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Sinaloa Governor Ruben Rocha Moya, who is wanted by the United States over alleged drug trafficking links, has announced his resignation just a day after returning to office.
Rocha made the announcement on Saturday, asking the Sinaloa state congress to approve a “temporary leave of absence of indefinite duration, exceeding 30 days.”
The governor had resumed his duties on Friday after stepping aside in May to face an investigation by Mexican prosecutors.
His return to office drew criticism from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who said no personal interest should be placed above the interests of the people or Mexico.
Credit: AFP
“Power without principles becomes arrogance; power without limits, abuse,” Sheinbaum wrote on X, without directly mentioning Rocha.
When asked about the governor during a press briefing, Sheinbaum said she had learnt of his return through his post on X.
“I just put out a post on X; that’s all I have to say,” she said.
The United States Justice Department charged Rocha and nine other officials of Mexico’s ruling Morena party in April, accusing them of colluding with the Sinaloa Cartel to distribute drugs in the United States.
The US also requested their extradition. The charges marked the first time Washington had publicly accused a sitting Mexican politician of such involvement.
Rocha, 77, has denied wrongdoing and said on Friday that he had “committed no crime” as he announced his return to office.
The governor is an ally of Sheinbaum and a close associate of former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who mentored the current president.
The development comes amid heightened tensions between Mexico and the United States over drug trafficking and border security.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly accused Mexican politicians of having links to drug trafficking organisations and has used the threat of tariffs to pressure Mexico to intensify its fight against the drug trade.
Trump has also offered military support to Mexico, but Sheinbaum has rejected the possibility of US military intervention in the country.
