Baja California Schools Chief Quits 2 Days After U.S. Names His Brother a Sinaloa Cartel ‘Political Enabler’ Paid by ‘Flaco’ in the ‘Mayito Flaco’ Sanctions
The director of Baja California’s state technical high school system, CECyTE BC, resigned on Oct. 1, 2026, two days after the U.S. Treasury sanctioned his brother, Rafael Buenrostro Martin, as a “political enabler” it says took bribes from Sinaloa Cartel figure José Ángel Rivera Zazueta, “Flaco.” Quadratín Baja California and TV Azteca Baja California both tied Luis Miguel Buenrostro Martín’s exit to the “Mayito Flaco” sanctions against his brother.
‘Circumstances of a personal nature’
Quadratín (Oct. 1) reports that Luis Miguel Buenrostro announced his departure in a statement posted online, writing that “in light of circumstances of a personal nature that involve a family member,” the interests of the college and its educational community “must come before any individual situation.” He did not name his brother in the quoted passage. Lindero Norte (Oct. 2) reports he led the college from Oct. 31, 2024, until Oct. 1, 2026, after two undersecretary posts in Baja California’s Education Department under Gov. Marina del Pilar Ávila.
Lindero Norte’s report gives the sanctioned brother’s first name as “Rubén”; Treasury’s release, Quadratín, TV Azteca and Milenio all name him Rafael.
What Treasury alleges
In its Sept. 29 release, Treasury describes Rafael Buenrostro Martin as a Mexicali native and former Mexican official who “served as a customs official in Chihuahua and as a legislative advisor to the Baja California state government.” Milenio (Sept. 29) reports he took charge of dispatch operations at the Ciudad Juárez customs office in late 2025. Treasury says he “provided political favors and influence to further Rivera Zazueta’s criminal enterprise in exchange for bribes,” and also sanctioned his company, Publicidad E Imagen Integral ENLA-C. Treasury describes Rivera Zazueta as a senior Sinaloa Cartel leader; the action targeted the Los Mayos faction led, Treasury says, by Ismael Zambada Sicairos, “El Mayito Flaco.”
Treasury’s chart labels Rafael Buenrostro Martin a “political enabler” and shows Rivera Zazueta, who it says supplies fentanyl precursor chemicals, as the one who “pays bribes to” him.
Why it matters in Mexicali
The action named 21 people and 25 companies, focusing on Tijuana and Mexicali, across from Calexico (see our Mexicali–Calexico guide). TV Azteca Baja California (Oct. 1) raised the question of whether more state officials could step down. None of the outlets cited reported a public response from Rafael Buenrostro Martin. Sanctions are administrative, not criminal charges, and his brother is not accused of wrongdoing.
Sources
- U.S. Department of the Treasury: “Treasury Sanctions Sinaloa Cartel Leadership and Corruption Networks” (Sept. 29, 2026)
- Quadratín Baja California (Christian Galarza): “Deja Miguel Buenrostro CecyteBC tras vinculación de su hermano con CDS” (Oct. 1, 2026)
- TV Azteca Baja California (Fernanda Estrella): “Renuncia director del CECyTE BC tras sanción de EU contra Rafael Buenrostro” (Oct. 1, 2026)
- Lindero Norte (Antonio Heras): “Renuncia a gobierno de BC hermano de sancionado en EU por vínculos con Cartel de Sinaloa” (Oct. 2, 2026)
- Milenio (Baruc Mayen): “¿Quién es Rafael Buenrostro, exencargado de aduana sancionado por EU?” (Sept. 29, 2026)
- Photos: U.S. Treasury/OFAC chart “Los Mayos Narco-Corruption in Baja California” from the Sept. 29, 2026, release
Reported Oct. 2, 2026, from a U.S. Treasury release and Mexican press reports. U.S. sanctions are administrative designations, not criminal convictions; Rafael Buenrostro Martin has not been reported charged in this matter, and Luis Miguel Buenrostro Martín is not accused of wrongdoing.