### Political Rift Over Security in Mexicali
**By Eduardo Villa**
**September 30, 2024**
The political mismanagement of a security crisis has culminated in a severe and seemingly irreparable rift between the executive power, led by Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda, and the municipal government of Mexicali, represented by Mayor Norma Alicia Bustamante Martínez. Both leaders have been engaged in a series of passive-aggressive and even belligerent exchanges over the past two weeks, focusing on security issues in the southern region of the Mexicali Valley.
The triangular area between the communities near Ciudad Guadalupe Victoria and Kilometer 57, at the border of the Mexicali Valley and the San Luis Río Colorado municipality in Sonora, is entirely controlled by a criminal group known as “Los Rusos,” led by Jesús Alexander Sánchez Félix. Despite not being the region with the highest crime rates in Baja California, its influence is significant.
A coordination problem escalated into a political conflict involving top government officials. The tension between the municipal police, led by Director Pedro Ariel Mendívil, and the State Secretary for Citizen Security, Leopoldo Tizoc Aguilar Durán, has been evident since early this year. Both sides have accused each other of being involved in organized crime, with state forces alleging that local police hinder their operations while local police accuse state forces of extortion and robbery.
On September 20, Mayor Bustamante stated that there used to be coordination with the state on security matters and criticized being kept out of the loop regarding operational dimensions. Governor Ávila responded aggressively, accusing the mayor of inconsistency and stressing the need for accurate and precise information.
Despite the governor’s claims of successful operations, including the arrest of suspects linked to high-profile disappearances, criminal activities have persisted, albeit at reduced levels, due to the focus of “Los Rusos” on their rivalry in Sinaloa. Recently, several armed robberies, the placement of threatening banners against Aguilar Durán, and the theft of ten vehicles from an impound lot have occurred, garnering attention and concern.
Amid the ongoing conflict, the region remains under the control of the State Police and the military, with no end to the intervention in sight. The governor has also sought federal assistance to investigate the situation in the Valley and the local police force.
### Secondary Article: Mexicali Security Concerns Intensify
**September 30, 2024**
As tensions between state and municipal governments flare up, additional reports have surfaced regarding the ongoing security challenges in Mexicali. The local police, subjected to rigorous control and confidence exams, have filed complaints of excessive measures, including allegations of torture and undue pressure during interrogations.
The mutual accusations between state and municipal forces mirror the larger political struggle, resulting in a breakdown of coordination despite numerous security meetings. High-profile incidents, such as the alleged police escort of a criminal convoy, have drawn federal attention and led to the establishment of a unified command in the southern part of the Mexicali Valley.
This escalating situation highlights the complex interplay of organized crime, political maneuvering, and the challenges of enforcing law and order in a region fraught with tension and distrust among its security forces.
Stay updated with TJGringo.com for more in-depth coverage and latest developments on this unfolding story.
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**Note**: This article has been adapted for TJGringo.com. For further reading and detailed updates, additional sources on the topic are available.