MORELIA , Mexico, June 23 (UPI) -- Fausto Vallejo, governor of the western Mexico's Michoacán state, notorious for its drug cartel headquarters, resigned citing poor health. Vallejo, 65, previously stepped down to receive a kidney transplant, although his exact illness has never been reported. Several days ago, he said he would not resign. However, he may have been prompted by a photograph seen recently on social media of his son Rodrigo in the company of Sevando Gomez Martinez, also known as La Tuta, leader of the local Knights Templar drug cartel.
The Michoacán government attempted to reduce the impact of the photo, noting Rodrigo is not a public official. The federal government considers Martinez a high-value target it seeks to capture.