: FME13070249A
  Fecha y número de autorización: 600-04-03-2015-60510 de fecha 15 de julio de 2015.
  Fecha de publicación en internet: 16 de julio de 2015.
  Teléfono: 01-800-2333264
  Correo electrónico: direcciónjuridica@Fedang.mx

• Denominación o Razón Social: Giada Metal Group, S. de R.L. de C.V.
  Domicilio fiscal: Capellanía de Loera Km. 2.2., Col. Los López, C.P. 37680, León, Gto.
  RFC: GMG080124KA3
  Fecha y número de autorización: 600-04-03-2015-59219 de fecha 7 de julio de 2015.
  Fecha de publicación en internet: 7 de julio de 2015.
  Teléfono: 477- 783 8493/94
  Correo electrónico: m.cati@giadametalgroup.com
• Denominación o Razón Social: Derichebourg Recycling México, S.A. de C.V.
  Domicilio fiscal: Av. de las Torres s/n, col. Industrial Cerro Gordo, 55420, Ecatepec de Morelos, Edo. de Méx.
  RFC: DRM970107G36
  Fecha y número de autorización: 600-04-03-2015-59212 de fecha 2 de julio de 2015.
  Fecha de publicación en internet: 3 de julio de 2015.
  Teléfonos: Rodolfo Hernández Reyes 0445554577680 y 5557764669
  Augusto Nohé Hernández 0445527557323 y 5557764678
  Correos electrónicos: rodolfo.hernandez@derichebourg.com y nohe.augusto@derichebourg.com 

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Continue reading more details on Driving and Importing Vehicles in Mexico at:

• Importing & Driving a Car in Mexico*        *        *        *

Feel free to copy while giving proper attribution: YucaLandia/Surviving Yucatan.
© Steven M. Fry

Read-on MacDuff . . .

April 30, 2016

There are yet new reasons to avoid mosquito bites… and to eliminate mosquito breeding sites. We’ve written extensive articles on this where you can find lots of critical details … see  Continue reading Chikungunya & Dengue Virus Information →   and  Continue reading Dengue Fact Sheet →

Now Zika brings new risks.
Dengue infections cause human immune systems to create a special kind of antibodies, called sub-neutralizing antibodies, that persist in our bodies for the rest of our lives … These Dengue virus induced sub-neutralizing antibodies cause every future Dengue infection to cause the patient worse, and worse symptoms, sometimes ending with Dengue Hemorhaggic Fever and possibly death.

In short, the most recent high quality lab studies show that anti-DENV HMAbs, cross-react, DO NOT NEUTRALIZE, and …instead … greatly enhance ZIKV infections … in vitro.

Generally, we paraphrase important scientific articles, but I believe that this article explains itself:

http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2016/04/25/050112

“For decades, human infections with Zika virus (ZIKV), a mosquito-transmitted flavivirus, were sporadic, associated with mild disease, and went underreported since symptoms were similar to other acute febrile diseases endemic in the same regions. Recent reports of severe disease associated with ZIKV, including Guillain-Barre syndrome and severe fetal abnormalities, have greatly heightened awareness.

Given its recent history of rapid spread in immune naive populations, it is anticipated that ZIKV will continue to spread in the Americas and globally in regions where competent Aedes mosquito vectors are found. Globally, dengue virus (DENV) is the most common mosquito-transmitted human flavivirus and is both well-established and the source of outbreaks in areas of recent ZIKV introduction.

DENV and ZIKV are closely related, resulting in substantial antigenic overlap. Through a mechanism known as antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE), anti-DENV antibodies can enhance the infectivity of DENV for certain classes of immune cells, causing increased viral production that correlates with severe disease outcomes.

Similarly, ZIKV has been shown to undergo ADE in response to antibodies generated by other flaviviruses. However, response to DENV antibodies has not yet been investigated.

Methodology / Principal Findings
We tested the neutralizing and enhancing potential of well-characterized broadly neutralizing human anti-DENV monoclonal antibodies (HMAbs) and human DENV immune sera against ZIKV using neutralization and ADE assays.

We show that anti-DENV HMAbs, cross-react, do not neutralize, and greatly enhance ZIKV infection in vitro.

DENV immune sera had varying degrees of neutralization against ZIKV and similarly enhanced ZIKV infection. Conclusions / Significance Our results suggest that pre-existing DENV immunity will enhance ZIKV infection in vivo and may increase disease severity.

A clear understanding of the interplay between ZIKV and DENV will be critical in informing public health responses in regions where these viruses co-circulate and will be particularly valuable for ZIKV and DENV vaccine design and implementation strategies. ”

Continue reading to find out how to STOP Dengue,  Chikungunya,  and Zika viruses … and protect yourself  and loved ones… at    Continue reading Dengue Fact Sheet →

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Feel free to copy while giving proper attribution: YucaLandia/Surviving Yucatan.
© Steven M. Fry

Read-on MacDuff . . .

April 28, 2016

Ron from Colima (a Yucalandia reader) offered the following update on foreign plated vehicles with invalid Temporary Import Permits (TIPs).

“Illegal Vehicles Impounded.
Aduana in co-operation with State Police this week, April 25, 2016, reportedly seized and impounded illegal vehicles in Manzanillo Colima.

At roadside check points, drivers were asked to exit their vehicles and take with them only what was in their possession. They were not allowed to remove anything else from the vehicle, including paperwork from the glove box. The vehicles were trucked to an Aduana compound. ”

We have forwarded this update to several national web-forums, to try to find out if this is just a local Manzanillo, Colima issue,   or if Residente Permanente visa holders with TIP vehicles are experiencing problems with vehicle confiscations in other Mexican locales. … So far, there are no other reports of confiscations.

We hope that this is just a local phenomenon….

Note that driving a foreign plated vehicle with an invalid TIP does expose the vehicle owner and driver to the risks of several serious problems:

~  Many Mexican insurance companies have fine print clauses that invalidate the insurance coverage if the vehicle is found to be illegal.

~  If someone is killed in a vehicular accident,  the driver and owner are personally liable for up to $4 million pesos in cash damages for each fatality.  The driver sits in jail indefinitely until the police are satisfied that the driver can pay (in cash) any potential cash damages owed to injured parties.

~  Foreign-plated cars with TIPs are required to have the expiration date of the TIP renewed (extended) every year since July, 2010.  This requirement is met by making an annual written request (to Aduana) to extend the expiration date.  Aduana issues a letter for the driver to carry in the TIP vehicle.

In the absence of this annual Aduana letter,   the police/Aduana can confiscate the vehicle.

Once confiscated,  it is very difficult (basically impossible?) to recover the vehicle.

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Feel free to copy while giving proper attribution: YucaLandia/Surviving Yucatan.
© Steven M. Fry

Read-on MacDuff . . .

Jan. 14, 2016 This NY Times report explains is why it’s SO IMPORTANT to eliminate mosquito breeding sites in & around our Merida and Yucatan homes: Zika is carried by the same Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that carry Dengue and Chikungunya.

STOP ZIKA now …

before it gets a foothold here.
>

Please take precautions to eliminate mosquito bites for you and your family …

Work   to clean-up and eliminate mosquito breeding sites in & around your homes … and neighbor’s homes … including fountains, pools, old tires,  crockery etc.
For more details see:

Chikungunya & Dengue Virus Information

and

Dengue Fact Sheet – May 2014 Update

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Feel free to copy while giving proper attribution: YucaLandia/Surviving Yucatan.
© Steven M. Fry

Read-on MacDuff . . .

Jan. 2, 2016
Las Cabañuelas: Each of the days of the New Year forecasts the future weather of its numbered month.

It just rained heavily-but-briefly (Jan. 7),
so we can expect sporadic heavy rains in July.

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© Steven M. Fry

Read-on MacDuff . . .

Jan. 2, 2016
This article delves into the details of the good systems worked out by the US Social Security Administration and Mexican banks, for Americans who’ve retired to Mexico.

The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU), located at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City (and also at the US Consulates in Guadalajara and Ciudad Juarez), provides services to Social Security, Veterans Affairs, Office of Personnel Management and railroad pension beneficiaries throughout Mexico.   For details, see:
U.S. Embassy Mexico Federal Benefits information.

US Federal Benefits Units Map of Mexico

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Read the full article at:

Direct Deposit of Social Security to Mexican Banks – Article

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Feel free to copy with proper attribution: YucaLandia/Surviving Yucatan.
© Steven M. Fry

Read-on MacDuff . . .

April 28, 2017 Update
The RETORNO SEGURO permit program has been shifted back to local~regional Aduana~SAT  offices.  The Aduana~SAT central “Distrito Federal” office has decided to no longer process Retorno Seguor permit applications.  This is a blessing, because the local~regional Aduana~SAT offices (like our Hacienda~SAT office in north Merida) was able to process the applications in a week or less ~ while the national SAT office in Distrito Federal was horribly slow (4 – 6 weeks).  SAT  offers this form to file for a Retorno Seguro permit:  http://www.dof.gob.mx/nota_detalle.php?codigo=5416019&fecha=19/11/2015

Click here for more details on Retorno Seguro permits:
~ What to Do If Your Car Becomes “Illegal” – The Retorno Seguro Program / Permit

The application form is half way down the DOF web page:
“Solicitud de autorizacion para el retorno de vehiculos extranjeros con permiso de importacion temporal de vehiculos vencidos, de conformidad con la regla 4.2.20”

Complete the form and take copies of these documents to your local~regional SAT office:
1. Passport
2. Utility bill 90 days in any name which will be address used for courier
3. Driver’s License (Mexican, Canadian or American)
4. Visa front and back
5. Vehicle Title
6. Receipt proving payment of the original Temporary Import Permit
7. Permiso de Importacion Vencido (the original paper document that also contained your windshield permit)

If a person other than vehicle owner will be driving the car in the accompanying letter you must state their full name as on their passport and provide a copy of their Drivers license ID.

The Retorno Seguro permit is still free.

See more details at our main article on Importing Cars and Driving in Mexico:
Importing & Driving a Car in Mexico

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Feel free to copy while giving proper attribution: YucaLandia/Surviving Yucatan.
© Steven M. Fry

Read-on MacDuff . . .

Nov. 4, 2015 Updates:As all the Christmas holiday chatzkies are appearing on store shelves, and as we make our holiday plans … It’s time to remember our beloved household help and employees (including muchachas y mozos).

Please plan ahead to pay them their end of the year Aguinaldos by December 20’th. (and to also pay for their vacation days) … This pay is NOT a optional bonus. Our Mexican workers and their families count-on and depend on these critical annual payments owed to them.

Basically the Aguinaldo is 15 days of pay. (calculated on a 7 day work wk)

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Feel free to copy while giving proper attribution: YucaLandia/Surviving Yucatan.
© Steven M. Fry

Read-on MacDuff . . .