Mexico extradited 26 alleged members of the CJNG and Sinaloa cartels to the United States, with President Claudia Sheinbaum insisting the move was a sovereign decision amid growing pressure from Washington to crack down on drug trafficking.

The transfers are a milestone for the Trump administration, which has made dismantling dangerous drug cartels a key Justice Department priority.

The transfer follows news that President Trump ordered the Pentagon to begin using military force against certain Latin American drug cartels.