MEXICO CITY (CN) - In a press conference on Wednesday morning, Mexico's security chief, Omar Garcia Harfuch, defended the government's decision to send 26 cartel members to the U.S. Tuesday afternoon, citing national security concerns with claims that the individuals continued operating their criminal enterprises from behind prison walls.
"This decision was taken in the national interest and under the highest criteria of security for our country; this is a sovereign decision, in response to the National Security Law and a determination of the National Security Council in an action aligned with the National Strategy against Extortion aimed at protecting the population of our country," he said.
This is the second transfer this year, taking place amid a U.S.-Mexico trade war and heightened tensions following a reported U.S. military intervention directive to target Mexican cartels, which the Trump administration deemed terrorist organizations in February.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated in a press conference on Wednesday that it was a sovereign decision made without U.S. pressure.
"We can tell you that in all these cases of extradition, of sending members of organized crime, the decisions are for the security of our country, they are sovereign decisions," she said.
Sheinbaum also pointed to the country's Investigation and Intelligence and National Security Law as being part of the decision.
The controversial laws were approved in July and allow the Mexican government to skirt formal extradition processes of alleged criminals, specifically those involved in organized crime.
The 26 criminals were transferred from Mexico City's Felipe International Airport via five different military aircraft heading to Phoenix, Arizona; White Plains, New York; New York City; Dulles, Virginia; and San Diego, California.
The U.S. government agreed not to seek the death penalty in exchange for the 26 individuals who face drug trafficking and homicide charges in the U.S.
Among the 26 people named Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Justice is Abigael Gonzalez Valencia, also known as El Cuini, leader of Los Cuinis and brother-in-law of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as El Mencho, the alleged head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
Also listed are former fugitives Kevin Gil Acosta and Martin Zazueta Perez, identified by the U.S. as security chiefs for the Sinaloa Cartel faction aligned with Los Chapitos - the sons of former cartel boss Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman.
The U.S. Treasury Department also sanctioned 13 Mexican companies on Wednesday, which the U.S. government claims have links to timeshare fraud led by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
Harfuch also answered questions about a U.S. Air Force MQ-9B SkyGuardian drone that flew over the State of Mexico-a state outside of Mexico City-for nearly two hours.
Harfuch said drones fly upon being requested by the Mexican government, "in support and collaboration for investigations we have in our country."
In February, Mexico sent 29 alleged drug cartel members to the U.S., including Rafael Caro Quintero, who now faces charges in the torture and murder of former Drug Enforcement Administration Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena in Guadalajara in 1985.
Source: Courthouse News Service
