**Residents of Maclovio Rojas to Consider Lifting Blockade Following Meeting in Mexico City**
Residents of the Maclovio Rojas community are currently evaluating whether to lift their blockade following a recent meeting held in Mexico City. The blockades were implemented on the Tijuana-Tecate highway and in the capital city, but community representatives have clarified that these actions were not intended to pressure the federal government into expropriating 197 hectares of the Francisco Villa Ejido.
According to Juan de Dios Escalante, a spokesperson for the Maclovio Rojas residents, the primary goal of these demonstrations was to secure a meeting with Mexico’s President, Claudia Sheinbaum. The residents aim to convey the challenges they face due to corruption and other issues.
Escalante emphasized that the main intention was for women in the community to meet with the President to discuss the corruption they have experienced, especially during the process of titling 400 plots. “The blockade wasn’t about the 197 hectares, but the ongoing corruption,” he stated.
Following statements by the General Government Secretary, Alfredo Álvarez Cárdenas, Escalante noted that the authorities must soon address the fate of the 197 hectares occupied by Maclovio residents. The expropriation debate looms large, with fears surrounding costs ranging from $80 to $150 per square meter proposed by the Francisco Villa Ejido for land regularization, which residents consider untenable.
The local government had proposed allocating 19 million pesos to support the acquisition of certain plots, but Maclovio residents dismissed this plan, expressing reluctance to pay an ejido that, according to them, acquired the land through corrupt means.
Escalante concluded by asserting the residents’ desire for fair treatment and discussions with President Sheinbaum to determine the future of the disputed lands.
**Secondary Article: Local Impact and Ongoing Protests**
In a related situation, the blockades have indirectly affected other infrastructure projects in Baja California. For instance, the local water utility company, CESPT, experienced delays in repairing a pipeline due to the blockade on the Tijuana-Tecate highway. Additionally, the IMOS is working to open access to the toll-free Tijuana-Tecate highway to alleviate transportation issues caused by the protests.
Meanwhile, other local demonstrations have also taken place in Tijuana, with unionized teachers protesting against proposed reforms to Issstecali, showcasing the widespread nature of civic unrest in the region. These issues have created a tense atmosphere, with citizens eager for resolutions that address their concerns effectively.
**Related News: Baja California Faces Public Health and Safety Concerns**
Beyond the immediate protests, Baja California continues to grapple with significant public health challenges. The region has been identified as having the highest rate of tuberculosis infections in the country, with over 2,000 new cases detected annually and 300 resulting deaths.
Moreover, a recent 3.6 magnitude earthquake in Rosarito was barely perceptible in Tijuana but prompted the evacuation of 726 people from the Palacio building. These incidents highlight the ongoing need for robust emergency preparedness and health measures in the state.