A major escalation in the fight against drug cartels.

The United States has accused Mexican Governor Rubén Rocha Moya of having links to the powerful Sinaloa Cartel—and is now pushing for his extradition.

According to U.S. authorities, Rocha Moya allegedly rose to power with the backing of the cartel, which Washington has designated as a terrorist organization.

The move marks a dramatic new phase in the U.S.-Mexico drug war, raising tensions between the two countries and putting political leadership under direct scrutiny.

US Targets Mexican Governor Over Sinaloa Cartel Links, Seeks Extradition

The United States (US) Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar said on Friday (Aug 9) that Sinaloa drug cartel leader "El Mayo" Zambada was arrested in the US after flying there "against his will" while other cartel leader El Chapo's son Joaquin Guzman Lopez had voluntarily surrendered.

Sinaloa cartel's 'El Mayo' taken against his will while Joaquin Guzman voluntarily surrendered: Envoy

As a propeller plane on Thursday whirred towards the US-Mexico border to cross illegally, US agents raced to meet it at a small municipal airport near El Paso, Texas, and arrest two men who were part of Mexican drug trafficking royalty.

Propeller plane lands the big fish: How a high-stakes betrayal brought two top drug lords into US custody

Two top leaders of the notorious Mexico's Sinaloa drug cartel were arrested on Thursday (July 25) in Texas. In a statement, the US Justice Department said it arrested Sinaloa's co-founder Ismael Zambada Garcia (aka El Mayo) and El Chapo's son Joaquin Guzman Lopez.

Two top leaders of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel arrested in US