BajaNomad

Alleged leader in Mexican ‘narco-terror’ case, others expelled by Mexico

BajaNomad - 1-22-2026 at 01:47 PM

Curious how Mexico citizens feel about this?

Note: I don't need any opinions/statements/etc about specific USA administrations/Presidents/etc... the question is about how Mexico citizens view this - I'd guess this might go either way, however I'm curious how this is being conveyed/portrayed in the press within Mexico, etc.

--
Alleged leader in Mexican ‘narco-terror’ case, others expelled by Mexico appear in San Diego court
Among 37 reputed cartel leaders expelled by Mexico's government Tuesday was Pedro Inzunza Noriega, the lead defendant in a novel San Diego case alleging narcoterrorism charges


Five alleged drug traffickers, including two suspected of being high-ranking members of the Sinaloa cartel, appeared Wednesday in San Diego federal court a day after Mexican authorities sent them and 32 other alleged cartel figures to the U.S. to face charges.

Tuesday marked the third time since [the start of the current administration] that Mexico has forgone the lengthy extradition process and instead expelled large batches of suspected cartel members to the U.S. Mexican Security Minister Omar García Harfuch said on social media that the 37 people sent to the U.S. on Tuesday “represented a real threat to the country’s security.” He said 92 people have now been sent to the U.S. in the three recent expulsions.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said that although the transfers were made at the request of the U.S. government, the decision was taken by her country’s National Security Council after analyzing what was “convenient for Mexico” and in terms of its “national security.”

“Mexico is put first above all else, even if they ask for whatever they have to ask for. It is a sovereign decision,” she said at her regular morning news briefing.

[Edited on 1-22-2026 by BajaNomad]

surabi - 1-22-2026 at 04:23 PM

Are you aware that this has been going on for many years, in greater numbers? Maybe research how Mexican citizens felt about it in the past to get an idea. Maybe ask Mexican citizens you know themselves?

"Under Obama there were many many extraditions from MEX to US. In 2009 (first year Obama presidency), Mexico extradited a record 107 people to the US, a significant increase from 12 in 2000. High numbers continued under Obama; in 2012 there were 115 extraditions."

(That isn't an opinion or statement about past administrations, just hard facts to illustrate that Mexico extradicting dangerous criminals isn't anything new.)

I can't imagine that the average Mexican has issue with the basic act of dangerous criminals being removed from the country. I guess some may have issue with how or why it was done.



[Edited on 1-22-2026 by surabi]

Tioloco - 1-22-2026 at 05:14 PM

I asked my brother in law in Sonora what he thinks as a lawyer. He is super happy that they are sending them to the US. He said if not, they have a great chance of "escaping".

Of note, these are not extraditions going thru the normal channels. These are expulsions without any other process. Makes me think the heat is on Sheinbaum to show some rapid cooperation or else.

arbee - 1-22-2026 at 07:56 PM

There were no corrupt lawyers and judges involved to stall the extraditions this time.


.

SFandH - 1-23-2026 at 07:27 AM

From Zeta Tijuana newspaper:

"The first mass extradition occurred on February 27, 2025, when the Mexican Federal Government transferred 29 drug traffickers wanted by U.S. authorities. Among the most well-known names were Rafael Caro Quintero, founder of the Guadalajara Cartel; Miguel Ángel Treviño Morales, alias “Z-40,” and Óscar Omar Treviño Morales, alias “Z-42,” former leaders of Los Zetas; Vicente Carrillo Fuentes, “El Viceroy,” former leader of the Juárez Cartel; and Antonio Oseguera Cervantes, alias “Tony Montana,” brother of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).

The second extradition occurred on August 12, 2025, when Mexico transferred 26 criminals to the United States. On that occasion, U.S. authorities confirmed the names of those extradited, among whom were Abigael González Valencia, alias “El Cuini,” leader of Los Cuinis and brother-in-law of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes; Servando Gómez Martínez, “La Tuta,” former leader of Los Caballeros Templarios; Juan Carlos Félix Gastélum, “El Chavo Félix,” son-in-law of Ismael Zambada García, “El Mayo”; and Pablo Edwin Huerta Nuño, “El Flaquito,” an operator for the Tijuana Cartel.

Also transferred were Kevin Gil Acosta, alias “El 200”, and Martín Zazueta Pérez, alias “El Piyi”, security chiefs of the Los Chapitos faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, linked to the protection of fentanyl laboratories and distribution routes."

more...

"In October 2025, García Harfuch reported that in the first year of Sheinbaum Pardo's administration, more than 34,000 people linked to high-impact crimes had been arrested, including important operators of criminal organizations and priority targets who generated high levels of violence in different entities of the country related to extortion, homicide, kidnapping, drug and arms trafficking.

The official highlighted the seizure of 17,200 firearms, which has significantly reduced the capacity of criminal groups to operate. Authorities also seized 283 tons of drugs, including more than three million fentanyl pills. In 22 states across the country, the Army and Navy destroyed 1,564 methamphetamine labs and concentration areas.

In November 2025, the Secretary of Public Security updated the figures to over 37,000 people arrested for high-impact crimes and nearly 300 tons of drugs seized in the first 13 months of the current administration. During that period, 18,981 firearms and more than four million fentanyl pills were also seized. The Army and Navy dismantled 1,614 methamphetamine production labs, representing an economic blow of hundreds of millions of pesos to organized crime.

By December 2025, García Harfuch noted that arrests for high-impact crimes exceeded 38,700 people, with more than 20,000 weapons seized, more than 311 tons of drugs removed from the streets, and 1,700 clandestine methamphetamine laboratories dismantled.

The head of the Federal SSPC highlighted that the reduction in homicides, other high-impact crimes, and the seizure of weapons and drugs were achieved through the strategy implemented by the current administration, which focused on improving intelligence, strengthening the National Guard, and enhancing coordination between the Security Cabinet and state governments. He emphasized that the daily average of intentional homicides decreased by 37 percent between September 2024 and November 2025, representing 32 fewer murders each day."

https://zetatijuana.com/2026/01/garcia-harfuch-confirma-tras...

If you're interested, there are more articles in Zeta on this topic. I searched on "37" to find them.

https://zetatijuana.com/





[Edited on 1-23-2026 by SFandH]

Tioloco - 1-23-2026 at 08:16 AM

SFH- "The official highlighted the seizure of 17,200 firearms, which has significantly reduced the capacity of the criminal groups to operate."

I have not seen anything to indicate the cartels are short on weapons. Hmm...

JDCanuck - 1-23-2026 at 11:12 AM

Tioloco: It's been all over the news stations up here lately. We and the US had been after this guy for years with a huge reward of multiple millions of dollars on his capture. Here is the latest:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/ryan-wedding-former-o...

We Canadians have to thank Mexico for handing over our most wanted Cartel Associate to the US for prosecution in addition to those 37. However, the word we presently get is he actually turned himself in in Mexico after they previously raided 4 of his homes and recovered multiple millions worth of illegal gains, including 40 or so high value motorbikes, cash, drugs, firearms, etc.
They had been chasing him for months and he finally surrendered, perhaps hoping for a plea deal under the present conditions in the US.
Thank you, Ms Sheinbaum!



[Edited on 1-23-2026 by JDCanuck]

Tioloco - 1-23-2026 at 11:47 AM

JD- seems odd to thank Sheinbaum when it was the FBI and American intelligence agencies that located him and were certainly going to bring him to American justice.

Makes you wonder why Canadians weren't the ones to handle their delinquent citizen. America to the rescue- AGAIN.

Tioloco - 1-23-2026 at 12:03 PM

Quote: Originally posted by JDCanuck  
Well, actually it was the Mexican authorities chasing him down for the past several months and doing the raids on the homes. The latest one I remembered being reported was the one at Christmas 2025 in Mexico City where they recovered the motorbikes and other gains.
I wonder who gets the 15 million bucks reward offered? This was not a tiny guy in the organization, but a major near the top of the Sinaloa Cartel. It seems the Sinaloa is collapsing rapidly, so Baja should be prepared for the inevitable turf wars that will follow.


American intel and pressure much like that applied in Colombia to capture Pablo Escobar. Maybe you forgot?

As for impending turf wars in Baja- they are already well underway. Check out the violence perpetrated by the Sinaloa cartel over the last couple of years in Sonora and Baja California by the 2 armed wings of Sinaloa brutally fighting each other for control.
(Rusos vs Salazars) Lots of bloody violence in the streets with scores of police dead as well.

JDCanuck - 1-23-2026 at 12:16 PM

A more detailed report on the 37 and previous shipments from a Mexico Paper source, including videos from Mexico City:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/claudia-sheinbaum-justi...


[Edited on 1-23-2026 by JDCanuck]

surabi - 1-23-2026 at 01:43 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Tioloco  
Quote: Originally posted by JDCanuck  
Well, actually it was the Mexican authorities chasing him down for the past several months and doing the raids on the homes. The latest one I remembered being reported was the one at Christmas 2025 in Mexico City where they recovered the motorbikes and other gains.
I wonder who gets the 15 million bucks reward offered? This was not a tiny guy in the organization, but a major near the top of the Sinaloa Cartel. It seems the Sinaloa is collapsing rapidly, so Baja should be prepared for the inevitable turf wars that will follow.


American intel and pressure much like that applied in Colombia to capture Pablo Escobar.




And you know this exactly how? Your opinions and speculations, based on how you falsely believe everyone is cowering to Trump, have nothing whatsoever to do with facts.

Tioloco - 1-23-2026 at 03:52 PM

Quote: Originally posted by surabi  
Quote: Originally posted by Tioloco  
Quote: Originally posted by JDCanuck  
Well, actually it was the Mexican authorities chasing him down for the past several months and doing the raids on the homes. The latest one I remembered being reported was the one at Christmas 2025 in Mexico City where they recovered the motorbikes and other gains.
I wonder who gets the 15 million bucks reward offered? This was not a tiny guy in the organization, but a major near the top of the Sinaloa Cartel. It seems the Sinaloa is collapsing rapidly, so Baja should be prepared for the inevitable turf wars that will follow.


American intel and pressure much like that applied in Colombia to capture Pablo Escobar.




And you know this exactly how? Your opinions and speculations, based on how you falsely believe everyone is cowering to Trump, have nothing whatsoever to do with facts.


The original poster on this specifically asked for no political person or party to be included. Please have some respect or take your nonsense back to the OFF-TOPIC. Adios

surabi - 1-23-2026 at 04:03 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Tioloco  
[
The original poster on this specifically asked for no political person or party to be included. Please have some respect or take your nonsense back to the OFF-TOPIC. Adios


Quote from your previous post:

"Makes me think the heat is on Sheinbaum to show some rapid cooperation or else."

Tioloco - 1-23-2026 at 04:06 PM

Quote: Originally posted by surabi  
Quote: Originally posted by Tioloco  
[
The original poster on this specifically asked for no political person or party to be included. Please have some respect or take your nonsense back to the OFF-TOPIC. Adios


Quote from your previous post:

"Makes me think the heat is on Sheinbaum to show some rapid cooperation or else."


Read the original post. He wrote about Sheinbaum and clearly asked for you to leave your current American leader derangement at the door.

surabi - 1-23-2026 at 04:35 PM

The OP did not "write about Sheinbaum", he quoted an article which gave facts about the extraditions.

He also said the purpose of his post was wondering how Mexicans thought about it.

If you want to post your opinions and speculations about other world leaders being intimidated by your US administration, that has nothing to do with the stated intent of this thread, and belongs in off-topic.

JDCanuck - 1-23-2026 at 05:40 PM

So Surabi: How do you and your neighbours feel about this? You live there full time as a permanent immigrant. Do you feel there is headway or not? Are your neighbours that are citizens happy with the progress? From the ones I have spoken to, they seem to feel cautiously hopeful at best.



[Edited on 1-24-2026 by JDCanuck]

surabi - 1-23-2026 at 06:07 PM

I haven't had a chance to pose the question to my Mexican friends or neighbors yet, I'm quite busy and don't have time for much socializing, nor have I seen it brought up on the local FB group, but I will ask them when I see them and report back.

SFandH - 1-24-2026 at 11:18 AM

The following link leads to an editorial on the legal basis for the extraditions, published 20 January.

https://elpais.com/mexico/2026-01-20/extradicion-traslado-ex...

I imagine most Mexicans are happy to get rid of these criminals.



[Edited on 1-24-2026 by SFandH]

SFandH - 1-24-2026 at 11:26 AM

Another Mexican editorial, yesterday:

https://www.ejecentral.com.mx/opinion/extradicion-de-reos-so...

There are many. Do a google search for:

Editoriales sobre la extradición a Estados Unidos

and limit results to the past month.

[Edited on 1-24-2026 by SFandH]

BajaNomad - 1-29-2026 at 07:59 AM

Quote: Originally posted by SFandH  
The following link leads to an editorial on the legal basis for the extraditions, published 20 January.

https://elpais.com/mexico/2026-01-20/extradicion-traslado-ex...

I imagine most Mexicans are happy to get rid of these criminals.



[Edited on 1-24-2026 by SFandH]


Great link. Thank you.

BajaNomad - 1-29-2026 at 08:34 AM

Quote: Originally posted by SFandH  
Another Mexican editorial, yesterday:

https://www.ejecentral.com.mx/opinion/extradicion-de-reos-so...

There are many. Do a google search for:

Editoriales sobre la extradición a Estados Unidos

and limit results to the past month.

[Edited on 1-24-2026 by SFandH]


Thank you.

BajaNomad - 1-29-2026 at 08:38 AM

This isn't the extradition process that's been going on for an extended period of time. Mexico bypassed that process here, and my query was how this was being taken by Mexican citizens... especially since it bypassed the courts, and pointed to pressure from the USA.

The reason for the bypass is apparently this can be done in the interest of "National Security" on Mexico's part.

Still curious on the dynamics going on in Mexico with this though....





[Edited on 1-29-2026 by BajaNomad]

Tioloco - 1-29-2026 at 10:40 AM

From the small sampling of Mexicans I asked, They don't care how it happened but are just glad it is happening. They are fatigued with unchecked cartel violence.