President Claudia Sheinbaum said there will be no disappearance of powers in Sinaloa following the permanent leave requested by Governor Rubén Rocha Moya [1].
The transition occurs amid concerns regarding institutional stability in the state. Ensuring the continuity of government is critical to prevent a power vacuum in a region historically prone to volatility.
Speaking during a morning press conference in Mexico City, Sheinbaum said the state has an institutional government that functions with normality and autonomy [2]. She said the governor's decision was a personal one and said that the current arrangement is the best path for Sinaloa [3].
Sheinbaum said the incoming interim governor must show honesty and dedication to serve the people of the state [3]. The president said the legal structures of the state remain intact despite the change in leadership.
The announcement follows a period of heightened tension. The leave comes two weeks after U.S. authorities brought accusations against 10 Mexicans [4].
Questions remain regarding the security details for Rocha Moya during his leave. While Sheinbaum mentioned the National Guard, Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch said the State Police would provide protection [5]. Other reports indicated the federal government would handle security [4].
Sheinbaum said the institutional framework of Sinaloa is strong enough to handle the transition without federal intervention in the state's autonomous functions [2].
“"No habrá desaparición de poderes en Sinaloa."”
The insistence on 'institutional normality' suggests the federal government is attempting to project stability to both the public and international observers. By framing the governor's departure as a personal decision rather than a political or legal crisis, the administration seeks to decouple the state's governance from the recent U.S. accusations against Mexican nationals, thereby avoiding a narrative of systemic collapse in Sinaloa.
