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-Editorial
Standing at the edge of Mexico’s northern border, yesterday, President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo delivered a message that resonated not only with Baja California residents but also with Mexican-American communities across the border. In a state known for its unique binational character, Sheinbaum outlined ambitious plans for education and infrastructure, while reinforcing a narrative of unity that stretches beyond geographical boundaries.
Her visit to Mexicali was part of her national accountability tour, but it was clear that Baja California holds a particular significance. Home to vibrant cities like Tijuana, Ensenada, and Mexicali—each deeply interconnected with California’s Imperial Valley and San Diego County—the region symbolizes both the opportunities and challenges of governing a borderland.
A New Investment in Education
Perhaps the most significant announcement for the state was Sheinbaum’s commitment to expand access to higher education. She confirmed that construction will begin in 2026 on a new campus of the Universidad Nacional Rosario Castellanos (UNRC) in Mexicali. This expansion follows the successful opening of a campus in Tijuana, part of her broader pledge to establish at least one campus of the institution in every state of Mexico.
The project has deep symbolic and practical importance. For thousands of young Baja Californians, especially those in underserved communities, the new campus will represent an opportunity to pursue higher education without leaving the region. It also has binational implications: many students in Baja California maintain strong ties with family in the U.S., while others seek to develop professional skills that serve industries dependent on cross-border collaboration.
“Guaranteeing the right to higher education is essential to reduce inequality and strengthen the workforce of the future,” Sheinbaum declared, adding that the new Mexicali campus will be designed to meet the region’s growing demand for technical and professional careers.
Education advocates on both sides of the border welcomed the announcement, highlighting how greater access to education in Baja California can positively influence migration trends. “When young people have opportunities at home, they are less likely to migrate out of necessity,” said a local professor from CETYS University. “This investment strengthens the region as a whole.”
Major Infrastructure Works
Beyond education, Sheinbaum emphasized a robust agenda for public works aimed at transforming the state’s connectivity and quality of life. Among the flagship projects is the construction of a bypass from Ensenada to Tijuana, offering an alternative route between the two cities and alleviating heavy traffic on existing roads.
She also confirmed the completion of the Tijuana Elevated Viaduct by December, a project expected to ease congestion in one of Mexico’s busiest border cities. Additional commitments include the repaving of federal highways such as the Transpeninsular, the expansion of high school campuses, and the construction of desalination plants like the one in Rosarito to guarantee water supply—a crucial concern in this arid region.
For Baja Californians, these projects represent more than just local improvements. They are part of a long-standing need to modernize infrastructure in a state whose economic and social fabric is tightly interwoven with that of California. From facilitating cross-border trade to supporting tourism and manufacturing, improved connectivity benefits both sides of the border.
Strengthening Binational Ties
President Sheinbaum did not miss the chance to address the millions of Mexican migrants living in the United States. Speaking from the State Auditorium in Mexicali, she called on border communities to “tell our paisanos on the other side that we love them and invite them to approach Mexican consulates to receive the support they deserve.”
She also directed a message to Washington, noting that the U.S. would not be what it is today without the contributions of Mexican workers. This binational framing underscored her government’s recognition of the interconnected destinies of Mexico and the United States, particularly in border states like Baja California.
Cross-border organizations echoed her remarks, emphasizing that infrastructure and education investments in Mexico ultimately strengthen regional stability. “When Mexicali or Tijuana improve their infrastructure, when more young people are educated, that creates ripple effects across the border in Imperial Valley and San Diego,” said an Imperial Valley civic leader. “It’s about shared prosperity.”
Social and Health Programs
Alongside her announcements on education and infrastructure, Sheinbaum highlighted the expansion of social programs benefiting 864,650 people in Baja California, including seniors, people with disabilities, students, and women. In the health sector, she reported significant progress in medicine supply, the opening of the new General Hospital of Tijuana (East Zone), and the continuation of major hospital projects in Ensenada and San Felipe.
Though not the central focus of her message, these social and health initiatives complement her education and infrastructure agenda, reinforcing the administration’s narrative of comprehensive development.
A Regional Vision for the Future
For Baja California, the announcements carry strategic weight. As a region that functions less as a periphery and more as a central hub in the Mexico-U.S. relationship, the investments promise to reduce disparities while enhancing competitiveness.
Business leaders in Mexicali noted that projects like the UNRC campus and the Ensenada-Tijuana bypass can catalyze further economic activity, particularly when combined with cross-border trade initiatives. Meanwhile, community leaders stressed that investments in health and education are fundamental to improving quality of life for families who straddle both sides of the border.
President Sheinbaum’s remarks, therefore, extended beyond a standard report of government achievements. They painted a vision of Baja California as a cornerstone of Mexico’s future—one where investment in education and infrastructure strengthens not only local communities but also the binational ties that define this unique region.
As Baja Californians look ahead to 2026, the message is clear: the state is not just receiving resources, it is being positioned as a model for borderland development, where unity, opportunity, and progress flow across frontiers.
