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Sinaloa governor seeks new leave after presidential criticism over cartel ties
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Elections & Politics

Sinaloa governor seeks new leave after presidential criticism over cartel ties

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya requested a new indefinite temporary leave from his post.
  • The request follows criticism from Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum regarding his actions and alleged ties to the Sinaloa Cartel.
  • This is Rocha Moya's second leave request, with investigations into alleged cartel links ongoing.

Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya has requested a new indefinite temporary leave from his gubernatorial duties, submitting the request to the state congress on Saturday. This decision comes shortly after criticism from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum concerning his conduct and alleged connections to the Sinaloa Cartel.

Sinaloa, the nation, and the transformation movement are above all else.

— Rubén Rocha MoyaGovernor of Sinaloa, explaining his decision to take a leave of absence.

In a message posted on social media platform X, Rocha Moya stated, "Sinaloa, the nation, and the transformation movement are above all else." He formally submitted his request for a "temporary leave, with indefinite character, for more than thirty days" to the president of the Sinaloa Congress. This marks his second departure from the office to which he was elected, with his term set to conclude on December 31, 2027.

President Sheinbaum had previously expressed her stance on the governor's decision to resume his post, stating that "no personal interest can ever be above the interests of the people and the Nation." She further commented that "Mexico deserves public servants who understand that positions are temporary" and that "power without principles becomes arrogance." The ruling Morena party and the Ministry of the Interior had previously distanced themselves from Rocha Moya's decision to return to office, emphasizing it was a personal choice.

no personal interest can ever be above the interests of the people and the Nation.

— Claudia SheinbaumPresident of Mexico, commenting on the governor's situation.

The controversy surrounding Rocha Moya intensified on April 29, when the U.S. Department of Justice accused ten state officials, including the governor, of allegedly protecting Sinaloa Cartel operations, particularly the faction led by Los Chapitos. The accusations include providing sensitive information to the criminal faction and facilitating drug transport to the United States in exchange for millions in bribes. The Attorney General's Office of Mexico maintains ongoing investigations into these allegations.

Mexico deserves public servants who understand that positions are temporary and that power without principles becomes arrogance.

— Claudia SheinbaumPresident of Mexico, criticizing the governor's actions.
DistantNews Editorial

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

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