Mexico’s Sheinbaum Says Transfer of 37 Alleged Cartel Members to U.S. Was DOJ‑Requested but 'Sovereign' Mexican Decision
Mexico transferred 37 alleged cartel members to the U.S. — the third such transfer in less than a year, bringing the total sent to 92 — including suspects tied to the Sinaloa, Beltrán‑Leyva, Jalisco New Generation and Northeast cartels and María del Rosario Navarro Sánchez, who faces U.S. charges for allegedly providing material support to a terrorist organization; Mexican Security Minister Omar García Harfuch called them “high‑impact criminals.” President Claudia Sheinbaum said the move was made at the request of the U.S. Justice Department but was a sovereign decision by Mexico’s National Security Council to protect national security, a step the U.S. DOJ praised as “important,” while analysts say such transfers reflect growing pressure from the Trump administration.
📌 Key Facts
- Mexico transferred 37 alleged cartel members to the United States in the latest operation; this is the third such transfer in less than a year and brings the total number sent to the U.S. to 92.
- The 37 transferred are accused members of the Sinaloa, Beltrán-Leyva, Jalisco New Generation and Northeast cartels and all have pending U.S. cases.
- Among those sent is María Del Rosario Navarro Sánchez, identified as the first Mexican national to face U.S. charges for providing material support to a terrorist organization allegedly linked to cartel activity.
- President Claudia Sheinbaum said the transfer was requested by the U.S. Department of Justice but was approved by Mexico’s National Security Council as a sovereign decision made in Mexico’s national security interest; she framed the move as putting "Mexico first," pushed back on critics that she was caving to U.S. pressure, and has told U.S. officials that intervention is not necessary while pledging continued bilateral cooperation.
- Mexican Security Minister Omar García Harfuch described the detainees as "high-impact criminals" who pose a real threat to the country’s security; government video showed handcuffed prisoners with heavily armed, masked escorts being loaded onto a military jet near Mexico City.
- The U.S. Justice Department issued a statement calling the transfers "an important step" and said it looks forward to continued cooperation "in the protection and defense of our region."
- Analysts, including David Mora of the International Crisis Group, and reporting frame the transfers as extraordinary measures taken amid increased pressure from the White House — including President Trump’s public statements about hitting cartels and his claim that the U.S. has "knocked out 97% of the drugs coming in by water" and would "start now hitting land," and his public musings about possible military action.
- Mexican officials noted earlier transfers in the past year included cartel leaders moved because they continued to run operations from prison or faced potential release by Mexican courts.
📰 Source Timeline (5)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
January 21, 2026
6:22 PM
Mexico President Sheinbaum says cartel members sent to US were requested by Trump administration
New information:
- President Claudia Sheinbaum publicly confirms the 37‑person transfer was made at the request of the U.S. Justice Department but emphasizes it was decided by Mexico’s National Security Council as a 'sovereign decision' based on what was 'convenient for Mexico' and its 'national security.'
- Sheinbaum explicitly frames the transfers as a way to put 'Mexico first above all else' and pushes back on critics who say she is caving to U.S. pressure amid Trump’s threats of military action against cartels.
- The U.S. Justice Department issues a statement calling the move 'an important step' and saying it looks forward to continued cooperation 'in the protection and defense of our region.'
- Mexican officials reiterate that this is the third such transfer in a year, bringing the total number of people sent to the U.S. to 92, and recall that some cartel leaders were moved previously because they continued to run operations from prison and faced possible release by Mexican courts.
12:35 PM
Mexico flies 37 cartel members to US under pressure from Trump admin
New information:
- Confirms that Mexican Security Minister Omar García Harfuch publicly called the 37 detainees 'high-impact criminals' who pose 'a real threat to the country’s security.'
- Reiterates that among those transferred is María del Rosario Navarro Sánchez, described here as the first Mexican national charged in the U.S. with providing material support to a terrorist organization after allegedly conspiring with a cartel.
- Quotes Mexico analyst David Mora of International Crisis Group saying "This is Mexico resorting to extraordinary measures as pressure from the White House increases," explicitly framing the transfers as a response to Trump’s escalating threats, including floated U.S. military action against cartels.
- Notes Trump’s claim on Fox News that the U.S. has 'knocked out 97% of the drugs coming in by water' and that he plans to 'start now hitting land with regard to the cartels,' tying the maritime strikes and Venezuela raid to increased pressure on Mexico.
- Adds on-the-ground detail from Mexican government video: handcuffed prisoners, heavily armed masked escorts, and loading onto a military jet near Mexico City.
January 20, 2026
11:23 PM
Mexico sends 37 drug cartel members to U.S. in latest offer to Trump administration
New information:
- Confirms this is the third transfer in less than a year, bringing the total to 92 cartel suspects sent to the U.S.
- Details which cartels the 37 belong to (Sinaloa, Beltrán-Leyva, Jalisco New Generation, Northeast Cartel) and that all have pending U.S. cases.
- Identifies María Del Rosario Navarro Sánchez as the first Mexican citizen to face U.S. charges for providing support to a terrorist organization linked to cartel activity.
- Quotes analyst David Mora saying Mexico is resorting to 'extraordinary measures' like these transfers as Trump’s White House pressure and threats of intervention increase.
- Adds Trump’s recent Fox interview quote claiming the U.S. has 'knocked out 97% of the drugs coming in by water' and will 'start now hitting land, with regard to the cartels,' and notes his public musing about military action in Mexico.
- Reports that President Claudia Sheinbaum recently told Trump U.S. intervention is 'not necessary,' while pledging continued bilateral collaboration.