A city’s growth stems from its leaders, and in Mexicali, Mayor Norma Bustamante is proving just how transformative strong governance can be. Since taking office in 2021, she has worked to enhance public safety, environmental sustainability, education, and economic growth—always with citizens at the heart of her agenda.
Safety
Determined to root out corruption, Bustamante appointed Lieutenant Colonel Julián Leyzaola Pérez as the new Director of Public Safety. His strategy prioritizes fostering trust between law enforcement and the community.
Additionally, the mayor holds security roundtables with municipal and state authorities, organizations, and other leaders to define strategies for crime prevention and public safety.
Citizen Support Initiatives
Mayor Bustamante prioritizes the well-being of the community. Through collaborations with various organizations, several programs have been launched to support different community groups, including:
- DIF at Home: Provides medical, dental, nutritional, and legal assistance to improve residents’ quality of life.
- Feet in Motion: Offers educational workshops and discussions on social issues, benefiting over 3,000 children and parents.
- Coffee Talks: A space where residents can voice concerns about security, public lighting, road maintenance, and cultural programs directly with Mayor Bustamante.
- Support for entrepreneurs: As part of its commitment to promoting small businesses, the FOMYDE program has distributed financial aid in collaboration with several institutions:
- FOMYDE: 13 grants amounting to $94,000 pesos.
- Citizen Assistance: 38 grants totaling $180,000 pesos.
- Social Welfare: 3 grants with a combined total of $15,000 pesos.
- BISOM provided over $188,000 pesos to support housing construction and renovation projects.
These grants were awarded to entrepreneurial families running food businesses, nail salons, children’s workshops, and other small ventures.
Economic Growth
Mexicali started 2025 with record-breaking exports, reaching $6.5 billion pesos in January—an increase from $5.1 billion pesos in January 2024, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI).
In her ongoing efforts to further strengthen the local economy, Mayor Bustamante holds regular meetings with executives from maquiladoras and export industries to discuss ways to create more job opportunities.
Stronger Border Relations
Recognizing the importance of cross-border trade, Bustamante has partnered with the National Chamber of Freight Trucking (CANACAR) to work on strategies that improve border mobility, which will enhance economic flow. These strategies include:
- Reducing wait times at border crossings.
- Strengthening transport security.
- Enhancing overall traffic efficiency.
Environmental Initiatives
To improve the region’s distinctive climate, the city has launched a tree donation program, distributing 15,000 plants through two municipal nurseries. Species include ash trees, mesquite, Peruvian pepper trees, and various succulents—all selected to thrive in Mexicali’s environment.
Mayor Norma Bustamante remains committed to Mexicali’s prosperity, fostering social progress, improving public services, strengthening local economy, and ensuring a safer, greener future for the city.
