Various sectors in Baja California have disapproved of the state government's ties to businessmen accused by the United States of money laundering. Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila faces criticism for her administration's relations with suppliers like José Galicot and Jorge Arturo Rojas Navarro. These companies were sanctioned for their alleged links to organized crime.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has pointed to Galicot and Rojas companies, suppliers to the state of Baja California, for laundering millions of dollars. Citizens and various sectors have disapproved of these ties of Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila's government to those companies.
José Galicot Behar, a Tijuana businessman and promoter of border innovation and culture, is a partner of Jorge Arturo Rojas Navarro, who is on the list of sanctioned individuals by the Donald Trump administration. Galicot, a state supplier and political protégé of Carlos Torres—still the governor's husband—denied any links to the company accused of money laundering.
The company in question, Alimentos y Diversión Insurgentes, S. de R.L. de C.V., is formed by Rojas Navarro, with Galicot as the sole administrator. According to U.S. authorities' reports, this firm was used to launder funds for 'La Mayiza,' a faction led by the sons of Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada.
On September 18, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) updated its sanctions list, adding 15 companies and five individuals. Among those named is Candelario 'El Cande' Arcega Aguirre, with political ties in Rosarito and Tijuana. These events have raised questions about transparency in government contracting in Baja California.