Sinaloa Governor Ruben Rocha Steps Down After US Cartel Indictment

Sinaloa Governor Ruben Rocha Moya announced on Friday evening, May 1, 2026, that he would temporarily step down from office, days after the US Justice Department unsealed an indictment accusing him of helping the Sinaloa Cartel's Chapitos faction. The leave of absence took formal effect on Saturday.

Five-Count US Indictment

According to CBS News and Bloomberg, the US Justice Department on April 29 unsealed a five-count indictment charging Rocha and nine other current and former Mexican officials with assisting the Chapitos faction, the wing of the Sinaloa Cartel led by sons of imprisoned drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman. The charges were brought by federal prosecutors in New York.

The indictment alleges that Rocha met with Chapitos representatives prior to his 2021 election and assured them that friendly officials would be installed in his administration. Cartel members allegedly stole ballot boxes and intimidated political opponents to ensure his victory, according to the US filing reported by CNN.

Rocha Rejects Charges

Rocha rejected the charges in a video message released Friday evening. He framed his request to step aside as a procedural step intended to "facilitate the actions of Mexican authorities," in remarks reported by US News, citing The New York Times. The governor, in office since 2021, said he would cooperate fully with any review.

Cross-Border Implications

The case is expected to test the boundaries of US-Mexico judicial cooperation, with US prosecutors in New York building a federal action that names a sitting Mexican state governor among ten current and former officials. Mexican federal authorities have not commented in detail on the indictment as of publication. The Sinaloa state government has continued day-to-day functions during the leave of absence period.