Mexico has extradited 26 high-ranking cartel figures to the United States as part of a significant agreement with the Trump administration, aimed at intensifying efforts against drug trafficking networks.

U.S. officials, including Attorney General Pam Bondi, emphasized that these individuals are responsible for violence and drug distribution in the U.S. and will face severe consequences.

Mexico's government stated that these inmates posed a 'permanent risk to public security,' justifying their extradition under strict conditions.

The extradition process was expedited and involved negotiations that bypassed some traditional legal procedures, reflecting the urgency of the security cooperation.

This move follows recent agreements, including the return of 14 Mexican nationals serving drug-related sentences in the U.S., aiming to strengthen bilateral efforts against organized crime.

In Washington D.C., residents have expressed concerns about the federal takeover of the police department, fearing it could escalate tensions despite some noting crime rates are declining.

The U.S. Justice Department confirmed that none of the extradited individuals will face the death penalty, aligning with Mexican legal conditions for extradition.

This large-scale extradition, the largest for Mexico involving multiple cartel leaders simultaneously, underscores a shift in U.S.-Mexico cooperation on security issues.

Among those transferred are notorious figures linked to major drug cartels such as the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and the Sinaloa Cartel, including leaders like Abigael González Valencia and Servando Gómez Martinez, 'La Tuta'.

The extradited suspects face maximum sentences of life imprisonment, with some, like Conteh, potentially receiving up to 45 years if convicted.

The operation also included the extradition of Abdul Karim Conteh, a fugitive accused of smuggling thousands of migrants into the U.S., highlighting the broader scope of criminal activities targeted.

The federal government has activated the D.C. National Guard to support local law enforcement, with ongoing discussions about the duration and future of federal control.