Latest news with #SamayoaRecinos
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Guatemala extradites suspected drug trafficker "Chicharra" to the U.S.
Guatemala on Friday handed over one of its most wanted drug fugitives to the United States, which noted the extradition as the Central American country's "most important" in decades. Aler Baldomero Samayoa-Recinos, whose alias is "Chicharra" (Cicada), is accused of leading a group called Los Huistas, which allegedly trafficked U.S.-bound cocaine from South America to Mexican cartels. He was captured in Mexico in March and deported to Guatemala as a result of joint efforts between the two countries and the United States, officials said at the time. Announcing his extradition, Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo said that he hoped the suspect would "share a lot of information" with US authorities to help the fight against the "scourge" of drug trafficking. The U.S. embassy in Guatemala City described his handover as "the most important extradition in decades" by the country to the United States. Samayoa Recinos was captured in Mexico in March in a raid carried out with the cooperation of the U.S. and Mexico, Guatemala Interior Minister Francisco Jiménez said at the time. A federal indictment against Samayoa Recinos and his son-in-law unsealed in March 2022 accused the two of trafficking cocaine into the U.S. from Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico between 2006 and 2016. That same month, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions against Los Huistas, describing it as the "dominant criminal structure in the Guatemalan department of Huehuetenango (along the border of Guatemala and Mexico)." In March, Samayoa Recinos told reporters from his cell that he would accept the charges against him. Did the conclave pick a front-runner to be new pope? World awaits new pope after conclave's vote Trump touts UK trade deal, but U.S. companies fear they won't survive China tariffs
CBS News
12-03-2025
- CBS News
Top drug trafficker wanted in U.S. is captured in Mexico, Guatemala officials say
One of Guatemala's most wanted drug traffickers has been captured in Mexico and returned to Guatemala to await extradition to the United States, Guatemalan officials said. Guatemala Interior Minister Francisco Jiménez said the capture of Aler Baldomero Samayoa Recinos on Tuesday was carried out in cooperation with Mexico and the United States. He said Samayoa Recinos negotiated drug shipments through Guatemala with Mexican cartels. Jiménez posted images and video of the arrest on social media, showing officers escorting a handcuffed Samayoa Recinos. Guatemala also has a case against Samayoa Recinos, so it wasn't immediately clear if that case would have to proceed before his extradition would be considered. He was expected to appear in court in Guatemala on Wednesday. A U.S. federal indictment against Samayoa Recinos was unsealed in Washington in 2022 for alleged cocaine trafficking. According to the U.S. Justice Department, Samayoa Recinos, who is also known as "Chicharra," and his son-in-law were charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine for importation to the United States. According to court documents, Samayoa Recinos allegedly conspired with others to import cocaine into the United States from Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico, the Justice Department said. Guatemalan authorities say Samayoa Recinos leads an organized crime group called "Los Huistas." In March 2022, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Los Huistas, calling it "the dominant criminal structure in the Guatemalan department of Huehuetenango (along the border of Guatemala and Mexico)." According to the U.S. Treasury, Los Huistas smuggles cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin from its base in northern Guatemala to the U.S. using Mexican cartels, including the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. The U.S. accused Samayoa Recinos of overseeing the group's drug trafficking operation as well as engaging in money laundering activities.
Associated Press
12-03-2025
- Associated Press
Accused Guatemalan drug trafficker wanted in US is captured in Mexico
GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — One of Guatemala's most wanted drug traffickers has been captured in Mexico and returned to Guatemala to await extradition to the United States, Guatemalan officials said. Guatemala Interior Minister Francisco Jiménez said the capture of Aler Baldomero Samayoa Recinos on Tuesday was carried out in cooperation with Mexico and the United States. He said Samayoa Recinos negotiated drug shipments through Guatemala with Mexican cartels. Guatemala also has a case against Samayoa Recinos, so it wasn't immediately clear if that case would have to proceed before his extradition would be considered. He was expected to appear in court in Guatemala on Wednesday. A U.S. federal indictment against Samayoa Recinos was unsealed in Washington in 2022 for alleged cocaine trafficking. Guatemalan authorities say that Samayoa Recinos leads an organized crime group called 'Los Huistas.'
