There was nervousness about the imminent return of Cárdenas Guillén, who once led the feared Gulf Cartel in northeastern Mexico before he was arrested and extradited to the United States in 2007.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirmed Monday on its social media accounts that Cárdenas Guillén was repatriated after serving 14 years in U.S. custody, the majority of his 25-year prison sentence in the United States. He is a Mexican citizen, so presumably he was deported.
A Mexican federal official, whose name was not authorized to be mentioned, said Cárdenas Guillén was immediately arrested in Mexico on drug, organized crime and money laundering charges.
The official said Cárdenas Guillén is being held at the high-security Altiplano prison, just west of Mexico City.
Homeland Security investigations published photos of Cárdenas Guillén, pot-bellied, bald and wearing glasses, escorted by two officers in helmets and bulletproof vests, and of the man crossing a border bridge.
The image contrasts with the drug lord’s fearsome reputation in Mexico for his violence.
The former head of the Gulf Cartel was known for his brutality. He created the bloodiest gang of hitmen Mexico has ever known, the Zetas, who regularly massacred migrants and innocent people.
Originally from the border city of Matamoros, Mexico, the 57-year-old transported tons of cocaine and made millions of dollars through the Gulf Cartel, based in the border cities of Reynosa and Matamoros.
(Associated Press del 17/12/2024)
the association does not receives and is against public funding (even 5 per thousand)
Its economic strength lies in registrations and contributions donated by those who deem it useful
DONATE NOW
