Sinaloa governor requests indefinite temporary leave
Governor of the Mexican state of Sinaloa Rubén Rocha Moya has asked the local congress to allow him to take temporary leave for an indefinite period exceeding 30 days. He submitted the request a day after announcing his return to performing his duties as head of the state.
As Deutsche Welle English reports, the 77-year-old politician wrote in a post on X that Sinaloa, the nation, and the “transformation movement” come above all else. In May, Rocha Moya temporarily stepped away from his duties amid an investigation by Mexican prosecutors.
Charges in the United States
In April, U.S. prosecutors said that Rocha Moya and nine other current or former officials from the ruling Morena party allegedly conspired with one of the Sinaloa cartel’s factions to supply drugs to the United States. Prosecutors claim this took place in exchange for bribes and political support.
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DW notes that this was the first time the United States had publicly brought charges against a sitting Mexican politician. Rocha Moya has consistently denied all allegations and suggests they are intended to harm the left-wing Morena party.
Authorities’ reaction
Reports of the governor’s return to work caused dissatisfaction in the government and in his own party. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said that personal interests cannot be more important than the interests of the people and the country.
She also said that power without principles turns into arrogance, while power without limits turns into abuse. Rocha Moya was considered an ally of Sheinbaum; he is also close to her mentor, former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
