26 Mexican Drug Lords Transferred to U.S. for Trial

Mexico City, Mexico — Following the transfer of 26 inmates from Mexico to the United States, where they face drug trafficking charges, multiple media outlets have released footage showing the moments before the detainees were handed over to U.S. authorities.

Footage Shows Detainees in Custody

The videos depict the Mexican drug lords, dressed in light brown uniforms, handcuffed, and escorted by Mexican military personnel, disembarking from a plane and being moved to a holding area at the Santa Lucía military base. They remained there before being extradited to the U.S., where they will face pending charges in federal courts.

In one video, alleged drug trafficker Jesús Guzmán Castro is heard stating his name before boarding the Mexican Air Force plane that transported him to the U.S.

The U.S. Department of Justice announced on Tuesday the transfer of 26 "fugitives" accused of various federal and state crimes, including drug trafficking, kidnapping, human trafficking, money laundering, and homicide.

High-Profile Figures Among the Transferred

Among the detainees are alleged leaders and operatives of drug cartels designated by the U.S. as terrorist organizations, including the Sinaloa Cartel, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), and the Northeast Cartel (formerly Los Zetas).

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that these actions are part of "the Trump administration’s historic efforts to dismantle cartels and foreign terrorist organizations," adding that those who "have brought violence and drugs to U.S. shores will face severe consequences."

Notable figures among the transferred inmates include:

• Abigael González Valencia, known as "El Cuini."
• Servando Gómez Martínez, alias "La Tuta."
• Kevin Gil Acosta and Martín Zazueta Pérez, alleged security chiefs for the "Los Chapitos" faction.
• Leobardo García Corrales, identified as a member of the Sinaloa Cartel.
• Juan Carlos Félix Gastélum, a suspected operative for the "Los Mayos" faction, aligned with Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada.

All transferred individuals will face trial in various U.S. federal courts, where they could receive sentences up to life imprisonment. It is important to note that, as in all legal proceedings, the accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Coordination Between U.S. and Mexican Authorities

Omar García Harfuch, Mexico’s Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, stated via his X (formerly Twitter) account that the transfer was conducted in coordination with the U.S., respecting Mexican sovereignty. He identified the individuals as "people linked to criminal organizations that posed a risk to Mexico’s security."

He clarified that the operation was carried out under strict compliance with Mexico’s National Security Law and at the request of the U.S. Department of Justice, which pledged not to seek the death penalty for the detainees. Further details will be provided in a press conference on Wednesday.

Legal and Diplomatic Considerations

A joint statement from Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office (FGR) and the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC) confirmed that the transfer occurred on Tuesday morning. The 26 individuals were previously held in various Mexican prisons and were sought due to their alleged ties to criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking and other offenses, posing an ongoing threat to public safety.

While all had extradition orders, the transfer did not formally use the extradition process, as the treaty explicitly prohibits the application of the death penalty. The statement reiterated the U.S. Department of Justice’s commitment not to pursue capital punishment.

The custody, transfer, and formal handover were conducted under institutional protocols, ensuring respect for fundamental rights and due process in accordance with Mexican law.

Full List of Transferred Inmates

1. Enrique Arballo Talamantes, "Junior"
2. Benito Barrios Maldonado, "Comandante"
3. Francisco Conde Chávez
4. José Baldomero Fernández Beltrán, "El 8" and/or "Mero"
5. Ismael Enrique Fernández Vázquez
6. Juan Carlos Sánchez Gaytán, "El Gordo" and/or "Mostachón"
7. Luis Raúl Castro Valenzuela, "Chacho"
8. Leobardo García Corrales, "Leo"
9. Anton Petrov Kulkin
10. Roberto Omar López, "Shrek"
11. José Antonio Vivanco Hernández
12. Servando Gómez Martínez, "La Tuta"
13. Kevin Alonso Gil Acosta, "El 200"
14. Martín Zazueta Pérez and/or Mario Alexander Gámez Cuevas, "Piyi"
15. Abigael González Valencia, "El Cuini"
16. José Francisco Mendoza Gómez, "Yiyo"
17. Hernán Domingo Ojeda López, "Mero Mero"
18. Daniel Pérez Rojas, "Cachetes"
19. David Fernando Vásquez Bejarano, "El Acelerado"
20. Mauro Alberto Núñez Ojeda, "Jando"
21. Jesús Guzmán Castro, "Chuy" and/or "Narizón"
22. Juan Carlos Félix Gastelum, "Chavo Félix"
23. Pablo Edwin Huerta Nuno, "El Flaquito"
24. Roberto Salazar Toledo, "Gordo Junior"
25. Abdul Karim Conteh
26. José Carlos Guzmán Bernal