Phoenix 24
The federal government maintains that the Sinaloa governor resumed office on his own initiative, without an endorsement from President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration.
MEXICO CITY.— Mexico’s federal government distanced itself from Rubén Rocha Moya’s return as governor of Sinaloa, describing the move as a personal decision. Rocha resumed his duties after spending 112 days on temporary leave while responding to accusations issued by United States authorities. The Morena politician announced that he intends to complete his constitutional term, which ends in October 2027.
Rocha stepped aside after the U.S. Department of Justice accused him and other Sinaloa officials of allegedly collaborating with Los Chapitos, a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel. American prosecutors claim the officials protected criminal leaders, shared confidential information and facilitated drug-trafficking operations in exchange for political support and bribes. Rocha has repeatedly denied the allegations and portrayed them as an attack against Mexico’s sovereignty and its governing political movement.
President Claudia Sheinbaum previously emphasized that the decision to return belonged exclusively to Rocha and that Washington had not supplied Mexico with the requested evidence. Mexican authorities have declined to execute the U.S. extradition request without sufficient supporting information. Rocha, meanwhile, said he cooperated with domestic institutions as a private citizen and returned with a clear conscience after no evidence against him emerged from the Mexican investigation.
His reinstatement ended Yeraldine Bonilla’s period as interim governor and returned her to the position of Sinaloa’s secretary general of government. Rocha’s arrival at the Government Palace was met by families searching for missing relatives, underscoring the security and humanitarian crisis still confronting the state. Returning to office may restore Rocha’s constitutional authority, but it cannot by itself restore the public trust placed under strain by allegations that remain unresolved across two countries.
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