U.S. federal sources confirmed that Mexico delivered 29 drug traffickers today, including leaders of the Zetas and Rafael Caro Quintero, in an unprecedented operation. The alleged criminals are accused of belonging to criminal organizations dedicated to drug trafficking.
Some of the extradited traffickers had legal protections that shielded them from being handed over to the United States. For example, Rafael Caro Quintero had obtained a suspension this week preventing his extradition until his trial in Mexico was concluded. Miguel Ángel Treviño-Morales, known as 'El Z-40', was also in a similar situation, according to his lawyer.
Despite the legal protections they had, the government of Claudia Sheinbaum decided to hand over the traffickers to the United States, invoking the superior interest of the Nation to annul those legal protections. The transfer of the criminals was carried out respecting their fundamental rights, following the Constitution and the National Security Law, and addressing the request from the U.S. Department of Justice.
Amid negotiations to avoid the imposition of tariffs by the United States, Rafael Caro Quintero was extradited this Thursday. Two other important drug trafficking leaders, Miguel Ángel Treviño-Morales and Óscar Omar Treviño Morales, were also delivered. The Attorney General's Office reported that a total of 29 individuals were made available to U.S. authorities as part of bilateral cooperation and mutual respect for the sovereignty of both countries.
