FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, February 16, 2021

CONTACT:
MayorPress@sandiego.gov

SAN DIEGO As part of his commitment to improving the lives of everyone in the San Diego-Tijuana megaregion, Mayor Todd Gloria met virtually today with Tijuanas new mayor, Karla Ruiz MacFarland. Both Mayors reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening binational ties between the two cities and furthering our megaregion.

Our relationship with Tijuana is about much more than trade or economics its about people. Our cities are inextricably linked and its more important than ever for the leadership of our two cities to work together during these times, said Mayor Todd Gloria. I look forward to working with Mayor Ruiz MacFarland to ensure the health, safety, and sustainability of our megaregion and stand united on issues of immigration, commerce and cross-border pollution.

Ruiz MacFarland, who briefly held the mayoral seat last fall, officially assumed office last Friday following the resignation of former Mayor Arturo González Cruz. This meeting comes with great significance, as both Mayor Gloria and Mayor Ruiz MacFarland represent firstshe the first person of color and LGBT elected mayor of San Diego and Mayor Ruiz MacFarland as the first woman elected mayor in the city of Tijuana.

"We will work together to support our communities on both sides of the border to strengthen the economic and social bond in the region,"added Mayor Ruiz MacFarland.

With COVID-19 adversely affecting residents and businesses in both San Diego and Tijuana, the Mayors pledged to continue promoting safety and social distancing will to ensure that both cities are doing what they can to eliminate the spread of COVID-19 until vaccines become more widely available. Mayor Gloria and Mayor Ruiz MacFarland plan to continue to advocate in both nations capitols together when it is safe to do so.

Todays meeting was requested by Mayor Gloria in an effort to establish a positive, productive relationship with Mayor Ruiz MacFarland. Mayor Gloria met with former Mayor Arturo González Cruz within his first two weeks in office.

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