Mexico Transfers 37 Alleged Cartel Members to US, Secures Pledge Against Death Penalty
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Mexico has extradited another 37 individuals suspected of ties to mexican criminal organizations to the United states, bringing the total number of such transfers in the past year to 92. This action comes amidst escalating tensions with Washington and repeated threats from former President Donald Trump regarding potential military intervention against drug cartels within Mexico’s borders.
The latest handover,which occurred on Tuesday,underscores a complex and evolving security relationship between the two nations.According to Mexican Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch, the transfers are aimed at curbing violence within Mexico by removing “high-impact criminals” from the country.
Third Major Extradition in a Year
This recent transfer represents the third important extradition operation to the US within the last 12 months. Images shared by Minister Harfuch on X, formerly known as Twitter, depicted heavily armed Mexican security forces alongside aircraft and armored vehicles used in the operation.He stated, “With this transfer, 92 high-impact criminals have now been sent to the US during this governance, preventing them from generating violence in our country.”
The suspects were transported via seven Mexican Armed Forces aircraft to cities across the United States, including Washington, Houston, New York, Pennsylvania, San Antonio, and San Diego. The Mexican military confirmed that those extradited are wanted by US authorities and are believed to pose a public safety risk due to their alleged connections to criminal organizations.
The prisoner transfers have not been without controversy. Mexican lawmakers and legal experts have raised questions regarding the political and legal justifications for these extraditions. Though, Minister Harfuch emphasized that the transfers were conducted “in accordance with Mexico’s National Security Law and under bilateral cooperation mechanisms with the US, with full respect for national sovereignty.”
Crucially, Mexico secured a commitment from the US government that the extradited individuals will not face the death penalty if convicted of crimes in the United States. This assurance addresses a significant concern for the Mexican government, given its strong opposition to capital punishment.
High-Profile Suspect among Those Extradited
Among those transferred to the US was Pedro Inzunza Noriega, the father of a high-ranking member of the Beltran Leyva cartel. Noriega was arrested in December 2025 following a US indictment that designated him as a drug trafficker and, notably, a terrorist – the first such designation against a Mexican national.
trump’s Pressure and Mexico’s Response
These extraditions are unfolding against a backdrop of increased pressure from former President Trump on Mexico to address the issue of drug cartels. Trump has repeatedly threatened military action against cartels operating within Mexico, even without the Mexican government’s consent.He has indicated that such actions would follow recent US military operations targeting vessels in the Pacific and Caribbean regions, which have resulted in over 110 fatalities as September.
Despite these threats, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has firmly ruled out any possibility of US military intervention on Mexican soil. She highlighted a 50% decrease in fentanyl seizures at the US-Mexico border,attributing this success to her administration’s policies aimed at combating drug crime.
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