Mexico transferred 26 alleged cartel members to the United States under an agreement that spared the members from the death penalty.
“Today, [Security Cabinet of the Government of Mexico], in bilateral coordination and with full respect for our sovereignty, transferred 26 individuals linked to criminal organizations that posed a risk to Mexico’s security to the United States,” Mexican Security Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch wrote on X. “The action was carried out in strict adherence to the National Security Law and at the request of [U.S. Department of Justice], which committed to not seeking the death penalty.”
Those taken into custody face a “range of federal and state criminal charges from around the country, including charges relating to drug-trafficking, hostage-taking, kidnapping, illegal use of firearms, human smuggling, money laundering, the murder of a sheriffs’ deputy, and other crimes,” the DOJ said in a statement, adding, “These fugitives are collectively alleged to have imported into the United States tonnage quantities of dangerous drugs, including cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi said the arrangement is the “latest example of the Trump administration’s historic efforts to dismantle cartels and foreign terrorist organizations.”
“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,” she said. “We are grateful to Mexico’s National Security team for their collaboration in this matter.”
U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson issued a statement declaring he is grateful to the Mexican government for “demonstrating resolve in the face of organized crime,” adding he is “honored to serve under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and alongside Attorney General Pam Bondi, whose unwavering focus on public safety and law enforcement cooperation has directly advanced efforts to bring fugitives to justice. Their determination was instrumental in making this second transfer a reality.”
In February, Mexico transferred 29 cartel members to the U.S.
