 A native of San Luis Potosí, Blancornelas began his career as a journalist for "El Sol de San Luis" in April 1955, working as a sportswriter.In 1960, he moved to Tijuana, Baja California, where he became active in reporting on corruption and the drug trade.He was promoted to news editor at the daily newspaper "El Mexicano" before moving to the daily "La Voz de la Frontera", of which he became editor-in-chief.