Baja California governor calls leaked audio a 'psychological ambush'

Baja California Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila described a leaked audio recording as a "psychological ambush," asserting she was manipulated into a compromising situation. The recordings, which emerged this year, suggested a potential collaboration with U.S. security agencies like the FBI or HSI in exchange for help recovering her visa.

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I felt it was a psychological ambush.

Speaking in an interview with El País in Mexico City, Ávila stated the individual she spoke with was a recommendation from former governor Jaime Bonilla, a figure with whom she has had past disputes. "He told me he could help me with the visa issue. I received him thinking we would talk about the matter, but he began to present scenarios I hadn't heard before: charges, sanctions, he even spoke of extradition, of letters. I felt it was a psychological ambush," Ávila recounted.

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What are you talking about? I hadn't heard any of this. I heard proposals from someone expert in trying to intimidate, to frighten, to generate fear, to even induce certain responses.

She added, "I told him, 'What are you talking about?' I hadn't heard any of this. I heard proposals from someone expert in trying to intimidate, to frighten, to generate fear, to even induce certain responses." Ávila denied offering Mexican national security information. She clarified that her willingness to share data, as heard in the audio, pertained to institutional binational security meetings where crime and homicide rates are reviewed for the benefit of both sides of the border.

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I have my conscience clear and my head held high. I don't hide, there hasn't been a single day I haven't worked for the people. I am in the territory, in the neighborhoods, supporting those most in need. I don't participate in politics for power. I do it to help others.

Ávila maintained her "conscience is clear and my head is held high." She asserted she has not stopped working for the people and is actively engaged in the community. The governor believes the situation was a trap and retaliation after she canceled a multi-billion peso contract with the company Next Energy, which was initiated by Bonilla's administration for a photovoltaic plant lacking federal permits. "As governor, it was my responsibility to cancel that contract," she stated.

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It was a trap.