Baja California Governor Marina del Pilar Avila Olmeda has condemned the recent leak of audio recordings circulating on social media as a “psychological ambush” orchestrated by her predecessor, Jaime Bonilla Valdez, and confirmed that she has formally filed a criminal complaint in connection with the matter.
During an appearance on the program “Los Periodistas” with Alejandro Páez Varela and Álvaro Delgado Gómez, the governor addressed the political friction between herself and Bonilla Valdez, dating back to the earliest days of her administration.
She clarified that she holds no personal grievances against the former governor, but noted that tensions escalated after Bonilla failed to secure an extension of his term from two to five years.
Differences with Bonilla
The governor pointed to several policy disputes that further strained their relationship, including Bonilla’s push to municipalize water agencies and grant autonomy to Baja California’s tax administration service (SAT).
She also cited the 2022 cancellation of a multimillion-dollar contract with Next Energy for the construction of a photovoltaic plant, which lacked federal permits and has placed Bonilla under legal scrutiny.
According to Governor Marina del Pilar, it was this cancellation that triggered a campaign of retaliation from Bonilla, with him publicly insinuating that her administration has links to drug trafficking.
Visa Revocation
The governor also addressed the revocation of her U.S. visa and that of her then-husband, Carlos Torres, describing it as a significant obstacle given the border state’s reliance on cross-border cooperation.
She noted that she sought to reapply in 2025 through the U.S. Consulate but was informed that the process remained administrative in nature, a decision she chose to respect.
In the spirit of maintaining unity in the 4T movement, she agreed to meet with Bonilla Valdez, who offered to facilitate the visa process via Undersecretary of Governance César Yáñez
Recorded Conversations
Bonilla then connected the governor with staff from Homeland Security and FBI advisors, leading to a series of telephone calls and a subsequent in-person meeting that Marina del Pilar now characterizes as an ambush.
She recounted that during the encounter, an individual raised alarming topics including criminal charges, sanctions, and even extradition, which left her feeling uneasy and concerned for the safety of her children.
“The only thing I wanted was to resolve my visa procedures. Any matter that requires transparency, I am fully prepared to cooperate and resolve any issues,” Governor Marina del Pilar said.
Formal Complaint Against Those Responsible
The governor claimed that the recorded conversations, which were later edited and circulated out of context, were intended to trap and intimidate her.
In response, she has already filed a formal complaint against those responsible and has pledged to present any evidence requested by the Prosecutor’s Office.
