Ken Salazar denies knowledge of alleged payments to Sinaloa governor

Former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar has denied any knowledge of alleged payments from associates of drug lord Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada to Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya or other state officials.

During an interview on the N+Univision program "Esta Semana" with journalist Ilia Calderón, Salazar stated, "I never had that information. I did not have that information about the governor of Sinaloa. If something was found after this, well, I don't know, because I left there a long time ago. But I never had that information."

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I never had that information. I did not have that information about the governor of Sinaloa. If something was found after this, well, I don't know, because I left there a long time ago. But I never had that information.

Calderón questioned Salazar regarding the capture and extradition of "El Mayo" Zambada, a case prompting an investigation in Mexico into the alleged involvement of foreign agencies during the operation. She specifically asked if he had any information or reference that drug traffickers paid the Sinaloa governor or state officials, referencing Zambada's statement that his people paid everyone from police to politicians.

Salazar rejected having any basis for these claims against Rocha Moya. He emphasized the need for Mexico and the United States to strengthen their bilateral trust alliance to address security issues.

The former ambassador also touched upon his recent book, "Borderlands. My fight for an inclusive America." He shared a fragment from the book regarding the transfer of the Mexican drug trafficker to U.S. territory, stating, "He had to understand that the United States had no prior knowledge of this kidnapping, and that under no circumstances had we carried out an unauthorized operation in Mexican territory."

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He had to understand that the United States had no prior knowledge of this kidnapping, and that under no circumstances had we carried out an unauthorized operation in Mexican territory.

Salazar was also questioned about accusations made by President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, who insinuated that Salazar had lied. He responded, "The truth is the truth. The truth should guide us toward the future."

He mentioned attempting to contact former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador after Zambada's transfer to the U.S., without success. The Spanish version of his book is set to be released in Mexico at the end of July.

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The truth is the truth. The truth should guide us toward the future.