JAKARTA - Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said her country had sent 37 prisoners affiliated with cartel members to the United States (US).
Sheinbaum revealed that the delivery was at the request of the US Department of Justice. He emphasized that the transfer of prisoners was a Mexican decision without pressure.
"Mexico is prioritized above all else, even if they ask for anything they have to ask for. This is a sovereign decision," Sheinbaum told AP, quoted by ABC News, Saturday, January 24.
Sheinbaum's statement came in response to the many criticisms regarding the transfer of Mexican prisoners on Tuesday, January 20, was the result of increased Washington pressure as US President Donald Trump had threatened to take military action against the cartels.
Sheinbaum said that although the transfer was made at the request of the US government, the decision had gone through the consideration of Mexico's National Security Council, which first analyzed what was "appropriate for Mexico" and in terms of "its national security."
Sheinbaum is known to have a turbulent relationship with Trump. However, the President of the 2024 Election is said to have been forced to take a middle ground by giving concessions to the US government for domestic and international interests.
Observers say the Mexican government issued a policy to transfer the cartel members as an effort to dampen Trump's demands and show that authorities in Mexico are cracking down on criminal groups.
Since the US carried out a military operation in Venezuela resulting in the kidnapping and overthrow of President Nicolás Maduro, tensions in Latin America have increased with its leaders becoming restless.
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