Sheinbaum Challenges U.S. Justice Department
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has openly confronted the U.S. Department of Justice, seemingly attempting to leverage her political influence to prevent the arrest and extradition of various officials from her party, MORENA. Among those implicated are three men, including sitting governors, senators, and mayors, along with seven law enforcement officers from Sinaloa who face drug trafficking charges in a U.S. federal court.
In response to the situation, Sheinbaum accused the U.S. Department of Justice of engaging in political maneuvers to undermine her party, asserting that Mexico would not get involved.
“This has to be made completely clear,” she stated. “We will not allow foreign governments to interfere in matters that are strictly for the Mexican people.”
The controversy began when the U.S. Department of Justice announced charges against Sinaloa’s current governor, Ruben Rocha Moya, along with several close associates, including a senator and the mayor of Culiacán. They are alleged to have collaborated with the Sinaloa cartel, particularly its Chapitos faction, according to U.S. federal prosecutors. The accusations suggest that these officials protected the cartels in exchange for political backing.
Following the news of the indictments, Mexico’s attorney general’s office stated that the U.S. attorney general had sought the arrest and extradition of the individuals but failed to provide solid evidence of any wrongdoing.
Sheinbaum emphasized that Mexico’s FGR (Attorney General’s Office) should conduct an independent investigation to see if the claims hold any weight and whether there’s any evidence against the accused. This stance comes as there’s increasing scrutiny on MORENA party members, many of whom have been tied to drug cartels and fuel smuggling activities.
Sheinbaum also referenced the case of former Army Secretary Salvador Cienfuegos, who was apprehended and charged with drug offenses in the U.S. After Mexico’s political intervention, the U.S. sent him back to Mexico, where he was subsequently released and honored by then-President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Sheinbaum argued that the U.S. had no substantial evidence against him, dismissing the case as politically motivated.
As noted, the U.S. government is pressuring Mexico to make strides against drug cartels. While Mexico has arrested some high-profile traffickers, it has yet to eliminate the political clout that these cartels wield throughout the country. This influence is closely tied to how several drug cartels financed the political careers of Rocha Moya and other key members of the MORENA party. Reports outline how the Gulf Cartel helped secure the governorship for Tamaulipas and how the new generation of Cartel Jalisco collaborated with the former governor of Tabasco.
