Mexico City — The U.S. Department of Justice unsealed indictments Wednesday against the sitting governor of Sinaloa, Rubén Rocha Moya, a federal senator, Enrique Inzunza Cázarez, and eight other current and former Mexican officials, alleging complicity with the Sinaloa cartel.
The 34-page indictment, filed in U.S. District Court in New York, details allegations of bribes, murders, and kidnappings linked to high-ranking officials. The indictment portrays a state allegedly controlled by the Sinaloa cartel, a multibillion-dollar organization co-founded by Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, who is currently serving a life sentence in the United States.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton stated, “The support of corrupt foreign officials for deadly trafficking of drugs must end.” He added that the charges are intended to send a message to officials globally involved with drug trafficking: “No matter your title of position, we are committed to bringing you to justice.”
Governor Rocha Moya, 76, immediately rejected the allegations, calling them an attack on “national sovereignty” and an attempt to undermine the Mexican government. He stated on X (formerly Twitter) that the charges were “a perverse strategy to violate the constitutional order” of Mexico.
This marks the first instance, according to the indictment, of the Justice Department indicting a sitting Mexican governor. The charges have triggered a political crisis in Mexico, impacting the ruling Morena party, founded by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, and now led by President Claudia Sheinbaum.
Rocha Moya and the other charged officials are members of the Morena bloc. Rocha Moya has been a longtime ally of López Obrador, leading to speculation that this relationship may have previously shielded him from prosecution.
The indictment alleges that all those charged colluded with a faction of the Sinaloa cartel known as “Los Chapitos,” the sons of El Chapo. The Chapitos allegedly helped Rocha Moya win the 2021 election through ballot theft and intimidation of opposition candidates. The indictment further claims Rocha Moya appointed cartel-friendly officials who facilitated the smuggling of “massive amounts” of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine into the U.S. In exchange for “millions” in bribes.
The indictment also names Juan de Díos Gámez Mendívil, the mayor of Culiacán, the capital of Sinaloa. Two of El Chapo’s sons, Ovidio Guzmán López and Joaquín Guzmán López, are currently in U.S. Custody and reportedly cooperating with prosecutors. Approximately 17 relatives of El Chapo, including his ex-wife, were reportedly allowed to cross into the U.S. Under U.S. Protection as part of an apparent deal with prosecutors last year.
The indictment details a system where members of the Chapitos allegedly received monthly payments, along with lists of officials to be bribed. One alleged list indicated that Alberto Jorge Contreras Núñez, a former top prosecutor, was to receive $300,000 monthly. Other officials named include Dámaso Castro Zaavedra, Sinaloa’s deputy attorney general, and Juan Valencia, a Culiacán police commander, who is accused of involvement in the kidnapping and torture of a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration informant and their family.
U.S. Authorities are seeking the arrest and extradition of those charged, according to a statement from Mexico’s foreign ministry. Mexican authorities are reviewing the extradition requests, noting that they currently lack “proof to be able to determine the responsibility” of the accused.
The allegations come at a sensitive time, coinciding with the upcoming negotiations to review the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement. President Trump’s negotiating team is expected to seek further trade concessions from Mexico. President Sheinbaum has been working to address Trump’s demands for increased action against drug cartels, but critics suggest her government has been hesitant to target corrupt politicians within the ruling party.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main allegation in the indictment?
The indictment alleges that current and former Mexican officials in Sinaloa colluded with the Sinaloa cartel, accepting bribes and facilitating the trafficking of drugs into the United States.
Who are the key figures named in the indictment?
The key figures named include Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya, Senator Enrique Inzunza Cázarez, and Juan de Díos Gámez Mendívil, the mayor of Culiacán.
What is the potential impact of these charges on U.S.-Mexico relations?
The charges could strain bilateral relations, particularly as they come ahead of negotiations regarding the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement and amid ongoing U.S. Pressure on Mexico to address drug trafficking.
How might these allegations reshape the political landscape in Mexico, given the involvement of members of the ruling Morena party?
