U.S. Sparks Political Earthquake in Mexico by Accusing Sinaloa Governor of Ties to Drug Cartel
· Telemundo McAllen (KTLM)
MEXICO CITY – A political earthquake of significant magnitude shook Mexico on Wednesday after the U.S. accused the governor of Sinaloa, Rubén Rocha Moya, and nine other officials of drug trafficking and alleged connections to the Sinaloa Cartel. The controversy comes amid reports of the recent death of two CIA agents in Chihuahua, near the U.S. border, during an anti-narcotics operation. The U.S. Department of Justice further strained bilateral relations by launching an investigation, led by Jay Clayton, federal prosecutor for the Southern District of New York. The investigation alleges that these officials conspired with cartel leaders to import large quantities of heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl into the U.S. in exchange for political support. Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office (FGR) announced it would investigate whether evidence exists to substantiate the U.S. accusations against Rocha Moya and the other officials. Ulises Lara López, Special Prosecutor for Relevant Matters and FGR spokesperson, stated that the investigation aims to determine if there is legal basis for arrest warrants. The accusations formally link Rocha Moya and high-ranking officials in Sinaloa to the Sinaloa Cartel, specifically the faction known as Los Chapitos. Allegedly, the implicated individuals protected cartel operations, provided sensitive information, and facilitated drug transportation to the U.S. in exchange for multimillion-dollar bribes.