Julián Leyzaola a hero or a villain? or both?

Excerpt taken from Gente de la Tia Juana
Posted and translated by El Wachito

The controversial Julian Leyzaola came to Tijuana when the city needed him the most. Kidnappings and extortion's occurred on a daily basis, even the taco stands, ice cream shops, and the guy with the crutches selling lottery tickets in la Zona Rio paid his tributes to the cartels.

There was a huge lack of morals and values from the drug traffickers, which in reality weren't drug traffickers, but only a group of abusers and unjust traffickers of drugs from those times.

"Tjuana was enduring its darkest days when Julián Leyzaola Pérez rose to prominence in 2008 and 2009 as a tough-minded police chief who taunted drug traffickers, chased down criminals, even arrested his own officers—winning both ardent followers and vehement critics."-Sandra Dibbler reporting for San Diego Union Tribune

Like its said in the drug trafficking world, drug traffickers are not supposed to mess with the people. Drug traffickers are supposed to allow the citizens to live in peace and tranquility, with no kidnappings and abuses. It was supposed to be the other way around, citizens should be empowered and supported, however in Tijuana, during that time period the practice was different.

The Lieutenant Colonel was a man with an extraordinary military career, from a military family, brave, and we cant deny that he has great talent. Did he violated the human rights of criminals? yes, certainly, but if it wasn't like that under the current governmental circumstances, then how was he going to accomplish the mission?

Julian Leyzaola(Right) as a captain in the desert dealing with an ingrown toenail.

How do you stop el Teo, Muletas? How to move out of the way  a 7-7 (Cousin of  El Gordo Villareal Heredia), Gordo Villareal, who dedicated themselves to kidnap and extort citizens? Not even a single businessman was able to live in peace and the majority of them decided to leave the country due to the insecurity that the city was going through. Insecurity that was supported by the administration of "El Inge", who tried to assume control over whatever was left of el CAF.

If it wasn't that way, how were we going to end with all the criminals who weren't even considered to be drug traffickers, but only a bunch of coward kidnappers? Even the police accepted the extortion and kidnapping of businessman, taco shop stands, junk-yards, even the guy selling tacos al vapor in La Sanchez Taboada "El Chan", paid his fees.

Julian Leyzaola was admire by many young man for always being out there chasing criminals in the streets. - El Wachito

People who make enough to make it through the day, and who with sacrifices support their families were living under terrible circumstances of insecurity and the insecurity could only be stopped with the strategy of the Lieutenant Colonel Julian Leyzaola. Of course, we cant deny that he abused innocent citizens because he did. He kicked the head of a dead man, but he will never admit that under any circumstances.

He allowed what in the militia is known as war chaos. He allowed this to happen because of his military formation. For me, an error that is still being used by his creation "El Bombero" Gomez Miguel. The question is, he is a man of honor, he is a man who speaks the truth and takes accountability for his actions, but why he keeps denying the torture and abuse of innocents?

Then, he is not 100% sincere, saying that he didn't torture is almost the same as saying that Salinas didn't steal from the country. He did it and there is people who are grateful that he did it (including myself). But he doesn't have the bravery to accept this, and that turns him into a liar and a coward just like any other politician who lies in order to avoid prison.

His strategy of torture was really simple back then because he detained drug addicts and confined them in a bunker for 24 hours with no drugs, then with the necessity of drugs and a good beating, they were left with no other option than to speak. Back then drug addicts were used by the cartel as hit-man. Nowadays is not like that.

The state government and the municipality are still paying the cops detained by the Lieutenant Colonel. Most of them acquitted of their crimes and cashing checks that have cost the citizens of Tijuana millions of pesos in taxes. The police of the Lieutenant Colonel abused so much of their impunity that the citizens woke up and now they stand for their rights.

Not because you are hooker your gonna let yourself get rape. We all have rights and people are now defending themselves. If the Lieutenant Colonel wins the next 3 years of the election, what would his strategy be? He will not solve the insecurity that we live in the streets. He is brave, and a protagonist but his own ego has brought him down.

In words of Vicente Fox, "You cannot fight drug trafficking, you must control it, just like the DEA does". If the Lieutenant Colonel wins the state elections I would like to know what his security strategy would be? Will he be the Mesias we need? The savior we need?


Julian Leyzaola is currently appealing the elections through the magisterial tribunal.-El Wachito