Mexican governor indicted by US on cartel charges requests leave again

Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya has once again requested an indefinite leave of absence, just days after returning to his post following a U.S. indictment on charges of drug-trafficking and bribery. His brief return to office unleashed a significant backlash from his own ruling Morena party and the Mexican government, with President Claudia Sheinbaum publicly stating that "power without principles becomes arrogance." Rocha had initially taken leave in early May after federal prosecutors in New York unsealed an indictment accusing him and nine other officials of protecting Sinaloa Cartel members in exchange for bribes. He had claimed Mexican prosecutors found no evidence against him and returned to office asserting his innocence. The U.S. indictment alleges Rocha collaborated with The Chapitos, a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, in exchange for help with his 2021 election campaign, allowing the cartel to install corrupt officials. President Sheinbaum has previously called for definitive proof from the U.S. and suggested the case should be handled domestically.