U.S. Investigation of Mexican Governors Sparks Tensions With Sheinbaum Government

The U.S. Government is investigating two Mexican governors—Rubén Rocha Moya of Colima and Alfonso Durazo of Sinaloa—for alleged ties to organized crime, a development that threatens to deepen tensions between Washington and Mexico’s incoming administration under President Claudia Sheinbaum. The probe, which involves visa restrictions and potential legal action, comes as the Biden administration and Mexican officials grapple over security cooperation ahead of Sheinbaum’s July inauguration.

According to multiple U.S. And Mexican sources, the investigation targets Rocha Moya and Durazo—both members of President López Obrador’s ruling MORENA party—over suspected cartel connections. Rocha Moya, governor of Colima, has faced scrutiny for his alleged links to the Colima Cartel, while Durazo, governor of Sinaloa, is under review for possible ties to the Sinaloa Cartel, one of Mexico’s most powerful criminal organizations. The U.S. State Department has reportedly begun reviewing visa applications for both governors, a step that could lead to travel bans under Section 7031(c) of the Carl Levin and Howard P. “Buck” McKeon National Defense Authorization Act, which allows sanctions against foreign officials linked to significant corruption or illicit trafficking.

The timing of the investigation is highly sensitive, arriving just weeks before Sheinbaum—Mexico’s first female president and a former López Obrador ally—takes office. Her administration has pledged to continue the current government’s security policies, including a controversial amnesty program for low-level cartel members, but the U.S. Probe risks complicating bilateral relations. The Trump administration previously imposed visa restrictions on Mexican officials, including former Attorney General Alejandro Gertz Manero, over corruption allegations, setting a precedent for the current scrutiny.

U.S. Pressure on Mexican Governors

Sources close to the investigation say U.S. Authorities have gathered evidence linking Rocha Moya and Durazo to cartel operations, including potential involvement in drug trafficking and extortion. Rocha Moya, a former federal deputy, has denied wrongdoing, while Durazo—who served as Mexico’s interior secretary under López Obrador—has not publicly commented on the allegations. Both governors have long been protected by MORENA’s political machine, but the U.S. Move suggests Washington is prioritizing anti-cartel enforcement ahead of Sheinbaum’s transition.

Mexican officials have not yet responded formally to the U.S. Probe, but diplomatic sources suggest Sheinbaum’s team is monitoring the situation closely. The incoming administration has signaled a willingness to engage with the U.S. On security, but the governors’ cases could become a flashpoint if visa restrictions are imposed. In 2023, the Biden administration sanctioned two Mexican officials—including a former state prosecutor—for ties to cartels, demonstrating its willingness to act despite diplomatic sensitivities.

Broader Implications for U.S.-Mexico Relations

The investigation underscores the fragility of cooperation between the two countries, particularly on migration and drug trafficking. Sheinbaum has framed her presidency as a continuation of López Obrador’s policies, including a focus on domestic solutions to crime rather than U.S.-led military interventions. However, the governors’ cases could force her administration to confront the limits of Mexico’s sovereignty in addressing cartel influence—especially in states like Sinaloa and Colima, where organized crime remains deeply entrenched.

Analysts warn that visa restrictions could escalate into broader retaliation, such as Mexico reducing cooperation on migrant interdiction or drug enforcement. The López Obrador administration has already expressed frustration with U.S. Demands, including calls for military support along the southern border. If Sheinbaum’s government perceives the governors’ probe as politically motivated, it could adopt a more defiant stance, potentially derailing progress on shared security challenges.

Background: Cartel Influence in Mexican Politics

Mexico’s governors hold significant power, controlling state police forces, budgets and local institutions—key tools for cartels seeking political protection. Sinaloa, Durazo’s state, is the birthplace of the Sinaloa Cartel, while Colima, Rocha Moya’s state, has long been a transit hub for drug trafficking. Past investigations, such as the 2021 case against former Guerrero governor Héctor Astudillo, have revealed how governors facilitate cartel operations, from extortion to arms smuggling.

The MORENA party, which dominates Mexican politics, has faced criticism for its close ties to governors accused of corruption. López Obrador has defended his governors, arguing that local solutions are more effective than U.S. Intervention. Yet the governors’ cases may test whether Sheinbaum can maintain this stance while navigating pressure from Washington.

What Comes Next?

U.S. Officials are expected to finalize their decision on visa restrictions in the coming weeks, with a potential announcement before Sheinbaum’s July 1 inauguration. If imposed, the measures could trigger a diplomatic backlash, but the Biden administration appears determined to send a message about cartel infiltration in Mexican governance. For Sheinbaum, the challenge will be balancing U.S. Demands with domestic political loyalty—a tightrope walk that could define her early presidency.

As the investigation unfolds, both countries will be watching closely to see whether this dispute escalates into a broader crisis—or whether a compromise can be reached before Sheinbaum takes office.