Trump quietly got Mexico to hand over 100 cartel leaders - including El Mencho's brother - before Jalisco raid https://t.co/STVbhaVHf4 pic.twitter.com/qYp80Y5bCA
— New York Post (@nypost) February 23, 2026
"Trump Quietly Got Mexico to Hand Over 100 Cartel Leaders--Including El Mencho's Brother--Before Jalisco Raid," Chris Nesi, New York Post, February 23, 2026.
Mexico has quietly shipped nearly 100 suspected cartel drug traffickers to the US to stand trial after President Trump branded the groups foreign terrorist organizations last year — and pressured the Mexican government to cooperate.
The suspects include the brother of Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes — the brutal Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) leader who was killed by the Mexican army on Sunday.
The Justice Department said many of the 92 defendants released to the Americans had US extradition requests that were not honored during the Biden administration.
As President Trump has made clear, cartels are terrorist groups, and this Department of Justice is devoted to destroying cartels and transnational gangs,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said of the first round of transfers, which kicked off last February.
“We will prosecute these criminals to the fullest extent of the law in honor of the brave law enforcement agents who have dedicated their careers — and in some cases, given their lives — to protect innocent people from the scourge of violent cartels.”
The Mexican government elected to round up the dozens of wanted criminals after the Trump administration made clear it was taking these matters more seriously, the DOJ said.
“This is another landmark achievement in the Trump Administration’s mission to destroy the cartels,” Bondi said of the latest round of handovers announced last month.
The alleged cartel members, “including terrorists from the Sinaloa Cartel, CJNG, and others — will now pay for their crimes against the American people on American soil,” she added.
Among the first tranche of narco-criminals flown into the US by Mexican military aircraft last February was Antonio Oseguera Cervantes, nicknamed Tony Montana after “Scarface.”
He allegedly helped lead CJNG alongside “El Mencho,” and he’s charged with cocaine and meth trafficking.
In January, the US took custody of Sinaloa cartel bigwig Pedro Inzunza Noriega, who along with his son, Pedro Inzunza Coronel, led one of the largest and most sophisticated fentanyl production networks in the world.
Together they were responsible for trafficking tens of thousands of kilograms of the deadly narcotic into the US.
In total the Mexican military has transported 92 dangerous fugitives to the US in three batches starting last February. They are wanted for crimes ranging from human and drug trafficking to money laundering, racketeering and murder
The cases will be prosecuted in 13 states and the District of Columbia.
Those convicted will serve out their sentences in the US before being deported to their country of origin, according to the Justice Department — though many of them are facing life sentences for their crimes.
August’s roundup included Kevin Gil Acosta and Martin Zazueta Perez, leaders of the security apparatus for the Chapitos, a powerful faction of the Sinaloa Cartel that engages in prolific fentanyl trafficking.
Both men have led sicarios armed with military-style weapons like M-16s, AK-47s, AR-15s and grenade launchers in attacks against the Mexican government and military.
The US Marshals Service, which usually handles retrieval of cross-border crime suspects, praised Trump and Bondi for their efforts in getting Mexico to turn over the fugitives.
“Leadership like President Trump’s and Attorney General Bondi’s to work diligently to bring all of these wanted criminals back to the United States reinforces their commitment to getting justice for their victims,” said USMS Director Gadyaces S. Serralta.
“This sends a very clear message; justice does not stop at borders.”
