Mexico Hands Over Even Caro Quintero: Sovereignty or Surrender?

Mexico City.-  In a move that has caused controversy, the Mexican government extradited 29 individuals linked to organized crime to the United States. Among them are Rafael Caro Quintero, founder of the Guadalajara Cartel, and the brothers Miguel Ángel and Omar Treviño Morales, leaders of Los Zetas. This action suspiciously coincides with negotiations in Washington to avoid the imposition of 25% tariffs on Mexican exports by the Trump administration.

Sovereignty compromised?

The mass extradition of these kingpins raises serious doubts about the independence and strength of the Mexican government. Yielding to the economic threats of the United States  suggests a weak and complacent stance, where national sovereignty is compromised in order to maintain favorable trade relations. This submission calls into question the leftist government's ability to handle internal affairs without foreign intervention.

Selective justice and opacity

It is alarming that, while these high-profile criminals are extradited, other drug trafficking leaders continue to operate with relative impunity within the country. The lack of transparency in judicial processes and the apparent selectivity in the application of justice reflect an administration more concerned with satisfying external demands than ensuring security and justice for its own citizens.

Impact on national security

The handover of these kingpins to the U.S. government doesn't guarantee an improvement in Mexico's internal security. In fact, it could create a power vacuum that other criminal organizations will attempt to fill, intensifying violence and instability in various regions of the country. This reactive strategy, rather than preventive, demonstrates the lack of a comprehensive plan by the government to effectively and autonomously combat organized crime.

Some of the targets

- Rafael Caro Quintero, founder of the Guadalajara Cartel and member of the Sinaloa Cartel

- Miguel Ángel Treviño Morales, alias "Z-40," founder of the criminal group "Los Zetas"

- Óscar Omar Treviño Morales, alias "Z-42,” former leader of the criminal group "Los Zetas"

- Antonio Oceguera Cervantes, alias "Tony Montana," brother of Nemesio Oceguera Cervantes "El Mencho," founder of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG)

- Osiel Cárdenas Guillén “El Mata Amigos,” former leader of the Gulf Cartel

- Gilberto Higuera Guerrero "El Gilillo," one of the main leaders of the Tijuana cartel

- Ismael Higuera Guerrero "El Mayel," right-hand man of Benjamín Arellano Félix

- Héctor Luis Palma Salazar, alias "El Güero Palma" and former leader of the Sinaloa Cartel

- Gilberto Salinas Doria, "El Güero Gil," member of the Juárez Cartel

- José Alberto Márquez Esqueda "El Bat," from the Arellano Félix group

- Graciela Cardeo Carrasco, from the criminal organization known as Los Tres de la Sierra

- Miguel Ángel Arreola Márquez "El Grande," from the Arreola Cartel

The recent extradition of 29 drug lords to the United States, amid economic pressures, exposes the fragility and lack of autonomy of the leftist government in Mexico. This action not only compromises national sovereignty but also reflects selective justice and a deficient security strategy, putting the country's stability and well-being at risk.