Two allies of President Claudia Sheinbaum’s Morena party announced temporary leaves from office on Saturday after a US indictment tied them to the Sinaloa cartel.
Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya and Culiacán Mayor Juan de Dios Gámez Mendívil both denied the allegations as they stepped aside. Rocha Moya is the highest-ranking official named in the indictment, which accuses him of protecting the powerful Sinaloa cartel, facilitating drug smuggling into the United States and accepting millions of dollars in bribes.
“I am clear in my conscience,” Rocha Moya said, asserting he has never betrayed his constituents. He said his absence will be temporary so he can defend himself against what he called “false and malicious” claims and to cooperate with Mexico’s investigation. Rocha suggested the accusations are politically motivated and intended to damage Morena, saying he would not allow himself to be used against the movement he belongs to.
The US indictment names 10 Mexican officials and arrives amid increased pressure from the administration of US President Donald Trump on Mexico to act against drug trafficking and cartel activity. The case follows a separate recent controversy in which Mexican officials complained that two alleged US agents, reportedly CIA personnel, participated without authorization in a drug operation and later died in a car accident during that operation.
President Sheinbaum said she was not convinced by the US case against Rocha Moya and demanded “solid and irrefutable” evidence. She announced that Mexican authorities will conduct their own investigation and gather independent information, emphasizing that any accused officials should be tried in Mexico first. “We will never subordinate ourselves because this is a matter of the dignity of the Mexican people,” she said.