Mexican federal police escort the man they identify as Servando ‘La Tuta’ Gómez, leader of the Knights Templar cartel, Mexico City.© AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo, File
Mexico extradited 26 high-ranking cartel figures to the United States as part of an agreement reached with the Trump administration in an effort to curb the threat of US tariffs on Mexican imports.
«These 26 men have all played a role in bringing violence and drugs to the US coastline. Under this Department of Justice, they will face severe consequences for their crimes against this country,» Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement, adding that «the United States appreciates Mexico’s cooperation in this matter.»
«This transfer is yet another example of what is possible when two governments join forces against violence and impunity,» said US Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson. «Our two nations will be safer in the face of these common enemies,» he added.
The agreement marks an important milestone for the United States, where the fight against drug cartels remains a key priority for the Department of Justice. In February, Mexico transferred 29 drug cartel members to its neighbor, including the notorious kingpin Rafael Caro Quintero. The move comes as Mexican authorities seek to avert US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose heavy tariffs on Mexican imports.
At the end of last month, the US president spoke with his Mexican counterpart, Claudia Sheinbaum, and they agreed to postpone the proposed 30% tariffs for 90 days to allow time for further negotiations.
Compared to her predecessor, Sheinbaum has shown greater willingness to cooperate on security issues. However, she has remained firm in her stance on Mexico’s sovereignty, rejecting suggestions by Trump and others about the possibility of US military intervention.
Among those surrendered are Servando ‘La Tuta’ Gómez Martínez, one of Mexico’s most wanted drug lords and leader of the Knights Templar cartel; Abigael González Valencia, alias ‘El Cuni’, head of a group aligned with the notorious Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG); Roberto Salazar, wanted in connection with the 2008 murder of a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy; and other prominent figures linked to the Sinaloa cartel and other violent drug trafficking groups.
The cartel members were transferred to the United States after the Department of Justice agreed not to seek the death penalty against any of the defendants sent to the United States in February.