President Claudia Sheinbaum said the Federal Prosecutor’s Office has issued citations to two governors, but neither has been formally indicted [2].
The clarification aims to resolve public confusion regarding the legal status of Governor Maru Campos of Chihuahua and Governor Rubén Rocha Moya of Sinaloa. Because these officials lead key states, rumors of formal criminal charges could have significant political implications for the administration and state governance.
Speaking during a morning press conference on May 7, 2024 [1], at the National Palace in Mexico City, Sheinbaum addressed the reports concerning the Federal Prosecutor’s Office, known as the FGR. She said that the citations are intended for the governors to appear and provide testimony as part of ongoing investigations.
"No están imputados," Sheinbaum said [3].
The president explained that the process is an interview phase rather than a criminal accusation. She said that the citations are for the officials to appear and declare, rather than representing formal penal charges [3].
"Son entrevistas dentro de investigaciones, no hay una imputación formal," Sheinbaum said [3].
The administration sought to dispel rumors that the two leaders had been charged with crimes [2]. By distinguishing between a citation for testimony and a formal indictment, the president emphasized that the legal process is currently in an investigative stage. This distinction is critical under Mexican law, as an indictment represents a formal accusation of a crime, whereas a citation is a request for information, or a statement [2].
Sheinbaum said that the FGR is following standard procedures in its investigations. The president's intervention serves to stabilize the public perception of the governors' standing while the federal government continues its legal inquiries [2].
“"No están imputados."”
This clarification highlights the tension between federal investigative powers and state leadership in Mexico. By publicly distancing the FGR's citations from formal indictments, the presidency is attempting to prevent political instability in Chihuahua and Sinaloa while maintaining the appearance of an independent judicial process. The distinction between being a witness and a suspect is a key legal threshold that prevents the immediate removal or suspension of elected governors.
