By RICARDO CASTILLO

Zero Coronavirus Cases

Regardless of the initial alarm in Mexico about potential coronavirus cases, on Thursday, Jan. 23, Health Secretary Jorge Alcocer Varela emphatically denied “any confirmed cases” of the disease.

There were, however, two confirmed reports of persons “under observation,” who were finally declared to be ill with “common colds.” One was a doctor in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, jsut across the border from McAllen, Texas, who had traveled to China and visited several cities in the Wahu Province, ground zero for the current worldwide virus alarm.

Tamaulipas State Health Secretary Gloria Molina Gamboa said that the patient traveler was placed under observation for 72 hours and proved negative for the virus.

“The 57-year-old physician was diagnosed with adenovirus rhinovirus, namely, a common cold,” she said.

Another suspected patient was a National Polytechnic Institute professor in Mexico City, who was also diagnosed with a common cold.

However, Health authorities have issued a nationwide alert, just in case new “suspect cases” arise.

Mexico, Ripe for Investment

Many international investors have changed their view of Mexico from that of a perilous place to invest in to the contrary, according to a recent Bank of America -Merrill Lynch poll.

The poll said that the potential investors interviewed see new opportunities for improved yields, particularly in Mexican debt bonds.

Of the polled investors, 36 percent said that they expect Mexican bond yields will improve over the next six months.

That figure is 12 percent higher than from a similar poll carried a year ago.

The pollsters observed that “we saw an increase of expectations, probably spurred on by the approval of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA),”

The pollsters also said that their expectations were that this month confidence in investment in Mexico will continue to improve.

Clash over Migrants

A series of violent clashes between members of the Mexican National Guard and hundreds of mostly Honduran migrants who tried to force their way into Mexico, even stoning the National Guardsmen, has divided opinions between President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) and top legislator Porfirio Muñoz Ledo.

At the Chamber of Deputies, Muñoz Ledo – who presided over that legislative body during 2019 — tired (to no avail) on Tuesday, Jan. 21, to present a video before the deputies and to demand action from the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH).

He likewise demanded that  CNHD Commissioner Rosario Piedra Ibarra take action against the National Guard for its “savage and delinquent acts committed against Central American migrants.

When fellow deputies of the ruling National Regeneration Movement (Morena) party voted against his motion to show the video, Muñoz Ledo commented: “Morena is falling out of my heart.”

Literally at the same time in Washington, D,C., Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary Chad F. Wolf issued a totally different message.

“I commend the government of Mexico for upholding its commitment to increased security and law enforcement at its southern border. The efforts by the Mexican National Guard and other officials have thus far been effective at maintaining the integrity of the border, despite outbreaks of violence and lawlessness by people who are attempting to illegally enter Mexico on their way to the United States. DHS is monitoring the caravans closely. We have dozens of personnel on the ground in Central America assisting local immigration and security officials, which have already led to hundreds of individuals being stopped, apprehended and sent back to their home countries,” Wolf said.

“Being part of large group, like a caravan, provides no special treatment or benefits to those who participate. Unfortunately, there have been acts of reported violence by some involved in this caravan. The department is prioritizing the safety and security of our officers and the American people. Should any members of the caravan reach the U.S.-Mexico border, they will be processed accordingly and quickly removed, returned or repatriated.”

AMLO, however, has instructed the National Guard to not use force to dissuade the violent caravan members.

Nevertheless the use of force  — as well as sticks and stones by the migrants — has forced the National Guard to repel the attacks when the caravan turned into a horde when repelled back into Guatemala territory.

At the same time the deportation of thousands of Hondurans by bus and planes continues as more caravans head to the Mexican border.

Sports: Culiacán Draws First Blood

In the first best of seven Mexican Pacific Baseball League playing in the Sinaloa state capital of Culiacán, the local Culiacán “Tomateros” (Tomato Growers) fonged the visiting Mazatlán Venados (Deer) pitchers with four homers to take an early 6-2 lead.

On the night of Thursday, Jan. 23,, the two teams were playing the second game with Culiacán enjoying again home advantage.

The championship will continue on Saturday, Jan. 25, in Mazatlán for a three-game competition.