Article By: FABIOLA SÁNCHEZ and JOSHUA GOODMAN
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico has extradited 29 drug cartel members, including notorious drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero, to the United States amid increased pressure from the Trump administration on drug trafficking organizations.
This significant display of security cooperation coincides with high-level Mexican officials’ visit to Washington to address the looming threat of imposing 25% tariffs on all Mexican imports by the Trump administration.
The individuals sent to the U.S. on Thursday were transported from various prisons in Mexico to board planes at an airport north of Mexico City, heading to eight different U.S. cities, as confirmed by the Mexican government.
Among the extradited individuals were members of five out of the six Mexican organized crime groups recently designated as “foreign terrorist organizations” by President Donald Trump’s administration.
Notable figures included cartel leaders, security chiefs from both factions of the Sinaloa cartel, cartel finance operatives, and a man wanted in connection with the killing of a North Carolina sheriff’s deputy in 2022.
Vicente Carrillo Fuentes, a former leader of the Juarez drug cartel, and brother of drug lord Amado Carrillo Fuentes, were also among those extradited to the U.S.
The individuals sent to the U.S. faced charges related to drug trafficking, homicide, and other crimes as per prosecutors in both countries.
U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated, “We will prosecute these criminals to the fullest extent of the law in honor of the brave law enforcement agents who have dedicated their careers to protect innocent people from violent cartels.”
The extradition of these cartel figures occurred during Mexico’s diplomatic visit to Washington, where Mexican officials engaged with U.S. counterparts, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Trump’s demand for Mexico to crack down on cartels, illegal immigration, and fentanyl production in exchange for delaying tariffs led to this unprecedented extradition.
Former DEA chief of international operations, Mike Vigil, hailed this move as historic, emphasizing its significance for the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The extradition of Caro Quintero, a former Guadalajara cartel leader involved in the brutal murder of DEA agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena in 1985, marks a turning point in U.S.-Mexico relations.
Pressure intensified on Mexico to extradite Caro Quintero after Trump’s threats of trade tariffs and the designation of Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.
Acting DEA head Derek Maltz provided the White House with a list of nearly 30 Mexican targets wanted in the U.S., with Caro Quintero topping the list.
In a rush to showcase strong cooperation with the U.S., Mexico bypassed formal extradition processes, potentially allowing Caro Quintero to face trial for Camarena’s murder in the U.S.
This unexpected extradition move may trigger a backlash from drug trafficking groups against the Mexican state, impacting the traditional practice of Mexican drug lords serving sentences within Mexico.
Goodman reported from Miami. Megan Janetsky contributed to this report from Mexico City.
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