Mexico sends 37 accused cartel operatives to U.S. amid Trump pressure

Mexico sent 37 people accused of being criminal operatives to the United States on Tuesday, the latest move aimed at easing pressure from President Trump for stronger action against drug cartels. It was the first such transfer this year and the third since Mr. Trump took office; Mexican authorities have now sent nearly 100 people accused of being key criminals, and Mr.

Harfuch said the total handed over was 92 “high‑impact criminals.” Officials said the transfers were done outside the normal extradition process, that they were legal and that, in agreement with the U.S. Justice Department, the death penalty would not be pursued. Omar García Harfuch, Mexico’s security chief, said online that “These individuals posed a real threat to the country’s security” and added that detainees were flown to various U.S.

cities on Mexican military planes. The transfers form part of a broader campaign by President Claudia Sheinbaum to show results after Mr. Trump threatened military action and tariffs; Mr. Trump said in a Jan. 8 Fox News interview that the United States would “start now hitting land, with regard to the cartels.” Mexican officials have pointed to arrests, raids and seizures, and said, according to the government, that some of those sent north included Daniel Alfredo Blanco Joo, José Luis Sánchez Valencia and Ricardo González Sauceda.

Officials also said they recently arrested, with F.B.I.

Key Topics

World, Mexico, Donald Trump, Claudia Sheinbaum, Omar Garcia Harfuch, Sinaloa Cartel