The US Department of Justice announced on Wednesday, April 29, that it is charging the Mexican governor of Sinaloa, Rubén Rocha Moya; the mayor of Culiacán, Juan de Dios Gámez; and eight other individuals with participating in activities linked to drug trafficking.
The indictment for drug trafficking and related weapons offenses was filed by the US attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and the administrator of the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Terrance C. Cole. The others implicated are Enrique Inzunza, Enrique Díaz, Dámaso Castro, Marco Almanza, Alberto Jorge, aka “Cholo”, Gerardo Mérida, José Antonio Dionisio, aka “Tornado”, and Juan Valenzuela Millán, aka “Juanito” (a high-ranking commander in the Culiacán police force).
According to the US Department of Justice, the defendants allegedly worked with the sons of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, known as “Los Chapitos”, a drug trafficking group that allegedly helped Rocha Moya win the election through “intimidation and kidnapping” of his political rivals. In exchange, US authorities allege that the “Chapitos” were allowed to operate with impunity in exchange for a monthly payment of USD 11,000.
Rubén Rocha rejects the accusations
For his part, the leftist governor of Sinaloa, professor and lawyer Rubén Rocha, elected in 2021 by the ruling party, MORENA, categorically rejected the accusations, which he considered “slander without truth or basis”.
“This attack is not only against me personally, but against the Fourth Transformation movement [initiated by former President López Obrador and continued by the current president, Claudia Sheinbaum], its iconic leaders, and the Mexicans who represent that cause,” the governor stated on X.
He also promised to refute the Department of Defense’s accusations: “[The accusation] is part of a perverse strategy to undermine the constitutional order, specifically the national sovereignty enshrined in Article 40 of the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States, which our movement defends as an unchanging and non-negotiable principle. To the people of Sinaloa, I say that, with the courage and dignity that characterize us, we will demonstrate the baselessness of this slander.”
The governor of Sinaloa told the public that he has already spoken with President Sheinbaum about the accusations and that he does not intend to resign from his post: “Rest assured that we continue working for Sinaloa and trying to resolve our common problems.”
For its part, the Mexican government reported, through the foreign ministry, that the United States has not presented evidence to support the allegations; therefore, the extradition request filed by the Department of Justice has not been processed. Additionally, the Mexican government requested that the Attorney General’s Office assess whether there is sufficient evidence to substantiate the allegations against the governor.
What does the US Department of Justice allege?
The Department of Justice, which has sought life imprisonment for all the defendants, further stated: “To protect and expand this drug trafficking empire, the Cartel has allegedly partnered with corrupt politicians and law enforcement officials, including the defendants, who have abused their authority to support the Cartel.”
Accusing the public servants of having “sold out their offices in exchange for massive bribes”, the DOJ claimed they participated in cartel violence, including kidnapping and even murder, as part of the cartel’s elaborate drug trafficking conspiracy.
“The defendants have allegedly shielded Cartel leaders from investigation, arrest, and prosecution; caused sensitive law enforcement and military information to be provided to members of the Cartel and allied drug traffickers to assist the Cartel’s criminal activities.”
A not-so-short history of bilateral tensions
This episode of political and legal tensions adds to a string of controversies between Mexico and Washington. In recent days, Mexican authorities revealed that two CIA agents who died in a traffic accident had been operating in Mexico without the federal government’s knowledge or permission. In response, President Sheinbaum called for a thorough investigation. These tensions come on top of those already publicly discussed between the US government and Mexico regarding the fight against drug trafficking.
Read more: Mexico investigates US operations after two covert CIA agents die in traffic accident
Since the start of his second term, Trump has demanded greater action against drug trafficking and illegal immigration from Mexican authorities, warning that if his demands are not met, he could impose economic sanctions on Mexico. He even went so far as to suggest that he might attack the cartels on Mexican territory, a move that was clearly rejected by the Sheinbaum administration, which stoically maintains that its government has made significant progress in combating drug trafficking and illegal migration.
As for the case involving the governor of Sinaloa, it remains to be seen what public stance and statement President Sheinbaum will issue in response to these new allegations against high-ranking politicians from her party. Much of the governor’s future lies in the hands of the executive branch.
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