Lieutenant Colonel Julián Leyzaola Pérez was sworn in as the new Secretary of Public Security in Mexicali. Leyzaola, who previously served in the same capacity in Tijuana, succeeds Luis Felipe Chan Baltazar.
Mayor Norma Bustamante nominated Leyzaola for the role, and the City Council confirmed his appointment in a pivotal session on Tuesday morning. The vote was split, with 10 votes in favor and 6 against, mostly from the opposition.
Having stepped down from his post, Chan Baltazar will remain involved with the Public Security Secretariat, though details about his new assignment have not been revealed. In the meantime, Lieutenant Colonel Leyzaola is focused on reducing crime in Mexicali, Baja California.
The retired officer emphasized that his goal is not to escalate conflict or resort to violence but to ensure that police officers are not involved in organized crime, stressing the importance of cleaning up the department. He also mentioned that it will be rare to find him in an office, as he prefers to work in the field, overseeing police operations directly.
Governor Held Talks with Leyzaola Ahead of His Appointment
State Governor Marina del Pilar had previously met with Leyzaola to discuss strategies aimed at enhancing safety across the region.
Among the topics covered were new approaches to combating organized crime, with an emphasis on strengthening coordination between various security agencies. Following this meeting, rumors began circulating about a potential role for Leyzaola, which ultimately led to his appointment in Mexicali.
Who Is Lieutenant Colonel Leyzaola?
Born in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Leyzaola is a retired military officer renowned for his efforts to improve security in Tijuana, Baja California. He served as the head of the Public Security Secretariat, where his approach—which involved replacing police leadership with military commanders—resulted in a 70% reduction in the city’s crime rate.
He applied the same strategy in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, where his efforts helped decrease crime by nearly 85%, particularly in the fight against drug trafficking.
