**Controversy Over Appointment of Guerrero Luna as Head of Conagua in Baja California**
Citizens from the Water Commission have voiced their dissatisfaction with the appointment of former local legislator Manuel Guerrero Luna as the new head of the National Water Commission (Conagua) in Baja California. The region is currently battling significant water challenges, including chronic drought, overuse of aquifers, water rights conflicts, and an urgent need to modernize infrastructure.
Critics highlight Guerrero Luna’s lack of relevant academic background and technical experience in water management. According to information released by the XXIV Legislature of Baja California, Guerrero Luna, a member of Morena, possesses a degree in Bureaucratic Law and has previously worked in billing assistance at the State Public Services Commission of Mexicali and as a specialized analyst for the State Government’s official administration.
The region is facing an accumulated water reduction of 494 million cubic meters from the Colorado River, as per international water agreements. This shortfall is nearly equivalent to the annual water consumption of Mexicali.
Citizens argue that the position calls for someone with a technical or scientific background in hydrology, environmental engineering, sustainable water management, or related fields, and demonstrable experience in water policy, basin management, or the administration of operating bodies. They are advocating for someone capable of engaging in multisectoral dialogue with farmers, industrial leaders, academia, and civil society.
On March 28, Guerrero Luna announced via social media that he had been invited by the country’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, to assume the role of general director of the Baja California basin, effective April 1.
In response, the citizen commission has called on the Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources, Alicia Bárcenas Ibarra, and the national water commissioner, Efraín Morales López, to disclose the criteria and qualifications that justified Guerrero Luna’s appointment and to ensure transparency in the nomination process within Conagua. The commission emphasized the importance of prioritizing merit and expertise over extraneous considerations, establishing accountability mechanisms to evaluate state leadership performance, and re-evaluating the appointment of the former union leader. They stressed that this demand is not a political stance but a legitimate act of citizen oversight regarding national security concerning water resources.
This statement was signed by several commissioners, including Mario Zepeda Jacobo, Adriana de la Peña Garza, and Eduardo Sánchez Castro, among others.
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**Additional Related News: Concerns Over Water Management Practices Intensify in Baja California**
As regional water issues persist, various stakeholders have raised alarms over the current state of water management in Baja California. With ongoing drought conditions and strained resources, there is growing concern regarding the sustainability of local water policies and infrastructure.
The call for more robust, science-based strategies and investments in technological advancement has been echoed by environmental groups and urban planning experts. These advocates stress the importance of adapting to changing climate patterns and ensuring the efficient allocation of water resources to meet the demands of the population, agriculture, and industry.
In light of these challenges, experts are urging for comprehensive policy reforms and increased collaboration among governmental agencies, the private sector, and community organizations to develop resilient solutions for securing Baja California’s water future.