Mexico extradites 26 suspected top cartel leaders to U.S. amid pressure from Trump admin

Mexico extradited 26 suspected high-ranking drug traffickers to the U.S. on Tuesday — including several linked to groups the Trump administration has designated as global terrorist organizations like the Sinaloa Cartel per the Department of Justice.The big picture: The extraditions come after months of pressure from President Trump, who has threatened to hit Mexico with hefty tariffs if Mexican officials don't do enough to stop the flow of drugs.Trump signed an executive order on his first day in office that vowed to crack down on cartels for a "campaign of violence and terror."Driving the news: Mexico's secretary of security and civilian protection confirmed on X that the extradition took place at the request of the DOJ after it committed to not seeking the death penalty in the 26 cases.They face charges "relating to drug-trafficking, hostage-taking, kidnapping, illegal use of firearms, human smuggling, money laundering, the murder of a sheriffs' deputy, and other crimes," per a DOJ statement.Zoom in: Among those now in U.S. custody are Abigael González Valencia, whom the DOJ described as a leader of "Los Cuinis" — "a major Mexican drug cartel responsible for trafficking multiple tons of cocaine from South America, through Mexico," into the U.S.Kevin Gil Acosta and Martin Zazueta Perez have also been detained. The DOJ says court documents show are "leaders of a powerful faction of the Sinaloa Cartel that engages in prolific fentanyl trafficking" who've armed themselves with military-style weapons including grenade launchers in attacks on Mexican government and military officials. Servando Gómez Martinez, known as "La Tuta," leader of the Knights Templar cartel, a former school teacher who was sentenced to 55 years in prison in 2019 on charges including kidnapping and drug trafficking, was also among those extradited.Flashback: This is the second such extradition this year. In February, Mexico extradited 29 people accused of being involved in drug cartels to the U.S.What they're saying: Ronald Johnson, the U.S. ambassador to Mexico, said on X he's "deeply grateful" to President Claudia Sheinbaum "for her leadership in strengthening the partnership" with Trump and the U.S. "against our common enemies" and for the mutual benefit of the two neighboring countries' citizens. "This transfer is yet another example of what is possible when two governments stand united against violence and impunity," he said."These fugitives will now face justice in U.S. courts, and the citizens of both of our nations will be safer from these common enemies," Johnson added in an online statement.Read the full list of suspects in full, via DocumentCloud: Go deeper: Mexico targets American gun smugglers in response to naming cartels terrorists

Comments

World news

Laura Loomer claims Marjorie Taylor Greene is corrupt in latest escalation of MAGA online feud

Independent

ICE ordered to improve conditions at NYC facility after lawsuit alleges unsanitary cells where immigrants lack food and water

about 5 hours ago

5-year-old boy had his cancer treatments interrupted with his deportation as his family files suit against ICE

Independent

JD Vance says it was ‘very cool’ to have Disneyland shut down for his family vacation - but apologizes for ‘longer lines’

about 7 hours ago

Independent

Foot traffic at American Eagle stores is down 9% after controversial Sydney Sweeney ad: report

about 7 hours ago

Independent

A Vermont man’s death was ruled as suicide. Now, his case will be reopened after his daughter claimed cops botched the investigation

about 7 hours ago

Putin races to grab territory in Ukraine with lightning advance days before meeting with Trump

Evening Standard

Comments

Similar News

Under Pressure by Trump, Mexico Sends 26 Accused Cartel Operatives to U.S.

Sheinbaum’s rare agreement with Trump says more about Mexico City than DC

Mexico and Brazil Rebut Trump’s Claims About Violence in Their Cities

Torrential rains shut down flights at Mexico City airport for second day

Inside the desperate hunt for an endangered creature in Mexico City’s canals

Adidas designer sorry for shoes 'appropriated' from Mexico

Mexico rejects Trump's reported military plan against drug cartels

'There will be no invasion.' Sheinbaum confident Washington won't strike cartels in Mexico

Sheinbaum rejects US ‘invasion’ after Trump orders military to target Mexico cartels

Mexico’s president rules out U.S. military entering to fight cartels

Mexico’s President Says U.S. Forces Are Unwelcome in Her Country

His camera captured Che, a famous black eye and 1960s Mexico City

About 300 migrants start walk north from southern Mexico. Their goal is not the US border

Mexico’s Sheinbaum says ‘no need’ for bilateral trade deal with Canada

‘Superficial’ to compare Canada, Mexico approaches to U.S. tariffs: Anand

32 bodies found in clandestine graves in central Mexico

Trump’s grand plan to save Florida’s tomatoes: make Mexico pay

Prison riot in Mexico's Veracruz state leaves 7 dead, 11 injured

Watch: Why Mexico got a tariff reprieve... and Canada didn't

Trump tariffs are ‘unsustainable’, says Mexico’s auto sector chief

World news

Laura Loomer claims Marjorie Taylor Greene is corrupt in latest escalation of MAGA online feud

National Guard troops on the streets of DC to fight what Trump calls ‘out of control’ crime in the nation’s capital

Ukraine-Russia war latest: Zelensky warns Putin will launch new war from land gained in Trump deal