In a troubling display of cartel violence, Julián Leyzaola Pérez, the newly appointed Director of Public Security in Mexicali, found himself under immediate threat after just a few days in office. On the early morning of March 21, 2025, two 'narcomantas'—messages typically used by drug gangs to convey threats—were discovered throughout the city, signaling the intent of the criminal group known as 'Los Rusos.'
The first of these menacing messages was found around 5:00 AM at a road intersection where witnesses reported a white pickup truck dropping off a body showing signs of gunshot wounds. Accompanying the corpse was a banner that not only threatened Leyzaola but also implied a fierce ownership of the area, stating, "Mexicali already has an owner; here we are going to kill you." The very existence of such a threat underscores the ominous power the drug cartels hold in the city.
Minutes following the initial discovery, a second 'narcomanta' appeared on a bridge at the intersection of the San Felipe highway and Héctor Terán Terán Boulevard, reinforcing the dire warning to Leyzaola. These incidents unfolded shortly after a kidnapping in the Santa Mónica neighborhood on Thursday afternoon, March 20, 2025, adding another layer of violence to the already tense atmosphere in Mexicali.
The messages, allegedly signed by members of 'Los Rusos,' which is a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel led by Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, emphasize a glaring shift of power dynamics within the criminal framework of the area. Notably, Leyzaola has a storied history in law enforcement that includes a stint as the Tijuana Police Chief and enduring various assassination attempts during his career.
At around 3:00 AM the same day, a murdered man in his sixties was also found at the third level of a vehicular bridge between Lázaro Cárdenas and López Mateos. This victim, displaying multiple wounds and indicating signs of violence right down to the bloodstains on his clothing, further exemplifies the extreme risks faced by law enforcement in this region.
Next to the corpse lay the brutal message directed at Leyzaola, which shockingly read, "Welcome to the capital Leyzaola here. You are going to peel it. We are not going to let your eggs be made, pure va. Mexicali has an owner, here we are going to kill you po. We do not forgive so get v***a. Sincerely. El Ruso, Poncho de la Lima and Palomo." This explicit phrasing makes it clear that these criminals are formidable adversaries.
As a retired military officer, Leyzaola has previously directed police operations in some of Mexico's most dangerous locales, including Ciudad Juárez, where he was also attacked by hitmen. His appointment as the head of Public Security of Mexicali was completed just days before these threats emerged on March 18, 2025, despite significant opposition due to his controversial history and past allegations of torture.
As he takes on his responsibilities, the challenges are immense, not only confronting drug-related crime but also the legacies of violence that characterize law enforcement in Mexico. Leyzaola has faced both accolades and criticism during his career, with some attributing his background as a significant reason for his potential effectiveness while others voice concerns over his past conduct.
Despite the challenges ahead, Leyzaola's appointment raises questions about safety in communities closely watching the public key to enforcement in the face of orchestrated crime waves. The intensity of the threats will likely necessitate a swift and strategic response from both police forces and local government to address not just the immediate threats but instil confidence within the community they serve.
This incident further illustrates the violent stakes involved in the ongoing struggle between the state and organized crime in Mexico, where law enforcement officials continuously navigate the dangerous waters of threats, retaliation, and struggle for control. The potential for violence seems to loom larger each day for Leyzaola and the entire public safety apparatus in Mexicali, making this a pivotal moment for the future of public security in the region.
As Mexicali grapples with these unsettling developments, the urgent need for effective governance and robust security measures has never been clearer. Policymakers and law enforcement alike are now faced with the task of ensuring both stability and accountability in a city where the specter of violent crime is an everyday reality, further complicating the struggle for a safe environment.
