U.S. to extradite ex-Gulf Cartel leader to Mexico on Monday

Osiel Cárdenas Guillén, a notorious figure in Mexico's drug trafficking history, was released from U.S. federal prison after serving 14 years of a 25-year sentence. He was convicted on multiple charges, including conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and threatening federal agents. Following his release, he was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and is set to be extradited to Mexico, where he faces additional criminal charges. Cárdenas Guillén was the former leader of the Gulf Cartel and is known for founding the Zetas, a violent gang notorious for extreme brutality, including torture and killings. His criminal activities spanned from 1997 until his capture in 2003, during which he oversaw a vast drug trafficking operation that significantly impacted the U.S. drug market. The Zetas, initially formed as a security force for the Gulf Cartel, became an independent entity and grew to a force of 10,000 gunmen by 2012, contributing to the violence in Mexico's drug war. The Biden administration's decision to extradite him comes amid ongoing efforts to address drug-related violence and crime in Mexico. The Justice Department has not publicly commented on the specifics of the extradition, but it reflects a broader strategy to combat drug trafficking organizations that have wreaked havoc in both countries. Cárdenas Guillén's return to Mexico raises concerns about the potential for further violence and the challenges of law enforcement in dealing with powerful drug cartels. His extradition is a significant development in the ongoing battle against organized crime in the region.