Targeted Tijuana mayor goes underground after seven dead bodies found, cartel suspected

Two males who were operating the automobile were apprehended. Law enforcement discovered six corpses in the pickup bed with a seventh one enclosed in a blue cover.

In order to eliminate any traces, the pair of individuals were planning to ignite both the automobile and corpses, implying that the truck might have contained a container of flammable fuel as well.

Mayor Tijuana, Montserrat Caballero, stated that an investigation will be conducted to determine if the suspects were part of a criminal organization, specifically referring to the region’s dangerous cartels. The responding officers received assistance from both national and state guard officers.

Tijuana Mayor Montserrat Caballero said she's relocated to an army base following death threats.
Tijuana Mayor Montserrat Caballero said she’s relocated to an army base following death threats.
FOX5
Police chased down a white Ford F-150 in Tijuana on Monday to find seven bodies in the vehicle.
Police chased down a white Ford F-150 in Tijuana on Monday to find seven bodies in the vehicle.
KSWB-TV San Diego

Caballero revealed that she had received several threats against her life due to her commitment to cracking down on violence and murder related to the cartel.

Caballero stated, acknowledging that she will remain at the military facility to ensure her personal safety, at least in the short term, “Considering our achievements in seizing firearms and apprehending individuals, I have encountered menacing messages; nevertheless, we will persist in assisting our community and fulfilling our duties.”

She had an event to attend but was running late. Fortunately, she avoided an injury as one of her bodyguards shot at the high-alert Caballero.

Six bodies were found in the back and a seventh was wrapped in a blanket inside the truck.
Six bodies were found in the back and a seventh was wrapped in a blanket inside the truck.
FOX5
Police arrested two suspects inside the car and are investigating if the cartel were involved.
Police arrested two suspects inside the car and are investigating if the cartel was involved.
FOX5

As stated by the Public Safety Department of the country, Tijuana faces the most elevated levels of homicide in the entirety of Mexico, with 1,818 killings documented during the previous year and murder rates increasing by 9%.

Caballero directed her attention towards the existence of the drug cartel in the urban area the previous year, when criminal groups set fire to approximately 15 automobiles across Tijuana.

During a town hall meeting, Mayor Conrado Mendoza of San Miguel Totolapan, along with his father and 16 additional individuals, were fatally shot. It is not uncommon for threats to be directed towards the mayor in the southern region beyond the border. This incident took place in 2022.