Mexico is set to extradite 26 high-ranking cartel leaders to the United States this week under an agreement with the Trump administration, according to officials from both countries.
BREAKING – Mexico’s AG and public security ministry announce extradition of 26 drug trafficking suspects to USA – no names yet. It comes amid trade negotiations and the specter of US strikes. I had reported in CrashOut in April that another big prisoner transfer was in the works.
— Ioan Grillo (@ioangrillo) August 12, 2025
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The transfer was scheduled to take place on Tuesday, with the defendants flown directly to U.S. custody.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said the extraditions mark another major step in ongoing efforts to target transnational criminal organizations.
“Today is the latest example of the Trump administration’s historic efforts to dismantle cartels and foreign terrorist organizations,” Bondi told Fox News Digital.
“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. We are grateful to President Sheinbaum and the Mexican government for their collaboration in this matter.”
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Among those being transferred are Abigael González Valencia, a leader of the “Los Cuinis” cartel, which is aligned with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), and Roberto Salazar, accused of involvement in the 2008 killing of a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy.
The Trump administration has designated CJNG as a foreign terrorist organization.
Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office and Security Ministry confirmed the agreement, noting it was reached after the U.S. Justice Department pledged it would not seek the death penalty for any of the individuals involved.
The extradition aligns with President Donald Trump’s stated policy focus on strengthening border security and dismantling drug cartels operating across the southern border.
Deputy White House press secretary Anna Kelly previously said in a statement to Fox News Digital, “President Trump’s top priority is protecting the homeland, which is why he took the bold step to designate several cartels and gangs as foreign terrorist organizations.”
On Friday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed reports that U.S. forces might take direct action against cartels inside Mexico.
“We co-operate, we collaborate, but there is not going to be an invasion,” Sheinbaum said.
“It’s off the table, absolutely off the table.”
According to reports, President Trump has also authorized the use of U.S. military force against designated terrorist cartels operating in Latin America.
Such authorization would allow U.S. forces to engage directly with these organizations in targeted operations.
The latest extraditions come as the United States prepares to impose a 25% tariff on Mexican imports.
President Trump has said he will delay an additional 30% tariff for 90 days to allow for negotiations following discussions with Sheinbaum, who has taken a more aggressive stance against organized crime than her predecessor.
In February, Mexico extradited 29 cartel figures to the United States, including Rafael Caro Quintero, who prosecutors allege orchestrated the 1985 kidnapping, torture, and murder of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena.
Officials in both countries say the latest transfers underscore an unprecedented level of cooperation between Washington and Mexico City in tackling cartel leadership and disrupting cross-border criminal operations.