Two workplace harassment complaints have been filed against Illya Haro, Tijuana’s former Secretary of Culture, according to the city’s Municipal Sindicatura (the office that oversees government accountability). City prosecutor Teresita Balderas Beltrán confirmed both complaints are now under review.
Haro resigned from the post on May 6 after serving since October 2024. One complaint was filed in January by Priscilla Samantha Alvarado Luna, the operational subdirector of IMAC (the Municipal Institute of Art and Culture). The Sindicatura confirmed a second complaint but has not disclosed the identity of that complainant, citing confidentiality.
Resignation Followed Book Fair Cancellation
Haro’s departure came just days after the Tijuana Booksellers’ Union announced the cancellation of the Feria Internacional del Libro Tijuana (Tijuana International Book Fair), blaming a lack of support from her office. The book fair, one of the city’s major cultural events, had been planned as part of Tijuana’s annual arts calendar.
The Sindicatura is now investigating what caused the book fair’s postponement. The booksellers’ union itself did not file a formal complaint against Haro, but the timing of the cancellation and the resignation drew public attention.
Mayor Promises Book Fair Will Proceed
Tijuana Mayor Ismael Burgueño Ruiz has since met with the booksellers’ union and confirmed the international book fair will go forward. New dates have not yet been announced, but the mayor pledged city support for the event.
Haro held the culture secretary position for roughly seven months. IMAC, the institute where Alvarado Luna works, operates under the culture secretariat and manages many of Tijuana’s public arts programs, galleries, and cultural events. The identity of Haro’s replacement has not been publicly announced.
The harassment complaints are being handled through the Sindicatura’s internal process. In Tijuana’s municipal government, the Sindicatura functions as an internal watchdog, responsible for investigating misconduct and ensuring legal compliance among city officials.
This story was first reported by Punto Norte on May 11.