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Mexico has sent about 26 suspected drug cartel members to the United States in a major deal with President Donald Trump’s administration as pressure mounted on Mexican administration by US authorities to dismantle criminal networks smuggling drugs across the border.
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Authorities transferred 26 prisoners who were wanted in the US over their ties to drug-trafficking groups, said Mexico’s attorney general’s office and security ministry in a joint statement. An AP report stated that those being transferred to US authorities include Abigael González Valencia, a leader of “Los Cuinis,” a group which has close connections with the notorious cartel Jalisco New Generation.
Mexico said the US Justice Department had sought the extradition of these 26 prisoners who have been involved in a drug cartel and said it would not seek the death penalty for the accused drug cartel members.
I am deeply grateful to President @Claudiashein for her leadership in strengthening the partnership with @POTUS @realDonaldTrump and the United States against our common enemies and for mutual benefit of our citizens. This transfer is yet another example of what is possible when…
— Embajador Ronald Johnson (@USAmbMex) August 12, 2025
The AP report stated that a person named Roberto Salazar is wanted in the United States in connection to the 2008 killing of a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy. Some of those handed over to the US have links with the Sinaloa Cartel, the Los Zetas cartel and other violent drug trafficking groups.
The transfer of over two dozen suspected drug cartel members to the US is the second such move this year. Earlier in February, Mexican authorities sent 29 alleged drug cartel members to the US, triggering a debate over political and legal grounds for such a decision.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum approved the transfer of another batch of suspected drug cartel members to the US shows her balancing tactics in order to appease Trump and also avoid unilateral US military action in Mexico, which the US president has threatened.
A statement by US Ambassador to Mexico, Ronald Johnson said, “This transfer is yet another example of what is possible when two governments unite against violence and impunity.”
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