Mexico sends 26 suspected cartel members to U.S. as pressure mounts

Mexico extradited 26 suspected cartel members to the U.S. on Tuesday, amid increasing pressure from President Donald Trump to crack down on powerful drug organizations and combat the fentanyl crisis.

The extradited individuals are wanted for involvement with major drug-trafficking groups, including the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and the Sinaloa Cartel, Mexico’s two most dominant criminal organizations.

Mexico assured the U.S. that none of the accused would face the death penalty.

This marks the second large-scale extradition of cartel suspects this year, highlighting Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s efforts to balance cooperation with Washington while resisting unilateral U.S. military intervention on Mexican soil.

U.S. Ambassador Ronald Johnson praised the extraditions as a significant step. 

“This transfer is yet another example of what is possible when two governments unite against violence and impunity," he said in a statement. "These fugitives will now face justice in American courts, and the citizens of both our nations will be safer.”

President Trump has linked tariffs on Mexico to the country’s handling of drug cartels and recently ordered the Pentagon to prepare for potential military action against Mexican drug gangs labelled as global terrorist organisations.

Meanwhile, Sheinbaum confirmed ongoing talks to expand security cooperation but rejected any unilateral U.S. military operations in Mexico.

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