Semar cancels tsunami warning after earthquake in Chiapas

Loose buoys in the Rio Grande

Around 100 buoys and floating walls placed by the Texas government on the border between Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras, Coahuila, dislodged due to recent rains and the increased flow of the Rio Grande. State Civil Protection images show how the structures are carried away by the current; some are already stuck in Mexican territory.

International bridges were immediately closed due to the risk of impact. Eagle Pass Mayor Aaron Valdez reported on social media that they would remain closed until the buoys passed. His counterpart from Piedras Negras, Jacobo Rodríguez, confirmed the situation in a video: “There are 100 coming that were brought by the current and they are loose; let’s hope they get stuck somewhere.”

Each floating wall weighs about a ton. Given the possibility of hitting the bridge structure, it was decided to close the border crossing.

No risk of overflow for now

The buoys, installed to deter unauthorized migrant crossings, were placed on the US shore. Francisco Contreras Obregón, regional coordinator of State Civil Protection, explained that between 5 and 6 in the afternoon the flow would reach its maximum point: 2,183 cubic meters per second, with a depth of 7.5 meters. He assured that there is no risk of overflow, but urged the population not to approach the area.

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.