Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya requested a temporary leave from his position on May 1, 2026 [1, 2, 3].

The move comes as the governor faces drug trafficking accusations from the U.S. Department of Justice and a separate probe by the Mexican Attorney General's Office [4, 5].

Rocha Moya announced his decision via a video message, submitting the formal request to the local Congress [5]. He said that the separation from his duties will continue throughout the investigation process [6].

In his announcement, Rocha Moya said, "Tengo la conciencia tranquila," which translates to "I have a clear conscience" [1].

The governor emphasized that his decision was intended to protect the political integrity of his allies. He said he would not allow the U.S. Department of Justice accusations to compromise the movement of the Fourth Transformation [2].

This temporary leave allows both U.S. and Mexican federal investigators to proceed with their inquiries without the governor remaining in active command of the state's administration [4, 5].

Rocha Moya said, "Mi separación del cargo será mientras dure el proceso de investigación" [6].

“"Tengo la conciencia tranquila"”

The temporary stepping-down of a state governor in Sinaloa—a region historically linked to major narcotics organizations—highlights the pressure the Mexican government faces to demonstrate cooperation with U.S. judicial authorities. By framing the leave as a way to protect the 'Fourth Transformation' political movement, Rocha Moya is attempting to isolate his legal troubles from the broader administration's agenda.