Aguascalientes Opina – January 22, 2025

Uncertain and Tumultuous Times

By Anibal Salazar

Aguascalientes finds itself in the midst of a process of transition and reflection, a state where the unexpected and urgent seem to intertwine in a dance of complex situations. In recent weeks, local news has revealed not only unexpected resignations in the judicial sphere but also violent events that set the tone for an uncertain climate, all while the shadow of migratory risk looms over thousands of people in Aguascalientes.

Let’s begin with a matter that has echoed in the halls of the State Congress. The LXVI Legislature, in a session led by Deputy Lucía de León Ursúa, received a peculiar notification that has left many surprised: 13 judges and magistrates from the Judiciary decided to step down from the extraordinary electoral process to renew the State Supreme Court of Justice. Why are they resigning now, in the middle of an electoral process? The answer remains uncertain. What is clear is that this wave of resignations highlights a dissonance within the power structures that cannot go unnoticed. If high courts falter in their role, what message are we sending to the public? Meanwhile, the San Marcos Fair is also undergoing its own shifts, with candidates who, for various reasons, have stepped out of the contest. Politics in this corner of Mexico seems to be undergoing a moment of adjustments, earthquakes that not only are felt but force us to question the solidity of our institutions.

But the shocks don’t end there. In terms of security, Aguascalientes has been the scene of a homicide that, while it hasn’t generated nationwide panic, has nonetheless left a mark on the social fabric. The body of a person was found in unsettling conditions on the road connecting the communities of El Águila and San Antonio, bound and showing clear signs of violence. A macabre discovery, made by a passerby who, beyond the horror, became a witness to what appears to be an execution with no apparent explanation. The State Attorney General’s Office (FGE) is already aware of the case, but the matter remains thorny. While this incident is not part of the high-impact crime statistics that typically attract national media attention, the way it was handled invites reflection: Are we truly prepared to deal with the latent violence that subtly emerges, yet with a dark force that could be a warning? In this context, Aguascalientes’ tranquility is being tested, and the public is beginning to demand answers, not only in terms of prevention but also in clarifying the facts.

Adding to this is the concern over migration, particularly the one that could affect Aguascalientes residents in the United States. Activist Marco García Robles, a national voice in defending the rights of the LGBT community in Mexico, has warned about the social and psychological implications of the hate speech resonating in the neighboring country, especially in the context of Trumpism policies. The activist points out that the visible effects of rising discrimination and bullying can be devastating: suicides, diseases linked to the interruption of hormone treatments, and, above all, an increasingly hostile environment for vulnerable communities. What implications will this have for Aguascalientes? With the possibility of mass deportations of nationals, some of whom are from this state, the Aguascalientes Institute for Migrant People faces a monumental challenge. What is the action plan for this risk? Meanwhile, on the northern border, Aguascalientes families are wondering if they will be part of the migratory wave that could change the face of the region.

Thus, between resignations, latent violence, and migratory threats, Aguascalientes finds itself at a crossroads that demands reflection and action. Each of these issues—though seemingly disparate—reflects a common question: Are we ready to face the changes ahead? The uncertainty not only affects those fighting to preserve their rights or job stability, but also questions the very foundations of a future that, in many ways, seems more uncertain than ever.

Time will tell… and so will your opinion.