Trump Administration Revokes Visas of Baja California Governor, Sparking Diplomatic Tensions

In the ongoing war against cartels, the Trump administration revoked the U.S. tourist visas of Baja California Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila and her husband, Carlos Torres, both prominent members of Mexico’s Morena party. The abrupt decision, announced by Ávila on social media, came without a clear explanation, prompting her to frame it within a “complex binational context” requiring “restraint and discretion.” Torres, who oversees special projects for Baja California and Tijuana, emphasized that the revocation carries no formal charges or investigations in either Mexico or the U.S.

Speculation surrounding the revocations surfaced in a Daily Mail report, which linked the decision to a U.S. Justice Department investigation into drug cartel-related money laundering. The report alleged that the couple’s Bank of America and Wells Fargo accounts in San Diego were closed due to “suspicious activities.” It also highlighted a 2019 campaign photo of Ávila with Emmanuel “El Botas” Serrano, a figure purportedly tied to the Sinaloa Cartel. Ávila’s office dismissed any connection, noting that such photos with constituents are routine during campaigns. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who was not informed by U.S. authorities, demanded transparency and stated that Ávila denied holding U.S. bank accounts.