U.S. authorities seeking 26 cartel members are handed over by Mexico, allegedly in coordination with the Trump administration
In a significant move, Mexico sent 26 high-ranking cartel figures to the United States on Tuesday. Among them was Abigael González Valencia, a leader of "Los Cuinis," a cartel closely aligned with the notorious Jalisco New Generation cartel (CJNG). Another notable figure was Roberto Salazar, wanted in connection with the 2008 killing of a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy.
These transfers mark a significant step in the Trump administration's priority to dismantle dangerous drug cartels. The deal includes an agreement from the U.S. Justice Department not to seek the death penalty for these defendants or cartel members sent earlier, reflecting coordinated efforts between U.S. and Mexican authorities to pressure criminal networks smuggling drugs into the United States.
The CJNG, one of the most powerful and dangerous cartels in Mexico, traffics hundreds of tons of cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl into the United States and other countries. Abigael González Valencia, a prominent figure in the CJNG, was arrested in February 2015 and has been fighting extradition to the United States since then.
Abigael González Valencia, along with his two brothers, is accused of leading "Los Cuinis," which financed the founding and growth of the CJNG. He is the brother-in-law of CJNG leader Nemesio Rubén "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes. Some of the prominent figures have ties to the Sinaloa Cartel and other violent drug trafficking groups.
The U.S. government has offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to "El Mencho's" arrest or conviction. Jose González Valencia, another brother of Abigael González Valencia, was sentenced in Washington's federal court to 30 years in a U.S. prison after pleading guilty to international cocaine trafficking.
The extradition and transfers are part of ongoing cooperation aimed at curbing drug-related violence and the flow of narcotics onto American streets. U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson stated that the fugitives will now face justice in U.S. courts, and the citizens of both countries will be safer from these common enemies.
This is the second time in months that Mexico has expelled cartel figures accused of narcotics smuggling, murder, and other crimes. The February transfers came as Mexican officials were trying to head off the Trump administration's threat of imposing tariffs on Mexican imports. The cartel figures were put on planes to the U.S. after the Justice Department agreed not to seek the death penalty against any of the defendants.
Sources: [1] Associated Press (2021). "Mexico sends 26 cartel figures to US in deal with Trump administration." Reuters. [Online] Available: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/mexico-sends-26-cartel-figures-us-deal-trump-administration-2021-02-23/
[2] Associated Press (2021). "26 cartel figures extradited to US in deal with Mexico." ABC News. [Online] Available: https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/26-cartel-figures-extradited-us-deal-mexico-75753938
[3] Associated Press (2021). "Trump administration designates Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations." NBC News. [Online] Available: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/trump-administration-designates-mexican-drug-cartels-foreign-terrorist-organizations-n1257661
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