Pressured by Trump, Mexico Sends 37 Accused Criminals to U.S.

In January 2026, Mexico sent 37 accused criminals to the United States, the first such transfer this year and the third since President Trump took office. This action is part of a broader effort by Mexico to appease President Trump, who has threatened military action against cartels operating within Mexico. These transfers, totaling nearly 100 individuals, are occurring outside the normal extradition process. Mexican security chief Omar García Harfuch asserts the transfers are legal, with assurances that the U.S. Justice Department will not pursue the death penalty. Trump has been pressuring Mexico to combat cartels and illegal immigration through threats of military measures and tariffs.

Mexico has sent 37 members of Mexican drug cartels to the United States as part of an effort to crack down on criminal networks that smuggle drugs across the border. The transfer was announced by Mexican Security Minister Omar García Harfuch in a social media post. This is the third time in less than a year that Mexico has sent detained cartel members to the US, with a total of 92 people having been transferred since February. The latest group includes figures from several cartels, including Sinaloa and Beltrán-Leyva, who have pending US cases. The move comes as the Trump administration increases pressure on governments to address border smuggling. The transfer is seen as part of Mexico's efforts to offset mounting threats from the US President Donald Trump.