Mexico has extradited 26 suspected cartel members to the United States, responding to rising pressure from President Donald Trump to dismantle the country’s powerful drug organizations. The individuals, wanted by the U.S. Department of Justice for alleged ties to drug-trafficking groups, were handed over after Mexico secured assurances that they would not face the death penalty. Among them are key figures from the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and the Sinaloa Cartel, the country’s two dominant criminal groups.
This marks the second large-scale transfer this year, following the extradition of 29 alleged cartel leaders in February. The move highlights the political balancing act for Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who is seeking to strengthen security cooperation with the U.S. while rejecting Washington’s suggestions of unilateral military operations on Mexican soil. Trump has linked tariffs on Mexico to the fentanyl crisis, and recently directed the Pentagon to prepare operations against drug gangs designated as global terrorist organizations.
U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson hailed the extradition as a sign of strong bilateral cooperation, stating that the transfer would make citizens in both nations safer. Sheinbaum has said a new security agreement between the U.S. and Mexico is close to being finalized, aiming to expand joint efforts against organized crime without compromising Mexico’s sovereignty.
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