Background on Claudia Sheinbaum and Her Administration
Claudia Sheinbaum, the current head of Mexico City’s government, has seen a significant rise in the number of high-impact criminals deported to the United States during her first year in office. This increase surpasses the same period of Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s administration. In total, 75 individuals were sent to the U.S., a 29.31% increase from the 58 extraditions recorded in 2019.
Key Figures and Their Criminal Histories
Among those deported are Rafael Caro Quintero, founder of the now-defunct Cartel de Guadalajara and one of the most wanted criminals by the U.S. since the 1980s for the murder of DEA agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. Also included are Miguel Ángel and Omar Treviño Morales, known as Z-40 and Z-42, former leaders of the Los Zetas Cartel, detained nearly a decade ago. In August 2025, another group of 26 fugitives accused of drug trafficking, homicide, and money laundering was deported. Among them were Abigael González Valencia, alias El Cuini, considered the financial arm of the CJNG (Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación), and Servando Gómez Martínez, La Tuta, former leader of Los Caballeros Templarios.
Experts’ Perspectives on the Impact of Deportations
Despite the rise in deportations, experts argue that this strategy does not effectively reduce crime or weaken criminal organizations in Mexico. Víctor Hernández, director of the Instituto Latinoamericano de Estudios Estratégicos, states that criminal organizations are decentralized and quickly replace their leaders. These deportations often trigger violence in the territories where detained kingpins operated.
Vicente Sánchez, a security expert and former investigator at the Colegio de la Frontera Norte, points out that there have been no recent extraditions from the U.S. to Mexico, indicating a lack of reciprocity and mistrust in the Mexican penitentiary system due to corruption and impunity.
Legal Concerns Regarding Deportation Methods
Alma Eunice Rendón Cárdenas, former Executive Secretary Adjunta of SESNSP, notes that the federal government’s categorization of these deportations as “special transfers”—a term not recognized in Mexico’s extradition law—may lead to legal challenges from the defense teams of the deported or expelled criminals.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main increase during Claudia Sheinbaum’s first year? The number of high-impact criminals deported to the U.S. has increased by 29.31% compared to Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s first year.
- Who are some notable figures deported? Rafael Caro Quintero, Z-40 and Z-42 (Los Zetas Cartel leaders), Abigael González Valencia (El Cuini, CJNG financial arm), and Servando Gómez Martínez (La Tuta, former Los Caballeros Templarios leader).
- Do experts believe deportations reduce crime? No, experts argue that criminal organizations are decentralized and quickly replace leaders, often triggering violence.
- Why is there mistrust in the Mexican penitentiary system? The U.S. lacks confidence in the Mexican prison system’s ability to manage high-profile criminals due to corruption and impunity.
- What legal concerns exist regarding deportation methods? The federal government’s categorization of deportations as “special transfers” may lead to legal challenges from defense teams.
