Governor Rubén Rocha Moya, 77, of Sinaloa, Mexico, submitted a letter on August 22 requesting a temporary, indefinite leave of more than 30 days. The request was filed with the Sinaloa State Congress just one day after he announced his return to the governorship following a three‑month absence.
Rocha’s absence began after U.S. prosecutors charged him and nine other current and former officials with drug‑trafficking and related weapons offenses in April. The indictment alleges that the officials collaborated with the Sinaloa cartel to move large quantities of narcotics into the United States.
Return and Immediate Request for Leave
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, Rocha said, “Today I return to the exercise of my responsibility as Governor of Sinaloa with a clear conscience and head held high, with the strength of truth on our side.” He added that he had spent 112 days away from office while cooperating with Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office, describing the U.S. accusations as “false.”
His letter, which was stamped as received by the state congress on August 22, does not specify when he plans to resume duties or the precise reasons for stepping away again. The governor has repeatedly asserted his innocence, stating that the investigation has produced no evidence of criminal conduct.
Political Reactions
Mexico’s ruling Morena party and President Claudia Sheinbaum did not welcome Rocha’s brief return. Morena said it had no advance knowledge of his decision and distanced itself from the move. The Interior Ministry noted that the decision to return was Rocha’s alone and that the attorney‑general’s investigation remains open.
President Sheinbaum posted a message on X emphasizing that “no personal interest can ever stand above the interests of the people and the Nation,” and that public servants must recognize that “positions are temporary, but responsibility to the Nation is eternal.”
U.S.‑Mexico Relations
The case has heightened tensions between the United States and Mexico. Sheinbaum labeled the charges as foreign interference, while Mexican officials argue that Washington has not presented sufficient evidence to justify Rocha’s arrest or extradition.
Rocha is the first sitting Mexican governor to face U.S. criminal charges, a development that underscores the broader challenges of cross‑border drug enforcement and the political sensitivities surrounding sovereignty and law‑enforcement cooperation.
Next Steps
With the governor’s leave request now pending, the Sinaloa State Congress will determine how to manage the executive vacancy. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Justice continues its prosecution, and Mexican authorities maintain their investigation.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
