Mexico extradited 26 high-ranking cartel members to the United States on Tuesday. The move was part of a major anti-drug trafficking initiative under the Trump administration, as efforts by U.S. law enforcement to dismantle drug smuggling networks intensify, The Associated Press reports.
Those being extradited include major players from some of Mexico’s most dangerous cartels, including individuals involved in violent crimes and international drug trafficking.
Extraditions target major cartel figures
Abigael González Valencia, a leader of “Los Cuinis,” a powerful criminal group closely connected to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), is one of those being transferred.
Roberto Salazar is another individual being extradited. He is a person of interest in connection with the 2008 murder of a sheriff’s deputy in Los Angeles County.
Other individuals being handed over have links to prolific drug cartels, including the Sinaloa Cartel, Los Zetas and other similar groups.
“These 26 men have all played a role in bringing violence and drugs to American shores –– under this Department of Justice, they will face severe consequences for their crimes against this country,” Attorney General Pam Bondi told Fox News. “We are grateful to President (Claudia) Sheinbaum and the Mexican government for their collaboration in this matter.”
They were being flown to American soil after the Justice Department agreed not to seek the death penalty against any of the defendants or against any cartel leaders and members transferred to the U.S. in February, the AP reports.
Military pressure and trade negotiations intensify
Last week, it was reported that President Donald Trump formally told U.S. military leadership to prepare to use force against cartels, designated foreign terrorist organizations, in Latin America.
“The United States is not going to come to Mexico with their military,” Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said during a news conference on Aug. 8. “We cooperate, we collaborate, but there will be no invasion. It’s off the table, absolutely off the table.”
The extraditions came just before Trump’s 25% tariffs on Mexican goods. After speaking with Sheinbaum, Trump delayed a planned 30% tariff for 90 days to allow more negotiations, Fox News reports.
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Author: Cole Lauterbach
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