Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch pledged full federal backing to new interim Sinaloa Governor Yeraldine Bonilla on May 4, amid ongoing fallout from US accusations against Rubén Rocha Moya for Sinaloa Cartel ties. Over 13,300 personnel remain deployed, with a 44% drop in homicides reported. President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed Rocha's Guardia Nacional protection.
Following Sinaloa Congress approval of Governor Rubén Rocha Moya's leave on May 2—prompted by US Department of Justice accusations of cartel links—Yeraldine Bonilla Valverde, former general secretary of government with public security experience, assumed the role as the state's first female interim governor.
Bonilla expressed firm support for Rocha, dismissing the charges as 'unfounded and lacking veracity,' and affirmed coordination with federal authorities for security. 'Sinaloa knows the accusations are false,' she stated.
At the 14th Security Cabinet meeting in Culiacán on May 4, Secretary Omar García Harfuch emphasized: 'We are not withdrawing. Permanent coordination with state authorities will be maintained and interim Governor Yeraldine Bonilla will have all support from the Government of Mexico.' He highlighted over 13,300 security personnel in the state and a 44% reduction in intentional homicides.
García Harfuch noted Rocha's Guardia Nacional protection stemmed from a Security Cabinet recommendation, not personal request, amid no confirmed threats. President Sheinbaum confirmed during her May 4 mañanera: 'He currently has security as per the Cabinet's condition.' Secretariat of Security head Luisa María Alcalde clarified the US seeks provisional detention, not formal extradition, lacking urgency per FGR assessments.
