Mexico · POLITICS
Key Facts
- —Return date Rubén Rocha Moya resumed the governorship on Friday 21 August 2026.
- —Absence length He was away on licence for about 112 days.
- —Opposition stance PAN leaders rejected the legitimacy of his administration on 21 August 2026.
- —Homicide trend Sinaloa recorded 1,654 intentional homicides in 2025, up 66.5% from 2024.
- —Federal position President Claudia Sheinbaum said on 11 August 2026 that the return was his decision.
The governor’s return lands amid a record homicide surge and a political battle over the legitimacy of his administration.
Rubén Rocha Moya has returned as governor of Sinaloa after a 112-day leave of absence. He resumed his post on Friday 21 August 2026, announcing the move on X.
Rocha Moya Returns to Office
In short, rubén Rocha Moya is back as the constitutional governor of Sinaloa. He stated on X that he had taken up the exercise of his post that day.
His return ends a licencia, a formal leave of absence that lets an elected official step aside without resigning. The leave lasted about 112 days, just under four months.
Why He Stepped Aside
Rocha Moya had stepped aside to face investigations triggered by United States accusations of alleged links between his government and organised crime. He denies these allegations.
During his absence, he appeared before Mexico’s federal attorney general’s office, the Fiscalía General de la República. The nature of those proceedings has not been detailed.
Opposition Rejects His Mandate
Meanwhile, on the day of his return, the PAN’s Sinaloa president spoke out. Wendy Barajas Cortés categorically rejected the political and moral legitimacy of Rocha’s administration.
Her statement came on 21 August 2026. Meanwhile, national PAN leader Jorge Romero Herrera said the party does not recognise Rocha Moya’s government at all.
He added that any acts of the state administration will have no validity for the PAN.
Call for Analysis of Desaparición de Poderes
Romero Herrera urged an analysis of a possible desaparición de poderes in Sinaloa. This is a constitutional mechanism by which Mexico’s Senate can declare a state’s powers to have ceased and appoint an interim governor.
However, no such measure has been initiated. The PAN only urged that it be analysed, not that it be enacted.
Federal Government’s Stance
As a result, president Claudia Sheinbaum said on 11 August 2026 that whether Rocha Moya resumed office was exclusively his decision. She noted that the United States had not yet sent the evidence Mexico requested on the trafficking allegations.
In addition, the federal government has not publicly commented on the PAN’s call for a desaparición de poderes. The focus remains on the governor’s own choice to return.
Homicide Surge in Sinaloa
Sinaloa closed 2025 with 1,654 intentional homicides, a 66.5% increase on the 993 recorded in 2024. The daily average rose from 2.72 to 4.56 victims.
This surge has been driven by fighting between cartel factions, according to official data. The violence has marked the state during Rocha Moya’s absence.
Peak and Recent Trends
For example, june 2025 was the peak, with 210 to 212 intentional homicides. In June 2026, the figure was 116, well below that peak but still above pre-crisis levels.
By contrast, January 2026 recorded 106 intentional homicides, a 27.9% reduction on January 2025. That figure was about 6.7% of the national total.
Cumulative Violence Statistics
From September 2024 to February 2026, Sinaloa recorded 2,680 homicide victims. This reflects the intense conflict between cartel factions over that period.
Even so, the recent decline in homicides offers a glimmer of hope. The numbers remain high compared to pre-crisis levels.
Challenges Ahead for Rocha Moya
Overall, rocha Moya returns to a state facing both a security crisis and a political legitimacy battle. The PAN’s rejection could complicate his administration’s ability to govern.
Despite this, the governor’s constitutional status is clear. He is back, and the focus now shifts to how he addresses the violence and the opposition’s challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Rocha Moya return as governor?
Rubén Rocha Moya resumed the governorship on Friday 21 August 2026. He announced the move on X, saying he had taken up the exercise of his post that day.
Why did Rocha Moya take a leave of absence?
He stepped aside to face investigations triggered by United States accusations of alleged links between his government and organised crime. He denies these allegations.
What is a desaparición de poderes?
It is a constitutional mechanism by which Mexico’s Senate can declare a state’s powers to have ceased and appoint an interim governor. The PAN has urged that this be analysed, but it has not been initiated.
How has violence in Sinaloa changed recently?
Sinaloa recorded 1,654 intentional homicides in 2025, a 66.5% increase from 2024. However, June 2026 saw 116 homicides, well below the peak of June 2025.
Connected Coverage
Sources: La Jornada; EFE; Infobae; Luz Noticias; Mexican security data.
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