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Activists and citizens advocating for human rights and government transparency have filed an appeal for review with the Puerto Vallarta Municipal Council, challenging its handling of the proposed Paco Ruiz Vallarta Human Rights Award.
Councilor Melissa Madero introduced the proposed legislation before the council on March 14, 2025. But that was met by opposition from councilors Marcia Bañuelos and Arnulfo Ortega, who proposed other names.
Councillors who did not support the proposal – despite signing a pledge to support it in May 2024 while running for office, include: Marcia Bañuelos de Aguilar, Don Chonito Arnulfo Ortega, Erika Garcia, Magda Urbina, Laurel Carrillo Ventura, Karla Rodriguez, Francisco Sanchez. Councilman Christian Bravo Carbajal abstained.
Mayor Luis Munguía – who voted in favor of the initiative – proposed to return it to committee for study, being approved by 9 votes in favor, two against and five abstentions.
The Puerto Vallarta Award was started in 2012 as a way to give public recognition of exemplary conduct or career that benefits the municipality or its residents. Categories include culture, social assistance, arts, tourism, environment, athletics and economic development. Local LGBTQ+ advocates have been seeking to add a tenth category that was for human rights. Each award is named after an individual who excelled in that particular category.
The appeal, submitted by representatives of the Vallarta Diversity Network and other supporters, argues that the council violated Article 57 of the Puerto Vallarta Municipal Government Regulations when it returned the decision on the award to committees without a full council vote.
The petitioners are calling for the council’s action to be declared null and void and for the award decision to be resubmitted to the full City Council for a vote in accordance with municipal law. They also requested the suspension of the contested decision and urged the implementation of measures to ensure greater transparency in future deliberations.
“This appeal is a crucial step in defending the rule of law and combating institutional discrimination in Puerto Vallarta,” the signatories stated.
Under municipal regulations, the City Council must issue a resolution on the appeal within 10 business days.
The Vallarta Diversity Network said it will continue to monitor the case and urged the public and media to remain vigilant, emphasizing that the dispute underscores concerns about legality in City Council decisions and the broader implications of discrimination in recognizing human rights efforts.
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