### Governor Responds to Mexicali Mayor: “She Knew” About the Operation in the Southern Valley
**By Eduardo Villa, September 24, 2024**
Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda has publicly rebuked her fellow party member and Mayor of Mexicali, Norma Alicia Bustamante Martínez, who recently stated that coordination on security matters with the state had ceased. This statement follows a political conflict arising from the state taking control of security in the Valle de Mexicali from the Municipal Police, leading to the temporary removal of over 160 municipal officers in the southern zone.
These officers were sent for control and confidence evaluations, with preventative duties being taken over by the State Citizen Security Force (FESC). When questioned about this operation, Ávila Olmeda stated that Mayor Bustamante was aware of the planned operation and had even attended a press conference to support the measure. The governor emphasized that Bustamante’s claims of being uninformed were unfounded, stressing the importance of being well-advised when making governmental decisions.
Ávila Olmeda highlighted that, since the operation, there have been no violent incidents or homicides in the southern part of Valle de Mexicali, which she considers a positive outcome. While Bustamante initially claimed there was coordination, she later conceded that future public events would demonstrate her continued good relationship with the state governor.
The results of the evaluations conducted on Municipal Police personnel are expected in the coming weeks, but regardless of these outcomes, changes in regional leadership are anticipated.
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For more updates and detailed reports, visit TJGringo.com.