Mexico sends 37 cartel members to US, cites sovereignty

Mexico transferred 37 suspected members of the Sinaloa Cartel and Jalisco New Generation Cartel to the United States on Tuesday at the request of the U.S. Justice Department. President Claudia Sheinbaum said Wednesday that the decision was a “sovereign decision” by Mexico’s National Security Council, made after analyzing what was “convenient for Mexico” and in line with its “national security.” U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi called the transfer a “landmark achievement” in combating cartels.

The transfers mark Mexico’s third such delivery of cartel members to the United States within a year, with Mexico having sent a total of 92 cartel members. The move represents a significant concession to Trump administration pressure on Mexico’s government to escalate cartel enforcement.

Sheinbaum defends decision as response to US request

Sheinbaum’s statement on Wednesday directly addressed criticism that Mexico was capitulating to Trump administration pressure. Observers noted that the transfers served as a pressure valve to offset Trump administration demands while allowing Mexican authorities to demonstrate toughness against criminal organizations.

The Mexican government said the National Security Council made the decision after evaluating what would serve Mexico’s interests. Sheinbaum, who has been widely praised for managing a delicate balance with the Trump administration, emphasized that the determination remained Mexico’s to make.

Context of escalating US-Mexico tensions

The transfer occurred amid escalating pressure from Washington. Trump has threatened to take military action against cartels operating in Mexico. In early January, the U.S. military carried out an operation in Venezuela to capture then-President Nicolás Maduro, described as an extraordinary use of force that alarmed leaders across Latin America.

The Maduro operation raised tensions throughout the region and provided backdrop for increased U.S. demands on Mexico’s government to accelerate cartel enforcement operations.

Details of the transferred members

The 37 transferred were alleged members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and the Sinaloa Cartel, both designated by Washington as terrorist organizations.

At least one of those transferred, Armando Gómez Núñez, was already indicted by the U.S. Justice Department. Gómez Núñez is accused of being a senior leader of CJNG. He faces charges of drug offenses and possession of weapons including machine guns and explosive devices.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi characterized the transfer as confirmation of U.S.-Mexico cooperation. “These 37 cartel members — including terrorists from the Sinaloa Cartel, CJNG, and others – will now pay for their crimes against the American people on American soil,” Bondi said in a statement issued with other Justice Department officials.

The Justice Department said the move represented an “important step” by Mexico’s government and that cooperation served both countries’ “shared interest.”

Pattern of transfers continues

The transfer marked the third such operation in a year. Mexico’s government said it has sent 92 cartel members to the United States in total.

In August, Mexico’s security minister acknowledged that some cartel leaders previously sent to the United States were continuing criminal operations from prison. That disclosure indicated Mexico agreed to the transfers at that time partly because judicial rulings in Mexico posed a risk the leaders could be released.