Mexican President Pushes Ruling Party Purge amid US Pressure

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has called on party colleagues to resign if they are involved in corruption or have links to drug cartels, according to sources in the ruling Morena party. The move comes in response to growing US pressure on Mexican politicians suspected of collaborating with organized crime.

Two sources said Sheinbaum made the call during private meetings with Morena's governors and legislators, warning that further corruption scandals could damage the party's future and its relations with Washington.

Tensions have risen following the recent US indictment of Sinaloa State Governor Ruben Rocha and other officials for alleged links to the Sinaloa cartel. Rocha denies the accusations and has temporarily stepped down.

Sheinbaum has publicly criticized the US action, arguing that Washington did not present sufficient evidence. Behind the scenes, however, sources say she is also pushing for a purge within her own party.

(reuters, max)