“What will move us forward is education and unity between families and schools,” says Professor Miguel Jiménez, the last surviving signer of the founding act of Playas de Rosarito, created in June 1995.

At nearly 84, the teacher of generations recalls how citizens resisted a federal expropriation decree, joining under the leadership of Hugo Eduardo Torres Chabert to fight for municipal autonomy.

“Our strength was in working together based on real needs,” he says. “What Rosarito needs now is social cohesion—to value even small efforts. That’s what will make us great: everyone doing their part.”

He also remembers the role of the press in the fight. El Guardián—the movement’s first paper—and later Ecos de Rosarito, kept citizens informed and united.

“Municipalities may receive little federal support,” he adds, “but their greatest power is being close to the people. That’s what made our struggle successful—and it’s still our advantage today.”