Mexico's PAN demands governor take leave after leaked audio suggests FBI cooperation

The national leader of Mexico's National Action Party (PAN), Jorge Romero Herrera, has demanded that the governor of Baja California, Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda, request a leave of absence. This call comes after leaked audio recordings, published by journalist Héctor de Mauleón, suggest the governor's potential willingness to cooperate with the FBI.

Romero Herrera cited a second audio recording, purportedly featuring an external advisor to the U.S. agency offering a final chance to "stop charges or sanctions in time." The PAN leader supported the local PAN chapter's call for the governor to step down, stating that "no personal interest can be above Mexico." He argued that the issue transcends visa matters and constitutes a national security concern.

"This is no longer a matter of visas, but of national security. If Marina del Pilar was willing to share information known in security meetings with the FBI, she must clarify it immediately. Morena accuses those who demand justice of 'treason to the homeland,' but remains silent on this," denounced Romero Herrera.

According to De Mauleón's reporting, a particularly alarming part of the audio involves Ávila Olmeda expressing concern about extradition. The recording captures her saying, "Are you saying they want to extradite me?... Can't you tell me what you want me to talk about? I can know or hear many things about security, but if there is something in particular they want to know..." The governor reportedly showed willingness to "talk about everything I can know, how to support, how to cooperate."

Previously, the same journalist reported a first audio in which the governor allegedly conversed with a supposed FBI advisor about potential indictments from the United States. The governor had confirmed the authenticity of the audio in an interview with Semanario Zeta but denied any "supposed backroom deals."