Governor Salomón Jara’s first month in office kicked off with one of the strongest holiday periods of the year, and in response his administration has launched a month-long, statewide security operation known as Fiestas Decembrinas 2022.
The announcement was made during Jara’s weekly press conference held Monday morning, where he said that, as every year, Oaxaca will open its doors to thousands of visitors from other states and countries to celebrate the year-end holidays.
Jara added that the capital city and smaller destinations that offer great craftsmanship and gastronomic options will have a large influx of people and although this is a source of pride “it also implies the increased risk of situations that can affect any of us.”
The Fiestas Decembrinas 2022 operation is a coordinated effort by security forces and other agencies to provide rescue services and crime prevention actions in order to ensure public safety.
According to the government of Oaxaca, the operation will be carried out with strict respect for human rights and with close coordination between municipal, state and federal institutions, which “will allow us to have a force of 2,541 officers, 275 patrol cars and 88 motorcycle patrols deployed throughout the state.”
Jara explained that efforts to combat crime will focus especially on the three main tourist destinations of Puerto Escondido, Huatulco and Oaxaca city.
To achieve this, patrols and surveillance tasks will be carried out in places such as markets, shopping centers, banks, and other points of tourist, recreational, handicraft and gastronomic interest, as well as bus terminals.
As the state is the host of several religious festivities and massive pilgrimages, the governor added that this operation will also “provide security on roads and highways through traffic control zones and checkpoints.”
Federal, state and municipal forces and organizations will include the Ministry of Tourism’s roadside assistance organization the Green Angels.
Jara said the Fiestas Decembrinas operation started on Dec. 7, and will conclude on Jan. 7.
With reports from El Universal
