On Saturday, June 28, members of the Comité Pro Municipio kicked off the 30th anniversary celebrations marking the official creation of Playas de Rosarito as Baja California’s fifth municipality.
As every year, committee members—now led by teacher and president Nancy Hernández Villelas—gathered to honor the legacy of the citizen movement that brought Rosarito autonomy. The day began with a floral offering in memory of the movement’s early leaders, signaling the start of a series of commemorative events.
The night before, the Municipalists’ Obelisk—located near the Pemex Bridge in the Lucio Blanco neighborhood—was lit up to pay tribute to the cause that began over three decades ago.
“We must strengthen this committee because Rosarito still faces many challenges before it can truly become a model municipality,” said Hugo Antonio Torres Ramírez, son of the late Hugo Eduardo Torres Chabert, one of the key figures behind the municipalization movement.
Also present at the ceremony were attorney José Luis Ibarra Arenas and Professor Miguel Jiménez, the last surviving signer of the original founding act. Former state deputies Gustavo Dávila and Francisco Javier Reynoso, who played a key role in promoting Rosarito’s status in the legislature, were among the honored guests.
Later in the day, a celebratory gathering titled “140 Distinguished Rosaritenses” was held, featuring a traditional taco buffet, cake, and live music.
Committee vows to continue pushing for better services
Though Rosarito now enjoys the status of an autonomous municipality, it still lacks essential services needed to unlock its full potential and achieve balanced social and economic development, said committee members during the Saturday celebration.
Health services, sports promotion, and public infrastructure remain high on the committee’s agenda.
“We want to keep supporting Rosarito’s growth and help bring better services to the community. That’s why the committee is still active,” said Conchita Romo.
Norma Gutiérrez de Sánchez remembered the visionary role of Hugo Eduardo Torres in including women in the movement. She thanked the mothers in attendance, many of whom contributed to the early efforts for municipalization. She also urged the audience to demand better social services and resist political opportunism that benefits the few while the most vulnerable continue to suffer.
“I invite you to keep fighting—and never lose your dignity,” she said.
Teacher Concepción Acosta emphasized the importance of building a sense of identity among young people and praised the committee’s efforts to visit local schools and share the story of the municipal movement.
Activist Lucy Castelán, another committee member, added: “The fight for autonomy was only possible because of the strong will of the people.”
Architect Jorge Villanueva echoed the sentiment, expressing disappointment with the city’s current trajectory. “We have not yet achieved what we set out to be: a model municipality,” he said. “Government inaction has slowed progress, but the committee remains committed to advancing Rosarito’s future, as it always has.”
Official anniversary events continued the following Sunday and Monday at the Municipal Government Building.
