As of March 16, 2013, Alejandro Gonzalez Guilbot began his duties as the new administrator of the Customs Office in Tijuana. This was one of the first moves of the Mexican President, Enrique Peña Nieto, in order to improve the functions of this agency, being that Tijuana is one of the most important customs operations in Mexico. Previously, Gonzalez had served as the Regional Assessment Administrator for the Tax Administration Service.

Soon after being named as the new administrator of the Customs Office in Tijuana, a story caught the attention of national media, where in a newspaper article, Alejandro Gonzalez was said to have properties and luxurious cars in the state of Texas.

"I have nothing to hide, I come from a family of successful entrepreneurs and I am innocent of what I'm being accused of," said Gonzalez to the reporter Juan Guizar.

Although Gonzalez admitted that he was being investigated by the Ministry of Public Service, he has also maintained that he has always been respectful throughout the process.

"From the beginning I have made myself available to that agency for whatever they have needed from me, and I have to wait- in a respectful manner-the outcome of that investigation. I have never committed a dishonest act. I have a history of being from a family of businessmen, where my father founded a very successful company over 50 years ago," said Gonzalez.

Throughout Gonzalez's career, he has served in various positions in the Ministry of Tax Administration (SAT), and it precisely because of his work ethic and discipline, it has led him to denounce acts of malpractice and corruption, which is why his career has been on the rise.

With his arrival to the Customs Office in Tijuana, many things have changed, and highlight's the support that he has received from various organizations that have never worked in coordination with them like they are currently doing so now. This new and young Customs administration is enjoying these new and unique opportunities with businesses, carriers, local and state governments and even the U.S. government.

Gonzalez said that since he arrived at the customs office at this border city, he has dedicated himself to comply with laws regarding customs and new strategies that allow for a smooth operation.

"Out of six modules, we have opened two more that are in operations for certified companies. These two modules were donated by the U.S. government in order to further reduced the wait time, and being able to speed up the process for the export corridor with approximately 600 trucks more going through per day."

Throughout the investigation against Alejandro Gonzalez Guilbot, he has had the support of Alejandro Monraz and Jorge Astiazaran, who both noted that before making any judgments about the official, everyone should first wait of the outcome of the investigation that is being carried out against him. Juan Manuel Hernandez, President of the Business Council also supported this idea, stating that before any decision was made, they have to first investigate all of the allegations.

"I think we should wait for the Ministry of Public Service's opinion (...) we know on one hand that Mr. Alejandro Gonzalez comes from a good family here in Mexico, businesspeople. I think the most important thing for public officials is to provide a statement of all of their assets ", said Hernandez.

"And I want to be very clear, Mr. Gonzalez has come to work and if his job is getting him into trouble, then maybe the people who do not agree with him being in this position are the ones who are not working. We're talking about certain people and not about the federal government, because they are attacking him personally. I can easily say that you have properties and are not declaring them, but he has declared them, he is being transparent about his assets. It's not a sin if someone has money, good thing they have money, "said Gabriel Merino, president of the Manufacturers Association of Otay Mesa (AIMO).

While Alejandro Gonzalez Guilbot waits for the results of the investigation from the Ministry of Public Service, he has continued with his work at the Customs Office in Tijuana, where he is always seeking to offer the best service to the public and actions that lead to the best results for the border. Actions like taking off the sunglasses from this agency's eyes, and incorporate supervisors to keep it always operating at 100%, even on holidays, a task that has been recognized by business leaders from both sides of the border and other public officials.

Join Sandiegored on Facebook. Click here.

Brenda.Colon@sandiegored.com

Omar.Martinez@Sandiegored.com