Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya Takes Leave Again as 10-count U.S. cartel case deepens
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Aug 23
Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya Takes Leave Again as 10-count U.S. cartel case deepens
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Aug 23
Summary
About 36 hours after resuming office, Rubén Rocha Moya said Saturday night he had requested an indefinite leave from the Sinaloa governorship, reversing his return amid a political backlash.
Morena pressure drove the retreat: President Claudia Sheinbaum warned against putting personal ambition above the public good, while party governors, senators and ally Ricardo Monreal urged him to step aside again.
An April U.S. indictment accused Rocha and nine other current and former Mexican officials of helping the Sinaloa cartel traffic drugs, alleging he took bribes and electoral support in exchange for protection.
Rocha denies wrongdoing and says he is the target of a political attack, but his brief return had restored constitutional immunity; by leaving again, he is presumed to lose that protection.
The case has become a major U.S.-Mexico flashpoint, with Washington seeking a tougher anti-corruption line and Mexican officials saying the United States has not provided enough evidence for extradition.