Group Seeks To Make Baja California Peninsula An Independent Nation After Approval Of Fiscal Reform In Mexico

Amid protests against fiscal reform proposed by Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, a separatist group has appeared in social networks promoting the separation of Baja California from the rest of the Republic. 

Created last Monday, October 14, website "República de Baja California" currently has 85 thousand followers and proposes the creation of an autonomous republic.

The controversial fiscal reform presented by the Mexican President, which was generally approved last Wednesday, October 17, implements a 16 percent VAT in border states, which has caused generalized anger among residents of Baja California. The 16 percent VAT has been standard in the rest of the country for some years.

Although for many the separatist website is a joke, it has garnered the attention of specialists and the Mexican media, since its promoters have created a flag, a coin and a political capital for the new autonomous republic.

According to information published by Mexican newspaper El Universal, the one peso coins of the new country would be minted with the face of Ricardo Flores Magón, while five pesos coins would carry the image of Eusebio Francisco Kino ("Padre Kino").

The flag designed by Bajacalifornian "separatists" shows a bighorn sheep, an animal native in the northern region of Mexico, as well as red and orange stripes on both sides and a white stripe along the middle.

Fiscal Reform Passes In Mexico

The Chamber of Deputies in Mexico approved the Fiscal Miscellaneous Resolution for 2014 presented by the Federal government. The measure ratifies the proposal to raise VAT in border regions from 11 to 16 percent as it is in the rest of the country, reported this morning newspaper El Informador.

Among modifications foreseen in the measure are the creation of a special 5 percent tax to "junk food", the application of a tax of one peso per liter to sugary drinks, and tax of 16 percent to the sale of pets and animal food.

The proposals to tax scholarships, the sale and resale of houses and interest on mortgages were removed from the approved reform on Wednesday.