During a press conference on Wednesday, Baja California Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda announced the start of the “Sí al Desarme, Sí a la Paz” (Yes to Disarmament, Yes to Peace) federal program in Tijuana.
This initiative, carried out in coordination with the national Department of Defense, aims to avoid tragedies and prevent crime through the voluntary and anonymous exchange of firearms for financial incentives. Working alongside local churches, the program seeks to remove weapons from homes, minimizing the risk of accidents.
The firearm collection site in Tijuana is located at the Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe in the city’s downtown area. It will operate from April 23 to May 12, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Governor Marina del Pilar called for local participation:
“Now more than ever, peace must be built from community awareness. That’s why we invite all residents of Tijuana to join this collective effort. Security starts at home.”
This program’s strategy not only focuses on collecting firearms but also on addressing the root causes of violence. The governor noted additional efforts, like promoting peace in schools and conducting home visits in neighborhoods with high crime rates.
Over 1,300 Firearms Recovered
According to Rocío Bárcena Molina, Undersecretary for Peacebuilding, the program has collected 1,381 firearms, 58,851 cartridges, 126 grenades, and 1,270 magazines across the country since its launch in January 10.
The process is both anonymous and transparent. After surrendering a gun, individuals can witness members of the Mexican Army carry out its immediate destruction, ensuring the integrity of the process.
“It is a matter of trust and goodwill. Every gun removed from circulation represents one less potential tragedy,” affirmed Bárcena Molina.
The disarmament program has shown positive results in other Mexican cities and continues to grow as a model to build safer communities.
