AMLO's Morning Conference in Baja California Sur, Mexico

In a lively and spirited morning conference, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) addressed the nation from the sunny state of Baja California Sur. With his characteristic zeal, AMLO brought attention to various issues, ranging from family violence to mining concessions and social support programs.

Kicking off the conference at 8:15, AMLO set the stage for a day filled with informative discussions and anecdotes. The Governor of Baja California Sur, Víctor Manuel Castro Cosío, took the floor at 8:21 and expressed his gratitude to the President for visiting the northern state. He commended the efforts of the National Guard (GN) and the Secretariat of the Navy (Semar) in supporting the citizens of Baja California Sur through challenging times.

Governor Castro Cosío highlighted the joint efforts in combating intra-family violence, stating that it's not just a campaign or another program, but a genuine attempt to confront the reality faced by Baja California Sur. The state has faced weather difficulties in the form of land, sea, and desert challenges, but they are tackling them head-on without losing their joy.

Moving on to matters of investment, Governor Castro Cosío revealed that the Federal Government has allocated one billion pesos for the Cabo San Lucas Plant to improve water distribution in Baja California Sur. In the electricity sector, approximately 76 million pesos have been invested to strengthen services, particularly in fishing communities that have been without electricity for half a century. Additionally, a new hospital will be built in Cabo San Lucas, courtesy of the Federal Government's support to the health sector. The governor expressed his gratitude to the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) director for their interest in rehabilitating the state's hospitals. Moreover, close to 150,000 Sudcalifornians directly benefit from social programs initiated by the federal government.

Security was also a significant topic of discussion during the conference. Admiral José Rafael Ojeda Durán, Secretary of the Navy, provided an insightful security report. The eight most frequent crimes in the state were listed as home robbery, rape, extortion, intentional injuries, domestic violence, human trafficking, business robbery, and drug dealing. It was reassuring to learn that no human trafficking events have been registered in Baja California Sur so far this year. Ojeda Durán emphasized that intentional homicides in the state have decreased, placing Baja California Sur in the 31st position as of May 2023.

To bolster security efforts, Ojeda Durán highlighted the presence of over 8,000 federal forces, including the Semar, GN, Army, Air Force, and the Public Security Force of the state. These forces have also assisted over 12,000 people affected by various events such as fires, hurricanes, and vehicle accidents.

Addressing concerns about mining concessions, President López Obrador clarified that no new concessions have been granted except for an extension in Santa Rosalía, Baja California Sur. This extension was granted to complete a mining exploitation project after a popular consultation. In the past, mining concessions were granted without actual exploitation, leading to financial speculation. Water distribution problems resulting from mining concessions were also acknowledged, with a specific example mentioned in Mexicali where granting water for domestic use to a mining company led to large-scale demonstrations. López Obrador stressed that the priority is ensuring water for domestic consumption, and while development is essential, the health and well-being of the people should take precedence.

Shifting the focus to social support, the President touched upon poverty indexes in Baja California Sur. He stated that salaries and support programs are improving in the country, which will eventually translate to better conditions in the state. Over the past four years, the minimum wage has increased by nearly 90%, positioning Mexico as the third country in the world with lower unemployment rates. The President proudly mentioned that Los Cabos, one of Mexico's most important tourist centers, competes with Cancun in terms of investment and tourism influx. In Baja California Sur, 2,010 young individuals are participating in the "Jóvenes Construyendo el Futuro" program, receiving a monthly stipend of 6,310 pesos. Furthermore, 28,000 high school students in the state benefit from scholarships.

At 9:15, the President addressed the recent tragic incident involving the death of a minor in an elevator at an IMSS hospital in Quintana Roo. He assured the public that a comprehensive report on the incident would be presented later in the day.

With a touch of controversy, the President discussed the resolution of the Electoral Tribunal of the Judiciary of the Federation (TEPJF). He claimed that he had not been notified yet, which provided him an opportunity to shed light on the contracts received by Xóchitl Gálvez's companies, amounting to at least 1.5 billion pesos during previous administrations. Accusing the opposition and power elites, the President called for an investigation into Gálvez and her alleged connections with construction developers.

In response to recent ecological concerns, AMLO assured the public that the Semar is already taking action to prevent the repetition of incidents such as the recent fishing net mishap. Around 800 meters of the net have been recovered, and an investigation is underway in collaboration with other agencies like Profepa.

Celebrating the strength of the Mexican peso, AMLO proudly mentioned that it remains below 17 pesos per dollar, standing at a value of 16.81 pesos at the opening of July 14. He expressed surprise that the media hadn't highlighted this accomplishment. Furthermore, AMLO shared his approval rating of 61%, which he claimed is second only to India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.

Touching on corruption and impunity, the President criticized the Judicial Power for allegedly protecting the prosecutor of Morelos, Uriel Carmona. Despite accusations of failure to act in office, AMLO insisted on zero tolerance for corruption and impunity.

In a final statement, the President acknowledged the support Xóchitl Gálvez has received from opposition leaders. He claimed that they had agreed to support her during a previous meeting.

With a mix of informative updates and passionate statements, AMLO's morning conference in Baja California Sur provided a glimpse into the ongoing efforts to combat violence, improve social support, and boost the economy in the region. As the conference concluded, the President declared, "We are going to go ahead and we are going to tour Mulegé." With his charismatic demeanor, AMLO continues to capture the attention of the nation, addressing concerns and sharing his vision for a better Mexico.