Mexicali News, 1185 Oak Road, El Centro, CA (2025)

11/21/2025

Baja California Lawmaker Seeks to Add Workplace Violence Protections for Medical Staff

MEXICALI, Mexico — A Baja California legislator is calling for stronger legal protections for medical workers, saying the state’s health law lacks the requirements needed to prevent and address violence in hospitals and medical training environments.

Despite existing gender-equality and human-rights policies, the absence of a specific legal mandate means institutions are not obligated to implement or evaluate permanent programs aimed at preventing, addressing and eliminating workplace and training-related violence, said state Assemblywoman Dunnia Montserrat Murillo López on Thursday.

Murillo said that gap leads to inconsistent institutional responses and leaves affected medical personnel without comprehensive psychological, legal and social support.

To address that, she introduced a measure to amend the state’s Public Health Law, explicitly outlining the responsibilities of the Baja California Health Department when it comes to protecting medical workers.

The proposal, she said, would strengthen human-rights protections, improve workplace culture and help ensure that patients receive ethical, high-quality care.

“Dignifying the work of medical residents is not an act of charity or populism — it is an act of social justice and a strategic investment in the most valuable human capital in our health system,” Murillo said.

She argued that lawmakers, institutions, government and society share responsibility for ensuring that medical residents — whom she called “pillars of our health system” — do not face harmful conditions.

“Enough with the traditional model of medical training characterized by toxic hierarchies, humiliation and extreme exhaustion,” she said, adding that it is a “dangerous fallacy” to believe clinical excellence requires a hostile environment. Instead, she said, such conditions erode resilience, empathy and critical judgment in future physicians.

11/21/2025

Mexicali Police Paramedic Honored for Service to Community

MEXICALI, Mexico — The Mexican Association of Private Security Companies (AMESP) recognized Mexicali municipal police officer and paramedic Isaías Ramos Romero on Thursday for his commitment to serving and protecting the public.

During the ceremony, Luis Felipe Chan Baltazar, head of the Mexicali Municipal Public Security Directorate, thanked AMESP along with Corporativo Seguproin and Protegga Stores for supporting the effort to highlight officers like Ramos Romero. He noted that Ramos has a strong record of service within the department.

“For us, it is an honor to see actions that motivate our officers to continue working with a spirit of service to the community,” Chan Baltazar said. “Our officers are constantly training and studying because we want to provide quality attention every time we respond to an emergency call.”

Alejandro Vázquez Valadez, AMESP’s deputy representative in Baja California, said the organization closely observes police conduct and aims to recognize and encourage officers’ professional growth. He added that AMESP seeks to provide meaningful support to help them perform their duties.

In addition to the formal recognition, Vázquez Valadez presented Ramos Romero with a full paramedic equipment kit to aid him in his daily work responding to emergencies across Mexicali.

11/21/2025

Mexicali Business Leaders Brace for Mixed Economic, Fiscal and Labor Outlook in 2026

MEXICALI, Baja California — Local business leaders gathered Thursday for a wide-ranging briefing on Mexico’s 2026 economic, labor and fiscal landscape, hearing experts warn of tightening regulations, rising employer obligations and uneven growth in the year ahead.

The breakfast forum — hosted by Coparmex Mexicali at the Araiza Inn Convention Center — opened with remarks from the group’s secretary, Luis Alfonso Treviño Folglio. He urged business owners to prepare for a more challenging national environment and to rely on timely, data-driven analysis.

“Now more than ever, these are decisive times for our city and our country,” Treviño said, emphasizing the need for informed decision-making across the private sector.

Fiscal Outlook: More Enforcement, Fewer Resources

Fiscal specialist Reginaldo Martín Esquer Félix said that while no sweeping tax reform is expected next year, federal authorities plan to increase excise taxes and expand the Tax Administration Service’s digital auditing tools amid a slowing economy.

He noted that Mexico’s government projects GDP growth of 2.8% in 2026, but outside analysts expect closer to 1% — a gap that could complicate federal revenue goals. Esquer said the peso-dollar exchange rate may end 2026 near 19 pesos per dollar, driven more by weakness in the U.S. currency than by structural strength in Mexico’s economy.

He also pointed to inconsistencies in the proposed 2026 federal budget: while the government framed a higher soda tax as a health-funding measure, spending on health, education and other key areas is set to decrease, even as social programs continue to grow.

Miguel Ángel López Robles, a partner at Deloitte Mexicali and chair of Coparmex’s Tax Commission, said the tax agency plans 16,200 audits in 2026. New criteria could lead to the suspension or cancellation of companies’ digital tax certificates for issues such as recurrent losses, excessive deductions, undeclared income, misuse of tax incentives and failures in withholding requirements.

López urged businesses to assess their vulnerabilities, strengthen accounting processes and review internal structures to avoid compliance risks.

Economic Conditions: Moderate Growth, Opportunities Through US Ties

Economic analyst Alejandra Marcos Iza said Mexico avoided a recession this year but continues to post modest growth. Still, she said the country stands to benefit from nearshoring and its deep commercial ties with the United States — which receives 88% of Mexico’s exports and supplies more than 80% of foreign goods consumed domestically.

Despite U.S. tariff policies and trade tensions, Mexico retains a favorable position under the USMCA, making it, in Marcos’s words, “the belle of the ball” in Latin America’s economic context.

She added that the peso remains one of the world’s most traded currencies, supported partly by a weak dollar. To fully capitalize on shifting global supply chains, Mexico will need stronger domestic industrial development and a broader tax base, she said. Inflation remains a pressing concern because it disproportionately affects lower-income households.

Labor Landscape: High-Impact Reforms Ahead

Labor specialists Ignacio Avilés Bustillos and Lisbia Soto Elenes outlined reforms under discussion in Mexico’s Congress, several of which would significantly raise employer costs. Proposed changes include increasing mandatory vacation premiums from 25% to 30%, doubling the annual holiday bonus from 15 to 30 days, adjusting profit-sharing rules and modifying seniority-based benefits.

The minimum wage is expected to continue its upward path, increasing roughly 11% annually with a long-term goal of equaling 2.5 basic-needs baskets by 2030.

One of the most consequential proposals is the reduction of the standard workweek from 48 to 40 hours — a campaign pledge of President Claudia Sheinbaum. The plan is expected to phase in gradually, cutting two hours per year until reaching 40 daytime hours and 30 nighttime hours. Businesses would likely need to hire more staff or increase overtime pay to adapt.

The experts also highlighted the upcoming enforcement of the “Ley Silla,” which takes effect in 2026 and will be monitored through federal labor inspections. Companies were urged to update processes, documentation and workplace conditions in advance.

A Dual Outlook for 2026

Speakers agreed that Mexico is unlikely to experience a major economic shock next year. Still, they warned of fiscal pressures, tighter regulation and deep labor reforms, combined with a federal budget that shows significant gaps between projected income and spending.

11/21/2025

CETYS University Highlights AI, Well-Being and Purpose-Driven Innovation During Entrepreneurship Week

MEXICALI, Mexico — Contemporary entrepreneurship is no longer just about starting a business — it now demands ecosystems that blend personal well-being, emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, and collective creativity to produce sustainable, meaningful solutions. With that approach, CETYS University opened the fourth edition of its Entrepreneurship Week, bringing together students from its Mexicali, Tijuana and Ensenada campuses.

During the opening ceremony, university leaders emphasized that today’s entrepreneurial environments must adapt to the realities of a shifting professional world. New business ideas, they said, need purpose, balance and a human-centered vision while integrating innovative strategies and intelligent uses of emerging technologies.

Jessica Ibarra Ramonet, vice president for Student Experience and Success at CETYS, said the initiative has a systemwide impact, offering students opportunities to advance ideas and build projects with social purpose and transformative potential.

Guadalupe Sánchez Vélez, director of CETYS’ College of Business and Administration, told attendees that artificial intelligence should not be viewed as a passing trend but as a tool that enhances decision-making, accelerates creative processes and broadens the reach of new ideas.

Yanina Rubio, director of CETYS’ Tijuana campus, encouraged students to take advantage of the week’s activities and highlighted the importance of learning spaces that help them design solutions grounded in real community needs.

Following the formal remarks, CETYS alumna Alejandra Uriarte delivered a keynote address titled “Entrepreneurship for Living Well: Purpose-Driven Business and Well-Being.” She urged students to build personal brands rooted in authenticity and aligned with their values.

Throughout the week, CETYS will host workshops, panel discussions, mentoring sessions and collaborative activities designed to help students test ideas, share insights and develop projects connected to regional businesses and organizations.

Several events will take center stage, including the presentation of a book on women’s economic empowerment in Tijuana, an ideathon with the Wadhwani Foundation, a collaboration with the UC San Diego Design Lab, a digital innovation forum and a session for young entrepreneurs titled “How to Start Up?” CETYS will also launch a new entrepreneurship podcast from its Ensenada campus and host a keynote on cybersecurity innovation by speaker Elena Calatayud in Mexicali.

University officials from all three campuses attended the opening ceremony, including directors from the Schools of Business and Administration in Tijuana, Ensenada and Mexicali.

11/21/2025

Mexicali Resident Wins Top Prize in CETYS University Scholarship Raffle

MEXICALI, Mexico — Enriqueta, a resident of Mexicali, won the top prize of 35 million pesos in the 86th edition of the CETYSorteo Millonario, organizers announced Friday.

Her winning ticket, No. 439895, led this year’s “Magno Sorteo Pro Becas,” a long-running fundraising raffle that supports CETYS University’s scholarship program. The annual draw once again sold out its full run of 285,000 tickets, each printed with two participation numbers to double entrants’ chances.

Valentina, also from Mexicali, claimed the second-place prize of 5 million pesos with ticket No. 125528. Erika, from the Valle de Mexicali, won the third prize of 3 million pesos with No. 027823, and Karla of Mexicali secured the fourth prize of 2 million pesos with ticket No. 407754.

Two 1-million-peso prizes rounded out the major awards: Alejandra of Mexicali won fifth place with ticket No. 118063, and Víctor of Ensenada took sixth place with No. 255575.

The drawing took place at the Center for Excellence in Business Competitiveness (CECE) on CETYS University’s Mexicali campus, overseen by Fernando Almazán Díaz, an appointed representative of Mexico’s Interior Ministry. Luis Ernesto Tamayo Camacho, director of raffles for CETYS University, was also present to ensure transparency.

Organizers emphasized that proceeds from the raffle are allocated entirely to scholarships and financial aid for students across CETYS University’s three campuses. Since its founding in 1961, the institution has relied on community participation in events like the CETYSorteo to expand access to high-quality education.

Following the main event, CETYS held its fourth raffle for volunteer ticket sellers. Giancarlo, from Tijuana, won a 250,000-peso certified check with ticket No. 120265.

A full list of winners is expected to be published in the coming days on CETYS University’s official raffle site, and participants are encouraged to check for updates.

11/20/2025

Family confirms burned body found near Mexicali cemetery was missing 22-year-old woman

MEXICALI, Mexico — A burned body found Oct. 16 beside the La Herradura cemetery has been identified as 22-year-old Carolina Moya Huerta, her family confirmed this week.

La Voz newspaper reported that relatives said they never stopped searching for Moya Huerta after she went missing Oct. 15. She was last seen at her home in the Alianza de la Producción neighborhood, according to family members.

Her body was discovered the next day, burned and left near the edge of the cemetery, authorities said.

Baja California’s state prosecutor’s office is investigating the killing under femicide protocols, a classification that requires specialized investigative steps in cases where a woman is believed to have been killed because of her gender. Officials said the goal is to identify and locate whoever is responsible.

Family members, who had publicly pleaded for help in finding Moya Huerta, have asked for justice as the investigation continues.

11/20/2025

Brothers Abducted in Separate Daylight Kidnappings Near Mexicali, Authorities Launch Search

MEXICALI, Mexico — Two brothers were abducted in separate, near-simultaneous incidents Wednesday afternoon in rural communities outside Mexicali, prompting an urgent search by state and municipal authorities.

The first kidnapping occurred at a barbershop in Ejido Lázaro Cárdenas Norte, where a group of armed men — one reportedly dressed in military-style tactical gear — forced 33-year-old Claudio out of the shop and into a white Kia, according to local authorities.

Minutes later, police received a second report from Ejido Netzahualcóyotl, where Claudio’s brother, Guadalupe, was also taken by armed men under similar circumstances.

Security forces launched coordinated operations across several rural communities in the Mexicali Valley, but no arrests had been reported as of late Wednesday.

Authorities did not immediately release additional details on the condition or whereabouts of the brothers. The investigation remains ongoing.

11/20/2025

Mexicali Police Chief Commends Officer Who Earned Four Gold Medals at Latin American Games

MEXICALI, Baja California — A Mexicali police officer is being recognized for her standout performance at the XII Latin American Police and Fire Games, where she earned four first-place medals while representing the city and its police force.

The Mexicali Municipal Police Department announced that Officer Aurora Pérez López brought home top honors from the competition, held recently in San Luis Potosí. Police Chief Luis Felipe Chan Baltazar praised Pérez López for her dedication both to public service and to the discipline required in high-level athletics.

“It is an honor for us to have officers committed to the uniform, with a true vocation to serve and protect,” Chan Baltazar said. “We are also proud to have talented individuals who pair excellent job performance with achievements in sports, where discipline and commitment stand out.”

Pérez López captured first place in powerlifting in the 72-kilogram division, lifting a combined 515 kilograms across three movements. She also earned the overall women’s title with a Wilks score of 520 points, as well as gold medals in right-arm and left-arm arm-wrestling events.

The officer said she believes strongly in the role sports can play in keeping young people healthy, grounded, and connected to positive values. She encouraged parents to promote physical activity at home.

The police department emphasized that supporting officers in athletic and wellness activities is a priority, noting that such efforts strengthen the health and morale of the force while setting an example for the wider community.

The department said Pérez López’s achievements highlight the benefits of an active lifestyle and reinforce the city’s commitment to using sports as a tool for preventing crime and violence.

11/20/2025

Baja California's Santuario Mily: 486 Animals Rescued, Prioritizing Abuse Victims and Adoption

MEXICALI, Baja California — Since its inception, Santuario Mily, a sanctuary operated by the Baja California Secretariat of Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development, has rescued 486 animals, with 222 finding new homes through adoption, according to Mónica Juliana Vega Aguirre, head of the agency.

Unlike the Municipal Animal Control Center (CEMCA), which occasionally receives animals for euthanasia, Santuario Mily does not euthanize animals unless necessary for humanitarian reasons. Vega Aguirre emphasized that only two animals have been euthanized at the sanctuary, underscoring its mission of compassion and care, La Crónica newspaper reported.

“Many of the animals currently at Mily are part of ongoing legal cases, which is why they are not available for adoption,” said Vega Aguirre, adding that the sanctuary continues to care for animals rescued during a major raid in February 2024, which involved extreme cases of animal abuse.

In addition to providing shelter and rehabilitation for rescued animals, Santuario Mily also runs a monthly sterilization program in the surrounding community of El Encanto. This initiative, led by the Baja California Health Department, has successfully sterilized 210 dogs and cats to date in an effort to control the region's stray animal population.

Vega Aguirre highlighted the sanctuary’s ongoing focus on rescuing and rehabilitating animals that have suffered extreme abuse. Many of these animals, she said, require long-term care and follow-up treatment to regain their health and well-being.

“Every animal that comes to Mily receives the attention it needs to heal, and our top priority remains those rescued from legal investigations,” she said. "Their recovery is not just physical, but emotional, as we work to help them trust humans again."

Santuario Mily’s work, Vega Aguirre concluded, is crucial in addressing both immediate animal welfare needs and broader issues like population control and the fight against animal abuse.

11/19/2025

Three Student-Led Innovation Projects Win 2025 Francisco Gallego Monge Fund

MEXICALI, Baja California — Three projects led by students and recent graduates from CETYS University’s Tijuana and Ensenada campuses have been awarded the prestigious 2025 Francisco Gallego Monge Fund. This program is designed to support entrepreneurial talent and foster economic growth through innovative solutions that address regional challenges.

Named in honor of Francisco Gallego Monge, a pioneering figure in Mexicali’s agroindustry, the Francisco Gallego Monge Fund provides financial support and mentorship to CETYS students and alumni with business ideas. The fund aims to nurture entrepreneurship and stimulate sustainable, cutting-edge solutions that contribute to Baja California’s economic development.

Dr. Fernando León García, Rector of the CETYS System, emphasized that the fund’s mission goes beyond helping young entrepreneurs start their businesses; it is about ensuring long-term success and innovation. “The most difficult part is not starting, but ensuring the continuity, quality, and intensity of your projects over time,” he said. "We are committed to initiatives like the Francisco Gallego Monge Fund, and we hope to continue contributing to the economic and talent development in Baja California, fostering innovation in our local ecosystem."

Emiliano Gallego Pérez, president of the Francisco Gallego Monge Fund Committee, underscored the importance of supporting new ideas coming from CETYS classrooms and laboratories. "The goal of the Fund is to accompany and strengthen young entrepreneurs who are building the economic and social future of Baja California," he said. "We are inspired by how the new generation of CETYS engineers is offering real solutions to the community’s needs."

Gallego Pérez also encouraged the winners to see their work as more than just product sales. "Young people in this region understand that it’s not enough to sell a product; you must sell impact, an idea, and a vision. These three teams demonstrated that, and today I encourage them to use opportunities like the Francisco Gallego Monge Fund to bridge economies and, most importantly, bridge new generations," he added.

At the awards ceremony, Mtra. Yanina Rubio Bojórquez, Director of CETYS University’s Tijuana Campus, praised the talent and commitment of the winning teams and highlighted the Fund’s role in nurturing business leaders with a sense of social responsibility.

Dra. Guadalupe Sánchez Vélez, Director of the College of Business and Management at CETYS, celebrated the continued success of the Fund in creating real opportunities for emerging businesses. Since its creation in 2010, the Fund has supported the development of 17 entrepreneurial ventures in Baja California.

The 2025 Francisco Gallego Monge Fund winners are:

NomadX — $300,000 (Entrepreneurial Project)
Led by Sebastián Aragón Moreno, a Mechanical Engineering student at CETYS Tijuana, alongside graduates Jorge Antonio Tadeo Villaseñor and Julio Daniel Aragón Moreno.

Blue Adaptum — $150,000 (Business Model)
Led by Ricardo Emanuel Velázquez Serna, a Software Engineering student at CETYS Ensenada, with team members Jorge Enrique Nájera Espinoza and Jesús Alberto López Madrid.

Quick Imports — $50,000 (Business Model)
Developed by Sebastián Soto Barrera, a student in Computational Sciences Engineering at CETYS Tijuana.

These three projects exemplify the innovative spirit and entrepreneurial drive that the Francisco Gallego Monge Fund seeks to support, promising a bright future for both the winners and the region.

11/19/2025

Ensenada Tourism Leader Calls for Overhaul of Lodging Tax to Boost Infrastructure, Promotion

ENSENADA, Mexico — Ensenada’s top tourism official is urging a redesign of how the region allocates its lodging tax, arguing that visitors should be treated as “temporary citizens” whose contributions must directly support the public infrastructure they use.

Andrés Martínez Bremer, president of Proturismo de Ensenada, said travelers rely on local streets, sidewalks, lighting, mobility systems, public safety, and other taxpayer-funded services just as residents do—even if they are in the city only a few days. Because of that, he said, the Impuesto Sobre Servicios de Hospedaje, or lodging services tax, should be managed with a modern, strategic approach that reflects current needs.

“Tourism is an economic and urban phenomenon,” Martínez Bremer said, adding that reinvesting the tax in the infrastructure it supports is essential for competitiveness. “There’s no worse investment than launching the best advertising campaign only for the customer to have a bad experience.”

Martínez Bremer noted that the tax has historically funneled 70% of its revenue to a tourism trust, a model he said once provided consistency and clarity in promotional efforts. That approach helped strengthen marquee events such as the Caribbean Series and the Tianguis Turístico, he said. But with those stages now complete, he argued it is time to reexamine the formula.

He proposed a new 50-50 split of lodging-tax revenue—half for tourism promotion and half for tourism-related infrastructure—to create what he described as a self-reinforcing cycle. Well-kept lighting, signage, access points, mobility routes, and public spaces are part of the visitor experience, he said, and directly influence a destination’s competitiveness.

Martínez Bremer also called for guaranteeing the uninterrupted flow of the 29% share designated for municipal tourism committees such as Cotucos and Proturismo, warning that cuts could weaken marketing efforts and long-term positioning.

He urged updates to the rules governing the tourism trust to formally include infrastructure as a permanent strategic pillar, and recommended modernizing marketing committees by incorporating hoteliers, culinary and wine-industry leaders, tour operators, guides, and other business and service providers who understand market trends and operational realities.

Recognizing tourists as temporary citizens, he said, is not a metaphor but a management tool that allows the region to direct lodging-tax revenue toward both promotion and functional infrastructure.

“This is a moment to move toward a sustainable model,” Martínez Bremer said, “one where promotion and infrastructure create a continuous cycle of return and competitiveness that strengthens destinations for everyone.”

11/19/2025

Man shot and killed inside vehicle

Mexicali, Baja California – A man was shot and killed inside his vehicle Monday afternoon in the Miraflores neighborhood of Mexicali. The victim, who has not yet been identified, was found dead in his white Ford Focus on the corner of Santos Degollado and Río Presidio Streets.

According to a La Voz newspaper report, emergency responders from Cruz Roja arrived at the scene and confirmed the man had no vital signs. Police say the victim, who appeared to be around 40 years old, was described as bald, robust, and with brown eyes. He had a visible tattoo of a skull on his left shoulder and was wearing gray pants, a black shirt, and boots with green laces.

Authorities have cordoned off the area, and investigators from the Policía Municipal are working to gather evidence and identify the motive behind the shooting. No suspects have been named, and police have not released further details about the case.

This shooting adds to a series of violent incidents in Mexicali in recent weeks, leaving residents concerned about the rising crime rate in certain areas of the city. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward as they continue their investigation.

Mexicali News

11/21/2025

11/21/2025

11/21/2025

11/21/2025

11/21/2025

11/20/2025

11/20/2025

11/20/2025

11/20/2025

11/19/2025

11/19/2025

11/19/2025

Address

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Category