Introduction
Currently, only two Mexican political figures have publicly acknowledged that they have been barred from traveling to the United States. Baja California Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila attributed the revocation of her visa to “a situation” related to her spouse, former deputy and panist Carlos Torres Torres.
Background on Affected Politicians
Marina del Pilar Ávila’s business dealings with Edgardo Flores Campbell in security matters or her brother Luis’s involvement in customs issues do not explain the US authorities’ investigations. Some point to “irrefutable evidence” —specifically, “compromising videos”— for their inclusion in the list of prominent Mexican politicians allegedly linked to corruption stemming from drug trafficking, according to the US government.
Another figure is former Baja California attorney general Ricardo Iván Carpio Sánchez, who served only 20 months before resigning in August 2023 for unspecified “personal reasons.” His six-year appointment was not fully served.
Marina del Pilar Ávila and Carlos Torres Torres
The governor’s disputes with her husband have been public and notorious. In contrast, Carlos Torres Torres’ recent connections with Pedro Haces Barba, the CATEM secretary-general and current political coordinator for Morena in the Chamber of Deputies, have grown. Haces Barba has been attempting to increase CATEM’s presence in the Baja California Peninsula with relative success.
Key allies and adversaries of the Baja California governor and her husband include strategist Jorge Camarillo, who manages their online reputation, and Diputado Fernando Castro Trenti, a Tijuana native with significant access to Mexico’s National Palace alongside Amador Rodríguez Lozano.
Reactions and Developments
National PAN leader Jorge Romero and Baja California leader Lizbeth Mata Lozano visited the Foreign Ministry’s central office to file a “right to petition” regarding the Marina affair.
“Bajacalifornianos have lost trust in their government,” Mata Lozano summarized. “Society is turning against Governor Marina del Pilar… We demand a repeal from security meetings and an end to her presidency of the CONAGO.”
At the National Palace, when asked directly, expressions were supportive. “There is no information in the FGR that could suggest anything against Marina del Pilar… She does good work. People love her, I’ve seen it, I’ve felt it…”
Secondary Effects
Cautionary Measures: A group of judicial candidate hopefuls in Baja California’s Poder Judicial filed an impugnation with the Federal Electoral Tribunal against ballots issued by the Electoral Institute that officially recognized 53 common candidacies registered by the three powers in the state. They argue that this list violates their political-electoral rights and, with elections approaching, they seek to cancel the votes. Similar actions have been taken in Durango and Coahuila.
Return: An invitation circulating on social media specifies a dress code (“formal, white and black”) and requires confirmation, as the host, Sandra Cuevas, has reserved the right of admission to her art gallery opening on this Wednesday, the 21st. Prior to that, the former mayor will hold a press conference to share “the objectives of this project, her commitment to cultural diversity, and the significance of the works in her inaugural exhibition.”
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: Who are the Mexican politicians facing US travel bans? A: Marina del Pilar Ávila, Governor of Baja California, and Carlos Torres Torres, her husband and former deputy.
- Q: What are the reasons behind their travel bans? A: Allegations of corruption linked to drug trafficking, with “irrefutable evidence” —specifically, “compromising videos”— cited as the basis for their inclusion in a list of prominent Mexican politicians.
- Q: What are the secondary effects of this situation? A: A group of judicial candidates in Baja California has filed a legal challenge against election ballots, seeking to cancel the votes due to alleged violations of their political-electoral rights.
- Q: What is the status of Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila’s position? A: Despite public disputes with her husband and calls for her removal from security meetings and the CONAGO presidency, there is reportedly no information in the FGR suggesting any wrongdoing by her.
