Mexico's Rocha denies hiding over US drug charges

Mexican politician Ruben Rocha Moya, who took leave as governor of Sinaloa state in May, has denied that he is in hiding after a US indictment on drug charges.

Rocha Moya wrote on X that he had stayed at his home in Culiacan, the Sinaloa state capital, and that federal agents were not protecting or watching him.

The US Department of Justice announced charges against Rocha Moya and nine others in late April, alleging collusion with the Sinaloa Cartel to distribute drugs inside the United States. The announcement marked the first time the United States had publicly charged a sitting Mexican politician.

In recent days, unconfirmed reports said federal security forces had moved Rocha Moya to another location to evade capture in a possible US operation. No such operation is known to be planned.

Rocha Moya accused critics of a media onslaught and an attack promoted by the far right. President Claudia Sheinbaum previously said Rocha Moya remained at home without federal security protection and asked the United States to provide irrefutable evidence before she acted against him.