**Pablo Lemus visited Downey earlier this week and met with business owners and elected officials. (Photo by Alex Dominguez)**

DOWNEY – The city of Downey was paid a visit Tuesday by Pablo Lemus, former mayor of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico and pre-candidate for the Movimiento Ciudadano party for governor.

During his visit, Lemus met with business owners and city council members. He was also meant to be honored at Tuesday’s city council meeting, however, due to a scheduling conflict will return at a later date.

Downey and Guadalajara have been affiliated under the Sister Cities program since 1960. Downey was the first city to establish a sister city relationship with a community in Mexico.

Mayor Mario Trujillo said it was “a special visit for us.”

“We are the first sister-cities ever, and for him to take time from his busy schedule really says a lot about the fact that he knows who we are, and values us enough to take time to come here and say hello to us,” said Trujillo.

In a post on Instagram, Lemus said that his California trip was “full of learning.”

“Since 1960, work with our Jaliscian capital is constant, it’s up to us because in 2022 we tackle public policies in the field of security and civil protection,” Lemus wrote. “The bonds with this beautiful California town are stronger than ever, and I can assure you that our brotherhood will last for many years.”

Trujillo described the relationship between Downey and its sister cities as “a plus.”

“It’s important for us to maintain those relationships, again, because it talks about what an accepting, diverse community Downey is, and that we treasure these relationships that we’ve formed since 1960 with our different sister cities.”

Former mayor of Guadalajara, Mexico visits Downey