Mexican Security Minister Omar García Harfuch said 37 alleged cartel members were transferred to the United States on Jan. 20, bringing the administration’s total to 92. The transfers were conducted under Mexico’s National Security Law and coordinated with the U.S. Department of Justice, which requested assurances that the death penalty would not be sought. Detainees were flown on seven military aircraft to several U.S. cities; the group included an alleged Northeast Cartel leader, Ricardo González Sucedá ("El Ricky"). Officials said suspects came from multiple major cartels active in both countries.
Mexico Sends 37 Alleged Cartel Members to U.S., Bringing Total to 92 During Trump Era
Mexican Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch said Mexico flew 37 alleged drug cartel members and leaders to the United States on Tuesday to face federal charges. Photo by Sashenka Gutierrez/EPA
Mexican authorities on Jan. 20 transferred 37 people accused of belonging to major drug cartels to the United States, Mexico’s Security Minister Omar García Harfuch announced. Officials said the move was carried out under the National Security Law and through bilateral cooperation with U.S. authorities.
"This morning the Security Cabinet of Mexico transferred 37 criminal organization operators to the United States who posed a real threat to the country’s security," García Harfuch posted.
The minister said the transfer was coordinated with the U.S. Department of Justice, which requested a formal commitment that the death penalty would not be sought for the detainees. The suspects were transported aboard seven military aircraft to multiple U.S. destinations, including Washington, D.C., Houston, New York, Pennsylvania, San Antonio and San Diego.
Numbers, Origins and Notable Detainees
With Tuesday’s transfer, García Harfuch said the count of "high-impact criminals sent to the U.S. during this administration" has reached 92. Earlier in the year, Mexican authorities sent 29 alleged cartel members in February and another 26 in August.
Officials said the group transferred on Jan. 20 included suspected members of several major criminal organizations active in both Mexico and the United States, naming the Sinaloa, Beltrán-Leyva, Jalisco New Generation, Northeast and Zetas cartels. Among those reported moved was alleged Northeast Cartel leader Ricardo González Sucedá, known as "El Ricky".
Context And Reactions
Officials framed the transfers as part of Mexico’s effort to reduce violence by removing high-impact suspects from the country. The move comes amid heightened rhetoric from U.S. officials, including public threats by President Donald Trump to pursue stronger action against cartels operating from Mexican territory. Mexican authorities emphasized that the transfers respected Mexico’s sovereignty and were executed through bilateral cooperation mechanisms.
Human rights and legal experts often scrutinize cross-border transfers for due process, transparency and compliance with international obligations. Mexican and U.S. authorities did not provide detailed public timelines for pending prosecutions or the specific charges each detainee faces.
What to watch next: Observers will be looking for court filings in U.S. jurisdictions receiving the detainees, any diplomatic commentary from Mexican officials, and responses from civil-society groups concerned about legal safeguards in cross-border transfers.
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