On Sunday, March 9, 2025, residents of several municipalities along the northern border of Mexico adjusted their clocks one hour forward to synchronize with daylight saving time observed by the United States. This time change is significant as it reflects the continuing effort to maintain economic and operational alignment with its northern neighbor, facilitating trade and other interactions.
Since 2022, Mexico has moved away from nationwide daylight saving time adjustments. The changes were instituted following the approval of the Time Zone Law, which primarily affected border regions with important trade connections with the U.S. These changes are evident particularly for the states of Baja California, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas, where local clocks were set forward from 02:00 to 03:00 hours.
The jurisdictions impacted by the recent time change include all municipalities within Baja California and selected municipalities within Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas. Specifically:
- Baja California: All municipalities across the state adjusted their clocks.
- Chihuahua: Significant municipalities include Coyame del Sotol, Ojinaga, Manuel Benavides, Juárez, Ascensión, Praxedis G. Guerrero, and Guadalupe.
- Coahuila: The adjustment affected Acuña, Allende, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jiménez, Morelos, Nava, Ocampo, Piedras Negras, Villa Unión, and Zaragoza.
- Nuevo León: Only Anáhuac adjusted clocks.
- Tamaulipas: The impacted municipalities include Nuevo Laredo, Guerrero, Mier, Miguel Alemán, Camargo, Gustavo Díaz Ordaz, Reynosa, Río Bravo, Valle Hermoso, and Matamoros.
This daylight saving time change is described as primarily aimed at leveraging natural light during the warmer months of the year, which can contribute to energy savings. Proponents of the change argue it helps maximize daylight hours and minimize energy consumption.
Notably, the daylight saving time policy has been the subject of contention over the years. While some studies indicated energy savings of less than 1% of national consumption, there have been widespread concerns about its impact on health. Reports show the time changes disrupt biological clocks, increasing the risks of insomnia, stress, fatigue, and even cardiovascular issues.
Public opinion has also shifted significantly against daylight saving time, leading to increased discontent. Surveys indicated most Mexicans feel the time changes negatively affect their quality of life, and there are arguments for maintaining stable hours to reduce crime rates by avoiding drastic changes to daily routines.
Reflecting these public sentiments, the federal government concluded adjustments were no longer beneficial for most of the country, leading to the elimination of daylight saving time for the majority of Mexican states effective 2023. Areas like Sonora and Quintana Roo do not observe daylight saving time due to their regional economic alignment, remaining consistent with the time frames of the U.S. and the Caribbean, respectively.
While long-term benefits of daylight saving time can be debated, for border municipalities, it continues to serve as a linchpin to maintain synchronization with the United States, thereby supporting economic, social, and logistic foundations across the border. Businesses, especially those involved in trade, logistics, and finance, will benefit from uniformity in operating hours, eliminating potential disruptions due to time differences.
Residents living in the affected municipalities were reminded to set their clocks forward early on March 9 to avoid complications with daily activities. The preparation was emphasized by local authorities, stressing the importance of syncing with the neighboring nation’s schedule.
This daylight saving time change will remain effective until the end of 2025, after which local assessments will reevaluate its impacts and relevance going forward.
Despite the backlash against the time change from wider national perspectives, the necessity of keeping pace with U.S. counterparts remains clear within the border areas, highlighting the complex relationship between regulatory policies and practical economic needs. Observers continue questioning the long-term viability of maintaining such time adjustments, blending public health, energy consumption, and economic practicality.
With this adjustment, municipalities along the northern border of Mexico reinforce their commitment to alignment with American standards, ensuring seamless operations for residents and businesses alike.