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Mexican governor accused of drug trafficking takes indefinite leave amid criticism
🇦🇷 Argentina /Crime & Justice

Mexican governor accused of drug trafficking takes indefinite leave amid criticism

From Clarín · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya announced an indefinite leave of absence amid US drug trafficking accusations.
  • His decision followed strong criticism from allies and opponents, including President Claudia Sheinbaum, after he briefly resumed office.
  • Mexican authorities have refuted US claims, demanding evidence, while the US indictment alleges officials aided the Sinaloa Cartel.

Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya has announced an indefinite leave of absence from his post, just one day after resuming duties following a nearly four-month license. The move comes amidst significant criticism from both allies and opponents, including President Claudia Sheinbaum, who questioned his return to office.

No personal interest can ever be above the interests of the people and the nation.

— Claudia SheinbaumPresident Sheinbaum's statement questioning Rocha Moya's return to office.

Rocha Moya stated in a letter shared on X that he requested a "temporary leave of indefinite character." His decision followed President Sheinbaum's public remarks on social media, where she asserted that "no personal interest can ever be above the interests of the people and the nation." Sheinbaum added that "power without principles becomes arrogance; power without limits, abuse; and power that forgets the people ends up facing history," in a clear allusion to Rocha Moya.

Earlier, Rocha Moya had announced his return, citing a determination by Mexico's Attorney General's Office that there were "no minimum elements of proof to support our participation in any criminal conduct, meaning I have not committed any crime." This assertion was met with sharp criticism from ruling party congress members and governors, who urged him to reconsider his return to the leadership of Sinaloa, a state grappling with escalating violence from internal cartel conflicts.

Power without principles becomes arrogance; power without limits, abuse; and power that forgets the people ends up facing history.

— Claudia SheinbaumFurther remarks by the President alluding to Rocha Moya's situation.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in New York unsealed an indictment in late April accusing Rocha Moya and nine other Mexican officials of drug trafficking and illicit arms possession. The indictment alleges these individuals facilitated the Sinaloa Cartel's introduction of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine into the United States. Mexico's Attorney General's Office has contested the arrest warrants for the officials and requested evidence from the U.S., which has not yet been provided.

There are no minimum elements of proof to support our participation in any criminal conduct, meaning I have not committed any crime.

— Rubén Rocha MoyaHis justification for returning to his gubernatorial duties.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Clarín in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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