Mexico's Morena party admits vetting failures after mayor and governor face criminal charges

Mexico’s ruling party, Morena, has admitted serious failures in its candidate selection process. The admission follows high-profile scandals involving two of its elected officials: Diego Rivera Navarro, the mayor of Tequila, and Rubén Rocha Moya, the governor of Sinaloa. Both men now face severe allegations of criminal activity.

Carolina Rangel Gracida, the party’s Secretary General, took full responsibility for the lapses. She also outlined plans to tighten vetting procedures before the 2027 elections. Diego Rivera Navarro, mayor of Tequila in Jalisco, was recently arrested on charges of leading an extortion ring. Authorities allege he targeted local tequila producers, demanding payments in exchange for protection. His arrest came as a blow to Morena, which had backed his candidacy.

Meanwhile, Rubén Rocha Moya, governor of Sinaloa, has taken a leave of absence after the U.S. government accused him of links to drug trafficking. Rangel Gracida acknowledged his decision to step aside but stressed he was not using political immunity to avoid accountability.

In a press conference, Rangel Gracida admitted that Morena had failed to properly vet both candidates before their elections. She cited their selection as a mistake and pledged to strengthen the party’s internal processes. The changes will include empowering party members, reinforcing committees, and improving the Elections Commission and Membership Evaluation Commission.

Despite the controversies, Rangel Gracida dismissed concerns about Morena losing its congressional majority in 2027. She pointed to recent polls, strong party identification among voters, and continued public support as reasons for confidence. The party remains Mexico’s largest political force, she noted, and will focus on rebuilding trust through stricter candidate evaluations. Morena’s leadership has promised a full review of its vetting procedures. The party aims to prevent similar scandals ahead of the 2027 elections. For now, the focus remains on addressing the fallout from the cases involving Rivera Navarro and Rocha Moya. The outcome of these reforms will determine whether Morena can maintain its dominance in Mexican politics.