In a shocking turn of events, seasoned news anchor Gustavo Macalpin was dismissed live on air on October 7, 2024, after openly criticising a recent political appointment. The incident occurred in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico.
Macalpin had been a part of Channel 66 for seven years, hosting the program “Ciudadano 2.0,” which is renowned for its insightful political commentary. During the broadcast, Macalpin raised questions about the appointment of Carlos Torres, husband of Baja California Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda, to the role of Tijuana’s special projects coordinator. He expressed concerns about potential conflicts of interest due to Torres’ close political affiliations.
Shortly after his comments, Macalpin received a text message hinting towards his impending dismissal. Channel 66 owner and general manager Luis Arnoldo Cabada then made a rare appearance on set, indicating the seriousness of the situation. Cabada thanked Macalpin for his service over the years before announcing his termination, stating, “I came to thank you for your last six years of work,” Cabada added, “but this is your last day.”
The abrupt termination of Macalpin has led to speculations about the relationship between Channel 66 and the Governor’s office. Macalpin later suggested on TikTok that his dismissal was likely a result of his continued political critique. However, he clarified that it was a decision the station owner had contemplated for a long time and didn’t solely arise from his criticism of Torres.
Francisco Javier Garcia, News Director of Channel 66, revealed that due to recent disagreements between Macalpin and Cabada, the decision to let go of the anchor was made. Cabada later appeared on Garcia’s news show to apologize for the manner in which the dismissal was executed. He also stated on social media that while Macalpin is an excellent individual, he didn’t quite gel with the Channel 66 team.
Many viewers took to social media to express their disapproval towards Cabada and held Governor Ávila accountable for Macalpin’s termination. In response, Governor Ávila conveyed her warm wishes to Macalpin, whom she considers a friend, and denied any involvement in his dismissal.
The governor also expressed surprise at the sudden firing and reiterated her commitment to uphold freedom of speech. She stated on Facebook that she respects everyone’s right to voice their opinions.
On Wednesday morning, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her disapproval of Macalpin’s dismissal in a press conference and called for his return to the show if it was due to his criticism of the governor or anyone else. The Mexicali Network of Journalists has yet to comment on the incident.
