Two more Mexican governors — including from the Mexican state just south of Arizona — are reportedly facing criminal investigations in the United States.
The Los Angeles Times broke the story.
News of investigations into the governors of Sonora and Tamaulipas follow a recent U.S. criminal indictment against several Sinaloa public officials, including that state’s governor.
Sinaloa officials are accused of protecting cartel members in exchange for a combined millions of dollars in bribes.
The L.A. Times reports the governors of Sonora and Tamaulipas have had their U.S. tourist visas revoked and are able to enter the United States with visas designed for individuals who are cooperating with law enforcement.
Following the news Wednesday, Sonora Gov. Alfonso Durazo called the report baseless and denied any ties to criminal groups or any commitments to collaborate with foreign governments.
“It’s another story without sources, like many others that, unfortunately, circulate without basis,” Durazo said.
The L.A. Times based its report on multiple anonymous sources it says are familiar with the governors’ cases.
Durazo is an ally of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who questioned during her morning press conference why the issue is coming to light in the press and urged calm from public officials.
“What’s the intention behind taking away visas — and then making it public?” Sheinbaum asked.
Sheinbaum has said the United States hasn’t provided enough evidence to fulfill an extradition request for the already accused Sinaloa public officials. She says Mexico would investigate those accusations itself.
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Cattle from Mexico have been barred from the United States for most the past year to prevent the parasite from entering. Ranchers in Sonora say this method was a mistake. -
Mexico’s foreign secretary says 14,000 Mexican nationals remain in immigration detention in the United States as Mexico pursues consular and legal action. -
The move comes after a nearly yearlong ban of Mexican cattle into the United States to protect against the New World screwworm parasite. -
The San Luis port of entry from Sonora, Mexico, is Arizona’s westernmost border crossing, and could see delays for four to five months starting later this month. -
No cases of the flesh-eating New World screwworm parasite have been reported in Arizona, but USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in the state has recommendations for ranchers to protect against it.
