Mexico's Security and Citizen Protection Secretary Omar García Harfuch said there is no evidence that former Governor Rubén Rocha Moya collaborated with the Sinaloa Cartel.
The statement comes as the Mexican government navigates tensions with the U.S. Department of Justice, which linked Rocha Moya to narcotics trafficking in what is known as the "Rocha case."
Speaking from the ninth Military Air Zone facilities in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Harfuch reaffirmed the federal security strategy for the region. He addressed the allegations during a press conference held on Monday, April 14, 2026, following meetings with the Secretariat of National Defense and state government officials [1, 2].
Harfuch said that the federal government has not seen indicators of collusion between the former governor and organized crime. "No hay sospecha y nunca hemos tenido una obstrucción en las labores de seguridad," Harfuch said [3].
Despite the federal government's defense, reports indicate a severe security crisis during Rocha Moya's administration. Data shows that 3,180 intentional homicides and 3,686 kidnappings were recorded in Sinaloa during his tenure [4].
The violence associated with organized crime also impacted the local economy. Approximately 20,000 jobs were lost, and 11,000 companies or employers were affected by the instability [4].
Harfuch said that the current security presence in Sinaloa remains necessary to stabilize the state and combat the influence of the cartel. He said that the federal strategy will continue to be implemented regardless of the external legal pressures facing the former governor [1, 5].
“"No hay sospecha y nunca hemos tenido una obstrucción en las labores de seguridad."”
The Mexican government's public defense of Rubén Rocha Moya highlights a diplomatic friction point with the U.S. Department of Justice. By denying the allegations of cartel collaboration despite high violence statistics, Mexico is signaling a preference for maintaining internal political stability and institutional legitimacy over acknowledging U.S. intelligence claims.
