Official records show that Durango Governor Esteban Villegas, a member of Mexico's Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), stopped making his frequent trips to the United States in late 2025 after what he has publicly described as being detained by U.S. immigration authorities and questioned during his most recent visit.
La Silla Rota obtained records from U.S. authorities documenting an intense pattern of travel by the governor to the neighboring country, totaling 17 visits over a relatively short period. The records indicate that he frequently used a private aircraft for those trips.
The travel came to an abrupt halt after that interview, which—according to sources familiar with the matter—focused on any information Villegas might have regarding the presence in Durango of the criminal group known as "Los Cabrera." The organization is believed to control organized crime operations in the state through the alleged complicity of military, law enforcement, and civilian officials.
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Despite repeated requests for comment regarding this information, Durango's state government communications office declined to respond.
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In recent weeks, amid a series of allegations linking his administration to "Los Cabrera"—particularly involving the state's Finance Ministry and the local Attorney General's Office—Villegas gave interviews to several media outlets, including journalist Adela Micha and the news platform Código Magenta, where he highlighted the accomplishments of his administration.
He also denied some of the accusations but disclosed that during a trip to the United States—without specifying when—it was "taken to the little room," referring to the secondary inspection area, where he was questioned. He did not disclose the subject of the interview, saying only that "it's something that has happened to many people."
"I had an issue on one of my last trips, when they suddenly pull you aside and start asking questions. I was surprised and asked, 'What's going on?' They told me it could be someone with a similar name or something like that, but they advised me to go and have it checked out."
He added:
"I went to the U.S. Consulate in Monterrey in December and asked, 'Here's my visa—is there any problem with it?' They took me into an interview, asked me a few questions, and then told me, 'We're giving your visa back. You don't have any problem.' I still have my visa. I've continued traveling—not to the United States because there hasn't been a reason—but I have traveled to Europe," he told Código Magenta.
U.S. immigration records reviewed by La Silla Rota show that Villegas traveled to the United States 17 times between August 2018 and June 2024. Since then, he has stopped visiting the country. The governor has said in media interviews that he has "had no need" to travel to the United States, either in his official capacity or for vacation.
Since those trips ended, speculation has intensified that Villegas Villarreal is under investigation for alleged ties to criminal organizations, particularly "Los Cabrera," a group described as a local franchise of the Sinaloa Cartel faction known as "La Mayiza."
On June 11, La Silla Rota reported that Mexico's Attorney General's Office (FGR), led by Ernestina Godoy, is investigating Governor Villegas over allegations that his administration protected drug trafficking operations carried out by "Los Cabrera," as well as extortion and protection rackets targeting local businesses.
Following that report, Durango's government communications office sent a letter to La Silla Rota arguing that the publication harmed the image of both the state government and Governor Villegas.
Sources consulted for this report also confirmed previous reporting by La Silla Rota indicating that officials from the Durango state government had been invited to Mexico City to meet with representatives of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), but declined to attend. According to the sources, only one official from the state's Finance Ministry appeared for the meeting.
La Silla Rota requested comment from Durango's government communications office regarding these developments, but received no response.
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