Overview
- The U.S. Justice Department filed an indictment Wednesday, April 29, accusing Governor Rubén Rocha Moya and nine current or former Sinaloa officials of aiding the Sinaloa Cartel in exchange for large bribes.
- After U.S. extradition requests arrived late Tuesday, April 28, Mexico’s Foreign Ministry sent them to federal prosecutors, who opened inquiries, and the ministry said it will protest the public rollout of the case.
- Rocha rejected the charges as unfounded, Morena leaders urged presumption of innocence, and opposition figures called for removals from office and full investigations.
- A tense session to install the Permanent Commission in Congress devolved into shouting and a blockade of the lectern as lawmakers clashed over the case before the vote went through.
- Diplomatic and economic stakes are rising as the new foreign minister manages U.S. ties, and analysts warn the episode could hurt security cooperation and investor confidence, noting recent foreign investment declines in Sinaloa.