The Arrest Of El Mayo: The Long Running Feud Between Héctor Melesio Cuén And Rubén Rocha Moya (Part 1) (8/20/24)

Beyond The Horizon

The rivalry between Héctor Melesio Cuén Ojeda and Rubén Rocha Moya, both prominent figures in Sinaloa, Mexico, has deep roots in the state's political and educational spheres. Both men served as rectors of the Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa (UAS) in different periods—Rocha from 1993 to 1997 and Cuén from 2005 to 2009. Initially, their relationship was collaborative, particularly during Rocha's gubernatorial campaign in 2021, where Cuén's local party, the Partido Sinaloense (PAS), played a key role in Rocha's victory.
However, their alliance quickly soured after Rocha assumed office. Cuén, who was appointed Secretary of Health, was soon dismissed in May 2022 amid allegations tied to the murder of journalist Luis Enrique Ramírez. This marked the beginning of a public and escalating conflict between the two, centered around political control and influence, particularly over the UAS.
Rocha's administration started to limit the power and influence of Cuén and his allies within the university and the state government. This led to a series of legal and political battles, including accusations of corruption against Cuén and his son, as well as actions perceived as political persecution by Cuén’s supporters. The situation reached a climax with mass protests by UAS workers against what they saw as Rocha’s attempts to undermine the university’s autonomy.
The rivalry took a tragic turn in July 2024 when Cuén was assassinated under suspicious circumstances, coinciding with an alleged incident involving Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, a leading figure in the Sinaloa Cartel. This has further complicated the political landscape in Sinaloa, intertwining it with organized crime narratives and deepening the political rift in the state.
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Scandals, the shadow of El Mayo and the war against Governor Rocha: The tangled life and death of Héctor Cuén | International | EL PAÍS English (elpais.com)