(Photo by Alicia Vera)

Al Jazeera America just published an article I wrote about Mexico’s economic reality and how it differs from the narrative of President Enrique Peña Nieto (and much of what has been reported by the international media). The majority of Mexicans today — like Victoria, the woman pictured above and featured in the article — continue to struggle to make ends meet.

Documentary photographer Alicia Vera took the wonderful photos that accompany the piece.