The handover signals increased cooperation between Mexico and the U.S. in tackling organized crime, with significant transfers of notorious cartel leaders.
Mexico Transfers Key Cartel Figures to U.S. Custody
Mexico Transfers Key Cartel Figures to U.S. Custody
In a notable shift in security collaboration, Mexico hands over major cartel operatives to the U.S. amid efforts to combat drug trafficking.
In a landmark move, the Mexican government announced on Thursday its decision to transfer nearly 30 of its most wanted cartel operatives into U.S. custody, underscoring an evolving partnership in the fight against drug trafficking. This unprecedented transfer includes Rafael Caro Quintero, a co-founder of the infamous Sinaloa drug cartel, who has eluded capture by U.S. authorities for four decades due to his past involvement in the 1985 murder of D.E.A. agent Enrique Camarena.
The operation marks one of the most impactful actions taken by Mexico in the ongoing drug war, illustrating a commitment to collaborate with the Trump administration in dismantling drug trafficking networks. Alongside Quintero, Miguel Ángel Treviño Morales, the notorious former head of the Zetas cartel known for his violent tactics, is also being sent to the United States.
According to a statement from the Mexican foreign ministry, this strategic decision emphasizes the significance of bilateral cooperation while respecting the sovereignty of both nations. The news follows the arrival of a high-level Mexican delegation in Washington, aiming to finalize a security agreement during a period characterized by elevated tensions between the two countries.
While the U.S. government has yet to publicly comment on the transfers, the implications of such a decisive act may lead to a reevaluation of anti-drug strategies and enhance judicial accountability for cartel leaders previously operating with relative impunity in Mexico.
