The federal government's security cabinet has deployed a high-level commission to Culiacán to ensure stability in Sinaloa following the departure of Rubén Rocha Moya from office. This mobilization comes amid a wave of high violence in the state, which saw at least 15 murders during the first weekend of May, according to reports from El Universal.
Security and Citizen Protection Secretary Omar García Harfuch, alongside the heads of the Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA) and the Navy (SEMAR), met with interim Governor Yeraldine Bonilla Valverde. According to El Universal, the purpose of the visit is to guarantee that federal forces will not withdraw from the state despite the ongoing conflict between the 'Los Chapitos' and 'La Mayiza' criminal factions.
Protection for Rocha Moya and Stance on U.S. Allegations
During a press conference at the Ninth Military Zone, García Harfuch addressed the security situation regarding Rubén Rocha Moya, who is currently on leave. The official confirmed that the former governor no longer holds legal immunity to prevent potential arrests and that he is currently under a discreet protection detail.
While President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo mentioned that security had been provided, García Harfuch clarified to the media that the measure was not requested by the Morena official himself. “In this case, it was not a request, but rather a recommendation that he have a security detail; it is not a large unit, just a few personnel,” the Security Secretary stated, justifying the move due to the recent violence in Sinaloa.
The Secretary also addressed allegations from the U.S. Department of Justice and the DEA, which suggest potential links between Rocha Moya and the 'Los Chapitos' faction. Regarding this, Harfuch denied that the Mexican government has any evidence of such ties. “Of course, we had no evidence; we have presented... the results, the arrests, and we have never faced any obstruction from any official in the state government [of Sinaloa] to continue or carry out the operations we presented,” the official affirmed.
History of Irregularities in Sinaloa
Rocha Moya's situation is shadowed by questions regarding the legitimacy of his rise to power. According to a report by El Universal, Aída Inzunza Cázaverso, a magistrate of the Electoral Tribunal of the State of Sinaloa (TEES), was responsible for drafting the ruling that validated the 2021 election.
Despite the process involving 206 reported incidents and allegations of electoral crimes—including ballot box theft and the presence of armed individuals reported by the PRI—the tribunal unanimously upheld Rocha Moya's victory. At the time, Magistrate Inzunza Cázares stated that the principles of legality and transparency had been met, while the governor-elect thanked the tribunal for including data that strengthened the ruling.
Currently, the federal government is seeking to bolster the administration of interim Governor Bonilla Valverde. García Harfuch reiterated that the presence of the Armed Forces in the state is intended to support Sinaloan families and strengthen peace in a territory currently convulsed by cartel warfare.
