In a significant move, Mexico has extradited 29 individuals linked to drug cartels to the United States, including Rafael Caro Quintero, one of the FBI’s most wanted fugitives. This transfer is perceived by analysts as a display of cooperation from Mexican authorities, occurring just days before the implementation of a 25 percent tariff on Mexican imports set forth by US President Donald Trump.

Trump has consistently criticized Mexico for its perceived inability to manage drug cartels, referring to them as “quasi-government organizations” in various regions. He specifically blames Mexico for the surge in fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, crossing the border into the U.S. in recent years.

According to a statement from the Mexican attorney general’s office, the exchange is part of ongoing cooperation and reciprocity efforts that respect the sovereignty of both nations.

Here’s a deeper look into the context and implications of this handover:

What has Mexico agreed to accomplish?

On Thursday, Mexican officials transferred 29 cartel members who were already incarcerated in Mexican prisons. They were flown from an airport north of Mexico City directly to eight locations across the United States, as reported by various news agencies.

The US government confirmed the transfer with a statement from Attorney General Pamela Bondi, although specific details about their new detention locations remain limited.

While the US Department of Justice has released a list of federal courts slated to hear charges against these individuals—covering offenses such as racketeering, drug trafficking, murder, illegal arms use, and money laundering—the timeline for their court appearances is still uncertain. At least two extradited individuals are expected to appear in a Brooklyn federal court soon, according to a source who spoke to Reuters.

This marks Mexico’s largest prisoner handover in recent years, with around 65 individuals extradited to the US between 2019 and 2023, according to reports from Reuters.

It remains unclear whether a formal extradition protocol was followed; the Mexican government referred to the operation as a “transfer.”

Who has been transferred from Mexico to the US?

The U.S. Justice Department has published a list of the 29 individuals involved.

The list includes prominent cartel leaders with a history in cocaine and heroin trade, as well as more recent “narcos” accused of trafficking fentanyl into the U.S., as described by the Justice Department. A “narco” refers to someone engaged in the illegal drug trade.

Among those extradited are:

Caro Quintero

Rafael Caro Quintero, 72, is a co-founder of the infamous Guadalajara Cartel, which gained notoriety for transporting marijuana to the U.S. He was convicted for the 1985 murder of DEA agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. This cartel was one of the most formidable criminal organizations in Latin America during the 1980s, frequently collaborating with the notorious Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar.

Caro Quintero was imprisoned until 2013 when a court overturned his 40-year sentence due to procedural issues during his trial. Following his release, he allegedly returned to drug trafficking and evaded capture for several years, despite the U.S. offering a $20 million reward for his arrest. He was recaptured by the Mexican navy in 2022 and is among those expected to appear in a Brooklyn court on Friday.

Trevino Brothers

Reports indicate that two former leaders of the now-defunct Los Zetas cartel—brothers Miguel Angel Trevino Morales (known as Z-40) and Omar Trevino Morales (known as Z-42)—have also been handed over to U.S. authorities. Miguel, 54, was arrested in 2013 on multiple charges including organized crime and drug trafficking. Omar, 51, was apprehended in 2015 for money laundering and violations of federal firearms laws.

The U.S. accuses the Trevino brothers of operating a splinter faction, the Northeast Cartel, even while incarcerated.

Antonio Cervantes and El Guerito

U.S. authorities have identified the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and the Sinaloa Cartel as key players in the recent influx of fentanyl into the country. Antonio Oseguera Cervantes, aged 66 and head of the Jalisco cartel, has also been transferred to U.S. custody. He is the brother of known drug kingpin Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also referred to as “El Mencho.” The U.S. has put forth a $15 million reward for information regarding El Mencho’s whereabouts.

Additionally, Jose Angel “El Guerito” Canobbio, affiliated with the Sinaloa Cartel, was also included in the recent extradition.

Why is this action occurring at this moment?

On February 1, Trump announced a 25 percent tariff on goods imported from Mexico and Canada via executive orders. He confirmed that these tariffs would take effect on the upcoming Tuesday.

Trump cited Mexico and Canada’s inability to prevent drugs such as fentanyl from entering the U.S. as part of his justification for these tariffs. He stated, “Drugs are still pouring into our Country from Mexico and Canada at very high and unacceptable levels,” in a Truth Social post confirming the upcoming tariffs.

Additionally, upon his inauguration on January 20, Trump signed an executive order classifying international drug cartels as “terrorist organizations.”

The order highlighted that in some areas of Mexico, these organizations operate as quasi-governmental entities.

This month, the Trump administration also designated eight Latin American drug trafficking groups as “global terrorist organizations,” including Tren de Aragua, Mara Salvatrucha (commonly known as MS-13), Sinaloa Cartel, Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Carteles Unidos, Northeast Cartel, Gulf Cartel, and La Nueva Familia Michoacana.

Both Mexico and Canada contend they are doing all within their power to combat the illegal drug trade.

Vanessa Rubio-Marquez, an associate fellow at the Americas Programme of the London-based Chatham House think tank, commented on the situation: “There has been ongoing cooperation between Mexican and U.S. authorities for decades, including shared intelligence and joint operations. What is remarkable is the scale of this extradition.”

Rubio-Marquez further stated, “This appears to be a strategic security collaboration in response to tariff threats.”

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized in a news conference on January 21 that Mexico is committed to working with the U.S. in the fight against drug trafficking, but she firmly opposed the idea of U.S. troops being deployed on Mexican soil for this purpose. “What we insist on is the defense of our sovereignty and independence,” she asserted.