The attack on Mayor Montserrat Caballero's bodyguard this morning was part of a larger attempt against the mayor herself and her team. According to the mayor, she was supposed to be assaulted at a beauty salon she visits daily, but she changed her plans and did not arrive at the salon. She made these statements during a live Facebook broadcast.

However, the mayor's version differs from that of State Prosecutor Ricardo Iván Carpio. During the weekly conference with Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila, Carpio stated that the mayor was indeed on her way to the beauty salon, but the attack occurred before she arrived, causing her to change course.

"I still trust the Prosecutor. I opposed the return of the 'Pepos.' The governor asked us for our trust, trust in this failed security strategy. We can see it because a car containing four long guns intended for my entire entourage was intercepted. But we will give our vote of confidence. When you owe nothing, you fear nothing, and I owe nothing. However, I hold Prosecutor Iván Carpio responsible for whatever happens to me, my family, or my personnel," said Montserrat Caballero.

At the same time, Carpio was questioned about these statements and responded, "We believe it is an opinion that is not relevant. It is not appropriate to assign responsibility to others for the security that each person is responsible for."

He added, "Public security is her responsibility and the responsibility of the security agents she personally chose. As the head of such a Secretariat, which consists of over 2,000 personnel, it is a sufficient tool to ensure her own mobility."

Organized Attack

Following the attack, the Suburban vehicle with US license plates, in which at least four men were traveling, was found on a nearby street, on Seventh Street and Ocampo in the Downtown area.

Security cameras managed to capture one of the alleged assailants, who fled on foot wearing all black clothes and a cap.

Inside the vehicle, at least four long guns were found, including AR-15 and AK-47 rifles, commonly known as "cuernos de chivo" (goat's horns), as well as fluorescent green traffic vests and other tactical equipment.

Motives

Regarding the motive for the attack, it has not been confirmed or ruled out whether it is related to the arrests reported by the Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC) of Tijuana over the weekend.

"There was a seizure of 17 kilograms of fentanyl and 2.4 kilograms of methamphetamine from a person from Sinaloa," stated State Security Secretary Leopoldo Tizoc Aguilar. "We cannot say that this morning's attack is related to this seizure."

However, the mayor pointed out that the attack on her bodyguard is a message regarding the work carried out by the SSPC, stating, "We do not hesitate to confront organized crime as we have done in areas that are not our responsibility. We have the highest number of arrests in all of Tijuana, the largest weapons seizure as the Municipal Police."

It was also confirmed that the bodyguard, whose identity has not been disclosed, was previously assigned to the personal security of former Governor Jaime Bonilla and has been part of Mayor Caballero's security detail since November 2019 at her own request, expressing her trust in the agent.

Regarding the agent's health, it was reported by Prosecutor Carpio that the injuries were only minor, caused by the shattered glass from the shots. However, the mayor stated that it was a "graze from a bullet." In any case, the agent is out of danger.