Bonilla denies 'psychological ambush' against Marina del Pilar; demands halt to 'emotional blackmail' and clarification of audios

A bitter political feud has erupted in Baja California, with current Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda accusing her predecessor, Jaime Bonilla Valdez, of orchestrating a "psychological ambush." Del Pilar alleges Bonilla sought to convince her that the United States was targeting her, potentially leading to extradition.

Despite a recent plea for calm from the ruling Morena party, Bonilla has fired back. He demanded that del Pilar stop involving him in her troubles and instead clarify the content of leaked audio recordings. In these recordings, she reportedly offered to collaborate with external advisors linked to the FBI to recover her U.S. visa, which was revoked in May 2025. Bonilla claims these audios have led Mexicans to label del Pilar a "traitor to the homeland" and question her fitness for office.

Bonilla, now the National Political Commissioner for the PT in Baja California, criticized del Pilar's media appearances in Mexico City, calling them a "smokescreen" to distract from her alleged contacts with U.S. agencies. "Marina del Pilar has to stop lying and stop dragging me into her business," Bonilla stated in a press release. "Now it turns out I am to blame for her being labeled a corrupt official by Mexicans, for her visa being revoked, and even for her being caught offering sensitive information to a foreign government."

The exchange continued with Bonilla urging an end to "emotional blackmail" and demanding transparency regarding funds del Pilar allegedly used to hire two professionals with ties to drug trafficking and money laundering. He questioned her "gratitude" towards former presidents López Obrador and Sheinbaum, given her willingness to "give away everything that was said in security meetings." Bonilla, in turn, claims he is the victim of judicial persecution by del Pilar's administration.

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Marina del Pilar has to stop lying and stop dragging me into her business. Now it turns out I am to blame for her being labeled a corrupt official by Mexicans, for her visa being revoked, and even for her being caught offering sensitive information to a foreign government.