Mexico freezes bank accounts of former officials accused by US

Bank accounts of former Mexican officials accused by US frozen

Mohan Sinha
22 May 2026, 01:24 GMT+10

Mexico has frozen the bank accounts of some former officials accused by the United States of having links to the Sinaloa Cartel
Reports said that the accounts of Sinaloa Governor Ruben Rocha and nine other current and former officials were blocked after the U.S. charged them with helping drug traffickers.
U.S. prosecutors claim the officials helped the cartel move drugs into the United States in exchange for money and political support.

MEXICO CITY, Mexico: Mexico has frozen the bank accounts of some former officials accused by the United States of having links to the Sinaloa Cartel. President Claudia Sheinbaum said this was a preventive step, not a formal investigation in Mexico.

Reports said that the accounts of Sinaloa Governor Ruben Rocha and nine other current and former officials were blocked after the U.S. charged them with helping drug traffickers.

Sheinbaum said the action was taken automatically because there are U.S. arrest warrants, and banks in both countries are connected. She did not name anyone directly, and Rocha has denied the accusations.

U.S. prosecutors claim the officials helped the cartel move drugs into the United States in exchange for money and political support.

Sheinbaum also said some top U.S. officials will visit Mexico soon. She repeated that Mexico will not protect anyone guilty, but added that there is still no clear evidence and suggested the case may be politically motivated.

The situation has increased pressure on Sheinbaum as the U.S. expands its crackdown on cartels to include politicians and public officials.

Two former Sinaloa officials charged in the case are already in U.S. custody. One was arrested in Arizona, and the other surrendered to authorities.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Cape Town Express.

More Information

International

Section

US missile defense shield criticized by China, Russia in Beijing

BEIJING, China: A week after President Xi Jinping hosted Trump in Beijing, China and Russia, at a summit on May 20, condemned U.S....

Bank accounts of former Mexican officials accused by US frozen

MEXICO CITY, Mexico: Mexico has frozen the bank accounts of some former officials accused by the United States of having links to the...

Maldivian rescuers find bodies of 4 Italian divers who went missing

MALE, Maldives: Italy's Foreign Ministry said this week that rescuers have found the bodies of the four Italian divers who went missing...

UK Foreign Office says deputy ambassador in Washington has quit

LONDON, U.K.: Britain's second most senior diplomat in Washington, James Roscoe, has left his post, the British Foreign Office said...

Malaysia tells Norway to pay $252 million for scrapping defense deal

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: Malaysia's defense minister said on May 19 that the country has sent a notice to Norway asking for more than...

Trump says US may need to attack Iran again

WASHINGTON/DUBAI: U.S. President Donald Trump said on May 19 that the United States might need to carry out another strike on Iran....

South Africa

Section

Bank accounts of former Mexican officials accused by US frozen

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

International

US missile defense shield criticized by China, Russia in Beijing

Bank accounts of former Mexican officials accused by US frozen

Maldivian rescuers find bodies of 4 Italian divers who went missing

UK Foreign Office says deputy ambassador in Washington has quit

Malaysia tells Norway to pay $252 million for scrapping defense deal

Trump says US may need to attack Iran again

South Africa

"We want to make winning a habit": Harmanpreet Kaur ahead of Women's T20 World Cup 2026

"He comes back stronger after every boundary": Aakash Chopra lauds Sunil Narine's accuracy and variations

Kabuni welcomes AB de Villiers as a Super Coach, reinforcing its ambition to transform global cricket training

China-Russia declaration music to our ears in Africa politician

China-Russia declaration 'music to our ears in Africa' - politician

India hosts BRICS Justice Ministers' Meet; members express consensus on strengthening mediation, arbitration

Movie Review

Network (4K UHD) [Blu-Ray]