In response to accusations by the United States against a dozen Mexican politicians regarding alleged ties to the Sinaloa Cartel, President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo emphasized: “If clear evidence does not exist, it is evident that the objective of these charges is political.”
She stated that if there were elements suggesting the culpability of those implicated—among them Sinaloa Governor Rubén Rocha—no one would be shielded; however, should it be proven that this is a “political” matter, the President underscored that Washington’s interference in national decisions would not be permitted.
“It must be made absolutely clear: Under no circumstances will we allow the intrusion or interference of a foreign government in decisions that fall exclusively within the purview of the Mexican people. Truth, justice, and the defense of sovereignty.”
The Chief Executive opened her daily morning press conference this Thursday by reading a statement outlining her position on the case, in which she maintained that it will be the Attorney General’s Office (FGR) that determines—in accordance with national laws—whether sufficient grounds exist to arrest and extradite the accused, as requested by Washington.
“We are not going to protect anyone, and we have demonstrated this… (but) if that evidence is lacking, the question is: What is the motivation?” she said in response to a question on the subject.
She also drew attention to the fact that the only evidence released by the U.S. Department of Justice—in a document circulated in Spanish—consisted of images of alleged bribe payments handwritten on a sheet of paper. “This strikes me as noteworthy; let the Attorney General’s Office make its determination.”
She highlighted that this constitutes an unprecedented event: “This has never happened before. Never in history! That the U.S. Department of Justice would request an extradition order for a sitting governor, a sitting municipal mayor, or a sitting senator.”
