Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum has condemned the brief return to office of Sinaloa Governor Ruben Rocha Moya, calling his actions "reckless" and "not appropriate" following his resumption of duties amid United States drug-trafficking allegations.

Governor Rocha, 77, had defiantly reclaimed his post for a single day after an 112-day absence due to a US indictment. However, he subsequently requested another temporary, indefinite leave of absence, drawing criticism from his own Morena party, the same political party as President Sheinbaum.

Sheinbaum stated at a press conference on Monday that she had no prior knowledge of Rocha's intention to return to his gubernatorial duties. She added that she did not know the reasons behind his decision and has no intention of speaking with him. The president also posted on social media, without naming Rocha, that "No personal interest can ever come before the interests of the people and the nation. Mexico deserves public servants who understand that positions are temporary, but responsibility to the nation is eternal."

The Sinaloa state congress is expected to appoint an interim governor this week to fill the position while Rocha remains on leave. This situation highlights the complex intersection of domestic politics and international drug enforcement in Mexico.

Rocha was indicted by US federal prosecutors on April 29 for alleged bribery and conspiracy with a faction of the powerful Sinaloa Cartel. The charges include accusations of shielding the cartel and facilitating the smuggling of drugs like fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine into the US in exchange for assistance with his political career. He has denied the charges, labeling them a politically motivated attack.

The Morena party's national leadership asserted that Rocha's return was his "personal decision" and that they had no prior knowledge of it. The party's Senate bloc urged restraint and respect for the ongoing investigation, while other Morena governors issued a joint statement emphasizing that "personal or group political projects have no place" when national interests are at stake.

Rocha's case is significant as he is the first sitting governor in Mexico to face drug-trafficking charges from the United States. This development occurs within a broader context of strained relations between the US and Mexico regarding drug cartels and border security.

Former US President Donald Trump's administration had previously sought to intensify crackdowns on crime across the Western Hemisphere, labeling groups like the Sinaloa Cartel as "foreign terrorist organizations" and threatening military action in Mexico. He had accused Mexican cartels of being responsible for significant bloodshed and chaos, and depicted the Mexican government as being infiltrated by criminal elements. The US indictments of Mexican officials, including governors, often ignite diplomatic tensions.