Governor accused of drug trafficking resumes duties in Mexico

Ruben Rocha Moya, the governor of the violence-plagued western Mexican state of Sinaloa, announced he has returned to his duties after nearly four months away. He had stepped down to counter accusations from the United States linking him and nine other ruling party officials to a conspiracy with the notorious Sinaloa cartel to traffic narcotics into the U.S.

In a lengthy post on X, Rocha Moya, an ally of leftist President Claudia Sheinbaum, asserted his innocence, stating he committed no crimes and is returning to his post with a clear conscience. The U.S. Department of Justice had accused him and others in April, seeking their extradition. This marked the first time the U.S. had publicly indicted a sitting Mexican politician, creating diplomatic tension with Sheinbaum's administration.

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he did not commit any crimes and returns to his post with a clear conscience.

Sheinbaum had previously requested irrefutable evidence from the U.S. before any extradition of Rocha, who was considered a close associate of her predecessor, former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. However, on Friday, Sheinbaum appeared to distance herself from Rocha's return, characterizing his decision as a personal choice that did not have her endorsement.

The 77-year-old governor initially resigned on May 1 following the U.S. indictment. His unexpected return to one of the country's most influential positions opens the door for potential disputes between Mexico City and Washington regarding his legal fate. The Sinaloa cartel, known for its brutality, was co-founded by the imprisoned drug lord Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman.

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the action was the personal choice of the governor, which did not have her blessing.