Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda of Baja California has accused her predecessor, Jaime Bonilla, of orchestrating a political trap following the release of audio recordings in which she appears speaking with individuals allegedly acting as intermediaries from the United States.
“I Will Never Betray Mexico,” Governor Claims
According to national newspaper Milenio, Governor Marina del Pilar claimed that Bonilla arranged a meeting under the pretense of discussing the status of her visa. However, she contends that the encounter was a deliberate setup, as the conversation was covertly recorded and later leaked to the press.
“I will not allow a personal or political vendetta to distract me from the responsibility entrusted to me by the people of Baja California. My priority remains governing,” she stated.
Addressing questions about her financial affairs, the governor reiterated that she holds two bank accounts in Mexico and has no foreign accounts, something, she said, she had already clarified months earlier.
The governor explained that the meeting in question took place on December 15 of last year, after Bonilla contacted her via WhatsApp and requested that she receive a group of individuals who, he claimed, wanted to assist her with her revoked visa.
She noted that none of the attendees produced identification or credible proof of affiliation with any official agency. Although she said she initially acted “in good faith,” she grew suspicious when the conversation veered toward alleged legal charges and judicial proceedings against her. At that point, she requested that any further discussion be directed at her legal counsel.
That follow-up never occurred, she added, and the individuals never reached out to her attorney leading her to conclude that the sole purpose of the meeting was to record her and inflict political damage.
“She says it was a trap set by former Governor Jaime Bonilla,” the media outlet reported. “Everyone in Baja California’s political sphere and in the press knows there is a deep-seated rivalry between the two, and now this situation will only intensify.”
Despite the controversy, the governor said she remains at ease, even if she cannot recall every word exchanged during the recorded conversation.
