Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum promised to investigate U.S. claims that 10 current and former government officials conspired with the Sinaloa drug cartel.
The remarks come after the the U.S. Justice Department indicted the 10 officials this week, including Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya, on drug trafficking and other charges. All of those indicted could face a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Rocha Moya is a member of Sheinbaum's political party, Morena, and is considered a political ally of hers. In comments yesterday, Sheinbaum promised an investigation into the allegations while also pledging to protect Mexican sovereignty.
She said Mexican authorities would investigate the allegations and see if there is a legal basis to issue arrest warrants. "We are not going to cover for anyone who has committed a crime," she said.
However, Sheinbaum also said she would defend Mexico in the event the charges were politically motivated and not supported by evidence.
"If it is evident that the Justice Department's charges are politically motivated, let there be absolutely no doubt: under no circumstances will we allow a foreign government to interfere in decisions that are the exclusive prerogative of the Mexican people," Sheinbaum said.
Federal prosecutors in New York allege that the current and former officials, worked with a faction of the Sinaloa cartel known as "Los Chapitos." That faction of the cartel is operated by the sons of Joaquin Archivaldo Guzman Loera, also known as "El Chapo," who is currently serving a life sentence in the U.S.
"As alleged, each of the defendants has participated in a corrupt and violent drug trafficking conspiracy with the Cartel to import massive amounts of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine from Mexico into the United States," U.S. federal prosecutors said.
The highest profile official named in the indictment is Rocha Moya, who was elected governor of Sinaloa in 2021. "I categorically and absolutely reject the accusations made against me," Rocha Moya said. "It is part of a perverse strategy to violate the constitutional order, specifically the national sovereignty."
The Trump administration has stepped up pressure on Mexican drug cartels, including classifying several, including Sinaloa, as terrorist organizations earlier in the administration.
Earlier this month, questions were raised by Sheinbaum over whether Mexican sovereignty was violated in an operation to destroy drug labs in Chihuahua. Following that operation, two CIA agents died, along with two members of Mexican law enforcement, in a vehicle accident.
At the time, Sheinbaum said it would be inappropriate for U.S. agents to be working in the field in Mexico without approval from the Mexican federal government.
