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Sinaloa Gov. Rubén Rocha Moya filed an abrupt request for indefinite leave Saturday, merely 24 hours after announcing his return to office following a three-month hiatus stemming from U.S. drug trafficking allegations. The 77-year-old submitted a letter through social media requesting “temporary leave of an indefinite nature, for more than 30 days,” though he provided no explanation or timeline for his departure.
Rocha’s sudden reversal came after he triumphantly declared his comeback Friday, stating he would resume his duties with “a clear conscience” and fulfill his obligation to constituents through October 31, 2027. The governor asserted during his initial return that his 112-day absence allowed him to cooperate with Mexican authorities while defending himself against what he characterized as baseless U.S. government accusations.
The announcement drew swift condemnation from Mexico’s ruling Morena party and President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration. Morena claimed it had no forewarning of Rocha’s return, while Mexico’s Interior Ministry stressed the decision was his alone and emphasized that the attorney general’s investigation remained active.
Sheinbaum responded with a pointed statement on social media, declaring that “no personal interest can ever stand above the interests of the people and the Nation” and asserting that Mexico requires public officials who prioritize national responsibility over temporary positions. U.S. prosecutors indicted Rocha and nine other current and former officials in April on drug trafficking and weapons charges, alleging they collaborated with the Sinaloa cartel to supply narcotics to American markets.
Rocha holds the distinction of being the first sitting Mexican governor charged by the United States under these circumstances. The indictment has aggravated diplomatic tensions, with Sheinbaum characterizing the charges as foreign interference while Mexico maintains that Washington has provided insufficient evidence to warrant arrest or extradition proceedings.
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