imposed a precautionary measure of 100,000 pesos. The case reopens political debate in Baja California. The binding of Jaime Bonilla to the process not only has legal implications but also rekindles the political debate in Baja California, where the Next Energy project has been pointed out as one of the most controversial issues of his administration. The progress of the case could have repercussions on the local and national political landscape, particularly since it involves a former governor and senator whose management has been the subject of criticism regarding the handling of public resources. It will be in the coming months when the complementary investigation determines if there are sufficient elements to take the case to a trial stage, where the criminal responsibility of the former official will be determined. In the case of abuse of authority, they indicated that the payment of 123 million pesos was made between January 20 and February 11, 2022, a period after the conclusion of Bonilla Valdez's term. In the same vein, they maintained that the facts related to the alleged embezzlement would have also occurred outside of his administration. Regarding the crime of illicit use of powers and faculties, the defense affirmed that it is not configured, since the photovoltaic plant project corresponds to a multi-year service contract and not the acquisition of a tax credit, as established by the crime's classification. Judge decides to continue process. Despite the arguments presented by the defense, the judge resolved to bind the former governor to the process for the three crimes indicated. The decision marks a significant advance in a case that had been stalled for nearly four years since the complaint was filed. According to what was presented in the hearing, the process had not previously advanced due to the constitutional immunity that Bonilla Valdez had during his time as a senator, as well as for various absences in hearings for different reasons. It was not until early March 2026 that a presentation order was issued against him, which allowed the judicial procedure to resume. Precautionary measures and process times. As part of the resolution, the judge established a six-month deadline for the closure of the complementary investigation. After a hearing that lasted more than 23 hours, a control judge determined to bind the former governor of Baja California, Jaime Bonilla Valdez, to the process for his presumed responsibility in the crimes of abuse of authority, embezzlement, and illicit use of powers and faculties, related to the Next Energy photovoltaic plant project. The resolution was issued by Judge Gerardo Anguiano Ceja, who considered that there are sufficient elements for the former governor to face a criminal process. However, Bonilla Valdez remains innocent as long as his responsibility is not determined by a sentence, in accordance with article 13 of the National Code of Criminal Procedures. Defense questions competence and evidence. During the hearing, which began at 9:23, the former governor's defense presented five lines of argument to try to dismiss the accusation. Lawyers Humberto Velazco and Hiram Sánchez pointed out, first, that the authority that handled the case would be incompetent, since —in their view— it involves possible acts of corruption that should be investigated by a specialized prosecutor's office. Likewise, they argued the lack of evidence to support the crimes attributed.
