Mexico: Tijuana Mayor Montserrat Caballero Moves to Army Base Amids Safety Threats

By BERT HOOVER Jun 14 2023, 00:06 AM EDT

Montserrat Caballero, the mayor of Tijuana, a violent border city in northern Mexico, has moved into an army base for her safety due to receiving threats, said President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, per Reuters.

Tijuana, located just south of San Diego, California, has experienced high levels of violence as criminal organizations vie for control over drug trafficking routes to the United States.

"She's being protected since about two weeks ago," Lopez Obrador said during his regular press conference. "We reached an agreement to help protect her and will continue to do so."

Despite a decrease in murder rates last year, the current administration under Lopez Obrador is still projected to register a record number of murders during its six-year term.

Tijuana Mayor Montserrat Caballero, a member of AMLO's National Regeneration Movement (MORENA), revealed in a video shared on social media that she had been receiving additional threats.

These threats intensified after she seized 1,700 firearms from criminal groups and arrested 56 individuals. Caballero stated that the anger of these groups towards her actions was the cause of the increased threats.

Tijuana Mayor's Decision Highlights the Violence Brought by Armed Groups in Mexico

The decision to relocate Tijuana Mayor Montserrat Caballero to an army base highlights the grave dangers faced by individuals who take action or draw attention to the activities of armed groups in Mexico, particularly those involved in drug trafficking, Al Jazeera reported.

Concerns have arisen regarding potential links between some of these groups and state authorities, leading to fears that they may commit acts of violence with relative impunity.

Tijuana, which has the highest number of homicides among all Mexican cities, has experienced a nine percent increase in murder rates over the past 12 months. This rise can be partly attributed to conflicts between rival criminal organizations competing to control resources and influence in the border city.

Tijuana Mayor Montserrat Caballero addressed the situation in a video statement in 2022, expressing the city's commitment to the safety of its citizens.

She emphasized the importance of holding organized crime groups accountable. She urged them to resolve their disputes with those who owe them debts through lawful means rather than targeting innocent families and hardworking individuals.

Tijuana Mayor Montserrat Caballero Says Moving to Army Base Is a Sacrifice

Mayor Montserrat Caballero expressed her fears and concerns for her safety, acknowledging that her decision to move to the military barracks was a sacrifice. She emphasized her commitment to her city, her family, and her responsibilities as a public servant, Mexico News Daily reported.

The announcement came almost four weeks after a vehicle carrying one of Caballero's bodyguards was targeted in a shooting incident, resulting in minor injuries from shattered glass. The Baja California Attorney General's Office is currently investigating the incident.

While Caballero presented data showing a decline in certain crimes, such as business robberies and vehicle theft in Tijuana, the city still holds the unfortunate title of Mexico's murder capital. Drug cartels are attracted to gaining control over Tijuana due to its proximity to the United States.

According to federal Security Minister Rosa Icela Rodríguez, statistics presented at President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's press conference indicate that Tijuana witnessed over 1,800 homicides between June 2022 and May 2023.