By Federal prosecutors in Mexico have unveiled a bombshell revelation implicating police, prosecutors, and forensic examiners in Sinaloa state in a conspiracy to cover up the killing of Héctor Cuén, a political opponent of ruling-party Governor Ruben Rocha. The announcement, made on Sunday, corroborates claims made by imprisoned drug lord Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and deepens the political crisis in the violence-plagued northern Mexican state.
The federal Attorney General’s Office stated that their investigation has “confirmed the presumed administrative and criminal responsibilities of Sinaloa police, detectives, forensic examiners and state prosecutors” in relation to Cuén’s death. This statement supports Zambada’s account of events from July 25, when he claims he was kidnapped at the same time and location where Cuén was murdered.
Key elements of the federal prosecutors’ findings include blood evidence from the crime scene: Cuén’s blood was found at the ranch where Zambada claims the kidnapping and murder took place, contradicting the state’s official narrative and falsified video evidence: Security camera footage of an alleged robbery at a gas station, presented by state prosecutors as the scene of Cuén’s murder, was proven to be falsified.
Other hidden facts are discrepancies in forensic evidence: Post-mortem records showed Cuén’s body had four gunshot wounds, while only one shot was audible in the faked security footage, improper handling of evidence: Sinaloa officials violated murder investigation protocols by allowing Cuén’s body to be cremated almost immediately, and blood-stained vehicle: A white pickup truck seen in the falsified footage contained blood from one of Zambada’s bodyguards, suggesting state police either disposed of a body or misused evidence to stage the fake robbery scene.
The case has further complicated the position of Governor Rocha, a member of President Claudia Sheinbaum’s ruling Morena Party. Rocha has faced criticism for his handling of the escalating violence between rival factions of the Sinaloa drug cartel following the events of July 25. Despite ongoing gunbattles, killings, kidnappings, and cartel roadblocks in the state capital Culiacan, Rocha has attempted to downplay the situation, stating on Thursday that “there is nothing to worry about” and “everything is under control.”
Zambada’s account of the July 25 events suggests a complex interplay between politics and organized crime in Sinaloa. He claims he was invited to a meeting to mediate the political rivalry between Governor Rocha and Cuén, indicating the drug lord’s perceived role as an arbiter in state political disputes.
The revelation has reignited questions about Governor Rocha’s potential involvement in the events of July 25. While Rocha denies knowledge of or attendance at the meeting where Zambada was allegedly abducted, doubts persist about his whereabouts that day, as he has not provided conclusive evidence of his claimed trip to California.
This case has exposed the deep-rooted corruption and entanglement of politics with organized crime in Sinaloa, a state long plagued by drug-related violence. As federal authorities continue their investigation, the implications for local and national politics, as well as the ongoing struggle against drug cartels, remain significant and far-reaching.
AP
