Chihuahua political and administrative transitions

Chihuahua Governor Maru Campos has announced upcoming departures within her state cabinet, noting that officials are leaving to pursue personal or political goals. She stated that new appointees must prioritize addressing poverty, health, and natural disasters to improve citizen quality of life.

Concurrently, Governor Campos has engaged in political friction with the Morena party. She criticized Morena coordinator Cruz Pérez Cuéllar regarding his threats of legal action against those labeling him a ‘narcocandidato’, arguing such moves threaten freedom of expression. Campos also expressed opposition to a Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) ruling, claiming it prevents the removal of candidates with ties to organized crime.

In a significant escalation, Campos has accused Ariadna Montiel, the national leader of the Morena party, of having links to organized crime. During an interview with journalist Carlos Loret de Mola, Campos stated she personally raised these concerns with President Claudia Sheinbaum. The accusations are based on reports from federal security sources alleging that in early 2024, Montiel met with Aureliano Guzmán Loera, known as ‘El Guano’, to negotiate a pact. The reports suggest the criminal group ‘Los Salgueiro’ supported Morena candidates during the 2024 elections in exchange for territorial control from Sinaloa to Chihuahua.

Montiel has firmly rejected these allegations, calling them baseless and demanding that evidence be presented to the authorities. Morena officials have characterized the governor's claims as an attack on the party.