Mexican governor, indicted by US on cartel charges, requests leave again amid backlash

MEXICO CITY - Sinaloa governor Ruben Rocha, indicted by US federal prosecutors on drug-trafficking, bribery and cartel-protection charges, again requested a leave of absence from office on Aug 22, days after defiantly reclaiming his post.Rocha’s return was not well received by either the Mexican government or the ruling Morena party, which accused him of prioritising his personal interests over those of the public.Earlier on Aug 22, President Claudia Sheinbaum warned on X that “power without principles becomes arrogance,” intensifying the political firestorm.Echoing her words, Rocha posted a statement on X saying that “Sinaloa, the nation, and the transformation movement are above all else.”Rocha, 77, a member of Sheinbaum’s Morena party, returned to office on Aug 21 after more than three months on leave following US drug-trafficking charges.In April, US prosecutors alleged Rocha and nine other current and former officials conspired with a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel known as Los Chapitos, helping it to traffic drugs into the US in exchange for political support and bribes.Washington’s move marked a rare expansion of anti-cartel action beyond drug bosses to include a sitting senior Mexican politician.Rocha has described the US case as a politically motivated attack on Sheinbaum’s movement. REUTERS