Juárez political tensions and infrastructure disputes

Juárez Mayor Héctor Ortiz Orpinel has engaged in multiple disputes with state-level officials and legislators regarding political and administrative issues.

In mid-October, the Mayor accused state government officials of acting out of fear following claims by the State Government's Secretary General that the Morena party might boycott a public event introducing the National Action Party (PAN) candidate for the 2027 governorship. Orpinel dismissed these warnings, suggesting they were a narrative used to justify potential issues with event turnout.

By late October, the conflict shifted toward disaster response. Following heavy rainfall and flooding in the city, Orpinel criticized state officials and legislators for failing to provide meaningful support. He specifically accused PAN Deputy Xóchitl Contreras of performative politics, alleging she denounced the flooding while having previously voted against a proposal to allocate 5 billion pesos from the local payroll tax toward flood prevention infrastructure. The Mayor characterized the actions of representatives from PAN, PRI, and Movimiento Ciudadano as lacking practical solutions or support for a natural disaster declaration.

On October 28, the dispute intensified during a municipal council session following dike overflows that affected approximately 800 families in the Gardeno and Natura residential areas. Deputy Xóchitl Contreras Herrera, supported by residents, demanded the municipal government fulfill a state congress exhortation to perform urgent cleaning and desilting of the dike, noting that infrastructure issues have been reported since 2021. Mayor Orpinel defended his administration, citing structural issues from previous administrations and noting that housing was permitted in a natural flood basin. The exchange involved mutual accusations regarding the effectiveness of local water management and the arrival of machinery from the National Water Commission (Conagua).