Baja California Governor Denies Negotiating with US Authorities

Baja California Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila issued a statement denying she negotiated with U.S. authorities or compromised national security information.

The denial follows reports and leaked audio suggesting the governor maintained contacts with U.S. agencies, including the FBI, to secure a visa. These allegations raise concerns regarding the potential exchange of sovereign information between a high-ranking Mexican official and foreign intelligence services.

Ávila said she did not enter into any agreements with the U.S. government. She described the visa application as a personal matter and said that the process was handled improperly. "Fui víctima de un engaño en la gestión de mi visa," Ávila said, which translates to "I was a victim of a deception in the management of my visa."

Reports indicate the alleged contacts with U.S. authorities occurred between June and December 2025 ^[1]. The governor maintains that she was defrauded during this period and denies that any state secrets or national security data were shared as part of the process.

The controversy surfaced after the release of audio recordings involving a Miami-based lawyer and a suspected plot regarding the visa. These recordings prompted the governor to clarify her position and reject the notion that she sought special favors through official channels.

Ávila said her actions were limited to a personal administrative request. She said that the accusations of negotiating with foreign powers are unfounded and that the situation resulted from a fraudulent scheme targeting her personal documentation.