Mexican Governor Wanted on US Drug Charges Resumes Office Amid Denials

Ruben Rocha Moya, governor of Mexico's Sinaloa state and a member of the Morena party, has returned to his official duties after nearly four months away. This follows his indictment by the United States on drug trafficking charges linked to the notorious Sinaloa Cartel.

The US Justice Department charged Rocha Moya and nine others in April with collaborating with the cartel to distribute drugs within the United States. This marked the first time a sitting Mexican politician faced such public accusations from US authorities.

Despite the charges, Rocha Moya has maintained his innocence, stating he has "committed no crime" and returned to office "with a clear conscience and head held high." He had taken a leave of absence to address the allegations. Reports emerged last month suggesting he was relocated by federal security forces to avoid potential US capture operations, which he denied, asserting he was not in hiding.

President Claudia Sheinbaum, an ally of Rocha Moya, has called on the US to present "irrefutable" evidence before taking any action against the governor. The Sinaloa Cartel, co-founded by Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, is among Mexican drug groups designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations by the US government.