Tijuana’s incoming mayor, Carlos Bustamante, has ended weeks of speculation about the future of Tijuana’s police. Bustamante, has appointed a new police chief, an ex-military man, Gustavo Huerta.
Huerta had been second in command for the last two years under a controversial crusader, Julian Leyzaola.
Ex-chief Leyzaola’s crackdown on drug gangs and corruption brought him praise from U.S. and Mexican authorities but also allegations of torture from his own officers and a handful of civilians.
The appointment of Huerta as the new chief signals continuity. Though, Tijuana’s new mayor says he also wants more focus on common crime in addition to drug crimes.
Baja California’s governor has said he’ll offer Leyzoala a job, despite the human rights abuse allegations.