The governor of Baja California, Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda, asserted that her name does not appear in the investigation being conducted by the U.S. Treasury Department against brothers René and Alfonso Arzate.
The governor stated that those attempting to link her name to those named by U.S. authorities are engaging in mere political maneuvering.
“That’s pure political maneuvering. I am not mentioned anywhere in the accusation. The accusation is public. We, as the state government, and as governor, have combated crime and violence since the first day of our administration.”
She reported that the investigation being conducted by U.S. authorities has been ongoing for approximately 15 years and that they will be cooperating with the United States to provide the necessary information to locate the brothers. He clarified that they have information indicating that both René Arzate, alias “La Rana,” and Alfonso Arzate, alias “El Aquiles,” no longer reside in Baja California; however, they occasionally return to the state to carry out their criminal activities.
He concluded that these individuals are priority targets for the state, federal, and U.S. governments, making coordination among the various agencies essential to apprehending those designated by U.S. authorities for narcoterrorism and drug trafficking.
“They are high-impact perpetrators of violence and are priority targets for Baja California. The federal and U.S. governments will work in close coordination, sharing all necessary information, and will continue the investigations.”
The U.S. government is offering a $10 million reward for the Arzate brothers.
