Dámaso Castro Zaavedra, the Vicefiscal of Sinaloa, will remain in his position despite accusations from the U.S. linking him to narcotics trafficking [1].
The decision maintains a high-ranking legal official in a state frequently targeted by organized crime, raising questions about the impact of foreign allegations on local governance.
According to the state prosecutor's office (FGE), Castro Zaavedra will continue to exercise his legal attributions [1]. The office said that he will attend to any legal requests issued by the Mexican Attorney General's Office (FGR) or other competent authorities [2].
The FGE said that there is no legal impediment, or fuero, preventing the official from responding to these requests while remaining in his post [2]. This allows the Vicefiscal to maintain his administrative duties while the legal process unfolds regarding the U.S. claims [3].
The situation persists amid ongoing tensions regarding the cooperation between U.S. and Mexican authorities in the fight against the Sinaloa Cartel. The Vicefiscal's continued tenure suggests that Mexican state authorities do not view U.S. accusations alone as sufficient grounds for immediate removal from office [1].
Castro Zaavedra's role is critical to the judicial operations of the state. By remaining in office, he continues to lead investigations and legal proceedings in one of Mexico's most volatile regions — a role that now coincides with his own legal scrutiny [2].
“Dámaso Castro Zaavedra will remain in his position despite accusations from the U.S.”
The decision to keep Castro Zaavedra in power underscores a gap between U.S. judicial accusations and the administrative requirements for removal within the Mexican legal system. It signals that state-level officials may not be displaced based solely on foreign indictments, potentially complicating extradition efforts or joint operations if the official remains in a position of power.
