USA Threatens Mexico with Military Action, Mexico Extradites 29 Drug Lords
Washington demands decisive measures from Mexico against cartels. The U.S. has threatened strikes if the flow of drugs and migrants does not stop. In response, 29 criminals have been extradited.
Photo: U.S. Secretary of Defense, PDM 1.0
Mexico has handed over 29 cartel members to the U.S., including one of the most influential crime bosses—Rafael Caro Quintero, according to CNBC.
The extradition took place on Thursday and became the largest in the history of cooperation between the two countries in the fight against drug trafficking.
Caro Quintero is accused in the U.S. of the 1985 murder of DEA agent Enrique Camarena. Along with him, leaders of the Sinaloa, Jalisco Nueva Generación, Cártel del Noreste, La Nueva Familia Michoacana, and Cártel del Golfo cartels were extradited. They face charges of murder, drug trafficking, and money laundering.
According to the White House, the extradition process became possible due to the intervention of President Donald Trump, who instructed the State Department and the Department of Justice to expedite the criminals' handover.
Earlier, Trump threatened to impose 25% tariffs on Mexican goods if the country did not take action against fentanyl and other drug shipments to the U.S.
The extradition coincided with the visit of a Mexican delegation to Washington, where strengthening border security was discussed. U.S. authorities called the handover of the drug lords a "historic moment" and stated they expect further steps from Mexico.
Additionally, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth informed the Mexican military that the U.S. is prepared for unilateral action against drug cartels if the flow of fentanyl and illegal migrants is not halted, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Hegseth's statement caused shock and outrage among Mexican officials, who perceived it as a threat of military strikes. Washington demands decisive action from Mexico against criminal organizations and corruption within the government.
The Pentagon later clarified that the U.S. priority is the protection of its citizens and the strengthening of the southern border. However, Hegseth did not rule out military intervention, noting that the final decision rests with the president.
Meanwhile, Trump warned that on March 4, he will impose 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods if drug trafficking is not curbed. On the same day, Mexico handed over 29 cartel members, including the killer of the DEA agent.
Earlier, it was reported that Donald Trump ordered an investigation into the impact of copper imports on U.S. national security, assessing the risks of dependence on foreign supplies.
It was also revealed that China demanded that the Philippines remove American missiles from the South China Sea, accusing Manila of violating agreements and emphasizing the need to maintain regional stability.