14 aftershocks in 24 hours: 7.4 earthquake shakes Chiapas without major damage

Government reinforces actions against sargassum in Quintana Roo

President Claudia Sheinbaum assured that her administration will make the “maximum effort” to reduce the arrival of sargassum to the coasts of Quintana Roo. The announcement was made from Tulum, during his morning conference on Friday, July 17.

He acknowledged that this month the presence of the algae increased and that the acquisition of more specialized vessels for its collection is planned.

“It is very difficult to prevent, to address the fundamental cause, it is complex and it is an international issue, in any case. What we can do is prevent sargassum from reaching the beaches or make our maximum effort to reduce the arrival of sargassum to the beaches,” he said.

The state government of Mara Lezama, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, the Ministry of the Navy and the Ministry of Science and Technology lead a comprehensive program against the problem.

Sheinbaum explained that the strategy includes the purchase of more Sargacero boats to capture the seaweed at sea, as well as the installation of additional barriers in coordination with hoteliers.

“And take that sargassum to a center so that it can be recycled and used in some economic activities, whether it is production of energy or construction materials, or other possibilities that sargassum has, but it has to be fished in the sea and for this we need more capacity,” he explained.

The plan seeks to contain the environmental and tourist impact of sargassum, a recurring phenomenon in the Mexican Caribbean.

Homicide of journalist in Puebla will be investigated by federation and state

President Claudia Sheinbaum reported that the homicide of Josué Martínez Contreras, which occurred in Puebla, is being investigated by federal and state authorities. The case was addressed at the Security Cabinet meeting this Friday.

From Tulum, Quintana Roo, the president indicated that the available evidence is being reviewed, including a video broadcast by the communicator himself before being deprived of his life. He confirmed coordination with the government of Puebla to clarify the facts.

“Today this morning he appeared in office and is under investigation. There is a video from the previous journalist that also appeared on the networks yesterday and they are in communication with the governor… all investigations have to be done,” he declared.

Attack details

Josué Martínez Contreras, 39, was director of the digital media Noticias San Martín Texmelucan, as well as a teacher and lawyer. According to police sources, he was killed in a direct attack just meters from his home, in the auxiliary council of San Lucas Atoyatenco, municipality of San Martín Texmelucan.

According to initial reports, two men on a motorcycle shot him multiple times. Witnesses indicated that the communicator was accompanied by his 13-year-old son at the time of the attack. Authorities have not revealed the identity of the minor.

The investigation work continues. Testimonies and video material are collected to clarify this event that has shocked the journalistic community and society.

Earthquake triggers emergency in Tapachula

Two consecutive earthquakes of 7.4 and 5.8 shook Chiapas this morning, leaving one woman injured. The person, of foreign origin, fell from the third floor after having a nervous breakdown during the first earthquake.

The first earthquake occurred at 8:48 a.m., with the epicenter 135 kilometers southwest of Ciudad Hidalgo, on the border with Guatemala. The woman, who lived in a building in the Teófilo Acebo neighborhood, became desperate and fell into the void, suffering serious injuries. Civil Protection paramedics and Municipal Police attended the scene.

Second movement and evacuations

Thirty minutes later, while they were responding to the incident, a second earthquake of magnitude 5.8 was recorded in the same area. The authorities evacuated the building to avoid further risks.

The State Civil Protection System activated emergency protocols throughout Chiapas. In Tuxtla Gutiérrez and other cities, public and private buildings were evacuated. So far, no fatalities have been reported, only the injured woman.

The movements were noticeable in Guatemala, Belize and El Salvador, where monitoring was activated. The Tsunami Warning Center of the Ministry of the Navy issued an alert for the coasts of Chiapas and Oaxaca due to possible variations in sea level.