Tijuana Retirees Disrupt Council

Retired police officers disrupt Tijuana Council demanding pay increase and benefits. Proposal for Municipal Archive regulation rejected due to legal discrepancies. Mayor’s final informative session approved.

### Retired Police Officers Disrupt City Council Session in Tijuana

On Thursday afternoon, a group of retired and disabled police officers disrupted an extraordinary session of the Tijuana City Council. The officers gathered to demand a salary increase and the payment of benefits they believe are owed to them.

The session was scheduled to begin at 2:00 PM. However, minutes before the start, the group arrived and clashed with security personnel, insisting on their right to be present as part of the community. The confrontation took place at the entrance, where the police officers, mostly elderly and disabled, claimed they were being mistreated by the security staff. One incident involved a security guard pushing a retired officer and twisting another’s wrist.

Amid shouts and arguments, it became evident that the group had not physically assaulted the security guards, while they themselves had sustained injuries. Consequently, the security personnel allowed them to enter.

Before the session could adjourn, the group of retired officers interrupted the council members, demanding their financial grievances be addressed immediately. Several of these officers have reportedly been earning as little as 1,600 pesos per week for years.

This interruption led to a debate between Mayor Montserrat Caballero Ramírez and other council members. While the mayor pushed for the issue to be addressed immediately, Councilwoman Gina Arana advocated for adhering to legal protocols and proposed scheduling a dedicated session for the following day. After some discussion, it was agreed that the issue would be addressed in a session scheduled for Friday, September 6, at 5:00 PM.

### Rejection of David Ruvalcaba’s Proposal

Another significant topic at the council session involved a proposal for a new regulation for Tijuana’s Municipal Archive, put forward by Councilman David Ruvalcaba. The proposal was ultimately rejected with eight votes against it.

The initial vote resulted in a tie with six votes in favor and six against, and several abstentions. Unable to justify his proposal adequately, Ruvalcaba labeled dissenting council members as “ignorant” which led to a negative shift in the subsequent vote, with only five members supporting the proposal.

Councilwoman Mónica Vásquez criticized Ruvalcaba for not attending a previous meeting where the proposal’s details were to be discussed. Other council members, like Edgar Montiel and Gina Arana, pointed out that the regulation needed to align with state law, which it did not, and implied the creation of new positions and budget allocations.

In the final vote, the proposal received four votes in favor, eight against, and the remaining abstentions, causing Ruvalcaba to express his dissatisfaction vocally.

### Upcoming Informative Session

The third and final informative session of Mayor Montserrat Caballero Ramírez is scheduled for Tuesday, September 10, at 10:00 AM. This point was discussed and approved during the extraordinary session, although some council members claimed they should have been notified three weeks in advance. The mayor insisted that the notification was given in a timely manner.

### Secondary Article: Protests Highlight Growing Discontent Among Retired Police in Tijuana

Recent events in Tijuana have underscored growing dissatisfaction among retired police officers concerning their financial compensation and benefits. The group’s actions during the City Council session are part of a broader trend of protests and legal actions taken by retired officers throughout Mexico.

According to local reports and statements from advocacy groups, there has been a marked increase in the number of retired police personnel who feel neglected by government policies. Many have cited inadequate pension schemes and delayed benefit payments as primary concerns.

In response to the recent disruption at the Tijuana City Council, municipal spokespersons have acknowledged the legitimacy of these complaints and have promised swift action. However, the timeline and scope of any potential changes remain unclear, prompting further unease among the affected retired officers.

Local government officials and police union representatives are expected to meet in the coming weeks to discuss possible reforms and resolutions. Meanwhile, advocacy groups continue to mobilize support for the retired officers, emphasizing the urgent need for systemic change to provide them with the financial security and dignity they deserve after years of service.