Chapala

The fire was visible from various points in Chapala and Ixtlahuacán de los Membrillos. Photo: Mario Negrete Photography.

Laguna Staff (Chapala).-  The hills located behind the Brisas Chapala subdivision, on the border with Ixtlahuacán de los Membrillos, were affected by the fire that started during the morning of Saturday, May 7, damaging 67 hectares of forest area.

Around 11:00 a.m. the first reports were received when a large column of smoke was observed in Chapala and visible in Ajijic. Shortly afterward, the smoke could be seen from the municipality of Ixtlahuacán de los Membrillos. 

Aerial view of the affected area. Photo: Government of Chapala.

The flames quickly spread, when members of the Civil Protection and Firefighters of Chapala arrived in the area. They asked for reinforcements from other municipalities to fight the magnitude of the fire. Soon a tanker helicopter from the municipality of Tlajomulco arrived to help. 

After hours of work, the fire was extinguished with 58 firefighters participating in the arduous work. 

Although most of the burned area was leaf litter, the fauna was affected and forced to move away from the affected area. Before the fire started, some suspicious trucks could be seen from the road near the starting point.  

Translated by Mary Woods

In center with paper in hand, the municipal president of Chapala, Alejandro de Jesús Aguirre Curiel; (left) secretary general of SPTAC, Juan Cuevas Gudiño, and municipal trustee Gamaliel de Jesús Soto Pérez, during the report on the approval of the list of demands, in front of the Municipal City Hall. Photo: Jazmín Stengel.

 Jazmín Stengel (Chapala).- Chapala  President Alejandro de Jesús Aguirre Curiel gave the go-ahead to seven of 10 petitions made by the Plural Union of Workers of the Chapala City Hall, in favor of the rights of civil servants.

The remaining three petitions will be submitted to the municipal council for approval, according to the secretary general of the union, Juan Cuevas Gudiño.

The list of demands delivered to the mayor’s office included the approval of medical services for parents who depend on the worker, minor children, and students with a valid school card. The demands were delivered by the union leader after the Labor Day march on May 1, with about 325 participants from the unions of the City Hall, DIF and SIMAPA. 

In addition, it was established that an extra doctor at the Municipal Clinic will attend to the workers to avoid the need for workers to seek private consultation due to a shortage of medical appointments. Municipal medical services will also have the appropriate supply of medicines to cover any necessary services.

Members of the union waited outside the City Hall for approximately one hour until the dialogue ended. Photo: Jazmín Stengel.

Additional requests presented by the Union of Workers of the Chapala City Hall included payment of overdue medical bills, and prompt reimbursement of the full cost of medical care upon approval by the Municipal Clinic director, to occur in the near future.

Another issue approved by the municipal president related to overdue and upcoming payments is the vacation bonus corresponding to five legal days of salary. In order to calculate the arrears, a review of documents will be carried out, stated Cuevas Gudiño.

In this respect, it was also requested that the workers’ vacations be respected, since there have been cases in which the directors have denied a worker’s vacation, and that these vacations be timely and fully made up when delayed.

One of the most relevant requests approved by Aguirre Curiel during the nearly one hour meeting was the freedom of the union to affiliate the 120 workers who have been working for the City Hall for more than three and a half years. SPTAC currently has 276 members.

The facilities of the Centro Cultural Antigua Presidencia or the Coliseo Municipal Benito Juárez were made available for the union to assemble from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm on the last Saturday of each month.

The three requests that will be submitted to the Chapala City Council for approval are: the delivery of the extra bonus for the Public Servant’s Day, the 40 pesos biweekly transportation support, and reimbursement of pending and upcoming surgeries so as not to affect the family income of the union members.

More than 300 people participated with flags and white T-shirts in the Labor Day march in the municipal capital of Chapala. Photo: Jazmín Stengel.

Finally, SPTAC secretary general Juan Cuevas Gudiño openly thanked the municipal president for the recent approval of the five percent salary increase, as well as the increase in the savings fund from 65 to 100 pesos per unionized worker, reimbursement for surgeries and operations for the workers, and equipment necessary to provide citizens with the services they require.

The municipal president congratulated the workers on their day and reminded them of their commitment to work for the municipality. «I did not expect that it would cost us so much to start up … However, we have managed to move forward and stabilize. I thank everyone for their patience and support. It is clear to me that the face of the Municipal Government is each and every one of you,» said Aguirre Curiel.

Translated by MaryAnne Marble

Área comercial del malecón de Chapala vista desde el interior. Foto: Jazmín Stengel.

Jazmín Stengel.- La mala instalación eléctrica que se tiene en la zona comercial del malecón de Chapala ha provocado dos incendios desde octubre del año pasado, el último de ellos fue ocasionado por una sobrecarga en la central eléctrica en un local de artesanías el pasado 6 de mayo, por lo que unidad municipal de Protección Civil y Bomberos ya emitió recomendaciones.

La sobrecarga de energía que se dio en un local de artesanía en la zona restaurantera del malecón de Chapala provocó el incendio del mismo y una pérdida material de hasta 20 mil pesos, según reportes del dueño. Por suerte, no hubo lesionados.

La causa de estos incidentes es la mala instalación eléctrica que se tiene dentro de los módulos, consideró Lorenzo Antonio Salazar Guerrero, director de la corporación, debido a que el cruce del cableado provoca cortocircuitos y sobrecargas de energía, lo que vuelve inseguras las instalaciones, como en este caso.

En respuesta, se ordenó la suspensión laboral del comercio afectado hasta hacer las adecuaciones correspondientes dentro del inmueble; para ello, el locatario contó con cinco días hábiles, según el dictamen de Protección Civil y Bomberos del municipio.

También se realizó una supervisión general en toda el área comercial, donde los bomberos se percataron de que la mayoría de las conexiones son irregulares. La solución que se espera dar a este problema es establecer un convenio con la Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE) para reinstalar la red eléctrica de manera segura. Una fuente es capaz de subsidiar hasta cuatro locales.

Otra de las recomendaciones emitidas fue la instalación de extintores en todos los giros comerciales de la zona, ya que, hasta el momento solo los restauranteros y vendedores de bebidas cuentan con esa medida de emergencia.

Referente al estado en el que se encuentra la estructura de dichos módulos, Salazar Guerrero dijo pedir el apoyo de Desarrollo Urbano para emitir un dictamen de seguridad al respecto y sus recomendaciones correspondientes.

Desde octubre de 2021 se registraron cuatro incidentes en la zona, dos incendios a causa de la mala instalación eléctrica, una fuga de gas y los toldos que se volaron el 19 de febrero de este año.

Estos últimos fueron reemplazados por sombrillas, a lo que Salazar Guerrero comentó: “toda instalación semi fija conlleva un riesgo, sin embargo, las sombrillas son una estructura liviana que disminuye la probabilidad de mortandad”.

The Chapala-Mezcala bus route charges ten pesos to San Nicolás de Ibarra. In the municipality of Poncitlán, the regular fare is maintained. Photo: Jazmín Stengel. 

Jazmín Stengel (Chapala).- The Chapala Plus public service bus line increased its costs in the municipality unexpectedly and without prior notice to users, causing consternation and confusion among riders. In neighboring towns, fares remain unchanged.

As of May 9, the drivers of the direct routes or «big buses», as they are identified by the population, began to charge ten pesos per fare within the limits of the municipality. No prior notice was given to the public about the price increase.

The smaller  «chiquitos» buses, as of the closing of this edition, only increased their regular fare by one peso, according to the drivers. However, at the parking booth, the person in charge of the booth said that he had not yet received any orders in this respect.

This sudden increase caused discomfort among users, since many of them use the transport for short trips. In other words, people who used to pay only seven or eight pesos, now have to pay ten pesos in the large bus. 

This is in spite of the fact that, according to those in charge of the ticket office, only one peso has been added to the minimum fare at the Chapala bus station. That is, from nine to ten pesos for users who travel between the municipal capital and the towns of Santa Cruz de la Soledad, San Nicolás de Ibarra and Ajijic.

The people’s dissatisfaction increased due to the fact that the same fare began to be applied to trips between San Antonio and Ajijic, or the municipal seat and the Riberas del Pilar agency, which is approximately three kilometers away.

The unexpected situation affected many users economically, since people who had just enough money to get to school or work were denied service by the drivers for not having  the fare. 

This was the case of Daniel, a father who previously needed 24 pesos to take his two children to school from San Antonio Tlayacapan to Ajijic. With the new prices the expense increased to 30 pesos, six more than before. Today, this family must calculate at least 60 pesos a day for transportation.

Young people were also affected, as they need to make two or more trips per day. As expressed by Lulu, a single mother who commutes from Chapala to Ajijic and from Ajijic to Walmart, at a total cost of 40 pesos a day. Whereas before she only spent 32 pesos on fares. «Luckily I brought the money, but it was my turn to see how many were left behind,» shared the young woman.

Complaints from different users qualified this increase as «unfair» since most of the vehicles are in bad condition, they said.. In addition, the drivers do not respect schedules, «they come at inappropriate hours and drive very badly», said Luis, a young man who uses the service every day to get to work.

Other criticisms were the lack of tact in dealing with users on the part of the company’s workers, who are often rude to passengers. And, the fact that the price increase was only within the municipality of Chapala.

The trips to the municipalities of Jocotepec, Poncitlán and Guadalajara, including the different fares of their delegations, continue unchanged. Semanario Laguna tried by various means to obtain information about the fare increase, but the company did not respond to repeated requests for clarification 

Translated by Patrick O’Heffernan

Jorge Padilla of San Antonio Tlayacapan won first place in the second Fishing Tournament. Photo: Agustín Vázquez.

Alma Serrano (San Juan Cosalá).- Ten participants were winners in the second Fishing Tournament held on the San Juan Cosalá boardwalk on May 8. The competition lasted from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and was attended by more than a dozen participants from the different towns of the Chapala Riviera. 

Top three finishers (from left) were Matías, from Jocotepec; Jorge Padilla, from San Antonio; and Pedro «El Pele» Dávila, from San Juan Cosalá. Photo: Agustín Vázquez.

First place went to Jorge Padilla of San Antonio Tlayacapan, Chapala. Second place was won by Pedro Dávila «El Peles» of San Juan Cosalá, who won first place in the previous year’s tournament. Third place went to Matías of Jocotepec. 

The winners of the first three places received 1,500 pesos, 1,000 and 700 pesos, respectively, while fourth place was awarded 400 pesos and from fifth to tenth place received between 50 and 100 pesos. 

Translated by Mike Rogers

 Daniela Baez during the March 14th demonstration against sexual abuse at the Chapala Regional High School. Credit: Sofía Medeles.

Jazmín Stengel (Chapala).- Two months after Daniela Baez, a former student of the Chapala Regional High School of the University of Guadalajara (UdeG), filed a complaint for sexual abuse against David N, a professor at the same high school, there has been little progress. Daniela Baez cannot believe how torturous it is for victims to have to prove the abuse they suffered. She’s had to undergo repeated tests in order for the investigations to continue.

In spite of filing the complaint with the State Prosecutor’s Office, the investigation was transferred to the Chapala Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP), an institution that has summoned Baez countless times to request different physical and psychological studies on the matter, some without any logical sense for the victim. She’s been subjected to a «quite grotesque» gynecological study, despite the fact that the abuse happened more than seven years ago, in 2015 when Baez was 15 years old, and the professor was close to fifty. Additionally, in Mexico, the victim must present all the necessary evidence to start a legal process.

In her case, Baez had to thoroughly prove what happened. She’s identified the different houses he used, the times they went, and details of what happened in each location. Having to keep repeating the facts of her case is uncomfortable and tedious for her. She says that sexual harassment abuses in schools are well known, however, few students dare to raise their voices either due to social pressure or the tediousness of legal proceedings, as she’s experienced first-hand. Many of the victims refuse to complain about how  difficult the process is, and  how much strength a victim must have to withstand the gossip and rumor that people spread freely.

The UdeG issued a communiqué on March 15th announcing the suspension of the professor, David N, until the official investigations conclude. Once the judge’s sentence is announced, the university will also issue its own.

After her experience, the victim  began to see a psychologist, who was the first to detect the problem. After the 8M (The International Women’s Strike or International Feminist Strike 8-M ) ,march this year, she got the strength to raise her voice within her family, and then in the community, noting how important it is for the victim to have a strong circle of trust and support to have the courage to accuse their aggressor.

 «It’s not about how much you pay or how far you go,» Baez said about her case , as her only goal is for people to recognize that these actions are wrong, and to stop justifying, excusing, or ignoring them.

The International Feminist Strike 8-M was a movement that took place on March 8, 2018, International Women’s Day organized by feminist movements in support of women’s rights across the world  and to determine the level of exploitation of women in the workplace, social reproduction and reproductive labor, nver damaging reputations in the process.

Translated by Amy Esperanto

 The crime for which they were captured occurred last week and according to the investigations these people entered the church of San Francisco de Asis

Laguna Staff (Chapala,Jal.).- Two men were arrested after being accused of stealing more than 6 thousand pesos from a church in Chapala. Personnel from the Regional Prosecutor’s Office placed them at the disposal of the judges who served  them with an arrest warrant for the crime of aggravated robbery.

They are Yahir Alejandro G. and Víctor Alfonso C., who were arrested on Isla del Presidio street at the intersection with De los Maestros, in the Gastronómica neighborhood, in the municipality of Chapala.

The crime for which they were captured occurred last week and according to the investigations these people entered the church of San Francisco de Asis, forced open a box of coins that was at the foot of a catholic image and extracted the amount of 6 thousand pesos,  the cause of their  arrest warrant.

Both were placed at the disposal of the Judge of Control and Oral Trial of the Fifth Judicial District, who will decide their legal situation. The arrested persons will be treated as innocent until a sentence is issued against them.

Translated by Patrick O’Heffernan

The agent of the Public Prosecutor’s Office obtained an arrest warrant against her. Photography for illustrative purposes

Laguna Staff (Chapala).- Laura S., who also goes by the name of Laura Araceli S., was arrested for the probable commission of the crime of aggravated child sexual abuse in Ixtlahuacán de los Membrillos. 

The Prosecutor’s Office informed that the facts occurred in April of this year, in a farm located in the town of Atequiza, when the victim, who is a minor, was left alone in her home.

The agent of the Public Prosecutor’s Office obtained an arrest warrant against her, by means of which she was captured by Investigation Police in the downtown area of the aforementioned district. The woman was secured in accordance with the protocol and was placed at the disposal of the Judge of Control and Oral Trial of the Fifth Judicial District with headquarters in Chapala, who will resolve her legal situation.

Translated  by Patrick O’Heffernan

Javier Sanchez, “Chapala’s most reliable goalkeeper” saved the last penalty kick from the Jocotepec team, winning the game for Chapala.

Jazmín Stengel (Chapala).- Many nerves and few goals. The Copa Jalisco 2022 River Classic match on Sunday, May 8th, between Chapala and Jocotepec was an intense 80 minutes. The match, which ended scoreless, was decided in a penalty shootout in favor of Chapala.

The Chapala team, playing at Juan Rayo Municipal Field, had the home pitch advantage. They took advantage of the strength of their offense to launch constant attacks on Jocotepec’s goal.

They kept up the tension and rhythm of the offense with lots of corner kicks, grazing the goal, without managing to cross the goal. One example was an acrobatic «chilena» move by defender Carlos Ibarra; it flew over the crossbar, despite being an excellent counterattack.

Chapala dominated the game for almost half an hour until the Jocotepec team found a couple of holes in the defense to slip through. Once they got going, they put constant pressure on the Chapala team. Heightened tensions on both sides almost resulted in blows. After a couple of scuffles between the players, the referee decided to penalize both teams, issuing yellow cards to both Chapala’s goalkeeper Javier Sánchez, and the Jocotepec forward.

With the score at zero at the start of the second half, the tired players were still in top form. Jocotepec dominated the first few minutes, with constant ball passing between the danger areas, as well as a series of corner kicks and crosses. One example was a scissor kick by Jocotepec’s Jaime Nava, who headed the ball straight into the goalkeeper’s net. 

Players of the Chapala and Jocotepec teams during their first match of the 2022 season. Credit: Jazmín Stengel.

This prompted Chapala’s technical coach, Iván Guízar, to make changes, reinforcing the offense, and supporting Rafael «El Ratón» Amezcua and Ricardo Vázquez in their plays. The changes paid off and the Chapala team managed to tie up the score.

The strong attacks on both goals continued relentlessly, increasing the crowd’s stress. They shouted «we want a goal» almost every minute. The shouting only stopped when one Jocotepec player was forced to leave the field due to a strong blow to his left shoulder.

The intensity of the match’s final moments abated a little, but the long serves and attempts to score continued until the final whistle. Chapala won the match in a penalty shootout. Javier Sánchez, known as Chapala’s most reliable goalkeeper, saved the last penalty kick, giving Chapala the victory with a 4-3 score.

Chapala remains the undefeated leader of the Southeast 5 Table in round five. With four games played, they have three wins, and one draw (no losses). This season they have scored ten goals for, and only two against, a difference of eight goals; eleven points in total. They are followed by Concepción de Buenos Aires, and Jocotepec, who have nine, and ten accumulated points, respectively.

The winner of the 2022 Jalisco Cup River Classic gets three additional points. In case of a tie, one point is counted for each team, and the second point is decided in penalties. The losing team receives no points.

Translated by Amy Esperanto

Vista del malecón de Ajijic y el lago de Chapala. Foto: D. Arturo Ortega.

Redacción.- Luego de las primeras lluvias registradas en la región lacustre del Lago de Chapala, sigue perdiendo nivel. Hasta la fecha, el lago más grande de México ha perdido 93 centímetros, lo que lo ubica al 63 por ciento de su capacidad. 

Del primero de enero al cuatro de mayo, el vaso lacustre pasó del 74.98 por ciento de su capacidad hasta el estado en que se encuentra en la actualidad, es decir, perdió casi 12 centímetros.