Celebration Planned in Culiacan Following Governor’s Resignation

In Culiacan, located in Mexico’s Sinaloa state, hundreds are gearing up for a significant celebration prompted by the resignation of a governor tied to drug cartels, who is currently a fugitive sought by the U.S. Department of Justice.

This gathering is set to take place outside the governor’s office this week. Organizers encourage attendees to bring grills, share food, and call for improvements within the state. The event follows the announcement from Ruben Rocha Moya, the governor accused of collaborating with the Sinaloa cartel in exchange for financial and political benefits, that he would step down to address federal lawsuits against him.

Reports indicate that these charges are part of a wider criminal indictment linking Rocha Moya and nine associates to organized crime activities. The situation is anticipated to broaden, potentially involving more politicians from the ruling MORENA party.

In response, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has criticized the allegations against Rocha Moya, asserting that there is no evidence of his wrongdoing. It seems her stance has been to back the MORENA party instead of cooperating with the U.S. to combat cartels.

During his tenure, Rubén Rocha Moya faced considerable unpopularity due to the violence that plagued the state, much of which was attributed to the Chapitos faction of the Sinaloa cartel, allegedly his masters. The Chapitos have been embroiled in a conflict with their former allies, the Mayza faction, ever since the summer of 2024 when they kidnapped Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and delivered him to U.S. authorities.