Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya requested a temporary leave of absence on Friday, May 1, following allegations from the U.S. Department of Justice linking him, along with nine other Mexican officials and former officials, to the Sinaloa Cartel. The State Congress approved the request on Saturday, May 2, allowing the governor to step away from his duties for a 30-day period.
“I have a clear conscience. I say this clearly and emphatically: the accusations made against me are false and malicious,” Rocha Moya stated in a message shared via his social media accounts. The governor, who had dismissed the possibility of resigning just one day prior, maintained that his decision stems from a “republican conviction” to avoid obstructing the investigation launched by the Attorney General's Office (FGR).
Following the approval of his leave, a legal debate has emerged regarding his legal standing. According to reports from El Universal, legal experts consulted by the outlet, including José Mario de la Garza, agree that because he is no longer actively serving in public office, the governor no longer holds constitutional immunity. Citing precedents from the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) and Articles 111 and 112 of the Constitution, de la Garza explained that the approval of a leave of absence implies the lifting of procedural immunity, which would allow the FGR to pursue criminal action against him.
Minutes after the governor's announcement, the Mayor of Culiacán, Juan de Dios Gámez Mendívil, also requested a temporary leave of more than ten days. The Culiacán city council approved the Morena mayor's departure during an extraordinary session held in his absence, appointing the city's legal trustee, Ana Miriam Ramos Villarreal, as his replacement.
During the session, PRI councilwoman Erika Sánchez criticized the mayor for not having the courage to appear personally before the council. Following the session, the newly appointed interim official, Ramos Villarreal, confirmed that the move is a direct response to the ongoing investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice into the mayor's alleged ties to the “Los Chapitos” faction.
President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo addressed the case during her morning press conference on Saturday, emphasizing that the presumption of innocence must prevail in Mexico. “Everyone is innocent until proven guilty. That is how justice works in Mexico,” the President declared, underscoring that any foreign allegations must be supported by evidence within the national legal framework.
Sheinbaum Pardo rejected external pressure regarding the country's judicial sovereignty and reiterated that it is the responsibility of the FGR to conduct the necessary analyses. “It is up to the prosecutor's office to perform the analysis, see what evidence exists, and, if not, request the necessary evidence. It is as simple as that,” the head of the federal executive noted.
The opposition has characterized these measures as insufficient given the magnitude of the crisis. Jorge Álvarez Máynez, of Movimiento Ciudadano, noted on social media that “the leave is a step, but it is not enough,” arguing that as long as officials maintain immunity, impunity persists, and he demanded the removal of legal protections for those involved.
Meanwhile, the PRI leadership in Sinaloa warned that the request for leave “confirms that the crisis is real and of great magnitude.” The party demanded that the process not be limited to a temporary separation, calling for transparency and accountability regarding who is involved and what actual responsibilities exist within the state.
The FGR has maintained that, so far, there is insufficient evidence to proceed with arrests against the named officials. The institution has formally requested that the United States government provide more information and evidence to support its allegations in order to continue the ongoing investigations.
