Sinaloa Vice Attorney General on Leave for 6 Months Amid US Accusations; Resignation Looms

The State Attorney General's office in Sinaloa has confirmed that Vice Attorney General Dámaso Castro Zaavedra has requested and been granted a leave of absence without pay. This decision comes in response to serious accusations made against him by authorities in the United States, which reportedly involve ties to organized crime. The situation places the Sinaloa Prosecutor's Office in a delicate position, balancing legal processes with the need to maintain public trust and operational integrity.

State Attorney General Claudia Zulema Sánchez Kondo clarified that under state law, such a leave of absence cannot extend beyond six months. If Castro Zaavedra does not resolve his legal situation within this timeframe, he will be compelled to resign from his position. Sánchez Kondo emphasized her commitment to respecting due process and declined to comment further on the specifics of the U.S. allegations, stating that the office is awaiting the evolution of federal investigations.

This development raises significant questions about accountability within the state's justice system. While the leave of absence allows Castro Zaavedra to address the accusations personally, it also highlights the potential for external legal pressures to impact high-ranking domestic officials. The Sinaloa Prosecutor's Office is reportedly monitoring the federal investigations closely to determine if his continued presence in office could hinder ongoing inquiries. The situation underscores the complex interplay between national and international legal scrutiny, particularly in regions grappling with issues related to organized crime.

From a local perspective in Sinaloa, this news is significant. The accusations against a high-ranking legal official like the Vice Attorney General inevitably fuel public concern and scrutiny. The commitment to due process is paramount, but the public will be watching closely to see how this situation unfolds and whether justice is served, both for the accused and for the integrity of the state's legal institutions. The limited duration of the leave also signals a clear expectation for resolution, preventing a prolonged period of uncertainty for the office.

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the leave without pay that the State Vice Attorney General, Dámaso Castro Zaavedra, requested to address the accusations against him from United States authorities, by law, cannot be longer than six months, so once that period of time has passed, he will have to resign.