**October: A Month of Tragedies and Presidential Visit to Rosarito, BC**
October was a month marked by challenges and turmoil in Rosarito, Baja California, as it highlighted ongoing deficiencies in healthcare services. Despite the usual protests, there were also moments of positivity. The month saw the first presidential visit, which underscored these issues but also brought a glimmer of hope.
Claudia Sheinbaum made a brief visit to Rosarito, akin to a doctor making a quick round, leaving many residents feeling unheard. A woman on the brink of blindness claimed her condition could not be treated by the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) due to lack of resources. Additionally, a grandmother voiced her despair over her daughter with cancer missing a year of chemotherapy after losing her social security following the death of her children.
The disappointment was palpable when these individuals couldn’t meet the President, revealing Sheinbaum’s struggle to connect with the public as effectively as her predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador. This was evidenced by the event’s low turnout at the Baja California Center.
In October, IMSS’s Clinic 20 also faced scrutiny for postponing surgeries due to inoperative elevators, a situation unbefitting a healthcare system aspiring to the standards of countries like Denmark. Protests emerged, initially sparked by Maclovio Rojas at the airport and sex workers speaking out against threats from former security chief Julián Leyzaola.
Tragedy amplified the protests, with the family of Adán Morales Flores, a prison guard allegedly killed by the National Guard, demanding justice alongside Omar Guido, the bar manager at Sodoma. The alarming reality of operations, such as those at Prime Wheel, prompted action only after a second tragedy. Nonetheless, students from the Autonomous University of Baja California paid tribute to the victims, reflecting their deep ties to the region’s often underappreciated workforce.
On a lighter note, Tijuana welcomed its first mural honoring the native Yuman people, while a labor strike at the Federal Judiciary came to an end.
**Secondary Article: Ongoing Struggles in Baja California’s Healthcare and Justice Systems**
Further reports echo the ongoing struggles faced in Baja California. Despite efforts to combat corruption, there remains a need for more comprehensive judicial reforms. Baja California accounts for a significant portion of female homicides in Mexico, yet reports of femicide are scarcely filed, with only ten cases documented this year.
On a cultural note, Tijuana’s “El Lobo” bakery continues a tradition of crafting “pan de muerto” for over 50 years, maintaining its heritage with traditional methods. This staple, especially popular during the Day of the Dead festivities, symbolizes continuity amidst change.
Meanwhile, Tijuana journalists, in a solemn gesture, erected an altar for slain journalists, supporting UNESCO’s campaign against impunity and keeping unresolved cases in public memory.
As the month closes, residents are encouraged to stay informed, especially with changes ahead, such as the need to renew permanent driver’s licenses beginning in January 2025. This transition affects licenses issued between January 2020 and December 2021, impacting many drivers in the region.
For those looking to immerse themselves in the local culture, Tijuana offers a vibrant slate of events and concerts to celebrate the Day of the Dead, promising a lively start to November.