ASSEMBLY
Baja California lawmakers pass strict new rules for pet sales and exhibits
In a significant move toward animal welfare, the Baja California State Assembly has approved new legislation aimed at transforming how domestic animals are sold and displayed across the state.
The initiative, introduced by Assemblyman Jorge Ramos Hernández, establishes a comprehensive legal framework to ensure “dignified and responsible treatment” of pets. The reform aligns state law with international welfare standards and a recent constitutional amendment in Baja California that recognizes animals as sentient beings.
“Animal welfare means guaranteeing basic conditions such as nutrition, health, the absence of pain, and an environment free from fear or stress,” Ramos said.
The new regulations target the growing pet industry in Mexico, addressing documented cases of mistreatment in commercial establishments. A key feature of the law encourages businesses to move away from traditional displays. Shops are now urged to use “remote means or technological tools” for viewing animals, reducing direct physical contact between the public and the animals to lower stress levels.
Under the new articles added to the State Law for the Protection of Domestic Animals, commercial establishments must now:
Verify Age: The sale of any animal under four months old is strictly prohibited.Professional Oversight: Maintain a licensed veterinarian on staff to oversee animal health.Mandatory Documentation: Provide buyers with official sales certificates, health guarantees, and comprehensive care manuals.Promote Adoption: Actively foster a culture of adoption alongside commercial sales.
The reform mandates specific standards for space, nutrition, and shelter. By codifying these requirements, lawmakers aim to balance economic activity with social responsibility.
Ramos emphasized that the law is a necessary response to the commercialization of pets, ensuring that profit does not come at the expense of cruelty.
BUSINESS
Baja California business exodus: Over 39,000 companies closed since 2022
Baja California’s formal economy is facing a deepening crisis as new data reveals a massive wave of business closures over the last four years, driven by a tightening regulatory environment and shifting economic conditions.
According to the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), the state closed out 2025 with the loss of 9,267 registered companies. This brings the total number of business closures since 2022 to 39,613, a figure that underscores the mounting pressure on employers in one of Mexico’s most critical industrial hubs.
An analysis by the Center for Economic Studies of Baja California (CEEBC) indicates that by the end of 2025, only 37,736 formal employers remained registered in the state, La Voz newspaper reported.
The downward trend has been consistent and aggressive over the last four years:
2024: 11,349 closures2023: 9,197 closures2022: 9,440 closures
Roberto Valero Berrospe, economist and president of the CEEBC, noted that if the final months of 2021 are included—a period when the economy was expected to stabilize post-pandemic—the total number of failed businesses climbs to over 41,000.
Valero Berrospe attributes the mass exodus to a “complex” environment for business owners, citing excessive bureaucracy and a rapid succession of new labor mandates.
In Baja California, roughly 90% of businesses are micro or small enterprises. These smaller operations often lack the capital or administrative infrastructure to absorb the costs of recent legal reforms, such as the “Silla Law” (Seat Law) and the proposed reduction of the workweek to 40 hours.
“With so many modifications to the law… we don’t have enough consumers in the formal economy, and this is the result,” Valero Berrospe said. He warned that instead of thriving, many of these small businesses are simply migrating to the informal economy to avoid the regulatory burden.
The forecast for the coming year remains grim. Valero Berrospe pointed to data from the Bank of Mexico (Banxico) indicating a significant slowdown in economic activity across northern Mexico.
“We are in a process of recession here in the state,” Valero Berrospe said. “2026 looks very bleak, which is why these closure figures are so concerning.”
PUBLIC SAFETY
Alleged Cartel member arrested in Mexicali with massive arsenal and kidnapping warrant
State security agents arrested a 22-year-old man Monday afternoon after a routine traffic stop in the Televisora neighborhood led to the discovery of a massive weapons cache and an active warrant for kidnapping.
Officers with the State Citizen Security Force (FESC) intercepted the suspect, identified as Issac Neftaly “N,” after observing him driving a luxury vehicle erratically. The suspect, a native of Guadalajara, Jalisco, was driving a white 2024 Buick with California license plates.
What began as a stop for traffic violations quickly escalated when agents spotted a rifle inside the SUV. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a professional-grade arsenal.
According to authorities, the seized items included:
Firearms: One M4 5.56-caliber rifle.Ammunition: More than 2,200 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammo, 119 rounds of .300-caliber ammo, and 30 rounds of .223-caliber ammo.High-Capacity Gear: 40 magazines and two ammunition belts containing 1,000 links for 7.62x39mm rounds.Tactical Equipment: A 40mm grenade launcher attachment, five black ballistic plates, and three tactical holsters for handguns.
Upon running the suspect’s information through the C5 security database, officials discovered he is wanted in the state of Jalisco for kidnapping. During the arrest, the suspect reportedly claimed to be a member of a regional criminal organization.
The suspect and the seized weaponry have been turned over to the federal Attorney General’s Office to determine his legal status and investigate potential links to organized crime groups operating along the border.
– Staff Report,