By The Opinion
The recent US request to extradite the governor of Sinaloa, Ruben Rocha Moyawho is accused of links to drug trafficking, means for Mexico to enter uncharted territory in its relationship with its northern neighbor, since it points directly to the alleged criminal activities of an active governor belonging to the ruling party National Regeneration Movement (Morena).
In the midst of a political storm after the Justice Department’s accusation against the governor and nine other high-level officials in Sinaloa came to light, the president Claudia Sheinbaum faces a “turning point” with the United States in the bilateral relationship, Andrés Sumano, a researcher at the Colegio de la Frontera Norte, warned EFE this Saturday.
For the security specialist, this extradition request against Rocha Moya, from the same party as Sheinbaum, generates “problems in every sense” for Mexico as it is a “very strong blow” for the federal government and its cooperation strategy with the White House, especially since the return of the president. donald trump.
Furthermore, it is a “challenge” for Mexico’s security policy, which had recently had “very notable” results such as the dejection of the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), “El Mencho”, and the arrest last week of his supposed successor, known as “El Jardinero”.
After the initial impact, he added, it is up to Sheinbaum to make a decision, who for Sumano only has three possible scenarios: “to shelter and protect” that group of politicians – which “is what it seems he is doing,” he said; deliver them to the United States or initiate proceedings against them in Mexico.
“This last one seems to me to be the best option of all the options so far, but it will obviously imply ruptures within Morena (the ruling party),” he noted.
For now, see that The president has chosen to “buy time” by reiterating that evidence is needed and refer to what the Public Ministry decides, although there will come a time when “the deadlines” will expire, as well as the “patience” of the US Administration.
“A very strong blow”
In the hypothetical case that Mexico chooses not to hand over the governor of Sinaloa, the researcher warned that this would open the door to various retaliations by the US Government.
From economic “pressures” to the “most extreme case”: that Washington intervenes by sending the military to “take away” the politician, something that the professor at the Colegio de la Frontera Norte sees as unlikely.
In fact, in the event that Mexico’s response is not “satisfactory” for the White House, does not rule out similar procedures being opened against other high-level politicianssince the real is limited only to Sinaloa.
Despite the official speech, Sumano affirmed that the accusation against the state officials is “formal” and has gone through a jury that considers that “there are sufficient elements of evidence” to request the arrest warrant.
“This is a very strong blow because it is no longer a narrative issue (…) The files have already been put together, they have already gone through a grand jury, there is already a formal accusation“, said.
With information from EFE.
Keep reading:
– The governor of Sinaloa is granted a temporary license to leave office and is replaced by Yeraldine Bonilla.
– The US indictment against Rubén Rocha reveals payments from the Sinaloa Cartel to officials.
