MEXICO CITY — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum declared Thursday that her administration will not tolerate interference from the United States in Mexican sovereignty, announcing that the country’s attorney general will examine accusations from a New York federal indictment charging 10 current and former Mexican officials with collaborating with the Sinaloa Cartel in drug trafficking operations.
The federal charges have identified several active officials from Sinaloa state, including members of Sheinbaum’s progressive Morena political party, creating significant political controversy as the new president works to balance pressure from Washington while maintaining support from her domestic political base. Following the indictment’s release, Mexican authorities confirmed they had received extradition requests from the United States for 10 Mexican nationals, though they declined to identify the individuals.
Among those named in the charges, Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha Moya represents the most prominent figure, serving as a leading Morena party member and trusted associate of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who served as Sheinbaum’s political mentor.
During Thursday’s announcement, Sheinbaum explained that Mexican legal authorities will conduct their own examination of the cases and compile independent evidence to “determine whether there is evidence establishing that the allegations made by U.S. authorities have a legal basis for requesting arrest warrants.”
The Mexican leader has previously stated that she has not observed any supporting evidence for the American accusations.
Sheinbaum indicated her willingness to take a firm stance should their investigation reveal “no clear evidence” that the accused individuals engaged in criminal activity.
“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.
