Photo: Alamy
Mexico has extradited 26 high-ranking cartel members wanted in the United States as part of a sweeping agreement with the Trump administration targeting drug trafficking networks, Mexican officials confirmed Tuesday.
The extraditions follow a similar move in February, when Mexico handed over 30 other prominent cartel suspects.
“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 said in a statement. “We are grateful to Mexico’s National Security team for their collaboration in this matter.”
The latest group includes Abigael González Valencia, a leader of the “Los Cuinis” organization, which is closely linked to the powerful Jalisco New Generation cartel. Another individual is wanted in connection with the 2008 killing of a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy.
Mexico’s government confirmed the transfer to the Associated Press but did not release the names of the individuals. A press briefing is expected on Wednesday to provide further details.
“This transfer is yet another example of what is possible when two governments stand united against violence and impunity,” U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson said in a statement. “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.”
The U.S. reportedly agreed not to seek the death penalty for any of the suspects, according to the report.
The development comes amid reports that President Donald Trump signed an order authorizing the Department of Defense to use military force against Latin American drug cartels. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has expressed opposition to such a move.
Trump has made dismantling cartel operations a central part of his administration’s agenda during his second term, citing the ongoing opioid crisis, which has been driven largely by fentanyl trafficking, as a national emergency.