US DOJ indicts Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya and officials

The U.S. Department of Justice in New York filed an indictment charging Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya, a governor "with license," and nine other current or former state officials with alleged drug‑trafficking and weapons offenses tied to the Sinaloa Cartel and its Los Chapitos faction. Mexican authorities note that no Interpol red notice has been issued and that any extradition request must be reviewed by Mexican courts. The federal government, led by President Claudia Sheinbaum, said it will not protect anyone who has committed a crime but called for clear evidence before proceeding.

Mexican banks have frozen accounts belonging to Rocha Moya and other indicted officials as a precautionary financial measure. Politically, the scandal has intensified scrutiny of Morena’s candidate selection for the 2027 Sinaloa gubernatorial race. Senator Enrique Inzunza, also named in the U.S. case, announced he would not seek the party’s nomination and said, "Lo decidirá la gente y el propio partido si se registra o no." Sheinbaum declined to comment on his future, emphasizing that decisions rest with the party and voters, while Morena pledged to apply criminal and financial vetting to all prospective candidates.