noticias

Approximately 25 people helped in the removal of the cyclone fences. Photo: Sofía Medeles.

Sofía Medeles (Ajijic).–  After more than six months of inactivity, the group Pueblos Unidos de la Ribera resumed  removing illegal fences on Federal land, this time in the eastern part of Ajijic. The group rallied about 25 people  on March 28 to remove two fences that obstructed the passage along the shore of Lake Chapala. 

The first  fence was located  at the end of  Donato Guerra street . The group contacted the owner by telephone who claimed to have a concession from the National Water Commission (CONAGUA) and to maintain this fence for the safety of her home. However an agreement was not reached with her to leave the fence intact.

Initially, the woman agreed to show her documents supporting the use of the federal land, but minutes later, she told them that she should not show anything to anyone other than an authority, so the group proceeded to remove the chain-link cyclone fence

During the first demolition, officers of the Chapala police arrived and said that only a report would  be made of the action. However, several activists pointed out that they were asked to identify themselves and have their faces photographed. They  complained  that they felt intimidated by the officers because they were carrying weapons although no weapons were drawn at any time.

Later, the protestors moved further to the east of the town, at the top of Revolucion Street, where a farm under construction had been fenced almost to the edge of the lake. The  chain-link  was quickly removed, however, the next day it was put up again.

A citizen on horseback supported them by pulling the cyclone mesh to tear it down. Photo: Sofía Medeles.

After the removal of these invasions of federal property, those gathered talked about other points in Ajijic that have the same situation, agreeing to monitor and  re-remove fences in the places that had already been liberated to the west of the delegation, as well as to help people from other towns to replicate the «anti-fencing» movement. 

» We miss the times  when you could walk from Chapala to Jocotepec along the lake shore. Those times will return, if we all unite for this cause, so that our descendants can enjoy the free beaches, which are everyone’s right,» said a member of Pueblos Unidos de la Ribera.

Last April 1st, the activists met again to support  residents of the San Antonio Tlayacapan and then continued on to the Pueblo Mágico.

Pueblos Unidos de la Ribera is a movement that was formed early in August 2021. After three  actions in which all kinds of fences were torn down on the eastern beaches, between the area of Tio Domingo and Villa Lucerna, they decided to demonstrate at the offices of CONAGUA in Guadalajara.

Although the agency «gave in» and promised to be more attentive to the invasions by deploying more inspectors, in addition to indicating that they were not committing a crime by removing the obstructions, to date, CONAGUA has ignored the agreements.

Translated  by Patrick O’Heffernan.

Relatives of the security officer walked through the delegation of San Juan Cosalá as a tribute on March 21. Photo: Courtesy. 

One of the two Jocotepec police officers killed in the confrontation with armed persons on March 10 was finally honored more than 10 days after he died.  Relatives of Andrés Inclán Zamora  paid  tribute to his service as a security officer  on March 21. 

The municipal president, José Miguel Gómez López, postponed the official tribute due to violence in the municipality since holding an event with crowds of people was considered “high risk.”  

Around five o’clock in the afternoon on March 21, Inclán Zamora’s relatives, people from the community and some of his colleagues at the police station celebrated the memory of the murdered policeman. The emotional event, which lasted more than an hour, began on Porfirio Diaz Street in San Juan Cosala. It was attended by about 70 people who, in tears, said goodbye to their friend, brother, family member, father and husband.

Andrés Inclán Zamora, a 45-year-old policeman, was killed in the clashes on March 10. Photo: Courtesy.

Accompanied at all times by police officers and escorted by a marching band, the relatives of Andrés Inclán recalled with nostalgia and pride stories about the life of the passionate policeman. «He was the oldest of 11 siblings, but he always took care of me and my sisters, he was very good,» said one of his sisters.  She added that Inclán Zamora began his police career more than 10 years ago. Although he served as an officer off and on, «it was something he always liked, there is no doubt about that.»

Although his family said that the municipality took care of approximately 60 percent of the funeral expenses, they regretted the position and «silence» of the municipal authorities.  

Translated by Elisabeth Shields

A large ceiba or kapok tree choked by the concrete for the construction of the bicycle path. Photo: Alma Serrano.

Alma Serrano (San Juan Cosala).- At least three trees are being killed by the construction of the bicycle lane in the San Juan Cosalá section. 

A ficus, a plum tree, and a large ceiba (​​kapok, a most sacred tree for the ancient Maya and symbol of the universe), located in the block between Cuauhtémoc and Tacuba streets, were left without space for irrigation or growth after the concrete was placed for the bicycle lane. 

A plum tree was also left without space for water. Photo: Alma Serrano.

«I don’t know why they cemented in the trees, if the tree grows it can damage the cement. And I don’t understand why they cut other trees down» commented one of the neighbors. 

In addition to these, neighbors in the area denounced the felling of other trees for the construction of the road that began in November of last year and is expected to be finished by the end of March 2022. 

Translated by Kerry Watson

Jocotepec police building located in the municipal capital. Photo: Archive.

Staff.- The killing of two unarmed policemen and the wounding of first responders March 10 on the  Guadalajara-Morelia highway height of San Cristóbal, highlighted the fact that the  Jocotepec Public Security Corporation, charged with ensuring the welfare of the town and its 13 localities, is operating without necessary equipment or sufficient personnel , and spurred an agreement for joint operations with State Police in the municipality.

The joint operations are designed to insure the safety of the citizens and the officers until the governor and the president obtain additional funding for weapons, equipment and more policemen and policewomen in the municipality.

A former municipal police officer, who preferred to keep his name anonymous for fear of reprisals, said that the police station does not have enough weapons, personnel, or the support of the municipality to carry out its work. 

The interviewee described the conditions under which the uniformed officers operate as “precarious,” due to the fact that they lack social security despite the fact that their work serving the community is considered high risk.

«In reality, there are no bullets, only the ones they carry or that they purchase; but the truth is that there are no weapons. In a violent confrontation they would not last five minutes,» said the former police officer.

Although Semanario Laguna sought to confirm the information provided by the former policeman,representatives of the municipality of Jocotepec were not available to answer or comment on the matter. 

Resignation of personnel is also a constant problem in the force. In December of last year alone, according to Felipe Aguilar Montes de Oca, former director of social communication, the municipality had only 44 officers distributed in two shifts.

During the March 17 ordinary session of the Jocotepec City Council, municipal president José Miguel Gómez López stated that after the March 10 armed attack that left two policemen murdered, six policemen, as well as commissioner Juan Jesús Hermosillo Moreno, had resigned. 

«After the death of the two officers, six more officers resigned from the force. The officers feel unprotected by the lack of equipment, by the lack of protection; situations that are not a direct responsibility of the administration but how resources have been lacking for us to make investments in security,»  Gómez López said.

Gómez López explained that because the municipality is officially classified as having a population of less than 50,000 inhabitants, it has not been able to access substantial resources to strengthen the municipal police, although he did point out that they already have life insurance.  At its last meeting, the council voted to award the families of the slain officers 100% of their pensions to demonstrate their support for the police and to recognize their bravery.

Translated by MaryAnne Marble and Patrick O’Heffernan

El párroco Alejandro C. fue detenido por elementos de la Fiscalía del Estado e imputado por el delito de abuso sexual infantil. Foto temática: Internet. 

Redacción.- Por los delitos de abuso sexual infantil agravado y corrupción de menores, un sacerdote de Ixtlhuacán de los Membrillos fue detenido por la Fiscalía del Estado. 

Se trata de Alejandro C. de 40 años de edad, quien es párroco eclesiástico de una parroquia ubicada sobre circuito Los Olivos y la calle Olivo Portugués, en la colonia Los Olivos II, en el municipio antes señalado.

De acuerdo con las investigaciones el agravio ocurrió el pasado 15 de febrero contra una menor de edad y posteriormente se denunció. Personal ministerial de la Fiscalía Regional del Distrito V, reunió la carpeta de prueba donde se presumía la comisión de los delitos, por lo que se solicitó una orden de aprehensión. 

Mediante redes sociales, el Arzobispado de Guadalajara emitió su postura respecto a la denuncia contra el sacerdote. Foto: Especial.

El sacerdote Alejandro C. fue detenido  hace unos días y puesto a disposición del Órgano Jurisdiccional ante el cual el Ministerio Público procedió a la imputación por los delitos de abuso sexual infantil agravado y corrupción de menores.

Durante el desarrollo de la audiencia inicial se estableció que el sujeto permanecerá en prisión preventiva oficiosa por el plazo de la dilación constitucional, en tanto el próximo lunes 4 de abril se dará la continuación de la misma.

Por su parte, mediante un comunicado, la Arquidiócesis de Guadalajara informó su disposición para colaborar en la investigación a la que será sometida el párroco, además de que aclaró desconocer el caso denunciado debido a que no se tuvo contacto con la familia de la víctima. 

“Queremos señala que, de parte de la Arquidiócesis de Guadalajara, estamos en la mejor disposición de colaborar con las autoridades correspondientes para que se esclarezcan los hechos y se proceda de un modo justo, aportando los elementos que nos soliciten para deslindar responsabilidades”, se lee en el documento difundidos mediante redes sociales.

Norma Angélica Huerta García, 52, is the new director of CETAC 01 after receiving her appointment February 21. Photo: Courtesy

Héctor Ruiz Mejía(Jocotepec).- After almost five months in the position, Norma Angélica Huerta García received her official appointment as the director of the Center for Technological Studies in Continental Waters of Jocotepec (CETAC 01). 

Huerta García, 52 years old with more than 21 years of experience in the educational field, received her appointment on February 21 in Mexico City, along with 233 other directors of schools in 30 states of the country.

The new director has a degree in chemistry, and master’s and doctorate degrees in education. In an interview, she reiterated her commitment to young people in educational matters, assuring that they will always be the school’s priority.

«As an educational institution, our commitment is to provide the community with quality education, promoting the transformation of society; we will always promote learning excellence,» she said. 

Huerta García added that the academic commitment will be focused on the new trends of the educational system such as the New Mexican School, with a technological approach implemented in education. 

The appointments of the 233 directors were delivered by Guillermo Antonio Solís Sánchez, head of the General Directorate of Agricultural Technological Education and Marine Sciences (DGETAyCM), for the period from September 1, 2021 to August 31, 2025.

Translated by Christalle Dalsted

Martha Rodríguez García dedicated her recognition to the people who have fought for the defense of the hills El Junco and El Cántaro.

D.Arturo Ortega (Chapala).- For her activism in community-strengthening, her environmental defense of the territory and traditions of her community, Martha Rodríguez García, a native of Santa Cruz de la Soledad, Chapala, was recognized with the «Hermila Galindo Acosta» award, granted by the Commission for Substantive and Gender Equality of the Jalisco State Congress to outstanding women from Jalisco, in the framework of International Women’s Day. Hermila Galindo Acosta (1886-1954) was an early Mexican feminist, suffragist and writer. 

On March 8, Rodríguez García received recognition along with nine women from Jalisco and a Civil Association. She has been fighting for eight years to defend El Junco and El Cántaro hills from private interests that seek to divide this natural area.

«I am happy to have received this recognition for the eight-year struggle. We have fought for the environment, for young people, children and the elderly,» said Rodríguez García from the sofa in the living room of her house, who is perhaps the only one with a security and video surveillance system in Santa Cruz de la Soledad.

Since 2014, people outside the community deceitfully bought several properties from residents and “ejidatarios” or communal landowners, with money diverted from the Pension Institute of the State of Jalisco (IPEJAL) for the purpose of building 3,066 single-family homes, 812 duplexes, 400 homes for the elderly, a hotel, clubhouse, golf course, area for horseback riding activities and a hospital contemplated in the luxury megaproject to be built in the hills of El Junco and El Cántaro, in Santa Cruz de la Soledad, thanks to the creation of a trust that would benefit the company «Santa Cruz Inmobiliaria S. A. de C.V.»

Ejido or communally-owned lands are governed by an Ejidal Committee in charge of executing and enforcing the agreements, as well as the representation and administrative management of the ejido.

As Ejido Commissioner, Rodríguez García was able to foresee that the ejido lands would cease to exist, so most of the ejidatarios refused to cede El Cántaro and El Junco. This has meant a battle for the territory that has entailed «stress and  fatigue, even for my own children and we always live with the worry of them doing something to us,» she said.

However, it has not only been hardships that Rodríguez García describes, because in spite of all the circumstances and the sacrifices she has had to face, with a serene and calm look; she mentioned that she has also obtained some satisfaction. 

The case of the dispute over the hills has been at a standstill since 2016, when two members promoted the suspension of the 2015 Ejidal Committee, and then with police removed the committee that Rodríguez García presided as commissioner. A new Ejidal Committee was then formed in the multipurpose room of the temple of the Virgen de la Soledad.

Receiving the «Herminia Galindo Acosta» award at the State Congress.

Once the 2015 Ejidal Committee was removed, an election was called again and in 2018 Rodríguez García was again elected as commissioner, but the National Agrarian Registry did not want to deliver the credentials for that period because there were acts of suspension registered for that period, so, since then the ejido has not met.

Currently they are waiting for a new election to form a new commissariat, but the Agrarian Prosecutor’s Office does not want to deliver the new list of ejidatarios in order to be able to hold the election and seek the least possible obstacles to nullify the elections by the State Government, and some ejido members whose businesses would not be favored by this new slate. 

For this reason, it is necessary to wait for the Agrarian Tribunal to request the updated list of ejidatarios in order to carry out the election of the new Ejidal Committee, which process would be carried out in the presence of agrarian organizations, in addition to the Agrarian Attorney General’s Office, which would call for this new election.

Currently there are 177 ejidatarios or registered owners of communal land, of which 55 have passed away and another 44 live in the United States, leaving only 78 ejidatarios living in Santa Cruz according to the latest registry.

Since September 2021 and thanks to the efforts of the Intermunicipal Association for the Protection of the Environment and Sustainable Development of Lake Chapala (AIPROMADES), El Junco has been registered as part of a project to increase water catchment in 252.59 hectares of that territory (about 625 acres) with the support of the United Nations (UN), Coca-Cola and Arca Continental.

Rodríguez García, 67, is a woman of work more than words, and works in El Junco making paths as protective borders. In a few weeks she will reforest with endemic trees such as mesquite, guamúchil, huaje, tepehuaje, palo dulce, papelillo, tepame, osote, among other species to prevent landslides and increase water catchment in the Santa Cruz dam. 

She recalls that as a child she always accompanied her parents in their farm work. At that time there were not so many houses, the town was smaller and many of the people supported their families by farming; that is why the hills of El Cántaro and El Junco are so important to her, but the most important thing is to preserve the space as a protected natural area for future generations.

Translated by Kerry Watson

The city council approved to cover 100 percent of the pension of the policemen killed in the confrontation on March 10. Photo: Social Networks.

The Jocotepec City Council approved a proposal to grant 100 percent of the pension to the families of the two policemen killed in an armed attack on March 10. 

During the fifth ordinary session of the council, held on Thursday, March 17, the council members observed a minute’s silence in honor of the security officers who died in the line of duty before discussing the pension to be granted to the bereaved.

Municipal trustee Carlos Alberto Zúñiga Chacón said that, according to the reports issued by the labor office based on the seniority of the officers, the corresponding pension would be 30 percent. Edgar Omar Leal Nava had been serving in the force for two years and three months, while Andrés Inclán Zamora had only 52 days. 

However, due to the heroic performance of their work and the situation in which they died, municipal president José Miguel Gómez López proposed that it be increased to 100 percent. 

«They were behaving like heroes, without weapons, without equipment. It’s the least we as public servants can do,» commented Gómez López.

The initiative was approved unanimously. A monthly amount of 10,500 pesos will be given to the families of those affected, which will be divided equally among the children of each police officer. The pension will be delivered until the last of their descendants reaches the age of majority. 

Finally, the municipal president also assured that, after the unfortunate events, «It will be necessary to make a front to pressure the state and federal authorities,» to provide more economic support and to be able to adequately equip the public security officers.

The policemen were killed while responding to an accident near San Cristóbal Zapotitlán on the evening of Thursday, March 10. Two paramedics, a man and a woman attending the accident, were also injured in the aggression.

Translated by Sandy Britton

The mother of the victim involved in screaming and crying during the demonstration.

Jazmín Stengel (Chapala).-  After the demonstration called by Daniela Baéz, the former student of the Chapala Regional High School who accused him of sexual abuse, a  professor voluntarily resigned from the institution, while the University of Guadalajara (UdeG) stated that it will investigate the case. 

The protest held on March 14, began at the school campus, traveled along the main avenue of Chapala, Francisco I. Madero,  and ended in front of the City Hall building; Approximately 200 people attended with homemade signs, shouting slogans demanding justice .

 The dozens of demonstrators shouted «David harasser, Ramón cover-up»,  referring to the Professor and to the head of the school where the alleged abuse occurred. They also chanted, «The school does not take care of me, my friends take care of me»,  as they marched carrying  banners reading : «Teachers or Pigs?», «Reputation is more important than the safety of the students» and «I want to study without fear», among other messages.

A communiqué issued by the University of Guadalajara (UdeG) on March 15, the day after the demonstration stated that «The professor indicated has voluntarily stepped down and will remain away from his duties until the investigations are concluded.”

In the document, the University emphasized that it had communicated with the affected student, as well as her family, to offer them advice, support  and a guarantee to carry out the due process. 

It was only on Wednesday, March 16, that the victim announced  on social networks that she had formally filed a complaint with the Public Prosecutor’s Office, as well as with the Office for the Defense of University Rights (DDU), an agency of the highest university in Jalisco.

The victim during the demonstration, at the end of her interviews with the media.

During the March 14 march, not only the name of Professor David was heard, but also that of four other teachers from the same high school; however, the director of the Municipal Institute for Women, Alicia Medeles Córdova, declared that this is the only case that has been followed up so far.

The teacher was pointed out by a former student for alleged acts of sexual abuse when she was 15 years old, seven years ago, in 2015.  Daniela uploaded a publication  describing  her case in her social networks. 

In what the young woman has publicly disclosed is that  the  v50-year old teacher David took her on seven occasions over a nine-month period to two houses he rented in the Plaza de Toros and Chapala Haciendas neighborhoods. 

«He would place us naked in front of a computer and touch me or make me touch him. He probably has photos and/or video of us (because the camera always had the light on) «After the first encounter I went to the high school psychologist, Anel Padilla, to tell her EVERYTHING, because she was confused. Her answer was «that if we both wanted to, then it wasn’t bad». 

Today I understand that whether you want to or not, it IS A CRIME. Fortunately at the last meeting a relative of his wife saw us enter the house and went to look for my mom. A letter was filed  in the high school, to leave a record. However, in order to «take care» of me and my «prestige» nothing was done», the young woman  wrote in the filed letter . 

Laguna contacted the professor to request an interview, but the University of Guadalajara forbade him to talk about the case until the investigations were concluded.

Translated w by Patrick O’Heffernan

The bar «La Mezcalería» was recently closed after complaints from neighbors in the area for excessive noise. Photo: Sofía Medeles.

Sofía Medeles (Ajijic).- Three bars in  Ajijic have been closed down by the Chapala’s Regulations, Inspection and Surveillance Department since the beginning of the current administration because of complaints from neighbors for excessive noise and exceeding their permitted hours.

The three are La Mezcalería, La Tía and La Parranda Bar (the latter two were closed months ago), all located in the center of the town, because they stayed open past mandated closing time and exceeded legal noise levels, according to Acting Delegado Maximiliano Macías Arceo.

He explained that the managers of the establishments that were closed were warned about the complaints of the neighbors; however, they ignored them.  

«The closed businesses had already been previously warned about the rules they were breaking, especially the hours of operation. We know that young people have their recreational places  but in  some situations the owners think that there will be no repercussions; but they can’t be violating  everything and get away with it,» commented Macías Arceo.

Inspectors from the Regulations Department monitor the areas with these types of businesses during the weekends at night, making sure that they comply with the closing hours, as well as  that  the sound volume is within the allowed decibels, which is measured with a sound level meter donated to the municipality. 

The closures have caused a stir among the inhabitants of Ajijic, who, both in social networks and in interviews conducted by this newspaper, have shown conflicting positions on whether it is right or wrong to resort to this type of sanctions.

«Most of those who complain are Americans, they are not from here and very few attend these places. Now, if they want to start with closures, let them be even, and also do it to event halls, events in the lienzo, and even in the plaza, which have music at full volume, sometimes all night long, and nobody calls their attention, nor regulates them», shared Laura, a local resident.

In contrast, there are those who side with the authority, saying that if they set an example with the businesses that evade the norms, the others will automatically align themselves with what is indicated by Padrón y Licencias. «There is no way that they will continue with their violations if they have already seen that others have been shut down for the same thing,» said another interviewee.

Maximiliano Macías added that the owners of these businesses, upon applying for  and paying for the licenses, are given the hours and rules of operation of their businesses, so they cannot plead ignorance. He also suggested that the managers  take measures to ensure that their customers leave when closing time is approaching.

According to Macías Arceo, the hours allowed for this type of establishments are a 12:00 a.m. closing from Monday to Thursday and Sundays, and on Fridays and Saturdays closing time is 2:00 a.m. 

On the other hand, live music is allowed until midnight any day of the week, but with a maximum of 55 decibels,  established in accordance with the Anti-noise Law of the state of Jalisco.

Of the three closed establishments, La Tía and Parranda Bar have already reopened their doors, while El Camaleón bar has been  the subject of complaints by neighbors, it has not been closed. 

Translated by Patrick O’Heffernan