Mexican governor and mayor indicted by US for drug trafficking step down
The Guardian • • nation
Key Points:
- Two members of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s party in Sinaloa state have temporarily stepped down after the US charged them and eight others with drug trafficking, shaking Mexico’s political establishment.
- Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya, the highest-ranking official indicted, denied the accusations of protecting the Sinaloa cartel and accepted a 30-day leave of absence to defend himself and cooperate with investigations.
- Mayor Juan de Dios Gámez Mendívil also took leave, while Senator Enrique Inzunza will continue serving as he defends himself; interim governor Yeraldine Bonilla Valverde was appointed by the state congress.
- The officials’ temporary departure removes their immunity from prosecution, making them subject to potential detention, while Mexico’s attorney general’s office has declined US requests for their arrest pending investigation.
- President Sheinbaum emphasized Mexico’s sovereignty, stating any proven crimes would be tried domestically, rejecting US pressure and threats of military action, while Rocha called the indictment a political attack on their party, Morena.
