Senator Miguel Ángel Riquelme Seeks Leave to Become Interim Mayor of Torreón

Senator Miguel Ángel Riquelme has formally requested a leave of absence from his Senate seat, effective immediately. This move paves the way for his designation as the interim mayor of Torreón, Coahuila.

The interim mayoral position became vacant following the tragic passing of the incumbent mayor, Román Alberto Cepeda González, on June 5. Riquelme's appointment is expected to be confirmed during a session of the Permanent Commission this Wednesday. His substitute, Gabriel Elizondo Pérez, currently heads the state's social development program, Mejora Coahuila.

This is not Riquelme's first foray into Torreón's municipal leadership; he previously served as the city's mayor from 2014 to 2016. He then went on to serve as the governor of Coahuila from 2017 to 2023. His current appointment, proposed by the incumbent governor Manolo Jiménez, aims to complete the remaining year and a half of the late mayor's term.

The transition marks a significant political move for Riquelme, returning him to a mayoral role after his gubernatorial tenure. The state congress will need to approve the appointment for him to officially assume the interim mayoral duties.