Claudia Sheinbaum rejects US meddling and orders probe into Sinaloa Cartel allegations

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Thursday that Mexico would not accept US interference. The comments followed a New York court indictment. It accused 10 current and former Mexican officials of working with the Sinaloa Cartel. Sheinbaum said Mexico would review the claims through its own legal process.

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Sheinbaum said the attorney general would investigate and collect information inside Mexico. The aim was to check whether US allegations support legal requests for arrest warrants. Sheinbaum earlier said there was no evidence backing the US claims. Sheinbaum also said Mexico would act firmly if proof was absent.

US allegations against Mexican officials in Sinaloa Cartel case

The indictment listed several serving officials in Sinaloa. It also named members of Sheinbaum’s progressive Morena party. The allegations triggered a political storm in Mexico. This came as Sheinbaum tried to balance US pressure. Sheinbaum also faced expectations from the political base at home.

Mexico’s government later said it had received an extradition request from the US. The request covered 10 citizens, but no names were released. The development came soon after the indictment became public. It added pressure on Mexican authorities to respond. It also raised questions about how Mexico would handle the demands.

Claudia Sheinbaum response on Sinaloa Cartel charges and US meddling

The most prominent name linked to the case was Sinaloa Gov Ruben Rocha Moya. Ruben Rocha Moya was described as a senior Morena figure. Ruben Rocha Moya was also an ally of Sheinbaum’s mentor. That mentor was former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

Sheinbaum said Mexican prosecutors would decide if the US claims had legal grounds. Sheinbaum said they would seek evidence through Mexico’s own channels. Sheinbaum said Mexico would not accept political pressure. "If it is evident that the Justice Departments charges are politically motivated, let there be absolutely no doubt: under no circumstances will we allow a foreign government to interfere in decisions that are the exclusive prerogative of the Mexican people,\" Sheinbaum said.

The case remained under review by Mexico’s legal authorities after Thursday’s remarks. The government said it had seen an extradition request for 10 citizens. Sheinbaum said prosecutors would determine whether evidence supported the accusations. Sheinbaum also said Mexico would resist any outside influence if proof was unclear.

With inputs from PTI