Contrary to claims made by Simón Levy, former Undersecretary of Tourism Planning in Mexico, Baja California Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila is not mentioned in the U.S. indictment against René Arzate García, alias “La Rana.”
Levy, who is currently facing two criminal proceedings in Mexico, posted on social media that, according to court statements attributed to Arzate, he had allegedly given more than $20 million to Mexico’s Secretary of Public Education, Mario Delgado, to fund Ávila’s gubernatorial campaign. Levy claimed this implicated the governor in the investigation and led to the cancellation of her U.S. visa.
However, the official indictment, filed on October 9, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California and declassified on February 25, 2026, makes no mention of Governor Ávila.
U.S. Authorities Target René Arzate
The document charges René Arzate with narcoterrorism, providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization, conspiracy to distribute and import controlled substances, and money laundering.
The U.S. federal prosecutor for the Southern District of California, Adam Gordon, also announced a $5 million reward for information leading to Arzate’s arrest.
Continue reading: U.S. Offers $10 Million Reward for Alleged Sinaloa Cartel Leaders in Tijuana
