SINALOA — Rubén Rocha Moya resumed his duties as governor of Sinaloa on Friday, August 21, 2026. The return follows a 112-day leave of absence triggered by a U.S. indictment on drug trafficking charges.

The U.S. Department of Justice unsealed an indictment against Rocha in April 2026. The indictment charges Rocha and nine other current and former Sinaloa officials with drug trafficking and collaborating with the Sinaloa cartel. This marks the first time a sitting Mexican governor has been indicted by U.S. authorities.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum refused a U.S. demand to extradite Rocha. She stated that U.S. authorities did not provide sufficient proof of Rocha's alleged crimes. Mexico’s Secretariat of the Interior stated that Rocha’s return to public office was a personal decision. The agency also stated that the Attorney General’s Office maintains open investigations related to the 10 individuals named by the United States Department of Justice, including the governor of Sinaloa.

Rocha is 77 years old and a member of Mexico’s Morena party. His term as governor is scheduled to end on October 21, 2027. Sinaloa is a state of Mexico where the Los Chapitos criminal group originates.

Timeline

In April 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice unsealed an indictment against Rubén Rocha Moya. The indictment charges Rubén Rocha Moya and nine other current and former Sinaloa officials with drug trafficking and collaborating with the Sinaloa cartel. This action represents the first time a sitting Mexican governor has been indicted by U.S. authorities.

U.S. prosecutors alleged that the cartel faction 'Los Chapitos,' led by sons of Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán, provided financial support to help Rubén Rocha Moya win the 2021 gubernatorial election. Prosecutors also alleged that Rubén Rocha Moya allowed the Los Chapitos cartel faction to install corrupt officials in positions of power in Sinaloa. Further allegations claimed that the Los Chapitos cartel faction stole ballots for Rubén Rocha Moya’s election rivals and kidnapped opposition members. On May 1, 2026, Rubén Rocha Moya announced that he was taking a leave of absence from his position as governor.

What's New

Rubén Rocha Moya stated on social media: "After 112 days of investigation, the Attorney General’s Office has already announced at a news conference that there is not a shred of evidence to support any claim of my involvement in criminal conduct." He also stated on social media: "Let there be no doubt: Now and always, I will defend — relentlessly and without compromise — my honour and that of my family." U.S. prosecutors alleged that Rubén Rocha Moya allowed the Los Chapitos cartel faction to install corrupt officials in positions of power in Sinaloa. Prosecutors also alleged that the Los Chapitos cartel faction stole ballots for Rubén Rocha Moya’s election rivals and kidnapped opposition members. The agency stated that Rubén Rocha Moya’s return to public office was a personal decision.

Why It Matters

The indictment against Rubén Rocha Moya is the first time a sitting Mexican governor has been indicted by U.S. authorities. The case involves allegations of collaboration with the Los Chapitos cartel faction, which originates from Sinaloa, a state of Mexico. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who has held office since 2024, refused extradition demands citing insufficient proof.

However, Mexico’s Secretariat of the Interior confirmed that domestic investigations into the 10 individuals named by the U.S. Department of Justice remain open. Rubén Rocha Moya’s term is scheduled to end on October 21, 2027, leaving less than 14 months in his tenure as he resumes duties.