The Sinaloa Legislature approved a request for a temporary leave of absence from Governor Rubén Rocha Moya this Saturday, May 2. With this decision, the legislative body has appointed Yeraldine Bonilla Valverde as the state's interim governor.
Rocha Moya's departure comes in the wake of allegations brought by the U.S. Department of Justice, which links the governor and nine others to the Sinaloa Cartel, specifically to the faction known as 'Los Chapitos.'
The governor, a member of the Morena party, submitted his request on the night of Friday, May 1. In a message to the public, Rocha Moya denied the allegations, stating that his absence is intended to allow the Attorney General's Office (FGR) to conduct its investigations without hindrance.
“I have a clear conscience, and a lifetime of work supports my words. I say this clearly and emphatically: the accusations made against me are false and malicious,” the governor stated, according to a report by El Financiero.
Debate Over Immunity and Political Pressure
Despite the leave of absence, the opposition has questioned the move, pointing out that the governor retains his legal immunity. According to El Financiero, the Political Constitution of Sinaloa allows a governor to maintain constitutional immunity even during a temporary leave, which could complicate any immediate arrest.
Morena Senator Guadalupe Chavira was among the voices calling for the governor to resign permanently. In a letter published by El Universal, the legislator argued that Sinaloma cannot remain in a state of institutional paralysis given the gravity of the international allegations.
“Therefore, in a firm, institutional, and responsible manner, I request that Governor Rubén Rocha Moya resign from his position as Constitutional Governor of the State of Sinaloa,” Chavira expressed, emphasizing that his departure from office must allow investigations to proceed without interference.
History of Electoral Irregularities
The situation in Sinaloa adds to a broader context of tension regarding alleged interference by organized crime in electoral processes. A document submitted by the 'Va por México' coalition to the Organization of American States (OAS) claims that a pattern of 'narco-elections' has been replicated in six other states across the country.
According to the report shared by El Universal, this modus operandi has allegedly facilitated victories for both the opposition and Morena in states such as Guerrero, Michoacán, San Luis Potosí, the State of Mexico, Veracruz, and Guanajuato through the use of coercion and violence.
In Michoacán, the document details testimonies from polling station representatives who were allegedly threatened by armed men to manipulate vote tallies. The complaint filed with the OAS describes a strategy of 'surgical operations' by organized crime groups to ensure specific political outcomes in various regions of Mexico.
