Mexico's President criticizes 'naked ambition' after governor's return amid US drug charges

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Saturday criticized what she termed the "naked ambition" for power among some public officials, stating that no personal interest can ever be placed above the nation's. Her remarks came a day after Rubén Rocha Moya, the governor of the state of Sinaloa and a member of the ruling Morena party, resumed his duties following accusations of drug trafficking leveled against him by the United States.

Sheinbaum's statement, which marks her first public comment on Rocha Moya's return, aligns with positions previously expressed by her party and the Ministry of the Interior. "Personal interests can never be above the interests of the people and the Nation. And much less when what is sought to be placed above Mexico is not the well-being of its people, but the naked ambition for power for power's sake," Sheinbaum declared on her X account.

She added, "Mexico deserves public servants who understand that positions are temporary, but responsibility to the Nation is eternal." The governor's resumption of office, despite being sought by a U.S. court for alleged ties to a drug cartel, risks deepening tensions between Mexico and the United States, and potentially creating friction within the Morena party. Rocha Moya has denied any wrongdoing, asserting he returned "with a clean and high forehead."

The governor, who is reportedly close to former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, had stepped down in May to face an investigation by the Mexican prosecutor's office. The Ministry of the Interior distanced itself from his return, stating it was a "personal decision." Analysts and Mexican media have noted the unusual public divergence, suggesting potential internal party conflicts, particularly given Rocha Moya's political connections.