Mexico extradites 29 cartel leaders and members to US, including drug lord Caro Quintero
Mexico has initiated the extradition process of dozens of high-level cartel leaders and members to the United States, including Rafael Caro Quintero, a former leader of the Guadalajara cartel implicated in the kidnapping and murder of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena in 1985. In addition, the founders of Los Zetas, Miguel and Omar Morales, known as Z-40 and Z-42, will also be extradited to the U.S.
The extraditions were carried out at the request of the U.S. government as President Donald Trump’s tariff deadline approaches. One of the president’s demands is for Mexico to crack down on dangerous cartels and fentanyl production and distribution.
“This morning, 29 individuals who were detained in various penitentiary centers in Mexico were transferred to the United States of America due to their ties with criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking and other crimes,” stated Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office and Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection. “The custody, transfer, and formal handover of these individuals are conducted with respect for their fundamental rights, in accordance with our Constitution and National Security Law, and at the request of the United States Department of Justice.”
The actions taken are part of the collaborative efforts between Mexico and the U.S. in addressing the issue of drug cartels and fentanyl production. President Trump had previously threatened to impose tariffs on Mexico, prompting officials like Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to work together with the U.S. to combat the influence of cartels.
The Mexican Foreign Minister, Juan Ramón de la Fuente, along with other top economic and military officials, recently met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, D.C. to discuss trade and security relations between the two countries. These negotiations resulted in the extradition of Rafael Caro Quintero, one of the FBI’s ten most wanted fugitives, who was involved in the kidnapping and killing of DEA agent Camarena in 1985.
Caro Quintero had been released from prison in 2013 after serving 28 years but was rearrested in 2022 for allegedly returning to drug trafficking activities. The FBI had offered a reward of up to $20 million for information leading to his arrest and conviction. The extradition of the Treviño Morales brothers, who are accused of running the violent Northeast Cartel from prison, also marks a significant development in the efforts to combat drug cartels.
The cooperation between Mexico and the U.S. in extraditing these high-level cartel members demonstrates a commitment to addressing the challenges posed by drug trafficking and organized crime. By working together, both countries aim to enhance security and combat the illicit activities of these criminal organizations.
