Reynosa marches against Carlos Peña; they collect signatures for his removal

Thousands of citizens gathered next weekend at Plaza Miguel Hidalgo in Reynosa for what could be the beginning of the end of Carlos Peña Ortiz's term, the mayor from Morena.

For hours, the crowd not only marched but also turned out to sign a citizen initiative seeking to remove him from office.

By six in the evening, attendees had already surpassed 10,000 people, a significant number in this first collection attempt, and a clear symptom of collective exhaustion. Activities continued into the night.

The march was organized by members of civil society, who accuse the mayor of abandoning the city during recent rains that left at least five dead, four missing, and more than 200 neighborhoods affected by severe flooding. The citizenry, tired of the silence and lack of institutional empathy, took to the streets to say "enough."

A decade of family power

Carlos Peña Ortiz doesn't govern alone. He is the latest face of a political dynasty that has controlled Reynosa for more than a decade. His mother, Maki Ortiz, was mayor under the PAN banner, and the transition to Morena and the Green Party was nothing more than a change of colors, not of interests or practices.

The Peña Ortiz name has become synonymous with imposition, opacity, and authoritarianism, according to local activists. The citizenry perceives that the party changes were just a strategy to maintain control of municipal power, not a true transformation.

Insults from power

Far from offering apologies or solutions, the mayor and his close circle have replied with attacks on the citizens. On social media, Peña Ortiz reacted with sarcasm and disdain to the criticism for his absence during the emergency.

But the greatest offense came from his partner, Alejandra Yelitza Garza, president of the municipal DIF board, who posted a message that sparked fury: "Dogs," referring to the protesters.

That message wasn't just offensive: it was the straw that broke the camel's back.

Reynosa spoke loud and clear: it demands accountability, respect, and, above all, the end of the Peña Ortiz's stronghold.

The legal process for removal may have its limits, but social mobilization is already underway. The signature collection will continue in the coming days, aiming to surpass the necessary number to move to the next citizen step.

This Sunday morning, the modules remained active, with citizens arriving on their own or in family groups, ID in hand, determined to sign.