PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: The U.S. revoked tourist visas for Mexico’s Baja California Governor Marina del Pilar Avila and her husband, Carlos Torres.
👥 Who’s Involved: Governor Marina del Pilar Avila, her husband Carlos Torres, and the U.S. State Department.
📍 Where & When: Baja California, Mexico; announcement made on Sunday, May 11, 2025.
💬 Key Quote: “I make this information public with responsibility and transparency, not only to avoid speculation but also to limit political opponents’ misuse of this situation,” Carlos Torres said.
⚠️ Impact: The visa revocation raises questions about U.S.-Mexico relations, though the issue may stem from Avila and Torres’s abuse of temporary tourism visas to conduct Mexican government business in the United States.
IN FULL:
The United States has revoked tourist visas for Marina del Pilar Avila, the governor of Mexico’s Baja California state, and her husband, Carlos Torres, who also serves as the state’s coordinator of special projects. Governor Avila announced the development on Sunday through a post to X (formerly Twitter).
Avila stated that no formal accusations, investigations, or incidents had been raised against her or her husband in either Mexico or the United States. Meanwhile, Torres claims the revocations are part of a broader pattern of administrative actions by the U.S. State Department against Mexican officials. “Currently, the application of these administrative criteria has become increasingly common and, like so many others, I am included in that universe,” Torres said.
The couple’s visas were reportedly revoked shortly after a visit to San Diego, where they promoted tourism in Baja California. While the U.S. State Department has not given an official reason for the revocation, it could stem from the couple engaging in cross-border tourism as Mexican government officials while in the United States on tourism visas.
Notably, if Avila and Torres only held B1/B2 temporary visas—used for short business trips and tourism—they would be barred from engaging in official Mexican government business while in the country. Diplomats and foreign government officials undertaking official business are required to obtain an A1/A2 visa.
Some reports suggest 2019 pictures of Avila with Emmanuel ‘El Botas’ Serrano, allegedly linked to Sinaloa Cartel boss Ismael ‘El Mayo’ Zambada, could also be a factor, although these have been public knowledge since 2022.
Torres has retained an international immigration attorney to explore legal options, including reopening or reconsidering the decision, or applying for a new visa.
Torres emphasized transparency in addressing the situation, stating, “I make this information public with responsibility and transparency, not only to avoid speculation, but also to limit political opponents’ misuse of this situation.” He also criticized political adversaries, claiming they are “willing to turn any fact into slander if they think it will give them an advantage.”
Governor Avila expressed her support for her husband, describing him as a man of integrity and dedication. “My support for him isn’t just personal, it’s moral and political,” she wrote, adding that the situation requires “composure and prudence” given the complex binational context.
The visa issue follows broader tensions between the U.S. and Mexico, including a recent dispute involving Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and her refusal to allow American military intervention in combating drug cartels. Both Avila and Torres are members of Sheinbaum’s Morena party, which has faced criticism from U.S. President Donald J. Trump.