Authorities confirmed the extradition of two prominent alleged leaders of the Zetas cartel, Miguel Ángel Treviño Morales, known as "Z40," and his brother Alejandro Omar Treviño Morales, referred to as "Z42," from Mexico to the United States. The Webb County Sheriff’s Office reported on February 27, 2025, the transfer followed months of negotiations, leading to significant tensions surrounding their status as major figures within transnational organized crime.
The controversial extradition took place early Thursday morning, with the brothers reportedly flown separately from Toluca's airport. Despite this development, their legal representation insists the extradition process is still legally flawed. Juan Manuel Delgado, the attorney defending the Treviño brothers, argued, "The procedure is legally impossible," explaining the extradition is still undergoing judicial review.
According to legal standards, the extradition process involves three primary phases: the formal request for extradition, the judicial opinion on its legality, and the subsequent determination by Mexico's Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores (SRE). Delgado claims the brothers remain at the second phase, where judicial opinion is pending and no final decision has been articulated by the court.
Nonetheless, sources from the United States, particularly prosecutors from Texas and New York, indicated their involvement, citing allegations against the Treviño brothers involving narcotics trafficking, international conspiracy for money laundering, possession of firearms, and illicit financial operations. Estimates suggest the U.S. had been heavily pressuring the Mexican government for months to facilitate their transfer to bolster their fight against international crime.
Marco Antonio Avilés, another member of the defense team, expressed serious concerns over the legality of the extradition and stated the brothers possess legal protections against their transfer. He noted, "Any movement out of the country would constitute exile, something entirely illegal, as they were already under extradition proceedings not yet finalized," he said. Avilés also highlighted intentions to pursue international legal channels to protect the brothers' rights should their extradition be confirmed.
Further complicity arose during legal claims as it was suggested the Treviño brothers had filed amparos—legal protections against harmful actions—prior to their reported transfer, which could prolong or jeopardize the legitimacy of the extradition.
If not extradited, Z40 was expected to remain imprisoned at the Federal Social Rehabilitation Center (Cefereso) Noreste, located in Nayarit, Mexico, whereas Z42 would have continued serving his term at the Altiplano maximum-security prison. Both drug lords had been detained on numerous charges spanning several jurisdictions, including four formal accusations against Z40 across Texas, New York, and Washington, and three against Z42.
With the U.S. gaining possession of the two men, law enforcement agencies have warned the public to exercise caution when visiting Nuevo Laredo and other regions within Tamaulipas, anticipating possible violent backlash from the Zetas cartel following the extradition.
The extradition of Z40 and Z42 signifies not merely the transfer of two notorious criminals, but also the broader international cooperation and legal dynamics at play when it pertains to combating organized crime. The case emphasizes the complicated intersection of law enforcement mechanisms between the United States and Mexico, particularly when facing substantial criminal organizations known for their brutality.
Even with the apprehension of such influential figures, questions linger about the effectiveness of the Mexican judicial system and its capacity to manage the judicial processes required for extradition. Observers remain watchful as the situation evolves, particularly as legal arguments surrounding the legitimacy of the extradition continue to arise.
Should the case yield significant procedural questions, it may have ramifications for future extradition requests and the collaboration between U.S. and Mexican authorities tackling drug trafficking and organized crime. Experts suggest the outcome could influence the broader discourse on criminal justice reform and inter-governmental relations concerning extradition treaties.