### Ejidatarios Oppose Approval of Subregional Urban Development Plans in La Paz
In a recent session, the Council of the XVI Town Hall of La Paz approved Subregional Urban Development Plans (PDUs) for the communities of Todos Santos, El Sargento, and Los Barriles. This approval occurred amidst protests and allegations of opacity from ejidatarios (landowners) and local residents.
Critics argue that council members, including La Paz Mayor Milena Quiroga Romero, conducted the process without the required community consultation and against the will of the area’s inhabitants. They claim the administration used these instruments—whose final approved drafts remain unknown—for privatizing lands, beaches, and water resources to benefit private companies.
During the Council session, protesters labeled members of the municipal body as “miserable,” alleging they failed to consult local communities directly. Moreover, despite Mayor Quiroga Romero’s assurances of a lawful and thorough consultation process, opponents insist that what occurred was a superficial exercise preventing meaningful public participation.
Speaking out, Juan Ángel Trasviña, leader of the Citizens’ Front for the Defense of Water and Life (Freciudav), criticized the PDUs for serving private interests, including those of notable individuals like Cristy Walton and Carlos Slim, at the expense of local landowners.
Mayor Quiroga defended the administration’s actions, stating the aim was to protect the territories of current inhabitants by organizing and regulating community spaces efficiently. She emphasized that the finalized PDUs included provisions for public services like schools and hospitals to ensure the quality of life for residents.
Although the plans have been forwarded to State Governor Víctor Castro Cosío for official publication, no one has yet accessed the final approved documents. Mayor Quiroga insists the necessary legal consultations were conducted and that the plans would soon become public records.
Residents vow to seek legal redress by filing for an injunction, arguing the administration failed to carry out proper and transparent consultations. They also noted the limited public participation due to inadequate dissemination of information about the consultation meetings.
### Secondary Article: Urban Development Conflicts Erupt Across Mexico
In La Paz, the controversy over newly approved Subregional Urban Development Plans mirrors broader national trends. Across Mexico, urban planning and development initiatives often face opposition from local communities, particularly ejidatarios and indigenous groups, who accuse administrations of ignoring their rights and interests.
In states like Oaxaca and Chiapas, similar disputes have arisen, with residents protesting against what they perceive as land grabs by private corporations facilitated by opaque governmental policies. These controversies highlight an ongoing struggle between development and the rights of local populations.
For instance, in Oaxaca, the construction of a large industrial park has met with fierce resistance from local NGOs and indigenous communities. They assert that the project proceeds without genuine consultation and that it threatens to displace hundreds of families while damaging the environment.
Similarly, in Guadalajara, urban expansion plans have spurred protests over the proposed privatization of communal lands. Critics argue that such developments pave the way for gentrification, raising property values and pushing out long-time residents.
These cases illuminate the need for more transparent and inclusive urban planning processes, where the voices of the local communities are not just heard but actually shape the outcomes of development projects.