MXOwnership & classification
Founded: 1916
Ownership
El Universal is a Mexico City daily founded in October 1916 by Felix Palavicini and Emilio Rabasa to cover the end of the Mexican Revolution and the new constitution. It is controlled by the Ealy Ortiz family: Juan Francisco Ealy Ortiz has been owner, president and director since 1969, holding it through Compania Periodistica Nacional, a private S.A. de C.V. that shields shareholding details. It is a family-owned commercial publisher, not state-owned.
Funding
El Universal is financed commercially through print and digital advertising, copy sales and online subscriptions. As with most large Mexican dailies, government (official) advertising has historically been a revenue source, but it operates as a private for-profit company rather than on a state budget.
Affiliation & stance
El Universal is privately owned by a single family with no party or state control, which makes it INDEPENDENT, with broadly CENTER (establishment) coverage. Its main dependency risk is the general Mexican pattern of discretionary government advertising influencing outlets, but ownership and editorial control rest with the Ealy Ortiz family rather than a party or the state.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Center
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 550
86/100
Factual
81/100
Objective
1321
Articles
1321
reports
Top stories
Most covered right now
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Celebrations for Mexico's win against Ecuador end in riots in Mazatlán, Sinaloa; police officers are attacked
Recent coverage
Ukraine reports two dead after night attacks by Russia, with the death toll in Kiev rising to 30.
At least two people were killed and eight injured in Russian air strikes on the Sumy region and Kryvyj Rih in Ukraine during the night of Thursday to Friday, according to Ukrainian authorities. This follows a large-scale Russian attack on Kyiv earlier in the week which killed at least 30 people and injured around 100 others. In response to the attacks, Ukraine conducted missile strikes on Belgorod in Russia, causing a fire at an energy facility and killing one woman, according to Russian media. The overnight strike on the city of Romny in the Sumy region hit a residential building, killing two women and injuring a man, reported regional administrator Oleh Hryhorov via Telegram. Another seven people were injured in a missile strike on Kryvyj Rih, according to military city administrator Oleksandr Vilkul. In Kyiv, teams discovered three more dead bodies during the night, bringing the total number of victims to 30, according to Reuters citing Ukrainian health authorities. Kyiv's military administrator Tymur Tkačenko stated that the attack injured 99 people. Moscow claimed the extensive attack was a response to Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, including those carried
Who is Steve Will Do It?; youtuber who gave Rolex watches to Mexican National Team players
A Mexican football team member was surprised by an American YouTuber named Stephen Deleonardis, known online as 'Steve Will Do It,' who gave them luxury watches after Mexico won against the Czech Republic in the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The victory earned Deleonardis $2 million, which he used to reward the national team with high-end Rolex watches valued at around 250,000 pesos each. Deleonardis, born in 1998 in Florida, gained fame through extreme food challenges, money giveaways, and daring stunts. He started his online career at age 18 by selling custom T-shirts before launching his YouTube channel in 2017. He later joined the NELK Entertainment group, where he shared luxury items with fans and collaborated on ventures like clothing lines and alcoholic beverages. After his channel was removed in 2022, he reactivated it in December 2025.
They are planning a concert at the Zócalo Fan Fest at the end of the Mexico-England match; they expect to exceed the goal of 2 million attendees
The article reports on preparations for a surprise concert at the Mexico City Fan Fest, scheduled to take place after the Mexico vs. England football match on July 5th. Michel Bauer, CEO of Host City Mexico City, explained that the free concert aims to prevent overcrowding in other parts of the city, especially following concerns raised after the Mexico vs. Ecuador match, where four people died due to suffocation near the Angel of Independence. The event has already attracted over 1.8 million visitors, with expectations to surpass two million attendees by the weekend. Security measures have been reinforced by local authorities to ensure safety during the festivities, including warnings against dangerous challenges like 'Quieres Volar' and 'Nadaremos'.
Amazon Mexico: Apple Watch Ultra 3 with up to 13% off; take advantage of the offer and save 3 thousand pesos
Amazon Mexico has introduced a promotional offer for the Apple Watch Ultra 3, providing discounts of up to 13% which equates to savings of approximately 3,000 Mexican Pesos compared to its usual price. The device features advanced specifications such as a titanium case, a high-brightness Retina Always-On display, dual-frequency GPS, cellular connectivity, health monitoring capabilities, water resistance, and battery life lasting up to 42 hours under normal usage. This promotion aims to make the premium smartwatch more accessible to consumers looking to upgrade their Apple ecosystem at a reduced cost.
Trump travels to Mount Rushmore for speech for US independence; July 4th will organize huge political rally in Washington
President Donald Trump is traveling to Mount Rushmore for a speech commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence, an event many believe he would like to see his face carved into the rock alongside those of four former presidents. On July 4th, Trump plans to hold a large political rally in Washington, D.C., featuring military flyovers and what he describes as the world's largest fireworks display. This aligns with Trump's tendency to center himself during major national celebrations. However, his efforts to mark the anniversary have faced challenges, including criticism of events organized by his affiliated group, Freedom 250, which overshadowed bipartisan initiatives. Additionally, some planned events, such as a 'Great State Fair' in the capital, were poorly attended and mocked for their emptiness. Meanwhile, Trump faces low approval ratings and criticism over immigration policies, family wealth, and attempts to expand presidential power.
Australia vs Egypt: When and where to watch the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup LIVE
The article discusses the upcoming match between Egypt and Australia in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, highlighting both teams' strong performances in the group stage. Egypt finished undefeated in Group G, securing their first-ever World Cup victory against New Zealand and drawing with Belgium and Iran. The team relies heavily on Mohamed Salah, who has been their offensive leader. Australia, meanwhile, advanced as runners-up in their group after defeating Turkey, drawing with Paraguay, and losing only to the United States. Their defensive strength and fast players like Nestory Irankunda make them a challenging opponent. The winner of this match will face the winner of the Argentina vs. Cape Verde game. The match is scheduled for Friday, July 3, at 12:00 PM Mexico City time, at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and will be broadcast on ViX Premium.
These are the marches and rallies scheduled for this Friday, July 3rd at the CDMX
The City of Mexico's Secretariat of Citizen Security (SSC) has announced several planned demonstrations and gatherings for Friday, July 3rd. These include a feminist market organized by the Autonomous Momoxcas Merchants at 9 AM in Plaza San Antonio Tecómitl, Milpa Alta, aimed at highlighting and addressing inequalities affecting women in the community and promoting their economic empowerment. The Global Movement for Gaza will hold an event at the National Center for Arts at 10 AM, featuring discussions, performances, documentary screenings, and solidarity actions for the Palestinian people and children in Gaza. The Minerva Collective will protest at James Sullivan Courts in San Rafael neighborhood to demand justice for a victim and ensure gender-sensitive treatment in legal proceedings. The Mexican Front Against Imperialism and Fascism will demonstrate at the U.S. Embassy to demand the immediate release of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, detained during a U.S. military operation in Venezuela. Members of the LGBTTTIQ+ community will gather at the Economic Culture Foundation in Condesa neighborhood to oppose homophobic expressions within the institution. The Regener
Drones are reshaping war tactics; they're changing combat to insecurity
The defense industry is adapting its engineering and technological development strategies to address current global security challenges posed by drones. Unmanned aerial systems are increasingly becoming threats not only in wartime scenarios like those in Ukraine and the Middle East but also in countries where organized crime uses them for illicit activities, such as Mexico and Colombia. Ana Paula Cordeiro, vice president of Sales and Business for Latin America at Saab, highlighted that criminals using this technology represents one of the main challenges faced by the military industry. According to the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), Mexican drug cartels employ drones for trafficking drugs across the border with the United States, which plans to acquire 460 surveillance systems to combat this issue. Criminal groups also use drones to attack rivals and security forces with homemade explosives. The Mexican Army and National Guard have seized 134 such devices since 2019 in states including Michoacán, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, and Veracruz. Experts note that while technology develops peacefully and civilly, it often lags behind in terms of regulation, allowing criminal use, as
NASA launches mission to recover telescope; operation may last several months
The NASA has launched a robotic mission aimed at retrieving an obsolete telescope, preventing it from burning up upon re-entry into Earth's atmosphere. The operation, developed by U.S. startup Katalyst and launched via a Pegasus rocket carried by an aircraft, was delayed due to weather and technical issues before taking place on Friday at 08H36 GMT from a Pacific Ocean atoll. Once in orbit, the robot will deploy solar panels, scan the space environment, locate the Swift satellite, and attempt to push it 300 kilometers higher to restore its original orbital position—a process expected to take several weeks to months. The mission, costing around $30 million, aims to extend the telescope’s operational life, which originally cost $250 million, allowing continued study of gamma-ray bursts, the universe’s most powerful explosions.
Video shows the strength of the earthquake in Venezuela; people lose their balance as a building collapses
A new video captured during the earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24 shows the dramatic moments when the strong seismic activity caught dozens of people by surprise in La Guaira, one of the most affected areas. The footage depicts several individuals trying to find safety as the ground shakes violently, followed by the collapse of a building nearby. The video highlights the intensity of the earthquake and its severe material damage in this coastal region. According to recent reports from Venezuelan authorities, 90% of electricity has been restored in the state, while water supply recovery stands at 68%, and road accessibility has improved by over 90%. Authorities have counted 611 seismic events, including 609 aftershocks, since the main quake. As part of relief efforts, 15 large shelters were set up in La Guaira and 50 temporary camps in Greater Caracas. Specialized teams are inspecting damaged homes in La Guaira, Miranda, and Caracas to determine which can remain inhabited and which need to be replaced. Officials estimate around 180 buildings collapsed due to the quakes. As of June 29, the official death toll was reported at 1,719 with 5,340 injured, and 855 buildings were
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's funeral; what you need to know about Iran's supreme leader's funeral and burial
The article discusses the upcoming multi-day funeral and burial rites for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, who was killed during a conflict involving the United States and Israel. The funeral will take place over several days, beginning in Tehran, followed by processions through cities in Iran and neighboring Iraq. The event is seen as a test for the fragile Iranian theocracy to demonstrate its ability to mobilize mass support, especially after six months of repression against nationwide protests against Khamenei’s regime. There are concerns about potential crowd-related fatalities, referencing past incidents. The funeral has been delayed due to the intensity of the conflict, but a temporary ceasefire agreement with the U.S. has provided some confidence for the ceremony. It remains unclear whether Khamenei’s son, the new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, will make his first public appearance during the ceremonies, as he is believed to have been injured in the attack that killed his father and is currently in hiding.
Wave of violence leaves three men dead in Santiago Pinotepa, Oaxaca; a doctor among the victims
Three men were killed by gunfire during an outbreak of violence in Santiago Pinotepa, Oaxaca, according to preliminary reports. The incident occurred on July 2nd, with one victim identified as a doctor from San Juan Cacahuatepec. Two other bodies were found along a road leading to the Añil community, while another man was shot near the Bar California in Pinotepa National. The Fiscalía de Oaxaca reported that Pinotepa Nacional, Juchitán de Zaragoza, and Miahuatlán de Porfirio Díaz have the highest homicide rates in the state. In May alone, 20 victims were recorded in Pinotepa and 27 in Juchitán.
Cruz Martínez's mother dies: "I will miss you every day of my life", he writes
Cruz Martínez, known as Kumbia King, shared on his social media that his mother, Doña María de los Ángeles Martínez, has passed away. He revealed that she chose the day of her death to coincide with the birthday of his son Danny, who died four years ago. Through his Instagram account, he posted several photographs of his mother, including images from her youth and pictures with his children and siblings. Martínez expressed deep sorrow and gratitude for his mother's strength and sacrifices as a single mother raising five children without paternal support. He highlighted her teachings about resilience and perseverance despite life's challenges. He also mentioned that she wanted to reunite with Danny in the afterlife, believing they are now together in the presence of God.
Overlooked
Under-reported & one-sided
The keys of Mexico to beat England in the World Cup 2026, according to EL UNIVERSAL Deportes
Women protest cases of vicarious violence in Veracruz; demand to review judges
Earthquakes in Venezuela; with their own hands, families recover their loved ones from the rubble
They block the Coatzacoalcos-Villahermosa highway to demand the release of four police officers; they ask that no crimes be fabricated against them
Algorithmic democracy: Petro, Israel and the techno-political specter
Netanyahu says he is running for re-election; war with Iran freed Israel from "threat of nuclear destruction"
Ayotzinapa case: Parents accuse him of "working" with lines of investigation; point to operative against him to avoid reaching with CNTE
