US Ambassador Defends Cross-Border Anti-Drug Efforts Amid Mexican Concerns

The US ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, defended the cooperation between the US and Mexico in their anti-drug efforts after Mexican authorities voiced concerns over information-sharing. This came after two Mexican drug lords were unexpectedly flown to the US. Salazar also commented on proposed judicial reforms in Mexico.

The US ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, defended bi-national cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking after Mexican prosecutors raised concerns about a lack of information sharing from American officials. The issue surfaced after a mysterious flight in July brought two Mexican drug lords to Texas, catching Mexican authorities off guard.

Salazar emphasized that the surprise arrival of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and Joaquín Guzmán López, both prominent figures in the Sinaloa cartel, also astonished U.S. officials. Guzmán López, son of the infamous Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, had been negotiating his surrender but failed to mention bringing Zambada along.

In a shift to judicial reforms proposed by Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Salazar expressed support for limiting the duration of trials, while sidestepping the contentious proposal to elect judges. Salazar believes enforced time limits could expedite lengthy extradition cases involving notorious criminals, which often drag out due to multiple appeals.