UPDATE: Tijuana’s Mayor, Miguel Brugueno Ruiz, has just threatened legal action against news outlets reporting on a shocking money-laundering investigation involving him. This urgent development follows revelations linking the mayor to alleged connections with notorious organized crime figures from the Cartel Jalisco New Generation and the Sinaloa Cartel.
During a series of public events this week, Brugueno confirmed he received a notification from Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office regarding a hearing related to the ongoing investigation, which is being conducted by the organized crime division. Brugueno claims the investigation is politically motivated, triggered by an anonymous tip that he describes as a “stunt.”
The escalating situation began when local news outlets in Tijuana published court documents revealing that Brugueno is required to appear at the FEMDO headquarters on Tuesday, October 31, 2023. The investigation not only involves the mayor but also seeks to question other politicians and businessmen from the region.
Reports link Brugueno to Fernando Rafael Salgado Chavez and Marco Antonio Moreno Santelices, both identified as key figures with ties to the CJNG and the Sinaloa Cartel—both classified by the U.S. government as foreign terrorist organizations. Earlier this year, Salgado attempted to silence local media through a Virginia-based law firm, reflecting the lengths to which those linked to organized crime will go to protect their interests.
The timing of this scandal is particularly alarming, as it comes just months after Governor Marina del Pilar of Baja California and her husband, Carlos Torres Torres, publicly acknowledged that their tourist visas had been revoked by the U.S. Department of State. They claimed it was due to a clerical error, but many view it as part of a broader crackdown on Mexican politicians suspected of connections to organized crime.
This situation highlights a growing wave of scrutiny against public officials in Mexico as authorities intensify efforts to combat corruption and organized crime. As the investigation unfolds, all eyes are on Tijuana, where the implications of this scandal could reverberate throughout the political landscape.
As of now, the mayor’s threats against the media raise serious concerns about press freedom in Mexico. The public and the international community will be watching closely for further developments in this high-stakes situation.
Stay tuned for updates on this crucial story as it continues to develop.
