MEXICO CITY, Mexico: Mexico has frozen the bank accounts of some former officials accused by the United States of having links to the Sinaloa Cartel. President Claudia Sheinbaum said this was a preventive step, not a formal investigation in Mexico.

Reports said that the accounts of Sinaloa Governor Ruben Rocha and nine other current and former officials were blocked after the U.S. charged them with helping drug traffickers.

Sheinbaum said the action was taken automatically because there are U.S. arrest warrants, and banks in both countries are connected. She did not name anyone directly, and Rocha has denied the accusations.

U.S. prosecutors claim the officials helped the cartel move drugs into the United States in exchange for money and political support.

Sheinbaum also said some top U.S. officials will visit Mexico soon. She repeated that Mexico will not protect anyone guilty, but added that there is still no clear evidence and suggested the case may be politically motivated.

The situation has increased pressure on Sheinbaum as the U.S. expands its crackdown on cartels to include politicians and public officials.

Two former Sinaloa officials charged in the case are already in U.S. custody. One was arrested in Arizona, and the other surrendered to authorities.