Mexico City, February 28 (Reuters) - The Mexican government, under mounting pressure from President Donald Trump's tariff threats on Mexican imports, bypassed legal protocols to transfer 29 suspected cartel members to the United States, according to experts.
Legal professionals and security analysts in Mexico conveyed to Reuters that the release of these high-profile detained individuals, some long sought by Washington, represents an extraordinary departure from established legal norms, potentially exposing them to the death penalty in the U.S., a penalty typically prohibited in Mexican extraditions.
Raul Benitez, an expert in security and military matters at Mexico's National Autonomous University (UNAM), described the move as a "political extradition" unprecedented in Mexico’s history.
The experts agreed that this mass handover does not align with extradition treaties and laws between both nations, with one lawyer indicating intent to challenge the transfer of his clients.
Characterized as a "fast track" approach by Mexico to avert the 25% tariffs threatened by Trump for failing to address issues related to fentanyl and migrant influx, the tactical transfer aimed to forestall economic repercussions set for March 4, as per Benitez.
Among the individuals sent to the U.S. were notorious drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero, convicted of murdering a DEA agent, and former leaders of the Los Zetas cartel: Miguel Angel Trevino Morales (Z-40) and Oscar Omar Trevino Morales (Z-42).
While some view this operation favorably as a step toward enhanced collaboration with the U.S. following strained relations under former Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, questions remain about whether it will suffice to satisfy Trump, who has labeled Mexican cartels as terrorist entities and has kept tariffs on the table.
Miguel Ontiveros, president of the Mexican Academy of Criminal Science and an expert in extradition processes, expressed optimism that the action could signal improved bilateral relations under the USMCA trade agreement, potentially leading to joint efforts against organized crime.
Experts believe that sending the suspects to the U.S. will prevent them from manipulating the Mexican legal system and posing threats to judges, ultimately aiding in the administration of justice.