U.S. sanctions former governor’s husband over alleged cartel support

U.S. sanctions former husband of Baja California governor over alleged Sinaloa Cartel support

The United States formalized sanctions on October 6 against Carlos Alberto Torres Torres, the former husband of Baja California Gov. Marina del Pilar Ávila, according to Proyecto Puente. The designation followed an announcement by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on September 29 involving a network allegedly linked to Ismael Zambada Sicairos, known as “El Mayito Flaco,” and the Los Mayos faction in Baja California.

Proyecto Puente reported that Torres was designated under Executive Order 14059 for allegedly providing or attempting to provide financial, material or technological support, goods or services to the Sinaloa Cartel. He was also listed under Executive Order 13224, which concerns material or financial support for sanctioned organizations. As a result, property and property interests belonging to Torres in the United States or under the control of U.S. persons are blocked, and U.S. citizens and companies generally may not transact with him.

The Treasury Department alleges that Torres was a political operator linked to Juan José Ponce Félix, alias “El Ruso,” and used his influence to facilitate cartel activity and shield it from authorities in Baja California. Torres has said he owns 30 percent of Vida Orgánica Tijuana, one of the companies OFAC identified, and that the allegations arose from anonymous complaints filed with Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office in 2025. He also said he had not been summoned by authorities to respond to the allegations. The sanctions also include his brother, Luis Alfonso Torres Torres, and several companies, according to the report.