municipio

By: Patrick O’Heffernan

Back in November 2021, our reporter in Jocotepec, Héctor Ruiz Mejía,  wrote a story about the trash problem in San Juan Cosalá. He described garbage trucks with no gas, rats invading homes, a school with   weeks’ worth of garbage stacked in front of its gates, and more.

Part of the problem is the refusal of Ixtlahuacán de los Membrillos to allow Jocotepec to continue dumping in the GEN landfill, a problem which the municipality is working on.  But something else has come to my attention:  the deterioration of the Carretera into the landfill that Jocotepec sorely needs.

If you drive from Ajijic to Joco and pass through the happy gauntlet of touts directing your attention to the seafood restaurants that line the lakefront, you won’t notice  the piles of garbage lining the highway across from the eateries.  In fact, one restaurant even has a large billboard announcing its presence astride a growing pile of garbage and debris.

Garbage, construction debris, junk, and old furniture now l fill open areas of the roadside of  the Carretera practically from the county line to Jocotepec. Garbage trucks have nowhere to put what they collect . But people have to put it somewhere and the roadside is the easiest and most available place.   

Trash on the Carretera in restaraunt row

But do you really want to take your out of town visitors to any of the great restaurants along the lake when you have to drive through a smelly field of trash?  Maybe not – after all there are so many great restaurants in both Chapala and Jocotepec on clean, trash-free streets. Some even have great lake views.

To be fair, you can’t blame the Jocotepec municipality  for the problem of the lack of a landfill  and you have to cheer them for trying to solve it.  The Carretera  – Highway 23 – is Federal property; neither the state nor the municipalities have the authority nor the  funds to clean it. And it is not fair to ask businesses along the Carretera to clean up the piles every day;  that is what they pay taxes for. And where would they put it?

Perhaps the solution lies in the kind of collaboration and citizen action we have seen in Ajijic and Chapala.  Until Jocotepec acquires a landfill, Expats and Mexican citizens and local  businesses can raise funds, purchase a dedicated garbage truck, lease a piece of land, fence it and clean up the highway until Jocotepec has the funds and  a landfill.

Yes, the  Carretera Federal is managed by the Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes, SCT) and it is the Federal government’s responsibility. But let’s face it, the garbage would completely block the highway before the SCT got around cleaning the roadside. 

 In Chapala, expats have purchased fire trucks for the Bomberos.  Why not a garbage truck for the Jocotepec Carretera?  In Ajijic, the delegado has organized citizens to fill potholes; why not similar brigadistas in Joco to load trash from the roadside into the  truck and haul it to a properly fenced and managed leased site.

This is a temporary solution to be sure, but the investment and the collaboration will last a long time and give the Jocotepec government and people an opportunity to show how well they care for their community . And might even pay for itself in increased business to the lakeshore restaurants.

SIMAPA personnel repairing well number 4. Photo: Sofía Medeles 

Sofía Medeles (Ajijic).- At least half of the town of Ajijic was left without water for approximately one week, due to an electrical failure that caused the pump of well number 4, located in Villa Nova, to the west of the delegation, to break down.

Timoteo Aldana Pérez, head of the Municipal System of Potable Water and Sewage (SIMAPA) Ajijic,  stated that this was due to an electrical failure in the plant of the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), which affected two pumps, one in Chapala and the one in Ajijic.

«The low voltage that was being sent shut down the two meter-tall, 125 horsepower pump at 7:00 am and we were notified at 11:00 at night. None of our nearby suppliers had a replacement , so we had to order it from  Monterrey, which is why the repair was delayed,» explained Aldana Pérez.

 Timoteo said this pump supplies at least half of Ajijic, from the neighborhood of Las Seis Esquinas, a part of El Tempisque and even the cemetery. Besides, being one of the largest pumps, it is used to send water to other parts of town when they need it, a process called “rebombing”.

The people in the affected areas complained about the lack of water, since it took them by surprise. One interviewee, named Sara, expressed her desperation during the last few days of drought, as the water in her tinaco ran out: «They can’t keep us like this for so long. Water is vital, and it is a service we pay for. Besides, they didn’t  tell us about the water supplies they were handing out. Very poorly planned.

Areas such as La Canacinta, La Cristina or Alceseca were also affected, because not everyone has a water tank at home, as is the case of José: «We have a water tank, but the water there is different from the tap water. The tap water, we put it in drums and water tanks, and that is what we usually use.  The water from the cistern is not dirty, but it has  some fish so we use it for other things. But this time we had to use it because there was no water for a long time. It did affect us, because our reserve is less than half full.

Water pipe supplying water in the western zone of Ajijic. Photo: Sofía Medeles

Regarding the water supplies, several citizens commented on SIMAPA’s bad communication, because they were never notified that the trucks would be going to the homes, nor on what days and at what times, or that they were free of charge.

«They only asked if we wanted water, but never said anything else, we did not know it was free, and some neighbors were not there. Supposedly it was delivered in two days, but we only heard about one,» commented Luis, who lives near the cemetery area.

Timoteo Aldana said that he hopes that people will become aware of the care and responsible use of water, because times have changed and it is not only the growth of the town, but also several other factors that lower the levels of the wells.

«The water is enough for Ajijic, but we must always take care of the levels of the wells. In some of them, the water is only enough to cover their area, something that did not happen before. We also have to be aware of the water levels, because the lower they are, the more heavy metals and impurities are concentrated, which make them unsuitable for drinking water. In these times, we have to use it for the most essential things, leaving aside gardens, swimming pools, etc.».

He assured that he is looking for strategies to regulate the use, especially in times of low water, and to make a more equitable distribution of the water  for the town. Finally, he asked the inhabitants for prudence to avoid reaching an irreversible point, and pay their bills on time as SIMAPA has the   tools for its work.

Translated by Patrick O’Heffernan

Bulldozer working on the mountainside (just visible slightly above center of photo). Photo: Ajijic Citizen Observatory.

Sofía Medeles (Ajijic).- The internet  has been  abuzz with reports  that  heavy machinery has been working near the iconic Cerro Colorado  mountain,  west of Ajijic.

The group Ajijic Observatorio Ciudadano published reports and a photo of a bulldozer visible at the scene. In the comments section of their post the group specified that the construction site is located between Cerro Colorado and Cerro Las Tres Cañadas, or behind Cerro Colorado.

Chapala  Director of Social Communication Elizabeth Oropeza Silva said the government was aware of the situation. When inspectors showed up at the site, they were shown construction licenses approved during the last administration.

«The permits granted during the past administration were reviewed and found to be in order, although there are things that appear to be out of place. We are working to review and analyze if there are any inconsistencies,» said Elizabeth Oropeza Silva.

Both on the internet and among residents, there is a lot of talk about the project.  Conversations center around the identities of several presumed owners of the property, their intentions, and  involvement of the Indigenous Community of Ajijic.

Two officials stated in the publication that uncovered the project that the Department of Ecology, among other agencies, is investigating the case.

Elizabeth Oropeza Silva added that they are still investigating, and that from what they have perceived, the space where they are working looks very large.

The Cerro Colorado is very dear to the people of Ajijitecos, as it is a site that is home to legends, and is part of the town’s history and popular culture. It is also recognized by visitors because of its peculiar shape, which resembles the head and wing of a bird of prey. 

Residents of Ajijic interviewed by Laguna said that the hill has already been threatened by urbanization on other  occasions,  and is at risk of subdivision for homes  as it is owned by several private individuals.

Translated by Patrick O’Heffernan

El Lago de Chapala. Foto: Héctor Ruiz. 

Por: Daniel Jiménez Carranza

Sin duda, actualmente estamos afrontando las consecuencias de una crisis generada en principio por la pandemia, y enlazada con el conflicto bélico en Europa, que ha provocado incertidumbre y desestabilización en las economías a nivel global, marcadas por el incremento del desempleo, incremento en el precio de los combustibles, escasez de alimentos, y que puede complicarse si es que este fenómeno no llega a una solución pacífica ausente de aquéllas respaldadas por la proliferación armamentista de sus actores.

Un conflicto bélico de mayor magnitud, definitivamente provocará una conflagración a nivel mundial, pues mayor número de países se involucrarán, los armamentos empleados serán de mayor calibre, a tal grado que desembocarán  en una confrontación nuclear, en donde no habrá vencedores ni vencidos, pero sí muerte, desolación y destrucción del hábitat, cuya regeneración llevará años.

La aportación de capital y armas para Ucrania, no ayudarán a resolver el conflicto, sino todo lo contrario, es preciso encontrar una alternativa válida a través de una comisión de paz integrada por países representativos y la ONU, para resolver este enfrentamiento .

La política no intervencionista de nuestro país, se ha mantenido firme y sólida ante tales circunstancias, apoyada en el respeto de los países al mantenimiento de su integridad territorial, lo cual es notablemente condenable, en el caso de la agresión armada como la que se ha fraguado en Ucrania.

Los efectos económicos y sociales de esta confrontación militar y la pandemia, han  puesto de manifiesto la necesidad de fortalecer los lazos regionales de integración entre países que por su condición geográfica, se alineen en un bloque común que internamente se fortalezca y sea autosuficiente, y que sin duda, la propuesta del presidente López Obrador, de integrar no sólo a los países Latinoamericanos, sino a todo el continente, incluyendo EE.UU. y Canadá, sería un logro trascendental que beneficiaría y complementaría a todas las economías de países que en la actualidad se encuentran a la zaga de cualquier posibilidad de remontar su condición social y económica como consecuencia de su incapacidad de explotar y comercializar adecuadamente  sus recursos.   Esta integración regional, deberá ser acompañada de la creación de un fondo de infraestructura con aportación de todos los países integrantes, que permita disponer de recursos a países carentes de los mismos, para construir carreteras, puertos, y todas aquellas instalaciones y equipos que requieran.

Laura S. fue detenida en días pasados en la zona centro de Atequiza. Foto ilustrativa: Internet. 

Redacción.- Tras una investigación con perpectiva de género, la Fiscalía Especial Regional del Distrito V obtuvo una orden de aprehensión contra Laura S. quien también se hace llamar Laura Araceli S., por la probable comisión del delito de abuso sexual infantil agravado en Ixtlahuacán de los Membrillos. 

La Fiscalía informó que los hechos ocurrieron en abril del año en curso, en una finca ubicada en el poblado de Atequiza, cuando la víctima, quien es menor de edad, se quedó a solas en su domicilio.

El agente del Ministerio Público obtuvo una orden de aprehensión en su contra mediante la cual fue capturada por Policías de Investigación en la zona centro de la demarcación ya señalada.

La mujer fue asegurada conforme lo establece el protocolo y quedó a disposición del Juez de Control y Juicio Oral del Quinto Distrito Judicial con sede en Chapala, quien resolverá su situación jurídica.

Dicha persona se le presume inocente y se le dará ese tratamiento durante las etapas del procedimiento judicial en tanto no se declare su responsabilidad mediante sentencia emitida por el órgano jurisdiccional.

 Las selecciones de Chapala y Jocotepec, se enfrentaron con intensidad en el Campo Municipal Juan Rayo, el domingo 8 de Mayo. El clásico ribereño concluyó con un empate a ceros.

Jazmín Stengel.- Mucha intensidad, pocos goles. Las Selecciones de Chapala y Jocotepec dieron todo hasta el último minuto; sin embargo, el marcador se decidió en ronda de penales a favor de los locales con un marcador de 4 – 3.

A pesar de que Chapala dominó la mayor parte del partido, Jocotepec lo hizo en los últimos minutos del primer tiempo. 

Los ataques por parte de ambos equipos fueron muchos, sin embargo ninguno logró marcar un gol en el tiempo regular. 

Dos tarjetas amarillas y un lesionado fue el saldo del primer enfrentamiento entre Chapala y Jocotepec esta Copa Jalisco 2022. 

El marcador final se decidió en tanda de penales. 

La selección de Chapala triunfó con 4-3 

Cerca de 300 personas asistieron al clásico ribereño del año este fin de semana. 

Grupos de amigos y familias asistieron a ver el juego. 

La porra de Jocotepec también presentó una considerable asistencia al partido. 

En el medio tiempo, las jugadoras de las selecciones Chapala e Ixtlahuacán femeniles asistieron a ver el juego. 

La porra oficial de Chapala, con percusiones en mano y al grito de !Vamos Chapala, que esta tarde tenemos que ganar! 

El equipo de la Diez del Barrio durante la transmisión del partido. Esta casa productora transmite en la red social de Facebook todos los partidos de la Selección Chapala.

El robo se efectuó en la parroquia de San Francisco de Asis. Foto: Archivo.

Redacción.- Dos hombres fueron detenidos por presuntamente robar más de 6 mil pesos en una iglesia de Chapala. 

Personal de la Fiscalía Regional puso a disposición de los jueces que los requerían con una orden de aprehensión por el delito de robo calificado.

Se trata de Yahir Alejandro G. y Víctor Alfonso C., quienes fueron  detenidos en la calle Isla del Presidio al cruce con De los Maestros, de la colonia Gastronómica, en el municipio de Chapala.

Los hechos por los que fueron capturados ocurrieron la semana pasada y, de acuerdo con las indagatorias estas personas ingresaron a la iglesia de San Francisco de Asís, forzaron un lucernario de monedas que se encontraba a pie de una imagen católica y extrajeron la cantidad de 6 mil pesos, motivo por el cual les resultó la orden de aprehensión.

Ambos fueron puestos a disposición del Juez de Control y Juicio Oral del Quinto Distrito Judicial, quien resolverá su situación jurídica. Las personas detenidas serán tratadas como inocentes en tanto no se emita una sentencia en su contra.

Symbolic closure of the reported dredging in Alceseca beach area last May 2021. The photo shows the traces of the work recently done by the machinery. Photo: Archive.

Sofía Medeles (Ajijic).- The Attorney General’s Office (FGR) dismissed the complaint filed by activists from Ajijic, for the dredging of the federal territory of Lake Chapala on Alceseca beach.

The complaint was filed in June of last year, pointing out the dredging and extraction of sand for the construction of a floating dock. 

At least four lawyers from Ajijic worked on the case for approximately ten months. The FGR and the National Water Commission (CONAGUA) dismissed the case since they found no evidence at the scene 6 months later despite evidence presented by the Ajijitecos.

«The complaint was filed at the regional FGR headquarters in Ocotlán. When the Investigative Police arrived to investigate in August, they told us that we had to go to CONAGUA to file a complaint,” said one of the citizens. CONAGUA is the governmental authority of Lake Chapala.

When a letter sent to CONAGUA was never answered, an injunction (amparo) was initiated. In December it was determined that the CONAGUA was obliged to carry out its investigations and to continue with the case,» said one of the lawyers.

The  citizen interviewed  by Laguna  said that when CONAGUA conducted a tour of the area months after the incident, it claimed that nothing of what was  accused was found.  The Prosecutor’s Office decided that there was no crime to prosecute, ignoring the record of facts that a notary made the day the dredging was stopped and the multiple photographs, videos, and witnesses that documented the incident.

«This legal process was tiring in time and form. When CONAGUA representatives met with the protesters they encouraged the citizens to make the denunciation through legal channels.  This encouragement was a contradiction of CONAGUA’s actions in this process,” said the citizen.

“The demand that activists utilize other legal channels indicates that the authorities do not care about environmental issues, and if federal institutions are not interested, municipal or state institutions are even less interested. The result is that the authorities refuse to intervene,» said  one of the lawyers at the scene.

The dredging was documented on May 20, 2021, through social networks with videos that captured how several dump trucks were removing truckloads of sand. 

The formal complaint to the FGR was filed in June 2021. In January of this year, it was announced that the amparo had been resolved, asking CONAGUA to collaborate to clarify the unlawful accusation. Recently, the case was dismissed because «there was nothing on the beach» where the dredging took place.  

Translated by Nita Rudy

The violent event was recorded during the early evening of April 25. Photo: Twitter.

Editor.- A man and a woman were fatally wounded while drinking in a bar on the Guadalajara-Morelia highway, in the municipality of Tuxcueca, on April 25.

Municipal police responded to the scene in San Luis Soyatlán after gunfire was reported at approximately 6.20 p.m.

Inside the bar, agents found the deceased male victim with gunshot wounds to the head and chest. The injured woman was taken to receive medical attention but died upon arrival at the aid station.

The bodies were transferred to the region’s amphitheater for the autopsy required by law. The victims were not immediately identified.

Various shell casings were found at the scene of the shooting. Evidence was secured with the support of experts from the Jalisco Institute of Forensic Sciences.

Translated by Alan Ferguson

Boys and girls playing their instruments. Credit: Courtesy.

Alma Serrano (San Juan Cosalá).- The photography group known as «Social Art,» commemorated Children’s Day with a photo session on the boardwalk of San Juan Cosalá. About 20 children participated, members of Colores Que Dan Vida, and the School of Music, were photographed on April 19th.

A child plays with orange pigment powder. Credit: Courtesy.

Josué Mondragón Rentería, a representative of the group of ten photographers, says that this initiative arose with the purpose of celebrating the children of the delegation in a dynamic and fun way. It was important to show the dedication and contribution of the children to the cultural development of their community, He added, «time spent in the arts and culture can change and improve the quality of life of children.»

Two children, covered in pigment-stained clothes, throw pigment powder toward each other, in the spirit of fun and creativity. Credit: Courtesy.

The children were photographed playing music, and being creative in what they love to do. More than a commemoration, they were free to play and experiment on the theme of “the meaning of art.” 

A young child enjoying their face, covered in blue paint. Credit: Courtesy.