The United States rejects 36 extradition requests due to incomplete files.
President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on May 14, 2026, that U.S. authorities have rejected 36 extradition requests submitted by the Mexican government, deeming the submitted files insufficient to support the necessary evidence.
During her public address this morning, the mayor explained that in several cases, U.S. authorities chose not to authorize actions to locate or apprehend individuals wanted by Mexico precisely because the submitted documentation did not meet the required standard to substantiate the request.
This announcement comes at a particularly sensitive time for the relationship between the two nations.
In recent weeks, public discussion has focused on the effectiveness of binational cooperation mechanisms in addressing high-impact crimes, judicial investigations, and cases linked to criminal networks.
Faced with this scenario, Sheinbaum emphasized that cooperation with Washington must be based on clear principles: mutual respect, full recognition of national sovereignty, and strict adherence to the legal framework in force in Mexico.
Although the head of the Executive Branch did not publicly identify the individuals involved in these requests, she did make it clear that the main reason for rejection was related to the weakness of the supporting documentation.
In other words, the authorities of the neighboring country concluded that the evidence presented was insufficient to support the requested actions.
The issue has gained prominence on the public agenda because extraditions represent a key element in the regional strategy against drug trafficking, transnational violence, and the operation of criminal organizations that operate on both sides of the border.
Each decision, therefore, impacts not only a particular case but also the general perception of the level of understanding between the institutions of both governments.
In operational terms, extradition requests are part of the instruments of international judicial assistance that allow a country to request the surrender of a wanted person to face criminal proceedings or serve a sentence.
However, this procedure requires solid documentary evidence, legal consistency, and sufficiently robust proof to convince the requesting authority.
Sheinbaum’s statement once again highlights the need to strengthen the compilation of case files, improve the technical quality of investigations, and consolidate more effective, transparent, and legally sustainable bilateral cooperation.
