History of Rubén Rocha Moya in Timeline

Rubén Rocha Moya is a Mexican politician and educator. He served as the Governor of Sinaloa from 2021 to 2026. He is a member of the National Regeneration Movement (MORENA). Before becoming governor, Rocha served as a senator in the Mexican Congress from 2018 to 2021.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

June 1949: Rubén Rocha Moya's Birth

In June 1949, Rubén Rocha Moya was born. He later became a Mexican politician and educator, eventually serving as the Governor of Sinaloa.

Others born on this day/year

1968: Became general secretary of the Federation of Rural Socialist Students

In 1968, Rocha became the general secretary of the Federation of Rural Socialist Students.

1969: Continued tenure as general secretary of the Federation of Rural Socialist Students

In 1969, Rocha continued his tenure as the general secretary of the Federation of Rural Socialist Students.

1972: Returned to Sinaloa and Became a Teacher

In 1972, Rocha returned to his home state and became a physics and mathematics teacher at the preparatory school in Guamúchil, later becoming the head of the campus.

1973: Marriage to Socorro Ruiz Carrasco

In 1973, Rocha married Socorro Ruiz Carrasco, with whom he had four children.

1980: Position as Press Secretary

In 1980, Rocha was offered a position as press secretary for the university's teachers' union.

1983: Became a State Deputy

In 1983, Rocha became a state deputy, serving until 1986.

1983: Named Union's General Secretary

In 1983, Rocha was named the union's general secretary.

1986: Gubernatorial Candidacy

In 1986, Rocha ran for governor for the first time.

1986: Gubernatorial candidate and end of term.

In 1986, after his three-year term ended, Rocha Moya was a gubernatorial candidate for the leftist Movimiento Popular Sinaloense party.

1989: Named General Secretary

In 1989, Rocha returned to Sinaloa and was named the UAS rector's general secretary.

1997: End of Rectorship

In 1997, Rocha's tenure as rector ended.

1998: Second bid for governor

In 1998, Rocha made a second bid for governor of Sinaloa as the candidate of the Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD).

1998: Second Gubernatorial Candidacy

In 1998, Rocha ran for governor for a second time.

2002: Resignation from the PRD

In 2002, Rocha resigned from the PRD after being blocked from running for head of the state party.

2005: Coordinator of Advisors

From 2005, Rocha served as the coordinator of advisors to Institutional Revolutionary Party governor Jesús Vizcarra Calderón.

2010: End of Term as Coordinator of Advisors

In 2010, Rocha's term as coordinator of advisors ended.

2013: Deputy Director of Training at ISSSTE

In 2013, Rocha was named the deputy director of training at the Institute for Social Security and Services for State Workers (ISSSTE).

2014: Death of Socorro Ruiz Carrasco

In 2014, Socorro Ruiz Carrasco, Rocha's wife, passed away.

2018: Elected Senator

In 2018, Rocha Moya was elected to the Senate for the Juntos Haremos Historia alliance.

2020: Obtained Law Degree

In 2020, Rocha obtained a law degree from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).

March 2021: Named Gubernatorial Candidate

In March 2021, MORENA named Rocha Moya as its gubernatorial candidate for Sinaloa.

2021: Allegations of Sinaloa Cartel Facilitation

In 2021, Journalist Anabel Hernández reported that Rocha Moya’s political rise and 2021 gubernatorial campaign were allegedly facilitated by factions of the Sinaloa Cartel.

2021: Became Governor of Sinaloa

In 2021, Rubén Rocha Moya became the Governor of Sinaloa, a position he held until 2026.

2021: Acknowledged Agreements with Organized Crime

In 2021, it was alleged Rocha Moya acknowledged the need to reach agreements with organized crime during his 2021 gubernatorial campaign.

2022: Senate approved new General Law of Higher Education

In 2022, During Rocha's presidency of the Education Commission, the Senate approved a new General Law of Higher Education, requiring the Mexican state to ensure free access to the higher education system beginning in 2022.

July 2024: Circumstances surrounding Zambada capture

In July 2024, organizations pointed to the circumstances surrounding the July 2024 capture of Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada as part of the alleged evidence. in submitted criminal complaint.

August 2024: Zambada's Letter Allegations

In August 2024, Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada released a letter alleging that he was en route to a meeting with Rocha Moya and Héctor Melesio Cuén Ojeda to resolve a political dispute before his capture.

August 2024: Resignation of Sinaloa Attorney General

On 16 August 2024, Sinaloa Attorney General Sara Bruna Quiñónez Estrada resigned amid controversy surrounding the investigation into the killing of Héctor Melesio Cuén Ojeda and the capture of Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada.

September 2024: Cartel Banners and Flyers Appear

In September 2024, cartel banners and flyers appeared in Sinaloa alleging collaboration between political figures like Rocha Moya and the "Los Chapitos" faction.

November 2024: Threats and Cancellation of Expo Ganadera

In November 2024, a banner in Culiacán threatened Rocha Moya and his family, accusing him of supporting the Chapitos faction, leading to the cancellation of the Expo Ganadera event.

2025: Visa Revocation

In 2025, the United States government revoked Rocha Moya's visa.

2025: Reiterated Claims of Systemic Collusion

In later 2025, Journalist Anabel Hernández commentary reiterated claims of systemic collusion between political actors and organized crime.

February 2026: Criminal Complaint Filed

In February 2026, legal and civil society organizations submitted a criminal complaint before the FGR, accusing Rocha Moya of offenses including organized crime, misuse of public office, and concealment.

April 2026: Indicted by the United States Department of Justice

In April 2026, Rocha was indicted by the United States Department of Justice on charges of conspiring with the Sinaloa Cartel.

April 2026: Reported Visa Revocation

In late April 2026, Los Angeles Times reported that the United States government had revoked Rocha Moya's visa in 2025.

April 2026: Indictment by U.S. Prosecutors

On 29 April 2026, U.S. prosecutors unsealed an indictment charging Rocha Moya with conspiring with the Sinaloa Cartel. It was alleged that Rocha accepted bribes and received electoral assistance from the cartel in exchange for providing political protection to its members, facilitating the shipment of fentanyl into the United States.

May 2026: Temporary Leave from Governorship

On May 2, 2026, Rocha temporarily left his office as Governor of Sinaloa.

2026: End of Governorship

In 2026, Rubén Rocha Moya's term as Governor of Sinaloa came to an end.

2027: Mention of Upcoming Elections

In April 2026, the indictment also named nine other current and former officials, including Senator Enrique Inzunza Cázarez and Culiacán Mayor Juan de Dios Gámez Mendívil, both considered potential gubernatorial candidates for the upcoming 2027 elections.