On Friday, February 28, the Attorney General of the Republic, Alejandro Gertz Manero, offered a message detailing the transfer of 29 drug traffickers to the United States. It was clarified that this was not an extradition, but rather a transfer in accordance with the National Security Law requested by the U.S. government. Consequently, these individuals were transferred due to their criminal behaviors in that country.
During the press conference, Gertz Manero mentioned: 'This is a national security request justified by the United States due to the criminal behaviors of these individuals in that country, which align with the procedures and the evidence we have regarding their conduct.'
Regarding the judges who protected the drug traffickers, the attorney general ruled out having violated the injunctions that prevented their extradition, as the operation was carried out under the legal framework established by the National Security Law. Gertz Manero stated that suspensions regarding a procedure that is unrelated to those suspensions cannot be violated.
When asked about the reason the judges delayed the transfer of the drug traffickers to the United States, the Attorney General explained that these were procedures that extended up to 11 years, despite an original estimate of 45 days. He declared that there is sufficient evidence supporting the decision made.
Regarding actions to be taken against the judges who granted protections to the drug traffickers, Gertz Manero stated that necessary measures would be taken in this regard. On Thursday, Mexico handed over the individuals requested by the United States due to their links to criminal organizations and drug trafficking, including Rafael Caro Quintero, leader of the Guadalajara Cartel, as well as two leaders of Los Zetas, Miguel Ángel and Omar Treviño Morales.
