**Burgueño Backtracks, Leyzaola Excluded from Security Role**
In Tijuana, a political promise has crumbled as Mayor Ismael Burgueño reneges on his campaign commitment involving lieutenant Julián Leyzaola Pérez. Although Leyzaola accompanied Burgueño’s mayoral campaign, aiming to secure votes with the promise of a position as Tijuana’s security secretary, the mayor has decided not to honor this agreement. Instead, as the city council prepares to vote on the successor to the position, Burgueño has proposed Juan Manuel Sánchez Rosales for the role.
Juan Manuel Sánchez Rosales, known for his long tenure with the Centro de Investigación y Seguridad Nacional (CISEN) from 1986 to 2018, is now favored by Burgueño. His connection to the infamous assassination of presidential candidate Luis Donaldo Colosio Murrieta in 1994, during his time at CISEN, has raised eyebrows, especially since one of his agents had been implicated due to a striking resemblance to a suspect at the crime scene.
This unexpected nomination has fueled speculation that the decision stems from a strategic move by Omar García Harfuch, the new national security secretary, who seeks to extend influence over regions with high crime rates. With the National Guard’s militarization, local police chief appointments have become a means to establish control. Rosales’ appointment allegedly aligns with García Harfuch’s recommendations, suggesting an external intervention in Tijuana’s security appointments.
Historically, Leyzaola has a controversial but prominent past as Tijuana’s security chief during the fierce turf war between the Arellano Félix and Sinaloa cartels. His tenure was marked by a joint effort with leading authorities like General Sergio Aponte Polito and then-governor José Guadalupe Osuna Millán to curb the violence. Despite his previous contributions, Leyzaola now faces exclusion from the new local security strategy orchestrated by federal oversight under García Harfuch, with support from Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo.
**Secondary Article: Rising Concerns Over Tijuana’s Leadership Choices**
The political landscape in Tijuana is fraught with tension following Mayor Ismael Burgueño’s recent political reversal. Julián Leyzaola, once a cornerstone of Tijuana’s campaign promises, finds himself sidelined as new figures take the spotlight. The appointment of Juan Manuel Sánchez Rosales, a former CISEN operative, has particularly captivated public attention due to his past associations during politically sensitive times.
Critics argue that Sánchez Rosales’ involvement in the appointment could be an effort to align with wider federal strategies implemented by Omar García Harfuch. This has sparked debate over whether such moves truly tackle local crime issues or simply serve broader political agendas. The exclusion of Leyzaola, with his controversial yet effective history in managing cartel violence, raises questions about Tijuana’s future security dynamics and local governance effectiveness.
As the community processes these developments, the shift in leadership also prompts a deeper examination of who holds real power over municipal security and how these decisions reflect broader national security reforms. Citizens and analysts alike are watching closely, anticipating the implications this reshuffling will have on Tijuana’s safety and political integrity.