MND Local Guadalajara: How the water crisis is affecting local businesses, fewer dengue cases and a new ‘Made in Jalisco’ seal

This past week, business leaders and government officials sparred over whether the ongoing water crisis in the Guadalajara Metro Area (GMA) will affect business investment in Jalisco, so we looked at the facts. Meanwhile, as the rainy season winds down, dengue cases have fallen sharply across the state compared to 2025, and a new “Hecho en Jalisco” (“Made in Jalisco”) seal aims to boost the visibility and cachet of select local products. Business leader warns investment will suffer due to water quality issues José Medina Mora, president of the Business Coordinating Council, believes the ongoing water crisis in Guadalajara will slow investment in Jalisco. (Graciela López/Cuartoscuro) Speaking to local journalists on Oct. 23, José Medina Mora, president of the Business Coordinating Council (CCE), issued a stark warning to Jalisco state officials. Medina Mora said he expects investment projects in Jalisco to be negatively impacted by Guadalajara’s ongoing water crisis, noting, “There will be investment decisions in Jalisco, and in Guadalajara particularly, that will be halted until we can offer quality water.” Medina Mora also blamed local politicians for their failure to anticipate and solve these issues before they became acute. Jalisco governor details US $1.3B investment in Guadalajara’s water infrastructure: Wednesday’s mañanera recapped Later clarifying his comments, Medina Mora said the CCE does not expect the water crisis to spark capital flight from Jalisco but expects new investments to be put on hold due to the increased business risk posed by water contamination. State and federal government officials swiftly pushed back on Medina Mora’s comments. Government points to strong FDI as local businesses adapt Ximena Escobedo Juárez, undersecretary of industry at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of the Ministry of Economy, cited strong business investment across Jalisco in 2026 as evidence that the business community remains undeterred. The ongoing water crisis in the GMA has reached the point where officials will be shutting down the parts of the system most responsible for the dirty water and rationing the reduced supply until replacements are built and operating. (Fernando Carranza García / Cuartoscuro.com) In the first half of 2026, Jalisco attracted US $1.41 billion in new capital, surpassing the US $1.2 billion invested in the state for all of 2025. This contrasts with a sharp decline in foreign direct investment in Mexico’s first half overall. Yet some economic disruption is undeniable. With municipal water supplies being rationed over the next six months, many local businesses are scrambling to arrange deliveries from private water trucks to avoid major disruptions to area restaurants, hotels, hospitals and other local service providers. In addition, manufacturers around Guadalajara have reportedly been supplementing operations with more sophisticated filtration protocols, including on-site chlorination systems, sediment micro-filters and reverse osmosis units. These enhancements are needed to remove heavy metals, sediment and fecal matter from the municipal water that enters their facilities and keep contaminated water from damaging their industrial equipment. Rainy season ebbs with dengue cases in Jalisco down by 90% Through Oct. 11, Jalisco has 242 confirmed dengue cases in 2026, ranking 12th nationwide. This represents a massive improvement over 2025, when Jalisco ranked third nationwide for dengue, behind Sonora and Veracruz. Year to date, there have been two confirmed deaths, with five more under investigation. Last year, the state recorded 10 dengue deaths. Dengue cases in Jalisco Year Confirmed Cases Percent change, year over year 2023 941 N/A 2024 20,907 2,122% 2025 2,317 -89% 2026 (through Oct. 11) 242 -90% Source: Secretaría de Salud Some strains of dengue are more virulent than others. One of the serotypes that is spreading in Jalisco right now is the most virulent form (serotype 2), which causes dengue hemorrhagic fever. Year to date, both serotypes 2 and 3 of the virus are circulating in Jalisco. It is a mistake to think that most people get infected with dengue in remote, jungle areas. Rapid urbanization and increased population density have created conditions ideal for mosquito breeding and infection. Yordi Raúl Portillo Montes, who heads Jalisco’s National Public Health Service, noted that the highest incidence of dengue in the state has occurred in Cocula and Teuchitlán, with coastal areas, including Puerto Vallarta, also at high risk. In the GMA, central Guadalajara, Tonalá and Tlaquepaque have recorded the most cases this year. While dengue is less common outside of the rainy season, the risk does not fall to zero. Due to the water crisis affecting Guadalajara, hundreds of families have resorted to storing water in buckets, drums or other containers, which has increased dengue risk in urban areas. In response, health authorities have reiterated the importance of covering these containers to discourage mosquito breeding. While there is a vaccine for dengue, it can be difficult to access in Mexico, so your best bet is to be proactive and avoid infection. The new ‘Made in Jalisco’ seal aims to promote and protect local products In a bid to strengthen the marketing of products made in the state, the Jalisco Ministry of Economic Development (Sedeco) recently announced the launch of the “Made in Jalisco” seal. The initiative aims to increase visibility for Jalisco-made products with protected designations in foreign markets while ensuring that the economic benefits flow through to local communities where they are made. The new seal is expected to recognize at least 40 businesses that make products with a designation of origin or geographical indication. Participation will be free, and eligible businesses include companies, cooperatives, workshops and individual producers of tequila, raicilla, Yahualica chili or Sayula cajeta that have authorization from the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI). Agave: The noble plant at the heart of Mexican culture However, the Jalisco Ministry of Economic Development (Sedeco) and the civil association El Telar will decide which products are eligible to display the new seal. Applicants will be judged on their history and roots in Jalisco, their products’ distinctive qualities, organizational preparedness and desire for designation of origin protection. According to state figures, the tequila supply chain supports more than 100,000 families, while raicilla involves more than 80 artisanal producers. Yahualica chili peppers are cultivated by roughly 250 small farmers and collectives, and Sayula cajeta is produced in 21 family workshops. MND writer Dawn Stoner is reporting from Guadalajara.