**Baja California Legislature Approves Elimination of Autonomous Bodies**
The legislative body of Baja California has taken a significant step by approving the elimination of several autonomous organizations within the state. Despite a previous declaration from the Senate of the Republic asserting the constitutional incorporation of this reform—approved by 19 state congresses excluding Baja California—the local legislature pushed through the initiative on the afternoon of December 4th with a majority of 18 votes in favor and three against.
Before the extraordinary session commenced, members of the National Action Party (PAN) voiced their refusal to partake, condemning the vote as a “circus” and stating its lack of legal consequence, as the reform is already integrated into the Constitution. PAN Deputy Diego Echevarría emphasized, “Our caucus has decided not to be part of this farce. The vote holds no legal weight. It’s redundant given the Senate already acknowledged Baja California’s earlier vote against.”
The session was not without procedural missteps. Evelyn Sánchez Sánchez, the presiding deputy of the Baja California Congress, initially mishandled the voting process by failing to solicit opposing votes, leading to an incomplete declaration of the reform’s approval. This oversight was promptly corrected following intervention by Daylin García Ruvalcaba of the Citizen’s Movement, who criticized the session’s procedural integrity.
Amidst these political tensions, legislators from the ruling party celebrated the reform’s approval, aligning with the federal agenda led by Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum.
This reform alters 14 articles of the Constitution, dissolving institutions including the National Institute for Transparency, Access to Information and Personal Data Protection (INAI); the Federal Economic Competition Commission (COFECE); and others. Responsibilities of these bodies would be redistributed across various government departments, such as the Ministry of Public Function and the National Institute of Geography and Statistics (INEGI).
**Related News: Heightened Violence in Mexicali Surpasses Previous Records**
As the political maneuvers unfold, the city of Mexicali is grappling with increased violence. Reports indicate that 215 homicides have occurred in 2024, already surpassing the previous year’s total. This surge in violence has raised concerns over public safety and government effectiveness, further amplifying local tensions amidst ongoing political reforms.
In addition, other socio-economic issues have sparked public discontent, including protests against new tariff implementations in Tecate and reports of infrastructure vulnerabilities due to gas leaks on major highways. These events reflect growing public scrutiny and dissatisfaction with governmental policies and reforms affecting daily life in the region.