Mexico’s opposition PAN party has accused the federal government of bowing to U.S. pressure after the Attorney General’s Office (FGR) issued simultaneous summonses to former Sinaloa governor Rubén Rocha Moya and Chihuahua governor Maru Campos.
PAN lawmakers claim Washington ordered Mexico to begin extradition proceedings against Rocha Moya, while Morena sought to “balance the scales” by involving Campos.
U.S. Pressure and Extradition Demands
- Visit by U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin: PAN deputy Paulina Rubio Fernández argued that Mullin’s meeting with President Claudia Sheinbaum was not diplomatic courtesy but a directive to initiate extradition against Rocha Moya.
- Accusations Against Rocha Moya: The former governor and nine ex-officials from Sinaloa were named in a Southern District of New York case, accused of receiving bribes from the Sinaloa Cartel to protect criminal operations.
- Extradition Process: Rocha Moya confirmed he received a summons from the FGR on May 23, 2026, marking the first step toward possible extradition.
PAN’s Criticism of “Balancing the Scales”
- Maru Campos Summons: On the same day Rocha Moya was cited, the FGR also summoned Chihuahua governor Maru Campos to testify as a witness in an investigation into a 2021 anti-narcotics operation where two alleged CIA agents and two Mexican officials died.
- PAN’s Claim: Rubio Fernández accused Morena of trying to “empatar cartones” (balance the scorecards) by involving Campos, despite her not being implicated in cartel ties.
- Campos’ Response: She confirmed she will appear before the FGR on May 27 in Ciudad Juárez, stressing she is only a witness, not a suspect.
Political and Legal Implications
- The PAN insists the two cases are not comparable: Rocha Moya faces formal U.S. charges, while Campos is linked only through chain-of-command testimony.
- Campos has faced scrutiny for contradictory statements about foreign agents operating in Chihuahua, raising questions about transparency in cross-border security cooperation.
- President Sheinbaum has suggested reviewing agreements Campos signed with Texas Governor Greg Abbott, citing possible sovereignty concerns.
The dual summonses highlight tensions between Mexican sovereignty, U.S. security demands, and domestic political rivalries. While Rocha Moya’s case could lead to extradition on cartel-related charges, Campos’ testimony underscores the complex overlap of local governance and international intelligence operations. The PAN frames the situation as political maneuvering by Morena to deflect attention from U.S. pressure on Mexico.
Source: INFOBAE
