### Primary Article: Absentee Council Members Bring Tijuana Governing Body to a Halt
**Tijuana, August 6, 2024** – The Tijuana City Council has been effectively paralyzed due to the persistent absenteeism of several of its members, who have distanced themselves from Mayor Montserrat Caballero over disputes related to automatic programmatic and budgetary movements. This absenteeism has reached such a critical level that it exceeds the allowable number of absences stipulated for suspension and the consequent summoning of their substitutes.
Council members Alejandro Cabrera Acosta, Erwin Areizaga Uribe, Claudia Casas Valdez, Monica Lucero Vázquez Arévalo, Marisol Hernández Sotelo, Miriam Patricia Echeverría, Juan Carlos Hank Krauss, and Édgar Montiel Velázquez accumulated eight absences by not attending the session scheduled for July 29, exacerbating their conflict with the mayor. Council member Rogelia Arzola Santillán has accumulated seven absences.
“This is yet another element I will use in a legal action against them,” stated Mayor Caballero regarding the council members’ non-compliance. Besides contemplating administrative proceedings, she has also suggested the possibility of launching a lawsuit for the Protection of Citizens’ Political-Electoral Rights.
The Internal Regulations specify that council members who justify their absences due to engagement in related official activities need to provide concrete evidence, such as invitations, photographs, and summaries of results from these activities. However, many of the council members have failed to meet these requirements.
The late attendance and absenteeism have stalled important city projects, such as the acquisition of land for Fire Station Number 1 in Zona Centro, worth ten million pesos, the approval of a decree to waive municipal fines and surcharges for the 2024 fiscal year, and the repair of a public swimming pool intended to provide free swimming lessons for underprivileged children.
### Secondary Article: Amplified Political Tensions and Personal Feuds in Tijuana’s City Council
**Tijuana, August 6, 2024** – The feud within Tijuana’s XXIV City Council continues to intensify as described by council members aligned with Mayor Montserrat Caballero and those in opposition. During a press conference, coordinator of the Morena councilors, Óscar Montes de Oca, emphasized the opposition councilors’ failure to attend the meetings is evolving from a political disagreement to personal vendettas.
The key issue remains centered on the pending automatic programmatic and budgetary movements, which Mayor Caballero has repeatedly adjusted to meet opposition demands. Despite these concessions, many councilors continue to resist participating in the sessions.
The reluctance of council members to approve these notices complicates the city’s budget management. The Fortamun fund, for example, involves a substantial sum of over 182 million pesos specifically designated for public security, raising concerns over its proper allocation.
Council member Rogelia Arzola Santillán communicated strong skepticism over the mayor’s intentions, particularly criticizing sudden shifts in municipal spending policies. Arzola has further declared that unless the mayor closes session 43, she will not be attending any further council meetings within the current term.
In the wider context, the absentee council members’ productivity has also been questioned. For example, Alejandro Cabrera Acosta and Erwin Areizaga Uribe have not presented any initiatives during their tenure, highlighting concerns over their overall contributions to governance.
**For More Information:**
– **Tijuana Mayor Seeks Legal Action Against Absentee Councilors:**
Mayor Montserrat Caballero is exploring legal measures against councilors to address their systematic absenteeism, including initiating a lawsuit to protect political-electoral rights.
– **Council Division Threatens Municipal Projects:**
The persistent conflict has stalled crucial city projects and funding allocations, potentially impacting public services and infrastructure improvements.
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