Mexican prosecutor investigating Sinaloa governor resigns

Ulises Lara López, the head of the Special Prosecutor's Office for Relevant Affairs and the official leading the investigation into Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya, has resigned from his post. The Attorney General's Office (FGR) stated that Lara's departure on Tuesday was due to "personal reasons."

According to national media reports, the FGR has not provided further details regarding the resignation of Lara, who had held the position since January 2. During his tenure, Lara also served as the spokesperson for the FGR, which is headed by Attorney General Ernestina Godoy Ramos. Lara's office was responsible for investigating accusations of drug trafficking and weapons possession brought by the U.S. Department of Justice against nine high-ranking Mexican government officials, including Governor Moya.

The FGR has consistently stated that the U.S. has not provided sufficient evidence to justify an urgent arrest warrant for Governor Moya. President Claudia Sheinbaum has previously characterized the extradition requests for Moya by the United States as an act of "interference" and interventionism.

Lara's resignation also comes shortly after President Sheinbaum requested the FGR to release more details concerning the arrest and extradition of Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, a prominent leader and co-founder of the Sinaloa Cartel. Zambada was apprehended two years ago amidst a betrayal that reportedly triggered the current wave of violence in the state. "It is very important that the Attorney General's Office provides all the information on how this person (Zambada) was arrested," Sheinbaum stated during her morning press conference. The FGR has not yet announced who will succeed Lara. Prior to his role in Godoy's key team, Lara served as a spokesperson within the Attorney General's Office of Mexico City.