The president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaumdemanded this Thursday, April 30, from the United States present evidence “irrefutable” in the case involving the governor of Sinaloa, Rubén Rocha Moyaaccused of alleged links to drug trafficking by the New York prosecutor’s office.
During her morning conference, the president maintained that any judicial action in Mexico will depend on the authorities receiving compelling evidence that complies with national legislation.
”If the prosecution receives compelling and irrefutable evidence in accordance with Mexican law, it must proceed”said Sheinbaum, referring to a possible request for detention for extradition purposes to the United States.
The president warned that, if sufficient evidence is not presented, the accusations could have a political background. “It would be evident that the objective of these accusations is political”he pointed out.
The case marks an unprecedented event, since, as the president herself acknowledged, it is the first time that US authorities have accused a sitting governor of drug trafficking, as well as other high officials, including a senator and a mayor.
According to the US prosecutor’s office, Rocha Moya and nine other officials would have collaborated with the Sinaloa Cartel to distribute drugs in US territory.
Sheinbaum indicated that he has already held meetings with his security cabinet to define coordination between the Attorney General’s Office and the Mexican Foreign Ministry, which will be in charge of analyzing the United States request and issuing an official response.
However, the president questioned the solidity of some of the evidence presented so far, such as documents that allegedly detail illicit payments. “It’s a sheet of paper.”he said, by subtracting their evidentiary value.
Governor Rocha Moya, a member of the ruling Morena party, has rejected the accusations, calling them unfounded.
His administration in Sinaloa has been marked by violence derived from internal disputes within organized crime.
The Mexican president reiterated that her government will not protect any official who has committed crimes, but stressed that the country’s legal processes will be respected.
“We are not going to allow any foreign government to come and decide the future of the people in Mexico,” he concluded.
