Why Is The Mayor Of Ensenada Linked To The Sinaloa Cartel?

"Sol Prendido" for Borderland Beat 

Armando Ayala spoke out against the accusations against him and announced that the corresponding complaints will be filed to clarify the facts.

Armando Ayala Robles, mayor of Ensenada, aspires to be a candidate for senator for Morena.

Through a video that circulated on social networks, an alleged member of the Sinaloa Cartel acknowledged that there are alleged links between the mayor of Ensenada in Baja California, Armando Ayala Robles, and said criminal organization.

In the audiovisual clip, four armed and hooded individuals are seen interrogating a shirtless man who remains kneeling and with his back turned. This individual identified himself as Alejandro Ozuna and said he was originally from the Las Cañas municipality, in the state of Durango.

For the last eight years, Alejandro resided in Ensenada, where he was recruited by a criminal operator named Carlos Adrián Casas Reyes, alias 'El Mercenario'. Although currently his direct boss is Leopoldo Lizárraga Ochoa, alias 'El Pantera'.

The interrogated man confessed to being in charge of collecting fees from businessmen and fishermen in the port, distributing drugs and extorting money. “These indications are directly from René Arzate García, alias 'La Rana',” Alejandro assured.

The subject questioned said he was a member of the Sinaloa Cartel

He added that he was also in charge of collecting fees from the owners of wineries in Valle de Guadalupe and San Antonio, by receiving money in “envelopes” sent by a mediator, whom he identified as 'El Poyo' Ayala, a supposed cousin of the current municipal president of Ensenada”, in reference to Armando Ayala.

“Is the municipal president aware of what they do within the corporation of the Sinaloa Cartel hitmen who operate in their Municipal Police units?” questioned one of the hooded men.

Given this, the alleged hitman of the Sinaloa Cartel responded affirmatively. “Yes, he has knowledge, but he tries to maintain links, never directly,” he said. “He has had meetings with bosses, since he intends to take political positions and tells us that he occupies economic support,” added the subject.

As for the armed men who carried out the interrogation, it is unknown to which criminal group they belong. Although it emerged that they are part of a cell of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), there are no elements to prove it.

The mayor of Ensenada denied the allegations that link him to the Sinaloa Cartel

Armando Ayala rejects accusations

Given the spread of the video on the morning of February 26, the mayor of Ensenada stressed to local media the importance of not sharing “false information” on social networks to avoid confusing the population.

He assured that the allegations made against him are not supported and cannot be verified either. Likewise, he attributed these accusations to dirty games during electoral times and to the actions that municipal authorities have deployed against criminal cells.

“We are aware that the actions taken in terms of security have disrupted the interests of criminal groups. However, we cannot remain silent in the face of false accusations,” said Ayala.

Regarding the measures that he will implement in this regard, the mayor announced that instructions have already been sent to the Legal Directorate to present the corresponding complaints. This is in order to identify the people involved in these events.

In addition to the above, Ayala reported that starting this Wednesday he will request leave from the Cabildo to leave his position as of March 1, in order to seek a senatorship with the National Regeneration Movement party (Morena).

Las Cañas, Durango

Ensenada, Baja California 

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