The Mexican government on Thursday transferred nearly 30 top cartel operatives to the United States, including a notorious drug lord sought by U.S. authorities for 40 years, according to a statement from the Mexican government.
This handover marks one of the most significant efforts by Mexico in the modern history of the drug war to send traffickers to face charges in American federal courts.
The development coincided with the Trump administration's increasing pressure on Mexico to intensify its fight against drug cartels, appearing as an early win for President Trump in a prolonged struggle against these criminal organizations.
Among those transferred was Rafael Caro Quintero, a founding member of the Sinaloa drug cartel, who was convicted in Mexico for orchestrating the 1985 murder of DEA agent Enrique Camarena. U.S. officials have long sought his capture.
The transfer occurred as a high-level Mexican delegation arrived in Washington to negotiate a security agreement amid rising tensions between the two nations. The U.S. government did not immediately comment, but the Mexican foreign ministry announced the release of the cartel figures.
According to the statement, “This action is part of the work of coordination, cooperation and bilateral reciprocity within the framework of respect for the sovereignty of both nations.”
In recent weeks, the Trump administration has debated the extent of pressure to apply on Mexico regarding cartel issues, with some officials advocating for military action against drug lords, while others favor a collaborative approach to ensure continued cooperation on migration and other issues.
President Trump has exerted significant diplomatic and economic pressure on Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, including threats of imposing tariffs on Mexico.
During a joint news conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump reiterated concerns over the flow of drugs across the southern border, stating, “The drugs continue to pour into our country, killing hundreds of thousands of people,” despite recent declines in U.S. overdose deaths.
The decision to send the traffickers to the U.S. was praised by American law enforcement as a significant victory and a sign of cooperation from President Sheinbaum in combating cartels.
Ray Donovan, former chief of operations for the DEA, remarked, “This is an unbelievably important moment and marks a true turning point,” indicating Sheinbaum’s willingness to work with the U.S. to dismantle criminal organizations.
Caro Quintero is a prominent figure in Mexican crime, notorious for his role in the torture and murder of Camarena, whose death catalyzed U.S. law enforcement's deeper involvement in Mexico's drug war.
After serving 40 years in prison, Caro Quintero was released on a legal technicality in 2013 but was recaptured by Mexican authorities in 2022. His capture was marred by a military helicopter crash that killed 14 Mexican marines involved in the operation.
Caro Quintero faces multiple drug trafficking charges in Federal District Court in Brooklyn and may appear before a federal judge as early as Friday.
Additionally, Mexico is transferring Miguel Ángel Treviño Morales, a former leader of the Zetas cartel, to U.S. custody. Treviño, known as Z-40, is infamous for his brutal tactics and is facing drug charges in federal courts in Texas.
The Zetas cartel, initially formed by elite Mexican commandos, became one of Mexico's most feared criminal organizations under Treviño's leadership.