Latest news with #AbigaelGonzálezValencia
Canada News.Net
4 days ago
- Politics
- Canada News.Net
In Mexico's war on drugs, 26 cartel members handed over to US
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Mexico has handed over 26 top cartel members to the United States this week, in the latest major cooperation deal with the Trump administration. U.S. authorities say the move is part of a growing effort to crack down on drug trafficking networks that smuggle massive amounts of narcotics into the country. Those sent to the U.S. include Abigael González Valencia, a leader of "Los Cuinis," a criminal group closely linked to the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). Another man, Roberto Salazar, is wanted in the U.S. for the 2008 murder of a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy. Others in the group are connected to the Sinaloa Cartel and other violent gangs involved in drug trafficking. The transfer marks a critical moment for the Trump administration, which has made dismantling dangerous cartels one of its top Justice Department priorities. It is the second such transfer in recent months. In February, Mexico sent 29 cartel suspects to the U.S., including Rafael Caro Quintero, the drug boss accused of ordering the 1985 killing of U.S. DEA agent "Kiki" Camarena. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi praised Mexico's cooperation. "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," she said, thanking Mexico's National Security team for their help. Before the transfer, the U.S. agreed not to seek the death penalty against any of the 26 men or against those sent in February. The earlier February extraditions happened while Mexico was trying to avoid steep tariffs that President Trump had threatened to place on Mexican imports. Last month, Trump spoke with Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum and agreed to delay the 30 percent tariffs for another 90 days to give time for further talks. President Sheinbaum has been more willing than her predecessor to go after Mexico's cartels, but she has also firmly rejected the idea of U.S. military intervention, saying it would violate Mexico's sovereignty. One of the men sent to the U.S. this week was Servando Gómez Martinez, also known as "La Tuta." Once a schoolteacher, Gómez became the leader of the Knights Templar cartel and one of Mexico's most wanted criminals. Captured in 2015, he was sentenced in 2019 to 55 years in a Mexican prison. His cartel once controlled the state of Michoacán, mixing religious-like rituals with ruthless violence, political influence, and total control over local commerce. Abigael González Valencia, another of those extradited, is the brother-in-law of CJNG leader Nemesio Rubén "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes — one of the U.S. government's most wanted fugitives, with a $15 million reward for information leading to his capture. Arrested in 2015 in Puerto Vallarta, Abigael had fought extradition for years. Together with his brothers, he led "Los Cuinis," the financial arm of CJNG, helping it grow into one of the most dangerous cartels in Mexico, known for trafficking massive amounts of cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl, and for extreme violence, including murder, torture, and corruption. One of Abigael's brothers, José González Valencia, was arrested in 2017 in Brazil while on vacation under a false name and was later sentenced in a Washington court to 30 years for international cocaine trafficking.
Sky News AU
5 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Trump triumphs with brutal crackdown on Mexican cartels as 26 members face prosecution
In the latest deal between Mexico and the Trump administration, 26 'fugitive' cartel gang members are being sent to the US for prosecution. The members range from leaders and managers of several cartels in Mexico, with many facing charges of murder, human smuggling and kidnapping. The Department of Justice announced the deal on Tuesday, with a high-ranking leader of the 'Los Cuinis' cartel, Abigael González Valencia, being sent. Attorney General Pam Bondi praised the Trump administration's 'efforts' in its war against several notorious cartels and their members. 'Today is the latest example of the Trump administration's historic efforts to dismantle cartels and foreign terrorist organisations. 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,' she said.
6 days ago
- Politics
Mexico transfers 26 cartel figures wanted by US authorities in deal with Trump administration
WASHINGTON -- 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 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 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 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 U.S. military. 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 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.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Mexico transfers 26 cartel figures wanted by U.S. in deal with Trump administration
Mexico sent 26 high-ranking cartel figures to the United States Tuesday (August 12, 2025) 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 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 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 Donald Trump spoke with Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum and agreed to put off threatened 30% tariffs for another 90 days to allow for negotiations. Ms. 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 U.S. military. 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. Mr. 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 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.
NDTV
6 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Mexico, In Deal With Team Trump, Expels 26 Top Cartel Leader Wanted By US
Washington: 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 US 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 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% 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 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 Ruben "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes, a top target of the US 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 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 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, Jose 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.
