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The Congress of the Mexican state of Sinaloa approved on Tuesday the designation of Graciela Domínguez Nava as interim governor of the state, following the new leave of absence by the ruling party's Rubén Rocha Moya, who has been pointed to by the United States for alleged ties to organized crime.
Domínguez assumed the position before the full state Congress, after being elected with 31 votes in favor and six against.
"We will have a little over a year in this interim government, and there are many tasks that we must resume," stated Domínguez in her first message as interim governor.
Among the tasks noted by the new governor are: attention to victims, the disappearance of persons, internal displacement and the return to communities; as well as economic reactivation, employment protection and attention to productive sectors.
The new state leader also proposed as an objective ensuring political stability and the democratic transition toward 2027.
In that sense, Domínguez pointed out that "the interim administration has the mission to govern, pacify and stabilize," and said that she will seek to keep the state government out of the succession dispute, as well as ensure dialogue with all political forces.
Regarding security, the governor promised to work in close coordination with the government of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and maintained that "today, Sinaloa needs the full strength of the Mexican State."
Domínguez Nava served as Secretary of Public Education and Culture (SEPyC) of Sinaloa between November 2021 and February 2024, during the Rocha Moya administration, and was among the main candidates for the ruling party, Morena, for the state leadership in the 2027 elections.
During the discussion, opposition legislators warned that Rocha Moya could still return to the position due to the temporary nature of his leave, despite the political expectation that Domínguez will conclude the six-year term until October 31, 2027.
"We understand the political weight of that definition, but we cannot replace legal certainty with a political commitment (…) Legally, there continues to be a constitutional governor with temporary leave (and) the legal possibility of his return remains open," stated Irma Guadalupe Moreno, a deputy for the opposition Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI).
For her part, legislator Paola Gárate announced that the PRI will join the complaint promoted by a citizens' group for impeachment against Rocha Moya, which seeks his removal and disqualification.
On the eve, the Sinaloa Congress unanimously approved the second leave of absence requested by Rocha Moya, after the governor surprisingly resumed his duties last Friday after more than three months away from the post, something that was criticized by Sheinbaum.
Rocha Moya had requested a first leave of absence on May 1 to appear before the Attorney General's Office (FGR), after being accused in the United States, along with nine other state officials, of alleged ties to the Sinaloa Cartel, allegations he has rejected and described as "false."
[Publicidad]