Mexican Governor Accused by U.S. of Drug Trafficking, Requests Temporary Leave for Investigation
Key facts
- Mexican Governor Accused by U.S. of Drug Trafficking, Requests Temporary Leave for Investigation
- Mexican Sinaloa Governor Ruben Rocha Moya has announced he will temporarily step down to cooperate with an investigation after being accused by the U.S. of drug trafficking. The U.S. Department of Justice has indicted him and nine others for allegedly conspiring with the notorious Sinaloa Cartel to smuggle "large quantities" of drugs into the U.S. This incident has garnered significant attention as it is the first time the U.S. has publicly accused a sitting Mexican governor.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: May 3, 2026
Direct answer
Mexican Sinaloa Governor Ruben Rocha Moya has announced he will temporarily step down to cooperate with an investigation after being accused by the U.S. of drug trafficking. The U.S. Department of Justice has indicted him and nine others for allegedly conspiring with the notorious Sinaloa Cartel to smuggle "large quantities" of drugs into the U.S. This incident has garnered significant attention as it is the first time the U.S. has publicly accused a sitting Mexican governor.
- Citation
- Mexican Governor Accused by U.S. of Drug Trafficking, Requests Temporary Leave for Investigation (May 3, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- May 3, 2026
Mexican Sinaloa Governor Ruben Rocha Moya has announced he will temporarily step down to cooperate with an investigation after being accused by the U.S. of drug trafficking. The U.S. Department of Justice has indicted him and nine others for allegedly conspiring with the notorious Sinaloa Cartel to smuggle "large quantities" of drugs into the U.S. This incident has garnered significant attention as it is the first time the U.S. has publicly accused a sitting Mexican governor.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 3, 2026 at 09:19
- 🔍 Collected: May 3, 2026 at 09:31 (12 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 3, 2026 at 09:34 (2 min after Collected)
According to AFP, Rocha Moya and nine others were indicted this week by the U.S. Department of Justice. He is accused of collaborating with the notorious Mexican drug lord “Sinaloa Cartel” to transport “large quantities” of drugs to the United States.
Rocha Moya, a member of the left-wing Morena party, to which Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum belongs, denounced these accusations as “false and malicious.”
Late last night, Rocha Moya stated on YouTube, “I announce to the people of Sinaloa that I have today submitted an application to the State Congress, requesting a temporary leave from the position of governor.”
Rocha Moya has close ties with former left-wing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and has served as governor of the northwestern Mexican state of Sinaloa since 2021.
Juan de Dios Gamez, the mayor of Culiacan, the capital of Sinaloa state, also named by the U.S. Department of Justice, announced his resignation.
After their resignations, they will no longer enjoy immunity and will be subject to judicial investigations.
Prior to their resignations, Sheinbaum had demanded that the U.S. provide “concrete and irrefutable” evidence.
Sheinbaum pointed out that this is the first time the U.S. has publicly made drug trafficking accusations against a sitting Mexican governor or other high-ranking officials.
The incident has shocked all sectors and further exacerbated already tense U.S.-Mexico diplomatic relations. Previously, two alleged CIA agents died in anti-drug operations.
The “Sinaloa Cartel” is one of six Mexican drug cartels listed by the Trump administration as foreign terrorist organizations.
Washington has long pressured Sheinbaum to intervene in anti-drug trafficking operations, including allowing drone attacks or the deployment of U.S. military personnel. (Compiled by Ku Hsiang-ping) 1150503
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FAQ
What are the key facts in this article?
Mexican Sinaloa Governor Ruben Rocha Moya has announced he will temporarily step down to cooperate with an investigation after being accused by the U.S. of drug trafficking. The U.S. Department of Justice has indicted him and nine others for allegedly conspiring with the notorious Sinaloa Cartel to smuggle "large quantities" of drugs into the U.S. This incident has garnered significant attention as it is the first time the U.S. has publicly accused a sitting Mexican governor.
What is the direct answer?
Mexican Sinaloa Governor Ruben Rocha Moya has announced he will temporarily step down to cooperate with an investigation after being accused by the U.S. of drug trafficking. The U.S. Department of Justice has indicted him and nine others for allegedly conspiring with the notorious Sinaloa Cartel to smuggle "large quantities" of drugs into the U.S. This incident has garnered significant attention as it is the first time the U.S. has publicly accused a sitting Mexican governor.
What is the source and date?
PR Times: https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aopl/202605030013.aspx | May 3, 2026