TIJUANA, Baja California — Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda has addressed a leaked phone conversation regarding her efforts to appeal the revocation of her U.S. visa, dismissing allegations of behind-the-scenes dealmaking with American authorities.
The audio leak, first highlighted in a column by journalist Héctor de Mauleón for El Universal, captures the Morena governor discussing her legal strategy with two intermediaries. In the recording, Ávila expresses a preference to handle the matter transparently through her former legal adviser, Miami-based attorney Michael Nadler, to prevent local info leaks. The interlocutors in the recording can be heard suggesting a private meeting at the U.S. Consulate in Tijuana to work through potential sanctions or legal charges.
Speaking to ZETA Tijuana, Ávila confirmed the authenticity of the conversation, which reportedly took place in January 2026, but flatly rejected any wrongdoing. “The reality is that I have initiated legal procedures to have the decision reconsidered,” Ávila stated, clarifying that the proposed meeting at the consulate never actually materialized. “These supposed ‘backroom deals’ with U.S. authorities are an absolute lie. My relationship with U.S. agencies has always been transparent and institutional.”
The underlying controversy dates back to May 2025, when the U.S. Department of State canceled the tourist visas of both Ávila and her husband, Carlos Torres Torres. At the time, Ávila characterized the revocation as an administrative decision rather than a formal criminal accusation.
Despite escalating pressure from Washington—which has targeted several regional Morena governors amid broader diplomatic friction over cross-border security—Ávila continues to maintain the staunch political backing of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. Over the weekend, Ávila accompanied Sheinbaum on an official infrastructure tour across Baja California, projecting a unified front.
With information from Zeta
