Interim Governor Yeraldine Bonilla said the Mexican Army appointed retired General Gerardo Mérida as the Secretary of Public Security for Sinaloa [1].
The statement clarifies the chain of command during a period of administrative transition in the state. By attributing the appointment to the federal government, Bonilla is isolating the state's leadership from potential political fallout regarding the security chief's selection.
Bonilla said the decision came from the Secretariat of National Defense, known as Sedena [1]. She said the move was not a designation made by Governor Rubén Rocha Moya, who is currently on leave [1].
"The retired general Gerardo Mérida arrived as secretary of Public Security by decision of Sedena and not by designation of the governor on leave Rubén Rocha Moya," Bonilla said [1].
The interim governor's comments serve to distance Rocha Moya from the appointment process. This distinction places the responsibility for the security leadership of the state directly with the federal defense ministry, rather than the local executive office [2].
Sinaloa has faced ongoing security challenges, making the identity and appointment process of its public security leadership a point of significant public interest. The move ensures that the federal government's role in state security is explicitly acknowledged during the governor's absence [2].
“The retired general Gerardo Mérida arrived as secretary of Public Security by decision of Sedena”
This public clarification indicates a strategic effort to shield Governor Rubén Rocha Moya from political accountability regarding the state's security strategy. By explicitly attributing the appointment of General Gerardo Mérida to Sedena, the interim administration reinforces the dominant role of the federal government in managing security in Sinaloa, effectively reducing the state governor's liability for the outcomes of the federal military's personnel choices.
