Sister City Trip to Guanajuato

The City of Guanajuato invited the City of Salinas to renew their Sister City Agreement in person during Guanajuato’s annual Día de los Muertos festival. Mayor Dennis Donohue led a delegation that included Assistant City Manager Lisa Murphy; Assistant to the City Manager, Jose Arreola; Salinas Chamber of Commerce CEO, Colleen Bailey; Urban Arts Collective Founder and Director, Juan Carlos Gonzalez; and Rancho Cielo Director of Development, Elizabeth Jimenez. 

The purpose of the renewed agreement is to strengthen the sister city relationship and promote mutual understanding and cooperation between the two cities. The agreement encourages collaboration across arts and culture, efficient governance, and economic development through the exchange of experiences, knowledge, and joint initiatives. 

On the morning of Saturday, November 1, Mayor Dennis Donohue of Salinas and Mayor (Presidenta Municipal) Samantha Smith Gutiérrez of Guanajuato signed the Sister City Agreement at the Presidencia Municipal de Guanajuato, the city’s historic City Hall. The special ceremony was attended by members of the Guanajuato City Council, local staff, and the visiting Salinas delegation, reaffirming the enduring friendship between the two cities. 

Background:  

Salinas is a proud member of Sister Cities International, an association created by President Eisenhower in 1956 with the mission to “promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, & cooperation - one individual, one community at a time.” The Sister Cities’ association enables communities to “creatively learn, work, and solve problems through cultural, educational, municipal, business, professional, and technical exchanges and projects.”  

Our current sister cities are: 

• Cebu, Philippines  

• Ichikikushikino, Japan  

• Jerecuaro, Mexico  

• Guanajuato, Mexico  

• Drogheda, Ireland  

• Soke, Turkey  

• Seogwipo City, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, Republic of Korea  

The City of Salinas recognizes the value in fostering relationships with cities throughout the world in order to promote peace and prosperity in a global society.