Veracruz Mexico

Early returns in Mexico's Veracruz state elections showed the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) losing 15 of 203 mayoral seats in the first local balloting since the opposition scored unprecedented gains in July's general elections. Opposition parties claimed victories in more than 20 municipalities in the Sunday vote, the Excelsior news service reported. Official returns are to be made public Oct. 9.

Gunmen opened fire Thursday on three passenger buses in the violence-racked state of Veracruz, killing at least seven people, Mexican authorities said. All five attackers were killed in a shootout with federal security forces after the attack, which took place on a rural highway near Panuco in the northern part of the coastal state. State spokeswoman Gina Dominguez said the gunmen were suspected in a separate attack earlier Thursday in El Higo, another town not far from the border with Tamaulipas state.

Rival Mexican political parties predicted big wins in today's legislative elections in the southern state of Veracruz following weeks of post-election unrest in two other Mexican states. Both the center-left Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD) and the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) claim firm support in the 40-seat legislative election in Veracruz, traditionally a PRI stronghold.

Perhaps I should have flown into Catemaco on a broomstick rather than arriving by bus. This town in the southeastern part of Veracruz state is renowned for its annual gathering of brujos (witches) on the first Friday of March. They were gone when I arrived a week and a half later, but Catemaco capitalizes on witchery all year. Stalls sell T-shirts printed with Halloween-style witches, pointed hats and all.

Perhaps I should have flown into Catemaco on a broomstick rather than arriving by bus. This town in the southeastern part of Veracruz state is renowned for its annual gathering of brujos (witches) on the first Friday of March. They were gone when I arrived a week and a half later, but Catemaco capitalizes on witchery all year. Stalls sell T-shirts printed with Halloween-style witches, pointed hats and all.

Gunmen opened fire Thursday on three passenger buses in the violence-racked state of Veracruz, killing at least seven people, Mexican authorities said. All five attackers were killed in a shootout with federal security forces after the attack, which took place on a rural highway near Panuco in the northern part of the coastal state. State spokeswoman Gina Dominguez said the gunmen were suspected in a separate attack earlier Thursday in El Higo, another town not far from the border with Tamaulipas state.

"The only madhouse with a sea view." That's how one Jarocho , as locals here are known, characterizes this city. Indeed, the boisterous street life of this bustling port on the Gulf of Mexico frequently verges on the insane. Veracruz's zocalo has a reputation, in fact, as Mexico's liveliest central square. And at this time of the year things get even livelier.

In a corner of an old hacienda, a crackling fire took the chill off the January night. Further warmed by our host's tequila and spicy enchiladas, we sat around the table, hands touching, staring at a flickering candle. Prompted by tales that the hacienda is haunted, Ron, one of my fellow travelers was leading a seance. "Let the table rise, let the candle flicker, let the fire speak," he intoned dramatically.

In today's Times, Traveling in Style magazine celebrates "Colors of the World" with festivals and fun from New Orleans, Nice, Istanbul and Veracruz, Mexico.

Mel Gibson is rich enough to finance his own movies, including the 2004 blockbuster "The Passion of the Christ" and the upcoming release "Apocalypto." But although riches can buy a certain freedom from creative interference, no man is an island in the movie business.

In a corner of an old hacienda, a crackling fire took the chill off the January night. Further warmed by our host's tequila and spicy enchiladas, we sat around the table, hands touching, staring at a flickering candle. Prompted by tales that the hacienda is haunted, Ron, one of my fellow travelers was leading a seance. "Let the table rise, let the candle flicker, let the fire speak," he intoned dramatically.

"The only madhouse with a sea view." That's how one Jarocho , as locals here are known, characterizes this city. Indeed, the boisterous street life of this bustling port on the Gulf of Mexico frequently verges on the insane. Veracruz's zocalo has a reputation, in fact, as Mexico's liveliest central square. And at this time of the year things get even livelier.

Rival Mexican political parties predicted big wins in today's legislative elections in the southern state of Veracruz following weeks of post-election unrest in two other Mexican states. Both the center-left Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD) and the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) claim firm support in the 40-seat legislative election in Veracruz, traditionally a PRI stronghold.

Early returns in Mexico's Veracruz state elections showed the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) losing 15 of 203 mayoral seats in the first local balloting since the opposition scored unprecedented gains in July's general elections. Opposition parties claimed victories in more than 20 municipalities in the Sunday vote, the Excelsior news service reported. Official returns are to be made public Oct. 9.

Mexican Venture: Metalclad Corp. in Anaheim said it has entered into a joint venture with Mexican investors to build a hazardous waste processing plant in Veracruz, Mexico. The plant will process up to 120,000 tons of hazardous waste per year and will be located in Mexico's largest oil-producing region. Last month, the joint venture also announced plans to build a waste processing plant in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

Rubystruck: Olympia Dukakis has been added to the cast of "Ruby Cairo." Dukakis, who won a best supporting actress Oscar for "Moonstruck," joins Liam Neeson and Andie MacDowell in the romantic thriller under the direction of Graeme Clifford on locations in Veracruz, Mexico, and Cairo. The story is about a woman (MacDowell) who takes a worldwide journey to learn about her late husband's mysterious past.