Dozens of residents from San Quintín traveled to the Baja California state Congress on Thursday, May 7, to demand that 52 million pesos (roughly $2.6 million USD) in legislative budget savings be directed entirely to their municipality. Representatives from about 22 neighborhoods made the trip to press lawmakers for funds they say are desperately needed.
Octavio Ángel López, leader of the Alliance of Organizations for Social Justice in San Quintín, told reporters that residents want every peso from the recent legislative budget cuts invested in their community. The 52 million pesos were trimmed from the state legislature’s own operating budget, and Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda had previously stated that most of the savings would go to San Quintín.
Residents Fear Funds Will Be Diverted
That promise, however, left residents worried. López said the group is concerned that only a portion of the money will reach their municipality, falling short of what is needed to address gaps in education and basic services. He cited a directive from President Claudia Sheinbaum, who during a visit to San Quintín called for comprehensive investment in rebuilding the community’s social fabric.
San Quintín, located roughly 300 kilometers south of Tijuana along the Transpeninsular Highway, became Baja California’s sixth municipality in 2020. The agricultural valley is home to tens of thousands of farmworkers, many of them indigenous Mixtec and Triqui migrants from southern Mexico. Despite producing a large share of the state’s export crops, including tomatoes and berries, the region has long lacked adequate schools, healthcare facilities, and paved roads.
Municipal Government Under Scrutiny
The protest comes during a period of political tension in San Quintín. Mayor Miriam Cano has faced accusations of corruption and misuse of social service funds. In January, the state government announced it would hire outside accountants to audit her administration. Opponents, including Labor Party candidate Gisela Tomez, have called for Cano’s resignation.
Residents at Thursday’s demonstration said the municipal government has failed to meet basic needs, which is why they are turning directly to state legislators. The group wants the funds earmarked for education, infrastructure, and social programs in one of Baja California’s most underserved regions.
As of Thursday evening, state lawmakers had not publicly committed to allocating the full 52 million pesos to San Quintín. The story was first reported by Semanario Zeta.