### 34 Officials Accused of Extortion; Only One Dismissed
Agents from the Verification and Inspection department in Tijuana have come under fire as they are accused of fabricating fines or reviving old fines to extort local business owners, especially targeting restaurant and bar owners with penalties ranging from 30,000 to 50,000 pesos. Over the three-year tenure of Mayor Montserrat Caballero, 34 such inspectors have been reported for extortion. However, 33 of these cases remain unresolved, with only one official dismissed, owing to the slow and complex nature of the investigation process, according to the Municipal Ombudsman’s office.
Rafael Leyva, the Syndic of the 24th Council of Tijuana, explained that: “We have a couple of extortion complaints specifically. The Inspection and Verification department has always had some stigma. In every administration, such allegations are reviewed continuously. There is a direct link to the Ombudsman for authority abuse and extortion. Currently, there are 34 complaints out of a total of 3,400 over three years.”
Zaida Luz López, President of the National Chamber of the Restaurant and Seasoned Food Industry (Canirac) in Tijuana, acknowledged the existence of the problem, stating that some officials might be trying to collect money unofficially as the administration’s term winds down. Affiliates are encouraged to report these instances immediately to the Chamber for further action.
Similarly, Julián Palombo, President of the National Chamber of Commerce (Canaco) in Tijuana, affirmed the recurrence of the issue and shared his personal experiences with old fines resurfacing during different administrative periods. Palombo noted that officials often come with unnumbered official documents, pushing businesses to resolve fines unlawfully.
The Ombudsman and the affected business owners revealed that out of the 34 complaints filed against inspectors, only three were made in 2024, with 33 still unresolved. The Ombudsman has processed over 3,500 complaints against public servants overall, with around 1,500 cases resolved.
For safety, officials recommend always verifying the identity of public servants through their badges and scanning the QR codes. Any suspicious activities should be reported to (664) 973-72-73 in Tijuana.
### Additional News: Local Reactions to the Extortion Scandal
Aside from the primary extortion cases, the local business community continues to express concerns over ongoing corruption issues. Several business owners have noted a lack of proper oversight and response from the authorities, leading to heightened frustration across the city.
#### Extortion Allegations Spread Beyond Tijuana
In August 2024, reports emerged that the State Commission of Public Services of Tijuana (CESPT) was issuing fines to businesses based on errors. Business owners criticized the CESPT for these mistakes, leading to concerns over the lack of accountability and transparency in various branches of local governance.
#### Fishermen Alarmed by Prohibitions
In another event, fishermen expressed alarm over new prohibitions on the Island Espíritu Santo, disrupting local fishing activities. This has led to increased tension between regulatory bodies and local businesses, further complicating an already strained relationship.
#### Infrastructure Planning Issues
In La Paz, merchants have faced significant challenges due to poor planning in public works, significantly affecting their operations. Business owners have called on the local government to improve project management and consider the impacts on local commerce.
#### Ongoing Corruption Investigations
In July 2024, Mayor Montserrat Caballero announced investigations into corruption within her administration. Efforts to root out corrupt practices were emphasized, but business owners remain skeptical, calling for more decisive action and quicker resolutions to their complaints.
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