Mexico Extradites 29 High-Level Criminals to US Amid Pressure to Tackle Fentanyl Trafficking.
Mexico has extradited 29 high-level cartel operatives to the U.S., including infamous drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero, as it faces mounting pressure from the Trump administration to curb fentanyl trafficking.
Caro Quintero, convicted of the 1985 murder of DEA agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, was released in 2013 but later resumed drug trafficking. He was recaptured in 2022. Also among the extradited are former Zetas cartel leaders Omar and Miguel Ángel Treviño Morales, who were accused of running the Cartel del Noreste from prison despite their 2013 arrests.
The extraditions come as Mexico seeks to delay Trump’s 25% tariffs on Mexican imports, set to take effect on March 4. Trump has tied the tariffs to progress on fentanyl trafficking and migration, though without setting clear benchmarks.
With 80% of its exports going to the U.S., Mexico fears a recession if the tariffs proceed, though they would also impact the American economy. A previous one-month delay was secured by deploying 10,000 Mexican troops to the border, despite questions over its effectiveness in stopping fentanyl smuggling.
Diplomatic tensions have escalated, with the U.S. recently designating six Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs). While this does not authorize military action, concerns are growing over potential intervention.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has warned against any U.S. “invasion” of national sovereignty. Meanwhile, Mexico has intensified operations against the Sinaloa cartel, with U.S. spy drones reportedly assisting in recent arrests.
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