A new twist in the tensions between Mexico and the United States. While the governor of the state of Sinaloa, Rubén Rocha Moya (of Morena, the presidential party), is facing accusations from Washington for his alleged links to drug trafficking, his former security chief (2023-2024), Gerardo Mérida Sánchez, surrendered to American authorities on Monday, May 11, as reported by El País América. However, the information was only disclosed by Mexican authorities on May 15.
Gerardo Mérida is among the ten political officials from Sinaloa designated by the US Department of Justice on Wednesday, April 29, as having had connections with “Los Chapitos,” a faction of the Sinaloa cartel led by the sons of the former kingpin Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.
According to the US accusations, the former official allegedly accepted more than $100,000 monthly (around 85,000 euros) to refrain from intervening in the operations of this branch of the cartel. These unprecedented accusations have been shaking the Mexican government and the Morena party of President Claudia Sheinbaum for over two weeks.
Legal proceedings
According to an official statement cited by El Financiero, the former security chief crossed the line.
