noticias

La Cristina bridge still obstructed by large rocks. Photo: Sofía Medeles.

Sofía Medeles (Ajijic).- The streams that until a few months ago were clogged are now in the process of being cleared, so they will be clean before the rainy season, said Maximiano Macías Arceo. the acting delegate of Ajijic. 

He added that work is underway and advancing as fast as possible in the streams of the western zone of Ajijic. These are the most obstructed streams, due to the mudslides that occurred in October of last year. 

«Our goal, and the order of president Alejandro Aguirre Curiel, is to finish the works before the rains arrive. Both Civil Protection and the municipal government agree that Ajijic is a priority, due to the condition of the streams. However, city personnel are also focused on streams throughout the municipality,» he said.

The same La Cristina bridge on the side has already been cleaned. Photo: Sofia Medeles

He commented that in the days that they have been cleaning the first stream in La Cristina, they aren’t dealing much with garbage, but rather with the debris from the mudslides that occurred in October, mainly large stones.

«We are close to finishing and cleaning up,» he added. These works are being carried out by hand because the heavy machinery that they use to clean the riverbeds and bridges cannot reach the clogged areas.

When the cleaning of the first bridge is finished, Macías Arceo shared that they will clean eight more riverbeds and their bridges, from east to west, during the next few weeks. 

Macías Arceo added that he would take advantage of the suitable stones excavated during the cleanup to use them for the paving and patching works in the streets of Ajijic.

Translated by Sandy Britton

In the center and with paper in hand, the municipal president of Chapala, Alejandro de Jesús Aguirre Curiel; (left) secretary general of the SPTAC union, Juan Cuevas Gudiño, and municipal trustee Gamaliel de Jesús Soto Pérez.  Photo: Jazmín Stengel.

The municipal president of Chapala, Alejandro de Jesús Aguirre Curiel, gave the go-ahead to seven of the ten requests made by the Plural Union of Workers of the Chapala City Hall (SPTAC), in favor of the rights of the union civil servants.

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

The list of requests included the approval of medical services for the worker’s dependent parents, minor children and students with a valid school card.

Members of the union outside the City Hall. Photo: Jazmín Stengel.

In addition, there will be an extra doctor and medical supplies at the Municipal Clinic so union members do not have to seek private consultation due to lack of attention or supplies.

In addition to the medical health requests presented by SPTAC, there is also the payment of overdue medical bills in an expeditious manner with the prior approval of the director of the Municipal Clinic. 

Another issue is the vacation bonus corresponding to five legal days of salary. In order to collect the arrears, a review of documents will be carried out, stated Cuevas Gudiño.

it was also requested that the workers’ vacations be respected since there have been cases in which the directors have not allowed workers to take an absence from work, and that these vacations be made up if they are not given correctly.

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.

One of the most relevant requests approved by Aguirre Curiel during the almost one hour meeting was the right to affiliate for 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 assembly from 2:30 to 4:30 in the afternoon, 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 for upcoming surgeries so as not to affect the family income of the union members.

Finally, 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, the coverage of surgeries and operations for the workers, as well as equipment to provide the 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 it would take us so long to get started… 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,» acknowledged Aguirre Curiel.

Translated by Paul Weeks

El sujeto señalado utilizó la violencia física y psicológica para cometer el abuso en reiteradas ocasiones. Foto Fiscalía.

Redacción.- Un sujeto de nombre Joshua A., quien impartía clases de regularización de matemáticas a un menor de edad y presuntamente abusó sexualmente de él, ya enfrenta un proceso penal luego de los datos de prueba que aportó en su contra la Fiscalía Especial Regional del Distrito V con sede en Chapala.

La persona señalada utilizó la violencia física y psicológica; además, se pudo acreditar que el delito presuntamente lo cometió también en reiteradas ocasiones, en el mes de diciembre de 2021.

La última agresión ocurrió el 24 de abril pasado, en una finca ubicada en la colonia Sabinos II, del municipio de Ixtlahuacán de los Membrillos, donde dicho sujeto llevaba a cabo la instrucción escolar a la víctima.
 
Ante el temor de que el sujeto le causara un daño mayor, el niño ofendido guardó silencio; no obstante, su hermano se enteró de lo ocurrido, por lo que pidió ayuda a su mamá quien en busca de acceso a la justicia denunció a Joshua A.
  
El hombre fue capturado por agentes de la Policía de Investigación del Distrito V, quienes lo pusieron a disposición de un Juez de Control quien le dictó vinculación a proceso al considerar que los datos de prueba eran fundados. Además, dicha autoridad ratificó la solicitud del Ministerio Público para que Joshua A. permanezca en prisión preventiva oficiosa durante un año, como medida cautelar.

Community Hospital of Jocotepec where vaccinations are delivered. 

Héctor Ruiz Mejía (Jocotepec).-Medical authorities at the Community Hospital of Jocotepec assured the community that expired vaccines against Covid-19 will not be administered. The recent  Federal extension of expiration dates for some classes of Covid-19 vaccines. makes this possible.

It was reported in several media outlets that over 59 million doses of the AstraZeneca biologic had an expiration date of April 30th. The Ministry of Health of Jalisco (SSJ) said that the Federal Government granted an «extension of useful life» for these doses, so they will be applied between May 15th and May 30th, as stated in the COFEPRIS-CAS-DEAPE-5010-2022 official communication.

The Federal Commission for the Protection against Health Risks (Cofepris) and the National Center for the Health of Children and Adolescents (CENSIA) stated these vaccines should not go to waste, so  Jocotepec medical authorities will be able to use doses with the extended dates.

The authorities of the Jocotepec Community Hospital said  that no expired  vaccines will be administered, thanks to the extension of shelf life, and that so far this has not been a problem in the municipality.

The doctor said that only the necessary  number of doses have been requested -about 1,500 doses for each vaccination day, in contrast to the 10,000 that were requested months ago. This will insure that no valid vaccine doses go to waste

Translated by Mary Woods

The events took place in the Colinas de Chapala neighborhood in upper Chapala. Photo: Twitter.

Editorial staff.- Investigators probing the disappearance of a 13-year-old girl in Chapala were forced to call for help after they were confronted by armed men on Tuesday, May 3.

State police reinforcements went to the aid of the investigating team, which included personnel from the Jalisco Prosecutor’s Office and the Amber Alert team.

According to eyewitness accounts by residents of the Santa María neighborhood, at least one shot was fired, although state and municipal authorities said no firearms were discharged.

Three suspects were arrested at a house in the area.

A search of the house revealed firearms and bullet-proof vests bearing the initials of an organized crime group.

A bag containing narcotics and a motor vehicle were also seized.

Translated by Alan Ferguson

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.