Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Sinaloa Governor Seeks Leave Again Amid U.S. Cartel Charges
Ruben Rocha is the governor of Mexico’s Sinaloa state.
U.S. prosecutors accuse him and other officials of helping a cartel.
They say this involved drug trafficking, bribes and political support.
Rocha says the accusations are politically motivated.
He had stayed away from his job for more than three months.
He returned on Friday but faced strong criticism.
Mexico’s government and his Morena party said his return focused too much on his own interests.
He then asked to take leave again.
Sinaloa Governor Ruben Rocha again requested a leave of absence after returning to office following more than three months away.
U.S. federal prosecutors have indicted Rocha and nine other current and former officials on drug-trafficking, bribery and cartel-protection charges.
Prosecutors allege the officials worked with the Los Chapitos faction of the Sinaloa Cartel in exchange for political support and bribes.
Rocha’s return drew criticism from the Mexican government and his Morena party, which said he was putting personal interests before the public.
Rocha called the U.S. case politically motivated, while President Claudia Sheinbaum warned that power without principles becomes arrogance.
- Who
- Sinaloa Governor Ruben Rocha, U.S. federal prosecutors, President Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico’s government and the Morena party.
- What
- Rocha again requested a leave of absence after returning to office while facing U.S. cartel-related charges.
- When
- The request was reported on Saturday, one day after Rocha returned to office; the U.S. indictment was announced in April.
- Where
- Sinaloa, Mexico, with the charges brought by U.S. federal prosecutors.
- Why
- Rocha requested leave amid political backlash over his return and the U.S. allegations, which he denies as politically motivated.
Prosecutors and Mexican Political Critics
Rocha’s Defense
Alleged cartel relationship
Prosecutors and Mexican Political Critics
U.S. prosecutors allege Rocha and other officials conspired with Los Chapitos to help traffic drugs into the United States in exchange for political support and bribes.
Rocha’s Defense
Rocha rejects the U.S. case as a politically motivated attack on President Claudia Sheinbaum’s political movement.
Return to office
Prosecutors and Mexican Political Critics
Mexico’s government and the Morena party criticized Rocha’s return, saying he prioritized personal interests over the public.
Rocha’s Defense
Rocha returned to office after more than three months on leave, although he subsequently requested leave again.
Political conduct
Prosecutors and Mexican Political Critics
President Claudia Sheinbaum warned that “power without principles becomes arrogance,” adding to the criticism surrounding Rocha.
Rocha’s Defense
Rocha echoed Sheinbaum’s language by saying that Sinaloa, the nation and the transformation movement were above all else.
- Official
- Ruben Rocha, governor of Sinaloa
- U.S. allegations
- Drug trafficking, bribery and cartel protection
- Other defendants
- Nine current and former officials were also named
- Cartel faction
- Los Chapitos, a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel
- Previous absence
- Rocha had been on leave for more than three months
- Political party
- Morena
- Rocha’s response
- He described the U.S. case as a politically motivated attack on Claudia Sheinbaum’s movement