Introduction
In 1995, I met César Guzmán as he patrolled the streets with a police dog by his side, part of the canine squad of Guadalajara Police, then known as Grupo Lobos. I was a novice reporter covering crime for Notimex. He, a young police officer, already knew that his calling was to protect without betraying himself.
Early Years and Influence
During those years from 1995 to 2000, I learned more than any journalism class could teach. We often patrolled together; he armed, I with a notebook and recorder. Thanks to César, I understood how crime operates in Mexico, not from press releases but from the streets, from fear, from invisible codes.
In those years, César rose to commander of the Lobos group. Meanwhile, I pursued my journalistic path in other states. We reunited in 2007 at a gathering at the US Consulate’s house. Both of us had been chosen at different times for US government training programs. I saw him and knew he hadn’t changed: the same firm gaze, the same incorruptible ethics. He told me he had been trained in the US, Israel, and England but never sold out because, in this country, to climb in public service often means getting dirty.
Founding a Security Agency and Continued Fight
César stepped away from the system, founding his private security agency. He collaborated with foreign agents, specialists, and others who believed change was possible. From his position, he continued fighting not for money—he already had that—but out of conviction. He wanted “the bad kids” not to win. This was how he referred to criminals with calm but sharp disdain.
He never touched alcohol. Not because he was a teetotaler; it was just who he was: clear, focused, disciplined. He was consistent and wholesome. A true professional.
His murder infuriates me. In a country where life is cheap unless you’re part of the red circle or golden bureaucracy, they killed him without a chance for self-defense. They took the life of a man who dedicated his life to protecting others.
Legacy and Collaboration
César taught me to read the board where entrepreneurs, politicians, criminals, and law enforcement increasingly blur. He made me feel safe in a city where having a gun or power could lead to impunity murder. His words, “For evil to triumph, it is sufficient that good people do nothing,” resonate deeply.
He acted. That makes him timeless.
César didn’t stay still. He didn’t seek fame or spotlights. He simply worked, studied, contributed, and taught. He helped who he could and fought on.
We had plans too. Delinquency not only took his life but also cut short a project we developed using artificial intelligence to prevent risks, inform people, and deliver clear security messages via social media.
We created a digital character, GPT César Guzmán, an extension of his experience designed to communicate, guide, and teach. We had over 9,000 followers on Facebook, 14,000 on Instagram, and TikTok was just starting to gain traction. But the message was getting through.
Now, I’m writing this because they killed him. Because the crime he fought his whole life took his life without a chance for defense.
They didn’t just take his life; they took our motivation, his example, our plans, his clean way of doing things.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who was César Guzmán? César Guzmán was a dedicated police officer who chose integrity over corruption, working tirelessly to protect others and fight crime.
- What was his impact? He influenced the author, a journalist, by providing insights into crime operations in Mexico. He later founded a security agency and collaborated with international experts to continue his fight against crime.
- What project did they work on together? They developed a digital AI-based platform, GPT César Guzmán, to communicate security messages and prevent risks through social media.
- Why is his death significant? César’s murder represents the ongoing struggle against crime in Mexico and the loss of a dedicated professional who inspired others to take action.
