Latest news with #AbigaelGonzalezValencia
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Cartel Crackdown: Mexico Hands Over 26 Drug Lords To U.S. In Trump Deal
Mexico has handed over more than two dozen high-ranking cartel leaders to the United States in a deal made with the Trump administration. Authorities extradited 26 prisoners to the U.S. who were wanted for ties to drug trafficking groups, the Mexican attorney general's office and security ministry said in a joint statement on Tuesday. The transfer comes as part of an agreement from the U.S. Justice Department that prosecutors would not pursue the death penalty for any of the individuals. The group of prisoners includes Abigael González Valencia, a leader of 'Los Cuinis,' a group with close ties to the Jalisco New Generation cartel, or CJNG. Roberto Salazar, accused of involvement in the 2008 killing of a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy, was also included in the extradition. Earlier this year, The Dallas Express reported that 17 family members of a notorious Sinaloa Cartel were sent to the United States as part of a deal between a son of the cartel's former head and the U.S. Department of Justice. The move followed negotiations between U.S. authorities and Guzmán López, also known as 'the Mouse,' a son of Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán, the Sinaloa Cartel founder who was captured by Mexican forces in Culiacán, Sinaloa, in January 2023. 'Today is the latest example of the Trump administration's historic efforts to dismantle cartels and foreign terrorist organizations,' Attorney General Pam Bondi said to Fox News Digital about the most recent extradition. 'These 26 men have all played a role in bringing violence and drugs to American shores — under this Department of Justice, they will face severe consequences for their crimes against this country. We are grateful to President Sheinbaum and the Mexican government for their collaboration in this matter.' The latest transfer of prisoners comes just ahead of the 25% tariffs that were set to be applied to imports from Mexico. The sitting Mexican president, Claudia Sheinbaum, has shown a greater willingness than her predecessor to cooperate with the United States on cracking down on Mexico's rampant drug cartels. However, so far, she has opposed allowing the U.S. military to assist within Mexico's borders. Solve the daily Crossword
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Mexico expels 26 cartel figures wanted by US officials in deal with White House
Mexico has extradited 26 high-ranking cartel figures to the US in the latest major deal with the Trump administration as US authorities ratchet up pressure on criminal networks sending drugs across the border. Authorities sent 26 prisoners who were wanted in the US for ties to drug-trafficking groups, Mexico's attorney general's office and security ministry said in a joint statement on Tuesday. The transfers were carried out after a promise from the US justice department that prosecutors would not seek the death penalty in any of the cases. Those being handed over to US custody include Abigael González Valencia, a leader of 'Los Cuinis' a group closely aligned with notorious Jalisco New Generation cartel or CJNG. Another person, Roberto Salazar, is accused of participating in the 2008 killing of a Los Angeles county sheriff's deputy, the person said. It marked the second time in months Mexico had expelled cartel figures accused of narcotics smuggling, murder and other crimes amid mounting pressure from the Trump administration to curb the flow of drugs across the border. In February, Mexico handed over to US authorities 29 cartel figures, including drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero, who was behind the killing of a US DEA agent in 1985. Those transfers came days before 25% tariffs on Mexican imports were to take effect. Late last month, Donald Trump spoke with Mexico president Claudia Sheinbaum and agreed to put off threatened 30% tariffs for another 90 days to allow for negotiations. Sheinbaum has shown a willingness to cooperate more on security than her predecessor, specifically being more aggressive in pursuit of Mexico's cartels. But she has drawn a clear line when it comes to Mexico's sovereignty, rejecting suggestions by Trump and others of intervention by the US military. The Trump administration made dismantling dangerous drug cartels a key priority, designating CJNG and seven other Latin American organized crime groups foreign terrorist organizations. González Valencia is the brother-in-law of CJNG leader Nemesio Rubén 'El Mencho' Oseguera Cervantes, a top target of the the US government. He was arrested in February 2015 in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, and had been fighting extradition to the US since then. Alongside his two brothers, he led 'Los Cuinis', which financed the the founding and growth of the CJNG, one of the most powerful and dangerous cartels in Mexico. CJNG traffics hundreds of tons of cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl into the US and other countries and is known for extreme violence, murders, torture and corruption. One of his brothers, José González Valencia, was sentenced in Washington's federal court in June to 30 years in a US prison after pleading guilty to international cocaine trafficking. Jose González Valencia was arrested in 2017 under the first Trump administration at a beach resort in Brazil while vacationing with his family under a fake name.
The Journal
4 days ago
- The Journal
Mexico sends two dozen wanted fugitives to US, including alleged drug cartel kingpins
US OFFICIALS HAVE said that Mexico has sent 26 wanted fugitives to the United States, including alleged Mexican drug cartel kingpins, amid pressure to crack down on cross-border fentanyl smuggling. 'These fugitives are collectively alleged to have imported into the United States tonnage quantities of dangerous drugs, including cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl and heroin,' the US Department of Justice (DOJ) said in a statement. US officials released a list of those extradited and currently in their custody, saying they are fugitives wanted for 'violent and serious crimes' including drug trafficking, kidnapping, human smuggling and the murder of a Los Angeles sheriff's deputy in 2008, among other crimes. The transfer was made 'at the solicitation of the US Department of Justice,' which 'agreed not to seek the death penalty for the prisoners in its country,' according to a joint statement from the Attorney General of Mexico and Mexico's Secretariat of Security and Civilian Safety. The US embassy in Mexico said in a statement that kingpins from the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and Sinaloa Cartel are among those who were extradited — both groups which were designated as terrorist organizations by the US in February. 'These fugitives will now face justice in US courts, and the citizens of both of our nations will be safer from these common enemies,' US Ambassador Ronald Johnson said in a statement, praising the government of Mexico 'for demonstrating resolve in the face of organized crime.' Among the drug dealers sent to the United States in the transfer was Los Cuinis leader Abigael Gonzalez Valencia, whose cartel is accused of trafficking tons of cocaine from South America through Mexico and into the United States. It also included the Sinaloa Cartel's Leobardo Garcia Corrales, who is accused of trafficking fentanyl into the United States in exchange for weapons 'such as AK-47s, grenades and submachine guns,' US DOJ officials said. Abdul Karim Conteh is alleged to have smuggled thousands of migrants through Mexico from around the world — including Iran, Afghanistan, Somalia, Kazakhstan and other countries — 'by various surreptitious and unlawful means, including the use of ladders and tunnels' to cross the US border, officials said. Advertisement Another transferred fugitive is Roberto Salazar, who is 'wanted in connection with the murder of Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy Juan Escalante,' who was killed while leaving his home in 2008, the DOJ said. All those transferred face a maximum sentence of life in prison, except Conteh, who faces a maximum of 45 years, if convicted. The handover comes as the North American neighbors negotiate a security agreement that addresses drugs and arms trafficking. The prisoners were moved under an abbreviated legal procedure, authorities said, which excludes some measures provided in traditional extradition cases. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum's government defended the move, saying some drug lords regain freedom through judicial corruption. The transfer is the second such instance since Trump returned to the White House in January. In late February, Mexico transferred 29 accused narcotraffickers to the United States, including prominent cartel kingpin Rafael Caro Quintero, who was accused of kidnapping and killing DEA special agent Enrique 'Kiki' Camarena in 1985. The US currently has other kingpins in custody, including Sinaloa Cartel founders Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman, who received a life sentence, and Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, who is awaiting trial. Sheinbaum has pledged to collaborate with Washington on tackling drug trafficking, while rejecting any 'invasion' of her country's sovereignty. © AFP 2025
CBS News
4 days ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Mexico sends 26 cartel members to U.S. in deal with Trump administration
Mexico sent 26 high-ranking cartel figures to the United States Tuesday in the latest major deal with the Trump administration as American authorities ratchet up pressure on criminal networks smuggling drugs across the border. Those handed over to U.S. custody include Abigael González Valencia, a leader of "Los Cuinis," a group closely aligned with notorious cartel Jalisco New Generation, or CJNG. Another defendant, Roberto Salazar, is wanted in connection to the 2008 killing of a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy. Other prominent figures have ties to the Sinaloa Cartel and other violent drug trafficking groups. The transfers are a milestone for the Trump administration, which has made dismantling dangerous drug cartels a key Justice Department priority. It's the second time in months that Mexico has expelled cartel figures accused of narcotics smuggling, murder and other crimes amid mounting pressure from the Trump administration to curb the flow of drugs onto American streets. "These 26 men have all played a role in bringing violence and drugs to American shores — under this Department of Justice, they will face severe consequences for their crimes against this country," Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement. "We are grateful to Mexico's National Security team for their collaboration in this matter." In February, President Trump signed an executive order designating CJNG, Sinaloa and six other cartels — Tren de Aragua, Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), Cártel del Noreste (formerly Los Zetas), La Nueva Familia Michoacana, Cártel de Golfo (Gulf Cartel), and Cárteles Unidos — as foreign terrorist organizations. The cartel figures were put on planes to the U.S. after the Justice Department agreed not to seek the death penalty against any of the defendants or against any cartel leaders and members sent to the U.S. in February. That transfer was of 29 cartel figures, including drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero, who was behind the killing of a U.S. DEA agent in 1985. "This transfer is yet another example of what is possible when two governments stand united against violence and impunity," U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson said in a statement. "These fugitives will now face justice in U.S. courts, and the citizens of both of our nations will be safer from these common enemies." The February transfers came as Mexican officials were trying to head off the Trump administration's threat of imposing tariffs on Mexican imports. Late last month, President Trump spoke with Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum and agreed to put off threatened 30% tariffs for another 90 days to allow for negotiations. Sheinbaum has shown a willingness to cooperate more on security than her predecessor, specifically being more aggressive in pursuit of Mexico's cartels. But she has drawn a clear line when it comes to Mexico's sovereignty, rejecting suggestions by Mr. Trump and others of intervention by the U.S. military. Last week, a source familiar with the matter confirmed to CBS News that Mr. Trump directed the military to target drug cartels in Latin America. Sheinbaum responded Friday by saying there would be "no invasion of Mexico." Also included in the group expelled Tuesday was Servando Gómez Martinez, also known as "La Tuta," a former school teacher who became one of Mexico's most-wanted drug lords as head of the Knights Templar cartel. He was captured in 2015 and sentenced to 55 years in a Mexican prison in June 2019. Gomez led the quasi-religious criminal group that once exercised absolute control over Michoacan and he liked to appear in interviews and videos. The cartel orchestrated politics, controlled commerce, dictated rules and preached a code of ethics around devotion to God and family, even as it murdered and plundered. Abigael González Valencia is the brother-in-law of CJNG leader Nemesio Rubén "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes, a top target of the U.S. government. Abigael González Valencia was arrested in February 2015 in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco and had been fighting extradition to the United States since then. The U.S. government has offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to "El Mencho's" arrest or conviction. Alongside his two brothers, Abigael González Valencia led "Los Cuinis," which financed the founding and growth of the CJNG, one of the most powerful and dangerous cartels in Mexico. CJNG traffics hundreds of tons of cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl into the United States and other countries and is known for extreme violence, murders, torture, and corruption. One of his brothers, José González Valencia, was sentenced in Washington's federal court in June to 30 years in a U.S. prison after pleading guilty to international cocaine trafficking. Jose González Valencia was arrested in 2017 under the first Trump administration at a beach resort in Brazil while vacationing with his family under a fake name.
Korea Herald
4 days ago
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Mexico transfers 26 cartel figures wanted by US authorities in deal with Trump administration
WASHINGTON (AP) — Mexico sent 26 high-ranking cartel figures to the US Tuesday in the latest major deal with the Trump administration as American authorities ratchet up pressure on criminal networks smuggling drugs across the border. Those handed over to US custody include Abigael Gonzalez Valencia, a leader of 'Los Cuinis,' a group closely aligned with notorious cartel Jalisco New Generation or CJNG. Another defendant, Roberto Salazar, is wanted in connection to the 2008 killing of a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy. Other prominent figures have ties to the Sinaloa Cartel and other violent drug trafficking groups. The transfers are a milestone for the Trump administration, which is made dismantling dangerous drug cartels a key Justice Department priority. It's the second time in months that Mexico has expelled cartel figures accused of narcotics smuggling, murder and other crimes amid mounting pressure from the Trump administration to curb the flow of drugs onto American streets. 'These 26 men have all played a role in bringing violence and drugs to American shores — under this Department of Justice, they will face severe consequences for their crimes against this country,' Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement. 'We are grateful to Mexico's National Security team for their collaboration in this matter.' The cartel figures were put on planes to the US after the Justice Department agreed not to seek the death penalty against any of the defendants or against any cartel leaders and members sent to the US in February. That transfer was of 29 cartel figures, including drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero, who was behind the killing of a US DEA agent in 1985. 'This transfer is yet another example of what is possible when two governments stand united against violence and impunity,' US Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson said in a statement. 'These fugitives will now face justice in US courts, and the citizens of both of our nations will be safer from these common enemies.' The February transfers came as Mexican officials were trying to head off the Trump administration's threat of imposing tariffs on Mexican imports. Late last month, President Donald Trump spoke with Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum and agreed to put off threatened 30 percent tariffs for another 90 days to allow for negotiations. Sheinbaum has shown a willingness to cooperate more on security than her predecessor, specifically being more aggressive in pursuit of Mexico's cartels. But she has drawn a clear line when it comes to Mexico's sovereignty, rejecting suggestions by Trump and others of intervention by the US military. Also included in the group expelled Tuesday was Servando Gomez Martinez, also known as 'La Tuta,' a former school teacher who became one of Mexico's most-wanted drug lords as head of the Knights Templar cartel. He was captured in 2015 and sentenced to 55 years in a Mexican prison in June 2019. Gomez led the quasi-religious criminal group that once exercised absolute control over Michoacan and he liked to appear in interviews and videos. The cartel orchestrated politics, controlled commerce, dictated rules and preached a code of ethics around devotion to God and family, even as it murdered and plundered. Abigael Gonzalez Valencia is the brother-in-law of CJNG leader Nemesio Ruben 'El Mencho' Oseguera Cervantes, a top target of the US government. Abigael Gonzalez Valencia was arrested in February 2015 in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco and had been fighting extradition to the United States since then. The US government has offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to 'El Mencho's' arrest or conviction. Alongside his two brothers, Abigael Gonzalez Valencia led 'Los Cuinis,' which financed the the founding and growth of the CJNG, one of the most powerful and dangerous cartels in Mexico. CJNG traffics hundreds of tons of cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl into the United States and other countries and is known for extreme violence, murders, torture, and corruption. One of his brothers, Jose Gonzalez Valencia, was sentenced in Washington's federal court in June to 30 years in a US prison after pleading guilty to international cocaine trafficking. Jose González Valencia was arrested in 2017 under the first Trump administration at a beach resort in Brazil while vacationing with his family under a fake name.
