Tensions in Querétaro: Cadereyta mayor accused of usurping functions; pressure mounts over Mobility Law

The political scene in Querétaro is fraught with tension. On the one hand, the mayor of Cadereyta de Montes, Astrid Ortega , is facing serious accusations from the National Migration Institute (INM) for alleged misuse of powers . On the other hand, the State Congress is facing growing criticism due to the prolonged delay in harmonizing the Mobility Law , a sensitive issue for citizens.

The municipal administration of Cadereyta de Montes, headed by Mayor Astrid Ortega, is in a delicate situation. The National Migration Institute (INM) has announced that it will initiate legal proceedings against her for allegedly committing the crime of usurpation of functions. The accusation centers on the mayor's alleged issuance of repatriation certificates, a procedure that falls exclusively within the jurisdiction of the federal immigration authority.

According to Carlos Alberto Alcaraz, Secretary of Government of Querétaro, the issue was brought to the attention of the State Security Roundtable, where a request was made for the appropriate legal action. Alcaraz emphasized the seriousness of the matter, indicating that it involves the "possible commission of criminal conduct" and that repatriation certificates are documents of high legal importance, as they are the "key to accessing all the social programs available within Mexico" for repatriated individuals.

Mayor Ortega's alleged actions in issuing these documents without authority could have generated confusion and false expectations among vulnerable people. The motivations behind this action are still unclear and will be part of the investigation.

On another political front, the Querétaro State Congress is facing harsh criticism from the Safe Mobility Coalition. This organization has accused the legislature of "legislative contempt" due to a delay of more than three years in harmonizing the state Mobility Law with the General Law on Mobility and Road Safety, approved at the federal level by all political forces.

The coalition members point out that the current traffic regulations in Querétaro are outdated and do not adequately protect the most vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists, people in wheelchairs, and children. The lack of modern and harmonized legislation, they argue, perpetuates risky conditions and hinders the implementation of effective public policies for safer, more efficient, and sustainable mobility. Citizen pressure is intensifying for legislators to address this issue.

These two cases unfold in a context where other political issues also occupy the state agenda. Governor Mauricio Kuri González has referred to the appearance of walls painted with the names of potential political candidates as "personal strategies." Meanwhile, the Morena party in Querétaro has announced internal measures to eliminate nepotism and influence peddling in the run-up to future elections.

Governor Kuri has also expressed concerns about the state's competitiveness in light of the potential implementation of the 40-hour workweek nationwide and has introduced a bill to strengthen the protection of children and adolescents in the tourism sector against human trafficking and child sexual exploitation.

These specific governance issues, such as the situation in Cadereyta and the stalled Mobility Law, contrast with high-level discourses on ethics, competitiveness, and protection, and could be generating a perception of disconnection between political priorities and urgent citizen needs.

The legal proceedings against the mayor of Cadereyta could have serious political and legal consequences for her. Regarding the Mobility Law, criticism from civil society and experts is expected to continue until the State Congress takes concrete action. Other political actors and opposition parties will likely express their views on these issues in the coming days, fueling public debate in Querétaro.

Follow us on our X La Verdad Noticias profile and stay up to date with the most important news of the day.