The Mexican governor accused by U.S. prosecutors of aiding the Sinaloa cartel in drug trafficking announced on Friday that he was resuming his duties, defying federal charges that have sparked a political uproar in Mexico and strained relations with the United States.
Rubén Rocha Moya, 77, has consistently maintained his innocence, describing the allegations as a politically motivated attack. Shortly after the indictment was unsealed in April, he stepped away from office temporarily to focus on his defense.
However, three months later, he declared he was returning to the governor’s office of Sinaloa state.
“I resume my duty as governor of Sinaloa with a clear conscience and the strength of truth on our side,” he wrote in a detailed statement on social media.
The indictment alleges that Rocha and nine other current and former Mexican officials, including a sitting senator, were part of a conspiracy to assist the Sinaloa cartel in smuggling narcotics into the U.S. Prosecutors claim Rocha accepted bribes and electoral support in exchange for shielding the cartel, which has long terrorized Sinaloa and destabilized much of Mexico.
Rocha, the highest-ranking official from Mexico’s ruling left-wing party, Morena, to face indictment by U.S. authorities, represents a major move by the Trump administration to target perceived corruption enabling transnational drug networks.
His return to office has intensified a political crisis for President Claudia Sheinbaum and deepened divisions with the U.S., even as both nations strive to strengthen joint efforts against cartels responsible for thousands of deaths and vast profits from drug exports.
In May, The New York Times revealed that U.S. prosecutors were directed to pursue terrorism-related charges against Mexican officials suspected of colluding with drug traffickers.
Rocha has faced longstanding scrutiny over accusations of shielding the Sinaloa cartel, one of the most violent and lucrative drug organizations globally.
While President Sheinbaum, who skipped her daily press briefing on Friday citing illness, did not comment directly on Rocha’s return, she has previously rejected protecting him, requested more evidence from U.S. authorities, and supported Mexico’s own legal proceedings.
The U.S. Department of Justice and the Southern District of New York, which filed the indictment, did not respond immediately to requests for comment.
Mexican authorities rejected the initial extradition request in April, citing insufficient evidence.
On Friday, the Interior Ministry described Rocha’s return as “a personal decision” and confirmed the broader investigation by the attorney general’s office remains active.
Morena stated it had no advanced notice of the move and disassociated itself from the decision. The party emphasized its commitment to due process, continued investigations, and accountability.
At least two former Sinaloa officials have already been detained in connection with U.S. indictments — Gerardo Mérida Sánchez, the ex-state security chief, surrendered to authorities in Arizona in May, while Enrique Díaz, a former state finance official, was arrested in Europe.
Legal experts note that by returning to office, Rocha has reinstated the constitutional immunity tied to his elected position. He claimed he had initially taken leave to cooperate as a private citizen, without such protections.
He reported that he had testified before the Mexican attorney general’s office and answered questions truthfully. He also referenced a public statement from prosecutors indicating that there was not yet enough evidence to substantiate the U.S. claims.
Rocha dismissed the accusations as “baseless,” attributing them to “political and interventionist motives of the national and foreign far right.”
He added: “I have committed no crime under our country’s constitutional and legal framework.”
Jorge Álvarez Máynez, a former presidential candidate and leader of the center-left Citizens’ Movement party, condemned Rocha’s return as a moment of “national disgrace,” writing on social media: “The cynicism and impunity behind this message mock our nation.”
Carlos Pérez Ricart, political analyst and organized crime expert at the Center for Economic Research and Teaching, called the move a “grave political mistake.”
“Rejecting foreign pressure is one thing, but assuming Rocha still has the legitimacy to govern Sinaloa is another,” he wrote. “Leadership requires more than innocence — it demands political credibility.”
Undeterred by criticism, Rocha confirmed he plans to serve out his term, which runs until October 31, 2027.
