Mexico’s Sheinbaum calls Sinaloa governor’s return to his post ‘imprudent’

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum called Sinaloa Governor Ruben Rocha Moya’s return to office while being investigated for alleged criminal links “imprudent,” saying personal interests should not take precedence over those of the people of Sinaloa and Mexico.

“I thought it was, to put it mildly, imprudent, because this is not a personal matter; it is a matter concerning the government of Sinaloa and the people of Sinaloa. What was the need to return?” Sheinbaum said Monday at her daily morning press conference.

“I had no prior knowledge that he wanted to return,” she added.

She said her criticism of Rocha Moya’s decision was political rather than judicial, adding that Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office (FGR) is responsible for providing information on ongoing investigations.

Sheinbaum said the investigations include allegations raised by US authorities concerning Rocha Moya, as well as the killing of Hector Melesio Cuen, a former rector of the Autonomous University of Sinaloa and a former political figure in the state.

Rocha Moya returned to the governorship Friday after more than three months on leave, despite criticism from Sheinbaum and members of the ruling Morena party. He subsequently requested another leave of absence after spending less than two days back in office.

The Sinaloa state congress unanimously approved his request Sunday and is due to consider the appointment of an interim governor Monday.

Rocha Moya, a member of the Morena party, initially took leave in May amid allegations of links to the Sinaloa Cartel.

The US Justice Department indicted him and nine current and former Sinaloa officials in April over alleged ties to Los Chapitos, a faction of the cartel. US prosecutors accused Rocha Moya of conspiring with cartel leaders to import narcotics into the United States in exchange for political support and bribes and alleged that cartel members helped secure his election.

Rocha Moya has denied the allegations, describing the US charges as politically motivated.

Sheinbaum reiterated that any potential criminal responsibility must be determined by the competent authorities, while defending her criticism of Rocha Moya’s decision as a political matter.

The controversy comes as Sinaloa continues to face violence linked to a power struggle within the Sinaloa Cartel, one of Mexico’s most powerful criminal organizations.