The revocation of US visas for Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda, governor of Baja California, and her husband, Carlos Torres Torres, former PAN member and Felipe Calderón’s godson, announced on May 10, 2025, has sparked speculation about possible ties to drug trafficking, especially following the appearance of “narcomantas” mentioning the governor.
A narcomanta is a term used in Spanish, primarily in Mexico and Latin America, to describe a banner or sign publicly displayed by drug cartels or organized crime groups.
In August 2024, at least three narcomantas were posted in Baja California addressed to Marina del Pilar Ávila, with one labeled “last warning” from organized crime groups. These banners, reported by Proceso, accused the governor of failing to control violence allegedly perpetrated by outside groups and suggested complicity in criminal activities in Tijuana, a key drug trafficking hub. Although the narco-banners did not directly mention Carlos Torres, his role as coordinator of strategic projects in Tijuana and his political influence have fueled speculation, as noted in posts on X. Journalist Elena Chávez claimed in March 2025 that Marina Torres was on a supposed U.S. State Department “blacklist” for alleged ties to Los Rusos, a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, and for manipulating data on missing persons.
Furthermore, El Financiero reported that a 2021 investigation, backed by the DEA, linked Marina’s campaign to funds from Sergio Carmona, known as “El Rey del Huachicol,” also linked to drug trafficking. These accusations fit with the criticism of many experts regarding political elites who facilitate drug-funded schemes, suggesting that the revocation could stem from ongoing investigations.
The U.S. State Department can revoke visas under Section 7031(c) for reasons such as corruption, human rights violations, or ties to organized crime, as in the case of Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. The lack of an official explanation, noted by President Claudia Sheinbaum, who demanded clarity from the U.S. government, fuels speculation.
Visa revocations of officials from border states are often linked to drug trafficking investigations, given their role in cross-border trafficking. Posts on X mention possible Treasury or DEA investigations for money laundering or cartel ties, although there is no public evidence to confirm this.
The narcomantas, along with a recent incident on April 26, 2025, where a pig’s head and a threatening banner targeted a Tijuana official, highlight the volatile security environment, potentially implicating the governor’s administration in disputes with cartels. These actions could reflect US efforts to pressure politicians in a financial system that tolerates illicit flows, possibly as a geopolitical maneuver under the Trump administration, which has vowed to take action against Mexican officials linked to cartels.
The visa revocation has significant repercussions for Baja California, a key economic and security partner for the neighboring government. The opposition, including the PAN and PRI, has demanded transparency, with Álvaro Aldrete of the PRI calling for Torres’ resignation, arguing that the measure taints the state’s governance.
On social media, the “narco-governor” narrative has gained traction, with claims of money laundering and extortion controlled by Torres in Tijuana. This could be a selective US action to expose or discipline political figures within a drug-funded system, without addressing the broader complicity of global banks, as in the case of Wachovia with funds from the Sinaloa Cartel.
This situation threatens to strain Mexico-US relations, especially given Trump’s policies, which include threats of military action.
