Posted on 01/20/2007 12:29:47 AM PST by NormsRevenge
MEXICO CITY - Mexico extradited four major drug traffickers to the U.S. on Friday, a sign that the nation's new president will deliver on his promise for more cooperation in fighting cross-border crime.
Osiel Cardenas, the purported Gulf cartel leader who is believed to still be running the drug organization from behind bars in Mexico, was extradited along with 13 others wanted in the U.S., all of whose appeals against extradition had run out, the Attorney General's office said in a news release.
The United States has long been frustrated by Mexico's reluctance to extradite Mexican drug lords also wanted in the U.S.
Mexico has said the suspects had to face justice in their own country first.
But that attitude changed under former President Vicente Fox, who promised to hand over top criminals to the U.S.
President Felipe Calderon initiated an aggressive push against drug gangs shortly after taking office on Dec. 1.
"Today, both the Mexican and the American people can celebrate a monumental moment in our two nations' battle with the vicious drug traffickers and criminals who threaten our very way of life," U.S. Ambassador Tony Garza said in a statement.
In addition to Cardenas, Mexico extradited Ismael and Gilberto Higuera Guerrero, brothers and former chiefs in the Arellano-Felix cartel in Tijuana and Mexicali, and Hector Palma Salazar, former leader in the Sinaloa cartel of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, who escaped from prison in 2001 and is still at large.
Ten others wanted on charges of murder, drug trafficking and sex-related crimes, also were extradited, officials said.
"I cannot say enough about the extraordinary leadership, courage and conviction demonstrated by President Calderon, his Attorney General Eduardo Medina Mora, and the hundreds of dedicated law enforcement professionals on both sides of our border who have made this day possible," Garza said.
FILE - In this undated handout from the Mexican Attorney General's Office, convicted drug trafficker Osiel Cardenas is shown. Mexican authorities on Friday extradited several alleged drug traffickers, including purported Gulf cartel leader Osiel Cardenas - a sign that President Felipe Calderon is following through with a promise to cooperate with the United States in fighting major crime. (AP Photo/SSP-HO)
Funny. Six years of the Fox/Bush regime and nothing happens. Now we are getting results from Calderon.
Fox was a flake who ended up being the PAN candidate sort of as a fluke. He promised Bush a lot - and delivered nothing. Calderon is a serious politician with a serious background, and I think he really wants to see some changes in Mexico.
Fox did a lot of grandstanding on this issue of extraditing criminals to the US, stoking anti-US feeling in Mexico and carrying on about the death penalty (most of these criminals wouldn't have been subject to it anyway). At the same time, Mexico was often less that willing to repatriate their criminals that we had caught here. I think we're going to see much better and more normalized cooperation between law enforcement in the two countries under Calderon.
Calderon must be weeding out those who didn't contribute to his campaign. Of course I'll have to change my opinion if drug traffic across the border slows down or stops.
TIME TO EAT CROW!
Over what?
Did you notice the date of the article and when it was posted?
No. It's just that you posted on an old thread - I just wondered if you'd seen the date.
Still not sure why I was pinged to this.
Enjoy your day. R
Thank you. I am having a good day. I have a few honey do items to take care of. I am actually enjoying them. Stay safe.
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