MEXICO CITY — Julieta Ramírez Padilla, the Morena party coordinator in Baja California, has faced sharp criticism and avoided direct questions regarding allegations that members of her team have ties to the Sinaloa Cartel.

The controversy centers on the appointment of Ramírez Padilla to lead the "Defense of Transformation and National Sovereignty" in the state. While her role was framed as a move to strengthen the ruling party's regional influence, the move has been shadowed by reports linking several of her key associates to organized crime structures, specifically the "Los Rusos" faction of the Sinaloa Cartel.

During recent appearances, Ramírez Padilla notably steered clear of inquiries concerning these connections. Critics and local observers have pointed to specific names within her inner circle, including Pedro Mendívil, the former Director of Public Security in Mexicali, who has been repeatedly linked to criminal investigations.

The allegations have raised significant concerns regarding the integrity of the state's security apparatus and the potential for illicit influence within the government. Opponents of the administration have called for a thorough vetting of the personnel involved in the new coordinating body, arguing that the presence of individuals with criminal ties poses a direct threat to public safety and the democratic process in Baja California.

Despite the growing pressure, the Morena party has not released an official statement addressing the specific names mentioned in the reports, leaving the coordinator's silence as a focal point of the ongoing political debate.