Alleged Business Ties Between Caro Quintero and AMLO as Revealed by a Reporter
In a significant event for Mexico's history, notorious drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero was extradited in February 2025 under President Claudia Sheinbaum's administration. This extradition, along with that of 28 other traffickers, marked a milestone in Mexico's ongoing battle against organized crime.
The arrest of Caro Quintero, a key figure in the Guadalajara Cartel, was catalyzed by a meeting in Washington between Vice President Kamala Harris and President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO), during which Harris urged AMLO to take action against drug traffickers.
The extradition process revealed a complex interplay of political maneuvering, international pressure, and organized crime. The group allegedly decided to halt the expedited extradition process demanded by the U.S., aiming to shield political figures such as Manuel Bartlett from potential fallout.
The enduring influence of organized crime within Mexico's corridors of power was evident in the extradition process. An emissary from Mexico's Secretariat of the Interior reportedly visited Caro Quintero in prison to negotiate terms, and a high-level emergency meeting was held at Mexico's National Palace involving key officials, including Alejandro Gertz Manero and Arturo Zaldívar.
The extradition of Caro Quintero and the other traffickers offers a case study for understanding the dynamics of drug trafficking in Mexico. The alleged deal offered protection and benefits for Caro Quintero's family in exchange for cooperation or silence, should extradition proceed.
However, the Mexican president under whom Caro Quintero was extradited is AMLO, not Sheinbaum as some may have initially thought. The revelations about the extradition process paint a complex picture of political maneuvering.
The extradition process involved international pressure, with the U.S. applying diplomatic pressure for Caro Quintero's arrest. Caro Quintero was captured in Choix, Sinaloa, in an operation supported by the DEA.
The arrest of Caro Quintero and the subsequent extradition process have sparked debate and controversy, with Rafael Caro Quintero publishing a letter from Brooklyn Prison, denouncing the harsh conditions there. Additionally, Mario Machuca Sánchez, a union leader, was murdered in Cancún, raising concerns about the safety of those who speak out against organized crime.
A report by The New York Times about a secret order signed by Donald Trump authorizing the Pentagon to use military force against cartels adds another layer of complexity to this ongoing story. The extradition of Caro Quintero and the other traffickers serves as a reminder of the intricate web of politics, organized crime, and international relations that underlies the drug trade in Mexico.
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