José Alfredo Ortega

Ortega was born in Michoacán. He attended the Universidad Anáhuac México Norte majoring in business administration.^[1][2] Prior to becoming the secretary of state security, Ortega worked as the Director General of Strategic Planning, Security, and Intelligence at SEDENA under eight different defense secretaries.^[3] Ortega worked across the Mexican Ministry of Defense and the National Guard during his career.^[4]

Ortega was appointed as the Secretary of State Security of Michoacán on October 1, 2021.^[5][1] During his tenure, he particularly targeted cartel and gang activity that occurred along Michoacán's borders, where he believed the conflict stemmed from.^[1] In an interview with Milenio in 2022, Ortega stated that he planned on expanding Michoacán state military capacity and to increase civic engagement with the government to decrease socio-economic issues that would aid the cartels.^[1] Ortega also stated he planned on targeting communities in the state vulnerable to violence and also conducting joint operations with neighboring states to combat cross-border illicit activities.^[1]

In January 2023, Ortega stated that under his administration the security situation in Michoacan was very complex but improvements were beginning to be seen, such as the eradication of cartel-coordinated vehicle theft.^[6] This was due to Ortega's increase in National Guard (GC) troops throughout the state who were implanted into cities across the state, particularly those most affected by violence.^[5] By connecting all areas of the state into a system under state control, cartel activity depleted. Between 2021 and 2024, homicides in Michoacán decreased by 36%, robbery of transport workers by 48%, and robbery on public transportation by 30%.^[5] Michoacaán went from the third most-dangerous state in Mexico in 2016 to no longer being considered high-risk by the Mexican government.^[7]

Ortega resigned from his position on June 21, 2024.^[8] He was succeeded by Juan Carlos Oseguera Cortés.^[8]