municipio

The president of Chapala, Alejandro de Jesús Aguirre Curiel, and the secretary of tourism of Jalisco, Claudia Vanessa Pérez Lamas 

The president of Chapala, Alejandro de Jesús Aguirre Curiel, announced improvements for the Magic Town of Ajijic and the municipal capital to better accommodate tourists. The initiative is part of the project “Model of Magic Towns of Jalisco.” 

Aguirre Curiel shared details of the improvements to infrastructure and tourism on social media. «The four elements of the project will create better conditions to receive visitors and show off the beauty of our Magic Town, Ajijic. The four areas are: study and improvement of circulation, creation of the position of tourist agent; study and improvement of the towns’ image; and waste management,» he said.

The president emphasized that the objective is to improve the quality of life both for people who are residents of the magic Town and for visitors. He states that «for Ajijic and for Chapala this news means a lot, because it strengthens economic and tourism growth, without losing the traditions and culture that identify us».

During the press conference held at Casa Jalisco on April 11, the first investment of 20 million pesos (about US$1 million) was announced for the start-up of the magic Towns Model in the nine magic towns of the state; during the year, for a total investment of 359.7 million pesos (about US$18 million). 

Finally, Aguirre Curiel recognized the role of Governor Enrique Alfaro Ramírez in getting Ajijic designated a magic town, highlighting its traditions and excellent climate as some of its main attractions while acknowledging the influence of the residents of the expatriate community.

Translated by Elisabeth Shields

 Abraham M., was recently arrested by the Investigative Police; he has already been sentenced to trial. Photo: Prosecutor’s Office. 

Staff.- Abraham M., was indicted on charges of sexually abusing the  minor daughter of his partner in the Sabinos subdivision in the municipality of Ixtlahuacán de los Membrillos. 

The subject allegedly threatened his victim so that she would not tell what happened, telling her that he would murder her mother. For this reason, the Public Prosecutor’s Office requested the official pre-trial detention against the individual, as a precautionary measure and for the victim’s protection. He was held for a year awaiting trial. The investigation began after a criminal complaint was filed on October 17, 2019. 

The victim was assaulted at approximately10: 30PM   when she  was sleeping in the living room of her home in the municipality of Ixtlahuacán.

After assaulting the victim, Abraham M, who was the partner of the victim’s mother, warned  her ot to tell what had happened, otherwise he would murder her mother. Out of fear, the minor kept silent for a while; however, she told her mother and  they filed a criminal complaint.

The Regional Prosecutor’s Office of District V carried out the investigation as a gender crime and found enough evidence of criminal child sexual abuse that an arrest warrant was requested against Abraham M.

The subject was recently captured by members of the Investigation Police, who served the warrant and presented him before the Control Judge who, considering the evidence provided by the Public Prosecutor’s Office to be ample, sent him to trial.

Translated by Patrick O’Heffernan

María Hilda Robledo Vázquez, opened «Memo» Cenaduría when she was only 20 years old. Photo: Sofía Medeles.

Sofía Medeles(Ajijic).- «Memo’s» is one of the most long-lived and emblematic local businesses in Ajijic. At 72 years old, its founder, Mrs. María Hilda Robledo Vázquez, shared the trajectory of her 52-year business.

María Robledo, better known as Mari, opened the diner when she was only 20 years old. She says that she wanted to start a business, so she started with tacos, then added menudo, until she got to what she currently sells, which is a variety of typical Mexican food dishes.

The establishment is located at 25 Hidalgo Street. At the door, Mrs. Mari’s grandson, Alejandro. Photo: Sofía Medeles.

«Before being located where the business is today, we moved from two other places. Before, we were known as «Los Deportes» because we were in a place that was a sports store. Later, my stepfather made a contract with a brewery to put up the billboard, and since his name was Memo, they put it in his name. They said they were going to change it, but in the end they didn’t, and that’s how it stayed’ that’s how we became known,» the Mari related. 

Mari Robledo also said that she began to be recognized by the people of Guadalajara when she was visited by some godparents of one of her brothers about six years after starting her business. They told her that they would recommend her to people from Guadalajara, and people from Guadalajara have been coming to visit her ever since. 

«Sometimes customers come and tell me, I remember when my parents used to bring me here, and you are still running the business after all this time,» added the founder of the restaurant.

«Memo» has approximately 30 years on Hidalgo Street #25, in the center of the town, where there have been hundreds of tourists both local and national, and even international. 

Mari shared that she has learned that her clientele comes through word of mouth, and they always let her know that they were satisfied with her dishes, especially with the pozole, one of her best-selling preparations.

Doña Mari with her workers in the kitchen of the «Memo» diner. Photo: Sofía Medeles.

Since its founding, the business has remained very family-run. At the beginning, Mari worked with her sisters. Later on she worked with her children, Fernando, Laura, Virginia and Alejandrina, who supported her at some point. The last one helps her still. 

In addition, her son-in-law Francisco Romero and her grandchildren Izbia, Alejandro, Romina and Fernanda have joined the team; besides, María Elena Martínez, Corazón de Jesús Cerna and Guadalupe Pulido, are her employees who help her in the kitchen.

Although she finds the cooking business exhausting, María Robledo Vázquez hopes that the restaurant will continue for many years to come. 

«The business has always been a support to help my children get ahead and give them an education. My daughter Alejandrina already knows how to do things here, and she told me that she would like to continue. I hope she does.»

Finally, Mari thanked all her customers because they have always been unconditional and come back to the restaurant with pleasure. 

Translated by Sydney Metrick

Only 27,168 cast their vote in the lake area.

Héctor Ruiz Mejía.- Only 9.97 percent of the electorate in District 17 participated in Sunday’s vote on  the Revocation of Mandate on Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO). 

Of the 272,259 people who were expected to go to the polls on April 10 in the 15 municipalities that make up the district, only 27,168 cast their vote. Of these, 25,270 voted in favor of AMLO’s continuation as president, 1,548 voted to revoke his mandate and 350  left  their ballot blank. 

Between Chapala and Jocotepec, seven thousand two votes were cast, of which six thousand 351 were in favor of AMLO, 558 against him, and 100 were null votes. 

Nationally, voter participation was also low, according to INE only between 17 and 18.2 percent of those registered on the nominal list cast their vote; Jalisco registered 9.06 percent, one of the states with the lowest participation. The election had no impact because, it required at 40% of the current electoral roll.

Translated by Patrick O’Heffernan

Trucks in the Bajío area, west of Ajijic. File 2021.

Editor. White-collar criminals have set their sights on Chapala to seize land in federal zones, using false deeds and corrupt notaries who use their positions  to issue forged documents with which they try to take over public spaces.  

The Government of Chapala, the Association of Notaries Public of the State of Jalisco and the State Government have called on the population to oppose bad practices of public notaries, after investigating that, in complicity with private individuals, they have falsified documents to take possession of land in federal zones.

The municipal authorities, in coordination with the state authorities, have undertaken a strategy to stop illegal acts by notaries and individuals who try to take possession of land in Chapala. The Dirección General de Delitos Patrimoniales y Financieros de la Fiscalía de Jalisco, has opened investigations into irregularities committed in the municipality. 

Part of a deed, which Jaime Natera López, President of the College of Notaries of Jalisco, qualified as false as it was signed by a notary who was suspended and out of his jurisdiction.

The Notary Association of Jalisco asked for regulations to insure that  those who want to acquire a property, do so based on the law, and  condemning people they labeled as «loafers», who want to take possession of land illegally. The Association vowed it would  not protect any person who tries to do illegal acts. 

«We are not going to overrule  anyone, but we must consider the Registrar who  participates in the appraisals and the public registry of property. I am totally convinced that some of these (fake) deeds can  give legal certainty,» said Jaime Natera Lopez, President of the College of Notaries of Jalisco in a media interview.     

For the last ten years the problem of invasions in the hills and beach areas of Lake Chapala has been growing at an accelerated rate, without any authority trying to put a stop to the invasions.  in many cases illegal the takeovers of property have been facilitated by corruption by private individuals and notaries public.    

Among  the public notaries that are endorsed as legitimate in Lakeside  are: Jorge Chávez, Sergio Macías, Juan Carlos López, Sergio Macías (father), Luis Enrique Ramos, Juan José Rodríguez, Adriana Villaseñor, as well as notaries public from La Barca, Ocotlán, Ayotlán, Tototlán and Atotonilco, on the condition that they are present. The  misuse of  notarial procedure is punishable with two to six years of imprisonment. 

Translated by Patrick O’Heffernan

Students receiving diplomas and certificates at Octavio Paz University Campus

Redaction.- Octavio Paz University Campus (CUOP) held the solemn graduation ceremony for high school and undergraduate students on March 30.

More than one hundred students graduated from CUOP’s high school level along with students completing their undergraduate level degrees.

CUOP educational programs and certifications are endorsed by the Ministry of Education of Jalisco (SEJ), University of Guadalajara (UdeG), Ministry of Public Education (SEP), Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (STPS), Ministry of Communications and Transportation (SCT), as well as the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC).

CUOP received recent distinction when students Leonardo Gael Aldanda placed first, and Leonardo Gibrán placed second in the LIMATEJ Mathematical Tournament organized by the SEJ.

CUOP students also distinguish themselves in sports. At the last volleyball tournament organized by COMUDE Chapala.  The high school team won third place at its level, while the middle school (secundaria) team won first place in the competition.

For information about registration: 376 765-3355 and 331 843-4380.

Translated by Nita Rudy

About 50 merchants protest on Francisco I. Madero avenue after the stall and its merchandise was seized. Credit: Jazmín Stengel.

Jazmín Stengel (Chapala).– Street merchants were evicted, and their merchandise confiscated by the Department of Regulations, Registration and Licenses, near the recently restored area of the Chapala boardwalk. They protested on Francisco I. Madero Avenue, at the intersection with Hidalgo, on Saturday, April 2. 

The Triqui merchants are from Oaxaca. After having been relocated several times in the last month by the authorities (due to restoration of green space, and new urban image policies going into effect) they refused to move again. They had been asked to relocate to the east side of the boardwalk, in the parking lot of the restaurant area known as La Rampa. They were joined by ten other local merchants.

As a result, agents of the Department of Regulations, Registration and Licenses immediately confiscated a street stall on the Chapala boardwalk, using public security personnel; they denounced the Oaxaca Triqui merchants in the area. 

On Monday, April 4, a dialogue was scheduled with the authorities during working hours. Up to that time ten stalls had been allowed to continue working in the locations already registered, since the owners had a valid commercial permit. However, on Saturday, April 2, shortly after noon, inspectors accompanied by public security came to confiscate the merchandise from the first street stall, without having given prior official written notice, according to testimonies of the indigenous merchants. The stall had been there for thirty years.

Merchants and municipal authorities struggled during the seizure of merchandise. Credit: Special.

The agents involved refused to identify themselves, answering «oi este wey (I heard this guy).» As they moved on to other stalls, merchants struggled to defend their product and labor rights. One video of such an interaction went viral on social networks. «They take things away like vile thieves,» said one of the affected merchants on the video. In one of the multiple videos published by the Triqui Merchant Guild of Oaxaca, one can observe the struggle between merchants, officials, and public security. «Three men pulled me,» said a minor involved. A Triqui woman was bruised after the struggle.

The aggressions on both sides escalated when the merchants demanded that a count of the confiscated merchandise be made public. However, the product was taken to City Hall facilities, resulting in a blockade by about fifty protesters at the intersection of Francisco I. Madero Avenue and Hidalgo Avenue. The Triqui Merchant Guild said they are organizing to demand their human rights, labor rights, and the reimbursement of the affected merchandise. They have multiple options including a human rights complaint, a legal claim, or a commercial injunction to avoid being removed and discriminated against.

As of the closing of this edition, the affected parties were attended by the municipal president, and were informed that the count of the merchandise was finished. However, municipal president Alejandro Aguirre asked those present to keep the boardwalk free of street commerce during the upcoming Holy Week and Easter vacations. This does not solve the relocation problem for the indigenous merchants.

Translated by Amy Esperanto

Attendees of the first garbage collection program. Photo: Alejandro Aguirre Curiel

Sofia Medeles (Ajijic).- A new clean-up program started in Ajijic on April 2nd. Dozens of young people, children and municipal authorities participated in the cleaning of several streets in the downtown area. 

On this occasion, students from the Centro de Estudios Técnicos en Aguas Continentales (CETAC) were invited to support the program. The person in charge of the program, Maximiano Macias Arceo, said that at least 12 children joined in the cleanup.  Also present were the municipal president of Chapala, Alejandro de Jesús Aguirre Curiel; the councilwoman of the delegation, Denisse Michelle Ibarra; the municipal trustee, Gamaliel Soto Pérez; and other workers of the delegation.

Young people during the garbage collection in the streets of Ajijic. Photo: Maximiano Macias Arceo

The students who attended were provided with refreshments donated by several people, including Ajijic councilwoman Denisse Michelle Ibarra, trustee Gamaliel Soto Pérez and a member of the group Unidos por Ajijic (United for Ajijic).  Stickers for trash cans and waste containers were also provided. 

Although Macías Arceo was pleased that the work session had gone well, he said that both he and the participants were saddened that again there was garbage in the streets after the cleaning brigade.  

«During the tour, some people said that they remembered the work of Juanita, ‘La Japonesa,’ (a devoted member of CASA, of the Lake Chapala Garden Club, the Lakeside Garden Guild, the LCS, and of other civic-minded organizations who taught and worked with local children to beautify Lakeside) and hoped that we can achieve similar results. We want to revive that culture of cleanliness and control of garbage in the streets», he added. 

Children receiving snacks donated by public officials. Photo: Maximiano Macias Arceo

Macías Arceo said both donations and volunteers are welcome for future work sessions. The dates will be announced several days in advance  on the Facebook page «Delegación Ajijic 2021-2024»  and in local media. «The next date will be after Easter vacation. We will invite more schools to cooperate, whether public or private, because we want everyone to become aware and participate in cleaning the streets,» stated Macías Arceo.

Translated by Elisabeth Shields

The municipal president of Chapala during an interview with Semanario Laguna.

Redaction.- The president of Chapala, Alejandro de Jesús Aguirre Curiel, was appointed vice-president of liaison with the Judicial Power of the National Association of Municipalities and Mayors, A.C. (ANAC), in Mexico City on March 11 of this year.

With this, «benefits will also be generated for our municipality of Chapala, because the commitment of PAN governments is with families; in addressing the needs and problems, thinking about a better course for Jalisco and Mexico,» he posted on his Facebook account. 

Translated by Sandy Britton

Héctor Ruiz Mejía (Jocotepec).- On March 30, a non-forest fire alarm was triggered in the area known as La Playa in Huejotitán, municipality of Jocotepec.

Extinguishing the fire required the coordinated work of 66 elements of the Ministry of Environment and Territorial Development (SEMADET), the National Forestry Commission (CONAFOR), as well as the Civil Protection and Firefighter Unit (UPCB) Jocotepec and the Government of Tlajomulco de Zúñiga.

Translated by Sandy Britton