Mexican governor indicted by the US seeks leave again after contentious return to office

Mexican state governor Rubén Rocha Moya has reversed his decision to return to office following intense criticism from his party over U.S. allegations that he conspired with a drug cartel to smuggle narcotics. Prosecutors in the United States have accused Rocha Moya and nine other Mexican officials of protecting cartel members in exchange for bribes while drugs flowed into the United States.

Rocha Moya had been on leave since early May after the indictment was unsealed. His quick turnaround highlights the delicate balance President Claudia Sheinbaum must maintain between addressing U.S. concerns and maintaining the support of her party, which is wary of U.S. intervention.