Ismael Burgueño Ruiz, the mayor on leave from Tijuana, is making his way across Baja California’s municipalities as he formally positions himself for the state government candidacy.
The tour forms part of an ongoing effort to consolidate support within the ruling coalition and secure his place in the State Coordination to Defend the Fourth Transformation (4T).
Burgueño recently led a civic engagement forum titled “Dialogue with Society” at Oryx restaurant, where he spoke about his political trajectory and his aspirations for the state’s highest office.
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Burgueño’s Political Career and Achievements as Mayor
At just 32 years old when first elected mayor of Tijuana, Burgueño describes himself as a lifelong “soldier” of the 4T movement. He underscored his prior experience as a national delegate and reiterated his unwavering allegiance to the political project, which he says will remain central to his public service for years to come.
In the 2024 elections, Burgueño led a coalition formed by the Green Ecologist Party (PVEM) and the National Regeneration Movement (Morena), securing close to half a million votes, approximately 60% of the tally.
During his remarks, the former mayor also highlighted progress in public safety, particularly noting a decline in homicides in Tijuana. He attributed this improvement not only to coordinated security strategy sessions but also to alignment with federal government directives.
A key component of this strategy, he said, has been the implementation of a proximity-based policing model aimed at reshaping citizens’ perception of safety. Under this approach, the concept of proximity has evolved from a gesture into a measurable performance indicator.
“Tijuana is divided into 14 districts, each with its own police command,” Burgueño explained. “In terms of security, these command units are now being evaluated. Citizen security committees assess them every 30 days, and each command is held directly accountable to the public.”
Related: Tijuana Mayor Ismael Burgueño Steps Down to Seek Baja California Governorship
Tijuana: A 4T Municipality
Burgueño went on to stress that Tijuana continues to rank as the top-performing municipality in Baja California according to citizen satisfaction surveys, a metric he views as a critical indicator of public confidence.
“There is total acceptance among Tijuana’s residents,” he said. “That is the most revealing measure we could ask for.”
When pressed about criticism from political opponents, Burgueño offered a measured response, reiterating that his only objective is to advance the Fourth Transformation. He affirmed his readiness to both defend and deepen the legacy of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the movement’s founder.
Closing his remarks, Burgueño addressed his supporters directly:
“I believe we are strengthening the 4T precisely by defending it and maintaining balance at all times. The arguments are backed by everything we have advanced since the beginning, particularly through our well-being-focused public policies. That keeps us steadfast and it’s no coincidence that Morena remains, by a wide margin, the leading political force in Baja California, consistently aligned with the people’s sentiment.”
