Sinaloa Cartel leader El Mayo's 'kidnapping' claim rejected by Mexican officials: 'We have no complicity'

Rubén Rocha Moya, the governor of the Mexican state of Sinaloa, vehemently denied the accusations made by El Mayo Zambada, who alleged that Rocha had ties to the Sinaloa Cartel. Rocha Moya rejected any involvement with the drug trafficking organization and presented what he described as evidence to disprove the claims made by the notorious drug lord in a letter sent from prison.

The Mexican politician's reaction to El Mayo's letter was expected. What came as a surprise to some, were the words of Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) and President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum about the scandal. Zambada, who was recently captured by U.S. authorities, alleged in a public letter that Rocha Moya was involved in a meeting that led to his ambush and eventual extradition to the United States.

In his letter, Zambada claimed that his capture happened because he had been deceived into attending a meeting with Rocha Moya and former congressman Héctor Melesio Cuén. According to Zambada, this meeting, which was supposed to resolve a dispute, was a setup orchestrated by Joaquín Guzmán López, son of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán. This ambush led directly to Zambada's capture by U.S. authorities.

Sinaloa Governor rejects El Mayo version of the events

Governor Rocha Moya, who won in his state, representing Partido Sinaloense (PAS), in coalition with Morena (The ruling party of Mexico) has strongly denied any involvement in the alleged meeting, asserting that he was not in Sinaloa at the time.

"We have no complicity with anyone (...) therefore, if they said that I was going to be at the meeting, they lied, and if El Mayo believed them, then he fell into the trap," stated the governor, who addressed the issue alongside Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum during a tour of the state of Sinaloa.

He has called for an impartial investigation to clear his name, emphasizing that his administration is committed to resolving state issues through legal means and governmental institutions. Rocha Moya also criticized the attempt to link him to drug trafficking, which he sees as part of an effort to undermine his administration and the region of Sinaloa.

Claudia Sheinbaum became the first female president of Mexico. As she assumes office, she has task to tackle a hotly contested issue— immigration (Credit: AFP)

AMLO and Sheinbaum give their support

In response to these allegations, President López Obrador, known as AMLO for his name's initials, has urged the public to wait for all the facts before jumping to conclusions. He expressed his full confidence in Rocha Moya and condemned the stigmatization of Sinaloa's leaders and people, who have long been associated with drug trafficking due to the region's history.

Regarding Governor Rocha Moya's denials of being invited to any event with El Mayo, AMLO said: "More clear than water, and yet, they will not stop," during the inauguration of the IMSS-Bienestar General Hospital in Culiacán, "Dr. Bernardo J. Gastélum," on August 10. "We have complete confidence in Governor Rubén Rocha, complete confidence in Maestro Rocha, and I congratulate him for facing the situation head-on. He didn't let even a day pass," commented President López Obrador.

Similarly, President-elect Sheinbaum has voiced her support for Rocha Moya, denouncing the accusations as an attack on his integrity and that of the people of Sinaloa.

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