Mexico Airlifts 37 Cartel Members to U.S. Under Trump Admin Pressure [WATCH]

Mexican authorities transferred 37 suspected cartel operatives to the United States on Tuesday, marking the third large transfer of cartel members in less than a year as pressure rises from the Trump administration to combat drug trafficking and organized crime, as reported by Fox News.

Mexican Security and Citizen Protection Minister Omar García Harfuch confirmed that the 37 individuals were flown to the United States through cooperation mechanisms with U.S. authorities and said all were considered “high impact criminals” who “represented a real threat to the country’s security.”

37 Mexican Nationals Wanted for Serious Crimes Transferred to the United States from Mexico, Including Leaders of Foreign Terrorist Organizations

“This is another landmark achievement in the Trump Administration’s mission to destroy the cartels. These 37 cartel members –… pic.twitter.com/3QrikbwM9I

— U.S. Department of Justice (@TheJusticeDept) January 21, 2026

The transfers are part of broader efforts to disrupt criminal networks operating across the U.S.–Mexico border.

García Harfuch said the move was carried out in accordance with Mexico’s National Security Law and long-standing bilateral cooperation agreements.

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With the latest operation, Mexico has now transferred a total of 92 cartel figures to U.S. custody since last year.

Video released by Mexican authorities showed the handcuffed detainees surrounded by heavily armed, masked officers as they were escorted onto military aircraft near Mexico City.

The group of 37 includes members of several major criminal organizations. Mexican officials said the detainees were affiliated with the Sinaloa Cartel, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, the Beltrán-Leyva Cartel, the Northeast Cartel — a faction of the Zetas — and other groups.

Authorities said all of the individuals transferred had pending cases in U.S. courts.

Officials said the operation involved seven Mexican Air Force aircraft. The detainees were transported to multiple U.S. jurisdictions, including Washington, Houston, New York, Pennsylvania, San Antonio, and San Diego.

Mexican officials also confirmed that, at the request of the U.S. Department of Justice, Mexico obtained assurances that none of the transferred suspects would face the death penalty in the United States.

The January transfer follows earlier operations in February and August of last year, when Mexico sent 29 and 26 cartel members, respectively, to the United States.

Those transfers, similar to the most recent one, were intended to disrupt cartel leadership structures and prevent imprisoned leaders from continuing to direct criminal operations from inside Mexican prisons.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has said cooperation with U.S. authorities on cartel enforcement remains ongoing, while also opposing any direct U.S. military action on Mexican soil.

Sheinbaum spoke with President Donald Trump last week, reiterating Mexico’s willingness to work jointly on security matters while rejecting foreign intervention.

Analysts say the transfers reflect increased diplomatic and security coordination as pressure from Washington intensifies.

David Mora, a Mexico analyst with the International Crisis Group, said Mexico’s actions amount to “extraordinary measures as pressure from the White House increases.”

The Trump administration has sharply escalated its rhetoric against drug cartels in recent weeks.

Trump recently said the United States has “knocked out 97% of the drugs coming in by water” and is preparing to “start now hitting land with regard to the cartels.”

BREAKING: President Trump just said LAND STRIKES are coming on the DRUG CARTELS now that 97% of boat trafficking has been STOPPED!

This is going to SHOCK THE WORLD!

“We are going to start now hitting land with regard to the cartels. The cartels are running Mexico.”

WOW! pic.twitter.com/M4Vb1OJ872

— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) January 9, 2026

The transfer of the 37 cartel suspects is expected to remain a central issue in ongoing U.S.–Mexico security discussions as both governments continue efforts to combat transnational crime and drug trafficking while navigating issues of national sovereignty and bilateral cooperation.

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