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The government of Mexico transferred this Monday 37 alleged criminals and drug traffickers to the United States to be tried in federal courts, in a joint operation with U.S. authorities that the Secretary of Security, Omar García Harfuch, described as “a historic action of bilateral cooperation.”
“This morning, the National Security Cabinet transferred 37 operators of criminal organizations to the United States, who posed a real threat to the country’s security,” García Harfuch reported on his official account on X (formerly Twitter).
"The action was carried out in accordance with the National Security Law and under bilateral cooperation mechanisms, with full respect for national sovereignty," he added.
The detainees were taken to the cities of Washington, Houston, New York, Pennsylvania, San Antonio, and San Diego aboard seven aircraft from the Mexican Armed Forces, in coordination with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
The secretary clarified that, at the request of the Department of Justice, a formal commitment was established that U.S. authorities will not seek the death penalty against any of those transferred, a common condition in judicial cooperation processes between the two countries.
“With this transfer, there are already 92 high-impact criminals sent to the United States during this administration who will no longer be able to generate violence in our country,” stated García Harfuch, who leads the security policy of the Mexican government following the intensification of joint operations with Washington since late 2025.
The operation, unprecedented due to the number of transfers in a single day, has generated controversy within Mexico. Some analysts and legal experts pointed out that the National Security Law does not provide for extradition mechanisms or direct criminal transfers, and accused the government of conducting "political handovers" to strengthen its cooperation with the United States.
On social media, critics of the official reminded that extraditions must be carried out through formal judicial procedures and not through administrative transfers. “You’re doing this because you fear being taken along with your boss in a Blackhawk to New York,” quipped a user, referring to the recent security agreements signed with Washington.
According to sources from the Department of Homeland Security cited by U.S. media, the operation was supervised by US Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and falls within the new protocols for anti-drug cooperation between the administration of Donald Trump and the Mexican government.
Among those transferred are presumed members of the Sinaloa Cartel, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), and other organizations involved in the trafficking of fentanyl, weapons, and money laundering.
The Department of Justice confirmed that the defendants will be prosecuted in federal courts in six states for drug trafficking, homicide, arms trafficking, and conspiracy to distribute drugs that resulted in the deaths of American citizens.
The operation reinforces the commitment of both countries within the framework of the initiative "Operation Take Back America", driven by President Trump to dismantle transnational cartels and eliminate the influence of drug trafficking in the region.
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