**Electricity Restored at Juventud 2000 Shelter**
The Juventud 2000 migrant shelter has regained its electricity supply following nearly a day without power, according to José María García Lara, the shelter’s director. The power was restored on Wednesday morning at around 10:30 AM, after workers from the local commission had departed the site. García Lara noted that representatives from the State’s Wellbeing Department visited the shelter, expressing a commitment to addressing the outstanding debt but left without confirming any concrete actions, having only gathered some details.
The issue began on Tuesday around 11 AM when the shelter lost power, prompting García Lara to highlight the situation in a Facebook video later that day. According to García Lara, the outstanding debt to the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) for the past two months amounts to 21,000 pesos, a significant increase from the previous bimonthly bill of 16,000 pesos. He mentioned the financial strain and operational challenges posed by these increasing costs, noting that without federal support for migrant shelters since 2019, such financial difficulties have become more pronounced.
Communication between García Lara and the state government led to CFE’s response, stating electricity service would be reinstated, which is vital for food preservation, lighting, and allowing migrants at the shelter to maintain contact with family and access necessary applications like CBP One.
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**Secondary Article: Broader Implications for Shelters Amid Increasing Utility Costs**
Migrant shelters across the region are facing mounting challenges as utility costs rise and federal financial support remains withdrawn. The case of Juventud 2000 is not isolated. Many shelters have reported similar financial pressures amid increasing electricity bills.
While some shelters have tried to offset these costs through donations and local community support, the long-term sustainability of relying on such support is questionable. Activists and shelter operators are calling for renewed governmental backing, emphasizing the critical need for consistent policy interventions to support these vital services in their efforts to provide safety and support to migrants.
Furthermore, the broader discussion around utility costs ties back into larger debates on energy pricing and social support systems in Mexico. As costs climb, not only shelters but also individual households from economically disadvantaged sectors are feeling the squeeze, highlighting a pressing need for reforms that ensure affordable utility access for essential services.
This issue continues to garner attention, with various segments of civil society advocating for a reassessment of current energy policies and support frameworks, ensuring that humanitarian needs are prioritized amid economic and political considerations.