Homicides in Mexico fall 49% in a year and a half

La Segunda Comisión de la Permanente del Congreso aprobó un dictamen que urge a la Secretaría de Educación Pública (SEP) y a las autoridades educativas de las 32 entidades a reforzar las estrategias de prevención del acoso y la violencia escolar. La petición se enmarca dentro del programa “Entornos Escolares Seguros”.

Según la Encuesta Nacional sobre Discriminación (ENADIS) 2022, realizada por Inegi, Conapred y la CNDH, cerca del 28.5% de las personas entre 12 y 17 años ha vivido alguna forma de hostigamiento o maltrato en su escuela. El Sistema Educativo Nacional atiende a más de 34 millones de estudiantes en 258 mil planteles de educación básica, media superior y superior.

La estrategia “Entornos Escolares Seguros” promueve la corresponsabilidad entre autoridades, familias y comunidades escolares para prevenir riesgos y fomentar una cultura de paz. El dictamen subraya que dicho mecanismo articula lineamientos, protocolos y acciones para garantizar espacios seguros, saludables e incluyentes, sin restringir derechos fundamentales.

Las y los legisladores consideraron necesario mantener acciones permanentes de prevención y atención. El exhorto busca que los centros educativos sean entornos libres de acoso, con pleno respeto a los derechos humanos y al interés superior de la niñez.

President Claudia Sheinbaum visited Cuautla, Morelos, to announce a set of social and security measures. Among them, the construction of 10 new schools of the “Margarita Maza” National High School, house-to-house visits, more jobs through Young People Building the Future and a greater presence of the National Guard.

“We are going to build together, because this is a job for everyone, for families to care for their children, for the state government and for the federal government,” the president highlighted.

The visit occurred after the arrest of the mayor of Cuautla. Sheinbaum instructed strengthening the federal presence with attention to the causes, as part of the National Security Strategy. Next week they will begin house-to-house tours and outreach to merchants. He promised to return in three months to monitor progress.

Housing for Wellbeing

At the event, 128 Infonavit homes and 207 Insus deeds were also delivered. Sheinbaum recalled the four components of the program: build 1.8 million new houses for people with incomes of one to two minimum wages; deliver the same number of credits for improvement; grant a million deeds; and restructure unpayable loans for 5 million families.

Octavio Romero Oropeza, director of Infonavit, reported that of the goal of 1.2 million homes, there are already 440 approved complexes that total 514 thousand houses (43% progress). In Morelos, the goal is 13 thousand new homes with an investment of 8,150 million pesos.

Edna Elena Vega Rangel, head of Sedatu, explained that 128 homes and 207 deeds were delivered. Governor Margarita González Saravia thanked the expansion of the state goal to 24 thousand houses in the six-year term, in addition to other works such as modernization of the countryside, a Convention Center in Cuernavaca and the “Circuito Tierra y Libertad” highway program.

The beneficiary Kendra Ramírez Orozco expressed her gratitude for access to housing. Sheinbaum reiterated his commitment to return in three months to follow up.

Threats against correspondent

After the murder of Francisco Alejandro Leyva Aguilar, Proceso‘s correspondent in Oaxaca, Pedro Matías Arrazola, was intimidated through social networks. They warned him that he would be next.

Organizations such as Reporters Without Borders and the UN demanded that the threats be investigated and security guarantees granted. The Oaxaca Prosecutor’s Office deployed two agents to protect him, and the state police carry out patrols near his home.

“I didn’t find out until they told me about Reporters Without Borders and then the UN, but I didn’t pay much attention to it (…). Better to keep a low profile,” declared Matías.

The journalist explained that he avoided spreading the threats so as not to divert attention from Leyva’s case. However, colleagues advised him not to minimize the risk, in a context of growing attacks against the press.

Two years ago, individuals threw Molotov cocktails with nails at his home, without causing any injuries. That attack forced him to leave the country for six months. Sixteen years earlier he was kidnapped and tortured.

“I am not afraid. I am a believer. I have a mission in this life and it will be until God decides,” he stated.

Matías filed a complaint for threats with the State Prosecutor’s Office. Its incorporation into the federal protection mechanism began.

“If we remain silent, they will have achieved their purpose. In recognition of Alejandro Leyva, I will continue along the same critical line,” he said.

Protest in Guelaguetza

Relatives and friends of Alejandro Leyva protested during the Guelaguetza delegation parade. With tarps, banners on the roof of a house and dressed in black, they demanded justice.

“We are Alejandro’s family and we ask for justice for my uncle. We know the situation in the country. It is not just Oaxaca, it is the entire country. Please join our cause,” expressed the protesters.