Meet Fiorello Estrada López, commander of Chapala’s regional division of the Jalisco Policia Vial (traffic police).

Workmen hired for the renovation of the Ajijic plaza’s northern corridor are currently occupied in the intricate task of cutting and fitting pieces of charcoal-colored paving stones, closely matching the sunburst design of the flooring covering the main section of the village square.

Although Lake Chapala is shrinking, as it typically does at the peak of the dry season, this year it is dropping more notably than in recent years, while Mexico’s north and central regions are in the throes of severe drought conditions.

While many lakeshore residents worry about community overdevelopment, few are disturbed or even aware of local under-development issues.

Not unlike Chapala, the 2021 mayoral race in Jocotepec involves a large field of candidates, with ten political persuasions represented this year.

Jocotepec’s traditional nine-day tribute to El Señor del Huaje will be pared down this year to comply with Covid-19 restrictions regarding large crowds at public events.