The attempted assassination of former Tijuana mayor Montserrat Caballero Ramírez marked the visible beginning of a series of attacks against Morena-led governments on this border, which now extend to the State Attorney General’s Office (FGE).
On the morning of Wednesday, May 17, 2023, armed men shot the driver of an armored pickup truck. The attackers believed the mayor was traveling there; however, it was only a bodyguard. That same morning, Caballero Ramírez decided to change routes at the last minute.
One of the bullets grazed the armored window, causing the bodyguard to sustain minor injuries.
According to FGE investigations, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) was behind the attack, an incident that the former mayor attributed to the work of the Municipal Police, which included confiscated firearms and the arrest of suspected murderers.
Caballero Ramírez stated that she would not be intimidated and reaffirmed her commitment to combating organized crime in Tijuana.
On June 12, 2023, at the suggestion of the National Guard, Montserrat Caballero changed her residence. She moved to the 28th Infantry Battalion barracks as a protective measure and, since then, has been traveling in an armored vehicle escorted by at least five National Guard units.
The Burning of Businesses
In the early hours of Monday, February 20, 2024, Tijuana firefighters simultaneously responded to fires at three smoke shops, establishments that sell vapes or electronic cigarettes.
It was reported that unknown individuals threw Molotov cocktails to ignite the fires. One of these establishments was located in the Paseo del Río Plaza, another on the main avenue of the Ampliación Guaycura neighborhood, and another, approximately 15 kilometers away, in the Independencia neighborhood. Two businesses suffered damage to their facades, and one was completely burned. In addition, a fourth establishment on Ermita Avenue was the target of an armed attack.
The Federal Attorney General’s Office (FGE) reported that, through his lawyer, a U.S. citizen who owns three of these businesses stated that he did not want to press charges and did not know the reasons for the fires.
During the investigation, the hypothesis arose that the attacks could be related to extortion or the so-called “floor charges.”
On Friday, March 29 of that year, another incident was reported: the Dolarín currency exchange office, located on Federico Benítez Boulevard, was set on fire. Cameras captured the attacker, and the owners reported that days earlier they had been left a note with a phone number to call to pay a monthly fee.
The FGE arrested at least four people linked to these attacks. It was discovered that the gang had a list of businesses they intended to extort and that they seized plastic and glass bottles filled with gasoline from one home to use as incendiary devices.
Direct Attacks on the FGE
In 2025, the acts of violence escalated to directly attack the Attorney General’s Office.
On the night of Friday, September 19, armed men entered the FGE facilities in Ensenada, beat the security guard, set fire to three patrol cars and parked vehicles, and fired shots at government vehicles.
A similar attack occurred in Tijuana in the early hours of October 21: Molotov cocktails were thrown at official vehicles inside the Vehicle Theft Unit and the Anti-Kidnapping Unit in Playas de Tijuana. In that incident, an armored RINO vehicle was completely destroyed. There were no casualties, as there were no personnel present at the time.
A ministerial agent indicated that the attackers likely used drones for surveillance, allowing them to act knowing there would be no resistance.
The head of the FGE in Baja California, María Elena Andrade Ramírez, attributed these attacks to organized crime in retaliation for the arrest of leaders of criminal organizations.
These arrests occurred in Tijuana, Playas de Rosarito, and Ensenada, with operations involving the Anti-Kidnapping and Homicide Unit. Among those captured are Edgar “N” alias El Speed, arrested on August 4, 2025 for aggravated kidnapping, and Felipe “N” alias El Perro Negro or Pantera, arrested on September 13 for forced disappearance linked to two members of the National Guard.
Execution of the FGE Command
Before 7:00 a.m. on Friday, October 10, the murder of a man was reported in the Buenos Aires Norte neighborhood. Authorities identified him as Agent Humberto Antonio Martínez Corrales, deputy commander of the FGE in Playas de Rosarito, who had held that position for just two weeks. He was attacked from behind with long weapons. No arrests have been made to date.
At his funeral on October 14, Prosecutor Andrade Ramírez insisted that his death was a consequence of the recent arrests of criminals and reiterated that neither the institution nor she had any obligations to anyone.
On the afternoon of Thursday, October 15, gunshots were heard again at the offices of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit in Playas de Tijuana. Shots were reported, and there was speculation that three grenades had been thrown into the parking lot. The smell of gunpowder was intense.
Some witnesses reported that drones flew over the area and that the attackers launched explosives containing nails, pieces of metal, pellets, and even marbles laced with gunpowder.
Camera footage shows the devices were launched from several kilometers away, detonating upon contact with the pavement.
This type of attack—using drones and homemade explosives—has been compared by authorities to tactics used in states such as Jalisco and Michoacán.
The U.S. Consulate General in Tijuana issued an alert to its citizens to avoid the Playas de Tijuana area, where the attacked offices are located.
So far, no criminal group has claimed responsibility for the attack, which authorities insist on attributing to retaliation for the arrests of criminal leaders. Andrade Ramírez reiterates that the FGE has no commitment to anyone and that they will advance “to the top” against those who challenge the institution.
Sources: Milenio, Cartel Insider
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