Governor of Sinaloa State Temporarily Steps Down Amid Criminal Charges
The governor of Sinaloa, Mexico, has made headlines this week following the announcement of criminal charges by the U.S. Department of Justice. He has decided to temporarily leave his position while the situation unfolds, and several other officials from Sinaloa state implicated in the indictment have also requested leave.
On Friday night, Governor Ruben Rocha Moya declared his intention to step down. The Sinaloa Congress promptly accepted his request, making it official until further notice.
“I want to update the people of Sinaloa that today I have submitted a request for a temporary leave of absence from my role as governor,” Rocha Moya shared in a statement released online. “I’ve submitted this during the investigation because I believe in the principles of the Republican Party.”
He claimed that the lawsuit is addressing allegations raised by the U.S. Department of Justice, emphasizing that he won’t let it be used against his political faction. Earlier this week, the Justice Department charged Rocha Moya and ten other current and former officials for allegedly collaborating with the Sinaloa Cartel in return for financial benefits and political influence.
Rocha Moya’s timing for requesting leave has sparked speculation regarding a potential imminent arrest, although no arrests had occurred at the time of this report.
This development has led to widespread speculation about the possible political fallout, especially since Rocha Moya is considered a close ally of former Mexican President Andres Manuel López Obrador, who is the founder of the ruling Morena party. Reports indicated that some Morena members seem to have connections with criminal groups, including the Gulf Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
The indictment and Rocha Moya’s departure come amid rising pressure from the U.S. regarding Mexico’s struggles to combat drug cartels. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has argued that the U.S. charges against Rocha Moya are politically motivated, and the Mexican government is weighing extradition requests. Sheinbaum further contended that the U.S. has not provided definitive evidence of wrongdoing by Rocha Moya.
