Drivers on the Tijuana–Rosarito 2000 highway might notice some new changes—and they’re not just cosmetic. The state’s infrastructure department (SIDURT) is in the middle of adding fresh road signs and fixing up a five-kilometer stretch that’s seen more than its share of accidents over the years.
The new signs include directions to Ensenada and downtown Rosarito, plus posted speed limits of 60 and 40 km/h near the Rosarito-Ensenada junction. It’s part of a push to reduce wrecks in a spot that’s become notorious for crashes.
In addition to the signage, workers have been patching potholes, fixing the shoulders, and cleaning up the medians between KM 35 and KM 40, in both directions.
#Old Signs
SIDURT’s top official, Arturo Espinoza Jaramillo, said the signs are there to help drivers make safer choices, and he reminded everyone to stay under the speed limit and actually follow the signs. He also asked drivers to keep the road clean—apparently, some folks have been turning the highway into a dumping ground.
It’s a simple message: slow down, pay attention, and don’t treat the corridor like a racetrack. The smoother ride is just a bonus.
On Thursday, May 8, Baja officials announced the results of their latest disarmament campaign—and the numbers are wild.
In Tijuana, citizens turned in a total of 97 handguns, 70 long guns, 2 grenades, and over 9,000 cartridges. That’s not all—they also handed over more than 5,000 detonating capsules, several magazines, and 22 fully automatic rifles. Yes, from regular homes.
The program, led by Baja California’s State Attorney General’s Office (FGEBC) and the Secretary of Governance, is part of a statewide push to reduce violence by getting weapons off the streets—and out of living rooms.
Photo:Governor Marina Del Pilar leads a security meeting with federal, state, and local authorities to coordinate public safety efforts
Authorities praised the public’s cooperation and noted that all collected weapons will be forensically examined and then destroyed. According to the state, the goal isn’t just about gun control—it’s about building trust between citizens and law enforcement.
So far, this is only phase one, and officials say results have exceeded expectations. More rounds of the campaign are expected soon, possibly expanding to other municipalities.
🔫 From pistols to military-grade rifles, it’s clear: some Baja homes were armed like bunkers. Fortunately, many of those weapons are now out of circulation.
For more eyebrow-raising updates like this one, stick with Gringo Gazette North—we keep it locked and loaded.
In a wild twist, Mexican authorities uncovered what felt more like a jungle than a city home. This weekend, things got wild in Tijuana. The FGR (Federal Attorney General’s Office) and the FGEBC (Baja California State Attorney General’s Office) raided a home in colonia Buena Vista. What they found looked more like a zoo than a house.
Inside, officers rescued a Siberian tiger, a mandrill, and a spider monkey. They also found a snapping turtle, two horned owls, a lilac-crowned parrot, three bearded dragons, a chameleon, and a tarantula. Yes, all in one place.
#Siberian tiger
#spider monkey
#Horned owl
#chameleon
#two horned owls
#three bearded dragons
The suspect, Juan José “O.”, was arrested. Along with the animals, he had firearms and military-only ammo. Not exactly pet supplies.
One of the animals—the spider monkey—is protected under Mexican law. So now, the suspect faces charges for both illegal animal possession and weapons violations.
Since Sunday, several neighborhoods in Otay have gone without water. A busted 18-inch pipe on Bellas Artes Boulevard caused the disruption. CESPT crews identified the break and started repairs immediately.
The affected area includes Otay Módulos in Nueva Tijuana. Workers have battled through mud and tight conditions to replace the damaged section. This morning, May 5, CESPT announced they had reached 80% completion on the job.
They expect to finish repairs around 1:00 p.m.. After that, water service will gradually return to the neighborhoods.
Many residents, frustrated by the lack of notice, scrambled to adjust. Some stocked up on bottled water. Others just hoped the fix would hold longer than the last one.
Photo: CESPT crews working on 18-inch pipe in Otay after water service disruption
Crews stayed on-site through the night, pushing to wrap up the work before Monday rush hour — or at least before dinner. In Otay, water breaks are a recurring guest.
💧 Water’s political. Thirst is personal. Stay tuned for updates — and in the meantime, maybe skip laundry day.
On May 22, Fundación Mi Chante will tee off at the Club Campestre de Tijuana with its 5th Annual Charity Golf Tournament. This year, the day honors José Sulaimán — the late boxing icon whose legacy still fuels dreams in and out of the ring. While many charity tournaments exist, this one stands out because it’s about more than golf. It’s about changing young lives.
Through this event, the foundation raises funds to support athletes across Mexico. These aren’t just handouts. Instead, proceeds cover real needs: travel to competitions, athletic gear, training costs, physical therapy, and even school expenses. Meanwhile, Fundación Mi Chante works directly with these athletes to find sponsors, mentors, and resources. In fact, their support goes far beyond the field or the gym — it’s a full-circle approach to youth development.
#Golfing for Good in Tijuana
President Abelardo Peña Madrigal leads the organization with a clear mission. “This tournament is a celebration of community and generosity,” he said. “It’s about giving talented young people the chance to pursue their dreams and stay on the right path.” That vision has turned a simple sports fundraiser into a regional event with real momentum.
A cross-border effort with local heart.
This year, they’re getting a major boost from their main sponsor: Escondido Golf Cart Center, a California-based company that specializes in all things golf cart — sales, rentals, repairs, and custom jobs. Their work stretches into hotels, warehouses, and industrial spaces, but their support of this tournament shows their reach goes beyond business.
CEO Victor Lopez Duron sees the partnership as a perfect fit. “We believe in supporting the next generation — not just through business, but by investing in their future,” he said. As a result, the company’s involvement adds not only resources, but real heart to the event.
While golfers from across northern Baja are expected, the invitation is open to anyone who wants to help out — from San Diego to Ensenada. Whether you play a killer short game or just want a good excuse to be outside for a cause, you’re welcome to join.
Their mission: strengthen public safety in high-risk neighborhoods.
This week, 400 specialized agents were deployed to Tijuana as part of Mexico’s National Security Strategy.
The operation targets areas like Lomas Taurinas, Sánchez Taboada, Otay, Terrazas del Valle, San Antonio de los Buenos, Camino Verde, Emperadores, and Downtown.
Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila announced the reinforcements as a response to growing concerns over crime. Additionally, she confirmed plans to expand the city’s surveillance network in the coming months.
“These efforts are meant to improve response times and increase police visibility where it’s needed most,” the governor stated.
However, not everyone is convinced.
The Baja California Lawyers Association (FEDABO) raised concerns, calling the move a “failed formula.” According to them, sending more federal agents without adjusting strategy has shown little long-term impact in the past.
After nearly a year of silence in the bullrings, bullfighting is making a comeback in Baja California. A federal court has unanimously overturned the judicial suspension that had stopped all bullfighting events in the state since April 2023.
The news was shared by Manuel Bowser Miret, owner of the Nuevo Toreo in Tijuana, who celebrated what he called a “legal victory” for fans and supporters of the tradition. With the suspension lifted, events can now legally return to venues like the iconic Tijuana bullring.
Photo: Clarence Alford. Adobe Stock
Bowser said more announcements will be made soon, including what’s next for bullfighting in the region.
The ban began after animal rights groups filed a legal motion that was backed by federal authorities. It even forced the cancellation of a major event planned for July 2023. Since then, bullfighting in Baja California had been off the table—until now.
This court decision reignites a long-standing debate between culture and animal rights. While some cheer the return of la Fiesta Brava, others are already calling for new legal battles. One thing’s for sure—bullfighting is no longer just a memory in Tijuana.
Suspect escapes despite choppers, drones, and elite forces
Just when Baja officials were patting themselves on the back over dropping crime stats, a violent fugitive turned Tijuana into a war zone—and got away.
Abigail Esparza Reyes
On Wednesday afternoon, Abigail Esparza Reyes, commander of Liaison for Baja California’s State Citizen Security Force (FESC), better known as the Gringo Hunters, was shot and killed while attempting to serve an arrest warrant in the gated neighborhood of Residencial Barcelona. The target? Allegedly César Hernández, a U.S. fugitive wanted since December 2024 by the Delano Police Department in California.
What was supposed to be a routine operation turned deadly. Hernández opened fire, hitting Esparza Reyes before barricading himself inside a home. Despite being rushed to the Red Cross in Tijuana, the officer later died of her injuries.
Cue one of the biggest law enforcement mobilizations in recent memory: local, state, and federal forces swarmed the area. Two helicopters buzzed overhead, three drones scanned the streets, and a tactical unit rolled in. Residents captured dramatic footage of the standoff, expecting a dramatic capture. But after four hours of searching, the fugitive managed to slip away—again.
This wasn’t Hernández’s first escape. Reports say he previously fled U.S. custody while in court—yes, you read that right.
Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila expressed her condolences, promising justice: “The life of Abigail will be honored, and her death will not go unpunished.” She also praised the courage of the officers involved in the operation.
Suspect escapes walking after killing a state police officer
Still, the incident raises serious questions—how did a known fugitive manage to kill an officer, escape a massive manhunt, and vanish in plain sight?
The timing couldn’t be worse. Just a day earlier, officials were showcasing glossy graphs about falling crime rates, boasting Tijuana had dropped from second to tenth place in national homicide rankings. But real safety isn’t measured in stats—it’s measured in justice, accountability, and making sure criminals, whether local or international, don’t get a free pass.
This isn’t just about numbers. It’s about protecting the people who risk their lives for the rest of us. No tolerance for violence. No excuses for failure. No forgetting Abigail.
On June 1, every citizen in Baja California will be hit with one of the most daunting ballots in history—over 220 judicial positions, including 172 state-level and 50 federal posts, with roughly 1,000 candidates in the mix.
According to election officials, casting a vote could take anywhere from 10 to 12 minutes per person. That’s right: voters will need to sift through hundreds of names to choose their judges, magistrates, and ministers. The process, described during a breakfast meeting by María Guadalupe Plaza Medina from the INE, could stretch to 12 minutes as some voters take their time reading and double-checking candidate details.
To keep things moving, each polling station will be set up with 8 to 15 voting booths so multiple people can cast their ballots at once. In total, Baja California will have 2,625 polling stations—Tijuana leading with 1,396, followed by Mexicali with 730, Ensenada with 287, Playas de Rosarito with 73, Tecate with 69, San Quintín with 59, and San Felipe with 11, plus six special sites in universities and transit hubs.
This “judicial” election, a first of its kind in the country, has already prompted a significant budget request of over 241 million pesos to cover everything from printing ballots to upgrading voting materials. The federal INE has also capped campaign spending for judicial candidates at about 220,000 pesos (11,000 U.S dollars) per person to ensure fairness.
With radio, TV, print, and social media campaigns, along with forums at universities and community centers, officials are working hard to prepare voters for what promises to be a true test of patience and civic duty. Can Baja handle the judicial marathon? Only time will tell.
Harvard might be thousands of miles from the border, but last week it got a strong taste of Baja’s cultural flavor thanks to artist and cultural promoter Benito Del Águila. He brought the borderlands to the Ivy League during the symposium “Distant Neighbors or Regional Partners?”—a heavyweight gathering at Harvard University reflecting on U.S.–Mexico relations under two new administrations.
While academics, investigative journalists, Indigenous community leaders, and even a coalition of borderland mayors tackled migration and trade, Benito came with brushes, vision, and something Harvard hadn’t seen much of lately: borderland soul.
His talk focused on the power of art as a form of cultural diplomacy. According to Benito, it’s not about red tape or policy—art gets things done the old-fashioned way: by bringing people together. He shined a spotlight on the Tijuana–San Diego art community and how it’s been building bridges way before the diplomats got around to it.
Del Águila didn’t just theorize—he showed real-life examples of how the arts are opening dialogue and encouraging mutual respect between Mexico and the U.S. He also promoted “La Línea que Une – Conexiones Transfronterizas”, an exhibit featuring over 50 artists from both sides of the border who reflect on life in a binational community.
That show is part of Artwalk Rosarito 2025, which, if you haven’t been, is not just a walk—it’s a cultural sprint across gallery spaces that’s fast becoming the go-to art event of the region.
Benito’s participation at Harvard didn’t go unnoticed. Outlets like Flash Cultural Tijuana echoed the event, highlighting his role in pushing for deeper cross-border understanding through creativity and cultural connection.
It wasn’t just about showing off pretty pictures. It was a reminder that culture—unlike certain policies—actually crosses borders. Through art, music, and shared stories, Benito made it clear: when creativity leads the way, people follow.
And while Washington figures out which neighbor gets what, artists like Del Águila are already living in the future—one where Mexico and the U.S. aren’t distant at all.
At the Gringo Gazette North, we say skip the red tape—pass the paintbrush. Benito’s brushstrokes just hit Harvard, and Baja’s voice is louder than ever.
