On August 23, 2026, Sinaloa Governor Ruben Rocha Moya resigned hastily following his brief return to office. This move occurred amid the U.S. government’s charges against him concerning drug trafficking. Rocha had resumed his leadership role on Friday after stepping away in May due to a Mexican prosecutor’s investigation.
Rocha’s decision to request a temporary leave of absence exceeding 30 days was communicated via social media platform X on Saturday. This came one day after resuming his duties as governor. The document shared on X asked the state congress to authorize this leave.
Sinaloa Gov. Ruben Rocha Moya speaking at the inauguration ceremony of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Oct. 1, 2024. Photo: Jose Luis Torales/NurPhoto via Getty Images.
Rocha’s return drew criticism from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. She stated that personal interests should never override the interests of the people and the nation. She used her X post to communicate these sentiments without naming Rocha Moya directly. Sheinbaum’s response to inquiries about Rocha was limited to referencing her post.
In April, the U.S. Justice Department indicted Rocha and nine other officials from the ruling Morena party. The charges relate to alleged collaboration with the Sinaloa Cartel to traffic drugs to the U.S. This marked the first instance of the U.S. publicly accusing a sitting Mexican politician.
Rocha declared his innocence on Friday, stating he returned to office with a “clear conscience”. At 77, Rocha is a close ally of Sheinbaum and former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. His governorship in Sinaloa started in 2021.
Rocha’s involvement with the Sinaloa Cartel erupted in a scandal in 2023. His name appeared in a letter by a cartel capo who had been kidnapped by rival factions. This capo was eventually handed over to U.S. law enforcement. The letter claimed the capo was en route to meet Rocha when kidnapped.
Facing charges that include narcotics importation conspiracy and possession of machine guns, Rocha could face severe penalties, including life imprisonment or a minimum of 40 years if convicted.
U.S. President Trump used tariff threats to demand Mexico bolster its drug war efforts. Trump frequently accuses Mexican leaders of connections with drug trafficking and offered military assistance, which Sheinbaum declined.
The Sinaloa cartel stands as one of six Mexican drug trafficking groups designated as foreign terrorist organizations by Trump’s administration.