Mexico’s Federal Attorney General’s Office (FGR) and the Ministry of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC) announced the extradition of 26 prisoners to the United States, all wanted by various U.S. courts on charges including drug trafficking, conspiracy, and violent offenses linked to organized crime. Authorities stated that each had an active extradition order and posed a permanent threat to public safety.
The transfer and handover were carried out under strict institutional protocols, ensuring respect for human rights, due process, and compliance with Mexican law. The U.S. Department of Justice, which requested the extraditions, pledged not to seek the death penalty for any of the defendants.
This operation is part of ongoing bilateral cooperation in security and counter-narcotics efforts, conducted with full respect for the sovereignty of both nations.
U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson underscored the importance of the action in a post on his official X account:
“We recognize @GabSeguridadMX for its dedication and commitment. This action reflects the strength of our bilateral cooperation as sovereign partners and our shared commitment to ensure our people’s security and well being.”
Key Figures Among the Extradited
Among those handed over is López, who appears on the DEA’s most wanted fugitives list for conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute.
Also notable is Antón Petrov Kulkin, a Bulgarian biochemist and former military officer accused of producing fentanyl and carfentanil in a clandestine lab in Mexicali, Baja California. U.S. authorities say he manufactured about 20,000 high-purity fentanyl pills for distribution to cities including Boston, Chicago, and New York, calling himself the best “cook” in Latin America for these substances.
Other extradited suspects include Martín Zazueta Pérez, alias “El Piyi,” who managed security for “Los Chapitos” leaders, and Kevin Alonso Gil Acosta, “El 200” or “El Cabo,” a close associate of Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar responsible for obtaining arms.
Mauro Alberto Núñez Ojeda, “El Jando,” a pilot linked to explosive attacks and an attempted rescue of Ovidio Guzmán in 2023, and David Fernando Vásquez Bejarano, “El Acelerado,” a member of “Los Rusos” accused of trafficking cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl to the U.S., were also included.
Juan Carlos Sánchez Gaytán, “El Mostachón” or “El Monstruo,” linked to “Los Zetas” and suspected of participating in mass killings and the 2011 murder of U.S. agent Jaime Zapata, was extradited as well.
Additional High-Profile Cases
Also extradited were Hernán Domingo Ojeda López, “El Mero Mero,” identified as the uncle of Ovidio Guzmán and allegedly responsible for trafficking fentanyl from Culiacán; and José Francisco Mendoza Gómez, “El Pichi,” accused of coordinating fentanyl shipments to the U.S.
Other names on the list include Jesús Guzmán Castro (“El Chuy” or “El Narizón”), Baldomero Fernández Beltrán (“El Mero”), Benito Barrios Maldonado, Luis Raúl Castro Valenzuela (“Chacho”), José Carlos Guzmán Bernal, Leobardo García Corrales, Ismael Enrique Fernández Vázquez, and Enrique Arballo Talamantes, all facing serious charges in various U.S. federal district courts, many with potential life sentences.
With these extraditions, Mexico and the United States strengthen their joint efforts against transnational organized crime, targeting high-ranking operatives in the country’s most powerful criminal organizations.
Mexican Press Agency is part of ALMA, which is dedicated to news and information about Mexico and Mexicans in the United States and is a fiscally sponsored project of Social Focus, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Redwood City, California.
