Wllie's bribe for Rich's pardon was too obvious and Ryan wasn't going to make Willie's mistake.
The commutation for, what?, several million, gives the drug cartel plenty of opportunity to get the guys out now that the threat of death isn't pushing them. The pressure is off and other folks can be bribed for other things.
Think of the recruiting effect that this will have on encouraging new criminals to enter the occupation. It is the same reason that the Israelis want Pollard, to prove to the next class of criminals that the organization will always take care of you.
A Brilliant observation.