Sparks Fly at Puerto Verde Global Trade Bridge Chairman Ruben Garibay’s Press Conference
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2024
At an invitation-only press conference sponsored by Puerto Verde Global Trade Bridge Chairman Ruben Garibay held on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. at the Maverick County Courthouse steps in Eagle Pass, Texas, sparks flew during the press conference as Puerto Verde Global Trade Bridge Chairman Garibay was inviting the community to a Town Hall Meeting on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 6 p.m. at the Eagle Pass International Center for Trade in Eagle Pass when former Maverick County Judge and community activist, Enriqueta “Queta” Diaz, intervened and advised Garibay that the people of Maverick County oppose the project and are going to fight it.
Garibay became alarmed but remained composed during Diaz’s public comments at the front steps of the Maverick County courthouse as Diaz proceeded to tell him that he was a “sell-out” ( “ Un Vendido”) and a “liar and corrupt” (“Un Mentiroso y Corrupto”) and that he had planned the project with Maverick County Judge Ramsey English Cantu while Cantu was Mayor of the City of Eagle Pass and Garibay had financed Cantu’s campaign for County Judge. Some people attending the press conference were surprised at Diaz’s public comments and exercise of her first amendment rights of freedom of speech, but others present were not surprised as Diaz’s reputation is that she is a fierce advocate for the community and passionate about the issues she believes in.
Diaz currently is in litigation in federal court against Maverick County Judge Ramsey English Cantu and County Commissioners Roberto Ruiz, Olga M. Ramos, and Rossana Rios for violating her civil rights and wrongful arrest stemming from a different incident than the bridge.
Garibay presented both in English and Spanish to the invited-only select press. The Eagle Pass Business Journal did not receive an official formal invitation to the select press conference by Garibay or Puerto Verde Holdings, LLC despite being a leading newspaper in the community for over 30 years. Select news media from Eagle Pass, Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico, and other Mexican news media, including from Monclova, Coahuila, were invited and attended the press conference.
Garibay extended an invitation to the public to attend a town hall meeting sponsored by Puerto Verde and to bring all questions they have and he and his people will answer the questions. Garibay stated they will have maps, charts, and graphs on display at the town hall meeting. He also noted that the company is paying for a free dinner catered by The Wagon Wheel Bar-B-Que of Eagle Pass, Texas at the town hall meeting on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 6 p.m. at the Eagle Pass International Center for Trade.
Some local citizens noted that Garibay’s invitation to a town hall meeting regarding his company’s Puerto Verde Global Trade Bridge, including the Green Eagle Railroad Line and Bridge project, is a little too late. Garibay stated that the National Security Council has recommended approval of the United States Presidential Permit on April 5, 2024 and is now at the White House awaiting a decision by President Biden.
Time is of the essence as a new law passed by Congress has fast-tracked the Presidential Permits to four international bridge projects between Texas and Mexico, including both the Puerto Verde Global Trade Bridge and the Green Eagle Railroad Line and Bridge in Eagle Pass, Texas by Garibay’s Puerto Verde Holdings, LLC under the lead sponsorship of Maverick County, Texas. President Biden has until June 5, 2024 or thereabouts to either approve, deny or not take any action. However, under the new law, if President Biden does not take any action, the Presidential Permit is nonetheless issued.
Maverick County citizens are organizing to oppose both of Garibay’s projects in Eagle Pass, Texas due to the potential catastrophic environmental impact these two international projects may cause to the community and its citizens, including the potential pollution of its water, air, noise, transportation, wildlife, Native American archaeological sites, historic cemeteries, and location being in densely populated areas of Seco Mines and Hopedale.
