History
The journal PORTES (formerly Aportes 1990-2006) is a publication of the University Center for Studies and Research on the Pacific Basin (CUEICP) of the University of Colima. It was founded on the occasion of the establishment of the National Network of Researchers on the Pacific Basin in May 1990, when it published its first issue. Since then, it has had three periods: The first from 1990 to 1998, the second from 2001 to 2004, and the third or current period began in 2007. In the first period, 13 issues were published; in the second, 8 issues; and in the third period, 33 issues have been published (as of June 2023). Starting in July 2023, the fourth period of the journal begins, transitioning solely to a digital format. Additionally, two special issues dedicated to the State of Colima, Mexico, were published: the first in 2003 and the second in 2007.
The journal coordinators have been: Juan González García (1992-1999; 2001-2005), Emma Mendoza Martínez (2006-2007), Fernando Alfonso Rivas Mira (2007-2011), and the current director of the journal, Ángel Licona Michel (2012 to present).
The rectors Fernando Moreno Peña (1989-1997), Carlos Salazar Silva (1997-2005), Miguel Ángel Aguayo López (2005-2012), José Eduardo Hernández Nava (2013-2021), and the current rector Christian Jorge Torres Ortiz Zermeño (2021-2025; 2025-2029) incorporated the journal into the internationalization academic policy of the University of Colima, thus giving it their endorsement and support. The directors of the University Center for Studies and Research on the Pacific Basin: Fernando Alfonso Rivas Mira (1989-1998), Omar Martínez Legorreta (1998-2002), and José Ernesto Rangel Delgado, acting director since 2002, have been and are directly related to the editorial line and administrative management. In technical aspects, the technical support provided by the General Directorate of Publications is indispensable.
The publication of PORTES underwent a content transition, moving from dissemination works to scientific works. From a mix of international and local topics to their separation, dedicating special issues to the case of the State of Colima, the journal’s headquarters. Non-peer-reviewed works were replaced by peer-reviewed ones. The objective of PORTES has always been to be one of the Mexican publications specialized in Transpacific Relations; for this reason, it is aimed at groups of specialists, scholars, and students of careers related to the subject.
From 1990 to 1998, PORTES was also published in English under the name Mexican Outlook on the Pacific Basin, sharing the works of Mexican researchers with English-speaking colleagues. Unfortunately, financial and logistical problems did not allow this interesting initiative to continue. However, the journal opened up to colleagues, especially Asians, who express themselves in English. Another achievement is the co-editing of five issues with the journal Comercio Exterior, published by the Mexican Foreign Trade Bank.
More than 100 authors have published in the journal throughout its history. The Latindex, Ebsco Host Mexico, and UNAM’s Clase indexes have incorporated it into their dissemination systems. It should be added that it was granted the printed ISSN 1870-6800 by the National Institute of Copyright, as well as the electronic ISSN 2992-7870. All this allows it to maintain the trust of collaborators, as well as the exchange and link with specially selected specialized journals.
When the third period began, the journal underwent a cover redesign, which continues into its fourth period starting in the second half of 2023, aiming to please readers visually while respecting its traditional format. Since 2010, the journal has been openly shared through its own website, and since 2023, through the academic journal repository of the University of Colima.
In conclusion, over the years, PORTES has seen improvements in both content and format. Different coordinators have contributed their efforts, rectors, directors, and technicians have provided regulations, institutional support, and presence. Dozens of researchers have published their work, thus meeting the editorial requirements demanded by the indexes, and the General Directorate of Publications of the University of Colima itself.
