State legislators in Sinaloa are expected to vote on Governor Rubén Rocha Moya’s request for an indefinite leave of absence, just hours after he announced a brief return to his post. The reversal comes amid intense criticism from members of the ruling Morena party, which says the governor’s personal decision threatens the party’s credibility and the nation’s interests.
Background to the indictment
In late April, federal prosecutors in New York unsealed a criminal indictment that accuses Rocha Moya and nine other current or former Mexican officials of protecting members of the Sinaloa cartel in exchange for bribes. The indictment alleges the officials facilitated the trafficking of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine into the United States.
The charges represent the most significant action taken by the Trump administration against alleged official corruption that enables Mexican drug cartels. While President Donald Trump has repeatedly called for U.S. military assistance to combat the cartels, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum has rejected Washington’s request to arrest and extradite the accused without credible evidence, insisting any prosecution must occur in Mexico.
Governor’s brief return and party response
After nearly four months on leave, Rocha Moya announced on Friday that he was returning to his duties, claiming Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office found “no evidence to support our participation in any criminal conduct.” He declared he was back “as governor of Sinaloa with my head held high.”
The announcement triggered an immediate outcry from Morena leaders, including President Sheinbaum, who posted a statement emphasizing that personal interests must never outweigh the nation’s needs. The party’s national leadership said it had no prior knowledge of the governor’s return, labeling the move a “personal decision.” Morena’s Senate bloc urged respect for the ongoing investigation, and the party’s lower‑house leader, Ricardo Monreal, publicly asked the governor, a longtime ally, to reconsider and remain on leave.
Request for indefinite leave
Facing mounting pressure, Rocha Moya later Saturday wrote that he had asked the state legislature to allow him to step aside indefinitely, stating, “Sinaloa, the nation and the transformation movement come first.” Legal scholars continue to debate whether taking leave removes the constitutional immunity that protects a sitting governor from prosecution, a point that could affect the governor’s ability to cooperate with Mexican investigators.
Following the indictment, other officials in Sinaloa have also stepped down, including the mayor of Culiacán, the state’s deputy attorney general, and two former senior state officials who surrendered to U.S. authorities.
Broader context
Sinaloa has been embroiled in a violent conflict between rival factions of the cartel that bears the state’s name for nearly two years, contributing to a climate of insecurity and economic disruption. The indictment and the governor’s subsequent actions highlight the complex interplay between Mexican domestic politics, U.S. law‑enforcement efforts, and the broader fight against organized crime.
As the state legislature prepares to vote, observers note that the outcome could set a precedent for how Mexican officials handle federal indictments and the extent to which party leadership can influence individual officeholders during ongoing investigations.
Original reporting: KTSA News/Talk (San Antonio) — read the source article.
