Ciudad Juárez officials clash over flood relief efforts

A political dispute has erupted in Ciudad Juárez between Mayor Héctor Ortiz Orpinel and local PAN deputy Xóchitl Contreras Herrera regarding the response to severe flooding in the Gardeno and Natura residential areas. The conflict surfaced during a municipal council session following recent overflows from a local dike that affected approximately 800 families, causing damage to homes and vehicles.

Deputy Contreras Herrera, supported by affected residents, demanded that the municipal government fulfill a unanimous state congress exhortation to perform urgent cleaning and desilting of the dike. She noted that residents have been reporting these infrastructure issues since 2021. In response, Mayor Ortiz Orpinel defended his administration's actions, citing structural issues from previous administrations and the fact that housing was permitted in a natural flood basin. The exchange included mutual accusations regarding the arrival of machinery from the National Water Commission (Conagua) and the effectiveness of local water management services.