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Over Two Hours To Go From Chapultepec to Maneadero, in Ensenada

The Chapultepec-Maneadero stretch of the Transpeninsular road, which normally take around 10 minutes to cross, took motorists over two hours to cross yesterday due to the highway conditions of the alternate road, as well as temporary road repair work that was carried out on the highway.

Through various social media groups, road users expressed their dissatisfaction with the traffic congestion registered from morning until evening, which caused delays in their arrival at their destinations, such as work and school.

The personnel of the Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT) in Baja California informed that, after the recent rains in the area, a layer of stone coating has been placed where it was most needed, in order to expedite the flow of mobile units. The rains on Wednesday caused damage to the road surface.

A mudslide was reported on the alternate road. Road users mentioned that there were sections with large puddles, where only sedan-type vehicles could barely pass. However, they warned others not to use the access road comprised by Francisco de Anza Avenue, a dirt road that runs parallel to the highway in front of the Immaculate Conception of Mary parish, where there was a mudslide and various vehicles were stuck since Wednesday afternoon.

SOURCE: El Vigia

Official Holiday Coming This Monday

Monday, March 20, 2023, will be a significant day for the people of Mexico as it has been declared an official holiday in honor of the birthday of Benito Juarez. This day is celebrated every year to honor the life and legacy of one of Mexico’s most important leaders.

Benito Juarez was a prominent statesman and lawyer who served as the President of Mexico from 1858 to 1872. He was a champion of democracy, freedom, and equality and is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in Mexican history.

Juarez is known for his efforts to modernize Mexico and to establish a democratic government. He promoted education, religious tolerance, and the separation of church and state. He also worked to end slavery in Mexico and fought against foreign intervention in Mexican affairs.

The real holiday occurs on March 21st, but is celebrated on the nearest Monday.

Every year, Mexicans across the country come together to celebrate Juarez’s life and legacy. There are parades, speeches, and cultural celebrations to honor his contributions to Mexico.

Being an official holiday, employees and students get the day off, or if employees can’t get the day off they must be paid double their usual salary for the day.

Baja California Updates Cinematography Law

Baja California has the conditions to become one of the most important states in Mexico in the so-called “Screen Tourism”, that is, having a greater development of the film industry.

Claudia Agaton Muniz, state congresswoman, pointed this out and highlighted the interest of Governor Marina del Pilar Avila Olmeda in promoting cinematographic activities.

In the State Congress, the legislator added, the Cinematography Law was already updated, which had not been modified for fifteen years and required updating language and technical terms, as well as including new information technologies.

She announced that the State Cinematography Advisory Council will be formally established in the near future, in which representatives from the different sectors participating in the industry will participate to coordinate actions and promote financing, as well as strengthen distribution and exhibition channels.

She commented that planning is underway for a large cinematographic forum and festival to be held in Baja California, in which activities can be held in most of the municipalities in the state.

Agaton Muniz emphasized that in Baja California there is a lot of talent in different artistic and creative areas, as well as a great diversity of settings or locations that can be used for film, television, and series productions.

One of the important points, she said, is to have the necessary financing for these types of productions and to offer conditions for producers from other parts of the country or abroad to come and produce in the region.

In some countries, she concluded, the so-called “screen tourism”, that is, the film and television industry, is an important generator of jobs and resources.

SOURCE: El Vigia

USA Issues Alert for Spring Breakers Traveling to Mexico

The United States has issued a travel alert for citizens traveling to Mexico during Spring Break, urging them to take precautions against potential risks such as violence, drugs, and unregulated alcohol, particularly in the beaches of Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen in Quintana Roo.

The government warns that while thousands of US citizens travel to Mexico during this period safely each year, they should consider these recommendations when planning their trip.

The government advises that violence can occur anywhere in Mexico, even in tourist destinations, so travelers should remain vigilant of their surroundings, avoid areas where illegal activities occur, and quickly distance themselves from potentially dangerous situations.

“US citizens should exercise increased caution in the downtown areas of popular spring break vacation destinations, including Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum, especially after dark,” the advisory states.

It emphasizes that the possession and use of drugs, including medical marijuana, is illegal in Mexico and can result in a lengthy prison sentence.

“US citizens have become seriously ill or died in Mexico after using synthetic drugs or adulterated prescription pills,” the alert warns.

The government advises that all firearms and even small amounts of ammunition are illegal in Mexico. Violations related to firearms and other weapons can result in an extended period in jail.

The advisory notes that unregulated alcohol can be contaminated, and US citizens have reported losing consciousness or being injured after consuming potentially contaminated alcohol.

In addition, it points out that counterfeit drugs are common and can be ineffective, have the wrong concentration, or contain dangerous ingredients, so they should only be purchased at regulated establishments.

There have been cases where US citizens have been victims of rape and sexual assault, the alert notes, and that perpetrators may target intoxicated or isolated individuals or use drugs that alter the victim’s physical or mental state.

Water Supply in Ensenada Insufficient for This Summer

The urban area of Ensenada will suffer serious water supply problems during the summer season, which requires immediate action to expand sources of supply, but also for the population to make more efficient use of the water resource. Wenceslao Martínez Santos, coordinator of the Water Interdisciplinary Group (GIA), indicated that while in other cities of the state the so-called “Green Bonus” was announced, in Ensenada no specific program with that resource is known. “In the last meeting we had with officials from the Secretariat for Water Management, Sanitation and Protection (Seproa), there was no specific data on any program already authorized to apply the Green Bonus in this municipality,” he said.

Martínez Santos indicated that the supply sources are insufficient to cover the demand of the Ensenada population, and with a distribution system that has constant leaks, between 30 to 40 percent of the distributed water is lost. He added that, so far, there is no knowledge of a substantial increase in supply sources, and regarding what is announced as the solution, which is the expansion of the water desalination plant, the works would take a year and a half to two years.

It is essential, emphasized Martínez Santos, that the amplification of that plant begins as soon as possible because as the supply sources decrease, the number of inhabitants increases, and consequently, the demand for water also increases.

SOURCE: El Vigia

SEDETI assures that US bank bankruptcies will not affect Tijuana’s economy

The Secretary of Economic Development of Tijuana (Sedeti), Alejandro Mungaray, has stated that the recent bankruptcy of several banks in the United States is unlikely to have a significant impact on the city’s economy. In a recent statement, Perez Behr emphasized that Tijuana’s financial system is not directly linked to that of the United States, and therefore is not directly affected by any instability in the US banking sector.

According to Mungaray, Tijuana’s economy is largely driven by the manufacturing industry, which has remained resilient throughout the pandemic. He also noted that the city has been able to attract a number of new businesses and investments in recent months, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic.

The recent bankruptcy of several US banks has raised concerns about the potential impact on the global economy, but Perez Behr remains optimistic about Tijuana’s prospects. He emphasized that the city has a strong and diversified economy, and that it is well-positioned to weather any potential economic turbulence.

While the bankruptcy of several US banks is a cause for concern, it is unlikely to have a significant impact on Tijuana’s economy. With a strong manufacturing industry and a track record of attracting new businesses and investments, the city is well-prepared to face any challenges that may arise in the coming months.

SOURCE: El Imparcial

New Cold Front to Enter Baja California, Warns Civil Protection

According to reports, a new cold front is expected to enter Baja California, which could bring significant drops in temperature across the region. The state’s civil protection agency has warned residents to prepare for potential cold weather hazards, including heavy rain, snowfall and icy roads on the highest part of the state.

The cold front is expected to arrive Tuesday night, and its effects are likely to be felt for several days. Temperatures are expected to drop by up to 10 degrees Celsius, which could result in dangerous conditions for those who are not adequately prepared.

Residents are being advised to take precautions, such as ensuring that their homes are properly insulated and that they have enough warm clothing and blankets. Motorists are also being urged to exercise caution when driving, particularly on highways and mountainous areas where black ice could form.

This is not the first time that Baja California has experienced cold weather in recent months. In January, a cold front brought snow and freezing temperatures to the region, causing several road closures and power outages. The civil protection agency responded by setting up shelters for those in need and distributing blankets and other supplies to affected communities.

As climate change continues to impact weather patterns around the world, extreme weather events such as cold snaps are becoming more common. It is essential that governments and communities take steps to prepare for these events, including investing in infrastructure to withstand extreme weather and educating citizens on how to stay safe during these periods.

In Baja California, the civil protection agency plays a critical role in responding to cold weather events and ensuring that residents are aware of the risks and how to stay safe. By staying vigilant and taking the necessary precautions, residents can help minimize the impact of the cold front and protect themselves and their communities from harm.

24 Individuals Rescued from Drifting Boat off Baja California Coast

In a daring rescue operation, 24 Mexican individuals were saved from a drifting boat off the coast of Playas de Tijuana, Baja California. The group, consisting of men, women, and children, had been adrift for several hours before being spotted by a local fisherman who alerted the authorities.

The rescue mission involved the collaboration of various organizations, including the Mexican Navy, the Red Cross, and the Coast Guard. The teams worked tirelessly to locate the vessel and bring the passengers to safety.

The individuals rescued were reportedly in good health, although they were understandably shaken by the ordeal. They were provided with medical attention and food before being transported to a nearby port for further processing.

The boat, it seems, was trying to cross to the USA illegally when it lost power.

This incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of maritime travel, particularly in open waters. It also highlights the importance of having proper safety equipment and emergency protocols in place for all boats and vessels.

Net Traps Used to Protect the Vaquita

Our federal authorities are taking extreme measures in order to protect the “vaquita marina”, the small porpoise living in the Sea of Cortez that is already in the brink of extinction, with a new project consisting of dropping huge cement blocks with a reversed hook in the ocean floor in order to “trap” any net that is used in the area.

Although the northernmost part of the Sea of Cortez is a no tolerance zone for fishing nets, there have been many ships caught using them in the area, that’s why there is constant patrolling in the area from the Mexican navy and the Sea Shepherd NGO.

Authorities dropped 193 of these traps in the protected zone and they have set in place a program to look for lost nets in the ocean to avoid the possibility of a vaquita getting trapped in one of them.

Given the continued rate of bycatch and low reproduction of the vaquita, it is estimated that there are fewer than 10 vaquitas alive as of February 2022.

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Mexico Cancels Daylight Savings, Border Cities Keep It

Mexico’s congress passed a decree a few months ago, effectively cancelling the daylight savings time (DST) change each year starting in 2023, citing that the energy savings was so small that it doesn’t justify the effort of changing our clocks two times a year.

Even though border cities have the same infimal savings on energy during DST, it was decided to keep it active in them, as eliminating would make them have different times than their counterparts across the border, complicating an already sensible economy between them.

Just this week, our state congress, asked for a modification to the decree, as the original text didn’t include San Felipe or San Quintin, and if implemented as is it would effectively make those municipalities have a different time than Ensenada, Tijuana, Rosarito and Mexicali when DST is active.

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