The governor of Sinaloa, now on leave, has not appeared in public since the night of May 1, when he requested to step down following the U.S. Department of Justice’s indictment for alleged ties to the “Los Chapitos” faction.
The interim governor, Yeraldine Bonilla Valverde, admitted she did not know his whereabouts. She said the last time she spoke with him was on the day he was sworn in, and he only received a congratulatory call.
The federal Secretary of Public Security, Omar García Harfuch, stated: “As far as I understand, he is still here in Sinaloa. I honestly have no knowledge of his location.” He acknowledged that a small security detail had been assigned to protect him, despite not knowing his exact whereabouts.
Reports indicate that he is hiding either in the Banus 360 gated community in La Isla Musalá, Culiacán, or at his ranch in Batequitas, Badiraguato. Residents describe almost no activity at their properties, while nine other accused officials also remain out of the public eye.
A Reforma poll showed that 55 percent of respondents prefer the United States to investigate the former governor, given their distrust of local authorities. Meanwhile, citizens in Culiacán celebrated his release with a “peace barbecue” in the center of the Sinaloa capital.
Source: mexicodailypost
