{
  "id": 2792059,
  "title": "Mexican official accused by U.S. of drug trafficking abruptly resigns again",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/mexican-official-accused-by-u-s-of-drug-trafficking-abruptly-resigns",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-23T12:45:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CBS News",
    "slug": "cbs-news",
    "url": "https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mexican-governnor-ruben-rocha-moya-sinaloa-resigns-again-us-drug-trafficking/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mexican Gov. Ruben Rocha Moya, accused by the U.S. of drug trafficking, resigned again on Saturday only one day after returning to office. He declared in a social media post that he would resume his role as governor of Sinaloa, a position he abandoned in May to face a Mexican prosecutor's investigation. Less than 24 hours later, Rocha shared a document on X, requesting the state congress to grant him an indefinite temporary leave of absence. This announcement sparked criticism from President Claudia Sheinbaum, a member of Rocha's party. She emphasized that no personal interests should ever be placed above the well-being of the people and of Mexico, without naming Rocha. When journalists inquired about Rocha's return, Sheinbaum instead directed them to her own X post. U.S. prosecutors charged Rocha and eight other Morena party members in April for allegedly collaborating with the Sinaloa Cartel to distribute drugs in the U.S., marking the first time a Mexican politician was publicly charged by the U.S. The 77-year-old politician, who has been Sinaloa's governor since 2021, denied any wrongdoing and returned to office with a \"clear conscience and head held high.\" In 2023, Rocha was embroiled in a scandal involving the Sinaloa cartel, as a capo from a rival faction of the cartel, who was kidnapped by the cartel, claimed in a letter to law enforcement that he believed he was meeting with Rocha. Rocha faces federal charges including narcotics importation conspiracy and possession of machine guns and destructive devices, with a potential prison sentence of life or 40 years.",
  "summary": "Sinaloa Gov. Ruben Rocha Moya is accused of allegedly colluding with the infamous Sinaloa Cartel to distribute drugs inside the U.S.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}